Norwegian Gem
Ship Specifications
Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship Class
Jewel
Year Built
2007
Gross Tonnage
93,530 GT
Passengers
2,394
Cabins
1,197
Decks
12
Crew
1,070
Choosing a cabin on Norwegian Gem
Drawn from 9 traveler threads about cabins on Norwegian Gem (2015–2025); none are about the Jewel class generally, though the same deck layout is shared with sisters Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jade.
Norwegian Gem's cabin advice centers on one deck-plan fact raised in the ship's own threads: the pool, the buffet and the gym all sit on deck 12, so a 2023 reply told a first-time cruiser to be very wary of anything on deck 11. That thread had a counterpoint from a regular who calls the Gem a favorite and likes a mini-suite on 11, mid or aft, while admitting the rocking is noticeable that high up. The poster had been eyeing a forward Owner's Suite on deck 9 or 10 for its size and king bed, which the most-upvoted reply noted is exactly the high, forward placement that feels the most movement, with aft a little better and low midship the calmest. At the other end of the ship, a December 2023 thread on oceanview versus balcony noted that Gem's oceanviews land on decks 4 and 5, which motion-sensitive cruisers in the thread treated as a plus, with the caveat to check that a casino, nightclub or galley is not directly above or below.
On categories, a 2023 thread comparing a Club Balcony Suite to a regular balcony on Gem settled on the bathroom as the real difference (a larger shower that one poster loves), with the balcony itself the same size as a standard one; the exception is the BC and MC cabins on deck 8, which have extended balconies. The Club extras beyond that were rated as mostly minor apart from the free bag of laundry and earlier dining reservations. Families eyeing the 2-Bedroom Deluxe Family Suite were warned in a 2025 thread that the second bedroom is essentially a pull-out sofa plus a pullman berth in a space not much bigger than the bed. Two booking notes recur: a Sail Away club balcony fare can land the cabin everyone else avoided for obstruction or noise, and one poster reported calling NCL about 45 days out and moving from an oceanview to a club balcony for about $10 a person on a 16-night sailing, a trick that only works when the sailing is not selling well.
Worth booking
BC and MC balcony cabins on deck 8
Named in a December 2023 thread as the cabins with extended balconies; every other balcony, including the Club Balcony Suites, was described as the same standard size.
Oceanview cabins on decks 4 and 5
A 2023 thread on oceanview versus balcony placed the ship's oceanviews on these decks, and motion-sensitive posters preferred being that low; the one caution was to check the deck plan for a casino, club or galley directly above or below.
Club Balcony Suite, for the bathroom
The Club upgrade was judged worth having mainly for the larger bathroom and shower plus the free bag of laundry; the balcony is no bigger than a standard one, so pay the premium only if those two things matter.
Think twice
Deck 11, directly under the pool, buffet and gym on deck 12
A 2023 reply flagged deck 11 as the one to be wary of on Gem because everything noisy on the ship sits on the deck above; a regular who likes the deck 11 mini-suites conceded the motion is felt up there.
Forward Owner's Suites on decks 9 and 10, if motion bothers you
The largest rooms on the ship sit high and forward, which the most-upvoted reply in a 2023 thread called the position that feels the most movement; the same poster suggested aft as the calmer option for a big cabin.
Second bedroom of the 2-Bedroom Deluxe Family Suite
Described in a January 2025 thread as a pull-out sofa with a pullman above it in a room not much larger than the bed itself; fine for two kids, not for a second couple splitting the cost.
Cabin questions
Is the Club Balcony Suite worth it over a regular balcony on Norwegian Gem?
Posters in a December 2023 thread said the physical difference is the bathroom, which is bigger with a better shower; the balcony is the same size as a standard balcony unless you are in one of the extended-balcony BC or MC cabins on deck 8. The perks were rated as forgettable apart from the free bag of laundry and earlier dining reservations, so a $500 premium is a judgment call.
Which deck should I avoid on Norwegian Gem for noise?
Deck 11. The pool deck, buffet and gym are all on deck 12, so cabins directly beneath pick up early-morning chair scraping and foot traffic, according to a 2023 reply. Lower down, check whether the casino or a nightclub sits above or below an oceanview on decks 4 and 5 before booking.
How big is the second bedroom in Norwegian Gem's 2-Bedroom Family Suite?
Small. Replies in a 2025 thread studied the layout and described it as a pull-out couch with a pullman berth above, essentially bunk beds, in a space not much bigger than the bed. It works for children; two families hoping to split the suite evenly were warned it would not feel like an even split.
What Travelers Say
Distilled from 176 traveler threads, passenger reviews and travel blogs.
Norwegian Gem is a Jewel-class ship from 2007 carrying about 2,300 guests, making it one of the smaller, more relaxed vessels in Norwegian's fleet. Cruisers who prefer a calmer experience appreciate that it skips the megaship waterslide parks and ropes courses in favor of an easy-to-navigate layout and a more adult-friendly vibe, though families are still well served with kids' pools, a waterslide and two free kids clubs. It was last refreshed in 2022 but still shows its age in places.
The onboard experience leans on solid entertainment and a good spread of dining for the ship's size. The country music show, comedians and live bands are repeatedly singled out as highlights, and Jewel-class specialty restaurants like Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, La Cucina and Teppanyaki give plenty of choice. Service is the weaker link, with reviewers citing understaffed bars, long drink waits and uneven crew morale, and the complimentary food is described as inconsistent. Cabins are clean but reflect the ship's 2007 origins. Distinctive extras include a four-lane bowling alley and a rock climbing wall.
Gem is best for couples and travelers who want a smaller, more low-key cruise at a friendly price, and for families who don't need a giant water park. It typically prices below the newer megaships while still offering Norwegian's freestyle dining flexibility, and suite guests can upgrade to The Haven. Standout touches are the spa, the bowling alley and the well-reviewed live shows.
What People Love
- Smaller, easy-to-navigate Jewel-class ship that feels calmer than the megaships
- Strong entertainment, with country music shows, comedians and live bands praised
- Good dining variety for its size, with Cagney's, Le Bistro, La Cucina and Teppanyaki
- Kept clean and well-maintained despite the ship's age
Common Complaints
- The ship is older (2007) and feels dated in some areas
- Reviewers report understaffed bars with long waits for drinks
- Some note crew morale and service consistency lag expectations
- No big-ship thrills like multi-slide aqua parks or ropes courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources: travel.usnews.com, travel.usnews.com, cruisefever.net, quietcruiser.com