This was our (my husband and myself) 4th cruise with NCL and we choose our cruises according to the itinerary...also leaving from NYC helps as we live on Long Island. On this cruise the ports of call were St. Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Tortola. We’ve been to all of these islands at least several times with the exception of Tortola which was a quick stop, 5 1/2 hrs., on this itinerary.

Although a severe snow storm was approaching the day after we left (Jan. 23rd), we had confidence that the ship's Captain and cruise line would never put the passengers' lives in danger. Also, we were on the NCL Jewel (the Gem's sister ship) out of NYC during Superstorm Sandy so we figured how bad could it get? Boy were we wrong as the ship's rocking and rolling lasted 2 1/2 days with most of the crew and passengers feeling quite ill during this time. The Captain made an announcement that we were experiencing 25 ft. waves and winds of 70 mph heading right into the blizzard. There was snow on the decks and we met a few young women who said we should join them making snowballs...haha. In any case, we survived the storm and give credit to the Captain's navigation and experience. (I did read another reviewer's comments for this cruise who said that the Captain had stated that ‘this was the worst storm he had ever encountered on a cruise ship.’ Makes me wonder though about NCL's judgment on proceeding with these cruises during the worst storms to hit the Northeast ever.)

The Gem has recently gone through some nice renovations replacing the decor in the main dining rooms and the lounges, the photo gallery has been modernized and the Atrium area seems more spacious and had a beautiful glass sculpture hanging high up - maybe a Dale Chihuly work of art? - I never got to ask. There was a bowling alley in the Bliss Lounge the last time we were on this ship in 2014 - that no longer exists. The bottom line - I thought the improvements to the ship's interior were all very attractive and it's always hard to imagine you're really on a ship when you take it all in. Read more