We are traveling with three generations from Barcelona to the Western Med over the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Last year the same group cruised with NCL out of New Orleans to two ports in Mexico, and one each in Belize and Guatemala.
While not luxurious, the services provided were adequate, but the children's activities were EXCELLENT, and rivaled Disney, which we had taken the previous year.
I realize all ships within the same line are not necessarily alike, so I would appreciate whatever experience or suggestions that any of you would be kind enough to provide.
My grandchildren are girls 8 and 9, and a 7 year old boy.

Babs, My mom and I just returned from a cruise on Norweigan Gem out of Barcelona on a 7 day med cruise (probably the same one you are thinking about). The ship was only 2 years old and we were treated like royalty. We could not have asked for a better experience during our 7 day cruise. They upgraded us from an outside room with window to a mini suite. "Really Nice"!! They even had penthouse suites that offered basically 2 staterooms that would be perfect for families.

The food that we ate was top notch and the service in all dining rooms was excellent! There are 4 dining rooms included in the cruise rate and then several more (maybe 6-8) that had a small cover charge around $10.00 PP to dine in.

They also had lots to entertain the guests in the theater (which was huge and beautiful). The pool area was big and had a lot to offer the kids and adults alike (spiral water slide, hot tubs, 2 pools).

I would highly recommend this cruise line for your family vacation. You will not be dissapointed. They offered everything in US $ and this made it easier for us.

The Gem is a larger and newer ship than those that sail from New Orleans, so in some respects it should be a better experience. I don't know about the NCL chilren's programs in the Med, but the facilities are pretty nice. Unfortunately, the kids won't be able to take advantage of the kids pools since they are outside.

I like the layout of the Gem better than the older ships (it has more individual restaurants and was built for freestyle cruising) and have sailed on it in the Caribbean (out of NYC), but I have no direct experience with the kids programs. Sorry I can't help directly with more information.

One thing you may really like are the free laundry rooms (just bring some soap and fabric softener or be prepared to buy it, but the machines are free).

Doug... are there still washing machines on the Gem? Heard they were all taken off a few months back. We will be cruising the Gem trans/atlantic..Have hard from an avid cruiser who does barges too that the Gem is one of her favorites.. After having cruised Celebrity I have my expectations to be lower. but the price was right as are the ports. Have not tried the new"free style" yet...

I haven't heard anything about laundry rooms being closed on NCL ships, but that would be a shame were it true.

The laundry rooms have all been removed from NCL ships. Was told this on both my back stage tours on the Star and Jade, that it was fleet wide.

They do run the "stuff" the bag days for $25. You can get a lot in a bag, if you roll and pack tightly.

I also always take with me a bar or Zote soap, have been doing so for years. It is easy to rinse stuff out in the sink and hang in the closet/shower line.

"I also always take with me a bar or Zote soap, have been doing so for years." - I bring my own shampoo, and use the provided on the cruise for a quick laundry in the sink.

I've been on the Gem twice now. First was the Med. cruise out of Barcelona. 2nd was just a 1 nighter out of NYC (not for kids)
We've also sailed NCL Spirit to Alaska a few years ago.
All were very nice. We had a early teen age daughter with us for the Med. & Alaska.
She loved the kids events in Alaska. She was about 13. NOt the age that they want to admit they are still kids. We signed her up and to this day, she'll tell you it was one of the best vacations we've ever taken. We've traveled with her to several countries and she loved this the best.
The Gem Med. was a wonderful cruise, but sooooo exhausting! We had never been to any of the ports before and really tried to get every minute out of it. We met a private driver at 7am at every port we were at in Italy. By they time we got back to the ship that evening, we were too exhausted to anything but eat our dinner. There is the 1st full day at sea. You will certainly want the kiddos entertained that day. I think NCL does a great job keeping them entertained.
I can't say enough good things about NCL.
Hope you enjoy your trip.