NCL Dawn - Likes and Dislikes - Go!

[meltingmoments]

7 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Go find & enjoy what I called the "not-so-secret" hideaway quiet (somewhat) lounge on Deck 9 mid-ship, above the atrium & up the stairs from O'Sheehan's.  It's where our "gang" meet pre-dinner sometimes, nice place indoor to read, relax, sit-back & enjoy music from below.  

Oh definitely this! 

Our cabin was on Deck 9 and we literally stumbled on the doorway leading to this area. So lovely! 

Loved the Dawn, great staff, easy to navigate. Enjoyed both main dining rooms for atmosphere and service. 

Favourite bar was O'Sheehans but also enjoyed Gatsby's for the music. 

Can't think of anything we disliked! 

[newmexicoNita]

likes: the Bliss lounge. Love the idea of 2 places offering some form of a show each night.

Size is ideal

.great crew: love the Hotel manager

Entertainers: Jose and Patti who are almost always on the ship: When they are entertaining we never miss any of the acts

Gatbys: the best bar of any we have spent time in and that is saying a lot. 

 

Dislikes: the ship takes some getting used to its layout; especially deck 8. It can be like a maze.

miss the great Outdoors

the buffet, we think is just ok at best. 

 

Overall, we have sailed her 3 times and would do it again in a heartbeat.  

[mugtech]

On 6/17/2019 at 11:53 AM, AnnieBabes said:

 

Spinnaker, Great Outdoors? You're speaking cruise expert language. 🙂

The forward bar and observation lounge on deck 13 was turned into cabins.  The great outdoors is outside dining behind the buffet.  Two reasons why Dawn is inferior to Jewel class ships.

[don't-use-real-name]

5 minutes ago, mugtech said:

The forward bar and observation lounge on deck 13 was turned into cabins.  The great outdoors is outside dining behind the buffet.  Two reasons why Dawn is inferior to Jewel class ships.

 

That forward lounge and bar was on deck 12 and turned into 24 suites and 4 Deluxe Owner suite and 18 Inside cabins.

The same was done on the STAR - DAWNs sister ship.

On the DAWN the area aft of the Buffet is a two level spa and physical fitness section - aft of that outside

is the kiddie activity swimming wading pools (those T-Rex creatures on the back deck)

Deck 12 - Port side aft is Los Lobos

On the STAR the kiddie activity is on deck 13 - the entire aft portion of deck 12 is for the spa and physical fitness

There is a Teen Club and Video arcade on deck 12 port side aft.

 

Both of these ships have the awkward deck 8 zig-zag passageway due to the life boats being tucked into their

sheltered davits - this is where the OV obstructed view port hole cabins are located.

 

The DAWN and STAR were built 4 years before the JEWEL class ships a different theme time concept. 

[amygutman]

On the Dawn now....and LOVING this ship. There are a few personal loves, likes, and oddities:

 

LOVES

Los Lobos: Guac is amazing. Lord...EVERYTHING was amazing in this restaurant

Bamboo: Steamed fish was literally the best I have every had

Staff: Amazingly friendly, helpful and smiling.Bumped into a number of staff and officers we've met on other cruises and every single one has said this is their ship of choice. 

Trivia: spent yesterday running (running!) from one trivia contest to another with an increasingly large and hysterically funny group of ship mates. Absolutely a team sport. 

Room: we are in 10506 the 2 balcony OS...um - it's freaking amazing. View, amenities. 2 very odd things (not bad, just odd) - only 1 safe (usually there are 2 in suites we have been in previously), and the incredibly wind vortex if you have a balcony open and the cabin door or the other balcony door is opened while at sea. You will only have to do that once (and literally have to put every non-secured item back in it's place) before you learn that lesson! We miss the Haven pool area - but the room (almost) makes up for that. 

GSC Villas: I am going to post photos / reviews when we get home ... just....oh lord...amazing!!!

 

LIKES

Juice Bar in Garden Cafe: other than oddly running out of carrots yesterday - it's fantastic

Buffet: nice selection, but organized oddly in that you cannot circle around completely - it "dead-ends" at the door to I think Los Lobos at the back of the dessert section. Not too big, not too small - and despite the lack of the Great Outdoors, a ton of seating

Entertainment: the small venues and intimate smaller shows are outstanding - but there has not been a main show yet this week we have wanted to see - we are on day 5 of 7 of our vacation week. I agree with above posters about the nooks and crannies - they are everywhere, and a fantastic place to enjoy performances. We particularly are loving the small musical revues in Bliss. 

 

ODDITIES

Internet: not quick at all - wanted to catch up on my online classes when hubby and son are sleeping, and I have not been able to download a single video. I'm not complaining - certainly not on vacation to work / study, but if you are depending on the internet for work, etc and need video streaming-capability, you may have difficulties. 

Randomness of Elevators / Floor Layouts: It's day 5 of 7...and am just figuring out how to get here from there. The aft of the ship is oddly laid out. Not a big deal for the average-bodied, but if you are differently-abled and require an elevator to travel between floors, I'd recommend mid-ship 100% - those elevators seem to go everywhere without interruption

Casino Smoke: I am a slots girl on cruises, and although the variety is smaller, there are certainly enough machines to go around. However - the ventilation system is awful. Cigarette smoke is so, so pervasive - it makes it very difficult when going to venues on floor 6 and walking from forward to aft / midship. The smoke is just everywhere. 

 

Have a wonderful trip - we are just loving our week, even with the occasional oddity!

Amy

[willsears94]

Dawn was amazing after refurb. Great service. 

 

I disagree with others. The wine bar may be underutilized space, but a welcomed one. 

[AnnieBabes]

11 minutes ago, amygutman said:

On the Dawn now....and LOVING this ship. There are a few personal loves, likes, and oddities:

 

LOVES

Los Lobos: Guac is amazing. Lord...EVERYTHING was amazing in this restaurant

Bamboo: Steamed fish was literally the best I have every had

Staff: Amazingly friendly, helpful and smiling.Bumped into a number of staff and officers we've met on other cruises and every single one has said this is their ship of choice. 

Trivia: spent yesterday running (running!) from one trivia contest to another with an increasingly large and hysterically funny group of ship mates. Absolutely a team sport. 

Room: we are in 10506 the 2 balcony OS...um - it's freaking amazing. View, amenities. 2 very odd things (not bad, just odd) - only 1 safe (usually there are 2 in suites we have been in previously), and the incredibly wind vortex if you have a balcony open and the cabin door or the other balcony door is opened while at sea. You will only have to do that once (and literally have to put every non-secured item back in it's place) before you learn that lesson! We miss the Haven pool area - but the room (almost) makes up for that. 

GSC Villas: I am going to post photos / reviews when we get home ... just....oh lord...amazing!!!

 

LIKES

Juice Bar in Garden Cafe: other than oddly running out of carrots yesterday - it's fantastic

Buffet: nice selection, but organized oddly in that you cannot circle around completely - it "dead-ends" at the door to I think Los Lobos at the back of the dessert section. Not too big, not too small - and despite the lack of the Great Outdoors, a ton of seating

Entertainment: the small venues and intimate smaller shows are outstanding - but there has not been a main show yet this week we have wanted to see - we are on day 5 of 7 of our vacation week. I agree with above posters about the nooks and crannies - they are everywhere, and a fantastic place to enjoy performances. We particularly are loving the small musical revues in Bliss. 

 

ODDITIES

Internet: not quick at all - wanted to catch up on my online classes when hubby and son are sleeping, and I have not been able to download a single video. I'm not complaining - certainly not on vacation to work / study, but if you are depending on the internet for work, etc and need video streaming-capability, you may have difficulties. 

Randomness of Elevators / Floor Layouts: It's day 5 of 7...and am just figuring out how to get here from there. The aft of the ship is oddly laid out. Not a big deal for the average-bodied, but if you are differently-abled and require an elevator to travel between floors, I'd recommend mid-ship 100% - those elevators seem to go everywhere without interruption

Casino Smoke: I am a slots girl on cruises, and although the variety is smaller, there are certainly enough machines to go around. However - the ventilation system is awful. Cigarette smoke is so, so pervasive - it makes it very difficult when going to venues on floor 6 and walking from forward to aft / midship. The smoke is just everywhere. 

 

Have a wonderful trip - we are just loving our week, even with the occasional oddity!

Amy

 

Amy, this is so great. Thank you for all this information! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

[mugtech]

3 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

 

 

The DAWN and STAR were built 4 years before the JEWEL class ships a different theme time concept. 

Thanks for reminding me that I won't be sailing the Dawn either.

[kitty-sail]

On 6/17/2019 at 11:38 AM, AlexandNessa said:

Dislikes, same as roger001: no Spinnaker, no Great Outdoors. 

 

Likes: Dawn's atrium is so nice compared to Norwegian's other ships. I also like the Bimini Bar better. 

Bimini Bar - yeah the best !!

 

[kitty-sail]

After not being on the Dawn for10 yrs, cruised a few months ago and remembered why I enjoyed it. After many mega-cruises, the friendly staff and smaller size was perfect. Just having less people made a big difference.

 

I did enjoy Great Outdoors on Jewel class which was great for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and evening cocktails.

 

Booked on the Dawn for end of year and looking forward.

[Wedgie23]

Can anyone go into more detail about the ship the layout? I've heard several people commenting certain elevators don't go to certain floors, having to go down to a certain deck to be able to get up to other decks, dead ends .etc.

 

Annie touched on it in her post as well. I've looked at the diagrams on the NCL site and watched a view video tours on youtube but wasn't able to find any exact information. I don't have a keen sense of direction so the more I'm able to memorize or even take notes to bring with me the better. 

 

I'm quite excited to see NCL on a smaller scale. I've only been on the mega ships and at least on Escape it seemed incredibly crowded at times. 15 minutes or more waiting at a bar for a drink, long waits for elevators, all the shows sold out and venues booked right away. The Dawn carries half the amount of passengers but obviously it's half the size too, is overcrowding also an issue found on Dawn? 

 

 I'm booked for November and in either event can't wait to see a smaller ship. Either we love it and never do big scale again or we see the draw of more options even with the big crowds, in any event I am anticipating a very different experience. 

 

In one video I watched it appeared you are able to completely circle the ship, including the bow and stern. The video appeared to be shot during a press tour so it's possible restricted areas were opened just for them. Is this a walk regular passengers are allowed to do?

[amygutman]

20 hours ago, AnnieBabes said:

 

Amy, this is so great. Thank you for all this information! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

🤗 Happy to pay back from the awesome advice given on CC by others.

Trying to figure out how to post videos on youtube so that when we get back I can post a 10506 room video and videos from GSC Villa areas. Will have a comprehensive review too - nothing as cool as the other dedicated CCers out there (ie daily love updates that are amazing to read), but our opinions and observations.

Funny...we have 2 more days counting today, and up on my computer screen popped up "150 days until vacation!" - yes...I have my computer calendar set to each vacation and we are on the Gem next for Thanksgiving! Looks like I will be haunting the Gem forums next!

Amy

[AnnieBabes]

Let me know when you post on youtube, I'd be interested to see and hear more of your observations!

 

My friends are booked in rooms 10595 and 10592, if you get a chance could you let us know if they have decent views? I know your room is somewhat close to theirs, so they are hoping for an amazing view like yours.

 

Haunt those Gem forums, you have done a great job in the Dawn forum!

[bones774]

On 6/18/2019 at 8:58 AM, mking8288 said:

Go find & enjoy what I called the "not-so-secret" hideaway quiet (somewhat) lounge on Deck 9 mid-ship, above the atrium & up the stairs from O'Sheehan's.  It's where our "gang" meet pre-dinner sometimes, nice place indoor to read, relax, sit-back & enjoy music from below.  

I stumbled upon this great little hideaway and it became my go to reading spot, the best on any ship I've been. You are gonna ruin it, sending all these CC folks there.  🙂 

[barbarossa_hoosier]

I'm sure it's partly a function of being a smaller ship, but we found the crew, activities, and entertainers to be much more welcoming and intimate. Other than the tableside guac, we thought Los Lobos was just okay. I loved Moderno. We were in a suite on the Dawn, so I'm sure that biases my experience overall; that said, I loved it. The fresh-pressed coffee with the suite breakfast is something that I'll miss on every other non-suite cruise.

 

We loved the trivia; as another poster said, we had quite the group that engaged in all of the trivia, and everyone had a lot of fun with it. Same thing with the karaoke. Again, I think these are partly a function of ship size, but they contributed to a wonderful cruise experience.

 

Neither of my girls made use of the children's activities; our vacations tend to be family time, and I'll take advantage of that for as long as they still want to spend time with me! That said, neither was ever at a loss for activities or things to do. Only one soft-serve ice cream station in the buffet was a minor inconvenience for them at times.

 

I would sail the Dawn again in a heartbeat. We first sailed NCL on the Getaway, and I much, much prefer the Dawn. We have upcoming cruises on the Pearl and the Jade (and later, on the Encore), so I'll be interested to compare experiences.

[AnnieBabes]

31 minutes ago, barbarossa_hoosier said:

I'm sure it's partly a function of being a smaller ship, but we found the crew, activities, and entertainers to be much more welcoming and intimate. Other than the tableside guac, we thought Los Lobos was just okay. I loved Moderno. We were in a suite on the Dawn, so I'm sure that biases my experience overall; that said, I loved it. The fresh-pressed coffee with the suite breakfast is something that I'll miss on every other non-suite cruise.

 

We loved the trivia; as another poster said, we had quite the group that engaged in all of the trivia, and everyone had a lot of fun with it. Same thing with the karaoke. Again, I think these are partly a function of ship size, but they contributed to a wonderful cruise experience.

 

Neither of my girls made use of the children's activities; our vacations tend to be family time, and I'll take advantage of that for as long as they still want to spend time with me! That said, neither was ever at a loss for activities or things to do. Only one soft-serve ice cream station in the buffet was a minor inconvenience for them at times.

 

I would sail the Dawn again in a heartbeat. We first sailed NCL on the Getaway, and I much, much prefer the Dawn. We have upcoming cruises on the Pearl and the Jade (and later, on the Encore), so I'll be interested to compare experiences.

 

More great info, thanks so much! We are all looking forward to our experience on the Dawn.

[don't-use-real-name]

9 hours ago, Wedgie23 said:

Can anyone go into more detail about the ship the layout? I've heard several people commenting certain elevators don't go to certain floors, having to go down to a certain deck to be able to get up to other decks, dead ends .etc.

 

This LINK will help:

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/Norwegian-Dawn

 

Now about those elevators;

 

The forward bank (Theatre Casino (1 deck short of Bimini Bar) covers decks 4-13 - 4 elevators

 

The mid-ship bank Aqua* MDR Gatsby's LaCucina Le Bistro Atrium O'Sheehans Cagney's Moderno Buffet forward

entrance covers decks 4-14* 14 restricted access Garden Villa - 4 elevators

Aqua MDR wheelchair mobility access on deck 6 

NOTE: no wheelchair mobility access between the two MDRs without using an elevator !

 

The aft-bank Venetian* MDR Bliss Lounge Internet Café Spa & Fitness aft entry to Buffet Los Lobos Arcade Childrens

& Teen area covers decks 5-12 - * Wheelchair mobility access elevator on deck 6 behind the stairs and host podium

one elevator goes to deck 13 (inner Starboard) -

one elevator goes to deck 4 (outer Starboard) -

Elevator scheme outer Port inner Port inner Starboard outer Starboard

 

On the Deck Plan LINK elevators are shown as XXXXs stairs as lines

 

 

9 hours ago, Wedgie23 said:

 

Annie touched on it in her post as well. I've looked at the diagrams on the NCL site and watched a view video tours on youtube but wasn't able to find any exact information. I don't have a keen sense of direction so the more I'm able to memorize or even take notes to bring with me the better. 

 

I'm quite excited to see NCL on a smaller scale. I've only been on the mega ships and at least on Escape it seemed incredibly crowded at times. 15 minutes or more waiting at a bar for a drink, long waits for elevators, all the shows sold out and venues booked right away. The Dawn carries half the amount of passengers but obviously it's half the size too, is overcrowding also an issue found on Dawn? 

 

 I'm booked for November and in either event can't wait to see a smaller ship. Either we love it and never do big scale again or we see the draw of more options even with the big crowds, in any event I am anticipating a very different experience. 

 

In one video I watched it appeared you are able to completely circle the ship, including the bow and stern. The video appeared to be shot during a press tour so it's possible restricted areas were opened just for them. Is this a walk regular passengers are allowed to do?

The Promenade deck 7 is the one that circles almost the entire circumference of the ship (3.5 laps to the mile)

This deck is designated for walking - jogging see next line -

On deck 13 the jogging track aft of Cagney's overlooking the kiddie swim hole 16 laps to the mile.

 

When you board the ship you should look out for the little 3x5 card with the general deck scheme.

For more detailed info inquire at Guest Services in the Atrium.

 

[goldy24]

Thanks for all the great feedback and tips.  This cruise newbie is finding all of this very helpful.

[shof515]

does the cabins on the dawn have any USB ports ?

[rtkenmore]

On 6/17/2019 at 10:54 AM, AnnieBabes said:

 

Any food recommendations? Thanks.

 

Los Lobos!  Hidden away at the back of the ship on the same deck as the buffet.

[Sachmoe]

44 minutes ago, shof515 said:

does the cabins on the dawn have any USB ports ?

 

We did not have any in a mini-suite room two years ago after the refurbishment.  I'd guess it's not likely in other cabins.

[mking8288]

@bones774 - only sharing the tips about the 5%, the other 95% aren't on CC 🤙  Of course, much rather sit in the Spinnaker Lounge with the views.  

 

@amygutman - sounded like you are making good use of some of the shared tips earlier, enjoy the last full sea day 

 

@shof515  - answer is no, none whatsoever - not even in the full suite or garden villa.  Question came up during the post M&G questions & answer segment with the senior officer, it was considered but not done ... same with rewiring extra outlets.  Staterooms default to 1 US outlet, 1 Euro (2 pin) and 1 UK (3 flat pin) outlet, bring an extra adapter and/or multi-USB charging port. 

 

P.S.  Has anyone seen/noticed changes to the fleetwide NCL MDR menu for 2019 yet ...  

Edited June 21, 2019 by mking8288

[bones774]

 - only sharing the tips about the 5%, the other 95% aren't on CC 🤙  Of course, much rather sit in the Spinnaker Lounge with the views.  

 

Just a bit tongue in cheek. 

[Wedgie23]

 

 

On 6/20/2019 at 1:46 PM, don't-use-real-name said:

The forward bank (Theatre Casino (1 deck short of Bimini Bar) covers decks 4-13 - 4 elevators

 

The mid-ship bank Aqua* MDR Gatsby's LaCucina Le Bistro Atrium O'Sheehans Cagney's Moderno Buffet forward

entrance covers decks 4-14* 14 restricted access Garden Villa - 4 elevators

Aqua MDR wheelchair mobility access on deck 6 

NOTE: no wheelchair mobility access between the two MDRs without using an elevator !

 

The aft-bank Venetian* MDR Bliss Lounge Internet Café Spa & Fitness aft entry to Buffet Los Lobos Arcade Childrens

& Teen area covers decks 5-12 - * Wheelchair mobility access elevator on deck 6 behind the stairs and host podium

one elevator goes to deck 13 (inner Starboard) -

one elevator goes to deck 4 (outer Starboard) -

Elevator scheme outer Port inner Port inner Starboard outer Starboard

 

Thank you so much! That was the exact kind of info I'd been searching for, I'll print your guide before I go so I can navigate. That doesn't sound too bad, other reviews had me thinking it was a right maze to get around. Thank you again!

[vamom76]

23 hours ago, Sachmoe said:

 

We did not have any in a mini-suite room two years ago after the refurbishment.  I'd guess it's not likely in other cabins.

We are going on the Dawn in 2 weeks and bought some Cruise Approved chargers/USB adapters to give us more options, especially for our teenager. The older boats have limited outlets, specifically by the bed area.

Edited June 22, 2019 by vamom76