Norwegian Gem Cruise Reviews - Reviews

We loved our 10 night cruise on NCL. Highlights: Ramona and Salvador at the Atrium Bar-the best bartenders for those of you who require attentive bartending while on vacation. Omar the Assistant Maitre'd, lovely make friends at start of cruise-he'll get you an ocean view in the Grand Pacific-or anything you want or need. Joy-our room attendant-outstanding, cheerful! did not once infer how long or hard she worked (uncommon at times with staff), jumped into our room the minute we vacated and then left it spotless every time. Shore excursion: Norman Island in Tortola snorkel trip-amazing. Crew brought us directly to the most beautiful spot to snorkel in caves and see an abundance of tropical fish and sea life. Try to make it to all the shows they are EXCELLENT. And we are not typically into going to shows. What would I do different? I would not do the specialty restaurants, the restaurants on the ship that are included are more than fancy and good. That being said-I do recommend Moderno. Worth every penny but make sure you come on an EMPTY stomach. I would have sprung for a balcony cabin, 10 days inside cabin is a bit too long. I would have snorkeled in St Thomas and skipped Magen's Beach.  

We had a wonderful time thought the staff was excellent as well as the food. It was a fun trip. We went with friends that had cruised before so they could show us the ropes as to what to expect and what to do. They went for a graduation present for their daughter's and we were celebrating 40 years of marriage. So it was a very special cruise for all. The islands we visited were beautiful and the shopping was awesome.

My husband and I were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary.  Going for 10 days was a great decision on our part, because 7 days comes too fast and before you know its time to come home.  We had plenty of time to unwind and we had the time of our lives.  We had a lot of at sea days but kept so busy with game shows, trivia, name that tune games, listening to music, and, of course, watching the talented individuals perform each night in the Stardust Theater.  We thoroughly enjoy cruising with NCL and can't wait to book our next cruise in another 5 years --  Boston to Bermuda cruise.  Deans, Massachusetts

This trip was truly a dream come true. The staff made us feel very welcomed. Everyone was happy and ready for a good time. We didn't want to come home! The entertainment was world-class and the food to die for. Our only beef was the surprise $27. a day no one told us about. 

Even with that, we plan to take another cruise with Noregian eventually.

S.M.

The buffet eating area was small and it seemed like people were walking around trying to find seating when the weather wasn't favorable outside. The excursion was pricey it was 90.00 pp to tour Tortolla.

Otherwise everything was excellent.

Everything was good we have a wonderful time in family. Eventhog we have very dezzie at the bigining and at the end too, it was ok. Im already looking for my next vacation because with my family the time is priceless  amd you never forget what happen between family. All the laughs and others things work it on your mind when you sad revive your life. 

Had a fantastic time, didn't want to leave the ship. The entire crew was wonderful. The entertainment was outstanding. Every night a different show and every show was good enough to be on Broadway. Tim K. was great on and off stage. He was very sociable and made it his business to make time to meet and talk with as many people as he could. He's a really nice man and Norwegian should be proud to have him. George was outstanding both with Jersey Boys and by himself. We didn't want his show to end. Edwin our steward was great, He went out of his way to take care of us. I have been on 3 different cruises so far and by far this was the best one yet. The Ports were nice to see but the real vacation was on the ship. I would have no problem taking this cruise again and I probably wouldn't even leave the ship. the food was out of this world. Eat in all the restaurants and I can't say anything  bad about any of them. Everything you could ever want from a vacation. Looking forward to my next Norwegian cruise and I will be doing my best to take the GEM again.   

I am a gold member 1 point away from platinum and let me tell you this was the worst out of more than 10 cruises with NCL, 18% gratuity for alcohol had to be paid in advance, I had to pay for room charges for 2 days that I spent in my room sea sick and I ordered soup on one of those days and was charged a separate charge for room service $7.95 over and above the daily charge of $13.50 which was $27.00 per day for both my husband and self we were both sick and never left the room but was told we had to pay regardless. I used the water that was in our cabin and was charged $6.95 but I had unlimited beverage package I guess water was not included!!!!!! Cagney's steak house used to have a set cover charge per person now it is ala cart and it cost over $60.00 per person to eat there! Ridiculous!! Gold members used to get 20% of ALL onboard purchases, not this trip it was only of pictures and item's with NCL's logo!! We used to get a decent size of chocolates, this time we got a sample w/ 4 chocolates inside. O'Sheehan's you used to be able to order food and take it back to your room, this is no longer allowed now you are made to eat it at there, even if there are 50 unattended teenagers hanging out being loud and obnoxious!! Food was not bad but the fact that you have to pay 18% gratuity over and above your daily room charges that used to include tipping in specialty dining venues is ridiculous!! I am done with NCL and the fact that my complaints went un-noticed made it that much worse, will book Royal Carribean or Carnival next trip! They have lost a valuable customer and probably for good this time!!

During the cruise I was perfectly rested. The food was delicious, the presentation was interesting. But the ship could have been a little cleaner. My cabin was comfortable. I loved the cruise.

I have been on this ship three other times and have been very happy until this trip.  I think some kind of a dress code should be enforced.  People were showing up for dinner looking like the just came in from mowing their lawns.

This is the first time that I've been on since they updated the ship and I think it looks very nice.

very good variaty fresh all kinds of activities 

I am interested in show which is very interesting. Listening to the music on the board is very enjoyiable. At last day, I am a little bored about the food on the board, self-served food. I only had vegetable, nothing else. My kids think splash is quite good for them. They like it. 

From beginning to end, we had the best time ever-Thank You!!

The food and all the choices were just great!

Next cruise will be on Norwegian---maybe in 2018

 This was the best cruise I have been on.  I love the smaller size of ship because you get to know the passengers better.  The staff was so friendly and accommodating.  The entertainment was excellent.

We live in the New York Metropolitan area, and like to take advantage of cruising and avoiding airports, consequently this was our sixth cruise on the Gem, eighth on NCL and seventeenth all total.

The big  change since December 2015, was in the quality of the food in the main dining room.  We had some of the finest beef tenderloins we have ever experienced (filet mignon, Beef Wellington and sliced tenderloin).  The Osso Bucco was also outstanding and there were several interesting new appetizers.

Service in O'Sheehans remains disappointing and the noise level from the lobby below can at times be deafening.  Announcements were kept to a pleasant minimum, and we looked forward to the Captain's humorous updates.

We had a great time.  Norwegian gave us a great experience.  The staff is very friendly, everything is very sanitary, and the food is really great.

Excursions are nice but way too expensive, and the rules somewhat unfair. For example, you should be given the option of cancelling an excursion to the beach if the surf is too rough and swimming in not allowed on that day.

Don't bother with the internet package.  The speed of the service on board is almost unusable.  They shouldn't be selling such a poor product at such an outrageous price.  They advertise that this is available in the cabins, but the speed in there is even worse than in the public areas.

sick crew, poor service, poor food, cold food, fatty gristly meat in pub, took 45 min. To get salad in Pacific, mixed up order, then only went to buffet to get good HOT food. Luggage came 9:30pm, still had to have beds separated and safe unlocked other crew filled in jobs stood in long line for hamberger then stood in the beverage /ice cream line to get ketchup that was stupid spoke with hotel manager Sonia & her advice was to try, pub, restaurant again!!!!  She didn't even know that there were no cartons of milk on buffet staff was pouring pitchers of milk into water glasses. We got 2 dinners at Cucina & bistro could not order lobster or steak. CHEAP!!  Nov. I could order anything I wanted I'm platinum and they are cutting back and serving inferior food. I did 3 cruises feb, nov 2015 and March 2016. NCL doesn't appreciate customer and didn't try to offer any compensation for poor meals

we were not allowed to board until 2 pm due to many guests with gastro sickness on previous cruise. We did nor leave port until 6 pm.  We were not allowed to serve ourselves until the evening of the ninth day. We had to ask for everything in the buffet.even salt and pepper. Room service which used to be free now is $7.95 per order if you did not order specialty dining before cruise there is now an ala carte menu. 

we had a great time  and the family want to do it again . will be looking out for deals . the beach was great . the food was good . the free drinks help a lot . the pool was full with kids . 

WE HAVE BEEN ON THE GEM BEFORE TWICE, SO WE KNEW THE SHIP, THERE WAS A VIRUS ON THE PREVIOUS SAILING SO OUR DEPARTURE WAS DELAYED WHILE THEY DISINFECTED THE SHIP. THEY ALSO HAD STAFF SERVE FOOD, CUSTOMERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH FOOD OR UTENSILS OR EVEN CONDIMENTS.  I FOUND THIS COMFORTING, AND I THINK THEY SHOULD TAKE ROUTINE PRECAUTIONS LIKE THIS AT ALL TIMES.  PERHAPS THE STAFF WERE MORE TIED UP IN THIS PROCESS BECAUSE WE FOUND SERVICE NOT UP TO PAR, LONG LINES, VERY LONG WAIT TIME TO GET OUR MEALS MOSTLY EVERY NIGHT.  THERE SEEMED TO BE FEWER WAITERS AVAILABLE ON DECK AS WELL TO SERVE DRINKS AND WE HAD TO WAIT ON LONG LINES AT THE BAR.

  MY OPINION IS THAT THEY NEED MORE STAFF ON THIS CRUISE, BECAUSE EVERY STAFF MEMBER I SAW WAS WORKING HARD, HOWEVER THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH OF THEM AROUND TO SERVICE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ONBOARD.

NCL cruise was great.  Loved the staff - especially Carl and Johanna -

Ship was wonderful and very clean.  Staff always reminding to wash hands (washy, washy)