NCL Gem Nov 13-23 Short Review

[psupa]

We just returned from the Gem yesterday and had an absolutely wonderful time on a great ship with a great group of cruise critic folk, and the slots pulls where a hoot. It was so nice meeting many of you and hope our paths cross again.

 

The good: The ship is really nice since it's dry dock with many areas that were renovated; the Crystal Atrium with it's new chandelier, new carpeting and furniture, the Bliss Lounge all redone with new furniture and carpet (the bowling lanes are gone). The Spinnaker Lounge looks great with the new furniture and blue carpet that looks like it's moving when you walk. Of course O'Sheehan's open 24/7 is absolutely wonderful with it's menu for breakfast, lunch and late night snacks. We never did get to try the hot wings which look great.

 

We had cabin 8594 with an obstructed view and the location was perfect for us since my DH uses a walker. The carpeting in our room was new.

 

The Gem is a great ship with a wonderful crew and you can tell many were new to the ship. No complaints from us for the service we received in the dining room, lounges, our stateroom attendant and anywhere else on the ship. We thought the food was very good and we only ate in the MDRs or at O'Sheehan's. Did not try the buffet (I try to avoid them) and when I walked through it was just too crowded and we don't do any specialty restaurant.

 

There was some very nice entertainment throughout the ship. the Production shows were very good and Carlos on piano and Pedro on guitar were very good and a fun time. They also had NFL football on the big screen in the Atrium. Can't help with the pool area since we really aren't pool people.

 

Now for some observations:

The smoke in the casino is horrible. You can't even walk through without smelling like a cigarette. Apparently there is no non-smoking area, but I was told there are slot machine in the Bliss Lounge, but they were not on. Lucky for me I didn't spend much time there because of this so I saved money.

 

The theater: The seating in the theater for handicapped and disabled passengers is terrible; there just isn't enough seating without having to climb down steps and the seats are very low and many seem to be broken or you feel like you are sitting downhill. There should be a better way for disabled passengers with scooters and walkers to be able to enter the theater on a lower level and there currently is no lower entrance. You enter from either deck 6 or 7 and walk down, with seating for disabled at the top and maybe 8 seats on each side reserved.

 

Now for the negative: We had an absolutely awful disembarkation from the Gem. We need to have wheel chair assistance and this is where NCL fails miserably. I have already sent an email to NCL guest relations to address the issue. It was in my opinion the worst debark we have ever experienced. They just did not have enough personnel to assist passengers and we waited over 2 hours and we were a few of the last people off the ship. When we finally got a wheel chair and into the terminal there were no porters, so we had to wait for them to get porters from outside. This is totally unacceptable.

 

They had made 2 announcement on the ship that all passengers needed to disembark. I want to know how they think we were going to do that without assistance. There were 4 wheelchairs folded up along the rail and we were given some lame excuse that they are only allowed to have so many of their personnel off the ship at one time. This is total BS because on other cruise lines we have had no problems.

[mrrobby]

Thanks for the review. The disembark sounded like a total nightmare. Sorry to hear that. Try and forget the bad and remember the good. It sounded like you enjoyed for the most part.

 

All the best

Rob

[psupa]

Thanks for the review. The disembark sounded like a total nightmare. Sorry to hear that. Try and forget the bad and remember the good. It sounded like you enjoyed for the most part.

 

All the best

Rob

 

Yes we did. We really like the Gem

[lg rover]

Loved the Gem last January. Hated the smoke in the Casino, I was a smoker until a few years ago. Feel people should have the freedom to smoke, but everyone goes to the casino after of before shows. Kept my gambling way down, would put money in slots and cash out and leave. Would have loved to sail the Gem again this year, but not with the smoky casino.

[Turtles06]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. I'm glad you had a good cruise and very sorry about that horrible disembark. No excuse for that.

 

We're on the Gem in February and looking forward to seeing what's new.

 

Thanks again!

[psupa]

For those asking for a review of the Gem, but I don't know how to attach pics.

Edited November 26, 2015 by psupa

[Gershep]

Thanks from a PSU mom for your review on the renovated Gem. We love this ship. There is no excuse for not getting the assistance you needed. The only negative thing I had to say about the Gem in June was our disembarkation, it was a nightmare.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for the review.

Keith