Gem vs Jewel

[pinma]

We're looking at the same itinerary sailing one day apart on the Jewel vs the Gem. Can anyone compare/contrast the two to help us decide between them? We're a family of 4 aged 40, 40, 13, 11. The kids won't touch the kids' program.

[tjc78]

They are sister ships and very similar. The Gem being a bit newer has the rock climbing wall and bowling alley. That may interest your kids.

[trish1c]

The Gem is more brightly colored. There are more on-board activities -- rock wall, water slide, bowling.

One of them has more Sponge Bob / Nickelodean characters. I always forget which.

One leave on a Saturday; the other sails on Sunday. Do you want 1 more day to get ready or a day to relax, unpack etc. before going back to work?

[KevinsCruising]

Gem has more to offer. Bliss Lounge, Bowling and a better Spinaker Lounge with some pub games in it. Hands down....Gem ( in my opinion) :)

[Turtles06]

I've been on both ships. They are sister ships and virtually identical, except that the Gem has a (small) bowling alley and a rock climbing wall (back of the stack). The layout of the Jewel's buffet, imho, is much better and more efficient.

 

Unless the bowling alley and rock climbing wall are of real significance to you, I would make my decision based on which days you'd rather travel and cabin availability and price.

 

Whatever you decide, have a great cruise!

[rzdj96]

We agree with "Turtles"! We love the buffet layout on the Jewel more-so than the Gem's. It's the Jewel that has "Nickelodean" but I did see somewhere where the Gem was getting them also. There's no "cigar room" on the Jewel (they forgot to install the door). The shops on the Jewel are much larger and the Casino seems easier to get around in. The Gem has a large screen TV in the Atrium also. Last time on the Jewel the pools were heated while the Gem's weren't.

[JerseyGem]

........There's no "cigar room" on the Jewel (they forgot to install the door). .........Last time on the Jewel the pools were heated while the Gem's weren't.

 

Someone on our Jewel Roll Call asked about a cigar room, and none of us knew for certain that there was or wasn't one. The spot is outlined on the deck plans but not labelled as it is for the Gem and Pearl. So thanks for the heads up. Where would someone smoke indoors? Just the casino? I also seem to remember that we avoided one half of the Spinnaker because of smokers?

 

Pools- my only Jewel cruise was in December with rainy, cold weather, so we never tried the pool. I hope it's heated for our next cruise (1/2013). The Gem's pool was too cold for me last month. I'm actually pleasantly surprised that any NCL ship has a heated outdoor pool! And I wish they had a no-fee enclosed pool like other cruise lines, for those of us who don't like brisk, invigorating pool temps.

[Coastalbreezes]

Someone on our Jewel Roll Call asked about a cigar room, and none of us knew for certain that there was or wasn't one. The spot is outlined on the deck plans but not labelled as it is for the Gem and Pearl. So thanks for the heads up. Where would someone smoke indoors? Just the casino? I also seem to remember that we avoided one half of the Spinnaker because of smokers?

 

Pools- my only Jewel cruise was in December with rainy, cold weather, so we never tried the pool. I hope it's heated for our next cruise (1/2013). The Gem's pool was too cold for me last month. I'm actually pleasantly surprised that any NCL ship has a heated outdoor pool! And I wish they had a no-fee enclosed pool like other cruise lines, for those of us who don't like brisk, invigorating pool temps.

 

 

On the Jewel, the casino is indeed the only place indoors to smoke. There are ashtrays outside on either deck 6 or 7 on, I believe the starboard side of the ship.

TracyE

[NJ04SS]

Having sailed both, I personally like the Jewel MUCH better. I don't use a rock climbing wall or a bowling alley, and I liked the layout/colors/ect of the Jewel better then the GEM, just my opinion. Buffet setup is nicer, I liked the restaurant setup...for whatever reason, I also didn't feel that much motion compared to the Gem, which both were pretty smooth sailings but I felt it much more on the Gem.

 

Also in my opinion, the staff on the Jewel was out of this world compared to the GEM. The Jewel's staff, was outrageously helpful, nice - couldn't ask for more (I just got off this past Saturday). In speaking with the hotel director, my gf and I both stated that this staff reminds us of the Dawn in May of 2008, well the current hotel director was on the Dawn in May of 2008, and most of his staff is from that ship as well. Personally, when I sail NCL again, if I have to choose between the two, it would be the Jewel.

 

Whatever you choose, good luck!:D

[Highboy90]

Sometimes, after reading reviews, I feel as if I'm in for a bad first time cruise experience which is costing me plenty (aft mini-suite balcony - paying full tab) then I read a post or two like the above which put me at ease.

 

Now, mind you, when given a specific week when you can cruise and where from, pickens are slim but, I'm truly hoping our cruise on the Jewel (Bahamas - originally booked with RCCL to Bermuda) is a pleasant one. Sure it will be a memorable one.

[mizLORInj]

I would sail either again.