Category: general cruising

Onboard Norwegian Gem

After we received our keycards, we finally headed closer to our ultimate destination: Norwegian Gem. My past experience boarding the Celebrity Apex where many crew formed a reception line, had raised my expectations as to what the experience of boarding Norwegian Gem would be like. There were no welcome lines, but still a few...

NCL Gem at Terminal B

Getting to Norwegian Gem

  Not following my usual advice of arriving at a port city a day prior to a cruise, I got up early and headed to the airport. Knowing that I would be going to Florida, I first put on an N95 mask and then added a more stylish Vera Bradley mask. I...

Norwegian Gem

Countdown to a Test Cruise

I feel a bit like a pro as far as flying during COVID since I did it about a month ago. Gone are the days of packing, grabbing a passport and credit card and hopping on a plane. My earlier trip to Greece took quite a bit of effort just to prepare...

Cruise Cliffhanger

Cruisers wish daily for good news about the restart of cruising, but sometimes emotions override reality. Misinformation and disinformation about the cruise industry creates difficulties for the cruise lines. Anxious passengers start blaming anybody in the way without thinking of the consequences of the resumption of cruising before entirely ready. Blame gets...

Na Pali Coast

Pride of America Pointers

A Perfect Ship for Cruising the Hawaiian Islands I have sailed twice on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America(POA) visiting the largest four Hawaiian islands. I can’t think of a better way to explore the major islands of Hawaii than sailing on Norwegian’s Pride of America. Why? Because cruising eliminates the need...