Of all the NCL ships we cruised on, The Norweign Pearl is our favorite. So we had high hopes for the Gem and it did not disappoint. We arrived at the New York Cruise Pier early and my son and I explored the USS Intrepid (which is right next door). Around noon is when we got in line to embark, which went as smoothly as any other embarkation. As usual, the Garden Cafe was crowded for lunch but we managed to find a table without too much difficulty.

Cabins were ready at 1 pm and we settled into our starboard balcony stateroom. This was the first time we had a balcony so we have nothing to compare it to, but we found it comfortable for the three of us. My only complaint with NCL bathrooms is the toilet is the water closet is small and my knees are right on the wall.

Because we were expecting cool temps for a Canadian cruise and we like peace and quiet when at the pool, my wife and I got the Spa Pass. Plus, the locker rooms offer a spacious ADA compliant shower, which makes showering easier than in the cabin. Read more