The Dawn is still a great ship

[newmexicoNita]

I will keep this short as we are still tire from our wonderful 10 day cruise on the Dawn last week Here are some highlights and a few negatives of the cruise.

 

The really bright spots: 

Wonderful crew and wonderful passengers as well. I would say the friendliest group I have seen in over 20 NCL cruises and certainly friendlier than some other lines we have sailed. 

 

Our M&G group was outstanding. We had 65 participate in the slot pull.
Thanks to Ken and Joe for a wonderful group.. 

 

Great ports and great entertainment. What more can I say? 

 

Food in the MDR was better than in years past for sure.

 

Some of the drink prices have come down since the new pricing started a month ago. Grey Goose is now under the $15 limit if you have the package. There have been a couple of other additions like a better scotch: This made hubby happy. Plus sometimes they were pouring huge glasses of wine which made me happy. 

 

Now for the only negative I can think of but it was a pretty big one: We were not happy about the food in some of the specialty dinning rooms, now withe service a few times. Madernos was better than usual we thought and we had a wonderful waiter. CAgney's was good though my steak had a lot of fat: some fat is oik too much is not. Los Lobos: great service, just not a fan and we have now tried it twice. It is not authentic Mexican to us. Le Bistro: ate there twice: the first time it was good not great but certainly no complaints and the service was fine; the second time the service was awful and my husband said he couldn't even eat the lamb. Our worst experience was The Italian restaurant. The service was the worst, the waiter even argued with one on our friend over what she really did order. My Salmon was so dry I couldn't eat it and our daughters pasta was not what she ordered either. She did say it was good and hubby said his entree was pretty good. This is too bad as we loved the place last Spring. 

 

Other positives: we had a complaint about one of our tours and the tour desk gave us back 1/3 of the cost of the tour. This was refunded to all on the tour. The food in O'SHeehans was, for the most part really good. Yes, typical pub food but good.. People working at the reception desk seemed friendlier than usual. Sometimes, they can get a little testy, but not this cruise.

 

 

OK I have said enough. Ask questions if you want. My tired brain will try to answer.  

[dltvermont]

The Dawn was our first cruise ship experience, before the last refurb. I was really disappointed that she is leaving San Juan as we wanted to do that itinerary and sail on her again and that is our favorite sized ship as well. Not interested in the Epic, even before her issues last week!

[brookie848]

Thanks for your review. We sail on Sunday for our second time (and our friend's first) on the Dawn.

[Just Jo]

Thanks newmexicoNita.  We have the Dawn booked for next year, and it will be our first time on a non mega NCL ship.

[LD Silver]

Thanks for the review.

 

Did you go to Gatsby's?  That's my favorite place to enjoy a post show cocktail and listed to music.

[NYcruzzer]

Dawn is one of our favorite ships. cannot wait to sail on her to Canada/NE this June..

[newmexicoNita]

14 hours ago, LD Silver said:

Thanks for the review.

 

Did you go to Gatsby's?  That's my favorite place to enjoy a post show cocktail and listed to music.

We almost lived in Gatsbys. We love the coziness, the friendliness of the staff and the entertainment. I would guess there were only about 3 nights we didn't stop for a few drinks on the way to the cabin, casino or dinner. The biggest problem: everyone else loves Gatsbys as well. 

[NJLVW]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review. We will be on the Dawn in next month and quite excited to be going back on her. Last time was before her refurbishment so looking forward to seeing her now. Glad to know the staff was excellent & friendly. I do hope we have a great Meet & Greet as well. There are many that have signed up so hopefully most will show up...

Thank you again for taking the time!

Edited February 20, 2019 by NJLVW

[MAMA "B"]

Do you know if the OV rooms have a couch in them?

[Pauser]

Thanks for your review. We really enjoyed the Dawn when we sailed her. Glad you had a good cruise.

[Gampy1967]

2 hours ago, MAMA "B" said:

Do you know if the OV rooms have a couch in them?

In a basic OV, no couch. You have a bed.

[beachitnow]

Thank you for your review.  We sail on March 3, first time on Dawn and getting excited.

[newmexicoNita]

1 hour ago, Gampy1967 said:

In a basic OV, no couch. You have a bed.

we were in a OV and there was nothing but our bed. the cabin was small and we were on deck 4. All considered we did just fine, didn't even miss not having a couch and actually liked the location though we had bid for an upgrade. 

[MAMA "B"]

3 hours ago, Gampy1967 said:

In a basic OV, no couch. You have a bed.

Is there a couch in any OV category on the Dawn?

[Gampy1967]

38 minutes ago, MAMA "B" said:

Is there a couch in any OV category on the Dawn?

Nope

[trex-de]

Dawn is my favorite ship. Sailing again in June. 

 

My favorite bar is at O’Sheehans.  You seem to have frequented a few from your review. Which was your favorite?   

[Vinegarjoe10]

On 2/19/2019 at 7:17 AM, newmexicoNita said:

I will keep this short as we are still tire from our wonderful 10 day cruise on the Dawn last week Here are some highlights and a few negatives of the cruise.

 

The really bright spots: 

Wonderful crew and wonderful passengers as well. I would say the friendliest group I have seen in over 20 NCL cruises and certainly friendlier than some other lines we have sailed. 

 

Our M&G group was outstanding. We had 65 participate in the slot pull.
Thanks to Ken and Joe for a wonderful group.. 

 

Great ports and great entertainment. What more can I say? 

 

Food in the MDR was better than in years past for sure.

 

Some of the drink prices have come down since the new pricing started a month ago. Grey Goose is now under the $15 limit if you have the package. There have been a couple of other additions like a better scotch: This made hubby happy. Plus sometimes they were pouring huge glasses of wine which made me happy. 

 

Now for the only negative I can think of but it was a pretty big one: We were not happy about the food in some of the specialty dinning rooms, now withe service a few times. Madernos was better than usual we thought and we had a wonderful waiter. CAgney's was good though my steak had a lot of fat: some fat is oik too much is not. Los Lobos: great service, just not a fan and we have now tried it twice. It is not authentic Mexican to us. Le Bistro: ate there twice: the first time it was good not great but certainly no complaints and the service was fine; the second time the service was awful and my husband said he couldn't even eat the lamb. Our worst experience was The Italian restaurant. The service was the worst, the waiter even argued with one on our friend over what she really did order. My Salmon was so dry I couldn't eat it and our daughters pasta was not what she ordered either. She did say it was good and hubby said his entree was pretty good. This is too bad as we loved the place last Spring. 

 

Other positives: we had a complaint about one of our tours and the tour desk gave us back 1/3 of the cost of the tour. This was refunded to all on the tour. The food in O'SHeehans was, for the most part really good. Yes, typical pub food but good.. People working at the reception desk seemed friendlier than usual. Sometimes, they can get a little testy, but not this cruise.

 

 

OK I have said enough. Ask questions if you want. My tired brain will try to answer.  

 

Nita, 

It was our pleasure to have had dinner with you and Pat on the last night. Thank you for the great company. 

 

Warmest Regards, 

 

Joe & Erin 

[mugtech]

From what I have read I would prefer any of the Jewel class ships, love the forward observation  set up.  Most other items are subjective, seem to vary greatly ship to ship.

[newmexicoNita]

On 2/20/2019 at 3:34 PM, trex-de said:

Dawn is my favorite ship. Sailing again in June. 

 

My favorite bar is at O’Sheehans.  You seem to have frequented a few from your review. Which was your favorite?   

Probably the atrium bar and next Gatsby's. or maybe visa versa.

just an FYI, just was notified by CC that my official review is now available to read. 

[newmexicoNita]

On 2/20/2019 at 7:30 PM, Vinegarjoe10 said:

 

Nita, 

It was our pleasure to have had dinner with you and Pat on the last night. Thank you for the great company. 

 

Warmest Regards, 

 

Joe & Erin 

Joe we would love to cruise with you, Erin and the rest of the group again sometime though our cruising days may be numbered. old bodies do not cooperate as well as they did in their younger years. We are booked for the Breakaway in Oct. 

[chefnene]

Hi Nita when are you going in June?  We are sailing 6/22/19-6/29/19 and I can’t find a single person going on that cruise. Not one person has signed up on the roll call.  I have always enjoyed a meeting people through CC prior to sailing.

[Peachypooh]

Hi Nita,

Thanks for your post and also for posting your review which I just read in the

review section of the Dawn. I am so glad you had a good time!

You mentioned you didn't like the resort they took you to...if it is the same one

that NCL took us to the first time on Bonaire it was a big disappointment for us too

as the only part we liked was the big pool. Sorry about your drink coupon. If

the bar was the one with the thatched roof the drinks weren't anything great anyway

but they should have accommodated you as it was included in your ticket.

The second time we went to Bonaire we took the TukTuk tour of the island.

It was excellent and would recommend it instead of the beach resort.

Glad to hear you are taking another cruise. We are booked on the Encore and am

hoping that it isn't too big as all we have sailed are the Jewell class ships.

[newmexicoNita]

20 hours ago, Peachypooh said:

Hi Nita,

Thanks for your post and also for posting your review which I just read in the

review section of the Dawn. I am so glad you had a good time!

You mentioned you didn't like the resort they took you to...if it is the same one

that NCL took us to the first time on Bonaire it was a big disappointment for us too

as the only part we liked was the big pool. Sorry about your drink coupon. If

the bar was the one with the thatched roof the drinks weren't anything great anyway

but they should have accommodated you as it was included in your ticket.

The second time we went to Bonaire we took the TukTuk tour of the island.

It was excellent and would recommend it instead of the beach resort.

Glad to hear you are taking another cruise. We are booked on the Encore and am

hoping that it isn't too big as all we have sailed are the Jewell class ships.

 

It does sound like the same tour we did in Bonaire. Yes, the pool was very nice and the resort was well maintained,  I will say that much for it. And yes, we are glad we are going to do one more cruise. We are going out of Miami on the Breakaway. It just goes to show you, never say never. We said our cruising days were over and they are not: we said we would never do a mega ship again and we are. It just seemed to work out the best for us this time.

[newmexicoNita]

On 3/4/2019 at 4:50 PM, chefnene said:

Hi Nita when are you going in June?  We are sailing 6/22/19-6/29/19 and I can’t find a single person going on that cruise. Not one person has signed up on the roll call.  I have always enjoyed a meeting people through CC prior to sailing.

Actually we are not going until Oct. As for the M&G it seems to be so hit or miss anymore. Ours on our last cruise, as I mentioned was awesome but the organizers put a lot of thought into it. As many as I have headed up in the past, I still got so many ideas from this last one. Just keep hoping you will get responses for yours. Usually it is the last 3 months that things pick up. A lot of those who sign up early, like a year in advance end up being no shows when you get down to the actual planning.