Just Back From Bermuda - The Gem - A Review from a NCL 1st Timer

[DeRon]

Our NCL Gem Review:

 

What we loved!

• Our room was wonderful! Suite 10500

• We LOVED having a Concierge - always felt like royalty

• We loved having VIP treatment

• Having a Butler was good at times, but didn't use a lot

• We thought the food was very good in Main Dining Room and Buffet

• I LOVED having more Specialty Restaurants for variety - excellent food

• The regular coffee was good

• Loved the coffee/espresso/cappuccino maker in our room

• The ship was beautiful and sparkling clean

• Nicest staff/team I've ever experienced

• The Shows were great! Best I've seen at sea - (except 1 - the hypnotist)

• So much to do! They spaced out entertainment and timed them perfectly throughout every evening

 

What Could Have Been Better:

• Rough seas coming home on the last day

• Some desserts at the buffet could have been a little better

• Drinks were a little expensive

 

I am not even joking! This was the absolute BEST cruise we have ever been on! I loved everything about it!

 

When we got in line at the terminal we were going to get in the normal long line. But when they saw our room number, they took us to a line where no one was waiting. They then took us to a little room with snacks, drinks, and cool damp towels. They then personally escorted us to our room. We were in our room within 15 minutes max.

 

The Suite - yes the Penthouse Suite is absolutely worth it!! I loved the extra room, the huge balcony on the front of the ship, and all the suite amenities that come with it. Also LOVED the Cappuccino machine! Wow! We started our morning every morning the right way!

 

I love the fact they have so many specialty restaurants because it makes you feel like you have the entire ship to yourself. We went to the specialties 5 times, and ate in MDR twice. We thought all food was VERY good to Excellent! We didn't have a bad meal, but our least favorite was La Cucina.

We ate breakfast in the main dining room once, buffet 3 times, and the rest in Cagney's. All fantastic! All lunches were in the Buffet. We really liked how they do their buffet layout. We think it was more organized and a better flow than any other cruise line. It is more of a "station" set-up, but rarely had to wait even a few seconds to get something.

 

All shows and entertainment - the best!! Sometimes on cruises we've been on, it seemed that they just threw something together to pass time for the passengers. Not on this cruise! It was LEGIT! Very talented dancers, great singers, the 2nd city comedians, Dizzy and something show...everything was great!

 

Every person on the cruise (staff) was unbelievably friendly! Everyone smiled and spoke as they passed by, always asked what they could do to make your cruise better, and always ended on "my pleasure!".

 

And Bermuda! Wow! What a great port! The weather was perfect (high winds on the last day though). The Bermuda beaches are the BEST!!

NCL did it! They convinced us they were the best at "Freestyle" cruising. We are converts. We still love Princess too, but we would probably give the edge to NCL.

 

If you guys have any questions, ask and I will try my best to answer.

[SuiteRose]

Glad you had a great time!! We sailed in that cabin in Dec of 2008!! It is wonderful!!! Thank you for taking the time to write about your cruise!

[family cruisers]

Loved reading your review . Especially how positive your thoughts were on the Gem.

We've been on 2 different NCL ships and taking our first time on the Gem in less then 2 weeks . Thanks for building up the excitement level another notch !

 

Our NCL Gem Review:

 

What we loved!

• Our room was wonderful! Suite 10500

• We LOVED having a Concierge - always felt like royalty

• We loved having VIP treatment

• Having a Butler was good at times, but didn't use a lot

• We thought the food was very good in Main Dining Room and Buffet

• I LOVED having more Specialty Restaurants for variety - excellent food

• The regular coffee was good

• Loved the coffee/espresso/cappuccino maker in our room

• The ship was beautiful and sparkling clean

• Nicest staff/team I've ever experienced

• The Shows were great! Best I've seen at sea - (except 1 - the hypnotist)

• So much to do! They spaced out entertainment and timed them perfectly throughout every evening

 

What Could Have Been Better:

• Rough seas coming home on the last day

• Some desserts at the buffet could have been a little better

• Drinks were a little expensive

 

I am not even joking! This was the absolute BEST cruise we have ever been on! I loved everything about it!

 

When we got in line at the terminal we were going to get in the normal long line. But when they saw our room number, they took us to a line where no one was waiting. They then took us to a little room with snacks, drinks, and cool damp towels. They then personally escorted us to our room. We were in our room within 15 minutes max.

 

The Suite - yes the Penthouse Suite is absolutely worth it!! I loved the extra room, the huge balcony on the front of the ship, and all the suite amenities that come with it. Also LOVED the Cappuccino machine! Wow! We started our morning every morning the right way!

 

I love the fact they have so many specialty restaurants because it makes you feel like you have the entire ship to yourself. We went to the specialties 5 times, and ate in MDR twice. We thought all food was VERY good to Excellent! We didn't have a bad meal, but our least favorite was La Cucina.

We ate breakfast in the main dining room once, buffet 3 times, and the rest in Cagney's. All fantastic! All lunches were in the Buffet. We really liked how they do their buffet layout. We think it was more organized and a better flow than any other cruise line. It is more of a "station" set-up, but rarely had to wait even a few seconds to get something.

 

All shows and entertainment - the best!! Sometimes on cruises we've been on, it seemed that they just threw something together to pass time for the passengers. Not on this cruise! It was LEGIT! Very talented dancers, great singers, the 2nd city comedians, Dizzy and something show...everything was great!

 

Every person on the cruise (staff) was unbelievably friendly! Everyone smiled and spoke as they passed by, always asked what they could do to make your cruise better, and always ended on "my pleasure!".

 

And Bermuda! Wow! What a great port! The weather was perfect (high winds on the last day though). The Bermuda beaches are the BEST!!

NCL did it! They convinced us they were the best at "Freestyle" cruising. We are converts. We still love Princess too, but we would probably give the edge to NCL.

 

If you guys have any questions, ask and I will try my best to answer.

[caribsun]

Thanks for posting. I was on the Summit and the Gem was right next to us in Bermuda and when looking at the Gem I keep thinking I wish I was on that ship. The Summit was a little boring.

[cadesnan]

Thank you for your review, we are on the Gem in Jan. It is our first time on a NCL ship and I was starting to get concerned after reading some of the recent reviews. We have always sailed on Princess but now that they no longer cruise from NYC, I had to find a new cruise line.

[Lostinthe50s]

Good to hear about your good experience on the Gem. We have sailed on Carnival and Princess out of NYC and are planning to book the Gem for May 2012. We loved the Carnival Miracle and have sailed on her 3 times. We have also sailed Princess 2 times out of NY on the Crown and Caribbean Princess.

We felt that our last cruse on Princess was a little disappointing as far as food and service. We love the food and the size of a regular cabin on the Miracle.

We are looking forward to cruising on the Gem and are glad to hear such a great review,especially about the food.

I just hope hope that we enjoy the itinerary as it will be going to Pt Canaveral ,their private island and Nassau. I hope the private island is as nice as Half Moon cay as we loved that. Not sure what to do in Pt Canaveral.

You sailed in a suite but we will be in a balcony cabin and was wondering how they are. We got spoiled on carnival with a nice size cabin and extended balcony.

[waverley7]

NCL's Private Island is not as nice as "Half Moon Cay" but it is still a nice spot to be in for the day. (It would be hard to beat HMC) Your on holidays, make the most of what NCL offers and have a great time!

 

We have sailed Princess and Norwegian and like them both about the same. I think the staff are more friendly on NCL but as far as the rooms and balcony size, they really are the same.

 

Happy Sailing!!

 

:p

[crusinmama06]

We were on the Gem 10/2-10/9 and had a Penthouse on Deck 11. Had the same experience. LOVED the suite. David was great (the concierge). But couldn't quite figure out what to do with the butler. :confused: He didn't really make his services known. So it wasn't until I got back and started asking everyone here "What did your butler do for you?" that I started to find out what they could do.

 

I guess we both underutilized their services. :)

 

Welcome back. I heard about your rough ride on the way home.

[DaisyL]

Thanks DeRon for posting your review. We were on the same cruise (mini-suite) and loved it. We haven't cruised with Princess yet but compared to Carnival, Celebrity, and Holland; NCL is our favorite.

 

-We think NCL does 'Freestyle' dining the best.

-Love the 'Great Outdoors' area on this ship. Also has nice covered deck chair area on deck 13, where you can hear the activities near the pool and decide to view them if you want.

-We always found something good to eat for meals and liked room service continental breakfast on days we needed to get started early.

-We didn't get hounded for drinks but was able to wave down a server when needed.

-NCL has the best musicians, singers, and performers but the shows productions are lacking. We skipped comedians, hypnotist and Second City (seen them plenty before).

-Enjoyed all servers and our room steward ... all excellent.

-Liked the extra room in the mini-suite and balcony compared to a regular balcony.

-DH and I shared the Martini tasting ... lots of laughs by the end.:D

-Had dinner once each in the Italian, Cagneys, buffet, and Blue Lagoon and the remaining 3 nights in the main dining room. All good and no problems booking tables of 6 in the specialty restaurants. Lobster dinner in MDR was the 2nd Bermuda night (Thursday, which was changed from earlier cruises).

-Although it's luck, the slots were good to me but it was very smokey; they need better ventilation like they have in US casinos.

-Cruise was rocky on the way home but have had worse/better on other cruises, just luck.

 

Also agree:

What Could Have Been Better:

-Some desserts at the buffet could have been a little better; especially the chocolate buffet.

-Drinks were a little expensive; same as at home.

-Servers needed in the casino for free and purchased beverages. You don't want to lose your seat/spot while gambling.

 

This was our 8th cruise on NCL so if any questions, just ask.

 

Thanks for letting me add to your thread.

[perkydebrajean]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your room and cruise!

 

My daughter and I are booked on the Gem room #10000 for our very first cruise which leaves out on my birthday next summer.

 

I haven't been on my first cruise and I'm ready to book another one!!

[fshagan]

We were on the Gem 10/2-10/9 and had a Penthouse on Deck 11. Had the same experience. LOVED the suite. David was great (the concierge). But couldn't quite figure out what to do with the butler. :confused: He didn't really make his services known. So it wasn't until I got back and started asking everyone here "What did your butler do for you?" that I started to find out what they could do.

 

We had a suite for our European cruise, and one of our friends on the cruise put it best: "On TV, when the doorbell rings, the butler gets it. On the ship, when the doorbell rings, its the butler bothering me!"

 

He did bring us strawberries, and kept the coffee machine filled with beans!

[fshagan]

Great review! It reminds me of our feelings after our first NCL cruise. We prefer them over Princess now too, although we would still enjoy a Princess cruise!

 

We have sailed on the Sky, the Jade and the Star. We haven't been on the Gem yet (we'll have to make that a priority!)

[Je2ter]

Gem in THREE days leaving Sunday!!!!!!!!! IM SO EXCITED!! Thanks for hyping me up more!!! :D

We have an ocean view for 400 bucks WITH $130 on board credit and free bottle of wine..so I won't be complaining about anything regarding the room!

This will be my first Norwegian cruise after four RCI!! Looking forward to testing new waters :)

I've been allll over the Caribbean, never to Bermuda, so excited for that port too!

Can't wait!!! Bon voyage!!

[Bluwaterz]

Hi ~

 

Great review! We will be sailing on the Gem & NCL for the first time in March. Very excited! Since you mentioned the rough seas on your return, wanted to ask how you found the movement of the ship during the rest of the cruise. Did you notice much motion or was it a smooth ride?

 

Thanks!

[DeRon]

Hi ~

 

Great review! We will be sailing on the Gem & NCL for the first time in March. Very excited! Since you mentioned the rough seas on your return, wanted to ask how you found the movement of the ship during the rest of the cruise. Did you notice much motion or was it a smooth ride?

 

Thanks!

 

Smooth as glass. In fact, the captain said it was the smoothest he's ever experienced (we ate with the captain one night). Just the return was rough.

[A.S.]

Did anyone happen to notice if they were still charging to get into Snorkel Park for the month of October?

 

I know there is a charge of $5.00 for the Summer months, but not sure if they give you a break in the off season.

 

Thanks for any replies.

[DeRon]

Did anyone happen to notice if they were still charging to get into Snorkel Park for the month of October?

 

I know there is a charge of $5.00 for the Summer months, but not sure if they give you a break in the off season.

 

Thanks for any replies.

 

Yes, there was a charge of $5 pp.

[mizLORInj]

You sailed in a suite but we will be in a balcony cabin and was wondering how they are. We got spoiled on carnival with a nice size cabin and extended balcony.

 

 

Hi Lost. I think the regular balcony cabins on Carnival are a bit larger than the Gem. The bathrooms on NCL are laid out different (3 separate compartments: 1) shower, 2) sink and 3) toilet) and I think that also eats into the cabin space. The NCL cabins are beautifully colorful with purples and turquoise.

Happy sailing all!