Norwegian Gem Review

4.0 / 5.0
2,589 reviews

Can't wait to do it again!!

Review for the Bahamas Cruise on Norwegian Gem
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fluffnstuff36
First Time Cruiser • Age 40s

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Sail Date: May 2014

This cruise was my Christmas gift to my mom, 3 daughters, and son in-law. I have to first say it was the first cruise my children and I had been on and my moms second (her first was with carnival. and she definitely liked this one better).. This cruise was well worth the price. I booked through BJs travel and was able to book with no money down and got a gift card for free groceries when I got home. . . on to the good stuff. The ship (the gem) was beautiful. I have to admit when I was looking at pictures of it on line the photos did the ship a great injustice. The colors were way too bright and disco 70's looking. In reality they were more muted and pleasing to the eye. They layout of the boat can get a bit confusing. For example they list the Grand Pacific dinning room as being on the 6th floor but there is on access to the dinning room from deck 6, you have to go up to deck 7 in order to enter that dinning area. The freestyle dinning worked PERFECTLY for my family. We ate what we wanted when we wanted. The food was fantastic but I was disappointed with the desserts. They were very bland with no flavor. The first few hours your on the boat are a cluttered and dysfunctional as many of the rooms are not ready to be entered and everyone is out roaming the public areas. The great outdoors buffet area (deck 12, go all the way to the back of the buffet dinning room and out the glass doors) is quiet for the first few hours if your looking for some quiet. After day 2 though it gets packed up there for dining because everyone finally figures out it's there. As for the ports, Florida was nice I didn't do any excursions I just visited family and went to the beach. My suggestion is to line up about an hour early (you will be exiting from the 4th floor) ... Great stirrup cay, this was my favorite stop. Be sure to take some cash with you as the vendors there do not take credit cards or your rom key (with the exception of the bars and excursions.) Be sure to have plenty of sun block. This island is not dry docked your ferried over on tender ships so I pray you all have beautiful weather like we did. You will board on deck 6 or 7 (I honestly cant remember which.) .. Nassau was a bit of a disappointment. The "amazing discounts" they advertise are not exactly discounts. I saw jewelry marked at 600$ that I know I could get here in the states for 200 or less. There are people in your face every second trying to sell you something so put on your game face and be firm but polite. I simply said I already had plans and kept walking. BEWARE OF THE LADIES RUNING AROUND OFFERING FREE BEADED NECKLACES!! They are NOT free!! They will literally run to you and start putting the necklaces on you saying they are free from the children at a local school but that they ask you to make a donation.. if you give them 5$ they will continue to hassle you till they get at least 20 per necklace. If you say you have no money they will rip the necklace off your neck and head off to the next person... Heading home The white hot party was AMAZING!!!!! All and all the trip is worth the price. The staff was very friendly and the ship was kept clean. I have already booked cruise number 2 and cant wait to sail off for more fun in the sun on this awesome cruise line!! (last bit of advice. we had 2 ocean view rooms 2 people in one and 4 in another. I do not recommend 4 in such a small area. It worked and was tolerable, but for 4 adults it was pretty cramped. Our next trip will be 2 balcony with 3 in each)

Cabin Review

The cabin was clean and comfortable but too small for 4 grown adults. The porthole view was nice. our room steward was very sweet.

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