Does the Gem feel like an old boat?

Hey everyone,

We booked the gem for this summer in europe.

I just came back from the Breakaway and we enjoyed it alot.

But i like newer boats and I saw that the gem is older.

I enjoy the style and decoration, + good service.

Has anyone done both of them? Is the gem still nice?

Im afraid to be disappointed!

Let me know your feedback. Thanks

We were on the Gem last year, right before her remodel, so she'll look newer than when we were on her ... and we loved the ship.

The -Away class ships are larger, have more "resort style" stuff to do, but are less like cruise ships than they are floating Las Vegas resorts. We were on the Epic but haven't tried the -Away class. We enjoyed the Epic, and will probably enjoy the -Away class if we ever try it, but our favorite is the Jewel-class sized ships like the Gem.

But, YOU will never know until you try a cruise on her! We did Europe on the Jade, and loved that size ship.

We sail on both Gem and BA frequently and although the "vibe" differs, both are fine. We prefer the smaller Gem, despite it not having some of the amenities of the larger BA.

But...I don't see any European itineraries for the Gem. She just has Bahamas/Florida, Caribbean and Canada/New England cruises. Perhaps you mean the Jade?

There is a lot more planning needed on the Breakaway than then Gem because the Gem is smaller. I actually like the Jewel class ships better. I wouldn't worry about traveling it having a good time on the Gem. The Gem is known as the party ship.

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It does not feel liek any type of BOAT. It is a nice SHIP. :D

But...I don't see any European itineraries for the Gem. She just has Bahamas/Florida, Caribbean and Canada/New England cruises. Perhaps you mean the Jade?

Correct, the Gem isn't due to go to Europe. I agree that the OP probably meant the Jade, but it could also be the Star or Spirit (or even Epic or Getaway).

If it is the Jade then that is having the full refit next Spring, so should look quite new.

The Spirit is showing its age in places though and the dry dock in the Spring has been cut right back.

My mistake!! I meant the Epic. I've looked at too many cruises

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My mistake!! I meant the Epic. I've looked at too many cruises

 

 

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In that case you shouldn't have any problem. The Epic is only about 2-3 years older than the Breakaway and recently had a big refit.

You may miss a few things like the rope course and the Waterfront, or may not like the cabin setup, but the relative ages between the Epic and the Breakaway won't be a problem.

Thanks!!! Yes it doesn't seem so bad after all!!

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Will be on the Gem for the 5th time in February... We were on the Breakaway last March. I found the ship too big and way to loud! The noise level was horrendous, especially in the buffet and Atrium. I definitely prefer the Gem!

Hey everyone,

 

We booked the gem for this summer in europe.

I just came back from the Breakaway and we enjoyed it alot.

But i like newer boats and I saw that the gem is older.

I enjoy the style and decoration, + good service.

 

Has anyone done both of them? Is the gem still nice?

 

Im afraid to be disappointed!

 

Let me know your feedback. Thanks

The Gem was just in drydock, and she is a beautiful ship, she is our first love and always will be.The Breakaway is a beautiful ship but much bigger then the Gem.......they are both ships and not boats :)

Marion

I've been on GEM many times, just recently in fact. They have recently updated its' decor, which has helped. It does give an air of being older, but that may be just because I've been on it so many times. Either way, it's a nice ship and I don't think the age will affect you.

The Gem has a much classier, relaxed feel than the Breakaway. It's a smaller ship but feels much larger.

The Great Outdoors is a beautiful feature. The balconies are substantially larger. The buffet feels much less like a hospital cafeteria. My favorite is that the casino is tucked entirely out of site, and along with it the cigarette smoke.

Breakaway upside is Howling at the Moon, and I do think the waterfront is a nice feature. That said the Gem has a lovely promenade deck.

You can't go wrong on any of the Jewel class ships. You will enjoy the Epic, but at almost 100,000 tons the Jewel class ships although smaller, are by no means small. Nice layout, nice dining rooms and common areas, the great outdoors, and for us, the fantastic SF aft suites. Can't get a suite class cabin with that view, and at that price, on any of the newer ships.

My mistake!! I meant the Epic. I've looked at too many cruises

 

 

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The Epic had a remodel in late 2015. It definitely does not look old. It has other oddities, but looks plenty fresh.

The Epic is a big ugly horrible floating mall that you feel trapped inside of and far away from the water. There's a reason they only built 1 of them. The curved stateroom walls are gross, and the bathroom setup is just bafflingly bizarre.

Here's a link to my review of the Epic. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2294587

Maybe it will help.