Is MDR open on for lunch when we get on ship

There are so many changes lately regarding what is on newer mega ships/older ships that it is hard to keep up.

In the past we used to be able to go to one of the MDRs to have lunch when we first got on board the ship. Is this still allowed. I will be on the Gem.

Absolutely, and it's a nice way to begin your vacation. :D

As All-ready2cruise said, it's a great option. Be aware that it may not open until noon-even slightly later for cruises that begin embarkation around 11:30. If crew members try to tell you it's not open, just wait.

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Does anyone know which mdr is open on the dawn? We really just like to sit and relax on our first lunch on board!

One MDR, the one usually open for lunch on sea-days, and that is usually the one at the stern, is open noon till 2pm.

It's unlikely to change, for the Dawn - it's Venetian or the larger MDR, deck 7 AFT (behind the atrium lobby) - locate/find/read the Freestyle Dailies for Day 1 as NCL usually have copies inside the terminal (Black Falcon in MA) while you wait to board to reconfirm the hours (typically 12 noon to 1:30 or 2 PM at the latest) Aqua is the smaller MDR, mid ship on deck 6 and not open for embarkation lunch. Crew members stationed near the gangways & elevators/stairs will do their best to steer everyone to the buffet (Garden Cafe) so just politely declined.

No reservations on a walk-in basis and if you go early, good chance of getting the few big picture window seats (small tables for 2 or 4) on either side. Been a part of our cruise tradition whenever doing NCL to do this, sit back, relax, enjoy the sit-down wait service since staterooms are usually not ready until 1 to 1:30 PM.

Here's one of the recent "live" Dawn review - services apparently slow and food not so great (just keep in mind that opinions about food are subjective, by definition - FWIW) ... but, it is still preferred by us over the maddness at the buffet circus, don't have to be mindful of getting hit by oversized wilderness backpack and toes run over by jumbo rollers, etc. LOL (ok, a little dramatic but true) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2382496

I am always surprised that the MDR is half empty for lunch the first day. It's like a secret that no one knows about (which I learned about here on cruise critic.). Anything beats walking on the ship then weaving through the masses trying to get a table at lido.

Anyone have a copy of the lunch menu?

Anyone have a copy of the lunch menu?

See these 2 uploads - it's pretty much used fleet-wide, everyday is the same - until changes are made & rolled out again, supposingly this summer. Haven't seen any newer uploads - the ones in Beyondship are same/older ...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=50052097&postcount=3

No daily specials, we ate once or twice in OSH instead and hit the buffet once for lunch, as the choices are rather "slim".