No Production Shows for Norwegian Gem Due to Charter Sailings
Guests looking forward to their upcoming sailing on Norwegian Gem will not have the same entertainment options to enjoy that they might have anticipated.
The cruise line reached out to booked guests recently to alert them to the change, and the unique reason why.
“We want to keep you in the loop about a small adjustment to our entertainment lineup because sometimes, timing just doesn’t let all the stars align!” the email read.
The “stars” could be referring to the stars of the ship’s high energy production shows, who won’t actually be able to perform because of scheduling alignment.
“As part of our diverse cruise offerings, Norwegian Gem occasionally hosts charter sailings, and your cruise follows directly after one of these special events,” the notification explained.
“As a result, our spectacular cast from our larger production shows will not be onboard, meaning these performances won’t be available during your sailing.”
Norwegian Gem actually has several charter sailings booked back-to-back in the next few weeks.
The “Cruise to the Edge” progressive rock sailing (April 4-9) is followed immediately by the “Creed Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise” nostalgic ’90s rock cruise (April 9-15) and the “Heather McMahan Absolutely Knot Cruise” comedy sailing (April 13-17).
By offering multiple full ship charter sailings one after another, Norwegian Cruise Line can schedule training and onshore practices for the ship’s regular entertainment staff.
This may also be a time when cast members and regular entertainers are rotating to different ships, and so casts onboard may be incomplete.
Because of this, the regular production shows aren’t able to be offered on the next sailing(s). Guests aboard the April 20, 2025 departure – an 11-night Southern Caribbean itinerary – have received the notification, but other sailings may likewise be impacted, including the April 17 departure, a 3-night Bahamas cruise.
This does not mean, however, that there won’t be any entertainment at all aboard Norwegian Gem.
Instead of the typical production shows, there will be live music, multiple comedy performances, magic show, and more – including a mind-reading mentalist! (Or are they REALLY reading minds?)
Guests are urged to use the NCL App while onboard the ship or to refer to the Freestyle Daily newsletters for each day’s entertainment offerings, activities, shopping specials, and more.
Compensation Offered
Even though there will still be plenty of entertainment all around the ship, not to mention other onboard activities, Norwegian Cruise Line is still offering impacted guests some compensation for the inconvenience.
A $100 (USD) non-refundable onboard credit is being provided per stateroom, which can be used for specialty dining, spa treatments, photos, souvenirs, or just enjoying a drink.
All guests are also going to receive a 10% future cruise credit discount that can be used on any published Norwegian Cruise Line sailing through December 31, 2026.
This credit does not have to be used for another Norwegian Gem cruise, but instead can be applied toward any ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in any sailing region.
While these offers only apply to the April 20, 2025 departure of Norwegian Gem, it is possible the cruise line may extend similar offers at other times when the entertainment schedule is impacted.
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Another group of charter sailings, for example, is coming up in May 2025 as well. This includes the “Chefs Making Waves” culinary cruise (May 5-9), the “Little Stevens Underground Garage” rock cruise (May 9-13), and the “Lindsey Stirling’s Master of Tides” music concert cruise (May 13-17).
Guests booked immediately following these charter cruises will want to stay alert to any notifications from the cruise line about whether or not their onboard entertainment may also be impacted.
Norwegian Gem is homeported from Miami, Florida through mid-August, offering short Bahamas sailings that visit Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, depending on departure date and cruise length.
No Production Shows for Norwegian Gem Due to Charter Sailings