Great week on the Dawn

[kstatewildcat]

Just returned from the 12/15-22 cruise on the Dawn. We had a grand time, despite a few days of rainy weather. While this ship has gotten some negative comments on these boards, I just wanted to say some good things about her.

 

First, I will confess that this was a birthday cruise for me, so we booked an Owner's Suite with 2 balconies. Oh my, this was traveling in style. (Will try to post a few pics.) It was HUGE with king bed in a separate bedroom, sitting area, dining area, coffee bar, and another bar area, walk-in closet for 2, shower AND jetted tub with a TV above the tub, double sinks - and a half-bath off the foyer. And, the two balconies - one on the side and one forward.

 

Embarkation was a delight. No hassles and breezed right on. Everything we ordered from the pre-cruise concierge was in our suite, plus more! We explored the ship and found a lot of things to do and enjoy.

 

Our service was terrific. Our butler was attentive, but not too much so. Our steward recognized and greeted us as we were boarding. The concierge checked in with us every afternoon to see if we needed anything. All the other staff on the ship were pleasant and helpful.

 

We tried out the specialty restaurants, including Cagney's, LaCucina, LeBistro, and Bamboo. We had very good meals and service at them all, although I probably wouldn't eat at Bamboo again. Their Asian selections were just so-so. If you try LaCucina and like lasagna, do try their Lasagna Bolognese. Oh my, it melts in your mouth!

 

We got the spa package and had many restful times in the lap pool (am a swimmer) and the hot tubs. Hubby loved sitting in the quiet area and listening to books on his ipod.

 

We went to all the shows (we didn't even know owner's suite guests have reserve seating, and that was a plus). We enjoyed most of them, but a couple of them were just so-so. It wasn't Vegas entertainment, but we had a good time nonetheless.

 

When it came to excursions, we did the catamaran snorkel in Roatan, the trolley/city tour in Belize City, and the speedboat/snorkel escape in Cozumel. The snorkeling in Roatan is obviously spectacular, but we wouldn't recommend it in the rain. There was driving rain that day which made the cat ride miserable and while we could tell the reef was pristine and well populated with coral and fish, the colors were muted without any sunshine.

 

Do not recommend the trolley tour of Belize City. Although interesting, our guide had little real knowledge of the city's history, so he spoke mostly about how poor the country is (and, it is).

 

In Costa Maya, we hopped in a taxi and went to the hotel area where we got some chairs and sat on the beach. It was quite lovely, until, of course, the deluge of rain arrived. Sigh. :eek:

 

Cozumel was our only completely sunny stop and we enjoyed our excursion. Though my husband feared he would throw me out of the speedboat (HA - held on for dear life :p), he didn't and we had a good time. The snorkel area was good, not great. The lunch was terrific and we ended up having a good time.

 

While others on the boards have not had the best time on Dawn, we found her to be a charming ship with a competent staff and great areas to relax and enjoy.

 

So, if you are booked on the Dawn, take all the reviews in stride and enjoy your trip! :D

[NJLVW]

Thank you so much for sharing. We go back on the Dawn in less then a month. YAY!!! Can hardly wait. I am glad to hear you enjoyed your time on the Dawn.

[bigjohnwvu]

Thanks KState. We are booked Jan 12th and good to hear some positive comments. Assuming kstate stands for the school be kind to my Mountaineers in the Big 12.

[Barb Nahoumi]

It was great to read a positive review about the Dawn. I have been aboard her for Boston to Bermuda cruises, as well as a repo from Tampa.

 

She is a decent ship.

[Sparkygirl]

Great review! How much was the spa pass for the week? I am debating getting it on our January cruise.

 

 

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[Sir_Randy]

Thank you for the review, very nice! We are booked 2/23 cruise and are very excited!

[WildcatRock]

Hey KStateWildcat - thanks for the review and...............EMAW!

 

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[3DBeach]

Very nice review. Thanks for sharing!

 

 

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[kstatewildcat]

Thanks KState. We are booked Jan 12th and good to hear some positive comments. Assuming kstate stands for the school be kind to my Mountaineers in the Big 12.

 

We were as kind as we could be during football season ;). You'll probably take us in basketball. :D

 

Enjoy your time on the Dawn. You'll have a blast!

[kstatewildcat]

Hey KStateWildcat - thanks for the review and...............EMAW!

 

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EMAW indeed!!!!! And, thank you.

[kstatewildcat]

Great review! How much was the spa pass for the week? I am debating getting it on our January cruise.

 

 

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The spa passes for the week were $129 per person. And worth it. We used it every day. I loved the lap pool for swimming and also used the therapy pools and the women's sauna. Hubby used the tubs, men's steam room and sauna and the quiet area to relax. We probably spent about an hour or two each day there and it was such a NICE respite (spa is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.).

They sell only 50 of the weekly spa passes (which is also nice because it's never crowded), so if you decide you will use it and want once, get in on it pretty soon after you go aboard!

[Keith1010]

Glad you had a great time and thanks for taking the time to write and share your review.

 

Keith

[RIvacationgirl]

Sailed the Dawn twice this year, we enjoyed this ship very much!

The spa was never busy, I had the spa pass. We also enjoyed the Pearly Gates pub, nice spot for meeting up, singing karaoke and getting a cold drink!

[Cruisecrazy~]

I am booked in the owners suite the first week of April. They they provide alcohol in your suite? Also did you get special boarding and disembark? Which cabin number did you have? Would love photos. I believe I am in 10006.

[kstatewildcat]

I am booked in the owners suite the first week of April. They they provide alcohol in your suite? Also did you get special boarding and disembark? Which cabin number did you have? Would love photos. I believe I am in 10006.

 

Hi. Yes, they provided 3 bottles of liquor in the suite for our cruise. Plus a bottle of French champagne for departure. Very special embarkation with personal escort to our suite. They began boarding for suite guests about 11:30 a.m. Also we disembarked 15 minutes prior to all the other guests (provided you want to roll/carry your luggage, which we did).

 

About 4 weeks or so before your cruise, contact the NCL pre-cruise concierge. They will e-mail you a "selection letter" so that you can select your liquors, sodas, types of water, coffee and teas; plus your pillow selection, towel preferences, etc. About a week or so before the cruise, they also confirmed specialty restaurant reservations in advance.

 

We had 10006!!! Ask any questions you want and happy to answer them Will try to figure out how to post pictures (haven't done that here before).

[kstatewildcat]

I am booked in the owners suite the first week of April. They they provide alcohol in your suite? Also did you get special boarding and disembark? Which cabin number did you have? Would love photos. I believe I am in 10006.

 

Just posted links to pics of Suite 10006, in a separate thread under NCL discussions. Hopefully you'll find it? Let me know!

 

ENJOY.

[Cruisecrazy~]

Just saw your pics.. LOVE IT.. we are in the same Suite on April 6th. I can not wait!

[jdvmd]

Glad you had a great time! Love the Dawn!