It's really exciting to have finally had my first cruise. I'm so looking forward to planning my next one.I'm a 46 yo female and was cruising with my mom and dad (in there early 60's).  This was also their first cruise too.  We booked a mini suite w/balcony. EMBARKATION We arrived at the pier with a group of people from our area by chartered bus at 12:15pm.  There was a porter outside by the bus and took our luggage right away.  When we got inside the first line we were in for customs and security was very quick. The second line was longer but ran very smooth.  It was the line to get your ship card/room keycard.  We got a ticket with a number on you sat down and when your # was called you boarded the ship, the entire process took about 45 min.  I was very surprised at how smooth this went its nothing like when you go to the airport.  I've always worked in customer service jobs and I know how stressful this could be for the employees. They all were very friendly and really made me feel special and I was not on the villa/ penthouse line.  They were very professional.  As soon as we stepped on board we were handed a glass of champagne and a small card with a map of the ship (great idea).  We also received a note that said our cabin would be ready about 2pm that there would be an announcement made when they were and to explore the ship or have some lunch at the garden cafe or grand pacific dining room.  I've read alot of other reviews that were sooo helpful and I knew not to go to the garden cafe because it would be packed and to go to the GP and thats what we did .  There was no waiting it was relaxing, also had a seat right in front of the water.  They had a good choice on the menu but we opted for california cheeseburgers w/ fries.  By the time we were done eating the announcement was made and off to our cabin we went.  I didn't mention at this time around the ship the restaurants were handing out samples of there food and drinks asking if you wanted to make reservations for that night. CABIN Our room was great.  The freestyle daily was on the bed (the paper you get daily in your cabin with everything that's going on all the time).  We had a nice size bathroom w/ tub.  The balcony was well worth getting, it was a great place to have a glass of wine and watch the beautiful sights or just looking at the water.  There was a queen sized bed but we wanted 2 twins that was no problem our steward had this done when we arrive back at room later in the evening.  The couch opened to a full sized bed.There was lots of drawers, shelves,closet space and hangers.  It was a nice treat to have 3 bathrobes hanging in the closet too!  I liked the robe so much I ordered one brand new to take home with me. I ordered my dad and mom a romance/anniversary package before we sailed from home, it was in the cabin when we arrived, consisting of a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, with a letter stating they could make a reservation for dinner one night at Le Bistro including a bottle of red or white wine.  They also got invited to a champagne and cake party for everyone who had this package on friday evening that included a free 5x7 picture of them.  Also they delivered a tray of canapes to the room on weds. night for them .  This was a great deal for me $79.00.It would have been alot more if I bought them separately.They really loved it and it made them feel special, which they are.  Our luggage arrived at 6:15 and we got settled in.  We made reservations for Cagney's earlier in the day and we went off for dinner at 7pm.  That night it was so windy and cold on deck I couldn't stand it but there were people in the hot tub. MEALS All the food on the ship was good, some things were exceptional and only a few were not as good as they could have been.  One time in the Grand Pacific dinning room for dinner I ordered beef stroganoff and it didn't' taste like what it was supposed to be and the beef was very, very chewy.  I couldn't eat it ,but I didn't say anything i didn't want to upset the table anyway I had something later in the evening. The night we went to Cagney's our waitress was new( I'm assuming) I hope thats what it was.  She would ask one person for their drink order,go get it and continue to the next person going back and forth 3 times instead of taking the whole order at one time?? The appys we ordered were cold and they were supposed to be warm. My mom and I ordered the n.y. strip steaks and they were very good.Dad orderedthe t-bone and it was fatty and chewy.  He didn't care for it.  They did have great mushrooms and signature french fries that were awesome. We went to tequila's one nightand it was very good.Service was great.It wasn't my favorite food (mexican)but mom and dad loved it.  Also there was no cover charge. I went to Le Cachina's(italian) by myself on the night my parents went to Le bistro for their romantic dinner.  I had a great dinner.  They served bread with a small dipping plate of olive oil and vinegar.  I picked a nice glass of cabernet (St. Francis).  Then they came around with an appy cart with so many different items.ex. artichokes marinated, prociutto, olives bruchetta and so many other items I can't remember all of them.  I skipped the soup and salad because I didn't think I would finish.  I did get the pasta dish(very good).  And main course, I ordered the chicken parm ,also good.  The best part was dessert tiramisu?(I know I spelled it wrong).  It was soooo good. EXCELLENT!! The best place we went to was Teppanyaki where they cook everything right in front of you.  The chef even did a little show while cooking.  We had filet mignon and shrimp, fried rice and shrimp appys. So much I was too full to eat dessert.  It was coconut ice cream.  They only have 4 sittings per night and it fills up fast.  I never had a problem making reservations at any restaurant for whatever time we wanted except this place, understandable.You can taste every ingredient.  Honestly ,go to this one but book early. My dad and mom loved the great outdoors outside past the garden cafe.  They liked eating outside.  I thought it was good too. Not crowed like the buffet.  I went for breakfast one morning and they have someone making omelets any way you want .They also have a cappuccino machine out there. The buffet (garden cafe) is different from other buffets .  They have stations where they are making or carving the food parents liked this area but I didn't like the crowds.I enjoyed Grand Pacific for breakfast.  For me I just like being served. Lunches were either the buffet or at the outdoor grill (good),or in port.  They did have lunch in the dinning rooms but a short window of time. Drink prices weren't bad from what I saw,same as in land bars but one of my friends complained about mixed drinks she ordered being expensive $7.00each? I'm not sure I didn't order that .  I did have the fancy drinks and they ranged 7to 10 depending what it was.Mom and dad were ordering buckets of beer Heineken 6 bottles I think it was 27.00 they were about 4.95 each that's import I don't think thats too bad. I also ordered breakfast 2x in room.It was hot and good, omelet, sausage toast and yogurt.  The in room coffee that you make was pretty good.  We had steward empty fridge so we could fit our waters and soda and wine in there ,its not too big.  Also I ordered 2x late night snacks and the pizza was just ok but it too arrived hot.  I also ordered fish and chips from blue lagoon one night no cover charge and the brought it to my room hot I don't know if I got lucky or what but I thought this was great.  The night we went to Cagney's I couldn't eat the dessert I already ordered so they brought it to my cabin later on. I didn't want to forget to tell you about the seafood extravaganza.  The night they had it I think it was thurs. night about 9-9:30.I do believe they had the chocolate special right after that.  I can't tell you about either because it wasn't advertised in the freestyle daily and I had made resv. at Le cachina's that night.The waiter there was the one who let me know about , I spoke to someone later that told me I didn't miss anything great ,I'll never know.  I wonder why it wasn't advertised? ENTERTAINMENT Sorry about this one I did spend time playing bingo I just like to.  It was very pricey ,but I did win 1 game which covered me playing 2 nights I am sort of a gambler I played the lotto too they have each night I won 100. on one night you can win up to 161000. everynight.  I went to 2 shows one was the dance show it was very good and went to the comedy show it was good.When I went to the comedy show at spinnakers I didn't care for it and left in the middle I thought it would be good because it was an adult show and the same people but it wasn't good.I spent time at the pool and it was very relaxing.I wanted to go to the spa but I ran out of time there are so many things to do. PORTS Cape Canaveral wasn't that great for me but I used to live in Florida so I thinkthat had to do with my opinion.It was so windy tooand I hate the wind.We went to Ron Jons by bus $15.00 round trip We got some shirts and stuff.  Also went across the street at walgreens and got bottled water and diet coke for the fridge at the ship .  We walked across the street to the beach for alittle while,it was nice but like I said before very windy.Some people stopped at the Sand Grille and said they had a good time and good food(we also all got coupons on the bus for 10% off there and15% off at Ron Jons) Our second stop was to be stirrup cay but captain said we couldn't go ,it was too dangerous to take the tenders over due to the high winds.  People were disappointed but safety comes first especially mine.We went straight to nassau and spent an extra day so that was good.The wind let up and the weather was great the rest of the cruise.  Till we got back to n.y. and reality set in.(wind and brutally cold when we got home). I can't comment on shore excursions because I didn't go on any, I did shop in nassau and took a cab over to atlantis to check out the beach and we went to the casino.Also went shopping at the marketplace at paradise island the outdoor shops there were cute and the marina was beautiful.  Parents went shopping at nassau and said the straw market was too aggressive with everyone trying to get your business,but it wasn't like it was a surprise, its like that in every tourist area to some degree. last port was freeport.Parents went on a reef bottom fishing boat trip.  My dads a fisherman and works at a boat yard,they both said it wasn't worth it.  Alot of people didn't know how to fish and the guy running didn't help them.  My dad was trying to help people with their lines. no one caught much maybe 4 small fish for the whole boat.it also advertises drinks water and snacks to buy on board and didn't have that you had to get it on pier before you left on the boat.  They had these flimsy pvc chairs on the boat and mom said they were not sturdy. I went to the small straw market right off the ship. I was going to adventure into town to shop but I thought by the time I got a cab and all I thought I might not make it back in time (ship leaving at 2:30pm). MEETANDGREET I'm so glad I joined C.C. it gave me a lot of insight before my first cruise.  The tips everyone gave me and all the questions that were answered were right on the mark.  THANK YOU ALL! It helped me on the ship.  The M&G was good.  All the officers came and the Captain.  They introduced themselves and said a few words.  One note: I was trying to get an extra chair on our balcony so all three of us could sit.  Well I couldn't get one asked steward and front desk.  At the M&G I spoke to Prem the hotel Director and he called someone right there in front of me and the chair was in my room before I got there.  HE gave me his card and told me to call anytime if I should have any problems.  Which I didn't.  The employees I met on this ship were all very polite and honestly they do put up with alot of rude customers that I have witnessed and they were still courteous and composed,GREAT JOB GEM!! DISEMBARKATION was also smooth as when we got on.  We didn't do self serve due to fact I woke up with my feet swelled up like bozo the clown and couldn't walk or put my shoes on it was scary it went away when I put them up at home for a day I did way too much walking.  Anyway they sent a wheelchair up for me and took me thru customs, luggage and to the bus the guy was great ,it was spur of the moment not planned and they had no problem .  I was grateful. We also had the best room steward on the whole ship Alexander,he was great he took care of all our needs and wants. Any requests were met with a smile and always stopped to ask us how our trip was going but it really felt like he wanted to know not just small talk.

This was my first cruise and I enjoyed it.  NCL employees on the GEM made it that way they worked as a team and you saw that if you stepped back and watched.  I will take another cruise with NCL, most likely the gem, but it will be to different ports of call I'm already looking and checking things out.