Boarding the Gem: Arrived at 1:30 My Husband and a friend went to park the car and we waited for them by the escalator with the carry-on bags. We followed the signs for Penthouses and Villas this was also the line for casino at sea guest, this line took us right to the conveyor belt where we show our passports and put our bags and cell phone through just like at the airport. Then right to the check in gave our CC and got our room keys from Claudio he then walked us to a room where there were cookies and snacks and let us know we would be escorted onboard in a few minutes we were onboard by 1:55. As you board you are offered a glass of champagne I didn't have any I was way too excited but our friends seemed to enjoy it. Not sure why we didn't take a welcome aboard picture this time not a big deal we forgot to look at the pictures we took. Courtyard Villa: We were escorted the elevator to the 14th floor our friends came along to take a peek they were walked through the Courtyard and WOW it was warm and tranquil it made you want to just grab a book and chill it was really nicer than I thought better than any pictures I have seen. Then to the cabin it is the same layout as the AB penthouse it may be a few feet smaller than the AB on the Dawn I'm not sure perfect for the four of us two adults and two12 year old boys. Loved the coffee and cappuccino machine they have in the cabin the balcony was a good size with two chairs and a small table. We didn't have great weather so the CY was great for the kids to go in the pool before my son spiked a high fever it was great to be able to order from the butler right outside our door. Every morning they had Juice, mini muffins and coffee available in the afternoon they had cookies, gummy bears and juice and water they had the Menu's for Cagney's for breakfast and lunch we ordered a few days out of the week it was great! We had Ryan for our Butler very nice and did a great job he also gave us a tour at the end of our cruise of the GV and deluxe Owners suite The Garden Villas are amazing! The Courtyard Butler Gilbert was a pleasure always with a smile on his face very professional we hope to see him again. Our room stewards were great room was always made up it was hard for them because a few days we didn't leave the room much because my Son was sick. Around The Ship: I only have the Dawn to compare it to so here goes IMO the layout was great I never got lost and it just seemed bigger for some reason I think they did a great Job. All we said the whole cruise was how nothing seemed crowded no real lines we never ran into the same people more than twice never saw anyone from our roll call again only Mary and Karen hey Don where were you? LOL I love how Blue Lagoon is its own restaurant now not in the hallway. From looking at pictures the Gem looks tacky but when onboard it works its fun and elegant. The atrium gives the feel of being under the sea pretty cool. The theater was great large and comfortable seats it was great that they have priority seating for suite guest but we only made two shows both were good but I liked the shows on the Dawn better. We went bowling the day we were in port at Freeport and it was really a lot of fun when the ship started moving it was a whole new game it's a must try at $5 per person per game. My son's friend tried the rock climbing wall and he enjoyed it there is no charge for that. We never tried the pools the weather was not great we had two good days and we were at universal Orlando and the Atlantis in the Bahamas. The Casino: I was very happy to see a few staff members from the Dawn casino marketing department on the Gem great group, except for the girl at the cashier counter bad attitude. The casino is lots of fun of course I didn't come out a winner in the end but saw a few others hit some nice jackpots. The casino seemed smaller than the Dawn and I really did miss the flattop poker machines. Restaurants: Let me start off by saying we only had one bad meal on this cruise Even that wasn't the worst ever or gross or anything like that. Topsiders Grill: This was our first eating spot when touring the Gem we had hotdogs and burgers Great we ate outside before the sail away! The Buffet: Was great anytime we went I mean it was really good to Great!!! Orchid Asian restaurant: Great we ate there once and ordered in the room once while my son was sick, really great as it is on the Dawn my son also had the Sushi he loved it! Teppanyaki: Great and the service was great and just a fun time steak was delish. Tequila: The food was very good we all enjoyed it for some reason they over charged us for 2 sodas $40 I will call NCL this week what's up with that I should have checked the bill There is a few other add ons that shouldn't be on my bill. La Cucina Italian: Really good better than on the Dawn I was surprised Great service the kids loved the pizza. Le Bistro French: My Favorite it was excellent the dEcor the service the food it was perfect. Cagney's Steak House: For Breakfast and Lunch it was Excellent for dinner it was the worst meal we had on the ship they were backed up we waited over an hour it was very loud in the room I guess they have two sides we were through the Star bar and they shut the door and you either hear loud talking from other tables or dishes breaking from the kitchen so I left and took the kids to the show my husband and friends stayed and missed the show only to have everything over cooked they did comp the cover charge which was nice and I chalked it up to an off night for them I know they make great food for breakfast and lunch. Kids Menu: The kids can order from the kids menu in any restaurant they loved the Mac and cheese and the P&J and they said the pizza was pretty good. Ports: Port Canaveral: First sign of nice weather Yahoo we did Universal studios we used an outside car service for the 7 of us it was $200 plus tip round trip and I bought our tickets online with the express passes no lines an awesome day. GSC: The weather was bad and they had a hard time getting us on the tender we didn't stay long and when I went to get a coke someone took my chair yes hello you know who you are! We had the BBQ which was good and back to the ship it was just as well my son was not feeling so great and him and his friend bumped heads. Nassau Bahamas: The sun was out We took a taxi over to the Comfort Inn Suites Checked Inn and got our wristbands for the Atlantis and left a carry-on bag there if we wanted to change easy as could be We did the Digs at about 6pm then went for ice cream and back to the ship a fun day. Grand Bahamas Island: We stayed on the ship my son wasn't feeling well and it gave us a chance to explore the ship go bowling and try the rock climbing wall :) The Spa: I went for two massages over $150 for 50 minutes they add in 18% they were good but you must cancel within 24 hours so if you book it and leave and try to cancel and its 23 hours they will charge you 50% I know better for next time.

Leaving the ship was a breeze we left our cabin at 11:30 it was an easy walk off through customs and to the car home on LI in an hour. A few notes I don't know how people can complain about not finding anything to eat you only need to reach your arm out and food will be in your hand good food at that :) We didn't eat in the main restaurants this cruise but our friends did they said it was no wait and great food and yes steak was on the menu. We had a great CC M&G thanks again to Maryfrei I hope to cruise with her again The captain and HD CD and others came to the M&G and could be seen walking around the ship which was great. Kid Crew: They only went twice but loved it. We had more than a few bumps in the road my tooth was killing me for the first 3 days my son was so sick with a high fever then got a black eye I had a chair hog leave the ship and hit me up on the island! And I lost in the casino and had a bad meal the weather wasn't great the seas were rough. The good in the above I called the Medical office onboard and the nurse was great when we got home took my son to the ER he has a sinus infection so now he will have relief. I called the chair hog on it. Now I know what machines not to play and we will go to Le Bistro twice next cruise :):) and I think I finally got my sea legs! I still love the Dawn not sure why she is my favorite even with all the perks we had and the CY maybe its because we had bad weather and some bad luck or maybe we were missing a silly fun and entertaining Matt Baker and JAR But we still had a great time and can't wait to go on the Gem again.