For a first-time experience, and the amount of money I spent, I will not wish the Gem on anyone that wants to have a great vacation. It was overwhelming seeing the people bunched up by the pool area so early in the morning. GEM, should keep the seats by the pool to a limit, not have them all around the entire space for so many hours. Let the people dip and walk around but to relax on a beach chair the entire day is a downer. Encouraging positive, and not lazy behavior. Too many rude, disorganized people on the lines and no one to direct them in an orderly manner. It wasn't what I expected. I really expected a relaxed vacation. I came back home drained.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Okay.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
okay.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Karaoke was my favorite. However, they did not have a variety of song options.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
Same music over and over again. Boring after a while of the performers telling you how to dance to a specific song since day 1. Not enough options of songs at the family karaoke.
Children's Programs
1 out of 5
There were about 50 teen kids for 1 staff member. The teens hung around the staircase area and no one reprimanded them, nor called security. Seems like a lot of security on the ship but what good is it if they are not patrolling the areas, to assure safety and assuring that everything is running smoothly.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
The waiters/waitress, and room steward, were the best. All other staff, especially at the photo area and gift shop weren't friendly and somewhat rude. I asked two of them a question " I'd like to inquire about your t-shirts, can I buy some t-shirts, and the cashier screamed out NO, and said you have to go outside at the deck to get t-shirt and kept saying no, with hand signs. As if I was supposed to know that the t-shirt purchase was at the deck.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The communal areas were cleaned and well-maintained. Besides the dinnerware with food in the elevator and the stair rails.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
My cabin was well maintained thanks to Paul the room steward. Very kind. The back of the soap holder, had something like mold, but other than that it was good for what it was. I didn't stay in the room much, just slept, bathed and left.
Ship tip
For a first timer, don't sail Gem. I will be contacting my NCL Consultant and informing him as well. For this should not be a first-time experience. I do know that things do happen, but on this GEM, too much was happening and my experience was not what I expected. Next time, I will do my research and check which line or ship suits me best. On the GEM, there is too much going on with people over drinking and not knowing how to act. The beach chairs are overwhelming and all over the place. Dinnerware with food, was left at the rails of the stairs, in the corner of the elevator, under the beach chairs. Some people were way, out of control with the drinking and their approach was as if we were their neighbors back home. There were too many kids running around as if they were back in the hood with no parents to keep them in check.
It was okay, no one to direct you in the right direction, if you did not book an excursion, but felt like getting off for a while and enjoying something nearby.
Nassau, Bahamas, was too short of a time. With the excursion that I booked, there wasn't enough time and extremely disorganized. It didn't matter if you got there first or not, the lines to board the bus to go to Atlantis, was a nightmare.
I was able to keep my suitcase the night before, which gave me the ability to keep moving, call a Lyft service, otherwise I would be like everyone else scattered all over the streets.
I’ve been on the Gem 3 times, and the Breakaway twice, the Gem has a bigger and better pool area even tho it’s a smaller ship. I prefer the smaller ships over the mega ships Sunday.
I went on the Gem twice and I am going again in November. There is plenty of sun bathing areas on the ship. When I want to use the pool and hot tubs I do. I then go to another area to sun bathe.
I understand your point. I was there at about 7:00am for two mornings. I don't see any one but towels, bags and some personal belongings are already on every chair. I guess those people just occupy those chairs 24/7.
Love the gem. The pool issue isn't a Gem problem, this happens on all ships. And the Gem is small imagine the mega ships. I personally always book a balcony so I can get away from the pool area and relax and have some privacy.
So, in reading your review, you're upset you couldn't relax by the pool because there were too many people relaxing by the pool and being "lazy" instead of active (what I assume you are calling "positive ") - so why did it bother you? If everyone else was being "lazy" and you prefer "positive ", shouldn't it have been great no one was "positive "? Or are you "positive " so much you wanted to be "lazy" on vacation, and were upset that so did too many other people? Doesn't seem fair to poorly review a cruise ship just because you wanted the pool to yourself and couldn't get it.
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