Not like it used to be

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 3
Author: robecca

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

robecca

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

13 Night Southern Caribbean (Boston Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 08, 2019

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10566

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

If you cruised before, you will be disappointed. Obvious cutbacks on food quality and service. Make sure you get a bargain on this ship, don’t pay all the money.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Long line even for the ‘fast lane’ setup for platinum

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Some of the dinners at the sit down main dining room were terrible. Used to be better quality, now not sure if they are just using leftovers from the buffet or items straight from the buffet.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Needs an upgrade

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Just ok, obviously not like it used to be. Live music around the ship was great.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Hard workers. It’s obvious that they’ve cut down. Service used to be much faster at the sit down dining rooms, rooms used to be cleaned more often (and used to get animal towels). Lots of cutbacks.

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

Needs a good upgrade

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Could use a good carpet and wall cleanup. Bathroom is so tight and outdated. Had a coffee maker but no coffee. Had no laundry bags, had to ask 3 times. Tv is terrible. So small and not getting as many channels than in the past. Another cutback.

Ship tip

If you have sailed Norwegian in the past, you will be disappointed. Obvious cutbacks on service, food and quality.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Boston, Massachusetts

2 out of 5

Dumpy area. It’s just a big old warehouse.

Thumbs Up 0

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5

St. John's, Antigua

4 out of 5

Bridgetown, Barbados

3 out of 5

Best port.

Thumbs Up 0

Castries, St. Lucia

3 out of 5

Basseterre, St. Kitts

4 out of 5

The locals are very pushy and the beaches are terrible.

Thumbs Up 0

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

5 Comments

mattchristine 5 years ago

I was on this sailing and my family and I had a blast! I loved the ship, the staff and all the ports. My sister didnt care for the buffet food and my brother-in-law didnt like anything but he is grumpy lol. I say any day on a cruise is a good day!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

trvljet 5 years ago

I have talked with several friends that have cruised on Norwegian this year and in the past and have stated Norwegian seems to have cutback for more than most. I have not been on them since the 90s and at the moment we are sticking with Princess for the time being.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Dvsdog76 5 years ago

I personally don’t think this is a real review

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

NJCruiseGuy 5 years ago

All mainstream cruise lines have cut back in the last 10 years. Cruising is still a great way to travel and for us, cheaper than any other option for what you get (room, food, entertainment, transportation, etc.).

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

TheSnoMan 5 years ago

From what I have read in industry news, their sales and profit are down and they are trying to cut costs.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

A wonderful fall/winter break

Funny exciting wonderful

Good