I sailed on the NCL Gem with my daughter and her two children this March on a 7 day trip to the Bahamas and Florida. This cruise was my 12th overall and 6th on Norwegian. It was my daughter's 1st cruise experience.
Embarkation
Embarkation for us was made easy because I'm a Silver Latitudes member. So we bypassed the long lines that others had to endure. New York Port is poorly organized and run. Not a great way to start your vacation waiting in long lines to board the ship. Bayonne/Royal Caribbean runs embarkation process vastly better.