Norwegian Gem Cruise Reviews - Reviews

Crew was very friendly and helpful!! Appears some parts have been refurbished but others are in need of refreshing. Stardust Theater is in need of updating!!

This was our first cruise. We had a great time and are excited to plan another cruise. We really liked Norwegian Cruise Line. The staff was very friendly and very accommodating. It was also our first time to Mexico so really enjoyed being able to see a few places and take a couple excursions.

We had been on the NCL Gem 3 years before during a Canada/New England cruise. It was fun to see the updates to the ship (a little disappointed to see the bowling alley gone). We were said to see some of our favorite cruise staff had left the ship but everyone we came across, staff and cruisers were as nice as could be. We stayed busy but got our relaxation in as well. The Gem is a nice size ship and easy to get around. The tours we took did not disappoint

We took this cruise because we enjoy NCL. In the past there weren't too many cruises from the Los Angeles area, so when we saw the opportunity, we took even though we have been to Mexico several times. We love the way we are treated on board and all the offerings. We were on Carnival last year for our daughter's wedding and although Carnival treated us well, they just don't offer the same experience as NCL. We have found a home on Norwegian.

I was dubious about going on this cruise after reading some negative reviews but we had a ball. Pleasant, professional, attentive staff. Food ranged from good to great in all included outlets. Itinerary was excellent. I cruised on the QE last year and that was an equivalent but different experience. We loved the freestyle dining. Would cruise with NCL again.

18 Days - Not Long enough... Would of liked to take it back to NYC from LA.

Probably will not go back due to the food and the short times set that we had to be off the island each excursion

Panama Canal cruise was excellent. My inside handicapped cabin was outstanding except they don't have an automatic door opener. Magenta, Orchid Garden, Cagney's, Moderno and O'Sheehans were all great. The buffet is a buffet, some hit and some misses but always something decent especially the salads. The staff was very friendly especially the bar staff at Java Cafe. My room steward was outstanding and always helpful and kept my room in great shape. Excursions were good except for a screw up in Cabo when I couldn't take my electric wheelchair on the Tender boat despite earlier being told I could. Entertainment was fairly good but can get a little Monotonous after 18 days. I saw the Canal, whales, porpoises, many birds, crocodiles and met many very interesting folks. I would recommend this to anyone.

18 day cruise on NCL Gem from NY to LA Dinning room service was very slow. Boring shows and entertainment. Excursions were not as they described in Costa RICO. Shortened our time on the resort for a day trip from 4 hours to 2 1/2, tv service showing the same thing for 18 days. Mostly for children with passengers 50+ on board!! Really? Food in general below average! Steward was awesome. Joseph on the 5th deck!

It was our first cruise and we liked it very much. Only the luggage got mishandled and there were less vegetarian desserts with no egg, so got only icecream to eat everyday. Should add some more vegetarian options without eggs. And pool water was not hot enough for the weather. The entertainment was good. Enjoyed very much.

I hope you trained some of the staff better. I hated to waive the service but I hated the way I was treated by some members of you staff. I was not happy with their service. I maker sure I took care of the ones that took care of me and my family.

Disappointed that we did not get to visit Great Stirrup Cay. Water was too rough for the tenders so we went to Nasau overnight instead. Really was looking forward to seeing the Island and going to the beach.

Our December 8th cruise was a mix of highs and lows. We bid for a upgrade to a suite which we got. The perks of a suite or the Haven are worth every penny in my book!! Interestingly, we were chatting over the balconies with our neighbors and they told us the Upgrade Fairy had called them and offered to move them to a suite for far less than we paid. Honestly, I think we would bid again anyways because we wouldn't want to risk not hearing from the Fairy. Just wanted to let you know she does still exist despite NCLs new bidding system. We had an Aft Penthouse. Cabin was great. We were on Deck 8. I was nervous about noise from Bliss, the engine or the wake. None was a problem. Our Butler and room stewards took wonderful care of us and the cabin. The bars were another story. The bartenders definitely varied in responsiveness and personality all over the ship. Osheehan's were the worst and the Atrium Bar were the best. I don't need Disney Happy from them all the time but, come on!! I have to wonder if their lack of responsiveness/personality is due to the tipping system? The perk of having our breakfast at Moderno and lunch at Cagneys can't be beat. The servers knew us by name after our first meal there. We ate at Cagneys, Teppanyaki, and La Cucina. Service and meals were excellent at all 3. The buffet was very crowded and had limited seating on bad weather days. Magenta was OK, nothing special. Osheehan's was a disaster for food. It is so disorganized!! We actually left one day after waiting 20 minutes for someone to acknowledge us. I know we're supposed to relax but sometimes you're in a time crunch for activities. The shows are just OK. The singing was outstanding. The dancers, not so much. They were so out of sink that it was almost uncomfortable. Maybe a little more practice is needed. There are fees associated with several of the supplemental activities. I don't think it would be any different on a different line. In the end I don't think we would sail the Gem again. Not because we hated it but, because we like the larger ships such as the Breakaway. We're on the Escape in May so we will be able to compare.

This was an excellent cruise and I would go on it again

The islands were great and the activities were fun. The ship’s food was horrible and service was not very attentive. The activities onboard left a lot to be desired, especially for families and children.

Cabin 10024 Cabin was good...no issues. Food was pretty terrible throughout the cruise. The staff was fairly attentive, nothing impressive. The ship definitely needs some updating. It is showing its age. The restaurants need major help! Very slow service and mediocre food. Both main restaurants have same menu....so no variety between the two. Definitely needs help! Activity itinerary needs some help. Not much going on and again, mediocre shows. Ports of call were great!

Excellent itinerary for the season and starting Port. Older ship which shows it's aging in many places. Mixed entertainment from mediocre to excellent. Super tiny interior cabins. Excellent kids club and food in dining room.

We had a good relaxing time. The pool could have been a bit warmer, and cleaner. The poolside waitstaff was lacking (2 or 3 max) so you often had to get your own drinks. The waterslide wasn't fast... to the point that we got stuck half way down and had to push ourselves for 20-odd feet. The casino needs doors. The whole ship and stairwells smell like cigarettes because it pours out of the casino wide open into the rest of the ship. Avoid floor 6 forward if you're a non-smoker. A non-smoking vessel would be something we would be interested in. Lorena, the cruise director, was very good and fun. Captain sailed a good ship. we relaxed and were not left wanting for anything other than more time aboard. As my first cruise, we booked our cruisenext on board and will be back. If I were to do it again and had a choice, I would avoid PR, USVI, and Antigua. An overnight in st Kitts or Barbados would have been nice. It really was annoying to have to be back on the ship by 4 or 5 every day as we felt like we were rushed and didn't get to see everything we wanted to. It was either beach OR shop/walk around down town, we couldn't do both. We were a bit disappointed in the crowd - mostly disabled/obese people and seniors who all but live on ships (1000+ cruises some of the people we met!). Being a newlywed couple, we were hoping to have some more people our age on board but I guess the time of year dictates that. Not the ship's fault at all.

My cruise was a vacation given to me from my big sister we had an amazing time and will be looking forward to an Alaskan cruise with NCL because of the ease of it all.

Overall the cruise went very well and the staff and entire crew were very helpful and I rate the crew outstanding I do not recommend going back to St Lucia or Antigua anymore. I also recommend taking out travel insurance when booking a cruise