Compliments to NCL DAWN

[roupa]

Just off our1st NCL cruise...Boston - Bermuda round trip.

I have cruised many, many times with other cruise lines,but this was my first NCL experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nice to have no planes/airports to deal with since we live in the Boston area.

 

Two problems I found on this trip was 1. my own GPS...ran into many dead-ends when I took the wrong elevator. and 2, the flow of foot traffic is a little crazy, especially in the garden café.

Cruise Director LUZ was fabulous! Her staff was also excellent! Whether it is she or somebody else who schedules events..great job! Game shows and production shows were very entertaining and quite original. If you are a Tina Turner fan, DO NOT miss Luz's Tina Turner show....fabulous!!!

Our outside cabin was about the same size as other cruise lines', but I found the bathroom/shower to be a bit roomier...could actually turn around in this one!

 

Food was good. No complaints here except that I would like to have seen some sort of fruit options on the menu in the main dining room(s). Dining room staff and specialty restaurants staff...all personable and efficient!

 

Bermuda was beautiful!!!!

[BirdTravels]

Sounds wonderful!

[mom2t&j]

Just off our1st NCL cruise...Boston - Bermuda round trip.

I have cruised many, many times with other cruise lines,but this was my first NCL experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nice to have no planes/airports to deal with since we live in the Boston area.

 

Two problems I found on this trip was 1. my own GPS...ran into many dead-ends when I took the wrong elevator. and 2, the flow of foot traffic is a little crazy, especially in the garden café.

Cruise Director LUZ was fabulous! Her staff was also excellent! Whether it is she or somebody else who schedules events..great job! Game shows and production shows were very entertaining and quite original. If you are a Tina Turner fan, DO NOT miss Luz's Tina Turner show....fabulous!!!

Our outside cabin was about the same size as other cruise lines', but I found the bathroom/shower to be a bit roomier...could actually turn around in this one!

 

Food was good. No complaints here except that I would like to have seen some sort of fruit options on the menu in the main dining room(s). Dining room staff and specialty restaurants staff...all personable and efficient!

 

Bermuda was beautiful!!!!

 

So glad you had a great cruise! We leave next Friday. Do you have any dailies you can post please? Would love a preview to help with planning. Thx!!

[pathubia]

I was on the Dawn May 18 and agree with you!! I am booking Sept 7. I am so addicted to cruising!!

 

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[roupa]

Didn't bring home any of the "daily's" as I find them similar to other cruises. I usually read them over the night before and circle anything that might appeal to me. (this helps me decide how early I need to be up and out in the morning!) In the morning I take the sheet with me or just make my own schedule on a small slip of paper to reference during the day.

Some activities are scheduled close together or even overlap so don't try to do it all !

Suggestion: even tho no reservations are needed for the main dining rooms, I strongly suggest making a reservation for any time(s) you want, either before leaving home or once on board. It doesn't have to be the same time every night and you don't have to stick to it. This will save you from waiting in line....brief as it may be...for a table. On our last night, there was a bit of a line when we chose to go to the Venetian dining room without a reservation. We were given a voucher for a "glass of bubbly" at any lounge while we waited for our beeper to go off! We got a sparkling wine, went out on deck and only had to wait a few minutes! nice perk!

[Kbkcruiser]

I did I did the 4-27 - 5-4 Dawn out of Boston. Had a great time and the staff was fantastic. Was a full ship and they were all so engaged and really went out of their way to make it nice. I was traveling alone in a mini suite on deck 11.

Was so relaxing, wife and I are going last minute on the July 6 out of Boston. I guess she just couldn't listen to my tales of relaxation any longer..... This time going for the family suite with balcony on deck 12. Haven't done one of those cabins yet.

[Jetsterkitty]

I've sailed on several of the BIG NCL ships... but at the end of the day I LOVED the Dawn and would go back time and time again. :) Smaller, more intimate, and the best service I've had on NCL to date. *Bear in mind I've never had "bad" service per se, but for some reason I felt like it was a bit more personal on the Dawn. We somehow ended up with the same waiter in the MDRs several nights and one night in the Venetian our bus person was the same guy that waited on us over at Aqua a couple nights earlier - he was a riot and took pictures with the kids (by kids I mean my 20 and 22yo nieces)!

 

My only advice would be to maybe pass on the seafood buffet. I didn't think it was anything special and was bummed we went there one night instead of one of the MDRs, but live and learn. :)

 

One other thing I really enjoyed was the main pool area that allowed adults AND kids. While the Dawn has an area at the back of the ship for little kids, they don't have the separate adult/kid main pool areas like on the larger ships. We travel with the grandkids/great nieces most trips (ages ranging from 10-13) and while they can all swim, I'm just not comfortable sending them to the other side of the buildings completely out of sight to swim unattended. There's always that nagging need to "check in" on them periodically from my pool lounger. On the Dawn the kids share the main pool which means you can enjoy the chaos and shows by the main pool AND keep an eye on the kids. The Cruise Directors are great when it comes to the afternoon shows too and the kids. They just nicely ask them to vacate the main pool during the shows and I didn't see any kids (or parents) having an issue with this request.

 

Oh, and I thought Topsiders Bar & Grill was the best place for lunch (best burgers on the ship... and right in the main pool area). They also have a neat little breakfast spread in the early mornings with fruit and muffins, coffee and juices. :)

 

I think my only complaint (if you can call it that) on the Dawn is the smoking area on 1-side of the main pool. They have it glassed in, but in the EARLY mornings when I want to go for my walks it was packed with people having their morning coffee and cigarettes (I'm talking before sunrise it was packed lol). But again, not a huge deal, you can always get a few extra steps in and avoid that area all together. ;)

[newmexicoNita]

Just off our1st NCL cruise...Boston - Bermuda round trip.

I have cruised many, many times with other cruise lines,but this was my first NCL experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nice to have no planes/airports to deal with since we live in the Boston area.

 

Two problems I found on this trip was 1. my own GPS...ran into many dead-ends when I took the wrong elevator. and 2, the flow of foot traffic is a little crazy, especially in the garden café.

Cruise Director LUZ was fabulous! Her staff was also excellent! Whether it is she or somebody else who schedules events..great job! Game shows and production shows were very entertaining and quite original. If you are a Tina Turner fan, DO NOT miss Luz's Tina Turner show....fabulous!!!

Our outside cabin was about the same size as other cruise lines', but I found the bathroom/shower to be a bit roomier...could actually turn around in this one!

 

Food was good. No complaints here except that I would like to have seen some sort of fruit options on the menu in the main dining room(s). Dining room staff and specialty restaurants staff...all personable and efficient!

 

Bermuda was beautiful!!!!

We cruised the same itinerary on May 4th and yes, loved the Dawn. Several years ago we cruised her and were not at all impressed. This time almost everything was perfect especially the service. The only thing I disagree with you on is: Luz. We were not at all impressed with her. In fact she might have been one of the worst cruise directors we have ever had. I guess this shows how subjective views can be.

Oh and we also loved the lounges area where they have the small couches near the pool. It works so well for those of us who are mobility challenged and can't get down and up on the actual lounges. At night we spent a lot of time hanging out at Gadbys.

[WMQueenie]

We cruised the same itinerary on May 4th and yes, loved the Dawn. Several years ago we cruised her and were not at all impressed. This time almost everything was perfect especially the service. The only thing I disagree with you on is: Luz. We were not at all impressed with her. In fact she might have been one of the worst cruise directors we have ever had. I guess this shows how subjective views can be.

Oh and we also loved the lounges area where they have the small couches near the pool. It works so well for those of us who are mobility challenged and can't get down and up on the actual lounges. At night we spent a lot of time hanging out at Gadbys.

 

We just got off the Dawn this morning too and I agree with you about Luz...the assistant cruise director was much more personable!

 

Also, we were very disappointed in the buffet. DH loves the buffet but not this one. 75% of the food was luke warm and the selections were repetitive and unappealing. Lots of white rice and stews! "country fried chicken" was a paper thin slice of dried chicken breast...

[don't-use-real-name]

Just off our1st NCL cruise...Boston - Bermuda round trip.

I have cruised many, many times with other cruise lines,but this was my first NCL experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nice to have no planes/airports to deal with since we live in the Boston area.

 

Two problems I found on this trip was 1. my own GPS...ran into many dead-ends when I took the wrong elevator. and 2, the flow of foot traffic is a little crazy, especially in the garden café.

Cruise Director LUZ was fabulous! Her staff was also excellent! Whether it is she or somebody else who schedules events..great job! Game shows and production shows were very entertaining and quite original. If you are a Tina Turner fan, DO NOT miss Luz's Tina Turner show....fabulous!!!

Our outside cabin was about the same size as other cruise lines', but I found the bathroom/shower to be a bit roomier...could actually turn around in this one!

 

Food was good. No complaints here except that I would like to have seen some sort of fruit options on the menu in the main dining room(s). Dining room staff and specialty restaurants staff...all personable and efficient!

 

Bermuda was beautiful!!!!

 

my own GPS...ran into many dead-ends

I would suppose that happened when trying to find Los Lobos deck 12 port side aft -

the buffet on the port side mid ship is another dead-end

and the deck 7 port side passageway aft of the Stardust theatre thru the Trade Winds gift and jewelry -

deck 6 port side thru the Casino Le Bistro - and the two MDRs same deck 6 but you have to go up one deck

(7) to go between the two (the galley divides the two).

 

the flow of foot traffic is a little crazy, especially in the garden café.

the buffet on the port side mid ship is another dead-end

Secret space - deck 12 buffet:

In the morning and also at sea day lunch Los Lobos serves as an overflow -

exit out the buffet on the starboard side aft (another secret soft-serve ice cream location) and

go to the port side where Los Lobos is (remember to take a napkin wrapped silverware set).

 

Another flow control location on deck 8 (both port and starboard) which zigs and zags its entire length

and at mid ship meets what was formerly the Blue Lagoon now O'Sheehans.

 

The aft end where the childrens play/pool area presents problems with access back into the ship.

 

Dis ship wasn't built like Lady Winchester's mansion in San Jose but NCL must have hired the same

architect fortunately there aren't any decks going up 13 steps and ending in the belly of a life boat ! LOL !

 

The NCL DAWN is a loveable ship - not a Love Boat - but a challenge to move free(style) about the ship.

[don't-use-real-name]

We just got off the Dawn this morning too and I agree with you about Luz...the assistant cruise director was much more personable!

 

Also, we were very disappointed in the buffet. DH loves the buffet but not this one. 75% of the food was luke warm and the selections were repetitive and unappealing. Lots of white rice and stews! "country fried chicken" was a paper thin slice of dried chicken breast...

 

Lots of white rice and stews! "country fried chicken" was a paper thin slice of dried chicken breast...

 

Diet and exercise - portion control blah blah blah.

But you did have two other options the MDR and O'Sheehans.

Surprised that the Buffet did not have suitable alternatives - NCL does put on quite a variety.

Remember that there are two sides to the buffet - the short port side and the double length starboard -

the second (aft) section is the danger zone with the deserts sweets soft serve ice cream machine and

diet destroying fare - but FEAR not the spa and exercise facility is just aft of this point - feast and exercise !

[WMQueenie]

Lots of white rice and stews! "country fried chicken" was a paper thin slice of dried chicken breast...

 

 

 

Diet and exercise - portion control blah blah blah.

 

But you did have two other options the MDR and O'Sheehans.

 

Surprised that the Buffet did not have suitable alternatives - NCL does put on quite a variety.

 

Remember that there are two sides to the buffet - the short port side and the double length starboard -

 

the second (aft) section is the danger zone with the deserts sweets soft serve ice cream machine and

 

diet destroying fare - but FEAR not the spa and exercise facility is just aft of this point - feast and exercise !

 

 

 

We ate dinner in Aqua 2 nights and it was very good. Bamboo was also quite good. We had breakfast 5 out of 7 mornings at O’Sheehans and one or two late night meals there too. We circled the entire buffet every night before deciding where to eat. Nothing ever appealed to us I know food is subjective...just stating our opinion!

 

 

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[newmexicoNita]

We just got off the Dawn this morning too and I agree with you about Luz...the assistant cruise director was much more personable!

 

Also, we were very disappointed in the buffet. DH loves the buffet but not this one. 75% of the food was luke warm and the selections were repetitive and unappealing. Lots of white rice and stews! "country fried chicken" was a paper thin slice of dried chicken breast...

WE only did the buffet for breakfast I think once and same for lunch. When we wanted just something in a hurry we choose either outside or O'Sheehan's. Other than that our food was good to very good and everything else about the cruise was really fun.

[newmexicoNita]

my own GPS...ran into many dead-ends

I would suppose that happened when trying to find Los Lobos deck 12 port side aft -

the buffet on the port side mid ship is another dead-end

and the deck 7 port side passageway aft of the Stardust theatre thru the Trade Winds gift and jewelry -

deck 6 port side thru the Casino Le Bistro - and the two MDRs same deck 6 but you have to go up one deck

(7) to go between the two (the galley divides the two).

 

the flow of foot traffic is a little crazy' date=' especially in the garden café.[/b']

the buffet on the port side mid ship is another dead-end

Secret space - deck 12 buffet:

In the morning and also at sea day lunch Los Lobos serves as an overflow -

exit out the buffet on the starboard side aft (another secret soft-serve ice cream location) and

go to the port side where Los Lobos is (remember to take a napkin wrapped silverware set).

 

Another flow control location on deck 8 (both port and starboard) which zigs and zags its entire length

and at mid ship meets what was formerly the Blue Lagoon now O'Sheehans.

 

The aft end where the childrens play/pool area presents problems with access back into the ship.

 

Dis ship wasn't built like Lady Winchester's mansion in San Jose but NCL must have hired the same

architect fortunately there aren't any decks going up 13 steps and ending in the belly of a life boat ! LOL !

 

The NCL DAWN is a loveable ship - not a Love Boat - but a challenge to move free(style) about the ship.

first time cruising the Dawn we thought as most of you: nightmare to navigate around, but after the first experience, we did fine this last time. We had everything down pat!!

[4774Papa]

How was the salad bar on Dawn? We usually do that for lunch if we are on the ship that day. We are on the Dawn in September for the NE and Canada cruise to Quebec City.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Just off our1st NCL cruise...Boston - Bermuda round trip.

I have cruised many, many times with other cruise lines,but this was my first NCL experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Nice to have no planes/airports to deal with since we live in the Boston area.

 

Two problems I found on this trip was 1. my own GPS...ran into many dead-ends when I took the wrong elevator. and 2, the flow of foot traffic is a little crazy, especially in the garden café.

Cruise Director LUZ was fabulous! Her staff was also excellent! Whether it is she or somebody else who schedules events..great job! Game shows and production shows were very entertaining and quite original. If you are a Tina Turner fan, DO NOT miss Luz's Tina Turner show....fabulous!!!

Our outside cabin was about the same size as other cruise lines', but I found the bathroom/shower to be a bit roomier...could actually turn around in this one!

 

Food was good. No complaints here except that I would like to have seen some sort of fruit options on the menu in the main dining room(s). Dining room staff and specialty restaurants staff...all personable and efficient!

 

Bermuda was beautiful!!!!

 

DH and I were able to order fruit plates for dessert in the MDR. Even if it was not on the menu for that evening, they made it for us. We enjoy fresh fruit.

[Barb Nahoumi]

How was the salad bar on Dawn? We usually do that for lunch if we are on the ship that day. We are on the Dawn in September for the NE and Canada cruise to Quebec City.

 

The Dawn has a salad area in the buffet which is ok. There is a variety of veggies and dressings.

[Barb Nahoumi]

I've sailed on several of the BIG NCL ships... but at the end of the day I LOVED the Dawn and would go back time and time again. :) Smaller, more intimate, and the best service I've had on NCL to date. *Bear in mind I've never had "bad" service per se, but for some reason I felt like it was a bit more personal on the Dawn. We somehow ended up with the same waiter in the MDRs several nights and one night in the Venetian our bus person was the same guy that waited on us over at Aqua a couple nights earlier - he was a riot and took pictures with the kids (by kids I mean my 20 and 22yo nieces)!

 

My only advice would be to maybe pass on the seafood buffet. I didn't think it was anything special and was bummed we went there one night instead of one of the MDRs, but live and learn. :)

 

One other thing I really enjoyed was the main pool area that allowed adults AND kids. While the Dawn has an area at the back of the ship for little kids, they don't have the separate adult/kid main pool areas like on the larger ships. We travel with the grandkids/great nieces most trips (ages ranging from 10-13) and while they can all swim, I'm just not comfortable sending them to the other side of the buildings completely out of sight to swim unattended. There's always that nagging need to "check in" on them periodically from my pool lounger. On the Dawn the kids share the main pool which means you can enjoy the chaos and shows by the main pool AND keep an eye on the kids. The Cruise Directors are great when it comes to the afternoon shows too and the kids. They just nicely ask them to vacate the main pool during the shows and I didn't see any kids (or parents) having an issue with this request.

 

Oh, and I thought Topsiders Bar & Grill was the best place for lunch (best burgers on the ship... and right in the main pool area). They also have a neat little breakfast spread in the early mornings with fruit and muffins, coffee and juices. :)

 

I think my only complaint (if you can call it that) on the Dawn is the smoking area on 1-side of the main pool. They have it glassed in, but in the EARLY mornings when I want to go for my walks it was packed with people having their morning coffee and cigarettes (I'm talking before sunrise it was packed lol). But again, not a huge deal, you can always get a few extra steps in and avoid that area all together. ;)

 

Good to know about Topsiders for breakfast. Of all the cruises we enjoyed on the Dawn, we never thought of having breakfast there. We'll try it next time.

[newmexicoNita]

Good to know about Topsiders for breakfast. Of all the cruises we enjoyed on the Dawn, we never thought of having breakfast there. We'll try it next time.

I didn't know either. The only way we knew about O'Sheehan's was from past experience. they do not broadcast it all over the place.

[neetneet66]

Topsiders? This is only our 2nd NCL cruise, so I am new to this. I looked at the planner for dining and didn't see that. Curious about places for breakfast.

[don't-use-real-name]

Topsiders? This is only our 2nd NCL cruise, so I am new to this. I looked at the planner for dining and didn't see that. Curious about places for breakfast.

 

As I recall - - -

Topsiders - is located at the aft end of the pool area.

Composed of the Bar on the port side - old fashion ice cream by the scoop in the middle and on the

starboard side is where the breakfast and lunch buffet is - basically the same fare of light food found in

the inside buffet. Plates and napkin wrapped silverware provided - condiments available only at the

counter not at the tables in the pool area.

Remember the port side of the pool area is zoned as a smoking area.

 

Weather may play a comfort factor - but this venue is fast food grab a bite off to do something else on the ship

so what is this little breeze across the deck or rain drops falling into the pool.

[Sand and Seas]

The ice cream by the scoop at Topsiders is hard to walk past without stopping. I can turn down desserts at meals but how do you turn down a scoop or two of that ice cream on a hot day???

[newmexicoNita]

Topsiders? This is only our 2nd NCL cruise, so I am new to this. I looked at the planner for dining and didn't see that. Curious about places for breakfast.

they probably didn't list O'Sheehan's either did they?

[WMQueenie]

they probably didn't list O'Sheehan's either did they?

 

O'Sheehan's is listed under "24/7". We ate breakfast there 5 out of 7 mornings. The menu is limited but you can ask for things not listed or shake it up a little. The service was very good, it was never crowded and the food is pretty good! The main dining room is only open until 9:00 or 9:30 and we never made it there. O'Sheehan's was about 30 seconds from our room and became our go-to place.

[Snowysmom]

Reading this makes me look forward to my cruise even more. I have one question. What time does disembarking begin and if you do self disembarking can you be off the ship by 9:30? I am trying to schedule a car service to pick us up. DH does not like to drive in Boston. If he left me with the luggage while he went to park I may never see him again! LOL! We will save alot of anxiety and stress this way.