A very pleasant experience

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Canada, New England, New York

RonRL

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

11 Night Canada & New England (New York To Quebec City)

Sail date: September 08, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 8588

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I found Oriental girls saying "washy-washy" and spraying your hands with some unknown liquid, each time you boarded the ship or entered the buffet, to be very offensive. It was like out of a bad 1950's movie that stereotyped Chinese as less than equal. While the food in the main dining rooms was fine, try the specialty restaurants. Definitely a step up in quality and service for a little extra. However, avoid the biscuits everywhere! I believe they were baked by Wayne Gretzky.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

Be sure to have a meal at Tappanyaki.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York Did not visit port

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Newport, Rhode Island Did not visit port

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Boston, Massachusetts

4 out of 5

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Bar Harbor, Maine Did not visit port

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Saint John, New Brunswick

5 out of 5

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Halifax, Nova Scotia

5 out of 5

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Sydney, Nova Scotia

5 out of 5

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Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

5 out of 5

Thumbs Up 1

La Baie, Quebec

4 out of 5

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Quebec City, Quebec

5 out of 5

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Disembarkation

4 out of 5

22 Comments

Prin 6 years ago

Washy washy girls are far less offensive than norovirus. Get over it.

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doctorfager 6 years ago

Washy washy Girls are Celebrities. Google them or view on you tube. Every cruise line you sail with the guests all say washy washy.

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dwright323 6 years ago

And I am not a germaphobe....

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dwright323 6 years ago

Remember one thing germaphobes it takes one person who is sick to not wash their hands and not use the washy washy person, then........ They touch every tong and serving spoon you then touch to pick up your food.... Then you handle your bread or butter then spread the germs onto you food you eat. It is better to have people behind serving the buffet than just every person handling the serving utensils. NCL take notice.

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Tielo 6 years ago

Oh please what does maintaining proper hygiene and putting a little spunk into it turn into offending a whole race. So over this

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BillTeg 6 years ago

Can't add much but agreement to ask the above comments. Handwashing is the single most effective means to preventing the spread of disease. The suspect unknown liquid is alcohol to kill gems. It is as effective as Handwashing unless you're hands are visibly dirty. My experience in NCL is crew members of various ethnic backgrounds spray hands. The "washy washy" may have a tinge of poor racial communication but I've found in general, it's very well accepted and appreciated. Thanks NCL for working hard at preventing illness on your ships.

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viviennepagano 6 years ago

I find it offensive that you assume that all washy-washy crew members are Oriental and the same on all of NCL ships. Closed minded people who have raciest tendencies should keep their offensive comments to themselves and do a bit of research before spewing their opinions. NCL has MANY different people of all nationalities as their washy people helping their passengers stay safe from a norovirus and other communicable Diseases

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jpmato16 6 years ago

“Oriental” refers to a type of rug. I believe the word you’re searching for is some derivative of “Asian.” Regardless, that’s something the individuals with that job say on EVERY NCL ship. They’re trying to make sanitation fun.

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nurselife 6 years ago

I guess if you don't care about cleanliness, and norovirus, etc then it would be "offensive". I never heard someone describe cleanliness as being offensive. Wow!!!

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Francisca04 6 years ago

Washy-washy was very important for me. Hands get germs with every touch of objects all over the place. Norwegian did right to encourage guests to clean hands specially before entering to any food places. More options were there to wash your hands. Was you choice to accept washy-washy.

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shonsy 6 years ago

I found them bloody hilarious, especially Karen whom we tipped at end of cruise..they ate strictly there to keep all of us as hygienic as possible, as most of us know some people have poor hygiene demeanor when it comes to buffet bars....

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gigcruiser 6 years ago

Unknown liquid is needed to try to stop people getting a poorly tummy - and spreading it. Cos some people are not hygienic.

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dwright323 6 years ago

OK so I was a little shocked when I first heard them say washy washy but you know what? It is an easy to say for everyone to understand 15,000 times every day.

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thebigdsfamily 6 years ago

If you get a bad case of norovirus you would appreciate the washy washy. Unreal 🙄

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CruisingGs 6 years ago

Agreed Jennie And I don’t care if your offended or not Freakin wash your hands every time they tell you! I don’t want you getting me or my family sick because you think your offended How silly is this pist

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JennieCoconut 6 years ago

I think saying oriental girls is offensive

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hookem72 6 years ago

So what nationality should the "washy washy" girls be?

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DerekMire 6 years ago

Then don't eat biscuits make yr own

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gina712 6 years ago

I can see how spraying your hands with sanitizer so you don't get sick could be offensive.

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cruisefreakgirl 6 years ago

ahhh. I loved the washy washy girls!

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esm54687 6 years ago

I hope you brought this up to the HD because if it offended you then it may offend others. NCL probably won't see it here. I personally was sprayed by a ton of crew (both male and female) from many international regions.

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funboomer47 6 years ago

People from all nations have the washy washy job. Has nothing to do with a certain culture or the past.

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