This sailing on the Gem was my 5th NCL cruise, second time on the Gem. I had a group of 36 people who were traveling together. In general the cruise was fine and we had a great time. It was a holiday sailing and there were almost 800 children on the ship. There were a few times you were aware of the kiddie overload, but all things considered the ship "absorbed" them rather well. (The kids club did seem crazy, often having long lines).

Overall the group was pleased but I think most people had a few experiences of less than ideal service. There was nothing that ruined anyone's cruise but enough things to demonstrate NCL is okay, but definitely a notch or two below Royal Caribbean and Princess. There did not always seem to be a rhyme or reason for what happened. For example, each day our group met for a gathering in the morning in El Bistro. This had been pre-arranged through the group coordinator. Each day the set-up of chairs was different. Regardless of how it was configured we made it work, but why seven different arrangements for the seven days we were there?

There are also inconsistencies in the service. A group of six of us had three side by side cabins. One cabin had two bath robes, another had one, the third had none. Some people praised their cabin stewards; some thought their service was marginal. Read more