Norwegian Gem Review: A 5-Night Spring Break Family Cruise from Jacksonville, Florida

We sailed on the Norwegian Gem from March 28 to April 2, 2026, on a 5-night itinerary that included stops in Freeport (Grand Bahama), Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay, along with one sea day. This trip was a spring break getaway for our family of four—my wife, our 17-year-old son, and our 18-year-old daughter. From the moment we boarded, the ship felt easy to navigate with a straightforward layout, which made getting around simple throughout the week. Our oceanview stateroom on Deck 8 was in a convenient location and comfortably accommodated all four of us with a king bed, a bunk above, and a trundle bed—plenty of space for sleeping and recharging between activities.

First view of the Norwegian Gem as we arrived at the port in Jacksonville—the start of a great spring break cruise.

Dining on board was a mix of convenience and a few standout experiences. We found ourselves going to O’Sheehan’s often for breakfast and lunch since it was close to our room and easy for a quick meal. For dinner, we ate in the main dining rooms most nights, where the service was consistently excellent with attentive and friendly wait staff. While the food in the main dining rooms was good, it didn’t particularly stand out. The highlight of our dining experience was definitely the specialty restaurants. Moderno Churrascaria, the Brazilian steakhouse, was very good—especially for my wife and me—though our kids weren’t as impressed. The standout meal of the cruise was Le Bistro, the French restaurant, which was absolutely outstanding. It was my first time trying escargot, and the filet was one of the best meals I’ve had on a cruise. The crew across the entire ship was truly the highlight of the experience, as every staff member we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and genuinely focused on creating a great experience for guests.

Each port stop brought a different experience—and a great reminder that even the best plans can change. In Freeport, we spent a short time exploring the port area, doing some shopping, and attempting to visit Pier One to watch the shark feeding, but it was closed. Instead, we adjusted and enjoyed a relaxing walk around the area, which ended up being a nice way to spend our time there. In Nassau, our original excursion was canceled due to weather, but that turned into a highlight of the trip. We joined a small group tour with a local driver who took us around the island to several key spots, including Atlantis, the Queen’s Staircase, a historic fort, a beach, and local stops for rum cake, chocolate, and wine tastings. It was an informative and enjoyable way to experience Nassau. Our favorite stop, however, was Great Stirrup Cay. The island was beautiful, with plenty of food options, a great beach, and a new pool area that made for a perfect, relaxing day. One of the most memorable moments of the entire trip happened on our final sea day, when we unexpectedly got to witness the launch for the historic Artemis II mission while sailing off the coast of Florida. It was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience and a powerful reminder that sometimes the best parts of a trip are the ones you never see coming.

Exploring Nassau and making a stop at the colorful Umbrella Street—a fun and vibrant spot during our island tour.

A stop at the historic Queen’s Staircase in Nassau—one of the most well-known landmarks on the island.

Trying fresh coconut from a local stand in Nassau—a simple but memorable part of exploring the island.

While we traveled as a family, this cruise is better suited for couples or adult friend groups looking for a more relaxed experience. Our kids still had a good time, but they have definitely enjoyed past cruises more that offered a wider variety of activities geared toward teens. This may not be the best fit for kids who need constant entertainment or a more action-packed environment. The biggest highlight of this cruise was the staff—every crew member we encountered was friendly, helpful, and genuinely focused on creating a great experience for guests. On the downside, entertainment options were somewhat limited, and we were surprised at how early some areas of the ship seemed to shut down. One evening around 11 p.m., it was difficult to find an open bar outside of the nightclub. While we would consider sailing on the Norwegian Gem again, it would likely be as a couple rather than with our kids, at least until they are older.

Relaxing at the pool on Great Stirrup Cay—easily one of our favorite stops of the cruise.

Exploring Freeport after a change in plans—sometimes the unexpected moments turn into the most relaxing parts of the trip.

Kevin taking on the rock wall—one of the onboard activities he enjoyed during the cruise.

The unexpected highlight of our trip—watching the Artemis rocket launch from the ship on our final sea day.

One of our favorite spots on the ship was the Great Outdoors on Deck 12 aft. It offers an extension of the buffet along with a bar, but more importantly, it’s a quieter and less crowded alternative to the main pool area. It’s a great place to relax outside, enjoy a drink, and grab a bite without the heavier traffic you’ll find elsewhere on the ship.

If you’re sailing with Norwegian, make reservations as early as possible—especially for specialty dining. Popular times fill up quickly, so booking as soon as your window opens will give you the best options.

We highly recommend considering the Free at Sea Plus package. Even though we typically don’t purchase drink packages, this one provided excellent value for our trip. It included Starbucks, the drink package, upgraded Wi-Fi, two specialty dining meals, and prepaid gratuities, which made it a worthwhile upgrade for us.

The thermal suite was another feature we found worth the cost. It provided a relaxing space to unwind each day and was rarely overcrowded during our visits.

Finally, if you’re booking a cruise on Norwegian, we strongly recommend choosing an itinerary that includes Great Stirrup Cay. It was a highlight of our trip, with a beautiful beach, great food options, and a new pool area that made for an excellent beach day experience.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.