Total Disappointment

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

LindaDrigant

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 98

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 06, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9122

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

My favorite aspect of this cruise was being on the water. We could have had that on any cruise. I will say that the Debarkation process was the easiest we had ever experienced (compared to Carnival). Embarkation, however, was a nightmare. It took 2 hours and that was using their quick method (purple tags meaning that we kept our bags which meant we were supposed to get off the ship easily.

Our first complaint would have to be the cabin. We were in Cabin 9122 (mid-ship balcony). Compared to the Carnival Breeze and the Carnival Sunshine, this was the smallest, even though the dimensions were similar. The configuration was not good at all. There was a strange odor in the cabin and it looked like it hadn't been cleaned or vacuumed. Upon calling Customer Relations the next day, a crew was sent in to disinfect; however, dusting was never done and the bathroom shelves were also never cleaned, as opposed to Carnival. They don't clean the cabins any time during the day like Carnival does and there is only 1 steward per cabin.

The Gem has done away with the formal night which meant no special dining room menu on one particular night, though they told us there would be one on the second night of the cruise (this was a few days prior to departure when I called Norwegian so I would know which night to not make a reservation at a specialty restaurant). The food was good in all the restaurants; however, the service was slow and everyone got the impression that the crew didn't want to be there. This feeling was prevalent throughout the cruise and shared between other cruisers and included the entire crew for the most part.

There was a change in the itinerary which stopped us from going onto their private island. The cruise director gave one explanation while crew members gave another reason. Many cruisers said this has happened before. Meanwhile, there were 2 other ships there and the seas were calm (though the Captain said there were swells that nobody else could see).

There were some other items that on their own merit would not warrant a comment but when added to the above, added to our disappointment. (No Direct TV like on Carnival which meant only 1 sports channel, no dedicated sports bar, an Ultimate Drink Package that did not include water or specialty coffee like on Carnival). Also, Carnival offered a $25.00 entire cruise internet package while Norwegian's least expensive internet package started at $149,00.

All in all, this was not a pleasant experience. I would definitely recommend Carnival where we were always meant to feel as though they were there to make sure that we were having a good time at all times. They don't "nickel and dime" you. You are allowed to bring water, soda and even wine or champagne on board (in limited quantities).

So sorry to have to write a review like this.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Thought there would be a Broadway show or an adult comic. They had a comedy troupe but it wasn't what we were looking for. Also, no mini golf or bowling which had been advertised.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Room needed to be disinfected and was never properly cleaned throughout the cruise.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Smaller than Carnival. Odor during entire cruise and never properly cleaned. Also, never seemed to be enough towels.

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

There is a shuttle ($13.00 (round trip) that will take you almost anywhere (Walmart, Walgreens, Cocoa Beach).

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24 Comments

Katievp 7 years ago

I see nothing wrong with this review. I know some people get totally offended but that's their problem. However, a lot of the negative reviews are totally bogus and inaccurate because someone chose not to do any research or be flexible with any aspect of they're trip. Unless you died....you're still on vacation not cooking,not cleaning and getting to see the world. I can understand how constant comparisons sentence after sentence can be viewed unfavorably by some but so be it as long you were accurate and without embellishment.

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laurie1270 7 years ago

I was on the gem and it was fantastic, staff was super friendly. unfortunately for me I got diverticulitis 4 1/2 days into our 7 nite trip so spent the last 2 1/2 nite in my room but still had a fantastic time.

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esm54687 7 years ago

I think negative comments / reviews are extremely beneficial just as much as positive ones..... in my opinion, when your complaints are solely based on another cruise line then they have less value.... if you say "the Breakaway is very smoke filled".... that's important but the second you say "way more smokier than Carnival" then you sound like a marketing pawn and not a legit cruiser. That's all I've ever been saying......

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baboon 7 years ago

thats why everyone should experience it themselves

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shippy123 7 years ago

I will be cruising on Gem in 3 weeks. I find it helpful to read everyone's opinions and experiences. They are all valuable. Isn't that what this site is for? It would be very boring if everyone only wrote about their positive experiences. Lighten up, people. It's only a cruise.

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LindaDrigant 7 years ago

You said what I have often thought.

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wl1962 7 years ago

So everybody say how wonderful the cruise was. Dont compare a different cruise line even though that may be one of the most useful critiques. Dont say you did not enjoy a ship. It is not necessarily a miserable person. It may have been a bad experience. I have enjoyed all the ships i have sailed except one but i am blasted for saying do. What good is a forum if peeps take offense at another's opinion. I actually get more from some negative reviews than the ones that say all was perfect. I eant to know if there was an issue you did not enjoy. Even if it was with the weather. I have a brain that can ignore that as not a fault of anyone and day. Dude what are you complaining about. You booked hurricane season. But poor food quality. Poor shows. Poor service. That needs to be said and if you cant hear that without saying the reviewer has a bad attitude or should suck it you need to stay in your safe space and keep telling your self i am happy i am happy

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baboon 7 years ago

I myself say if you had a bad experience so be it suck it up and move on if you go to dinner at a nice place and don't like it you just don't go back these threads only prove one thing and that is you get so mad at your bad experience that you feel the need to share it with others please don't let everyone see for themselves don't try to ruin there cruise with your opinion because I don't know your or your likes or dislikes so why would I except your opinion call ncl complain to them not us we can help you

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Katievp 7 years ago

Thanks esm54687

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LindaDrigant 7 years ago

I see nothing wrong with making comparisons. It is only when you've been on more than one cruise line that you can make an informed opinion as to the differences. We're going on the Carnival Magic in September and I'm sure it will be different from the cruise on the Sunshine. Great deal out of Port Canaveral September 3rd. Drive from NY and leave the car at a local hotel for free. Reasonable rates available and they include the transportation to the pier.

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esm54687 7 years ago

katievp: have a safe and fantastic trip

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esm54687 7 years ago

I love Princess....... I have over 12 with them but they aren't listed because I don't want my feed clogged with ships and ports I don't need anymore...... but if I'm on an NCL thread making comparisons and whining that NCL doesn't do this or that but Princess does then I certainly would have a Princess history to validate my opinion..... I'm not upset that people have negative opinions of NCL but stick with why NCL doesn't meet your needs..... not because the grass is greener elsewhere....

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wl1962 7 years ago

I love carnival as well as cruising in general. I called him out for saying i had no right to voice my opinion because of my cruising history. I know i can make up 100 cruises if i eant but i dont really care if someone thinks i am lying. I have been on enough ships tto know what i like and what is happening in the industry. Think ehat airtravel was as opposed to wgat it is now. If you want cruising to be like that keep saying all is well when it could be better and soon enoufh 8000 passenger ships with truly awful service for 199 a week but you wont want to go

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esm54687 7 years ago

absolutely no offense taken at all but since you have a strong opinion of NCL "sliding down the ladder" (this and other posts) ... it is very fair for anyone to look at your history to see what your experience was...... I weigh someone's opinion based on their current experiences not just blindly agreeing...... I'm sorry you got offended because someone actually asked you what you based your opinion on....... which you deflected answering by typing gibberish about future cruises.

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Katievp 7 years ago

I think what esm54687, is upset with is the constant comparison to Carnival. Personally, I love Carnival too.

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wl1962 7 years ago

Oh esm i see 5 total cruises for your history. All ncl. How can you rate anything with nothing to compare. That said i appreciate your insights but they would hold more water with at least one other experience. Then again if you are happy with ncl. As we are for the most part stay with only them and you will always think you know the best. Again thank you for pointing out that i dont have sufficient experience to give my opinion

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Katievp 7 years ago

ð no they're not. And I love Carnival. I'll be back on the Dream in 6 days as a matter of fact. But I also don't pretend they're perfect either. All of these companies have flaws. Never even been on NCL but I don't like incorrect or incomplete information floating around out there. ð

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wl1962 7 years ago

I very much appreciate you keeping track of my cruising. I have been on the gem 3 times and am booked for next may. We like the gem. We were on the breakaway once and did not like it at all. Also the ncl sun once. We have also sailed cunard twice. Carnival 3 times hal 4 times princess once rccl twice celebrity 3 times and windjammer once as memory serves. I appologize to all for not doing better on previous cruise in my history. Please forgive me. We also have carnivsl for jan 7 next year and qm2 in nov of 2017 in addition to the gem in 28. I am sorry if that is not enough history to give my humble opinion. I said nothing bad of your family so why do you take offense if i feel that cruising is not what it once was and is getting worse. I still love it but i hope the cruise lines will put more emphasis on quality rather than the number of peeps they can stuff in for 299 a week with average at best food quality and ever more upcharge items. Again i am truly sorry for my failure to stay up on my history for those of you who follow me

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esm54687 7 years ago

Katievp: NOOOOO! Say it ain't so..... Carnival isn't perfect!?!?!

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Katievp 7 years ago

If you bring water on Carnival it has to be in cans not bottles and they don't automatically clean your room twice a day any longer either.

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esm54687 7 years ago

wl1962: "I see NCL sliding down the ladder in quality......" is based on what? Your extensive cruise history indicates you were on the Breakaway 8 months ago and the Gem 4 years ago........ good or bad opinions are valuable when they are based on current experiences

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esm54687 7 years ago

Sounds like you should stick with Carnival.....

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wl1962 7 years ago

Although we like the gem i see ncl sliding down the ladder in quality and customer service. I hope ncl see some of these comments since they are a line we have enjoyed in the past. I do agree with you 90 pct however. Especially the nickel snd dime

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paf910 7 years ago

perhaps you should cruise with Carnival

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