Fantastic first Norwegian cruise

Item: Norwegian Gem
Rating: 4.2
Author: Poncholaurie

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Transatlantic

Poncholaurie

Contributor Level: Purser

222 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5

15 Night Transatlantic Eastbound (New York To Rome)

Sail date: April 15, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9618

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

First time with NCL and will not be the last. From the captain to the waiter’s (bar and restaurants)everyone was truly a joy to talk with. We will miss them all. (Or until we meet again)

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Had to wait 6 hours at the airport for the NCL transfer to the ship. (After an all night flight West coast to the East Coast)

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Food and selection were a lot better that most. Only negative was food temp. More to not food was cool to warm never hot.

Grand Pacific Main Dining Room

4 out of 5

Food is good but not hot. The wait staff are the best.

O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill

3 out of 5

Underwhelmed from the brochures. Need to bring back the dinner menu. Food was very good and enjoyed the sizes.

Orchid Garden Asian Restaurant

5 out of 5

What a surprise. Great food witch made the choices on the Gem out standing.

Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar

2 out of 5

No microbrews on draft only bud light and one more (sorry forgot, shows how unimpressed I was)

Bali Hai Bar And Grill

1 out of 5

This is a smoking bar. If you don’t smoke don’t go. Bad thing is you have to walk by to get upstairs viewing deck.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Enjoyed the fitness center (open to the public at no cost) hot tubs were always full (as usual on a ship) more than enough deck chairs 👍and tables.

Shore Excursions Desk

5 out of 5

Hardest working people on the ship. Made our request happen and we’re very helpful in making our vacation dreams come true.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Stage shows were not to be missed. Guest performances we’re better than most on any other cruise line.

Spinnaker Lounge

1 out of 5

This was the only disappointing part of the ship. To few wait staff needed to add a bartender or two when an event was scheduled. We know it’s supposed to be a quiet place but if you want a drink and relax you might as well go get it yourself.

Children's Programs

The NCL app. And the $9.99 call and text feature on board. This didn’t work 8 out of the 15 days. (Not in a roll but one day working and mostly couldn’t get texts to work most the time. Had to visit the IT fest more the once.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Not this is where NCL and the GEM was great. Never has so much fun with waiters and our room steward before. This is how NCL is now our favorite cruise line. Our main dining room waiter would come fine us and ask how our day was if we were set in a different location.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

As expected on a cruise ship, always clean and always wiping down hand rails and tables with sanitizer.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Adequate size room and balcony. The toilet area was to small because of the pocket door.