My husband and I are considering the 7-day Florida/Bahamas cruise on the Gem out of NYC for next year. Has anyone been on this cruise? Just curious if the ports were "interesting" enough. We just went on a 12-day with seven ports, so I doubt anything will ever beat it, but I want to make sure it wouldn't be dull...

Hi Cort. Sorry it has taken me so long to see your post.

We had the same thoughts about N.Gem. Great ship, but we weren't sure if the ports would be exciting enough. Then, we started looking into them more deeply, and found a few points of interest -- Cape Canaveral, for one. For Nassau, we figured we'd do something completely new to us...whatever that might be.

Let us know what you decide.

(BTW, our last cruise was also 12 days with 7 ports of call.)

Thanks, Lisa! I think we're going to go for it and see how we like it.

Do you think the Gem is going to fill up quickly now that the Jade is moving to Europe and canceling its NYC sailings? We were going to wait until early summer to book for next March, but after seeing the news about Jade (NCL is urging people booked on NYC Jade sailings to move to the Gem, with incentives), I'm getting a little nervous.

I think that LisaP is NCL's best foot forward! For all the neg publicity and all your experience with other lines, you still cruise NCL. That speaks more than their silly commercials.

Hank, I am thinking of NCL this time. What has been your experience with NCL? What ships have you been on, and which do you like the best and why?

Thanks,
Dwayne

I want to book on the Gem NOW, but my husband is dragging his feet. I think we might go in March or April 2009 so we can spend a few days in NYC beforehand. I'm nervous about the departure of the Jade's effect on booking for the Gem...hoping it won't fill up fast!

Well Dwayne I have been on The Sky before it became the Pride of Aloha. The Dream, The Dawn and the Sun. I have not been on any of the new ones like Pearl and Gem but I would like to.

NCL just has to work on their image and keep the American flagged ships in their own niche. So I gues Iv been on two NcL ships when it comes to class and without googleing it I can't tell you which is which.