Just booked NCL Dawn - What can we expect?

[SanFranBayCruiser]

We've never sailed NCL but, we've sailed Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Carnival (multiple times on all lines, except Royal Caribbean which we sailed once so far).

 

What can we expect? We booked an AF mini-suite. I'd love to see a photo of how it really looks, not how it's dressed up on the website. Do we get a tub in the bathroom? If so, do you have to five foot tall or under and less than 100 pounds to enjoy it?

 

I'd like to know how the alternative restaurants work. Do we just show up or if we need reservation do we do that when we board? If so, do we do it for the whole week?

 

How to do the included restaurants work? Is it first come, first serve? Do they accept reservations?

 

We're thinking about doing the May 6th, 1 night dinner dance, but, there isn't a lot left. Has anyone ever done a cruise to nowhere on NCL Dawn? If so, would you do it again?

 

Looking for any and all opinions, advice, etc. Looking forward to this one!

 

Thanks!

[johnql]

I'd like to know how the alternative restaurants work. Do we just show up or if we need reservation do we do that when we board? If so, do we do it for the whole week?

 

How to do the included restaurants work? Is it first come, first serve? Do they accept reservations?

Here's a breakdown of the Dawn's dining venues:

 

Included, no reservations required

Aqua (main dining room)

Impressions (main dining room)

Venetian (main dining room)

Garden Cafe Buffet

Bimini Bar & Grill

Blue Lagoon - 24/7 eatery

Pearly Kings Pub - Fish & chips

Ondeck BBQs

Late night snacks served in the casino

Room service - 24/7

 

Specialty Restaurants - included, reservations required

La Trattoria - Italian

Salsa - Tex-Mex

 

Specialty Restaurants - surcharge, reservations required

Bamboo - 3 eateries in 1 - Asian fusion restaurant / sushi / Teppanyaki

Cagney's Steakhouse

Le Bistro - French

 

You can book the alternative restaurants right after boarding if you choose. Teppanyaki has very limited seating, so it tends to book up early. Le Bistro is also extremely popular. So, if you want either of those restaurants, I would make reservations early in the sailing.

 

The main dining rooms are first-come, first-served. Generally, you'll be seated almost immediately unless you go at peak dining times (7 or so) or you have a large party, which is more difficult to seat. If you find a particular waiter that you love, you can also request to be seated in his section of the dining room.

[jeannep]

You are going to love the Dawn. She is beautiful. There are so many nooks and cranies to investigate. We have been on her 3 times and loved everything on board.

 

Enjoy!

Jeanne

[Cosmopolitan]

You are going to love the Dawn. She is beautiful. There are so many nooks and cranies to investigate. We have been on her 3 times and loved everything on board.

 

Enjoy!

Jeanne

 

I'm with you!

 

There is NOTHING not to like.

 

You will love the Dawn;)

[Maryfrei]

We stayed 4 in an AF mini and just loved it. That is with two full grown teens! My husband is 6'2" and had no problem with the shower, in fact we thought it was a real luxury having a tub. I agree with the other posters and will be surprised if you don't love the Dawn:).

 

Also, I found the stock photo of the mini-suite to be pretty accurate.

 

If you search the forum, you might find Shoreguy's recollections of his one night in the Garden Villa on the Dawn! We did the one night on the Spirit and loved it too!

[Dolphins]

A lot of kids on board.

[Maryfrei]

Here is a photo of an AF being very "lived-in", with the second bed fully open!

 

 

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Here is a photo of an AF being very "lived-in", with the second bed fully open!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for trying but, your link doesn't seem to be working :(

[shoreguy]

Thanks for trying but, your link doesn't seem to be working :(

 

This will work - and I have done a one day on the Dawn. It is very different then a regular cruise but a good way to become familiar with the ship. Bars, restaurants, Casino will be packed as 2500 passengers try and do a week's worth of cruising in 20 hours.

 

There is a link below to my informal review of that one day. A little different spin then the average cruise as I was able to grab the Garden Villa as a last minute bargain

 

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Thanks! It looks very nice!

[claimsgal]

We also just booked our cruise for 6/3/06 out of NY on the Dawn. I've learned alot from the boards and now feel pretty comfortable ( for a first time cruiser) that the Dawn will be perfect. Thanks to Johnql for the restaurant list and to shoreguy whose posts have been great. The photo was beautiful- only wish we were staying there. We are on the 10th level with a balcony- can't wait to get going!

 

claimsgal.

[Wendy-Europe]

Hi,

 

we stayed in an AF-Minisuite - and I took lots of pictures - see my signature - and you can explore the Dawn...

 

I tried to make photos of most of the public areas and restaurants too.

 

Enjoy

 

Wendy

[4merlurker]

Great Pics Wendy!!! :)

 

~Connie