Our 2015 Norwegian Gem Cruise: Photos, Ports & Lessons
A look back at Anne’s first cruise, the days ashore and the cabin preference we brought home.
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Next time, a balcony.
This was the trip when we decided we would want a balcony on future cruises. The room was small, but the memories reach well beyond it: food we enjoyed, time ashore and the changing light over the sea.
A small cabin.
A lasting preference.
Our cabin had a large ocean-facing window above the bed. There wasn’t much more room than you can see in this photograph.
We realized during this trip that a balcony would be what we would book for future cruises. That was our preference, not a rule for every traveler.
The exact cabin number and booked category are not established by our archive.
“We realized on this trip that a balcony would be what we would book for future cruises.”Jim, remembering the trip
Starting Anne’s first cruise.
I remember wanting Anne to have an amazing experience. This was her first trip of this kind, and she was nervous.
We had a drink as we boarded and went for food at O’Sheehan’s while waiting for our room and bags. Looking back, I remember the weather being great and the food being wonderful.
Our photographs bring back New York Harbor, time on the ship and the changing light over the sea.
Three stops. Different moments.
Cocoa Beach
I remember going to the beach and fighting with an umbrella. The archive also includes photographs of a large aquarium in a surf-shop setting.
Great Stirrup Cay
A tender ride, the beach, shade and reptiles around the island. I remember one crawling near where we had set up.
Nassau
We took a taxi over to Atlantis. The photographs bring back an interior visit and a walk around the marina.
What we brought home.
A cabin preference.
This was the trip when we decided a balcony would be our preference for future cruises.
The quiet mornings.
Getting up early, finding coffee and waiting for sunrise is one of my favorite cruise routines.
More than a memory.
Our photographs help us revisit scenes and details that are harder to remember years later.
About this story
This story draws on my original photographs and confirmed recollections of our July 2015 cruise. The food, weather, cabin and port memories describe that trip. The photographs help establish what was there; they cannot fill in every detail we no longer remember.
Editorial copy revised September 15, 2026. This is a historical travel account. For a trip today, confirm facilities, itineraries, access, prices and policies with the relevant operator. The planning panels offer questions to ask, without claiming a current inspection of the ship or destinations.
Photograph credits and editorial notes← Back to Trusted Travel Essentials