NCL Gem or Pearl Panama Canal??

[primetimegirl]

We are thinking of doing the Panama Canal 11 day from Miami January 2025. Both the Gem and Pearl do the partial Transit from Miami back to Miami. The only difference I can see is the Gem Stops at Grand Cayman and the Pearl Stops in Ocho Rios. Both ships depart in January, just different weeks. Which ship should I choose?  Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios??

[njhorseman]

5 minutes ago, primetimegirl said:

We are thinking of doing the Panama Canal 11 day from Miami January 2025. Both the Gem and Pearl do the partial Transit from Miami back to Miami. The only difference I can see is the Gem Stops at Grand Cayman and the Pearl Stops in Ocho Rios. Both ships depart in January, just different weeks. Which ship should I choose?  Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios??

Jamaica is under a level 3 travel advisory from the US Department of State due to a high crime rate. The Cayman Islands are only listed as level1-take normal precautions so it's a safer destination but a bit on the bland side.

The ships are near twins, both part of the Jewel Class so your onboard experience should be similar on either.

[Turtles06]

Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are both fairly anti-gay places, Jamaica possibly worse from what I've read. Neither would be on my current wish-list of itineraries.  

 

As @njhorseman has said, the Gem and Pearl are sister ships.  I haven't been on the Pearl, but I've sailed on the Gem six times (including three full transits of the Canal), and she's among my favorite ships. 

[Bostonjetset]

On 3/21/2024 at 8:38 PM, Turtles06 said:

Jamaica and the Cayman Islands are both fairly anti-gay places, Jamaica possibly worse from what I've read. Neither would be on my current wish-list of itineraries.  

 

As @njhorseman has said, the Gem and Pearl are sister ships.  I haven't been on the Pearl, but I've sailed on the Gem six times (including three full transits of the Canal), and she's among my favorite ships. 

Jamaica is much more anti-gay than the Cayman Islands if that is a concern.  Same-sex activity is illegal in Jamaica whereas it's not in the Caymans.  Civil Unions [though not gay "marriage"] are actually legal in the Caymans as well.  From a solely LGBT perspective, Grand Cayman would be a much better choice.  That said, even if one disregards the LGBT thing, Jamaica is not really a friendly place; people are aggressive with sales tactics and will try to push marijuana on you.  The beaches are quite beautiful but it's not an island I have much interest in going back to.  Grand Cayman is a bit bland as stated above but it's more civilized and has a higher end vibe.  The only negative is that it's a tender port but I'd still pick it over any port in Jamaica.

[primetimegirl]

Thanks everyone. The Gem it is!! Jan 2025