Ship Comparison
Norwegian Gem vs Norwegian Star
For those seeking a lively, flexible cruise with diverse entertainment and dining, Norwegian Gem offers a vibrant, well-loved experience, while Norwegian Star provides a more intimate and recently refreshed journey.
The verdict
Both Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Star embrace the casual spirit of Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising, offering guests the freedom to dine and enjoy entertainment on their own schedule. The Gem, a slightly newer vessel, excels with its energetic atmosphere, robust entertainment lineup, and particularly strong community of repeat passengers who appreciate its convivial vibe. The Star, while older, has benefited from a significant refurbishment, providing a more modern feel and a slightly more intimate experience without sacrificing the variety that NCL is known for. Your choice will likely come down to a preference for the Gem's established lively character versus the Star's refreshed, relaxed elegance.
Choose Norwegian Gem if…
Norwegian Gem is ideal for social travelers, families during holidays, and entertainment enthusiasts who thrive in a lively, flexible environment with a strong sense of community and diverse activities.
Best for
- Freestyle Socialites seeking a lively and interactive cruise experience.
- Families looking for diverse entertainment and kid-friendly activities during holidays.
- Entertainment enthusiasts who appreciate high-quality Las Vegas-style shows and varied nightlife.
- Travelers desiring generous open deck space and a convivial atmosphere.
Avoid if
- You prefer a quiet, more intimate, or highly structured cruise experience.
- You dislike crowds, especially on sea days at the main pool deck or during popular events.
- You expect complimentary access to all specialty dining and premium drinks without a package.
- You are sensitive to noise, as the Atrium and late-night venues can be quite lively.
Choose Norwegian Star if…
Norwegian Star appeals to those seeking a relaxed yet activity-rich cruise, including families, retirees, and wellness enthusiasts, who appreciate a blend of intimate spaces and modern amenities on a mid-sized ship.
Best for
- Wellness & Relaxation Enthusiasts who appreciate spa facilities and quiet retreats.
- Families seeking dedicated youth clubs and a fun splash pool, alongside flexible dining.
- Freestyle Foodies who value diverse complimentary and specialty dining options.
- Travelers looking for a recently refurbished ship with modern amenities on a mid-sized scale.
Avoid if
- You have infants or toddlers who are not potty-trained, as they are restricted from all pools.
- You prefer a ship with a very high-energy, non-stop party atmosphere.
- You wish to avoid additional costs for spa access or all specialty dining.
- You prefer a cruise experience with a very traditional, formal ambiance.
Overall Vibe
Norwegian Gem
The Norwegian Gem, launched in 2007, carries a substantial 93,530 tonnage across its 12 decks, embodying a casual and flexible spirit. It's truly a ship with a fierce fan base, known for its convivial and fun-filled atmosphere that encourages interaction and spontaneity. Guests appreciate the generous open deck spaces and the "Freestyle Cruising" approach, which allows for a relaxed journey where schedules are largely optional. This vessel maintains a lively character, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a dynamic cruise experience with plenty of opportunities to socialize and unwind.
Norwegian Star
The Norwegian Star, built in 2001 and significantly refurbished in 2018, offers a relaxed yet well-appointed atmosphere as one of Norwegian's mid-size ships. It was pioneering as NCL's first ship designed for "Freestyle Cruising," emphasizing guest choice and flexibility. While it doesn't boast a specific tonnage or deck count in the provided information, its refreshed interiors give it a modern appeal. The Star strikes a balance between intimate spaces for quiet moments and exuberant areas for entertainment, making it a versatile option for travelers who value comfort and diverse offerings.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Norwegian Gem
Carrying 2,394 guests with a crew of 1,101, Norwegian Gem fosters a casual, flexible, and genuinely convivial atmosphere. The ship is particularly lively, especially during holiday sailings, attracting a diverse mix of age groups and families. It boasts a high rate of repeat passengers, a testament to its welcoming environment where guests feel at home. The busy Atrium serves as a central hub for activities, and popular theme nights like the "Glow Party" invite everyone to join in the fun, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a social and engaging cruise.
Norwegian Star
With a capacity for 2,348 guests and a crew of 1,100, Norwegian Star offers a relaxed atmosphere that appeals to both families and retirees. Its public spaces strike a nice balance, providing intimate corners for quiet reflection alongside more energetic areas like the adults-only Spice H2O. The ship cultivates a welcoming environment, ensuring that while there's plenty of action for those who seek it, there are also ample opportunities for "me time." This makes the Star a suitable choice for travelers who appreciate flexibility and a comfortable, unhurried pace.
Dining
Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Gem offers a wide array of dining, blending complimentary options with enticing specialty venues. Guests can enjoy diverse complimentary meals at the cozier Magenta or elegant Grand Pacific main dining rooms, the expansive Garden Cafe buffet, the casual outdoor Great Outdoors, or 24/7 pub fare at O'Sheehan's. For an additional cost, options include the romantic Le Bistro (French), interactive Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi), traditional La Cucina (Italian), hearty Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse), classic Cagney's Steakhouse, and fresh Sushi, ensuring a culinary journey for every palate.
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star provides a rich culinary landscape with over 10 diverse restaurants, balancing included and specialty experiences. Complimentary options range from the contemporary Aqua and traditional Versailles main dining rooms to the Asian flavors of Ginza, the 24-hour pub fare at O'Sheehan's, and the varied Garden Cafe buffet. For those seeking elevated experiences, specialty restaurants like the Italian La Cucina, Brazilian Moderno Churrascaria, French Le Bistro, Japanese Teppanyaki, and Cagney's Steakhouse are available for an additional charge, offering a full spectrum of global tastes.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Norwegian Gem
Entertainment on Norwegian Gem is dynamic, featuring "excellently produced Las Vegas-style shows" in the Stardust Theatre, such as "The Broadway Cabaret" and "Ignite the Night," alongside tribute nights. Live music, from vocalists to jazz, fills various lounges like Magnum's Champagne & Wine Bar and the Crystal Atrium. Nightlife thrives with game shows like "Deal or No Deal" and "Famous Riffz," the popular "Glow Party" in the Spinnaker Lounge, and dancing at Bliss Ultra Lounge. The Gem Casino offers gaming excitement, complemented by diverse bars like Sugarcane Mojito Bar.
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star’s entertainment lineup is equally engaging, with Broadway and Vegas-style productions in the Stardust Theatre, including "Famous Riffz" and "Women of Rock." Beyond the main stage, guests can enjoy a variety of live music, magicians, and comedians across nearly 10 bars and lounges. The Star Casino provides gaming thrills, while the Bliss Ultra Lounge offers a high-energy dance experience. Adults can unwind or dance at Spice H2O by night, and game shows like "Wheel of Fortune" add interactive fun, ensuring diverse options for evening enjoyment.
Cabins & Suites
Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Gem offers 1,197 cabins, with standard rooms featuring comfortable layouts, though some can feel tight. Most include a "split bathroom" design with wall-mounted toiletries. The ship provides 27 wheelchair-accessible rooms. For a heightened experience, suites, including non-Haven and The Haven categories, come with butler and concierge service, an open bar package, complimentary Wi-Fi, and specialty dining. The Haven, an exclusive "ship within a ship" enclave on Deck 14, features a private courtyard, plunge pool, hot tub, and sun deck, housing luxurious Garden Villas up to 4,252 sq ft.
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star features a range of comfortable accommodations, from standard rooms with nautical decor and cherry furnishings to expansive suites. Standard cabins include a "split bathroom" with pump soap/shampoo, ample storage, and bedside USB ports. The ship offers a wide variety of suites, from Penthouses to the 5,700 sq ft Garden Villas, which boast private gardens, saunas, and hot tubs. Many suites, excluding mini-suites, feature whirlpool bathtubs. All suite guests receive Elemis bath products, with concierge service for all suites and butler service for Penthouse and higher categories.
Service & Onboard Style
Norwegian Gem
The service on Norwegian Gem aligns perfectly with its casual Freestyle Cruising ethos, emphasizing flexibility and guest freedom. The crew contributes to the convivial atmosphere, making guests feel welcome to enjoy dining and activities at their own pace. Personalized touches are available, such as professional portraits at Perspectives Studio, enhancing the overall relaxed and unscripted vacation style. The ship’s onboard style is centered around a lively, community-oriented experience where guests can truly tailor their journey.
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star upholds the "Freestyle Cruising" philosophy, offering a relaxed and accommodating service style. Suite guests benefit from personalized butler and concierge services, ensuring their preferences are met with attentive care. The ship's onboard style, enhanced by its 2018 refurbishment, blends modern comforts with the original spirit of flexibility, allowing guests to unwind in intimate settings or participate in diverse activities as they choose, fostering a comfortable and unhurried vacation experience.
Best Itineraries
Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Gem is a versatile vessel, offering a broad spectrum of itineraries that cater to various travel desires. Guests can explore the warm waters of the Caribbean and Bahamas, immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Europe, or discover the picturesque landscapes of Canada & New England. The ship also undertakes Transatlantic voyages and shorter weekend cruises, providing options for both extended journeys and quick getaways, making it suitable for year-round exploration to top destinations.
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star offers engaging itineraries that span a diverse range of captivating regions. Travelers can immerse themselves in the history and beauty of the Mediterranean, explore the scenic coastlines of Northern Europe, enjoy the vibrant warmth of the Caribbean, or experience the classic journey of a Transatlantic crossing. This variety ensures that the Star can cater to different seasonal preferences and travel aspirations, appealing to guests looking for both cultural enrichment and relaxing getaways.
What reviewers say
Norwegian Gem
4/5Norwegian Gem, though not the newest or largest, boasts a fierce fan base drawn to its casual Freestyle Cruising, excellent Las Vegas-style shows, and diverse dining. It offers an accessible and fun experience with generous open deck space and a convivial atmosphere for most cruisers.
Norwegian Star
4/5Norwegian Star delivers many of Norwegian's most beloved features on a more intimate scale. Its recent refurbishments have successfully kept this original Freestyle ship modern and appealing to a broad range of cruisers.
Itineraries to compare
Pick an itinerary on either ship to see all available departure dates.
Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Star
Read our guides
In-depth guides on the ships and cruise lines in this comparison.
Ship Guide
Norwegian Gem: Your Guide to Freestyle Cruising
Discover why Norwegian Gem's loyal fans love its diverse dining, vibrant shows, and relaxed atmosphere.
Ship Guide
Norwegian Star: Modern Freestyle Cruising on an Intimate Scale
Discover Norwegian Star, offering a modern take on NCL's Freestyle Cruising with broad appeal.
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