The ship returned a couple of hours late due to weather so we didn't get onto the ship until 1pm. Compared to the Breakaway, this is a smaller ship and to get places, seemed like a maze. We didn't leave NY till early evening, pitch black out. Having a forward aft room was a nightmare. Our second nigh out, we dealt with terrible rocking of the boat, from side to side and up and down. It was horrible!! The entire ship seemed like a roller coaster.

The entertainment was great with the exception of the magician. His act was boring. Having the unlimited beverage package was great but they ran out of the type of beer I enjoy. The food was good but the menus didn't seem to change much. Service in the restaurants was mediocre at best. Food was forgotten. We were forgotten. You could spend hours sitting in the dining room just waiting to be waited on. Water was never refilled, you weren't asked if you wanted any type of drink, soda or alcohol. I get better service in an IHOP.

There were a couple of days where my room wasn't made up until after 4pm and then turned down at 8pm. What's the point? People in the rooms near me would leave their dirty dishes, leftover food and dirty glasses in front of my door. Why? The casino was so full of smoke, you couldn't breath. Out on ports, they would paint or stain your balcony. The smell was terrible. People would go put towels out on lounge chairs at 6am yet never show up until 10am. Embarkation and disembarkation was smooth. Personally, I would never sail on the Gem again.