Monday, April 1, 2024

23 Norwegian Gem Cruise Tips and Secrets

norwegian cruise gem ship

The 2400-passenger Norwegian Gem is the 6th and final ship in Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) Jewel class, and the 13th ship in the NCL fleet. It resembles the Norwegian Pearl, which was launched in 2006. Ten of NCL's ships have been built since 1999, giving the cruise line the youngest fleet among the North American cruise lines. Launched in October 2007, the Norwegian Gem capitalizes on NCL's Freestyle Cruising concept, which was first introduced to the cruising public in May 2000. Nearby, a Mandara Spa offers Balinese-inspired body and face treatments as well as hair and nail services.

Current itinerary of Norwegian Gem

The NCL Gem ship cost US$390 million to build and was last refurbished in 2015. Located at the top of the ship, The Haven features the most luxurious, well-appointed accommodations on board. Enjoy 24-hour butler service, concierge service and private sundeck. More so than other ships we've cruised on, we found our fellow Gem passengers loved to talk to strangers, making for a very convivial atmosphere onboard. The fun starts as soon as you board Gem via the Atrium on Deck 7, which serves as a busy hub of activities, from live musical performances to trivia contests to movies. Overhead, an eye-catching custom chandelier features color-changing lights, and the centrally located Java Cafe & Bar is usually packed from morning to night.

Decks and Cabins

norwegian cruise gem ship

Skip dessert one night and instead head to Shakers, the martini bar located midship deck six. Yes, it costs a few dollars more than is covered by the Premium Beverage Package (although if you have the Premium-Plus Package, it’s covered). We’re not saying we’ve spent so many hours in front of a slot machine that we’ve skipped meals, but what we are saying is… yeah, that’s happened. Thankfully, the casino puts out a selection of late-night eats designed to keep gamblers from feeling the need to wander away for sustenance. Located at the end of the casino bar, you’ll usually find things like chicken wings, pot stickers, and cake. Both of these events tend to be big draws, especially on rainy sea days.

Norwegian Gem Dining

Its poolside location makes it pretty convenient (especially if you have kids who don’t want to take time from their frolicking to do something as boring as eating), although that can also make it a bit crowded. There is an array of toppings available and a salad bar. This Asian restaurant might be one of the best-kept secrets on the Gem. Although listed on the Freestyle Daily as a “specialty restaurant,” there’s not actually a charge to dine here.

Wheel of Fortune Coming to 16 Norwegian Ships

It offers the basic cruising experience for a great price, with everything you need to keep the entire family happy. For smaller kids, a kiddy pool is located on Deck 12, with just enough water for plenty of splashing fun. Splash Academy is also a hit with younger kids, with tons of games and activities, and kids entertainment planned for nearly all day, every day. Yes, it’s all pretty standard, but there’s a reason that these types of activities are found on just about every single cruise ship — it’s because cruisers reliably love them. During the time of their debut, the Jewel-class ships were state-of-the-art, slightly larger than the cruise line’s Dawn Class.

This sparkling cruise ship is the perfect choice for year-round cruises in style. Sail to the The Caribbean, Bermuda, or Bahamas and toss your schedule to the breeze. Or stroll along postcard-perfect scenery in the Mediterranean. With tons of dining choices and no set dining times, Norwegian Gem has it all. Chill out by the pool, get lucky in the casino, unwind at the spa, and make the kids happy with spaces built with them in mind. Accommodations range from the luxurious multi-room or romantic suites to spacious and affordable staterooms.

Norwegian Cruise Line joining Carnival at Jacksonville port - The Florida Times-Union

Norwegian Cruise Line joining Carnival at Jacksonville port.

Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:06:42 GMT [source]

How long can we stay on land for during the days when the cruise will be docked in Bermuda?

However, over time, these jewels have lost a bit of their luster. Still, they do come with a lot of perks for certain travelers. Norwegian Gem, when it debuted in 2007, was the second-to-last Jewel-class ship for Norwegian Cruise Line, followed the next year by Norwegian Jade. It’s the same size as Norwegian Pearl and, in fact, the Jewel class was the largest of the cruise line’s ships for a brief time, until they built Norwegian Epic, which far surpassed all of the Jewel-class ships. We cover the basic stats on things like the number of staterooms and number of crew members, to the more important info, like where to go to get a good drink during a sea day. Here’s everything you need to know about the Norwegian Gem cruise ship.

Blazing Boots is a full-scale production show that showcases a mix of creative choreography, stellar vocals, and dazzling music video visuals. NCL promoted the Gem ship launch via a dedicated "Gem It Girl" website. Online, the cruise company provided details about the newbuild and prompted its customers to submit entries in order to be chosen a godmother. In January 2024, JAXPORT's Board of Directors approved a 3-year homeporting agreement with NCL for seasonal homeporting in Jacksonville Florida (November to April every year through 2028).

Norwegian Gem - user reviews and comments

While the kids are enjoying that children’s programming, it’s the perfect opportunity for mom and dad to check out the ship’s spa and fitness facilities. The Mandara Spa & Salon offers a range of traditional treatments, and a thermal suite offers a thalasso therapy pool, a steam room, hot tub and sauna, for the ultimate in relaxation. So, once you’re aboard your cruise, what can you expect in terms of dining? Well, there’s a range of different dining options for you to choose from when you’re on the ship, both complimentary dining options and those specialty dining options that come with additional fees. Like on pretty much any other ship, the buffet can be a bit of a madhouse come lunchtime (especially on a sea day or when the ship is arriving late in port). If you can’t find a table in the main buffet area (or outside at the Great Outdoors), head into La Cuchina, which is conveniently located right next to the buffet.

They open up that entire restaurant’s space specifically for when there’s no seating in the buffet area. Mandara operates the spa, and it has a wonderful tranquil ambiance. All of the standard spa treatments are available in the spa, and you can even schedule a massage in your cabin. Next to the spa is the Body Waves Fitness Center, which is open 24 hours a day. This fully-equipped gym includes the latest machines and has floor to ceiling windows, so you can enjoy the sea views while working out. The fitness center also features yoga, aerobics, spinning, Pilates, and a variety of other exercise classes.

The best thing about the 10 Courtyard Villas on deck 14 is the access to the private courtyard area. This area has a lap pool, hot tub, steam rooms, a small gym, and lovely sun beds and hammocks. The Courtyard Villas have spacious living and sleeping areas, and eight of the villas have separate bedrooms for kids. Since this courtyard area is shared by only these few top-priced suites, it is a great quiet getaway place.

Deck 6 is ‘Bar Centrale’— home to Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar, Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar, and Shakers Martini & Cocktail Bar. Also on Deck 13 is the Spinnaker Lounge, which is where partiers go to drink and dance into the night. The chance to drink without having to drive is one of the main draws of a cruise vacation, and the Gem doesn’t disappoint in this regard. There is a wide array of bar choices catering to specific tastes.

Also, take note of what type of power strip you can and can’t have on the ship. We’ve put together 23 Norwegian Gem cruise tips and secrets for you to use on your next cruise vacation. Crew are positioned at entrances to the Garden Café buffet for “washi-washi” service—basically a spritz of hand sanitizer. Room service is available at all times for an added charge.

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