Norwegian Gem Review

[Albo8888]

Hello fellow cruisers, just got back from sailing on the GEM and here is my review (keep in mind, I am a first time cruiser)

 

We were able to book on the GEM a week before we sailed so we didn't have much say in what cabin to stay in as I booked a GTY inside cabin. We were able to snag a cabin on Deck 9, cabin # 9150.

 

We arrived at the port in NYC very early at 9:30 am on Saturday June 1st. Check in was a breeze as we gave our bags to the porter and kept a carry on with our swimwear ( my wife and I) with us. Thanks for the advice guys it came in handy.

 

We were on the ship at about 12:30 and just as I have read they wisk you away to the buffet. First impression of the ship was "WOW"... It was big as we were first timers but easy to navigate around. We wanted to go to the Grand Pacific but we figured since we were on very early it wouldn't be that busy. Buffet was excellent, with unlimited choices as well.

 

From their, we changed and went to the pool area which is on the same deck as the buffet on Deck 12.

We stayed all day there drinking dancing partying just having an all around good time. First night we stayed up until 1:00 am and we missed the meet and greet because we didn't wake up until noon the next day YIKES.

 

Everything was great from the food to the service to a great cruise director Sinan to his staff and too people on board. Everything went very well.

 

Only time we went off ship was in Nassau where we went to see the Atlantis resort. Big resort but we weren't impressed. And the private island. We had a good time there.

 

I read somewhere that someone stated there is nothing to do on the ship. That is baloney. There is always something to do n the ship and any given time. From bingo, to deal or no deal, to comedy, to shows... it was non stop entertainment bonanza. Sinan and his crew did a wonderful job.

 

We ate at the buffet almost everyday and at the Grand Pacific a few times for dinner as well. We also ate at Teppanyaki and Moderno which we both loved.

 

As a first time cruiser, I am now addicted and already planning our next trip on the Breakaway.

 

Sorry if I rambled, and feel free to ask any questions as everything is still fresh in my mind.

[sparks1093]

Hello fellow cruisers, just got back from sailing on the GEM and here is my review (keep in mind, I am a first time cruiser)

 

We were able to book on the GEM a week before we sailed so we didn't have much say in what cabin to stay in as I booked a GTY inside cabin. We were able to snag a cabin on Deck 9, cabin # 9150.

 

We arrived at the port in NYC very early at 9:30 am on Saturday June 1st. Check in was a breeze as we gave our bags to the porter and kept a carry on with our swimwear ( my wife and I) with us. Thanks for the advice guys it came in handy.

 

We were on the ship at about 12:30 and just as I have read they wisk you away to the buffet. First impression of the ship was "WOW"... It was big as we were first timers but easy to navigate around. We wanted to go to the Grand Pacific but we figured since we were on very early it wouldn't be that busy. Buffet was excellent, with unlimited choices as well.

 

From their, we changed and went to the pool area which is on the same deck as the buffet on Deck 12.

We stayed all day there drinking dancing partying just having an all around good time. First night we stayed up until 1:00 am and we missed the meet and greet because we didn't wake up until noon the next day YIKES.

 

Everything was great from the food to the service to a great cruise director Sinan to his staff and too people on board. Everything went very well.

 

Only time we went off ship was in Nassau where we went to see the Atlantis resort. Big resort but we weren't impressed. And the private island. We had a good time there.

 

I read somewhere that someone stated there is nothing to do on the ship. That is baloney. There is always something to do n the ship and any given time. From bingo, to deal or no deal, to comedy, to shows... it was non stop entertainment bonanza. Sinan and his crew did a wonderful job.

 

We ate at the buffet almost everyday and at the Grand Pacific a few times for dinner as well. We also ate at Teppanyaki and Moderno which we both loved.

 

As a first time cruiser, I am now addicted and already planning our next trip on the Breakaway.

 

Sorry if I rambled, and feel free to ask any questions as everything is still fresh in my mind.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and am glad to hear that the Gem hooked ya! So can't wait to sail on her.:) (And your review was not rambling, a rambling review is three pages...of information about the hotel before getting to the ship;).)

Edited June 10, 2013 by sparks1093

[PatJim]

Hi, Albo8888. Sorry you missed the Meet & Greet. Were you able to do our Slot Pull and Cabin Crawl? If so, we've met under other names!

Nice review. So glad you both had swimwear, to start the party early!

And we agree, it was a wonderful crew and group of passengers on this cruise.

[xenagurl]

Thanks for sharing. It's good to hear that you enjoyed the entertainment as well. Sinan really is tops!

[Albo8888]

I tried to stay away from the casino to be honest with you. I set our alarm clock for 10 that Sunday morning and I didn't well we didn't hear it. The inside cabin is so dark and the movement of the ship made for a good sleeping experience. If anyone went to The Quest game on the last night we were on team 16. What a crazy night!

 

 

Send from device_name using Cruise Critic your_app_name App

[Keith1010]

Thank you for the review.

 

Keith

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[francina]

Thanks for your review. I will be on that ship for the first time January. I cannot wait.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[BSR]

Thanks for your review. We will be sailing on the Gem for the second time again in October and looking forward to it.:)

[NayRN]

Glad you had a great time! I'll be on the Gem in 60 days....but I hear we won't have Sinan as our CD....... :( I wonder who we will have.....

[njitalian76]

Great review! I was a newbie last year on the star to Bermuda ... I got hooked too... So much so that I booked the Gem to the Bahamas the very next day !!!!! We leave in 69 days I can't wait!

 

 

Send from my iPhone using Cruise Critic App!

[njitalian76]

Well its been over a year since we last posted on this thread! I can say after this review from the OP I went on the gem and had such a great time that I booked it again last sept! 26 more days and I will be on her again! I look forward to it!!!

[david_sobe]

Thanks for the review!

[din2play2]

:rolleyes:Thanks for your review. Just booked the Gem for Bahamas in April 2015. Can't wait!! Question for u or anyone else... did u do the excursion to Atlantis? Would u recommend it or should we do it on our own? :confused: