Great trip and vacation but ship was only okay

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

3.1 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Gem

9 Night Caribbean: Dominican Republic (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 02, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 9011

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 10 months ago

Review summary

Thank goodness we ported six times. If we had to stay on the ship for more than two days, we would have been bored and service was poor. We had a great trip despite the ship just being basic and okay.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
went smoothly and quickly

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Food was only okay compared to Celebrity cruises I've been on. Displays were generic. Drinks watered down. Bartenders always in a bad mood. Food servers nice but don't go out of their way like on other cruises. Service at dinner was slow. Main cafe closes too often and very basic buffet. Never change it up.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Shows were okay. Magician was good. Hot tubs never all working. Everything seemed too crowded. Gym could use more equipment as it was always crowded.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Too repetitive. Most music was Latino most of the time. Which I like but not enough variety. Performers were okay. I've seen better on other ships.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5
Not personal and friendly at all. Bartenders always frustrated and annoyed and tired

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Clean but very basic and tight quarters. Ship doesn't seem up to date.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Clean but steward didn't go out of way to make it homey. only cleaned a few times and he didn't seem flexible. Room was very small compared to other ships.

Ship tip

Way more customer service! Outdated and small ship for the number of people serving it.

Ports of call

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

3 out of 5

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

3 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

3 out of 5

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 21

6 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe     5 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Gwbigdog     10 months ago

Thanks for sharing

1960cruiser     10 months ago

I liked the Gem when I cruised on her. Good food good service, and plenty of things to do. I guess some people just can't be pleased or they aren't happy unless they are complaining about something.

cruising2004     10 months ago

Sorry you were not impressed with the ship. Thanks for sharing.

Niavlys     10 months ago

Thank God for ports of calls... 😂😂

javawoody     10 months ago