First time on NCL in 10 years.... thinking about DAWN, need your help!

[Cruizlovers]

Hello, we've not been on NCL in 10 years, not for any particular reason, only because we found RCCL and liked it. We ARE open minded and not RCCL snobs but found the Dawn to have a great itinerary in November and the price is great also for a balcony. We're thinking about cabin 9060 which is near the elevators. Is this a problem with noise? I've heard that the rooms are not insulated well and you can hear noise. We've read mixed reviews bout Dawn. Please share any assurances or tips with us about the Dawn as we are a little nervous what to expect. Any suggestions on balconies on deck 8 or 9 that might be quiet/convenient locations? Thank you in advance for any help!!

[smeyer418]

Hello, we've not been on NCL in 10 years, not for any particular reason, only because we found RCCL and liked it. We ARE open minded and not RCCL snobs but found the Dawn to have a great itinerary in November and the price is great also for a balcony. We're thinking about cabin 9060 which is near the elevators. Is this a problem with noise? I've heard that the rooms are not insulated well and you can hear noise. We've read mixed reviews bout Dawn. Please share any assurances or tips with us about the Dawn as we are a little nervous what to expect. Any suggestions on balconies on deck 8 or 9 that might be quiet/convenient locations? Thank you in advance for any help!!

 

The elevators are in the central core. not really near the rooms anyway and father away from the balcony rooms. Most of the time the elevators are fairly far away from the hallway anyway. We have been on Deck 9 on the Dawn and its never been a problem.

[newmexicoNita]

Hello, we've not been on NCL in 10 years, not for any particular reason, only because we found RCCL and liked it. We ARE open minded and not RCCL snobs but found the Dawn to have a great itinerary in November and the price is great also for a balcony. We're thinking about cabin 9060 which is near the elevators. Is this a problem with noise? I've heard that the rooms are not insulated well and you can hear noise. We've read mixed reviews bout Dawn. Please share any assurances or tips with us about the Dawn as we are a little nervous what to expect. Any suggestions on balconies on deck 8 or 9 that might be quiet/convenient locations? Thank you in advance for any help!!

 

you can read mixed reviews on any ship. I think it is interesting about the Dawn, I read 3 reviews recently, 2 gave her 5 stars and one gave her a signal star. I will be honest, anyone that gives a ship 0 or 1 star has an unrealistic idea about what to expect from a vacation in my estimation.

 

As for insulation, I haven't been on the Dawn, but have been on several ships near elevators and have never been bothered with undue noise.

 

Other than that I can't give you much information. I do think, other than maybe the MDR the food has improved on NCL not gone down like many have claimed. I think the buffets are much improved over 10 years ago.

 

Nita

[bakerintn]

We sailed on the Dawn in an inside cabin...next to a "blank" space. The only noise that we heard was from the hallway when people used their "outdoor" voices. We could barely hear the announcements that were in the hallway... just enough to know that there was one, but not able to understand them.

 

Noise from other cabins or work spaces were not a problem for us at all.

[bob brown]

I have been in cabins closest to elevators, and heard no sounds from elevators at all. They are almost silent except for the voice announcing the direction of travel and the deck number.

[leigh2205]

I was on the Dawn in 2008 and will be on it again next week. I never had any problems with the noise on the Dawn from the elevators but once in a while from a loud mouth group of people. But we've heard that on every ship! Of all the ships I've been on, the Dawn has been my favorite. The Mexican Restaurant is fantastic and I love the Blue Lagoon for comfort food! I hope this helps!

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

I just got off the Dawn a few weeks ago. I thought she was a great ship! I stayed in an outside room. I could hear the people next door, but barely, it was never an issue. The Dawn will be dry docking in May so you will benefit from that I am sure. Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

The service was great, the crew was great and the entertainment was good.

[Ontario cruise duo]

I just got off the Dawn a few weeks ago. I thought she was a great ship! I stayed in an outside room. I could hear the people next door, but barely, it was never an issue. The Dawn will be dry docking in May so you will benefit from that I am sure. Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

The service was great, the crew was great and the entertainment was good.

 

 

When they dry dock, are improvements/renovations made to the ship? Thinnking about sailing on it next March!

[dmp203]

The Dawn is my family's favorite ship. Not really sure why... It's not mine. :) That said, I still prefer NCL to any line (HAL, CC, RCCL are the others I've been on -- primarily for the dining options).

 

We were on the ship in 2004, 2005, and then again in 2008. I believe it's showing it's age (which I think you will find on any ship of that age). That said, my family again chose the Dawn over other ships for our 2011 trip. They just love it that much. I'm from the north east, and you can talk to strangers, stumble upon cruise chatter, and before you know it, someone is saying, "Oh, I love the Dawn..." I'm not sure what it is that folks like so much (I'm partial to the courtyard, which is not available on the Dawn) but there is some kind of NY connection to that ship -- and we're a loyal lot. Good luck with your decision.

[Zeno]

I was on the Dawn in a cabin (not a balcony on Deck 9 however) that was very near:

the elevators

the theatre

the Casino

and I can honestly say that we were never disturbed by noise. We actually kept marvelling that we did NOT hear anything. I found the sound-proofing of the cabins on our deck to be excellent.

 

We enjoyed the Dawn very much. The only thing that we felt that it lacked (for us) was a 2nd outdoor pool.

[hateswaterloves2cruise]

We've been on the Dawn 3 times and love her! We've been in an AB and a balcony just off the hall for the elevator and never had a problem with noise except kids once. Our other room was an aft AE and it was very quiet. The Dawn is a great ship. she is showing her age but I'm sure the drydock will correct a lot of that. Staff has always been great.