Norwegian cruises can do much better

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

luckyequine

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 27

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 16, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10006

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I have been on multiple cruises and never had any of the following issues. I enjoy cruising and understand that sometimes things can get crowded on the ship but never had it this bad. I am NOT hard to please, but when I spend thousands of my hard earned money I want to enjoy it. I have also been boating for years and grew up boating.

The Norwegian cruise line is not a line I will ever join again - unless it were free and even then it's questionable.

WAY too many people for the areas. Hundreds of people had to stand for most comedy/performances. If you didn't get up really early to get chairs by the pool forget about it. The spa was nice, but if you get a massage you should get access to the relaxation rooms (not have to pay an additonal $150), and they shouldn't spend 30 minutes after your massage trying to sell you more crap. You're there to relax! The tendering process was horrible - as soon as we got on the island they stopped lunch. We didn't eat at all that day until dinner because of it! The process for this was very misleading. It says to get your ticket only when you're ready - so we did that, but had to wait 2 more hours.

Not only that, but they tried to make bogus charges! We paid $117 for something, they tried to put it through as $1,017! They did this for multiple things.

The photo packages were misleading. I wanted to buy photos of my parents since I bought a 50 photo package. They said I couldn't because it wasn't my room number and he also claimed the package was complimentary. Ok, if it's complimentary then my parents should be able to get their own since "complimentary" means it comes with the cruise.

No room in the pools, the weight room in the gym is TINY. We could barely fit 5 people in there. My boyfriend and I could barely keep our workout routine because of the tiny space.

The staterooms are the smallest of any cruise I have been on. For just my bf and I it was fine (we had a balcony) but I would not recommend it for a family of 4.

No poolside service for drinks. And if you do want a drink cancel your plans for the day because you'll be waiting there a LONG time. They will service other people who got to the bar after you- they need to learn how to bartend. Waiters and staff didn't get friendly until you tip them.

The food I didn't think was too bad until I came home and ate something and realized how absolutely crappy the food was. The desserts were absolutely disgusting; and I like my sweets. The only thing that was good was the lava cake.

I really could go on but hopefully I've made my point that you should not waste your money.

Do not recommend this cruise at all. We spent thousands only to be disappointed.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Very small compared to other cruises

Ship tip

Just don't go

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York

5 out of 5

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

1 out of 5

Eat before you go or make sure they're still serving when you go.

Thumbs Up 0

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

33 Comments

tania624 8 years ago

Garden cafe is NOT open until 11:30..it closes at 9:30.

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tania624 8 years ago

chillman141 why are u going so hard on how I felt on MY cruise? Things we experienced on NCL Gem 1. The places close at 9:30- 10 to eat..hurry so u dont miss it! 2. They have signs saying do not fill up water bottles. 3. Room service is 7.95 each time u order. Other lines are free. (My kids loved that! 😊 4. U cant bring water/juice on board yet other lines u can. 5. Photo ops are not the same as other lines. Every now and then u see a cameraman, other lines they are everywhere. In fact u have pictures u are surprised to even find there in the gallery! And thats a great thing. So...my opinion, NCL is lacking. I and the group i traveled with agree we had better service with other lines. Just what i observed ..maybe u can use this info on your upcoming trip! Happy sailing! I wont be commenting anymore..so bon voyage!

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chillman141 8 years ago

Also, forgot the Garden Cafe is open to 11:30 pm.

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chillman141 8 years ago

Are you saying that O'Sheehans wasn't open after 9:30? That's simply not true.

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tania624 8 years ago

No the places being closed at 9:30-10 pm is not an opinion..its a fact!! U want me to post the freestyle daily that i have in front of me with the hours of operation? Lol 😂..u need to stop while your ahead. And focus on YOUR upcoming cruise lol

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chillman141 8 years ago

You're right and I have the same right to give my opinions as well. I Don't expect everyone to be satisfied that's human nature. But when you complain about something on a cruise that's simply not true, like restaurants not open after 9:30 or only NCL prohibits bringing water on with you, then those comments taint what the others planning a cruise can expect. I really now believe you're the one working for Carnival.

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tania624 8 years ago

And im convinced that u work for ncl or a travel agent for such lol. U taking my opinion wayyyy to serious. U will never have all persons aboard a cruise 100% satisfied. Some are not going to be pleased. Get over it!

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tania624 8 years ago

Lol why are u so concerned that i prefer carnival that u have to say something about my upcoming trip😁. This is a forum...u give opinions. went on carnival 6 times was always satisfied. Went on ncl one time was not satisfied. Some may have had other experiences. And i dont try to say they are wrong. Thats THEIR experience. And umm...yes i will be bringing not only water, but apple juice as well!😄

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chillman141 8 years ago

Tania624 I never contested your cruise, just gave you information that it appeared you weren't aware of. Maybe if you knew these things before you cruised you would have been happier. And by the way better leave any bottled water at home because Carnival won't allow it either.

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tania624 8 years ago

Oh no chillman i will not be on your upcoming cruise! Lol bon voyage...just have your state key ready. 😂..difference of me and u...when u come back and give your rating or opinion..i wont contest it...it was YOUR trip. Good day!!

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chillman141 8 years ago

Tania624 I pulled the midnight open from their web site,and even if that's wrong there are no less than two restaurants open 24 hours a day that your group apparently didn't utilize. Once again I don't work for NCL, but you're going to have your own opinion. Perhaps if you did your research before you booked you would have been knowledgeable enough not to go in the first place. I'm not upset, and actually happy that you won't be on my upcoming cruise.

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tania624 8 years ago

The Gems main dining rooms are open until 12? Do not give this false info. Garden cafe shuts down by 10. Grand pacific 9 is the lastest u can eat. Magenta is 10:00 pm. All courtesy of our recent experience weeks ago and the freestyle daily that i have in front of me. And room service is free on carnival. No 7.95 service charge . Again to each his own..everyone has different needs and wants, eating schedules for whatever reason. MY cruise...MY opinion. Will never sail with them again.

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tania624 8 years ago

And its tania624 not tabia lol

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tania624 8 years ago

Chillman141 i have seen your comments throughout this forum and u always seem to get hasty when someone didnt have a good experience. This was MY cruise paid with MY money and this was MY expectations. I'll say it again NCL nickel and dimed us for everything. Activities had a charge, room service was a fee, places to eat were closed early. I wasnt pleased as well as 13 people in our party. We are booked with carnival already for our next group cruise. Will never do ncl again. And ummm yeah u must work for ncl...who gets so upset about another persona opinion about THEIR cruise experience? Washy washy that

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chillman141 8 years ago

Tabia624 First I don't work for NCL. They can't leave all their restaurants open just waiting for a small group to eat whenever they want, what restaurants on land actually serve after 9:30 pm, McDonald's of course. Were you aware you could take all 15 of you and eat at O'Sheehans 24 hours a day? I'm not upset at all, just trying to help all 15 of you from starving if you ever go again. The Gems main dining rooms are open until midnight, the Blue Lagoon and O'Sheehans 24 hours a day, so if you didn't find a place to eat after 9:30, don't blame NCL . It appears you are the one working for a competitive cruise line.

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tania624 8 years ago

Chillman141 if for any reason you dont eat by 9:30 like umm..doing an activity, at a show, took a nap...or just taking in the sight of the ocean...because um yes..u are on vacation. No deadlines shoulc exist! you have no options of eating. And i and my party of 15 eat after 9:30! I can eat when i want! Hmmm...seems u must work for norwegian because u getting a little hasty.. lol calm down. This is forum where u are able to give your opinion. And i did. Lol it amazes me how ones opinion can upset someone so much .hilarious

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chillman141 8 years ago

Tania624, first of all there are no set dinner times, so why would you miss dinner? Then if you happened to nap until 9:30, why wouldn't you go to O'Sheehans to eat, it's open 24 hours a day. (and who eats dinner after 9:30). You sound like someone who didn't spend the time to research anything before or while on the cruise.

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tania624 8 years ago

Good for u! Just make sure u have your key card handy for the extra charges and fees for everything on the boat . Bon voyage!

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Lisamm724 8 years ago

Some people are hard to please! I been on twice and have two more booked!

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luckyequine 8 years ago

I have been on several cruises and including carnival and royal Caribbean and I enjoyed those. Like I said, ncl was horrible and I gave my reasons why. Never had any of those problems with other cruise lines.

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tania624 8 years ago

Didnt let it ruin my cruise. But we were on vacation..where u are looking to be free from timetables and restrictions. Online said 24 hour food..however like i said its shut down at 9:30. So...if u are at activities, a show..then take a nap and miss dinner..only option is that 7.95 charge to eat...to each his own..but after paying my cruise fare, and port charges and gratuities i think we all thought we should be able to eat free after 9:30! My opinion!

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luves2cruise 8 years ago

Mmmm, i dont often post. All the mean comments are not a pleasure. I have this app to enjoy the anticipation of my next cruise. 68 days and counting on NCL. Its a bummer to be un happy with any vacation, but all these things are and have been listed on the site. Expectations have a huge affect on our thinking. Disappointment will happen every time if you arent prepared for curve balls. I would of let the supervisor know about the sea sick person re the charge. They may have removed it, but even if they did not its a convience charge. Dont let the small stuff ruin your cruise!

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daviebutcher 8 years ago

Tania624 is correct it's 7.95 every time you order room service is was on the gem 2 weeks ago....

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tania624 8 years ago

I ordered lunch 5 out of the 7 days for a reletative in room who suffered from motion sickness the first 4 days and it was 7.95 each time. Again other lines its FREE. Have a good day. Washy washy lol

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TPr9258 8 years ago

Nasty nasty you were able to voice your opinion so others should also, and I was just saying we were not charged and ordered the morning service 5 out of the 7 days

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tania624 8 years ago

And 7.95 charge for room service wasnt a one time charge it was for everytime your ordered room service. You could have simply ordered a piece of cake . 7.95 charge . Other lines room service is FREE all day each time. No charge

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tania624 8 years ago

Ok great for u. Everyone has their own reasons for why they were pleased or not.

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TPr9258 8 years ago

I am under the impression that water isn't allowed on any cruise lines any longer as of July 15th. The 7.95 room charge was a 1 time service and that was if you ordered something like a meal, we had coffee and pastries fresh fruit delivered every morning and never got charged the 7.95. We often ate later on the back deck where they served pizza, burgers and desserts after 1030, or could have ate at 1 of the dinner places ribs and chicken wings and things all night. We were on the Gem just last week and never had problems with seating for the shows, always filled up but we would go 15 minutes early and have a cocktail before the show. This was my first time on Norwegian and would definitely go again.

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4kids4me 8 years ago

Been on 4 NCL cruises. Next cruise will be NCL too :-)

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tania624 8 years ago

Just returned from cruise on norwegian. Have to say we were not really pleased with several things. We have cruised before with different line, and room service was free. With norwegian there was a 7.95 service fee charged to your room. Places to eat shut down at 9:30..couldnt bring your own water on board like other lines. 5.50 for water. First and last time cruising with them

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rdavis123 8 years ago

Guess this poster won't be happy with any cruise line as they all have the same issues. Sorry you were dissapointed .

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crstine3 8 years ago

I have cruised with NCL 5 times and have never had a problem. I understand that problems sometimes occur but maybe it's because some people are hard to please or are just not knowledgeable in some areas...like cruising. I'm sorry you had issues...maybe you were meant to fly..not cruise 🙂

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dawnro 8 years ago

First time cruiser?

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