December Caibbean Cuise

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 3.4
Author: bobbiethompson2

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

bobbiethompson2

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 47

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5

Verified Review

8 Night Bahamas & Florida (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 13, 2019

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 11038

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

I have been on 15 Norwegian Cruises - this was the worst experience. I have stayed with Norwegian because of the Latitudes Program but I sure didn't feel anything special about being Platinum (need 3 points to Plus). I may try Celebrity or Princess in the future. Still have negative feelings about the Embarkation Process and how crowded the ship was.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

Took hours to get through the last few blocks of traffic. Took even more hours to get on the ship. Did not have a Platinum Latitudes welcome area.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Ship was so crowded could not get a seat in the area of the buffet. The food was generally okay. No problem with drink service.

Topsiders Bar and Grill

4 out of 5

Place to go when other venues crowded.

La Cucina Italian Restaurant

3 out of 5

Husband is Italian and he was not impressed with the food. Pasta over cooked. Limited menu. I did enjoy.

Grand Pacific Main Dining Room

4 out of 5

Good experiences. Great staff.

Garden Café

5 out of 5

Very nice. Wine Steward very helpful. Menu was average, food nicely presented.

Bali Hai Bar And Grill

4 out of 5

Nice to be outside.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Enjoyed two massages in the Spa. Pool area was over-crowded.

Hot Tubs

1 out of 5

So crowded couldn't get to one.

Cigar Lounge

3 out of 5

My husband smokes cigars and I would accompany him. Met many nice people. Wish it was a little larger and that cigarettes were okay so they could enjoy together. I know all the bad press smoking gets but he enjoys.

Casino

4 out of 5

Clean, not very big but everything I wanted was available.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Enjoyed Ship's cast shows. Comedian was good as well.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Room Steward (Arnel) was very good and accommodating. Staff was generally pleasant and happy to serve. Wait staff in restaurants were very good.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

I like the Gem have been on the ship at least three times in the past. I like the size and know my way around. This cruise was overloaded and took away from the general experience. Atrium was nicely decorated for Christmas. Common areas were clean - but crowded.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Perfect size for two people. Clean, nice balcony.

Ship tip

Make sure it is the only ship embarking at the scheduled time.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York

1 out of 5

Not enough port staff to handle the Gem and the Bliss at the same time. Took so long to get on the ship through the departure hall that it ruined the excitement of going on the cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

Port Canaveral, Florida

4 out of 5

Took shuttle to Coco Beach.

Thumbs Up 0

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

3 out of 5

Tendering took so long we decided not to go to the island.

Thumbs Up 0

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

Have been many times. Decided to try and enjoy the ship while many people were ashore.