Could be much better
Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
10 Night Eastern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)
Sail date: January 18, 2017
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 8074
Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Reviewed: 7 years ago
Review summary
The itinerary for this trip was good, but the food on the Gem was not up to the standards of other NCL cruise ships. I don't know if it is because it is a smaller, older ship, or if NCL might be going to less inviting menus in the main dining rooms to entice cruisers to pay extra for other dining venues. found the buffet to also be bland and boring. I was disappointed that the main (free) dining venues had exactly the same menus every day for both lunch and dinner for 10 days. I think they should at least vary the menus every other day or so.
I was also disappointed in my cabin assignment. Although I chose to be assigned a cabin,I am a Gold Latitudes member and was expecting a much better cabin. I had two very narrow windows which offered only a very small view of the sky from only one of the windows. Perhaps it was because I was a solo traveler and they did not expect to make more money on only one person.
Most crew members were pleasant, welcoming and helpful. I would recommend that the shops on board offer more clothing items for sale ... not just items with the NCL logo.
The shows on board were entertaining. Overall, I enjoyed my cruise, but I probably would not go on the Gem again.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ports of call
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
4 Comments
jleslie48 7 years ago
for the life of me I cannot imagine someone going on a cruise and expecting fine dining at the food trough. I just got back from the gem and every day in the main dining room there were at least 2 unique items (as well as the 6 or so staple items,) every day.
Also as a seasoned cruiser I am surprised you haven't figured out why the "we choose your cabin" is the cheapest way to get a room: You get whats left over, aka, the very worst rooms. If the cruise if filled, your gonna get the bottom of the barrel. the fact that you were on deck 8 vs 4 or 5 seems you you count yourself lucky.
willwork4cruz 7 years ago