Norwegian Gem2026-10-10T15:44:50-07:00

Norwegian Gem

Norwegian’s mid-size Jewel Class ship pairs a Haven courtyard, two three-bedroom Garden Villas and the Bar City trio of lounges with itineraries that reach far beyond the Caribbean. We’ve walked the decks and filmed the rooms, so you can see your room before you book.

A Mid-Size Ship That Goes Just About Anywhere

Norwegian Gem entered service in October 2007 as the last of the four Jewel Class ships. She carries about 2,400 guests, so she feels easier to get around than Norwegian’s newest ships, and she sails everywhere from the Caribbean and Panama Canal to the Mediterranean. Highlights include The Haven courtyard under a retractable glass roof, two Garden Villas with their own private gardens, the Bar City lounges and a Peekaboo Bridge view into the bridge. Her May 2026 dry dock added Vibe Beach Club and a redesigned Thermal Suite.

Danny filmed this tour in 2023 while the ship was docked in Civitavecchia for Rome, walking from the pool deck, Spinnaker Lounge and The Haven down through the spa, kids’ clubs, the atrium and Bar City. A few things have changed since: Vibe Beach Club is new, the Thermal Suite has a new layout, and the 24-hour pub is now listed as O’Sheehan’s. Watch the full tour below, or jump straight to the part of the ship you care about most.

Full Ship Walkthrough · 38 min · Jump to:

Ship Overview

Jewel Class · Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Gem

Mid-size, well-traveled and freshly refreshed.

Class: Jewel Class (fourth and final ship)

Delivered: October 2007

Refurbished: 2026 dry dock

Guests: 2,388 at double occupancy

Gross tonnage: About 93,500

Length: 965 feet

Crew: 1,070

Top decks: Main pool, Vibe Beach Club & sports court

Best for: Couples, families and suite travelers in The Haven

  • The Haven courtyard and sun deck, plus two Garden Villas
  • Bar City: Maltings, Shakers & Magnum’s
  • Teppanyaki, sushi and Le Bistro among the specialty restaurants
  • Room tours filmed by Harr Travel

Norwegian Gem Highlights

Pool Deck on Norwegian Gem

Pool Deck

The main pool deck has two good-sized pools, four hot tubs and rows of loungers, with a bandstand in the middle for sailaway music and theme parties like the glow party. Topsiders Bar & Grill serves grilled favorites poolside, and the Bali Hai Bar sits one level up with more seating. A jogging track and extra sun deck circle above, and since the 2026 dry dock, Vibe Beach Club adds an adults-only retreat on Deck 14.

Danny's tip: “The two pools are perfect for swimming laps if you go early in the morning or in the evening. And what I love is that the Caribbean music starts kicking up as soon as you sail away.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 1:39

Spinnaker Lounge

The Spinnaker Lounge sits at the very top and front of the ship, with windows wrapped all the way around, stadium-style seating facing the bandstand and a full bar that circles the back of the room. It hosts trivia, games and lectures during the day, then live music and dancing at night. Danny points out that the refurbishment replaced the furniture and upholstery here, and it makes a bright, quiet spot on a sea day.

Danny's tip: “If you're cruising through some of the scenic parts of our world, this is the perfect spot to grab a seat looking right out the front or the side of the ship.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 5:21

Spinnaker Lounge on Norwegian Gem
The Haven on Norwegian Gem

The Haven

The Haven Courtyard is open only to guests in designated Haven suites. It has a small pool, a large hot tub, steam rooms for ladies and gentlemen, dining tables with light bites, and extra-padded loungers, all under a Magradome roof that opens or closes with the weather. Up a flight of stairs, the private Haven sun deck is for guests 16 and older, with daybeds, cabanas, umbrellas and cocktail service.

Danny's tip: “I love these extra-comfy padded loungers with the terry cloth covers. It's the perfect place to grab a book on a sea day, and keep in mind your butler can arrange meals for you all around the ship.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 7:06

Garden Cafe & The Great Outdoors

The Garden Cafe is the casual buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with made-to-order pasta and noodle soups, salad bars on both sides, Indian and Asian dishes, a burger grill, a kids' buffet and soft-serve ice cream. Out back, The Great Outdoors extends the buffet onto the aft deck with its own grill and full bar, tables under a large shade tent and more seating in the sun right along the stern.

Danny's tip: “On boarding day I generally go all the way to the back, because people tend to stop and crowd near the entrance. The tables right along the aft are my favorite spot to dine outside.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 8:55

Garden Cafe & The Great Outdoors on Norwegian Gem
Mandara Spa & Thermal Suite on Norwegian Gem

Mandara Spa & Thermal Suite

The Mandara Spa offers massages, facials, acupuncture and Medi-Spa treatments, plus a salon and a full barbershop. The Thermal Suite is a separate paid pass with limited spots. Norwegian redesigned it in the May 2026 dry dock with a more central layout, many more heated tile loungers, updated saunas and steam rooms, a refreshed hot tub and thalassotherapy pool, and a new charcoal sauna, ice room, salt room and IV lounge.

Danny's tip: “I've had back issues for a long time, so the heated stone loungers are where I go after a busy day in port. I highly recommend buying the pass on the first day, because they only sell a limited number.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 14:53

Orchid Garden, Sushi & Teppanyaki

Orchid Garden on Deck 7 is the Asian fusion restaurant, with dishes like orange peel beef, hot and sour soup and noodles drawing on Chinese, Thai and Japanese cooking. The sushi bar sits right next to it, and sushi can also be ordered in the restaurant. Teppanyaki is a separate room where chefs cook steak, seafood and fried rice on the grill in front of you, so dinner comes with a show.

Danny's tip: “I always reserve sushi just about every single day. Teppanyaki is incredibly popular, so I highly recommend that you pre-book it.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 27:53

Orchid Garden, Sushi & Teppanyaki on Norwegian Gem
Le Bistro & the Main Dining Rooms on Norwegian Gem

Le Bistro & the Main Dining Rooms

Le Bistro serves classic French dishes like escargot and coq au vin, and Danny notes its updated decor could pass for Norwegian's newest ships. The two complimentary main dining rooms, Grand Pacific and Magenta, share the same rotating menu with classic favorites, and tables run from two up to ten. Both are reached from the top down, so check the signs at the elevator bank. Ask the waiters for wine pairings.

Danny's tip: “Le Bistro fills up, so stop by on boarding day or pre-book your reservation. In the Grand Pacific, I always ask to be seated by the big windows in the very back.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 32:35

Bar City

Bar City links three bars along Deck 6. Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar has a deep list of scotch and bourbon plus beer on tap. Shakers Martini & Cocktail Bar opens into a lounge by the atrium with a bandstand for live music before dinner, and Magnum's Champagne & Wine Bar hosts tastings in Art Deco surroundings. The Corona Cigar Club, with its humidor and cognacs, is close by for the end of the night.

Danny's tip: “Shakers is where you're going to find me most nights, because they make an incredible martini. The lounge is one of my favorite spots in the early evening before we head to dinner.”

▶ Watch in Danny's tour · 33:36

Bar City on Norwegian Gem

Signature Experiences on Gem

Two Garden Villas

High above the pool deck, two Haven Garden Villas each have three bedrooms with their own keycard access, a private courtyard with a hot tub and steam room, and a private sun deck. Danny calls them truly incredible.

▶ See it · 3:59

The Peekaboo Bridge

All the way forward on Deck 11, a small seating area looks straight into the bridge, where guests can watch the officers at work, read plaques about the ship and see a screen with readings from the bridge.

▶ See it · 19:00

Promenade Deck

Outside on Deck 7, an old-school promenade deck has loungers, shuffleboard and deck games. Danny likes it on sea days and for getting close to the scenery when the ship sails through beautiful parts of the world.

▶ See it · 36:30

NCL News & Updates

Get Ready for a Splash! NCL Unveils Massive Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is taking its private island experience to the next level with a massive transformation of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. The cruise line has announced an array of new amenities, with the centerpiece being a nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark- set to open in the summer of 2026.This isn't just an upgrade; it's a complete reinvention of the island experience. According to David J. Herrera, President of NCL, Great Stirrup Cay is already one of the cruise line's m

Ready to Sail Norwegian Gem?

We’ve walked the decks, filmed the rooms, and know which cabins are worth the upgrade. Call us at 1-888-871-4233, or reach out online and we’ll find the right sailing, cabin and rate for you.

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