Dawn-Not our favourite

[PatandStu]

I know, lots of people love the Dawn but it wasn't for us.

The food was good to excellent, and the service was excellent except for a few individuals who did their jobs but looked reluctant.

 

The Dawn is not our favourite for a few reasons.   Firstly, it might have just been the crowd on our sailing, but after 10:30pm, it seemed like everyone was in bed.  The Bliss lounge had music but only a few folks milling around.   The piano player and duet, although talented, seemed to play to an older crowd and were done by 10:00 (even though the daily said "8:45 to close").

Our biggest disappointment was in the location of some specialty restaurants - Bistro, Bamboo and La Cucina.   We opted out of going to Bamboo (open to lounge below and major hallway to the theatre), the noise level was so loud we couldn't hear the hostess speak.   La Cucina and Bistro are right outside the cigar lounge which opens to the inside.  We knew we were heading in the right direction when the strong wafting of cigar and cigarette smell hit our noses.  Seriously NCL, there is no where else to put the cigar lounge?  Perhaps with a door that opens to the outside? Then, NCL decides to put the piano lounge right outside the Bistro and La Cucina.  At least Bistro has a door, but every time the door opens, the piped-in restaurant music competes with the piano player.  La Cucina is open to the lounge.  At one point during our dinner, the crowd in the lounge decided to sing along, loudly!  

The specialty dining is important to us.   We struggled with asking the servers to slow down the service.  I don't like when my 2nd course arrives before my appetizer is only half finished! Or when my wine arrives when my meal is almost done!   We always booked a later sitting and learned to tell the servers right from the start how we wanted our meal paced.  I realize some people like to eat and get out, but we prefer to take our time and enjoy our meal; we felt more rushed on this ship than on Jade and Breakaway.

For a smaller ship, I prefer the Jade.  It has nicer bars and an outside spot for breakfast which we missed on Dawn.

 

We had a good cruise, we enjoyed our ports of call.  There were some excellent staff members who called us by name every time they passed us, and the food was good with some excellent stand outs.  But, because specialty dining and late night parties are important to us, we won't be on the Dawn again.

 

[CozGurl]

"Perhaps with a door that opens to the outside?"

 

Exactly! Bad bad placement of the door to the smoking lounge. We weren't fans of the ship's layout or entertainment after 10:00. I know we were with an older crowd too, but lots of times Gatsby's was full when the musician stopped playing. Bad business to send paying customers away from the bar, but maybe they lose money on the drink package crowd if the bar stays open too late.

[Nola26]

I see two issues with the cigar lounge

1. They allow it to be a smoking lounge

2. Users don't close the door.

 

On the Pearl they moved it to be in the corner next to LeBistro and out of the way. 

 

On the Dawn I spent evenings in that martini lounge area. I would just get up and close the door, it made a huge difference. I didn't smell the smoke once I walked down to LaCucina and didn't think it was an issue for LeBistro.

 

The Asian restaurant is complimentary. You can always request a table near the window and away from the open stairway. On the Getaway the restaurant is in the casino so many may prefer the Dawn set up.

 

I like the Dawn and would sail her again. However,  she isn't my favorite either.

[newmexicoNita]

15 hours ago, Nola26 said:

I see two issues with the cigar lounge

1. They allow it to be a smoking lounge

2. Users don't close the door.

 

On the Pearl they moved it to be in the corner next to LeBistro and out of the way. 

 

On the Dawn I spent evenings in that martini lounge area. I would just get up and close the door, it made a huge difference. I didn't smell the smoke once I walked down to LaCucina and didn't think it was an issue for LeBistro.

 

The Asian restaurant is complimentary. You can always request a table near the window and away from the open stairway. On the Getaway the restaurant is in the casino so many may prefer the Dawn set up.

 

I like the Dawn and would sail her again. However,  she isn't my favorite either.

We have sailed her 3 times and enjoy almost everything about her but I agree about the placing of Le Bistro and La Cucina. Not the smoking issue. They had signs up on both smoking doors, keep doors closed. I just don't like the two specialty dining rooms to be so close together and Le bistro which has always been thought of as the truly upscale restaurant does not seem as upscale or special on the Dawn as other ships. It is pretty crowed as well. 

 

As for Piano bar which is Gatsbys it certainly is for the older crowd. Of course that is something we enjoy. There has to be someplace on the ship where us oldsters can go for entertainment after dinner. As long as we can still travel we need our entertainment as well. 

Now, let me add, I am sure many would not find the Dawn to their liking. This is why we have so many options when choosing our ship. We are going on the Breakaway in Oct. Is it the ship for older people? Probably not, but it was the only one that worked for us. We have sailed her before, know what to expect and are excited. In fact we are hoping to get more response for our M&G as we want it to be fun as well. 

[Nola26]

Thanks for naming Gatsby's.

 

I have had two great initineraries on the Dawn: Western from NOLA and Southern Caribbean post hurricane from San Juan. Itinerary and departure port could drive me to select to sail the Dawn again, though I'd prefer to try another vessel for variety. 

[trex-de]

On 3/15/2019 at 1:35 PM, PatandStu said:

I know, lots of people love the Dawn but it wasn't for us.

The food was good to excellent, and the service was excellent except for a few individuals who did their jobs but looked reluctant.

 

 But, because specialty dining and late night parties are important to us, we won't be on the Dawn again.

 

 

I am one of those you mention who love the Dawn. First time in 2004. Fourth time coming in a couple of months.  You seem like a night owl. I am a morning person. Specialty dining is important to us as well; never had any issues in a Specialty restaurant that couldn’t be resolved. I’m on vacation and don’t sweat the small stuff. 

 

Perfect size ship, bartenders know my name by the end of the first day.  Seen a lot of change over the years.  Liked the ambiance in Le bistro before; however, Los Lobos is a hit for me now.

 

DW prefers Breakaway. 

 

cant wait. 

[Baronn77]

One of the biggest issues with the Dawn's cigar lounge is they have very poor air circulation in there.  Often times at night it would look like a Cheech and Chong movie with smoke pouring out when the doors were opened.  This was not due to the 3 or 4 cigar smokers it was more about the 15 cigarette smokers that would pile into the room.  

 

B

[jjlen11]

Sailed on the Dawn April 7-12, 2019.....never again.  First of all, I am  a fan of Norwegian and how they package a great cruise vacation.  Tons of problems on this ship-loose steps up to smoking area , one guest no a/c in an interior room with no resolution by staff, many had broken toilets-we had constant problems in 10058 with other guest flushing items not meant to be flushed- and after five calls the front desk became uncaring. One couple I met had sewage smell in their room and bathroom. Also an electrical fire and chaos for many on deck 10 2:30 am.  A good portion were taken to the top of the ship for two hours.  A handicapped man was panicking on deck 9 elevators were out of service.  Fire doors by casino deck 6 enacted -people separated and some going for life vests....but with the action just a few cabins away from us no one alerted us at all!!! I was told by a person onsite thick smoke---crew bringing fire hoses?? for an electrical fire?? If it really went bad ---what would have occurred for me and my wife? Some crew were fantastic-others not.  Had some great meals, met some nice people...same entertainment-not much variety, seemed to play the same songs all the time..... I look at it as an older ship that has problems...I guess you get what you pay for...….

[DMH15]

The Dawn was my least favorite.  After Sun, Epic, Jewel and Norway. 

[Rileyz]

The cigar lounge should be cigars only.  It’s ruins the whole experience when cigarettes take over, such a shame.

[newmexicoNita]

7 hours ago, Rileyz said:

The cigar lounge should be cigars only.  It’s ruins the whole experience when cigarettes take over, such a shame.

so where do the cigarette smokers go to smoke other than 1 side of the ship by the pool? 

[myjillian]

More and more ship are doing away with smoking....

[PatandStu]

I have no objections to an indoor smoking area for cigars and cigarettes. 

But given the size of the ships, surely there’s a place away from specialty restaurants that the room could be placed, perhaps with a door that opens to the outside. 

[kitty-sail]

On 3/16/2019 at 2:19 PM, Nola26 said:

Thanks for naming Gatsby's.

 

I have had two great initineraries on the Dawn: Western from NOLA and Southern Caribbean post hurricane from San Juan. Itinerary and departure port could drive me to select to sail the Dawn again, though I'd prefer to try another vessel for variety. 

Agreed. Loved our last itinerary and also liked the ship very much so booked another 14 day trip out of Tampa. The smoke smell does permeate outside of the cigar room. Feel a much better, stronger exhaust system in that room would be a definite plus. Cigar room is not a plus being near Bistro and Cucina.

[ArtInMotionPersians]

 

"The piano player and duet, although talented, seemed to play to an older crowd"

 

We were very recently on the Jade & this was the same.  Every entertainment venue, every night, catered to a 20-30 year older crowd.  (We're in our 40s, and I'd say roughly 1/4 of the demographic on the ship was in our age group.)  While we enjoyed watching the "older crowd" enjoy themselves, we were BORED night after night.

 

Very stark contrast to our experience on the Sun, where there were several activities going on at the same time all night, each night, and each catering to a different age group.

 

A much more experienced cruiser advised me this was due to the 10 day itinerary catering more towards retirees.  That seems feasible.

 

We also experienced strong smoke several nights from the Cigar Bar & Casino.  While unpleasant it was infrequent.

 

 

[Barb Nahoumi]

I noticed younger crowds on the Dawn and other ships, during the summer when many more families travel.  The off season cruises and longer ones do attract older passengers.

 

We recently enjoyed  14 day cruise on the Dawn, and it was an enjoyable experience.  The passengers ranged in age from infant through elderly.  The entertainment provided "Something for Everybody."  Jose and Patti  performed in the Atrium most nights.  Extra chairs had to be brought in when they were on.  My husband and the friends that we cruise with were not bored at all.  We read our Dailies to find interesting activities.

 

Our next cruise will be on the Gem to Bermuda.   The 7 day itinerary should have a younger demographic.  We shall see.

[mugtech]

We have always had the Dawn waydown on our list, never having sailed her.  We prefer the Jewel class ships which have a great forward observation lounge.

[kitty-sail]

10 hours ago, Barb Nahoumi said:

I noticed younger crowds on the Dawn and other ships, during the summer when many more families travel.  The off season cruises and longer ones do attract older passengers.

 

We recently enjoyed  14 day cruise on the Dawn, and it was an enjoyable experience.  The passengers ranged in age from infant through elderly.  The entertainment provided "Something for Everybody."  Jose and Patti  performed in the Atrium most nights.  Extra chairs had to be brought in when they were on.  My husband and the friends that we cruise with were not bored at all.  We read our Dailies to find interesting activities.

 

Our next cruise will be on the Gem to Bermuda.   The 7 day itinerary should have a younger demographic.  We shall see.

I think it would hold true for any ship, that cruises during school vacation weeks would tend to have a younger crowd. Older folks or pre-school kids would be found on off-season cruises. Also the smaller ships probably are more suited to older individuals seeking quiet rather than a ship with go-carts and ropes course. Have cruised both large and small. Spent the last several years enjoying the large ships but just got off the Dawn and remembered why I like the small ships so we booked another cruise on the Dawn. The smallest ship was the Crown with 500 passengers.

[newmexicoNita]

20 hours ago, Barb Nahoumi said:

I noticed younger crowds on the Dawn and other ships, during the summer when many more families travel.  The off season cruises and longer ones do attract older passengers.

 

We recently enjoyed  14 day cruise on the Dawn, and it was an enjoyable experience.  The passengers ranged in age from infant through elderly.  The entertainment provided "Something for Everybody."  Jose and Patti  performed in the Atrium most nights.  Extra chairs had to be brought in when they were on.  My husband and the friends that we cruise with were not bored at all.  We read our Dailies to find interesting activities.

 

Our next cruise will be on the Gem to Bermuda.   The 7 day itinerary should have a younger demographic.  We shall see.

We too have always found a variety of activities at night. There is the Bliss, Gatsbys, the showroom, and the Atrium, all with entertainment to attract different age groups. At least this has been our experience. 

[Barb Nahoumi]

53 minutes ago, newmexicoNita said:

We too have always found a variety of activities at night. There is the Bliss, Gatsbys, the showroom, and the Atrium, all with entertainment to attract different age groups. At least this has been our experience. 

Exactly.