If you are thinking of cruising on the Norwegian Gems, please do not be put off by negative comments on this site. My husband and I have cruised on the RCl, P and O, Thomson and Cruise and Maritime an decided to give NCL a try. We were pleasantly surprised. We embarked in New York. As we are from the UK, NCL were able to offer us a flight deviation to enable us to spend a few nights in New York before our cruise. We were given a free night before the cruise at the fantastic Hilton Hotel in New York.

On the morning of the cruise transfer to the port was so smooth. We were picked up by a hired mini van and taken to the port as there were only four of us transferring from the hotel. At the port, we were given information on where to go and what to do. Yes we had to Queue, but NCL had over 2000 people to get onto the ship and the queue went down very quickly. Our rooms were ready by 1.30pm and our cases arrived at 3pm even though they said we may not get our cases until 6pm.

The entertainment was fantastic and Dan Dan the cruise director made everyone feel welcome. We found all the staff very friendly. The food was great and it was good to choose where and when you ate each day. The cabins were clean. The shower was bigger than any of the other ones we had on previous cruise lines. Coming from the UK we did find the drinks expensive, but they were the same price as we had paid in New York. People moan about gratuities going on your bill each day, but if you pay these up front before your cruise it is so much better. Would definitely cruise with NCL again