Norwegian Gem vs Norwegian Jewel

The Norwegian Gem was built in 2007. It was renovated in 2015. It's 2 years newer than the Jewel, which was built in 2005 and renovated in 2022.

Comparison Overview

• Ship Size
• Number of Passengers
• Food and Restaurants
• Bars and Drinks
• Pools and Hot Tubs
• Ship Features and Activities
• Cruise Costs
• Onboard Costs

Ship Size

The Gem is considered a small size ship. Coming in at 965 feet long and 125 feet wide, it's roughly the length of 2.7 football fields, as wide as 2.4 tractor-trailers and the same height as a 11-story building. The Gem and the Jewel are in the same class, which means they're sister ships. For the most part, they're similar in terms of size and layout; although they may have different features and attractions on board.

Number of Passengers

Norwegian Gem holds about the same number of passengers as the Jewel based on double occupancy (two people per room). When you look at the "Space Ratio," or tons of ship compared to number of passengers, the Gem has the same amount of space per person as the Jewel.

Food and Restaurants

Food is a big part of any cruise, and the ship you choose can make a huge difference in your food experience.

The Gem has 20 different dining options like Le Bistro French, Main Dining Room, and Topsiders Bar & Grill. Of those options, 12 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 8 options have an additional fee.

The Jewel has 2 fewer dining venues. Some of its popular venues are Le Bistro French, Moderno Churrascaria, and Sushi Bar. 10 of these restaurants are complementary and the other 7 have an additional fee.

If you like having a variety of places to eat, the Gem might be a better choice. It has 11% more dining options than the Jewel.

Both ships have a similar number of paid versus included dining options.

Restaurants on Norwegian Gem & Jewel

Bars and Drinks

The Norwegian Gem has 4 more bars than the Norwegian Jewel.

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. Both ships serve the Coca-cola family of products. That means Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship.

You can check out recent the bar menus for the Gem and the Jewel below.

Pools and Hot Tubs

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day for 7 days in a pool, a cruise isn't for you. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Norwegian Gem has a total of 3 pools and 5 hot tubs. Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools are adults only. 1 of the pools and 1 of the hot tubs are exclusive access, which means there's either an extra charge to access them or you need to book a certain class of cabin to have access to them.

The Norwegian Jewel has the same number of pools as the Gem and the same number of hot tubs.

Ship Features and Activities

Both ships have lots of activities to keep you busy throughout your cruise. Below you'll see a list of some of the major features on these ships. On the Gem, 64% of the activities below are included in the cruise fare. On the Jewel, only 60% of the activities are included, meaning you might spend more money while on board.

Cruise Costs

Norwegian is a mainstream cruise line. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. To get a good idea of how the pricing compares, visit Norwegian's website to price out the separate cruises or consult a travel professional.

Onboard Costs

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Norwegian ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a More at Sea fare. Through this program, guests receive open bar, a discount on excursions, some free internet, and some meals at specialty restaurants. If you book using this promotion, you'll be responsible for the gratuities on the dining and drink package. If you won't be using these options, booking a "sail away" rate that doesn't include the More at Sea benefits is considerably cheaper. Also, most of these benefits are the base packages; you can spend more to upgrade to better alcoholic drinks or faster/more wifi.

Want to Stay Up-To-Date on All Things Cruising?

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Articles Related the These Ships

How Norwegian Cruise Line’s Drink Packages Work

Norwegian Cruise Line Sailing From Philadelphia in 2026

A New Cruise Ship is Coming to Jacksonville

Wheel of Fortune Coming to 16 Norwegian Ships

Norwegian to Offer Collectible Starbucks Mugs

Why to Use Port Valet While Cruising From Seattle

About Cruise Spotlight
Founded in 2020, Cruise Spotlight's goal is to help people understand every aspect of cruising. Plenty of sites focus on the perfect Instagram pictures and marketing fluff. We focus on what really matters: onboard expenses, tips for cruise ships, detailed cruise reviews, and more. Our goal is to provide helpful, unbiased information to new and established cruisers. Over the years, we've helped millions of people get the most from their cruise vacation.
Learn more about Cruise Spotlight.