NCL Gem What We Loved And What We Hated

NCL Gem what we loved and what we hated will give you all the highs and lows of being on this ship.
We loved our time on the Norwegian Cruise Lines Gem. We took advantage of the Mandara Spa, the NCL Gem Thermal Suite, and the NCL Gem premium restaurants Le Bistro, La Cucina, Moderno, and Cagneys Steakhouse.
We loved our time on the NCL Gem with Norwegian Cruise Line. We did an 11 day cruise from New York City to Bermuda, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
We had an inside cabin on the NCL Gem.
#nclgem #ncl

[@SaraDazey-g8g]

Thanks! We will be on this ship soon so this was great. We love NCL, their staff is above & beyond amazing!!! Our favorite ship of theirs is the Bliss. If you haven’t been on that one, make it your next! Bad WiFi and limited tv options don’t bother us, cruises are the only time we get our kids away from screens without a battle so I hope they keep the WiFi bad 😂

[@divox9pqr]

Absolutely true the staff can make the difference between a not so pleasant cruise and a great one. I was recently on the Norwegian Bliss going through the Panama Canal and my attendant did so many extra things for my comfort. She was amazing. Ware as a comparison to the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas indicates the staff are overworked, unfriendly, and inattentive. The food was also fantastic on the Bliss…lots of choices, venues, and good pricing.

[@JasonAHeisey]

We just cruised on the Gem to Bermuda. It was my first time cruising ever and I didn't feel like they were trying to nickle and dime me at every corner. They were pretty clear about what was complimentary and what was a paid service. I also felt like they weren't trying to sell us stuff at every corner. If you you go to an event, like an art history talk, expect them to invite you to the art auction. Or if you're at dinner, expect them to try to sell you beverages...like any restaurant or bar on land they make more off of drinks. We really liked our inside cabin. In-laws had a balcony that didn't seal properly the first couple of nights so it was noisy, but our cabin was pitch dark and quiet. They were very attentive to our food allergies and sensitivities at every meal, but we had few options for dessert outside of mixed fruit salad and lemon sorbet. Occasionally, they would bring us a specially GF dessert. The productions were awesome and entertaining. The magician was pretty run-of-the-mill. We had a crap bike excursion that was sponsored by NCL but that was more a problem with staffing from the outfitter.

[@debburr2419]

thank you for this review. I am especially pleased with your review of the Spa and thermal pool/sauna. I realize NCL (as well as other cruise lines) are trying to upsell. I happen to be very good at turning off my hearing to the sales pitch. We are choosy about the shows and if they are not of interest, don't mind skipping them. So much other activities to do. We are content to sit on our balcony are just enjoy the peacefulness. We have only cruised the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ships, Bliss and Getaway, and LOVED them both. Want to try the medium size and see if we like them. Your review has helped us lean towards the GEM. Again, thanks for the positive (and not so positive) comments. appreciate the honest take on this ship.

[@markt4605]

Heading to Bermuda on the Gem. While I do agree on the constant upsell pressure is sometimes exhausting it does not bother me much. The cost of the cruise compared to an all inclusive (especially in Bermuda) is an absolute bargain. And the food and service is much better on NCL. I have cruised with NCL 4 times and have never had a bad experience. JMHO…

[@GroundedLifeCruises]

We do love the food too

[@lizarichards2243]

We love NCL too! Been cruising on NCL for over 20 years. We've sailed other lines, but keep coming back to NCL.

[@Carolmaizy]

Me too!

[@johnmclean6380]

Thanks for this thorough review! ❤

[@tlcbear411]

Thanks so much, for the honesty. I plan to go on the Gem for Christmas and New year

[@jonniesantos]

Agree about food and staff, didn’t try the thermal suite, and we don’t stay up late enough to see the shows. You’re right about the internet, and sometimes we heard the cruise director’s announcements and other times I had to open our cabin door to hear… The cleanliness was amazing and I miss having someone turn down the bed; ah, what a life..

[@bestbuy7873]

Lollll,loved the send a pigeon😂😂😂

[@cruisecrazy7066]

If the hallways were so narrow, what happened if two scooters met in opposite directions?

[@doobette5554]

Thanks for the pros and cons rundown. We're booked on the Gem next late summer for a 7-day Canada/New England sailing in a balcony cabin; we've never sailed NCL, so this is all helpful to know ahead of time.

[@avam1042]

I traveled on the sister ship (NCL Pearl) last year. It is the BEST time! So much to do. Great staff! You will have a fabulous time.

[@jackiechouinard1194]

NCL is the best

[@LesMotschman-ti9ft]

If you're on Cruise Critic, you should go to the forum for your cruise, the more experienced NCL cruisers help many newcomers with their questions. We have been on the Gem, Dawn and Pearl many times. Susan Motschman/susanmaple

[@dunning29]

Also doing the Canada/New England 7 day end of Summer. First cruise…looking forward to it.

[@AngelaPietrantonio]

Thanks for sharing.! I will be on that ship on Friday.

[@MrRichDA]

We will be on the Gem this Friday as well.

[@maurinet2291]

Great review! So sad to hear about the entertainment, because big Broadway shows are one of the things NCL is known for. It seems like some of their ships are prioritized over others with Beetlejuice and Summer on some ships and standard review shows on others. I've also heard about the nickel and diming on NCL, didn't realize it was so bad :(.

[@christinecooke1535]

Thanks for the review. We were on the Jade in Feb 2024. I was disappointed with the food. Also had trouble finding somewhere to sit and quietly read a book. We are going on the Gem March of 2025 on the Blues Cruise. Looking forward to it.

[@keithw8646]

Great, honest review. Thanks for posting this. We are about to go to Bermuda on the Gem in a month and this was a big help to us since this will be our first cruise. Others commented about the woman speaking over the guy, but we found it to be conversational and didn't even notice until we read the reviews.

[@LesMotschman-ti9ft]

We are on the May 10th cruise. Are you on that one? We have a good group on Cruise Critic discussing and helping each other. For the last 12 years, we've been cruising out of Boston only. Susan Motschman/susanmaple

[@martinkelly7780]

6/7/24 for me

[@LesMotschman-ti9ft]

@@martinkelly7780 I hope you love the Gem as much as we do. We always have our stateroom near O'Sheehan's, maybe you do too! I'll be thinking of you and wishing we were there. Make sure you've done your check in and printed your luggage tags. Susanmaple

[@jeanettachurchill4203]

Thanks for this review. I did a 15-day transatlantic on the Gem this past December. I take NCL because I can often get better base prices as a solo traveler. I have to do the math to see if the amount spent on the thermal spa and the internet offsets my room savings relative to sailing in a single room on an all inclusive cruise line. At this point, I'm still taking NCL because of their exotic cruises throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and India. But I will stay open minded.

[@theneverendinghighway]

Of all the things you said, I 100% agree with what you said about the internet. For $30-$40 a day, I expect that to work nearly flawlessly. I don't mind paying the charge, but I want to service to work. Everything else I know and expect to happen, and I really don't mind the upsell for future cruise credits because I like to cruise and the on board credit is nice as well.

[@GroundedLifeCruises]

Yes, sadly it was some of the slowest internet we've had

[@lizarichards2243]

NCL is about to deploy Starlink fleet-wide. So, internet speeds should dramatically increase.

[@margaretatter4743]

They are coming to Jacksonville in November. I have never sailed Norwegian. I'm platinum on Carnival and receive great deals. I'm curious about prices on Norwegian. I do want to try them if they aren't overpriced.

[@JimTucker-uz9nz]

Just got back from a four day cruise on the Jade it was outstanding, food was great, entertainment was great. The only negative was they had technical problems with their computer system and it would not read your card when it came time to get off the ship.

[@jackieheidorn5875]

The sales pitch announcement problem sounds like it may have just been that cruise director. We've been on these ships and did not get that. However; we don't drink soda or alcohol and we ignore the shopping stuff. I think the internet on the Prima is upgraded. We usually only do the 7day trips.

[@johnthyen5599]

hopefully the ncl gem will get starlink internet soon I know many of their fleet has it. I had it on the Breakaway last year. it's great!

[@matthewhildebrandt1901]

I just went on NCL Pride of America in Hawaii last month. My first NCL cruise. Shakedown was the perfect term! They totally nickel and dimed us. Everything you described about the Gem was the same on POA. We loved the cruise because of the destination, but we were left with a bad taste...sometimes from the restaurants. 😂 I don't know if I'll try another NCL cruise.

[@debburr2419]

Matthew, I hope you give NCL another chance, Try an Alaskan cruise on the Encore or Bliss. We have cruised on the Disney - amazing cruise line but more $$$ than most. Royal is similar to NCL, but with NCL i feel like I have more outdoor landscapes space. I'm cruising to see the ocean, not indoors ( that being said, leaving soon on Royal Caribbean Oasis for a cruise). Carnival,, more of a party boat so it is good for those that prefer to party. I found dining not as good as NCL or Royal on Carnival. Hands down for us,, NCL is the better choice. Example - this next cruise on RCL Oasis, we have to dine at 5 PM for dinner or 8:30. I love NCL free style dining. NOT looking forward to dinner at 5 PM. We have to compromise. I hope you enjoyed Hawaii. We stayed there and loved our vacation.

[@margaretatter4743]

I do hope you let corporate know all, this. They need to hear it. For any changes to be made.

[@rodneyscales2648]

I love the dining room and the Chinese restaurant . The buffet wasn’t Great. The staff was fantastic . I thought the entertainment was above average. I really didn’t have any things I really hate. You’re right about your negative observation. I alway pay the tips and advance . What your opinion of one cleaning a day. The Gem did had the World Cup when I was on it.

[@GroundedLifeCruises]

We don't mind the one cleaning a day, it seems to be becoming the standard now. We usually get out room cleaned while we are at dinner.

[@rodneyscales2648]

I wouldn’t mind it to much if they weren’t the highest tipped rate on any cruise line.

[@MaryGatdula]

@@rodneyscales2648 What would be a basically standard tip on other lines?

[@rodneyscales2648]

@@MaryGatdula $15

[@MaryGatdula]

@@rodneyscales2648 Thank you!

[@brunasalvio6507]

I really enjoyed this review on the Gem. We will be taking the same ship early next year. However, I do have a comment about how you both present the information, I find it very frustrating that the lady in the video keeps talking over the man, even if it’s just saying mmm hmm or interjecting comments. It would be, much better to follow the conversation if you both let each other finish speaking.

[@cindyma7116]

Agreed, I had experienced Norwegian gem food is best compared with other cruises.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

When you ask for a can of Coke, insist that it be delivered Unopened, with a glass of ice cubes.

[@elizabethhart4204]

Would you say its not good for someone in a wheelchair.

[@plugchapman]

im on this ship in a week.....let me work on extra jokes!!!

[@francescachacon6727]

I hope you let them know!

[@joshsiegle1229]

To be fair - a cruise is an opportunity to 'dry out' from internet and TV. 👍

[@MegaBeaches]

I've sailed on the Gem and many other NCL I didn't have your experience. Every other cruise line I've sailed has nickle and dimed just as much if not more than NCL. Have you cruised much with other cruise lines?

[@zoeserlin4359]

Mmmhmm

[@lisagardner4814]

Do they charge you extra for using the gym?

[@vonniebench]

We love the Thermal Suites on NCL. We'll be on the Jade in May 2024 and wondering if it's the same as the Gem? It didn't appear to be the same. Anyone know for sure?

[@LesMotschman-ti9ft]

The Jade is in the same class as the Gem. I just checked their deck plans and they are basically the same deck plan, same size. If you search Norwegian Jade, you can get lots and lots of info just about the ship, which was refurbished in 2022. It should be really nice!

[@donaldbates277]

Hate is a strong word!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

$40.00 per day for internet. OUCH. That is $1,200.00 per month. What do you pay at home?

[@cindireitz]

Unfortunately, cruising was shut down for over 2 year and they lost a lot of money during Covid, so they are doing everything they can to recoup their losses. We've cruised the Gem twice since Covid. She's our favorite ship. We were on the Sun 2 weeks ago and had a great time (and good internet) but she's just not the Gem.

[@LesMotschman-ti9ft]

Then you'd love the Dawn, the Pearl, and the Jade if any of their sailings are convenient for you.

[@alicemallen8997]

Just came back from NCL Gem cruise. Maybe they have cut back on the food quality, but I found it mediocre at best at the buffet section, main dining room okay, did one speciality restaurant, Le Bistro which was good. Seems like if you want good food you have to pay extra. The burger they served on the outside deck area was gross, precooked & just reheated, you added the cheese after. My inside cabin was the smallest I’ve ever been in, if you are are big person you might have trouble fitting on the commode. No hair conditioner, body lotion or robes, unlike my usual cruise line Holland America. Info about cruise ports were scant. This was only my 2nd cruise on NCL & don’t think I will be back unless it offers a real deal. The crew were all nice & room was clean.

[@DanaMarie-jp6tv]

Did you guys have good internet in port?

[@DanetteSWhite]

Wow $40 A day!😲 That's A month to some. Speaker announcements are annoying if its all the time. Sounds like I'll be skipping this ship.

[@gilbydog7350]

That's what I thought too - constant nickle and diming and constant sales pitches - that's a pass.

[@bestbuy7873]

I do agree about entertainment I was on the Sun,back to back Alaska the shows were deplorable very very very poor,the Comedian was NOT FUNNY...NCL spend a little on entertainment pleasssse

[@Bellaneph]

All ncl ships have terrible internet

[@scottythewanderer4432]

her constantly going mm hmm is annoying AF!!!!

[@AJB-jj5qg]

Please, stop interrupting him.That's so annoying!

[@donaldbates277]

Boring blog.