Dawn review: To paradise and back on one less engine.

[lukes]

The experience on this cruise was ours and ours alone. I do not attempt to speak for the other 2600+ passengers that sailed on this cruise. It is our honest opinions and experiences.

CRUISE: NCL Dawn 7 days to Bermuda August 22-29/10

HISTORY: 7th cruise. We love cruising. Have never had a bad cruise. 6 cruise with NCL, 1 with Royal, 3rd on Dawn. Traveling 4 myself 50, wife 52, daughter 23, daughter 21 all in 1 inside cabin deck 9. I don’t know how we made it work but we did.

NYC: We live just outside of Niagara Falls, ON just over the Canada/US border. We traveled by Amtrak from Niagara Falls NY to Penn station 2 days prior to the cruise. On Friday we met up with friends who live in Queens, who were also sailing on this cruise. (we met them on a previous cruise – you can meet some great people cruising) Stayed mid town Times Square Marriott, one of the nicest hotels we have ever stayed at. Enjoyed Saturday in Manhattan. Shopping, exploring, great city and we love our time there. Sunday after mass @ St. Patrick’s and then getting caught in the rain we took short cab ride to the pier.

EMBARKATION: Quick and easy, the way it should be. We arrived at the pier at approx 11:15 and were on board right at noon, I think we arrived before much of the crowd who arrived shortly after us. It was a nice touch to receive that day’s Freestyle Daily in the cruise terminal prior to boarding, however where was the champagne and O.J. as had been the experience on the previous few cruises? What happened to Freestyle 2.0? Looks like a return to Freestyle 0.0, I think they have taken a couple of steps backwards. We explored the ship a little and settled in the card room while waiting for our friends to join us. We met up and headed to the Venetian for lunch, missing out on the masses lining up in the Garden Café. Few people seem to know that the Venetian is available on embarkation day as the Venetian had approx 100 people. Lunch was good but no bread on the table for lunch. Another victim of Freestyle 0.0??

SHIP/CABIN: Having sailed 7 times previous we have learned 2 things. To pack a little less (not always successfully accomplished) and how to arrange the cabin to make it work for 4 adults. We had selected a sideways cabin as we feel this offers the most moving around room. If you can call it that, shuffling around room would be more like it. Our luggage arrived shortly after life boat drill, great not to have to bring life vests to this drill. Our room stewards arrived and introduced themselves. Two friendly fellows from India, always called us by name and always smiling, I engaged them in conversation a few times throughout the cruise.

STAFF: The staff overall was one of the most friendliest, pleasant crews we have sailed with. Very engaging and we had actual laughs with them at many times.

The CD was Matt Baker. One of the best CD’s we have had the pleasure of sailing with. A CD does not make or break a cruise but Matt was very funny, very entertaining, plays a very mean harmonica and always engaging.

FOOD/RESTAURANTS: Food is always the most subjective of areas. We have fairly neutral tastes, generally liking anything we don’t have to prepare, cook or clean up after ward. We ate all of our dinners in the Venetian, some lunches and breakfasts there also. Food quantity and quality was excellent, a few times when something was not to our taste is was quickly substituted for something else. However dinners did prove to be the biggest disappointment in the area of menu selection. On past cruises the menu was wide and varied, not so anymore. The right hand page of the menu was the same every night. The left hand side was selections for the day. Therefore the rotating selection was limited to 3 or 4 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 2 desserts. Don’t’ get me wrong the food was excellent but it was boring to see the same thing presented every day. Part of the menu space was taken up with advertising the drink specials, this was a new development and an obvious attempt to increase liquor sales.

I wanted to try a variety and tried not to double up but some nights that was very difficult and occasionally impossible to accomplish. There was lobster presented one night, however looking back on my notes from our previous experience on the Dawn lobster was presented twice. That might go against what I previously stated about variety and selection but hey its lobster. Service was never fast and too many times slower than it should have been. This along with the occasional wait for a table caused us to miss or be late for shows we should have easily been able to attend. Dessert and coffee/tea were not enjoyed as much as they should have been as often we rushed because we felt we had been there way too long at that point. The Garden café - the food again was very good with a wide variety of choices. The omelet station and waffle station surprisingly had short lines and I hardly had to wait long. Finding a table was sometimes more difficult and we had to circle a couple of times to find an open one. Blue Lagoon was good for afternoon snacks however service was quite slow here and we almost left once before we even received a menu We opted for the soda card for the first time this cruise. It was easy to use, just flashing the card we were give sodas quite quickly. Generally at dinner they were bringing a second round before we had to ask, however when they were bringing a third round on many occasions we knew diner was taking way to long. Room service had the best peanut butter and jam sandwiches I have ever had.

ENTERTAINMENT: My only complaint regarding entertainment is I wasn’t able to clone myself to take in all of the activities that they had going on during this cruise. Shows conflicted with games, which then conflicted with deck parties or music or something somewhere. Anyone who says they will be bored on a cruise doesn’t know what they are talking about. We enjoyed trivia, games, activities, dance lessons etc all day and evening long. Dave Heenan we found was funnier this time than on a previous cruise. We saw him many times around the ship and was always engaging. The Magic of Greg Gleason was the same as previously seen on a another cruise and wasn’t much better the second time around. The troupe from Second City was terrible, not funny at all. Each cruise the group from Second City seems to be getting weaker and less funny. Some skits went on much too long, almost to the point where it seemed like someone had forgotten lines and they were looking for a way out. NCL could do themselves a favor and eliminate Second City and put something else in it’s place. Jean Ryan Dance group is talented and energetic, but it has been the same shows for a few years now and needs some up dating. When Freestyle 2.0 was introduced they brought in White Hot Nights. Since 2.0 has died so should this. It is not a party, it is opportunity for NCL to sell White Hot Nights t-shirts. The event consists of the ships dancers showcasing their talent and then opening up the dance floor. Which is instantly packed with about 150 teens and you can’t move. I would much rather see a tropical deck party. What happened to this type of party? I realize this is cliché for a cruise but White `Hot Nights is not working, at least not for me. They did have a couple of dance parties on the deck but where was the food? Every time in the past these parties had food, there was none to be found on this cruise.

AMENITIES: The pool is small and usually very crowded though one late afternoon in Bermuda when most people were ashore we did get into the pool. The Dawn does offer extra pool side seating with its tiered seating area, and we could usually find a seat in this area, however NCL does need to do a better job of enforcing its policy of not hogging lounge chairs. My wife and I did join the spa for the week, as a treat since we were traveling 4 per cabin. I remember when this was $75 for the week, now it $99 and $165 for a couple. The spa was never crowded, it was a great place to go late in the afternoon, relax, swim, use the hot tub and thermo pool. I completed my stay with a nice shower and my own private, enormous change room. The gym was well equipped and was never over crowded.

BERMUDA: Our stay was very unfortunately cut short. On the second sea day to Bermuda we experienced an engine problem. There was a tremendous vibration that went on for a very long time and shook every part of the ship. Black smoke belched from the smoke stack. We were informed that a “serious incident” had occurred. No one was hurt but one of the engines experience total failure as the piston had come out of the side of the cylinder. In my opinion the handling and information was not very forthcoming and very delayed from the captain. He stated headquarters had been informed and technicians would board in Bermuda to access the situation and our stay could be effected. COULD BE!!. Official word did not come until approximately 7 pm on Wednesday. By this time we had been docked in Bermuda since 8 am that morning. Many people went ashore and purchased 3 day bus and ferry passes. However we noticed when we left the ship that morning there was a small sign that stated all aboard time would be 6am Friday morning. With this knowledge we purchased a two day pass. It was very small and missed by many, in fact our traveling companion missed the am, thinking it said 6 pm. NCL did offer a $50 per cabin refund for the missed day, and later we were refunded a portion of the port fees per person. The amount of $50 was insulting as the ship certainly had the opportunity to make much more than this on Friday which became a sea day. Plus I remember paying for the cruise based on per person not per cabin. Why was the refund not given per person?? Poor communication coupled with poor customer relationships left a sour taste in our mouths.

Other than that Bermuda is beautiful and was very hot, extremely hot, almost unbearably hot. Did I mention it was hot. We knew it would be going there in August so no real complaints. The water was amazing and even the water was hot with a temp of 85. Great for swimming, snorkeling etc. Our party rented a boat for one day and had a great time piloting our own little boat out to a ship wreck, to our very own private beach and cruising in the pristine water

OVERALL.

My disappointment stems from the fact we were only two days in Bermuda, if this cruise had been sold as two days in Bermuda we would not have booked. I realize ship (yes ship) happens but the way it was handled and communicated was very disappointing and the amount offered back was insult to injury. I am also disappointed with the disappearance of Freestyle 2.0. It was trumpeted in with great fanfare 3 years ago and has quietly all but disappeared. Freestyle 2.0 promised enhanced menus, instead the menus have been greatly reduced and are boring. Everything is geared to get you to spend more money on board. Even the poor menu selection is geared to get you to go to the specialty restaurants.

However, no matter what else, we had a great cruise. Heck we are on vacation and a vacation, what ever the type, is what you make of it. We decided to make lemonade out of a few lemons. Even thought we would have loved to have spent more time in Bermuda we enjoyed our time on the ship. Even though the menus should have been more varied we always found something to our liking. We love cruising, even this cruise made me realize how much I love cruising. We still find cruising a great value for your money. Would I like a return to Freestyle 2.0 yes, but I also understand the economics of today’s world. Will we cruise again, most definitely. Sadly we do not have another cruise booked at this time but I am sure we will be looking before too long. Will we sail on NCL again, yes the positives still outweigh the negatives, but we will also be looking at cruises on other lines as well.

[Don Haynes]

Thanks for the review. I will never understand how $50 per cabin credit is never appreciated by many passengers who for the most part do their very best to save $50 by bringing sodas, bottled water, and booze aboard...

 

I also don't buy the argument that NCL will earn more money from unwary passengers with another sea day. Its been my experience I spend more ashore, not at sea. No one is forcing anyone to buy anything aboard a ship, on a sea day or a shore day...

[iheartbda]

Thanks for the review. I will never understand how $50 per cabin credit is never appreciated by many passengers who for the most part do their very best to save $50 by bringing sodas, bottled water, and booze aboard...

That's an unfair broad statement to make. Besides, where did the OP say they took on their own sodas, etc.?

 

 

I also don't buy the argument that NCL will earn more money from unwary passengers with another sea day. Its been my experience I spend more ashore, not at sea. No one is forcing anyone to buy anything aboard a ship, on a sea day or a shore day...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but your experience is not necessarily everyone else's. ;) There could well be those who drink more, play more Bingo and gamble more in the casino and it doesn't mean they are unwary.....they just do it.:D

 

OP, thanks for your review. IMO, it was fair and balanced between the good and the bad but certainly seemed the good far outweighed the bad. I think you made darn good lemonade.:)

[komo]

Indeed, the limited selection in the main dining room was very disappointing. Honestly speaking, before our recent NCL cruise I was thinking about booking another one. Now, I'm not quiet sure about that. Cruising with Celebrity or Holland America is only USD 100 more, and main dining room menus are far better than on NCL. I hope they will abandon these menus and return to the 'old ones'.

[Jerseyboy1]

It was a nice touch to receive that day’s Freestyle Daily in the cruise terminal prior to boarding, however where was the champagne and O.J. as had been the experience on the previous few cruises? What happened to Freestyle 2.0? Looks like a return to Freestyle 0.0, I think they have taken a couple of steps backwards.

 

I am also disappointed with the disappearance of Freestyle 2.0. It was trumpeted in with great fanfare 3 years ago and has quietly all but disappeared. Freestyle 2.0 promised enhanced menus, instead the menus have been greatly reduced and are boring.

 

However, no matter what else, we had a great cruise.

 

OP thanks for the balanced and honest review. I always enjoyed sailing the Dawn and was happy to see that you turned a bad situation into a good experience. Sorry to say, I am also in agreement with your assessment of what is currently passing as Freestyle 2.0 on NCL's ships.

 

I am also happy to see I'm not the only one that feels a little short changed with the cutbacks to 2.0.

 

Maybe a reclassification is in order......1.5 maybe?

 

Anyway enjoy your next cruise whatever line you choose.

[RaMar]

I really enjoyed reading your review. We took this cruise on Aug.1, and it was really nice. We experienced a short blackout on our cruise, perhaps it was a sign of things to come. Loved the Dawn and Bermuda was great. Glad that you had a good time.

[darrengs]

Mike, that pretty well sums up our experience as well except for the fact that it was our first NCL cruise so I wasn't aware of any changes. Thanks again for setting up the Meet and it was good seeing everyone there. We also ate our dinners early and never had to wait or were we late to shows because of it.

 

Thanks for the review. I will never understand how $50 per cabin credit is never appreciated by many passengers who for the most part do their very best to save $50 by bringing sodas, bottled water, and booze aboard...

 

I also don't buy the argument that NCL will earn more money from unwary passengers with another sea day. Its been my experience I spend more ashore, not at sea. No one is forcing anyone to buy anything aboard a ship, on a sea day or a shore day...

 

 

Nobody is being "forced" to spend money. But based on the number of people I personally saw buying drinks at the pool area alone not even taking into consideration the casino, I can't see how you can not believe that it would be possible for NCL to make more money from the Sea day. What you spend ashore has no relation to what NCL makes from a captive audience on a sea day.

[darrengs]

I really enjoyed reading your review. We took this cruise on Aug.1, and it was really nice. We experienced a short blackout on our cruise, perhaps it was a sign of things to come. Loved the Dawn and Bermuda was great. Glad that you had a good time.

 

 

Though last months Bermuda cruise on the Dawn was our 11th cruise it was only our first NCL. Will I cruise NCL again? Most likely. Will I cruise the Dawn again? Very unlikely. Perhaps it is poor maintenance or perhaps it is a far more serious issue, but I have no faith in the Dawn based on it's tracke record.

[pieshops]

I think the Dawn is a cursed ship, she has had so many engine problems ( we were on the Dawn Adrift cruise last Thanksgiving with no engine for a day at sea then diverted to Puerto Rico) as well as the rogue wave incident.

 

I love NCL but not sure about going on the Dawn again.

[FuninWB]

Well, I'm going to take a chance next May after the Dawn has gone to drydock. Our cruise was canceled, but we were able to rebook for May 27 at the lower price plus a $50 OBC.

[flowerchild]

Thanks for the review.

 

I am not a fan of the new menus, either. I found them to be limiting and boring after a few days. If one tires of the menu and none of the specials appeal, you are SOL.

 

We also loved Bermuda and would have been upset at the loss of an entire day...sorry you experienced that.

 

The truth is that NCL has no obligation to reimburse for the lost day, it is in the cruise contract. The fact that they do is a courteous gesture, but I understand your feelings...

[cruiser willy]

Thank you!!!

 

To Don Haynes:

It is pure FACT that ships make all their money while at sea. There is NO DEBATING THIS!!!!

 

When I was a kid, ships would frequently port over night in MANY Caribbean ports...or till very late at night. No more. The lines have realized that their passengers can't spend money on board if they're not on board. Besides the ships' casinos and stores being closed, the bar business is GREATLY reduced while in port. The Boston to Bermuda run has been adjusted to only 2 1/2 days from the former 3 1/2 days in port. The ships sail at a swimmers pace back to Boston to soak up everyone's money!

[darrengs]

Thanks for the review.

 

I am not a fan of the new menus, either. I found them to be limiting and boring after a few days. If one tires of the menu and none of the specials appeal, you are SOL.

 

We also loved Bermuda and would have been upset at the loss of an entire day...sorry you experienced that.

 

The truth is that NCL has no obligation to reimburse for the lost day, it is in the cruise contract. The fact that they do is a courteous gesture, but I understand your feelings...

 

 

I agree and understand that NCL is not obligated to give anything for the lost day in Bermuda. But when the itinerary change is due to their own mechanical failure IMO it is the right thing to do. We were not actually reimbursed for the lost day as the $12.50 PP could not be construed as a reimbursement of anything and we were only reimbursed part of the port fees for the day. What we received was more insulting then it was a courteous gesture and as Mike stated it was also extremely poor how communication to the passengers was handled.

 

I feel I must temper this with stating I also had a good vacation and this was a blemish on the overall experience and in no way would I let it "ruin" my vacation. But when booking my next cruise I will definitely keep NCL's customer relations philosophy in mind.

[flowerchild]

I agree and understand that NCL is not obligated to give anything for the lost day in Bermuda. But when the itinerary change is due to their own mechanical failure IMO it is the right thing to do. We were not actually reimbursed for the lost day as the $12.50 PP could not be construed as a reimbursement of anything and we were only reimbursed part of the port fees for the day. What we received was more insulting then it was a courteous gesture and as Mike stated it was also extremely poor how communication to the passengers was handled.

 

I feel I must temper this with stating I also had a good vacation and this was a blemish on the overall experience and in no way would I let it "ruin" my vacation. But when booking my next cruise I will definitely keep NCL's customer relations philosophy in mind.

 

I am so sorry that happened to you...it does stink that it was NCL's fault as opposed to it being for a reason out of thier control, such as weather. My sister was on a cruise while a large hurricane hit the caribbean and they were forced to skip two stops. RCCL did not reimburse them a red cent.

[darrengs]

I am so sorry that happened to you...it does stink that it was NCL's fault as opposed to it being for a reason out of thier control, such as weather. My sister was on a cruise while a large hurricane hit the caribbean and they were forced to skip two stops. RCCL did not reimburse them a red cent.

 

I have been lucky we have been forced to make changes only 4 times including this time. All previous 3 times were "acts of god", 1 medical and 2 weather, and the onetime that our itinerary was totally changed we were given a voucher for 50% off our next cruise. And in everyone of those previous instances the communication from the bridge was immediate and forthcoming, I just felt as NCL held back with information until the last possible moment. Now this instance IMO did not warrant anything as large as that but $50PP seemed to be the consensus of most people I talked to on the actual cruise. Of course there were people IMO overreacting and looking for free cruises and I am sure others who felt it was more compensation then required, I just did not leave feeling that the right thing was done. And based on her track record I definitely have no faith in the maintenance of the Dawn.

[singinglizzie]

Now this instance IMO did not warrant anything as large as that but $50PP seemed to be the consensus of most people I talked to on the actual cruise. Of course there were people IMO overreacting and looking for free cruises and I am sure others who felt it was more compensation then required, I just did not leave feeling that the right thing was done. And based on her track record I definitely have no faith in the maintenance of the Dawn.

 

Thanks for the review. I did the math and assuming 2000 people on board @ $50 each that would be $100,000. I have no idea how much much money each ship can make per sea day, but giving back $100,000 seems like a lot of money. Assuming 1000 cabins @ $50 per cabin, that would be $50,000 they reimbursed. Still seems like a lot of money to give out. I wonder how all those NCL bean counters felt about that?

[CruiseWithUs64]

Thanks for the review. I did the math and assuming 2000 people on board @ $50 each that would be $100,000. I have no idea how much much money each ship can make per sea day, but giving back $100,000 seems like a lot of money. Assuming 1000 cabins @ $50 per cabin, that would be $50,000 they reimbursed. Still seems like a lot of money to give out. I wonder how all those NCL bean counters felt about that?

 

People also do not understand that with a canceled port day most save money in food etc which they would purchase in port - unless they pack their lunches in the morning (as I have observed many to do so).

 

:p

 

It was an interesting review nevertheless.

 

I love the Dawn and had never a problem with her. As a matter of fact I was on last year's 5 Nighter which was the cruise prior to the 9 Nighter which featured 'a floating day in the Caribbean' with a stop in San Juan.

:D

 

I think the best way to cruise is to consider that

a) a ship is a ship not a hotel. Technical problems can always occur and fixing it is much tougher on a cruise ship than in a land based hotel.

b) a bad day on a cruise is always better than a good day at work

[lukes]

Thanks for the replies. I know I was a little late in posting the review, and i appoligize for that, but life got in the way when we got back. I know NCL did not have to give anyback, but the fact that did by cabin was a little confusing and in my opinion poorly handled. We received $12.50 per person yet our friends who were traveling as two received $ 25.00 each. I all comes down to fairness, do for one do for all. If we all received nothing than we would all be in the same boat, pun intended, but this way the compensation was not equal.

 

Again thanks for the comments and replies.

[electricron]

Thanks for the replies. I know I was a little late in posting the review, and i appoligize for that, but life got in the way when we got back. I know NCL did not have to give anyback, but the fact that did by cabin was a little confusing and in my opinion poorly handled. We received $12.50 per person yet our friends who were traveling as two received $ 25.00 each. I all comes down to fairness, do for one do for all. If we all received nothing than we would all be in the same boat, pun intended, but this way the compensation was not equal. Again thanks for the comments and replies.

 

I understand why you feel the way you do, but I think you're wrong. Here's why: "You already got a major discount when booking the third, fourth, or more passenger for your cabin." Usually the first two passengers per cabin pay the full fare price, and the rest get a significant discount on the fares.

 

But I don't expect you to agree to what I think is fair either.

[Chihuahua-Mama]

lukes

 

Thank-You

 

I have been an a cpl cruises, and I have always traveled with Carnival.

My husband wants to do the Bermuda run, and leaving from Boston rather then NY or Baltimore is of great interest to me, as we are driving from New Brunswick.

 

I will be honest, I was most worried about the entertainment, as I find that Carnival has always filled my needs as far as stuff going on. But as I read your review, I turned to my hubby and said, its a go, I have no problem using NCL. Then I read hi the Entertainment part of your review.

 

I appreciate your review, I learned a lot, and I feel well informed now.

 

Thank-You!

 

Anna

[Chihuahua-Mama]

Oh, forgot I wanted to tell you, we just returned from a Caribbean cruise from NY and we also stayed at the Marriott in Times Square. WOW Awesome wasn't it? And those elavators!!! We were on the 37th floor and my ears popped everytime we went up or down!