looking for advice,, Gem or Freedom

[saleaaway]

I've always sailed on RCCL (last year explorer) but this year I'm very torn.

We live in upstate NY so I booked on the Gem for early next year. But after reading some reviews I'm kind of torn on quality of the service and the ship in general. Love going out of NYC so we don't have to fly anymore.

 

I understand its like comparing apples to oranges and I'm okay with the size of the ship its truly the service level, food and how the ship is maintained.

 

Can anyone please share any thought on the GEM for me. I read some of the individual reviews and they swing from one side to another.

 

Thank you all in advance

Sale

[Bonnie J.]

Is the GEM RCCL or NCL?

We may go on the Carnival Freedom this fall. We have been on a LOT of Carnival ships (have two Carnival cruises booked now). There are ALWAYS crew cleaning something- walls, windows, even the ceilings! Ladies rooms always spotless. But, I don't think Carnival's Freedom goes out of The City. Who elsae has a Freedom?

[youngestof9]

We sailed the Gem in October to Bermuda for our 15th anniversary. The ship was really beautiful and well kept. The staff was very friendly. Ate at the buffet a few times throughout the week and it was fine. We did stay in a suite (non-Haven), so we were able to have breakfast and lunch in Cagney's (which is only available to suite guests for breakfast and lunch - at dinner it's the upcharge Steakhouse for all guests). It was really good. Awesome eggs benedict!

 

The music onboard was nice - they had a great calypso band by the pool. Generally easy to find a chair to lounge by the pool.

 

Ate at Teppanyaki - which is the Japanese hibachi-style. Food was really good and it was a great show. If you're interested in that, you should book it as soon as you can. Each timeslot was filled for our entire cruise.

 

We went to the second city comedy show - it was funny - not hilarious, but good. We missed the hypnotist who I heard was great. Went to Karaoke and Trivia both in Bliss - great little club. Lots of dancing. Spent some time hanging in the Spinnaker Lounge - nice bartender. We're not casino people, so not sure how that was. We sat at some of the bars in "bar central" which were friendly and nice. Watched Leo - he was an acoustic guitarist. We really enjoyed him.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Gem - we would absolutely sail her again. We booked Breakaway for October 2013 (no ticker since it's a surprise for my husband). But if Breakaway wasn't in NY, I'd sail Gem again in a heartbeat.

 

Not sure if you're doing Bahamas - we did Bermuda and it was nice being in a port for a few straight days. The crew was super friendly. The senior officers attended the meet & greet and were highly visible throughout the cruise. I would LOVE to go on Gem's longer trips to the Caribbean from NY - my friend has done it numerous times and absolutely loves it.

 

Good luck making your choice! I have a few pics of our room in my signature and have some others if you're looking for something in particular I can post them.

[mizLORInj]

Agree that sailing from NY is great; wish we had a lot more options for that.

I have sailed the NCL Gem multiple times and I love that ship. No complaints about the quality or service, in fact we found the food much better than when we sailed Explorer of the Seas out of Cape Liberty (but I realize food is subjective!).

 

I've also learned to check out various ships/lines myself to form my own opinion. :-)

Wishing all the cruiselines would rotate other ships into NYC more often.