My partner and I joined Norwegian Gem at Valletta, Malta for a 7 night cruise. As most passengers on this cruise join and leave at Barcelona our boarding was fast, efficient and friendly.

ACCOMMODATION: Our cabin (mini-suite grade AF) was spacious, well appointed and had a good size glass-sided balcony. The bathroom was the best we have ever had at sea with a full bath, lots of fluffy towels and a separate toilet. The decor throughout the ship is a blaze of primary colors - the carpets are a psychedelic nightmare.

FOOD: Excellent, wherever we ate, but "Freestyle Cruising" means a stampede for tables at around 8, unless you wish to pay a $10-20 cover charge for one of the speciality restaurants where the food is no better. We've seen champagne on ice in breakfast-rooms many times, but 4 different brands of iced vodka on offer at 7 in the morning was a first for us. Read more