Norwegian GEM report

[Marco69]

I returned from a 7 night cruise from NYC to Bahamas on the Gem on April 5. Here are my impressions, for what they are worth:

 

The ship has a new feel and understated elegance. The usual amenities are abundant, including a bowling alley and salt water pools. We stayed in a penthouse suite, aft, and so appreciated the extra room, the butler (Putu, who was attentive and discreet), afternoon snacks, extra attention from the concierge (Lisa Meyers, who was GREAT), and VIP disembarkation, which was extremely quick and convienient. There were plenty of places to sit out doors. Spa treatments I received were excellent.

 

Beware of the less expensive excursions! We took the tour of Andasta Zoo and Gardens in Nassau. Most of the animals were birds and reptiles which didn't seem to mind the cages. The mammels appeared to be cared for but sadly accommodated. The "gardens" were non-existent, save for scattered tropical plants and dirt paths. The whole place couldn't have been more than an acre or two in size. The bus tour to the fort was uninformative and only served to highlight the poverty on the island and the fort was a tiny remnant that offered views of the island. All in all, an okay excuse to get off the ship for a couple of hours, with the hope that most of the money for the excursion went into the local economy.

 

In Freeport, we took the shore boat ride. It was a large catamaran which raced up the shore on open waters over VERY bumpy waves. Though drinks were served, it would have been impossible to consume them without spilling. We landed in a new, and beautiful shopping area, which was very pleasant, but the tour gave only about 1.5 hours to wander around, visit the casino, eat lunch (barely possible) and get on the bus back, otherwise, we were remined at least 15 times on the boat, we would miss our ship's departure. There were too many people for the 2 buses, so a bunch of us had to sit on uncomfortable jump seats folded into in the aisle. The "tour" back to the ship highlighted such sights as McDonalds, KFC, and Burger King (whose owner's obscene 50 room "castle" could be seen from the highway), and the post office. The industrial zone, oil storage tanks and poverty was reminicent of scenes from a depression-era film. Fortunately, the bus raced along the highways and got us to the ship in one piece. Again, it was a chance to get off the ship, and shop for local crafts.

Anecdotally, other excursions seemed to please passengers a lot more, though they all cost a great deal more also. NCL does not give enough information about the excursions ahead of time. Passengers are well-advised to ask around from more experienced cruiser as to what the excursions entail.

 

My next comments are mostly about the food and restaurants. As a penthouse resident, we had access to Cagney's for breakfast and lunch. Meals here were well-prepared and abundant, and service was excellent (true throughout the ship). Supper at Cagney's carries a $25 premium...not really worth the price IMO, though the food was above average for a steak house. Tequila Latin served a terrible excuse for tapas, and the fish was dry and overcooked; a real disappointment on our first night. The Grand Pacific main dining room was huge, but the meals were consistently decent for a ship (the portion control is amazing!) Magenta main dining room was more intimate and the meal there was above average for the ship. I had great Indian curried lamb at Orchid Garden Asian Fusion, but not worth the premium price. The Garden Cafe had a large variety of international foods, mostly very fresh (though my partner got sick that night after supper there...we wonder if it were something he ate....he was fine the next morning).

A huge disappointment was Le Bistro: pretentious and overrated, with a large premium price for a disappointing meal. I had the bouillabaise (sp?). The broth was wonderful and rich, but almost cold. The little bits of fish were overcooked (a fact which I found throughout the ship), the lone carrot and potato pieces were almost raw and the whole dish was luke-warm. It was accommpanied by two croutons with a side of cold grated cheese (??) and a cold, white, bland sauce for ????. The simultaneous lifting and crashing of dish domes accompanied by, "As they say in France, un, deux, trois" (mispronounced), might impress some people as "fine cuisine style," but turned me off as unncessary, distracting, and just plain stupid, considering what was under the domes.

 

Despite colorful descriptions in the menus of the dishes in all of the eating venues, I found everything consistently bland, lacking in herbs and spices. I realize the need to appeal to the lowest common denominator cruiser, but in the premium priced venues, I expected more. It tasted as if everything was coming out of the same kitchen. The sauces and broths were truly wonderful, but then the dish was usually assembled with luke warm and overcooked proteins, and room-temperature vegetables, even when we ate early and were the first in the dining rooms.

 

Those whose taste buds are not as fussy as mine will find abundant food everywhere and opportunities abounding to pile platefuls into one's gullet. Thus, the large buffet rooms were always crowded and for me, were a total turn-off.

 

My experience on the Gem was a delight due to our fellow cruisers, the ship itself, and the voyage. I didn't go for the food, because I knew feeding 2500 people was not going to guarantee a high quality product. I was surprised however at how little came to my table hot and tasty. The alcoholic beverage prices were not unusual, but the 18% gratuity added on to them was ridiculous. The crew made up for any shortcomings, however. They are hard-working, generous people who deserve all the credit in the world for making these 7 days a pleasnt and relaxing vacation.

[coffeebean]

I was on the same sailing on Gem. DH, Sis and BIL found Le Bistro to be excellent. Starting with the Forest mushroom soup which was excellent, the duck was superb as was the filet mignon. I wasn't too fond of the braised short ribs however. We loved the unveiling of the entree when they lifted the domes. DH and I have experienced this several times before and I still love it.

 

On to the desert in Le Bistro....Oh, what can I say but WOW!!! As usual, the chocolate fondue was to die for. Our server brought plenty of extra banana slices just as I requested. The creme brule was the very best on the ship and actually the best I have ever had anywhere.

 

Our dining experience in Le Bistro was wonderful, including the service which was very attentive and professional. Sorry you didn't enjoy it as much as we did.

[BeachBumMama]

Ah, another "superior to thou" posting.

:rolleyes: Sorry, I don't see it as that, I see it as how I think it was intended to be in that he's particular with food but also says that he didn't go with the expectations of a very high quality product on a ship that has to feed 2500 people. All a matter of one's personal taste.

 

To the OP, welcome to the boards and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.:) I did find it interesting that you pointed out that in the main dining room of Grand Pacific the meals were consistently decent and the main dining room of Magenta it was above average for a ship. Some reviews I've read go into how they feel the main dining rooms are all bad so you'll have to eat in the surcharge restaurants. I've never found this to be the case but again it's all one's perspective on food. I found your review pretty balanced in the food catagory.

 

Again, welcome to the boards and glad you enjoyed yourself.:)

[brovol]

i was on the same cruise, and was pleased with the food quality. i did not eat at pay restaurants; with the exception of the italian, la cucina. we ate at cagneys for breakfast and lunch (a free perk for suite guests), and found it to be consistently outstanding. i never compare cruise dining with fine restaurants on land. instead i compare it to other cruises. my wife and i have cruised 14 times, with most mainstream lines, and in our opinion, the gem's food was as good as any other ship we have been on. the service throughout the ship, was, perhaps, the best we have seen in ten or more years. i am not disagreeing with anything the original poster said; he just got plates of food that he didnt care for as much as i cared for the plates of food i got. sometimes you just get lucky with what you order. i was, frankly, surprised with how good the food and service was on the gem. the buffet was busy, as all ship buffets are, during peek times. we found the buffet food taste, however, at least better than average.