We are a family of 5, 3 boys, 10,9, and 4 with me and my wife, took the NCL GEM from NYC on 12/11/2010 to 12/18/2010. Our last cruise was on Carnival Fantasy about 15 years ago. We usually go to all inclusive resorts in Punta Cana or Cancun.

Embarkation

We were originally scheduled to depart 4pm but it got rescheduled to 7pm. We got phone calls, emails and texts. A personal call from travel agent to have a person to person phone confirmation that we know it got pushed out to 7pm due to dry dock delay. At least it wasn't delayed a whole day like the Jewel a week before. It was very crowded at the port and the ship didn't depart until about sometime between 10pm-11pm. NCL gave us $100 per room for the inconvenience. Read more