Prima or Dawn?

[ErLee]

We're looking at a couple Baltic itineraries for fall 2025, one on Prima and one on Dawn. Similar itineraries, dates, price. I know these two ships are VERY different. I just wanted to get some opinions from people that have been on one or both of these ships to help me make an informed decision. Thanks in advance!

[brookie848]

You say the itineraries are similar, but are the times in port similar? Does one have more tender ports than the other?

 

We've been on the Dawn and the Viva. If it was a port-heavy itinerary, I'd be happy with either. The Dawn has Los Lobos, but none of the other newer restaurants. It does have a wine bar. The other "negative" thing is that the casino is smokey and you have to walk through it sometimes or go up/down a floor.

 

We also liked that the shows on the Dawn were different each night and no reservations were needed.

[www3traveler]

I would vote for the Dawn.  Smaller ship, less passengers.

[ErLee]

2 hours ago, brookie848 said:

You say the itineraries are similar, but are the times in port similar? Does one have more tender ports than the other?

 

We've been on the Dawn and the Viva. If it was a port-heavy itinerary, I'd be happy with either.

Thank you! Those are good points and the reason I asked the question! To see what I haven't thought of. I've checked....There are no tender ports on either according to NCL's tender port list. The port times are similar, but I'd say maybe slightly better on the Dawn itinerary. There are seven ports that are on both itineraries, and then some that are on one or the other. The biggest difference is the Dawn itinerary has no sea days, so very port heavy, LOL! Two sea days on the Prima, so 2 less ports on that one.

[Travelling2Some]

We did this cruise on the Dawn with zero sea days and loved it.  One of our best trips ever.  The main reason we chose the particular sailing we did though was because it embarked in Copenhagen and ended in Stockholm, enabling us to spend five additional days in each of those cities.  I don't know if that would be a factor for you.  Which two ports do you give up if you choose the Prima rather than the Dawn?

[ErLee]

4 minutes ago, Travelling2Some said:

We did this cruise on the Dawn with zero sea days and loved it.  One of our best trips ever.  The main reason we chose the particular sailing we did though was because it embarked in Copenhagen and ended in Stockholm, enabling us to spend five additional days in each of those cities.  I don't know if that would be a factor for you.  Which two ports do you give up if you choose the Prima rather than the Dawn?

Oh that's good to hear that you loved it! 

 

The Dawn itinerary we're looking at for Sept 2025 begins in Oslo and ends in Stockholm. We would definitely be trying to add on at least a day or two in both of those cities. 

 

By doing the Dawn itinerary, we give up London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. (I'm not worried about London, because I would rather include that in a UK land tour later)

 

The ports we gain on the Dawn itinerary that are not included on the Prima are Oslo & Kristiansand in Norway, Aarhus in Denmark, Hamburg in Germany, and Riga in Latvia. The Prima itinerary does not go to Norway or Latvia at all and only has Berlin in Germany.

 

Did you go to some of those ports and really recommend them? 

 

I'm leaning toward the Dawn because the itinerary is so good.

[Pitzel]

Based on the itinerary, I would choose the Dawn. I have sailed both the Prima and the Dawn and like both of them for very different reasons. The Dawn is a smaller, older ship (of course), but in a port-intensive itinerary, you will likely be spending the majority of your time off the ship anyway.

We did sail in a suite on the Dawn and loved the larger room size and amazing service that we got onboard. That said, I don't know if I would splurge for that if I didn't really have the time to enjoy it. As long as the room is big enough to be comfortable for you and whomever is traveling with you, you can likely just view the ship as a traveling hotel.

[Asawi]

In my opinion the Dawn Itinerary is better.
I do live pretty much in the middle between Oslo and Stockholm so it would be super convenient for me. But  putting that aside, the Dawn itinerary is more appealing to me. I have been to many of the places in both itineraries (although not by cruise ship) and for example Århus is so nice for a "stroll around person" like me. And Riga... And don't get me started on Oslo...
But honestly, you can't go wrong whichever you choose! They are both very good!

[dexddd]

Been on both.  Prima gets generally a bad rap mostly around public venues.  Depending on category, the ship rooms are nice and ship is pretty upscale.

 

Dawn had a major reno a few years back.  Sounds like ports will decide.

[ontheweb]

We really loved our Prima cruise last summer, but the itinerary for the Dawn sounds much better. And on a Baltic cruise, the itinerary should be the main focus.

 

Also, some of the features of the Prima would work best in a warmer cruise.

[Sailing12Away]

Haven't been on the Dawn, but we were in a 3br villa on the Star which is a sister ship. Since we sailed Prima in September to Iceland, my vote 100% is for the Dawn. Prima is not a good ship for cold weather trips. We had a huge H4 owner's suite and could only sit out on the balcony 2 days on the 10 day trip. So that was a waste. Once you left your cabin, everything felt very squished on Prima as there's a lot of outdoor space - but if the weather isn't cooperating all those folks are now indoors.

 

So my vote is for the Dawn, and to put in a bid for the 3br villa. We found out the night before we flew to Spain for our trip on the Star that we had won even though the room was listed as sold out for months. So you never know!

[ErLee]

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

 

So my vote is for the Dawn, and to put in a bid for the 3br villa. We found out the night before we flew to Spain for our trip on the Star that we had won even though the room was listed as sold out for months. So you never know!

Thanks for your input! That's really good info, and what a great tip about the bid!

[The Traveling Man]

On 4/9/2024 at 8:51 PM, ErLee said:

The port times are similar, but I'd say maybe slightly better on the Dawn itinerary. There are seven ports that are on both itineraries, and then some that are on one or the other. The biggest difference is the Dawn itinerary has no sea days, so very port heavy, LOL! Two sea days on the Prima, so 2 less ports on that one.

Then I would definitely go with the Dawn. 

[Travelling2Some]

On 4/9/2024 at 10:28 PM, ErLee said:

Oh that's good to hear that you loved it! 

 

The Dawn itinerary we're looking at for Sept 2025 begins in Oslo and ends in Stockholm. We would definitely be trying to add on at least a day or two in both of those cities. 

 

By doing the Dawn itinerary, we give up London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. (I'm not worried about London, because I would rather include that in a UK land tour later)

 

The ports we gain on the Dawn itinerary that are not included on the Prima are Oslo & Kristiansand in Norway, Aarhus in Denmark, Hamburg in Germany, and Riga in Latvia. The Prima itinerary does not go to Norway or Latvia at all and only has Berlin in Germany.

 

Did you go to some of those ports and really recommend them? 

 

I'm leaning toward the Dawn because the itinerary is so good.

Have been through Brussels on a land trip and found it skippable, Brugges is much nicer.  Loved Amsterdam but it needs several days to see it properly.  Can recommend Riga and Hamburg (go to Miniature Wonderland) as enjoyable ports.  Berlin is way too far from the port but we did very much like our day Warnemunde.  Spend as much time as you can in Stockholm - wonderful city.  As others have mentioned, Prima is not a good ship for colder weather.  Another vote for the Dawn.

[ChiefMateJRK]

 Dawn = no OL = no sale.

[dexddd]

Would definitely go to Berlin.  Yes, it is like three hours one way.

 

We did private van and not cheap.  Sites and experience one of the best ever.  Ever.

[Travelling2Some]

4 hours ago, dexddd said:

Would definitely go to Berlin.  Yes, it is like three hours one way.

 

We did private van and not cheap.  Sites and experience one of the best ever.  Ever.

When we considered the very high cost of the excursion plus the 6 hour r/t travel time, it made more sense for us to visit Berlin separately after the cruise.  Two nights in a Berlin hotel cost less than the excursion.