The Gem is still a wonderful ship. Very relaxing cruise.

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 4.5
Author: jleslie48

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

jleslie48

Contributor Level: Cruise Director

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 7

Helpful Votes: 312

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

11 Night Eastern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 10, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Its simply a great Ship. The Gem is all class. I simply love being able to sail directly out of NY. Sailing out of NY prepare for colder weather the first 2 and last sea days. I bring a craft project as I don't have time during the work week to really get into is. As a result I treasure the Sea Days on this cruise.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

It actually went smooth and fast. The poor rating is for the Norwegian Staff who failed to realize there were 2 Norwegian Ships in port, embarking at the same time had couldn't imagine that folks might show up at the wrong ship. Our friends tried to board the getaway which was also in port and the porters didn't check the bags, but more shocking, when they went to get their badges, the NCL employees took 20 minutes before figuring out/checking if they were on the right ship. Come on people!!! That should of been the first thing noticed when the guests were not on the registry and 200 yards away is an identical looking ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

As good as can be. We never ate at the buffet, only the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

The same as usual only a more enthusiastic crowd this trip. Lots of kids and younger people on this cruise apparently Canada had school off this week. Glad to see it.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

The poor rating is for the stage shows and main stage performers. The Gem has let this fall appart. Below average acts, below average dancers. The musicians around the ship were top notch and as such thoroughly enjoyed sitting in a bar listening to a set.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The nicest bunch of people. We could see they were making every effort to ensure we were taken care of.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The Gem is still one of my favorite ships I have ever sailed on. It is a very classy ship and surpasses every other ship I have been on with the exception of the Queen Elizabeth 2.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

exactly what we need. Then again we don't spend any time in the cabin other than sleeping. use your judgement on picking cabins. We only require some sunlight to be content. As a result we don't mind an oceanview with no balcony.

Ship tip

The spinnaker is the hidden "gen" of the Gem. A great place to kick back.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New York, New York

5 out of 5

NY port terminal has made massive improvements. to streamline getting on and off the ship.

Thumbs Up 1

Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, Bermuda Did not visit port

rough surf prevented us reaching port.

Thumbs Up 0

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

always love San Juan. The best kept secret is the public beach about a mile walk from the ship. Excellent beach.

Thumbs Up 0

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

3 out of 5

the snorkeling is missing a lot of fish these days.

Thumbs Up 0

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5

couldn't find fish here either.

Thumbs Up 1

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

5 out of 5

excellent beach for swimming. we love the baths at virgin gorda but the day is too short to fully enjoy the baths.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

5 out of 5

our excursion was canceled due to rough surf, but that was a blessing in disguise. DR has made the cruise port the best attraction in and of itself with a lazy river ride, swim up bars with pools all over the place, restaurants, and shops. Easily the best cruise port I've every been too.

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Holy cow, took less than 5 minutes. I've never seen an easier disembarkation.

Traveler Photos

8 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 1 month ago

Thanks for sharing

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Ship2Shora 1 year ago

I agree, The Gem is a beauty

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Steph344 1 year ago

Love this ship- might be my favorite!

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1960cruiser 1 year ago

I was on the Gem 2 weeks ago and had a great time. My only big, or rather huge concern was the toilet in my cabin only worked when it felt like it, and that want very often. After 5 days of going to guest services, I was finally moved to a different cabin, where not only did the toilet work, I also had a way, way better cabin steward. The previous cabin steward I think only dragged around the vaccume for atheistic reason, or he didn't know how to turn it on. Ship, shows specialty dining were all a solid 10/10. I wasn't going to let toilet issues ruin my cruise, but it did just become a hassle, but I knew where every public restroom was on the ship.......for obvious reasons.

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javawoody 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed and informative review. Glad you enjoyed your cruise in spite of a few hiccups.

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CruisedudeNY65 1 year ago

Thanks for your review.

Thumbs Up 1

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise

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