This review is for the June 12, 2011 thru June 19 2011 cruise to Bermuda. Our vacation got of to a rough start. This was in no part due to Norwegian, rather every bit the fault of Amtrak. Instead of fighting traffic from Fredericksburg VA to New York, we decided on a leisurely train ride. I had planned for a 3 ½ hour window from the time the train was due into Penn Station until the ship was due to sail. Plenty of time for a short cab ride and checking onboard the Gem. The train was 30 minutes late arriving in Fredericksburg VA and our experience went down hill from there. There was a schedule stop in Washington D.C while they switched from Diesel to electric. Amtrak made it clear that this was a 25 minute stop only. This turned into 45 plus minutes due to mechanical difficulties.

When we did finally moving, there was an obvious problem with the engine. Power was fluctuating almost immediately. When we finally made it to New York, the train broke down completely, on a bridge in the middle of nowhere. Even had I wanted to exit the train there was nowhere to go. No power, no air conditioning or bathrooms, traveling with two senior citizens, one with a heart condition. I except that things break down, but after the first hour in a sweltering train car the personal onboard have the audacity to charge $2.50 for a warm bottle of water pushed me over the limit. A new engine was dispatched and we were finally able to arrive at Penn Station.

We arrived at the cruise terminal with 20 minutes to spare! We had to finish checking in on the ship itself as it was pulling away from the dock! Not a good way to begin our first vacation in over 8 years. Once onboard we were able to relax and enjoy the New York City skyline. Passing the Statue of Liberty is an inspiring sight that I will never forget. Read more