We are a family of three - Mom (US) and Dad (UK) in their forties, and just-turned-11 daughter, and we've had a busy summer. We were looking for a one week holiday option in mid August which didn't involve too many ...

Sail Date August 2010

michaeldk

2 Reviews Written

1 Helpful Vote

The Sweet Owner's Suite Life ala NCL

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

First of all,I'd like to let everyone know that the Norwegian Gem is a beautiful sparkling clean ship. I have read some "OK" to the "not so OK" reviews on cruise critic about the Gem. All I will say on that subject ...

Sail Date June 2010

fmr

3 Reviews Written

Happy, happy, smiley, smiley !!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

BACKGROUND - We are a German family with a 12 yrs old son having our fourth cruise with NCL beside some other lines. TRANSFER PACKAGE - For the first time ever we've booked NCL's fly and transportation arrangement ...

Sail Date May 2010

peanut21

1 Review Written

Great room bad service!!!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

This was our second cruise with NCL and we were excited to be in a Penthouse, front of ship. Well this cruise did not live up to our expectations at all. Left cruise with a bad taste of NCL staff and customer ...

Sail Date May 2010

LindaVap

3 Reviews Written

The Mediterranean is the only way to GO!!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

BARCELONA, SPAIN Our plane landed about 7:30 AM. By the time we went through customs, got our money exchanged it was nearly 8:15. One interesting thing was that they had us fill out the Immigration forms before we ...

Sail Date November 2009

SFO-F/A

13 Reviews Written

79 Helpful Votes

A Gem of a Cruise

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

We flew into Barcelona the day of the cruise, arriving BCN around 1pm. There were many taxis waiting. It took about a half hour to get to the port. The taxi was metered, when we arrived, the driver added other ...

Sail Date November 2009

dillardr

1 Review Written

Tons of Research - Gem was a Ht

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

After months of research, looking for a vacation for a group of 11 family members that included teenagers and senior citizens, we decided on the Gem. My wife and I have sailed on Princess, RCCI and our favorite, ...

Sail Date November 2009

ttmannin

1 Review Written

The Western Mediterranean on Fast Forward

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

One couple traveled from the US to meet the other three couples in the UK for our flight to Barcelona, where we had booked the two-day pre-cruise package. Our British Airways flight to Barcelona was delayed an hour ...

Sail Date November 2009

xiphoid76

3 Reviews Written

Had a great week, but service was truly lacking

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Overall, the vacation was fantastic, but I have to admit I was not impressed at all with NCL and will likely not sail with them again. Embarkation was fairly easy, they had to send us to 3 different lines because ...

Sail Date November 2009

FlipperGal

2 Reviews Written

Just back on the Gem -- and just booked the Gem again!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Just back on the GEM- and have just booked the GEM again! We loved the NCL GEM on its Nov. 8 '09 W. Mediterranean sailing -- and have booked it again for its Jan. 24 '10 Caribbean sailing from NYC. That should ...

Sail Date November 2009

donno

3 Reviews Written

Happy Happy, Washie Washie!!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

CRITICS: We are a couple in our 30s from Georgia, USA. This was my fourth cruise, and my wifes third. Previous cruises were on RCL, HAL and NCL. BARCELONA - Arrived on Friday morning and were booked 2 nights ...

Sail Date October 2009

stevedobo33

1 Review Written

1 Helpful Vote

Beware of second class treatment if you don't spend!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

The ship is great with good food, in sumptuous surroundings, with great facilities and activities. The drawback is that there is a hard sell culture for everything, even from the waiters. The ship's crew are all ...

Sail Date September 2009

Guria

2 Reviews Written

Happy Happy!!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Service: great, no complaints. Our steward, Michael, was s sweet. On the first day we asked for 2 extra towels and he made sure we had extra towels every day. He was always around, and was glad to help us in every ...

Sail Date November 2009

cmb069

1 Review Written

Washy washy! Happy happy!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

First and foremost I want to talk about the excursions. I would say don't book with the ship because it's overpriced and you'll sit on a bus with 100 other people and be on their schedule. Booking a private tour ...

Sail Date October 2009

lawgator

4 Reviews Written

Western Med Your Own

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

Western Med Cruise On Your Own We have been on over 11 cruises and have traveled to Europe several times, so were interested in trying to do our NCL Gem cruise, roundtrip from Barcelona, booking our own shore ...

Sail Date October 2009

olmedo

2 Reviews Written

Budget Defender

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

We are a couple in our 70's, both widowed and retired, going together for nearly a year. It was my first cruise for ~30 years, while my girlfriend (GF) has taken an NCL cruise down the Mexico coast within the past ...

Sail Date October 2009

mj1010

1 Review Written

Trip of a Lifetime!!!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

I took this cruise with 3 of my girlfriends. Three of us had never been to the Mediterranean before and one had never cruised before. We decided on the Gem because of the great itinerary and the newness of the ...

Sail Date September 2009

c1798805

2 Reviews Written

Take in the sites, you won't have much time

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

My college friends and I were a mix of well experienced cruisers and first time cruisers (which included myself). With the exception of one let down excursion, we had an amazing time and NCL did a great job ...

Sail Date May 2009

buddylucky

4 Reviews Written

3 Helpful Votes

Our first cruise with Cruise Critics was great!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

We had arranged a Meet and Greet in Magenta on Monday, and that turned out very well, with about 40 people attending, and representatives from the ship introducing themselves, as well. We've been on more than 14 ...

Sail Date October 2009

cdavis829

1 Review Written

European Sampling

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

My wife and I were traveling with another couple. We stayed at the Confortel Barcelona Hotel the night before the 7 day cruise and also the night after the cruise ended. The room was clean but looked more like a ...

Sail Date October 2009

Lavinia1

1 Review Written

NCL Gem: Watch your wallet

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

We have taken many cruises in the past 15 years. Most with NCL. This itinerary was our favorite so far. We had a problem checking in the day of our cruise, due to a computer glitch at NCL, Miami. So problem here is ...

Sail Date October 2009

rrobynec

2 Reviews Written

Second time around, and still a GEM!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

GEM Oct 11—18 Ports: Barcelona, Malta, Naples, Rome, Pisa/Florence, Cannes, Barcelona I would like to start this review by saying I am not a real spontaneous person. Sure, maybe going out to dinner ...

Sail Date October 2009

dalgirl

6 Reviews Written

44 Helpful Votes

Our European adventure on the beautiful GEM

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

We arrived in Barcelona a few days before the cruise, checked into Hotel Jazz, and decided to take the hop on hop off bus. The hotel was very accommodating - our room was ready and very comfortable. After freshening ...

Sail Date October 2009

emilyleeminnie

1 Review Written

BEWARE and PREPARE: YOU vs. NCL

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

This was the first cruise that my boyfriend and I have been on. Guess you could say that we didn't really have a benchmark to compare our experience to, but we certainly do now. And the benchmark is set LOW. I ...

Sail Date October 2009

luvtocruz1953

1 Review Written

1st Time on the GEM....5 STARS!!!!

Norwegian Gem

Europe - Western Mediterranean

We sailed on October 4-11 2009. Two couples mid 50's. Balcony cabins,deck 10. NCL made our flight/transfer/1 night hotel arrangements. We were met at the airport and driven to the Confortel Barcelona in a private ...

Sail Date October 2009