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About Your Ship: Norwegian Gem

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Departs New York aboard Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Gem - Featuring The Haven By Norwegian!

Sailing Date(s): Jan 2014, Feb 2014, Mar 2014, Apr 2014, May 2014, Jan 2015, More Dates


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	Average Norwegian Gem Rating



	SORT BY: Most Recent \| Positive \| Negative \| Helpful 1 - 10 of 32 \| Next 10 >
	Overall Rating: An average cruise experience by Carol C from NYC, NY Sailing date: May 2013 Pros: Staff was extremely friendly and got their work done well, and ship was clean. Cons: Food taste and options, not much of water facilities for kids. This was my thrid time taking the NCL cruise, the ship was maintained well, very clean and neat, all the staff was very nice and very hard working especially staff at Magetta restaurant and the guy who cleaned my room. However, I am quite disappointed about the lack of facilities for my two sons (3 years old and 1.5 years old). The ship only has one very small kiddie pool, and was always packed, with only 3/4 kids in the pool already made it difficult to move around. I have experienced better options from Royal Carribean cruise ship. Besides, this time I have experienced the worse food options and taste compared to NCL Dawn and NCL Spirit, not sure if this is due to budget cut. Overall, I won't highly recommend this ship expecially to the family with kids. Ship Details: Ship Quality The size of the buffet restaurant is small making it very crowded during normal meal time, always need to look for seat, which is not what I will expect from a vacation. The ship was maintained well, clean and neat all the time. Dining/Food Taste of food was average, very limited food choices/varities. Stateroom Quality Ship Staff Quality Entertainment & Activities Not enough facilities for kids. Children's Programs We participated once the children's program, staff was extremely friendly and nice with the kids, but again, the place was very small. 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 18 - 29 Cruise Experience: First cruise Traveler Type: Couple Stateroom Type: Balcony Thrilling excitement !!! by Lillian M from Yonkers, N.Y. Sailing date: May 2013 Pros: Everything!!! From the entertainment, food, special dining, freedom to do as you please, the games shows, the towel animals ... I could go on forever but I don't have all the time in the world to do so. :D Cons: LEAVING!!!!! I wanted to stay I was amazed how friendly and welcoming you felt the moment you stepped on the ship. The crew members made you feel relaxed and comfortable. I was always entertained and there was never a dull moment. The creativity and all the options you could choose to do throughout your day. The Gem's entertainment had me aw-strucked, so many talents and a suprising talent from Dan Dan The Man. I would say that i could watch all the shows over and over again and never get tired of it.The chef's had spectacular food options and the buffet wasn't at all what I expected . It was delicious and the deserts were so good and mouth watering. The captian always greeted us every morning and kept us informed about our location or weather and things like that. The ship was slot bigger than I expected. There were lots of options of food and drinks practically everywhere you went. I. don't remember everyone's name individually, but everyone was great. I wish I did but then it would take along time to read. So THANK no no SANK YOU ALL FOR THIS HARD TO PUT IN WORDS CRUISE!!!! I would for now on cruise with the Norwegian line. Sank you and have a smashing day everyone!! Ship Details: Ship Quality The Norwegian Gem crew always kept everything tidy and presentable. They managed through heavy crowds and well organized ! The hallways, pool area , restaurants everywhere you were able to go to was kept clean. Dining/Food Spectacular and Delicious !!!! The buffet meals and desserts was amazingly good , with lots of different options and culture. The dining times were great! If you slept in late or late eater food was being made no matter what time it was. The decor was beautiful each with a different themes and always a nice view. SANK YOU CHEFS!!!!! Stateroom Quality My state room was up front on the 8th deck with a balcony. My stateroom was always clean and tidy. The decor was good I think it could of used a bit more pop of bright colors like gems to tie in with the name but it will do. The bed was very comfortable and the bathroom bigger than I heard. The closet space was great and the draws also. There were plenty of other storage and shelves that was big and useful. The safe was roomy and convinent. I had a great location, it was close to the stardust theater and down a few floors from the spinnaker lounge and Tahitian pool . Mandred (i hope i spelled it right...my apologies if i mispelled your name wrong) was always friendly and I always walked into a clean room. I loved the towels animals and he was so kind not to take them away. Hehehe Ship Staff Quality Ronita our photographer went above and beyond for our pictures. She got down in the sand and Took just amazing photos. I love her she was just very caring and saved our camera from being ruined in the ocean at GSC THANK YOU RONITA SO MUCH Entertainment & Activities SINAN, DAN DAN THE MAN ARE HILARIOUS!!!! SANK YOU!!!! the variety of games, the game shows involved the audience and interact with us, the dancing and ccomedy from Phil Tag so funny. I loved that they wanted to talk with us and took photos with us and I loved them all. Dan has a outstanding voice!!! And like Sinan had said you need to take compliments because your awesome and I would love to hear you sing anytime. Guitar with Leo was greatly entertaining and took requests of songs to sing. There's just so much talented people and entertainers to show appreciation to. It would take me forever!!! I loved them all!!!!!!!!!!!!! 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 50 - 65 Cruise Experience: 7+ cruises Traveler Type: Family w/young children Stateroom Type: Balcony GREAT FAMILY FUN!!! by Roe C from Malverne, NY Sailing date: Dec 2012 Pros: FAMILY DINING Cons: WHITE PARTY A great time was had by all....family fun activities all day long!!! Ship Details: Ship Quality Easy to navigate the ship's layout Dining/Food Every restaurant was better than the last..... Stateroom Quality Lots of storage areas.... Ship Staff Quality All very eager to please.... Entertainment & Activities Great shows.....bingo was entertaining .....loved the cruise director!! Children's Programs Kids were kept busy all day long 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 30 - 49 Cruise Experience: First cruise Traveler Type: Singles/friends Stateroom Type: Inside it was alot of fun by nathan f from asheville nc Sailing date: Dec 2012 Pros: the friendly staff on the ship Cons: not alot of time to spend in port very nice ship. i like to sail freestyle. you can eat when you want and you can sit any place on the ship that you want. the food was very good also. Ship Details: Ship Quality Dining/Food Stateroom Quality Ship Staff Quality very frendly and nice staff. they help anyway they can 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 18 - 29 Cruise Experience: 2 - 3 cruises Traveler Type: Couple Stateroom Type: Oceanview great boat, average locations by marisa a from philadelphia pa Sailing date: May 2012 Pros: the boat was very fun, lots of entertainment, restaurants, large pool deck Cons: cape canaveral florida was a hole to vist. you pay for a bus because the ship is docked in the middle of no where, and once we got off the boat, we werent in much better shape. but of a run down area, not much good shopping, even the beaches were pretty empty. it was a waste of an excursion! the boat was beautiful, our room was nice, it was clean, well kept, great service. however the destinations were not what we anticipated. cape caneveral namely. the ship is docked in the middle of nowhere and so you have to pay to take a bus or cab somehwere else. we took the bus to downtown, and it was awful. very depressing. not many shops or restaurants or people. even the beaches were deserted, all run down hotels...etc. the private island was great, but get off early or you wont have anywhere to sit. nassau was alright, but after you walk around downtown, theres only paradise island which is all owned by the hotel. even going onto the beach costs money. the casino is gross and worn down, we walked around the city instead and tons of touristy shops near the boat. boat was great though, we had some great meals, comedian was a bit "G" and lame to us, but overall a good cruise, just not as nice as some destinations we have visited on other cruises. Ship Details: Ship Quality large, lots to do Dining/Food dining room and buffets were both good, steak restaurant which was $50 extra was decent, not amazing Stateroom Quality clean, well kept, good attention to detail Ship Staff Quality excellent service, everyone is overly friendly and helpful Entertainment & Activities better shows and comedian needed 2 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 30 - 49 Cruise Experience: 4 - 6 cruises Traveler Type: Family w/young children Stateroom Type: Balcony A fantastic cruise. by Sharon P. from Hartford, CT Sailing date: Apr 2012 Pros: The sportscourt (kids loved it), bowling alley, food, pool, waterslide and staff. Cons: Some of the staff was not very accomodating....but most were wonderful. This was my 5th cruise, first on NCL and I would definitely return and recommend! Ship Details: Ship Quality Very organized ship and staff. Dining/Food Stateroom Quality Ship Staff Quality Overall. Some staff was not very accommodating when asked for assistance/direction, but most were. Entertainment & Activities Loved the sportscourt and bowling alley and Nickolodeon characters. 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 18 - 29 Cruise Experience: 4 - 6 cruises Traveler Type: Couple Stateroom Type: Inside A decent cruise... by M B from Norwich, CT Sailing date: Mar 2012 Pros: Good entertainment, Cons: ports of call, food service, Interesting layout-- was not always forced to walk through duty-free shops. I didn't feel constantly hassled to purchase goods. Wish I knew before boarding that I could have brought on cases of soda instead of buying soda plan. Looked like they had some interesting, albeit non-essential programs for additional charges, including Deal or No Deal, Bingo and spa-lounge access for the week. I wish I had known about more of it in advance to budget my money and time better for what my desires were on board. Ship Details: Ship Quality Bathrooms were typically okay. Never felt any public areas were dirty. Condition was fine. Dining/Food Poor dessert options. Service was typically subpar - cold personalities and slow. I don't think freestyle cruising is for me - I'd rather sit at a table where the waiter gets to know me and my preferences over the course of my trip. Was not easy to get into secondary dining room (Magenta). Stateroom Quality Interior cabin was smaller than RCI equivalent on Explorer of The Seas. Otherwise average. Service from steward was excellent. Ship Staff Quality A few staff members went above and beyond. Entertainment & Activities I loved having Second City Comedy. The game/interactive shows were enjoyable, but many of them were exactly the same as my experiences with RCI (Not So Newlywed=same questions as Love and Marriage). Lovely art auctions. Trivia was always fun. 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: Good second cruise on Norwegian by A Traveler from New York Sailing date: Mar 2012 Pros: Friendly staff, attention to detail, Nickelodeon activities and staff Cons: Cost of Pictures taken by crew for sale, reservation process for restuarants Norwegian continues to be a great cruise line. This was obvious when we were in port in Nassau right next to carnival ship. Norwegian crew in white uniforms welcoming everyone back to ship with hand towels, music, and Nick characters for kids the entire ime. Carnival ship - nothing - not even a single carnival crew member outside. I'd say that carries throughout. Food was good all around. People have to remember, these are no 5 star restuarants and we heard he typical New Yorker (I'm one too) complaints about food here and there. Room for mprovement for sure, but overall could not complain. NIck character activities and Nick dedicated staff all great. They were as good as any Disney character interaction we have had from handlers (people dedicated to work with characters) to characters themselves. Primary complaints r we had 7 in party and cannot make reservations for 7 people in some of the cover charge restuarants. So one night we almost did not get seated togethr since we had to book two sets of reservations for everything. Also, staff photographers take some great pictures but they are expensive - $13 a pop. I know this i average and less expensive than places like Disney, but it's just too much. Ship Details: Ship Quality Dining/Food Stateroom Quality Ship Staff Quality Entertainment & Activities Children's Programs 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 18 - 29 Cruise Experience: First cruise Traveler Type: Family w/older children Stateroom Type: Balcony A nice break from reality by Katie H from Bethlehem, PA Sailing date: Mar 2012 Pros: food, staff Cons: itinerary changes The cruise was great in general. We experienced issues with the itinerary changing twice, and we missed out on the stop in great stirrup cay, which was upsetting. Otherwise, time spent on the boat was great when not too rocky! Ship Details: Ship Quality I have never cruised before but this was a great experience! Dining/Food Stateroom Quality Ship Staff Quality Entertainment & Activities 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful? Overall Rating: About the Reviewer: Age: 50 - 65 Cruise Experience: First cruise Traveler Type: Couple Stateroom Type: Balcony Sailed from NYC on the Gem by A Traveler from Lancaster PA Sailing date: Mar 2012 Pros: Cleaniness of the ship, friendly staff This was our first cruise and it did not disappoint. We booked a balcony room which was good because the cabin was not large (couldn't imagine the size of an inside cabin!) but at least we had a deck to get some fresh air without walking all through the ship. the Gem was VERY concerned about germs. They were cleaning all the time. Before entering any restaurant they had a crew member posted with hand sanitizer and they required you "washy-washy". We were happy not to be locked into a dining time. One disappointment was we did not stop at their private island but that was due to weather conditions; obviously something they couldn't control. The captain did a great job and we were happy there weren't announcements all the time and the drink prices weren't as bad as we expected. We would recommend this NYC to Bahamas trip Ship Details: Ship Quality Very clean! Dining/Food Loved free style dining. Eat whenever and wherever you want Stateroom Quality Our balcony was small but comfortable and clean Ship Staff Quality Very friendly and helpful. Always smiling and always greeted you when they passed in the hallways or decks Entertainment & Activities 2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Did you find this review helpful?
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