Ncl gem - any recent cruiser reviews?

[UandMe4Ever]

Hi,

We are thinking about a cruise next Oct. (2014) on the Gem.. Eastern Carib from NYC. We've been on the Jewel 2x and the Dawn 1x. We prefer the Jewel...

We would greatly appreciate any and all input, pro's and/or cons with regard to this Ship/Itinerary, including food, entertainment, balcony cabins, etc.

One cruise is for 9 Nights and the other, 11 Nights.

Thank you all in advance! I know I can count on CC'ers to come through and be fair (and honest).

Safe sails always and many thanks again:)

[cjd930]

The Gem is our favorite ship. Going on this same cruise November 25th. Been on the Dawn, Star and Jewel Twice. This will be our 4th time on the Gem, very similar to the Jewel. The great outdoors is our preffered spot to eat our breakfast weather permitting of course.

[toyotaford]

We got off the Gem two weeks ago and had a great time. The ship was in great shape and the staff was amazing. We have also been on the Sun, Spirit, Star, Jewel and Epic. I say go for it.

[alg7334]

I did that itinerary in April - review is in my signature :)

[UandMe4Ever]

I did that itinerary in April - review is in my signature :)

 

 

Thanks for a great review! I had been reading a bunch of negatives about the Gem and wanted some more info. You and all answered lots of questions.

Thanks to all.

Safe sails always.

[Snooksi]

I did that itinerary in April - review is in my signature :)

 

Thank you so much for your great review. We are taking this same cruise for Spring Break and I haven't sailed with NCL since 1992, so I look forward to sailing on the Gem. It sounded like you had a fabulous time and we're looking forward to this great itinerary!!

[cruis247g]

We were on the Gem at the end of June and thoroughly enjoyed the ship. Our room steward was fabulous. We were in the Haven and loved our cabin and the Haven area. I'm not sure about the other balconies on this ship.

 

Waiters were somewhat "hit or miss", but a couple were outstanding. Food? It's subjective, but we could always find something that we liked. I especially liked the salads available at the buffet and eating outside. Our dinners varied in quality.

 

The departure point (NYC) was convenient and the timing worked well for us and our extended family.

 

Our Bahamas itinerary, with the exception of GSC which we like very much, was not our favorite; however, we knew that before booking. We booked for the ship, departure point, and timing. Just my personal opinion, but I think you're looking at more interesting itineraries.

 

Would I recommend the ship? Yes. I think you would enyoy either itinerary. If you decide to go, have a great time!

[Rhea58]

I have recently been on the GEM 3x so am obviously biased. 2 were 7 days

but the 9-day was even better. I sailed that one in winter & enjoyed

the 2 days down & back as the staff has plenty to entertain you.

 

I find the staff to be very friendly & helpful. As stated, food is a personal

choice but always found something to my liking except for the coffee so

I always bring my own.

 

The cruise director's staff are jovial leading their games & the entertainment

is aplenty w/their own singers & dancers and game shows, etc after the

main evening entertainment.

 

If you do sail her, join the RollCall to ask questions & hopefully have a

Meet & Greet aboard. Oh, after boarding hit the Pacific dining room rather

than topside as it is more serene.

[js]

Hi. We will be sailing on the Gem in an S4 Haven in August. Can you give me any information on what you requested for you cabin in the Haven, if you felt crowded in the Haven and do you have pictures? Did you experience any rain and did they keep the Haven ceiling closed off so you can still enjoy it?

Thank you.

[RYMOMA]

Currently in The Haven as we speak…type

 

Weather is rainy. Roof closed, when they catch it in time.

Only three unruly kiddos. (Not mine :D)

Specialty restaurants are amazing, Cagneys and Orchid Garden so far

Blue lagoon rocks

Lobster in the Grand Pacific first night was amazing

Magenta one night so far was yummy. Portions seemed a bit small in both DR's

 

Entertainment

Seen second city for the fourth time, same skits but a few new ones

Leo on guitar is amazing as always

 

Cipriano as our butler. AWESOME!!!

Carlos as concierge comes by the cabin asks if we need anything and is always at his desk when needed.

GiGi is our steward. She is just as awesome as last year!

 

Only thing really missing is the enthusiasm and presence of Sinan.

Julie is the CD currently.

I think we were just spoiled the last two trips with having Sinan.

 

Even the energy of the kids club, my DD doesn't want to go.

 

But then again, I could be wrong about the energy…

being in the Haven, you never want to leave.

 

Have fun!!

Edited November 2, 2013 by RYMOMA

[spacewoman]

we just did a 9 day on Oct 19.

 

if you enjoyed the Jewel you will enjoy the Gem. We were on deck 10 midship in a balcony cabin.

 

We had breakfast every morning in Grand Pacific and dinners at Magenta. Lunches varied from Blue Lagoon to buffet to Mom and I having sushi together while the DH had to fend for himself. Service in both dining rooms was great and exceptional in Magenta as the assistant maitre 'd held a table for the 5 of us every night.

 

Shows were great. Julie, the cruise director always stopped to chat with us when she walked by.

 

Service one afternoon at Blue Lagoon was on the terrible side as our server took our order, did not give us everything we ordered, it was cold, and he simply disappeared. The only misstep in the cruise.

 

I have all the freestyle dailies if anyone needs info from them

Edited November 2, 2013 by spacewoman

[UandMe4Ever]

Hi all,

Thanks to all of you who wrote about the Gem....It's reassuring to see so many positives....Nice to know....We've been on the Dawn and 2x on the Jewel and were pretty much pleased, especially on the Jewel for a 17 Night -- NY to LA through the Panama Canal and on to the Mexican Riveria....Nothing bad at all in all those 17 nights.

I did notice that the base price for the 9 night Gem in Oct. went from $1,109 to $1,249 cheapest balcony p/p...We'll see. The 11 night is $1,279...$30 more 2 extra nights. We'll be monitoring prices.

If we book through NCL, are there any cancellation fees or charge for booking? We might consider that and then switch to a TA (Our T/A charges $35 p/p cancel fee, but they include free insurance and sometimes a perk of OBC and/or wine....We see.

Thanks again and if anyone remembers anything we should know, please share here. I check frequently.

Safe travels always.

[cruis247g]

Hi. We will be sailing on the Gem in an S4 Haven in August. Can you give me any information on what you requested for you cabin in the Haven, if you felt crowded in the Haven and do you have pictures? Did you experience any rain and did they keep the Haven ceiling closed off so you can still enjoy it?

Thank you.

 

Requests? Typically we request a fruit plate or chocolate covered strawberries for afternoon snack, rather than canapes, etc. (Our butler forgot this request and just brought us standard fare this cruise.) Through the pre-concierge, we asked that our refrigerator be emptied and that was done before we arrived. Our butler was almost never around (very different than any other suite experience on NCL) and didn't ask if we needed anything until the last day, so we didn't really ask for much. In fairness, it may have been that there were some very labor-intensive guests in other cabins that kept him busy; I really don't know. In contrast, the concierge, Ryan, and was always available to see how things were going. Gigi was our fabulous steward - one of the best ever! You can have breakfast, lunch, and or dinner delivered to your suite, whatever you wish. Also, your butler can bring you movies if you wish. Basically, your butler can help with any request inside your cabin and the concierge can help with requests outside the cabin (e.g., dinner reservations).

 

Haven crowds? Not on our sailing. I had read some stories about the sailings out of NYC and was a bit concerned, but ours was fine. There was one mom (not her kids:p) who was very loud, but otherwise everyone was well behaved and the Haven functioned as a haven! There were children, including mine, but all were well behaved. It never felt too crowded. You could also go up to the Haven sundeck any time. That was lovely and never crowded, often empty.

 

Opening the roof? It was opened and closed, depending upon the weather. Sometimes it would get too hot when it was closed and the sun came out, but overall it was very nice.

 

You'll love it!!! Have a fabulous cruise!!!

 

RYMOMA - Have fun in the Haven! Wish I was there, too!

Edited November 3, 2013 by cruis247g

[emcelh]

Hi all,

 

Thanks to all of you who wrote about the Gem....It's reassuring to see so many positives....Nice to know....We've been on the Dawn and 2x on the Jewel and were pretty much pleased, especially on the Jewel for a 17 Night -- NY to LA through the Panama Canal and on to the Mexican Riveria....Nothing bad at all in all those 17 nights.

 

I did notice that the base price for the 9 night Gem in Oct. went from $1,109 to $1,249 cheapest balcony p/p...We'll see. The 11 night is $1,279...$30 more 2 extra nights. We'll be monitoring prices.

 

If we book through NCL, are there any cancellation fees or charge for booking? We might consider that and then switch to a TA (Our T/A charges $35 p/p cancel fee, but they include free insurance and sometimes a perk of OBC and/or wine....We see.

 

Thanks again and if anyone remembers anything we should know, please share here. I check frequently.

 

Safe travels always.

 

We did the 9-day on the Gem October 19 sailing too and really enjoyed it. We'd do it again in a heartbeat. It was our second time on the Gem and I like the ship as much as the Jewel.

 

There are no booking fees if you book direct. Cancellation fees apply only if you're cancelling within the specified timeframe. If you plan on transferring your reservation to a TA I think you only have a certain amount of time after booking to do it.

[davy jones]

Just off the 9 day. Overall, a very good cruise. Good food and entertainment. Very few misteps.

[margincall]

Glad to see the positive reviews.

We were just on the Sun to Alaska this summer and while the service,entertainment and cabin were excellent,the food had ranged from mediocre to unedible(had a ribeye steak that you will never convince me was steak).But I have been told by others that other NCL ships have had better food so next year we will give the Gem a try on a southern itinerary that we would like to go on. Much more convenient from NY(we live in Jersey) than flying to Florida or San Juan.

[spidybabe]

Love the Gem. Sailed her many times, and going back in January. Very very similar to the Jewel

Upon boarding go to main dining room for lunch,back for first night lobster tails (order many), and do breakfast at the Outdoor Grill.Check for aft balcony (they the best)

Enjoy

Safe sailing

[YankeeFan4Ever]

Feel free to have a look at my photo review from our 9 day Gem Hurricane Sandy cruise. The link is in my signature. :)

[shaharis1701]

I have all the freestyle dailies if anyone needs info from them

 

Hi,

I am thinking of going on the Gem and was wondering if you could send me the freestyle dailies. How did you find leaving NY, how long did it take to get warmer?

Thanks

Shawn

[boopsahoy]

:eek:

Currently in The Haven as we speak…type

 

Weather is rainy. Roof closed, when they catch it in time.

Only three unruly kiddos. (Not mine :D)

Specialty restaurants are amazing, Cagneys and Orchid Garden so far

Blue lagoon rocks

Lobster in the Grand Pacific first night was amazing

Magenta one night so far was yummy. Portions seemed a bit small in both DR's

 

Entertainment

Seen second city for the fourth time, same skits but a few new ones

Leo on guitar is amazing as always

 

Cipriano as our butler. AWESOME!!!

Carlos as concierge comes by the cabin asks if we need anything and is always at his desk when needed.

GiGi is our steward. She is just as awesome as last year!

 

Only thing really missing is the enthusiasm and presence of Sinan.

Julie is the CD currently.

I think we were just spoiled the last two trips with having Sinan.

 

Even the energy of the kids club, my DD doesn't want to go.

 

But then again, I could be wrong about the energy…

being in the Haven, you never want to leave.

 

Have fun!!

 

Im leaving tomorrow on the Gem. Im so happy that Leo is there, loved him last year! Where is he playing? I think last year he was in the area by Le Bistro right before the casino.

 

The weather usually takes at least a day at sea and sometimes more. Honestly the wind is worse than the air temperature. The wind makes it hard to read so I usually spend the first 2 days on the balcony and in the casino:eek:

Edited January 11, 2014 by boopsahoy

[puddles99]

We sailed the Gem in November had an awesome time! My review is linked in my signature (and you can find the dailies and Splash Academy info there, too). Loved the 9-day & hope to do it again some day.

[spidybabe]

Depends on the weather. One year our daughter was in hot tub on first sea day, as well as many others, some even in the pool, but we did hit very, very nice weather. We were even able to swim at beach in Florida, and made the out island.

Safe sailing

Edited January 11, 2014 by spidybabe

[johnsak123]

Just got off the Gem

Was sick for most of the trip with bad cold and cough but still loved it

Seas down south were very rough and one day coming north hit a bad storm but other than that a great cruise

Only thing missing would have been a win in the casino