DW and I, as Latitude NCL cruisers with Platinum status as young seniors - last sailed the Gem in Nov. 2012 right after Sandy left its footprint around NYC and been on NCL's mega-ships, especially Breakaway and we've concluded the Gem/Dawn/Jewel class ships are better for our fit, more personalized services, better crew ratios, easier to get around and no needs for reservations at most venue; and, if your plans are flexible & prices/freebies are good, book it - watch for last-minute, off-season discounts as long as you are prepared to not go anywhere if sold out. This is our homeport and we used car service, took a longer but faster route from northeast Queens, thru the Bronx (I-95 or CBE) & down the Henry Hudson/West Side Hwy direct to the pier, best option.
Ship arrived back late in NY due to weather & fog, disembarkation was 90+ minutes later than most expected but crew did an excellent turnaround job, missed some stateroom details (as expected) but catching up later on - priority & VIP boarding along with Haven & suites started at 12 noon while last pax were still coming off the gangways (2 used) at 11 AM and we sailed about an hour later with a delayed mandatory muster/safety drill - sailing down the beautiful Hudson River in great weather. It was the Hotel Director's decision to go forward with embarkation rather delaying it further and holding 2,000+ restless pax inside the crowded terminal; as explained during the CC Meet & Mingle, and, I totally concurred and appreciated the decision by management. Having Platinum, CAS and VIP status meant that we're able to board quickly but know of very little complaints for the late boarding - we checked 2 bags outside the pier with porters around 10 AM and they're delivered to outside our stateroom on Deck 8 around 4 PM - of course, we always carry our own essentials at all times. NCL also had a designated hold onboard for guests to "check" their luggage temporary while eating lunch, without dragging them all over.
Disembarkation was smooth as ship arrived back earlier than scheduled, common routine & docked around 7 AM, cleared & express self walk-off called at 7:40, a very organized process by NCL in partnership with local authorities over the years. We used priority disembark and waited for our turn @ 8:30 to be sure that our tagged luggage were ready downstairs in the arrival hall. Off the ship's Fwd gangway & picked up our bags in about 10 minutes, we optionally used porter services to speed thru CBP and were outside on 12th Ave before 9 AM - then, booked our car service on their mobile App & picked up, on the way home.
This is a mid-ship, foward obstructed oceanview stateroom, port-side with some sideway inside staterooms, in a fairly quiet location with minimal noise in the mid/late evening coming from nearby atrium lobby - easy access to everywhere. Instead of a single obstructed picture window, ours has 2 smaller, vertical-rectangular window, non-blacked out but about 75% to 80% obstructed, with plenty of natural lights (do keep the curtains during the day as work crew do walk around on the outside since it's next to the #3 lifeboats to do maintenance) Bedding for 2 only, either as 2 singles or as one Queen bed, 2 small bedside table and 2 new bedside light with an USB charging port in each, next to light switch. A 22" LG provide interactive HDTV signal with a limited choice of cable TV channesl (BBC World News is the only "real" news worthy channel) but there's PPV rental @ $9.99 each with a choice of about 60 selections. Plenty of drawer & open shelf space for storage, lighted closet for hanging dresses & shirts, room for 4 suitcases stored vertically; and, a mini-bar refrigerator that can be emptied for storing one's own.
We had priority tendering and were among the first wave from the Gem to get ashore, not the first boat but plenty of choiced locations for loungers - and, able to rent 3 clam shells on the spot. Remodeled GSC is well done, but work isn't fully finished yet.