We cruise the Gem every year. We like the size of the ship, where it sails, and is close to home. We were disappointed with our cruise this year as we left 1 day late due to weather and lost 2 ports. Now we understand the weather, however, there was no one from NCL at the terminal to assist when the Coast Guard would not let the ship into NYC. There was no direction. Terminal full of people, many not from the tri state area, no food, no help and no direction. We were left to fend for ourselves. After being told the terminal would close at 4pm, and we could not spend the night there, we were forced to find a hotel. Fortunately, a port authority woman called a friend who was a travel agent and he helped us find a hotel in Times Square. We then had to spend money to get there as it was way too cold and windy to walk, we were not dressed for walking since we are limo'd to the terminal. We then had to go out and pay for dinner. The hotel was great and many of the cruise passengers were there, also disappointed and had to put out money without help or direction. Then once on board we went to guest relations which was of no help with our situation. Was told to call NCL customer relations on return which I did and after holding for 50 minutes was told I had to voice my concerns thru the web site. Needless to say I was not happy. Also we were told 1 cruise day would be credited to our charge card accounts, which as of this date 3/20/19, nothing has posted.

Food also was not as good this time around. We sail the Gem every year and have praised the delicious food but this year, it was lacking. The buffet was not exciting and the dinning room seemed to over do the menu. Quality of the steak was poor. Could not get a tossed salad, menu choices were in my opinion reaching for a different cruise passenger, Cagney's was excellent but cannot say the same about LaCucina. Did not enjoy that dinner at all. What I wrong with the typical Italian menu?

After all of the confusion of embarkation, the stress, the running around NY in the wind and cold, I took ill for 2 days. It was some sort of bug and I spent 2 days sleeping. My friend had to go it alone. By then, all excursions were sold out. So needless to say, we were very disappointed with our trip. Some of the entertainment was new and exciting but the NCL Gem dancers need new shows. You have many repeat cruisers and it is disappointing when you have already seen the show from the previous year. Read more