Great Caribbean Cruise - However be cautious if you have any kind of food allergies

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 4.4
Author: cjans

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

cjans

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 52

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5

Verified Review

10 Night Eastern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 13, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 8554

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Great family time! Overall the Norwegian Gem is very nice. Worth it if you don't have any food allergies.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Embarkation was very organized.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Specialty Dining was excellent; however the service in the main dining room was lacking of service. One night for dinner we literally waited over 20 minutes just to be served water. Then waited another 10 minutes for the menus. I had difficulties with assistance with my Celiac disease. No one could help me in the buffet area to let me know what items were gluten free. I was told a couple of times, "I don't know it came out of a can". Other cruise lines have GF items labels and the head chef took me around the 1st day to let me know what was GF and what was not. Really no dessert items in the buffet that were GF. Main Dining Room did have some "Jackie" who helped me preorder my dinner each night. She was very good. I did however get sick separate days because of gluten issues.

Teppanyaki

5 out of 5

Excellent service & food! A must if you go on the Gem!!

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Pools, rock-climbing. The fitness center was very clean. Paint nite was fun!

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Entertainment on the ship was Excellent! Shows, production numbers, comedians, hypnotists - all were fantastic!

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Room Steward was fantastic!! Ship personnel, with the exception of the main dining rooms were great! Main dining room service very lacking in service.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Would definitely recommend this cabin if you are looking for an outside cabin, but want to save a little money. View was blocked by life boats, but you could still see out.

Ship tip

If you are traveling with any kind of food allergy be very careful. Have traveled on other lines that had plenty of gluten free options and the chef was always available to assist me if I had any questions. Never was able to speak to a chef on NCL Gem, let alone have him walk me around and give me some assistance. Definitely need to improve in this area.

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