Norwegian Dawn Tips

[jcsarette]

First time NCL cruiser and we are sailing on the Dawn in April to Bermuda. We’ve cruised on Carnival before so we aren’t complete rookies. :D

 

Looking for tips for the Dawn. I’ve read the thermal spa is worth the fee, Los Lobos has amazing table side guacamole and the beer selection is less than to be desired. What shouldn’t we miss on the ship or what would be useful to have known before you cruised on the Dawn?

 

Thanks in advance!:champagne-toast:

[cheersforbeers]

Gatsby’s.

 

 

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[Barb Nahoumi]

If you choose to dine in Le Bistro, Dover Sole and Coque Au Vin, are not to be missed.

[esm54687]

Los Lobos was amazing and is an ala carte restaurant and cheap.... if you have the SDP I wouldn't waste a credit there

[BrownEyedGirl686]

Los Lobos was amazing and is an ala carte restaurant and cheap.... if you have the SDP I wouldn't waste a credit there

 

We ate at specialty restaurants without and sdp bc it was only dh and I our daughters ordered from the kids menu.

 

The dawn was our first cruise and we absolutely loved it. And Bermuda. Omg!!! Such an amazing island.

 

Have fun!!

[salzdt]

Can't wait. Going on the Dawn to Bermuda in June. We were supposed to go to Bermuda on the Gem in 2011 for our 50th Anniversary. There was a Hurricane (Irene), so the cruise ports were changed. We went anyway and had a great time. Looking forward to the Dawn.

[rtkenmore]

We've cruised once on Dawn from NOLA and loved the ship. It was one of the first after it's dry dock.

 

Los Lobos is great and I wouldn't hesitate using a SDP credit there as you could order an appetizer each, small plate each, entree each and desert each plus throw in the guac. We ended up eating there twice on a 9 day cruise. Even though it's a la carte, it can start adding up pretty quickly and that's why I feel like it's worth using a SDP credit for Los Lobos.

 

I would recommend the spa as well but keep in mind this is a smaller ship that doesn't include as much "stuff" in the thermal suite as the Breakaway Class and Breakaway+ Class. It's still a nice relaxing place to get away from it all though.

 

The shows were great when we were on board but I think they have changed by now so I can't give much feedback there.

 

I would also definitely recommend Cagney's and Teppanyaki if you like that type of food.

 

Other than that, Dawn is great ship overall. Not too large and not to small (at least not to us).

[cherrypop]

We went on the Dawn a couple of years ago. The Mexican restaurant is a must very good but make sure you go hungry there is a lot of food. We also enjoyed Cagney’s and Teppanyaki as well as Le Bistro. We would always go to Gatsby’s Champagne Bar before dinner for a drink and got to know the staff there who were amazing. On our cruise we were fortunate to have Jose and Patti onboard entertaining us in the atrium, maybe you will be as lucky too they were amazing.

[padams2017]

I don't know if I have anything to add, but I can reinforce the good things others have already said. Los Lobos was one of my favorites and I didn't use my SDP because it was so inexpensive. Try the jalapeño margarita. I spent at least an hour (or more) every day at the thermal spa. It was only crowded on the last day. I loved the Atrium bar and the singing duo that performed there. I never went to the wine bar, but I wish I did. Gatsby's was my favorite place to get a martini or mixed drink. I enjoyed sitting and listening to the piano player. We also ate at Moderno, Cagneys, La Cuchina, and Le Bistro. All good. There's a small mojito bar in Moderno that opens at 5:30PM.

[rtkenmore]

Everyone saying don't waste a SDP credit on Los Lobos must not be enjoying the full menu like we did. By the time you get a "to share" beginner, an appetizer each, possibly some tacos or enchiladas to share and then entrees w/ sides, you could easily be up to $30-$40/person and the SDP is definitely worth that. Some of the entrees are $13-$18 each to start with. Los Lobos can easily add up to more than Teppanyaki's per person fee.

 

And the Mexican Street Corn is NOT TO BE MISSED. One of the best things on the menu.

[BirdTravels]

We used our SDP at Los Lobos and it was the best restaurant on the ship. We are very excited that they replaced Moderno with a Los Lobos on the Bliss,,,, sailing soon! Already have an SDP dinner booked there.

[NJGeorge]

Be prepared to have a couple of " you can't get there from here" moments.

Ship layout is even more confusing since the refurbishment.

We just returned from our third cruise on the Dawn.

It seemed there were more dead ends then before.

 

 

Of course I mastered it on the last day!

[Sand and Seas]

We used our SDP at Los Lobos and it was the best restaurant on the ship. We are very excited that they replaced Moderno with a Los Lobos on the Bliss,,,, sailing soon! Already have an SDP dinner booked there.

 

You are so right! We love Los Lobos and quickly looked for another cruise to book on the Dawn. We will be in Los Lobos again at least twice. I love that they have added this venue to the Bliss. Well worth using the SDP for!

[BabsinTX]

In January there was a fabulous bartender at Bamboo's bar. He's named Raj and there was a regular group of cruisers who met there every evening at 5:30 when he opened. Such fun! Ask if he remembers how to make a Chairman of the Board (a gin, vodka and Cointreau martini).

[AKR2011]

Los Lobos was the best meal I have ever had on any ship. So worth a trip. The wine bar is also a hidden gem IMO. Great wine classes that really made for some special memories for my DH and me. Other highlights when we sailed (over a year ago) were a sing along/balloon drop in the atrium and a Crew Talent Show that had Fountains! I don't care what anyone says, I always love watching Fountains, and a lot of ships have gotten rid of it.

[LD Silver]

I'll give you three:

 

· The best lounger sare available in the front of the ship just behind the Bimini Bar (deck 13). It was very quiet and a great place to get some sun and chill out. It was not windy. Never had a problem getting loungers up there.

 

·We enjoyedGatsby’s Champagne Bar. A great place for after show cocktails andconversation. Most nights there is amusic performer (some better than others).

 

·You should get late night snacks from O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill at least once.... go ahead ....you’re on vacation.

[esm54687]

The DougOut did an amazing job with this review of the Dawn (post refurbish). While the cruise itself is out of NOLA it does provide a fantastic look at the Dawn:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2426171

[trex-de]

Dawn is my favorite ship. I have sailed her several times, including my 50th birthday.

 

Los Lobos was excellent. We ate there twice. They have a small bar there. I love the atmosphere. As we saw others, we would have a drink at the bar and go about our evening fun.

 

I have to admit, I miss the ambiance of Le Bistro before the dry dock; however, I hope to sail her again in the future.

[dm9102]

I don't know if I have anything to add, but I can reinforce the good things others have already said. Los Lobos was one of my favorites and I didn't use my SDP because it was so inexpensive. Try the jalapeño margarita. I spent at least an hour (or more) every day at the thermal spa. It was only crowded on the last day. I loved the Atrium bar and the singing duo that performed there. I never went to the wine bar, but I wish I did. Gatsby's was my favorite place to get a martini or mixed drink. I enjoyed sitting and listening to the piano player. We also ate at Moderno, Cagneys, La Cuchina, and Le Bistro. All good. There's a small mojito bar in Moderno that opens at 5:30PM.

 

I love Jalapeño margaritas. We have the drink package but not specialty dining. Do they have a bar where you can just go in for a drink? Also does the drink package work in a specialty restaurant? Are they open all day? Thanks... new to NCL.

[TifffanyD]

The Dawn is ok... it was my least fave NCL ship but we still had a great time. The ship is about the same size as Jewel class but the public spaces are so much smaller. Gatsby's is small compared to bar city and is smoky due to its proximity to casino and the cigar lounge. We found the best place to lounge was the wings of O'Sheehan's. There are sections on both the port and starboard side that are slightly sunk and have comfy chairs. You have a great seat for any atrium activities and a server to get you drinks!

 

We didn't notice the lounge one deck above O'Sheehan's until the last day. If you just want a place to sit and play cards/read/relax but don't care about having a server, this is a nice place to hang out.

[LizzieTrowbridge]

We didn't notice the lounge one deck above O'Sheehan's until the last day. If you just want a place to sit and play cards/read/relax but don't care about having a server, this is a nice place to hang out.

 

TiffanyD, Wondering if there is a staircase from O'Sheehan's up to the 9th deck lounge you are describing. May seem like an odd question, but our cabin is on deck 9 near the lounge and I am just curious if there is a staircase there directly into O'Sheehan's. Thanks!

[TifffanyD]

TiffanyD, Wondering if there is a staircase from O'Sheehan's up to the 9th deck lounge you are describing. May seem like an odd question, but our cabin is on deck 9 near the lounge and I am just curious if there is a staircase there directly into O'Sheehan's. Thanks!

 

There are 2 different sets of staircases to go from deck 8 to 9 without venturing far from O'Sheehan's... but it's on the opposite side of the aitrium than the lounge is on. Here is a pic where you can see the "fancy" staircases that go from 7 to 8 and 8 to 9:

 

 

There are also the normal staircases behind the elevator.

 

So either of those will take you down into O'Sheehan's but if you are going to the bar you will need to walk through the restaurant to get to it.

[phoenix1181]

The door to the "lounge" on deck 9 is across from cabin 9666. There is a staircase down to deck 8 & O'Sheehans. If you previously cruised on Dawn, the "lounge" on deck 9 is where the internet cafe was previously located.

[GlamorousGirl]

The shows are incredible and not to be missed! And we enjoyed all of the specialty restaurants (we’ve tried all but one.)

[mesci14]

Everyone saying don't waste a SDP credit on Los Lobos must not be enjoying the full menu like we did. By the time you get a "to share" beginner, an appetizer each, possibly some tacos or enchiladas to share and then entrees w/ sides, you could easily be up to $30-$40/person and the SDP is definitely worth that. Some of the entrees are $13-$18 each to start with. Los Lobos can easily add up to more than Teppanyaki's per person fee.

 

And the Mexican Street Corn is NOT TO BE MISSED. One of the best things on the menu.

 

 

We ate at Los Lobos, had the guacamole as an appetizer, and 2 entrees...skipped the desert and only paid $25 for the 2 of us (it may have been a little less that even). I personally would and did save the SDP for more expensive restaurants like Cagneys and Moderno.