Trip Report, Day 8: Final Day on the Norwegian Gem

We got up early and got our stuff together to leave. We all met and had breakfast in the Garden Cafe Buffet. Our departure time was 9:30 a.m. and we had pink tags on our bags, so we had to get back to our room to scoop up our stuff and find a spot to wait. We hung out in the lounge area near the beer and whiskey bar waiting for pink to be called.

When pink was announced, we walked around the ship and got in line to check out. We first had to be cleared to leave the cruise and then we went to find our bags. As we gathered our bags together, TK went to look for a porter with a baggage cart. When he came back with the porter, he started to pile the bags on top of each other because we had a lot for seven people. He sped us through the line and through customs. We gave the customs agent our passports and the declaration slip, and we were on our way.

We had a great time cruising together on the Norwegian Gem and want to take many more cruises as a family in the years to come.

Just to make decisions on future cruises easier, here are some highlights and negatives from our trip on the Norwegian Gem:

The Highlights
- Food was available somewhere, 24 hours a day. 
- The private island, Great Stirrup Cay, was amazing and relaxing.
- The cabana rental was perfect for our big family.
- The Hippo Slide was fun. 
- The waitstaff was friendly and attentive.
- The stewards will get you whatever you need.
- The Chocoholic Buffet
- Alcoholic beverages were tasty. 
- The Pub Crawl was a good time.

The Negatives
- Apple juice was difficult to get for my toddler after breakfast.
- There was nothing for a toddler to do after 8 p.m.
- You need a ride to go anywhere at Port Canaveral. 
- The pools were crowded.
- Atlantis was a waste of time, unless you spent hundreds of dollars.
- No cupcakes, cookies or brownies
- Alcoholic beverages were pricey.
- Our room was quite small. 

Bon Voyage!