The last experience I had with Norwegian Cruise Lines was onboard the then-new Dawn. Perhaps you’ll understand why I wasn’t itching to return. Don’t get me wrong – I love cruises. I just thought that the Dawn was a missed opportunity, a stopgap while the company found its feet heading into a new age where cruising’s just getting, well, better.
That’s ancient history now. Jewel Class has been all the rage these past few years; the latest (and final) entry is the Gem, which sailed out of New York on Tuesday for one of those little exploratory cruises. I hopped on board and was really surprised. Kind of like the first time you get on a new Carnival ship and think to yourself, “Wait — this is Carnival? I take back everything I said!”
I used to just think Norwegian — which just unveiled new plans for the future after a $1b cash infusion — was a great inexpensive option, cruise-wise. After all, food was never a highlight, and a central point of cruising with NCL was the freedom to choose your venues, meals and meal times every day of the week. The food these days is pretty smart — particularly in one restaurant, which I mention below. I am starting to feel like Norwegian is starting to represent genuine value.
Here are a few things that made the Gem memorable. Don’t forget — most of the same amenities can be found on Jewel + Jade, the two newest of the predecessors.
1) The mini-suite concept is great. Still better, the starting rate is only a few hundred bucks over a standard balcony cabin. A classy product, with a tub/shower combo (I love seeing Grohe fittings on a cruise ship), solid and comfortable bed, a plus fold-out and a cantilevered balcony on Deck 11, the top residential deck before Villa-land up top.
2) Le Bistro. How can I count the ways I loved a 2 hour boozy Wednesday lunch in a cozy corner booth – duck l’orange, onion soup, escargot, nice reds, the works. Good stuff. As part of recently announced changes and upgrades to the fleet, the specialty restaurants are going to open for lunch during days at sea (not all will open every day). Well worth the $20 charge, more so than Cagney’s, NCL’s signature steak place. Which reminds me, best bar on the ship is the Star Bar, tucked away in a corner overlooking the pool deck, right next to Cagney’s.
3) The Bliss Ultra Lounge concept works. Okay, so the decor is definitely not what New Yorkers are used to, but the setting and feel are marvelous – reminds me of the basement at Spice Market, without the really nasty service. There are lots of beds to lie on, too. And the four lanes of bowling. It just works. I hate cruise ship nightclubs, but I like this one.
4) The Great Outdoors is what they call the aft deck behind the casual cafe. It’s great. There’s masses of outdoor dining, and they serve breakfast out there. How perfect to be able to sit by the railing overlooking the Caribbean to start the morning. Of course, everyone has some sort of food service on an aft deck somewhere, but this takes it to another level, and it is much appreciated.
5) Da villas. Norwegian has been really successful with these. Even the ones on Dawn class are great. However, again, the newest edition of the line’s exclusive sky deck hotel-within-a-cruise ship is greatly improved. Love the multi-tiered, outdoor private spaces, private jacuzzis (of course, you have to really splash out for the above — most suite holders share a private courtyard lounge, pool and hot tub) and in many suites, picture windows by the bath tub and sometimes, even natural lighting in the shower. How many land-based hotels can claim that?
With the next launch beginning an entirely new ship class, I like the odds of things getting even better before long. While I don’t believe in getting into the whole cruise ship decor discussion (where does it end?), I have to mention after dreaming in hot pink and purple for two nights, my biggest wish for the next ship is a slightly more muted color palate. Or, at least a little less clashing.