First Time cruiser wants low down on Norwegian Gem

[nicknish]

Hey ,

 

First time cruiser needs help Norwegian Gem, 7 days Barcelona round tripDeparting july 6th 2008

 

NCL V/s Costa V/s RCL ?the good , the bad and the Ugly.

What are hidden costs of cruising?

Is crusing better than back packing through europe?

What about shore excursions ? Their costs? Better to book ahead or do your own thing once you dock.

How far is the city centre from the docking area?

Food is covered on board ? or not? Is it good?

If not american citizen , what visas would we require?

 

Thanks, I'm really suprised at the efficiency and honesty of this forum. You guys Rock!$!

[garycarla]

Hey ,

 

First time cruiser needs help Norwegian Gem, 7 days Barcelona round tripDeparting july 6th 2008

 

NCL V/s Costa V/s RCL ?the good , the bad and the Ugly.

What are hidden costs of cruising?

Is crusing better than back packing through europe?

What about shore excursions ? Their costs? Better to book ahead or do your own thing once you dock.

How far is the city centre from the docking area?

Food is covered on board ? or not? Is it good?

If not american citizen , what visas would we require?

 

Thanks, I'm really suprised at the efficiency and honesty of this forum. You guys Rock!$!

 

Where do I start? Excuse me if I laugh just a bit. To compare backpacking with cruising is not even close. Both are better than the other for some people. There is no answer to that one.

 

Tours - some swear by using the ship. Others do it on their own. If you have done backpacking through Europe, you should be okay doing it on your own.

Hidden Costs - Cost for daily service $10 and drinks are the more obvious ones that might surprise you. After that, nothing is hidden.

 

Food is covered. Free in most restaurants. Fee is some others, optional.

 

city center will vary with every single port

 

You might want to do some more reading through the forums.

[prg2101]

Hey ,

 

First time cruiser needs help Norwegian Gem, 7 days Barcelona round tripDeparting july 6th 2008

 

NCL V/s Costa V/s RCL ?the good , the bad and the Ugly.

What are hidden costs of cruising?

Is crusing better than back packing through europe?

What about shore excursions ? Their costs? Better to book ahead or do your own thing once you dock.

How far is the city centre from the docking area?

Food is covered on board ? or not? Is it good?

If not american citizen , what visas would we require?

 

Thanks, I'm really suprised at the efficiency and honesty of this forum. You guys Rock!$!

 

 

 

 

For the most part you may not get too many replies on this trip because

the gem has only done this itinerary a couple of times when it was brand new. When are you going though because I am doing the Barcelona through Italy trip on the Voyager of the seas in july.....I could find some answers to some of your ?? :D

[prg2101]

Sorry I just noticed you put July 6th in your quote....I wont have been on

my cruise yet

[Travel Nymph]

The very heart of Barcelona is about 1 mile from the port.

We are going on the BCN to BCN Gem cruise also, but on 14 Sept.

We are staying 3 nights before the cruise and 1 night after. Just so much to see in Barcelona.

 

Find a recent Gem review and they will give you alot of info you're asking about.

[nicknish]

Gem , being new , im hoping it will be good and everythin wil work.Also i like freestyle , considering i want to spend alot of time on ports and dont want dinner time tables to rule my time