Islands were great, but the ship wasn’t fabulous

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 3.5
Author: emilydalayne

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

emilydalayne

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

3.5 out of 5

12 Night Southern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 26, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 5529

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

The islands were great and the activities were fun. The ship’s food was horrible and service was not very attentive. The activities onboard left a lot to be desired, especially for families and children.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

The main dining rooms had horrible menus and the service was extremely slow. We went to the buffet pretty much every night and the food was not great. There were times when we were hungry and couldn’t find food!

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

They aren’t attentive at all and are very slow to do anything.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ports of call

New York, New York

5 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

4 out of 5

Bridgetown, Barbados

5 out of 5

Castries, St. Lucia

5 out of 5

St. John's, Antigua

5 out of 5

Basseterre, St. Kitts

5 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

8 Comments

menada1115 5 years ago

@dreen we went a few different times. It's best to go to the hostess stand and ask early on what times they close for the switch of bfast to lunch or lunch to dinner.

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jleslie48 5 years ago

Strange, I was on the same cruise and was thrilled with the main dining room service and menus. I kept wanting to order the sirloin steak, but the specialty items on the menu were so exciting, I never got to the standby sirloin steak. The ceasar salad was always fresh, and the staff was wonderfully attentive. I remember on night I had trouble choosing between two desserts, and the waiter noticed and without telling me brought me both.

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Dreen 5 years ago

@menada1115 that’s interesting we’ll be on the Gem in 2 days do you mind telling me what time you went there so I know to avoid that time?

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menada1115 5 years ago

My family went to O'Sheehans twice and was told they were closed. Even though they say 24/7. This was for changing menu.

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esm54687 5 years ago

BillTeg: is it just the bassist that's free or can you substitute it for a free drummer or pianist? ☺

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BillTeg 5 years ago

You're on vacation... Why not slow down and enjoyed a relaxed dining experience. O'Sheehans is open pretty much 24 his a day plus there is room service for a service fee (free for continental bassist).

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dreniere 5 years ago

Evidently you did not research before you booked, the Gem is not a ship with plenty of young family bells and whistle. Guess you missed o'sheenens 24 hrs. On deck 8, since this was your first cruise recommend you look for a different family vacation

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lrgd 5 years ago

sorry but kids and family enjoy more on Carnival ships.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Amazing time we had

Adequate but not the best of cruise ships.

Overall, a solid relaxing experience