Gem - Pros & Cons

[bob brown]

I have sailed on the Gem twice before, but several years ago. My next cruise on her is January of 2020. I really like that ship.

I think that the only really 'difficult' area to get to is the aft Pacific Dining Room on Deck 6. You must access it from Deck 7, or be in the single aft elevator that goes all the way down to deck 6. The reason is, it is isolated by the main galley separating it from the rest of Deck 6. Unfortunately, the designer's didn't put an 'alley' along one side to pass by it.

 

I love the Spinnaker observation lounge. Also, don't miss the 'Bridge Viewing Room' forward, portside on Deck 11.:cool:

[MissPapagena]

We ate breakfast in la cucina every morning, it’s an overflow area of the buffet, always plenty of tables. Plus, right by the Great Outdoors, where there is always food, even in between meals, and a great place to sit and relax.

 

Thanks - no clue that La Cucina was open for overflow seating in the morning. Did discover the Great Outdoors but always went later in the day. Didn't realize they had food after 10 am. Early in the cruise I was confused and thought it was referring to the buffet on the pool deck which wasn't always open b/c of weather.

 

I am not sure if it was just our party - most of all me - that were completely confused for at least the first 3 days of the cruise. I am disabled and it impacts my mobility and memory/clarity of thought at times and limits how much I can do in a day. I found it very difficult to get information on food and figure out where certain things were located. Really think NCL could have better signage. On some floors they had the ship map near the elevators but on some they did not. Plus signage for certain places were overly discrete or nonexistent. It took me 30 minutes to find Le Bistro. And the Atrium is a crazy mess with so many things going on and I really think Guest Services could use a sign.

[Surfdog8667]

How was the crowd on the Gem? Were sailing at the end of july on the Gem to the bahamas, we know its July so its going to be a lot of families, but is there still a younger crowd? ( 25-35)

[Guest I am the Onion]

Just booked a group cruise on the Gem for March 2019! What can you seasoned Gem cruisers tell us about the ship?? Hard to navigate, good hang out spots, adult section, etc.??

 

We’ve been on the Gem several times, and are booked on her in October. One of the best in the fleet, she is easy to navigate. Just got off the Escape in April...waaaay too large. Food was disappointing.

[pmoniz]

We’ve been on the Gem several times, and are booked on her in October. One of the best in the fleet, she is easy to navigate. Just got off the Escape in April...waaaay too large. Food was disappointing.

 

 

 

Awesome!!! Good to hear!! I’m not a fan of the mega ships either.

 

Thanks for sharing all!!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[bones774]

How is it the poster's own doing that the layout of the ship is confusing and there is inadequate signage?

 

How is it their own doing that cafe seating area is long and narrow and it can be hard to find a table?

 

How is it their own doing that service was slow in Grand Pacific for breakfast?

 

It takes one day to navigate the ship and signage by the elevators is clear.

Ships are long and thin, dining rooms too, not hard to find table, just walk a few feet or wait a minute during busy times it's normal.

Service slow? People are dining on vacation, relax. Maybe they had one bad day!

[MissPapagena]

It takes one day to navigate the ship and signage by the elevators is clear.

Ships are long and thin, dining rooms too, not hard to find table, just walk a few feet or wait a minute during busy times it's normal.

Service slow? People are dining on vacation, relax. Maybe they had one bad day!

 

I also had trouble getting around the Gem and found the Gem's design (or re-design) awkward in places, particularly if going from one end to the other which seemed to always involve going through busy and crowded areas like the Atrium, Pool Deck, or Casino, or using the halls with cabins which can also be congested and I felt like I was getting in the way of the polite and hard-working staff cleaning cabins plus there are their carts and coolers. And in the Garden Cafe seating for the buffet gets very narrow and is so long and it gets challenging finding an open table particularly in the morning.

 

Also please consider that not all cruisers move around easily - I use a cane and at times really appreciate the help of a solid wall or railing for balance or someplace to take a break. And if at a buffet my cane also meant an additional trip for a glass of water.

 

As for the signage by the elevator banks, it is inconsistent. Sometimes there is a map of the ship easily found, but there are many elevators banks that have no map of the ship at all and others where it is around a corner and has to be found. And those maps don't always help in finding the entrance to places - finding the entrance to Le Bistro proved quite the challenge for me - it would have been comical if it hadn't taken so long and left me in such pain. And in the Atrium they don't have a sign for the Guest Services Desk, which may seem obvious but when the Atrium gets crowded like on the first day of the cruise it is a mad house and can be overwhelming.

 

We also had slow service in the Grand Pacifica, and on multiple occasions. And the Magenta too. And it can be an issue if you need to be someplace else on the ship at a specific time. Even eating at the Magenta right next to the Splash Academy, dropping off kids as soon as they opened for the evening at 7 pm, we found ourselves rushing and still late for the 9 pm show at the Stardust (even very able-bodied members of our party sent on ahead). And we had a lunch for two adults and two kids take just over two hours on Sunday in the Grand Pacifica. The service in Le Bistro was the best in my opinion, while my favorite meal food-wise was in La Cucina.

[JamieLogical]

I know I listed the same "cons" in my post as many others have, but I do want to reiterate that these things should not deter you from sailing on the Gem. It's still a lovely experience and, like I said, nothing about our cruise made us conclude we would never do a jewel class ship again. We probably won't go out of our way to, but if the itinerary, timing, and pricing line up, we would happily do so again. Cruising out of NYC is convenient for us, because we don't have to fly or stay overnight in a hotel. This means there will likely be more sailings on both the Gem and the Escape for us.

[GMCOLT]

The Gem is my home ship. Sailed her many times. Posters have been pretty accurate. A couple comments:

1. Bridge viewing room on deck 11, port side, very cool.

2. Great outdoors aft, deck 12, great meeting place, nice for breakfast and quite hangout later in day in warm weather.

3. Deck 7, full wrap around walking or jogging deck.

4. Deck 13 bar, also nice warm weather hang out.

5. Deck 6 cigar lounge , great indoor smoking for the smoking crowd.

6. Deck 6, Bistro, great food, more intimate than larger ships.

7. The Grand Pacific is a really nice dinning venue. Great for lunch on the first day.

8. My wife loved the all week spa deal.

9. Deck 7 aft, Bliss, new design, very nice, good seating.

10. Cagneys on deck 13, great food, felt more intimate than the larger ships.

Overall, less crowds than Escape. Also, less people .

Going back in March for Gem cruise number 6.

[Sand and Seas]

Thanks for all of the comments about the Gem. It's been many years since we have sailed on her.

 

Can someone tell us about their casino?

 

Does it have a good selection of the newer slots?

[JamieLogical]

Thanks for all of the comments about the Gem. It's been many years since we have sailed on her.

 

Can someone tell us about their casino?

 

Does it have a good selection of the newer slots?

 

I played quite a bit of slots while on the Gem in June. There are a fair number of newer machines, but they were missing my favorite machine from the Escape. It's also much smaller overall than the Escape's casino, obviously. While I was there I did see a woman win the $15000 jackpot on Lock It Link! It was nuts!

[Sand and Seas]

I played quite a bit of slots while on the Gem in June. There are a fair number of newer machines, but they were missing my favorite machine from the Escape. It's also much smaller overall than the Escape's casino, obviously. While I was there I did see a woman win the $15000 jackpot on Lock It Link! It was nuts!

 

We like to play Fu-Dao-Le and Dancing Drums. Do you remember those?

 

I might have to try those Lock It Links:cool:

[Quencups]

We like to play Fu-Dao-Le and Dancing Drums. Do you remember those?

 

I might have to try those Lock It Links:cool:

 

I know they have Dancing Drums...hubby played them

[ALS1214]

Is the layout similar to the Dawn?

[spritchettw]

Thank you everyone for the great info we sail the Gem for the first time this Saturday and it sounds like this will be a great cruise.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

[pcakes122]

We like to play Fu-Dao-Le and Dancing Drums. Do you remember those?

Gem definitely has both! Also, there is also a "mini" (about 20 older machines) non-smoking casino located in the Bliss lounge! I used to think that it was probably just a dead area (there are no slot attendants there - and usually no people lol) but one night on my way 'home' to my aft cabin I stopped in to check it out. There was one other lady there playing video poker and she hit a $5K jackpot while I was there!

 

So, just another option for casino folks. :) I've only been on one other Jewel-class ship (Jade) and they did not have this separate casino area. Does anyone know if any of the other Jewel-class ships do?

[Sand and Seas]

Pcakes, what kind of Aft cabin did you have on the Gem and how did you like it? We've really enjoyed Aft balconies on the larger ships.

 

Thanks to all for the excellent tips for us casino players! We haven't been on a Jewel class ship for years so very good to know. Have been only on Escape and Away cruises for last three years. Looking forward to a different type of cruise on these ships again:cool:

[pcakes122]

Pcakes, what kind of Aft cabin did you have on the Gem and how did you like it? We've really enjoyed Aft balconies on the larger ships.

 

Thanks to all for the excellent tips for us casino players! We haven't been on a Jewel class ship for years so very good to know. Have been only on Escape and Away cruises for last three years. Looking forward to a different type of cruise on these ships again:cool:

I've stayed in both the Category SF Aft Penthouse suites (will be there again on my 7/14 cruise :D) which are AWESOME and the Cat M1 aft mini-suites - also great! Can't go wrong with either!

 

I just got off the Escape and I've done the Breakaway at least a dozen times, but I still keep coming back to the Gem - it's really my favorite! I am going to be so sad when she leaves NYC! :loudcry: We'll be getting the Dawn in New York and while I enjoyed my one Dawn cruise, I will definitely miss the Jewel-class!

 

PS on the Aft Mini - loved the cabin and would book it again, but I was on Deck 11 right under the Great Outdoors and there was a bit of early morning chair dragging noise if you are sensitive to that! :)

[Sand and Seas]

I've stayed in both the Category SF Aft Penthouse suites (will be there again on my 7/14 cruise :D) which are AWESOME and the Cat M1 aft mini-suites - also great! Can't go wrong with either!

 

I just got off the Escape and I've done the Breakaway at least a dozen times, but I still keep coming back to the Gem - it's really my favorite! I am going to be so sad when she leaves NYC! :loudcry: We'll be getting the Dawn in New York and while I enjoyed my one Dawn cruise, I will definitely miss the Jewel-class!

 

PS on the Aft Mini - loved the cabin and would book it again, but I was on Deck 11 right under the Great Outdoors and there was a bit of early morning chair dragging noise if you are sensitive to that! :)

I'm making notes on cabins now. Hope to be booking for next year soon.

 

We have loved the Dawn! Los Lobos is excellent if you haven't tried it.

 

I remember loving the Great Outdoors years ago on one of the Jewel ships (Pearl?). Would be great to have it so close.

 

Thanks for more good info:cool:

[2kruzers]

Thank you everyone for the great info we sail the Gem for the first time this Saturday and it sounds like this will be a great cruise.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

 

Hi spritchettw - see you are sailing Saturday and have been looking for recent dallies - if it is not too much trouble would you be kind enough to post them upon your return - have a wonderful time on your vacation! We sail in August.

[pcakes122]

Thanks for more good info:cool:

Sure! :D

[ALS1214]

We returned from the Gem a couple weeks ago, like Jamie says "it was cold".

We loved it. Casino was a nice size for a ship that size. Loved Swing. We got thermal spa passes and the spa was great.

Don't miss the signature crepes every night for dessert in the buffet.

Only drawback was the line for the main dining room for meals. But they give you those buzzers that light up when your table is ready and we just went and had a pre dinner cocktail. Never waited more that 15-20 minutes for dinner. And loved the Grand Pacifica over Magenta dining room hands down.

Lots of great entertainment.

My only issue is I had the worst cabin steward ever in over 100 cruises.

Everything else was great!!!

I am on the 10th floor. I am hoping he/she is not mine. What made them the worst?

[spritchettw]

Hi spritchettw - see you are sailing Saturday and have been looking for recent dallies - if it is not too much trouble would you be kind enough to post them upon your return - have a wonderful time on your vacation! We sail in August.

Sure will 2kruzers

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

[flyin]

I think the challenge on my specific sailing was that we were doing Canada & New England the first week of June and some days were VERY cold (like 40 degrees). So when the only food available was outside at the Great Outdoors or Topsiders, it was miserable.

 

We were on the 6/23 Canada & New England, and other than 2 days, it was cold outside as well. They actually moved the Great outdoors... indoors.... on a couple of days.

 

Food was ... meh. No Lobster on the cruise at all, which is strange for a Canada/NE cruise IMO.

 

They don't do Italian on the ship. Really trust me on this. Other than that, you can find decent food throughout and there are some "gems" (no pun intended) at each food venue.

[pmoniz]

The Gem is my home ship. Sailed her many times. Posters have been pretty accurate. A couple comments:

1. Bridge viewing room on deck 11, port side, very cool.

2. Great outdoors aft, deck 12, great meeting place, nice for breakfast and quite hangout later in day in warm weather.

3. Deck 7, full wrap around walking or jogging deck.

4. Deck 13 bar, also nice warm weather hang out.

5. Deck 6 cigar lounge , great indoor smoking for the smoking crowd.

6. Deck 6, Bistro, great food, more intimate than larger ships.

7. The Grand Pacific is a really nice dinning venue. Great for lunch on the first day.

8. My wife loved the all week spa deal.

9. Deck 7 aft, Bliss, new design, very nice, good seating.

10. Cagneys on deck 13, great food, felt more intimate than the larger ships.

Overall, less crowds than Escape. Also, less people .

Going back in March for Gem cruise number 6.

 

Great info!! Thank you so much! We're sailing in March as well! The 8th!! Can't wait!