Not what I expected

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 3.1
Author: violet420

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

violet420

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 43

Overall rating:

3.1 out of 5

7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 26, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: x

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

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.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York

3 out of 5

Embarked point.

Thumbs Up 0

Port Canaveral, Florida

3 out of 5

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.

Thumbs Up 0

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

3 out of 5

This port was okay. I was able to rent some gear and a float, to keep busy at the beach.

Thumbs Up 0

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

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.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

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.

12 Comments

ginjor 7 years ago

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.

Thumbs Up 0

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kbrown1962 7 years ago

I love the Gem!

Thumbs Up 1

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kbrown1962 7 years ago

I love the Gem!

Thumbs Up 1

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kbrown1962 7 years ago

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.

Thumbs Up 1

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DIVA1952 7 years ago

WOW!!!🙄

Thumbs Up 0

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chris20162016 7 years ago

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.

Thumbs Up 1

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dculpepper1 7 years ago

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.

Thumbs Up 6

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starrluna 7 years ago

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.

Thumbs Up 5

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tdelaney4285 7 years ago

Been on the Gem 3 times and love it! October 2018 we will sail on the Breakaway.

Thumbs Up 1

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bups 7 years ago

I hate people. Sheesh some people are never satisfied.

Thumbs Up 1

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kbrown1962 7 years ago

My husband and I sail Norwegian exclusively! We love the Gem!

Thumbs Up 1

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whatever44 7 years ago

I sill think the gem is the best. sorry u had a bad time

Thumbs Up 1

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