NCL Gem 8/18/18

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 2.7
Author: mvl26

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

mvl26

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 10

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 18, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9548

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Have been on this ship before and now see a big decline. Major staff cutbacks. Most days only 1 bartender at pool bar. Wait long time for drinks. Charged additional US tax per drink without being notified first. Common area bathrooms were not attended to. They were filthy and out of paper the majority of the day. Nightlife was poor with very few options.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Casino

1 out of 5

Could not gamble because it was too smokey. They had very poor ventilation.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Bliss Ultra Lounge & Night Club

2 out of 5

Bad music and few bartenders

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

2 out of 5

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

3 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

6 Comments

DrFager 5 years ago

I think understaffed is not the case. The experience is lacking. Bars that had experienced help were efficient. Atrium was a pleasure. Drinks are highly controlled now right down to the last drop. Not bad but watching bartenders use shot glasses instead of counts was a bit unprofessional.

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jleslie48 6 years ago

"Charged additional US tax per drink without being notified first" as you have cruised 7+ times you should know or at least have experienced that before as it is standard when you are in a stateside port. Despite that paying an a charge of 50 -75 cents for the drinks I have in port would not be my big concern on a $2-6,000 cruise.

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dreniere 6 years ago

Who makes the mess in the rest rooms, after 20 cruises I really wonder how some of our fellow passengers bathrooms look like. All you need do is bring it to a staff's attention

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Ncorr16 6 years ago

I disagree, I went on the gem in 2012 and just 2 weeks ago and if anything, service and cleanliness improved

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will756 6 years ago

We sailed the Gem the spring of 2015 and had a great time. The bathroom at the pool was a little messy mainly because the second restroom was hidden by the staircase near the towel locker.We are going on the Gem again the end of October. I hope they work out the kinks by then.Ps I do remember I didn't care for the band that played at the pool. The drinks seemed to improve the music.

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esm54687 6 years ago

If you have the UBP, it is clearly outlined in the T&Cs about the US tax ("your check may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries.")

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Other reviews of this sailing

Enjoyed the balcony so much - loved to watch the ocean in peace. Nassau was awesome and Grand Stirrup Cay was gorgeous.

Delightful cruise

Disappointed