I am a widow from the West Coast of the United States. I always arrive into the city of embarkation the day the cruise is to leave. For the second time, I stayed at the Novotel Times Square. It is just a few blocks from the ABC studios, which you can see from the hotel dining room.

This was my first time on The Gem. I have been on The Spirit, The Jewel and 8 times on The Pearl. I like The Gem very much except for the way you have to come out of The Stardust Theater from Deck 6. I did not like having to zig zag your way through the casino. For people with walkers, wheelchairs and the power scooters, it would have been a tight fit.

For my breakfasts, I eat in The Garden Cafe. I loved watching the young man make omlelets. For dining I was either in La Cacina or Mangenta. In La Cacina, they have the most delicious salmon pizza. It is heavenly. In both restraunts the service was wonderful. I could not have asked for anything any better. Read more