NCL Dawn - Why So Many Poor Reviews?

[horses434]

Hi. We just booked a trip on the Norwegian Dawn travelling in April. We are very excited about this trip. We like to try new ships. However, we are concerned about the numerous negative reviews/comments about this ship on this message board.

 

I hope some of you will share your thoughts with me on what we can expect. I have a 12 year old girl with my husband with me on this trip. We booked a suite so I am hoping that takes away some of the challenges that I see people complaining about but I could be wrong on that.

 

We have never said on NCL before. We have been on Royal Caribbean and Princess before also.

 

Any info you could share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Edited February 16, 2014 by horses434
addition

[PCLMassachusetts]

What are the "numerous negative reviews/comments about this ship" that you refer to? This is from the Cruise Critic overview of the Dawn reviews "71% of cruisers loved it". Sounds like a pretty good approval rating to me. Were there some bad reviews? sure. But it seems to me that the vast majority are good reviews.

 

You need to take any review with a grain of salt. Look at what the people are complaining about and see if it is something that would bother you. I have seen many people complain of things that would honestly never even come close to changing my cruise experience.

 

We are booked on the Dawn for December, 2014. We are also in a suite. I have read many reviews that have been fair and honest and I have no concerns at all about the Dawn. In fact, several people have commented on how the Dawn is one of their favorite NCL ships.

 

Go with an open mind, experience it for yourself with no pre-conceived negatives and I am sure that you will have a great cruise.

Edited February 16, 2014 by PCLMassachusetts

[FuninWB]

We have been on four cruises on the Dawn in the past three years,and we never had a bad cruise or would even think of writing a negative review. In fact, I haven't read many bad reviews at all of the Dawn. The staff is friendly and efficient, and the ship is very nice.We returned from the repositioning cruise in December after two weeks in the Caribbean, and the only negative was that it took a while to disembark in Tampa. Most passengers we spoke with seemed quite happy with the ship. We have stayed in only balconies and mini suites, not full suites. I'm guessing the suites are even better!

[shelly11]

I have a Dawn review in my signature. Had a great time. I think more people write bad reviews than good.

[BiXLL]

I just returned from a cruise on the Dawn, my first cruise ever. It was such a great experience I will never vacation any other way again.

[vols_159]

Loved the dawn!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[horses434]

I think like some of you do that people just like to complain about most things. I am noticing that most of the concerns seem to be around wait times for restaurants and activities. I see some about service levels too. The service complaint concerns me very little. People will highlight any small negative experience they can find.

 

Really, I am eager to go and my goal with the question is to hear from people who loved it. I want to love this cruise too.

[deladypilot]

I agree with the others. Although I have not sailed on the Dawn, you have to look at reviews for what they are...1 persons opinion. Pick out the things that matter to you. Yes the Dawn and NCL will be different than the other cruise line that does not make them bad, just different.

 

NCL is known for their suite perks compared to other cruise lines, so you should have a fantastic cruise. If you need something or desire something there will be someone right on it.

 

Go and have fun

[asand5554]

I can't comment on the dawn, since we will be on her for the first time in October. What I can tell you is that staying in a suite on any ncl ship is an experience that, in my opinion, you can't buy on other mass market cruise lines. You'll be treated like a VIP as soon as you pass through security at the cruise terminal- priority check-in, escort onto the ship and (if it's lunchtime) lunch at Cagney's (open only to suite passengers for breakfast and lunch daily). A dedicated butler and concierge, priority tendering/disembarkation, DVD library, lavazza coffee maker in-suite, breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks served from any venue in your suite (charges apply if applicable) and more.

Can you tell we love the suite life on ncl?

[phoenix1181]

We cruised on the Dawn in 2012 & 2013 & loved it. We're on her for a 12 day again this year & can't wait! Great ship & staff...........

Edited February 16, 2014 by phoenix1181

[calmpets]

I think there was a run of bad reviews for the Dawn this fall largely due to some complications with embarkation and debarkation, which people let color their entire trip with a negative brush. Those issues appear to have been fixed as of January, so you shouldn't run into them.

[jdvmd]

Had a great time on the Dawn and would sail on her again in a second. Not really sure where you are seeing bad reviews.

[horses434]

Can you tell we love the suite life on ncl?

 

I am very excited. I am glad you love it.

[lanceholt]

We were on the Dawn repo from Boston to Tampa, 14 days, in November in a family balcony suite. We loved the ship, loved the cruise, had a wonderful time. There are some people who aren't happy anywhere.

[negc]

To the OP: It appears that your question has generated a number of positive reviews of the Dawn. In my experience, however, it seems that even one negative review has more impact on readers than any number of positive ones. If the negative reviews contain specific instances that explain the cruiser's bad review, you might want to consider how likely such a problem would occur on your cruise and also determine if those specifics complaints would really affect your enjoyment of the cruise. What is a significant problem for one person might not be for you. However, if you go on your cruise thinking that you will have problems, you probably will. Try to maintain a positive outlook and chances are any problems, if they arise, will be minor ones

[Love my butler]

Had a great time on the Dawn and would sail on her again in a second. Not really sure where you are seeing bad reviews.

 

The cruise review section of Cruise Critic. It's a tab at the top of your screen.

[jdvmd]

The cruise review section of Cruise Critic. It's a tab at the top of your screen.

Ha! Aren't you clever?!!

[alsgirl]

Don't worry about those negative reviews. I think some people like to complain no matter what! I first sailed with Ncl on the dawn in 2008 since then I have sailed 25 times and loved every ship with the exception of the breakaway. I am flying to Florida in April to sail the dawn again because I miss that ship even though I could simply sail out of ny on the gem but I miss the dawn. I have siled all classes from suites to inside room and yes the suite life is definitely better,you will love it. Look vacations are time to enjoy I am sure if you look for negatives you can find them in any situation . Look forward to your cruise as I am looking forward to my trip in April on the dawn!,,,,,,,,,

[horses434]

. Look forward to your cruise as I am looking forward to my trip in April on the dawn!,,,,,,,,,

 

We are on the April 6th trip. Excited

[DCP]

We were on the Dawn in December. LOVED it. We were in a suite for the first time (only had been in a mini suite before this....NO comparison!) You will be very spoiled. The crew are some of the best we have had, and we didn't want for anything. Lazarro was our butler, and he was awesome. You will have a wonderful time, take those bad reviews with a grain of salt.

[Love my butler]

Ha! Aren't you clever?!!

 

I enjoy educating my fellow posters. Learn something new everyday huh? You are most welcome. :)

[Reebster]

We were on the Dawn last fall and loved it. It was a great ship with a fantastic crew!

 

 

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[alsgirl]

Horses

We are on the April 6th cruise as well, cant wait!!!! we are booked in a mini suite this time so no suite perks you are going to love those>

[aimathy]

I will have to respectfully disagree here. We just sailed the Dawn in January, and didn't love it. I think if you look up my posts, you will see my review. Many people will post "MY experience was great. Some people complain about anything!" or "Some people are just complainers. You will love it!". Well, promising someone will love it, just because YOU did, is about as silly as the complainers that nit-pick and hyper-criticize. The bottom line is that every person will experience the same boat and the same cruise differently. Hopefully, it will be for the better, but if it's not, is it fair to brand them as a complainer for no reason? Perhaps your experience was good, and theirs was bad, but the beauty of these forums is for everyone to get an idea of overall opinions.

 

That being said, I poured over the Dawn reviews for months before our cruise. We wanted to sail out of a different port and hit different stops along the way, so we went with the Dawn. I knew there were mixed opinions, but as I said before, everyone will see things different. Are the people who complain that there weren't enough mushrooms in their meal and it RUINED everything, silly? Yes. :) I knew to take things with a grain of salt and not let it sway me. However, after having sailed the Dawn, I can say that some of what I read was true, and that is why there is a mixed opinon about it.

 

I think my review is very, very fair (it's posted as a post on the Norwegian board, not on the actual review part) and balanced. There were definitely good parts to the cruise. We loved the ports and together time. The kids pool was awesome. The food in the MDR was on par if not a smidge better than Royal Caribbean (and way better than Carnival).

 

However, there were things about the cruise that would make me not pick NCL again. We waited over an hour every single night for the dining room (some nights more than an hour and a half!). Our room wasn't that clean and it was in disrepair (a lowly inside cabin). Their customer service was awful after they ruined our load of clothing in their laundry service. The week we were there, the kids club leaders were very unenthusiastic and didn't make an effort to have the kids stay because there were so few kids on board.

 

Reading our review will go into more detail and hopefully show you that this isn't all unwarranted complaining. These were things that actually happened, and affected our view of the trip, and our decision to not sail with them again in the future.

 

Should you believe ALL the bad reviews? No. Should you believe all the rave reviews? No. You should think about your situation and what is important to you as a family for your cruise, and then make your best decision. I read plenty of bad reviews, and still decided to side with the positive ones and book the trip.

 

Either way, it was a cruise, it was lovely and we enjoyed ourselves overall. If you're already booked, just have a fair idea of what to expect and you will be fine. Have fun!

[horses434]

I will have to respectfully disagree here. We just sailed the Dawn in January, and didn't love it. I think if you look up my posts, you will see my review. Many people will post "MY experience was great. Some people complain about anything!" or "Some people are just complainers. You will love it!". Well, promising someone will love it, just because YOU did, is about as silly as the complainers that nit-pick and hyper-criticize. The bottom line is that every person will experience the same boat and the same cruise differently. Hopefully, it will be for the better, but if it's not, is it fair to brand them as a complainer for no reason? Perhaps your experience was good, and theirs was bad, but the beauty of these forums is for everyone to get an idea of overall opinions.

 

That being said, I poured over the Dawn reviews for months before our cruise. We wanted to sail out of a different port and hit different stops along the way, so we went with the Dawn. I knew there were mixed opinions, but as I said before, everyone will see things different. Are the people who complain that there weren't enough mushrooms in their meal and it RUINED everything, silly? Yes. :) I knew to take things with a grain of salt and not let it sway me. However, after having sailed the Dawn, I can say that some of what I read was true, and that is why there is a mixed opinon about it.

 

I think my review is very, very fair (it's posted as a post on the Norwegian board, not on the actual review part) and balanced. There were definitely good parts to the cruise. We loved the ports and together time. The kids pool was awesome. The food in the MDR was on par if not a smidge better than Royal Caribbean (and way better than Carnival).

 

However, there were things about the cruise that would make me not pick NCL again. We waited over an hour every single night for the dining room (some nights more than an hour and a half!). Our room wasn't that clean and it was in disrepair (a lowly inside cabin). Their customer service was awful after they ruined our load of clothing in their laundry service. The week we were there, the kids club leaders were very unenthusiastic and didn't make an effort to have the kids stay because there were so few kids on board.

 

Reading our review will go into more detail and hopefully show you that this isn't all unwarranted complaining. These were things that actually happened, and affected our view of the trip, and our decision to not sail with them again in the future.

 

Should you believe ALL the bad reviews? No. Should you believe all the rave reviews? No. You should think about your situation and what is important to you as a family for your cruise, and then make your best decision. I read plenty of bad reviews, and still decided to side with the positive ones and book the trip.

 

Either way, it was a cruise, it was lovely and we enjoyed ourselves overall. If you're already booked, just have a fair idea of what to expect and you will be fine. Have fun!

 

 

Actually I read your review the other day and saw your pictures. It was not a good experience for you.