Ncl dawn question

[karen327]

We were recently on an NCL cruise on the Pearl and are considering the Dawn for our next cruise. Can anyone who has been on the Dawn tell me if they have any outside dining areas like the Pearl does? Do they have enough public outside areas so we can find a seat if we were to decide to book an inside room? If anyone who reads this has been on both ships, could you tell me how they compare? Thanks

[leestar]

I have been on the Dawn and the Gem. The Gem is the same class of ship as the Pearl so I believe they are very similar. The Dawn is a different class ship.

 

In general I prefer the Dawn to the Gem. However, the one thing I like much much better on the Gem is the outside dining area which on the Gem is called the Great Outdoors. There is no similar area on the Dawn. On the Dawn that area is the T rex kids pool. In my opinion a waste of a great view.

 

There are a ton of public areas on the Dawn in fact in that regard I like the Dawn better than the Gem. The atrium on the Dawn has glass elevators and goes up several stories so light comes in from outside. By the pool the Dawn has tiers with lounge chairs.

 

Whatever you do have a great time.

[oLEEander]

There is no aft outside dining area on the Dawn as there is on the Pearl. There is outside dining at Blue Lagoon ( 4 or 5 small tables) with table service, though you may have to pop inside to get someone's attention when its really busy inside. You can always pick up something from the buffet and take it out to the pool area. There is more pool area chairs on the Dawn due to the tiered seating area. This was lost on the Pearl when the waterfall/adult pool and slides were added to the pool area. Having sailed on both ships there are a number of differences between the ships. I really enjoy the different smaller venues on the Dawn compared to Bar Central on the Pearl. I liked the adult pool on Pearl, but not enough to have given up the tiered seating area. I loved the aft dining area on the Pearl, and wish the Dawn has something similar. While many complain about having to walk through the Blue Lagoon on the Dawn, I found it was much easier to stop and pick up something there and take it back to your room on the Dawn. The Pearl's Blue Lagoon just didn't seem to work as well for walk up service as far as I was concerned. Two different ships two different styles, but for me the Dawn is still my favorite.

[bakerintn]

On the Pearl, one has to walk through the smoky casino to go to the main theater. I hated that.

 

However, overall, I preferred the Pearl, with the Great Outdoors area being the big draw for me. High atriums with glass elevators, like on the Dawn, just remind me of 1970's Las Vegas.

[Azure Moon]

karen327, I'm getting a kick out of your post :D.

We were on the Pearl in January and our next cruise will be on the Dawn in September :). Great minds think alike :cool:.

I've got an NCL Dawn question, too, if I may?

Does the Dawn have a shuffleboard court? Didn't see the icon for one in the NCL cruise brochere/book. Thanks!

[saleandsail]

The Dawn has the Topsider Bar in the pool area where you can get hamburger, hot dogs, salads etc. There are tables along the pool area on both sides of the ship. Smoking allowed on Port side, no smoking on the Starboard side. Go up the steps from the pool to deck 14 to the Bimini Grill. Great place for drinks, hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken fingers. There are a couple of shuffle board courts on deck 7 Starboard side. Enjoy your cruise.