Too many days at sea!

Norwegian Gem Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 14

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Gem

11 Night Panama Canal: Mexico Costa Rica & Belize (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 05, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Gem

Cabin number: GTY

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 3 months ago

Review summary

If you do not cruise a lot, then this one (11 nts) may be too long for you, as it was for us. We did get away from "winter" for a few weeks, but there are more meaningful ways to spend your travel money.

Embarkation

4 out of 5
Quick and easy

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Reviews I read said food was sooo good. I found it just okay...missing flavor, tenderness, and it all tasted the same regardless of where we ate on the ship. It was presented nicely, but then the flavor was missing. Need some different chefs.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Reading room, deck walking, entertainment nightly

Entertainment

5 out of 5
All shows were excellent except for the "adult comedian"...walked out when the first few minutes was just excessive swearing. That is not humor, but rather a lack of creativity.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Beautiful lounges, carpet, lighting...very relaxing atmosphere.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
Bed was very comfortable, size was fine, always very clean.

Ship tip

Don't get too excited about the food...plenty, but not the tastiest.

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman Did not visit port

Water too rough to tender us in, so we skipped it and had another day at sea...4 straight before reaching Cartagena.

Cartagena, Colombia

4 out of 5
Excursion was too rushed at historical sites, but then taking us to places to buy stuff. We got an overall look of the city, but what I learned, I got from YouTubes beforehand.

Panama Canal (Cruise Into Canal)

5 out of 5
Our excursion showed the new Agua Clara Locks so that was good to see the comparison.

Colon, Panama

3 out of 5
Excursion was kiling time since our ship was late to this port. So only walked through shopping are to the ship.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

3 out of 5
A short walk to a shopping area, rest of town was not so inviting just to walk around. I have spent a week in Costa Rica years ago, so did not need excursions. You cannot do this country justice in a tour of 3-4 hours.

Harvest Caye, Belize

5 out of 5
This private island is beautiful. But it seems there is way too much infrasturcture for only 4-5 ships a week. Poor employees cannot make a living on few hours and tips.

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

4 out of 5
3 ships in port at one time...big shopping area, swim with dolphins, or just walk around. I have been to many Mayan ruins in GUA and MEX so did not need an excursion.

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
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