Ncl Dawn Promenade Deck

Why does NCL Dawn not have any tables and chairs and very few loungers on the promenade deck? I just don't get it. Passengers should be allowed to sit or lounge around in the shade and watch the ocean go by. other cruise lines have true promenade decks like this. Why not the older NCL ships? Care to answer this question Del Rio?

I agree, I was surprised at how few seats they had and what they had was only loungers.

On the other hand, I am happy they Dawn has a true wrap around Promenade - with most new ships not having one, I appreciate the Dawn's.

Consider that the promenade deck on the Dawn -- and other ships -- is used for assembly during an emergency evacuation. How would a bunch of tables and chairs scattered around affect the emergency evacuation process?

Anyway, I'm uncertain how the design of ship constructed in 2002 could be Del Rio's fault...

Anyway, I'm uncertain how the design of ship constructed in 2002 could be Del Rio's fault...

I believe a question was asked, not blame or fault assigned. But perhaps my inference is off base.

Regardless, plenty of other ships with similar Promenade decks, also used for lifeboat access have a lot more seating. Stack em up when assembling or throw em over board when evacuating. Does anyone even muster on the Promenade? We mustered in the Stardust, didn't see/notice the Promenade at that time.

The question is very appropriate to the Dawn because Decks 12 and above have very little shaded area.

Is this true on the Gem too?

Only a few lounge chairs?

Those ships used to have lounge chairs all around the promenade deck. I liked them cause they were in the shade and it was so peaceful there!

I remember the Gem having tons of lounge chairs as well and chairs and benches. I will have to check it out when I sail her again in November.

Does anyone even muster on the Promenade?

While you may muster in a venue such as Stardust Theatre, you will be evacuating the ship via Deck 7.

During my last trips on the Star and Jewel there were plenty of seats available on Deck 7 for those who wanted one. Each time we went down there, we had no problem finding a spot to hang out.

Curiously, we were lounging on Deck 7 and asked to leave while the Star was ported in Mazatlan so the crew could perform whatever emergency drill needed performing. There were probably 300 crew on the deck. Some appeared to have just gotten out of bed.

Clearing the deck chairs by stacking or tossing them overboard upon an order to evacuate reminds me a bit of blocking the fire exits in a theatre and clearing them only after a fire is underway. Seconds matter.

Oh dear, it's been a long time - it was probably the first time we cruised the Dawn back in 2003, they had some tables & chairs right outside Blue Lagoon (now/soon to become O'Sheehans) - it could've been those heavy picnic style ones with the long benches - old brain not kicking in gears, TGIF here. Will need to hunt for those old photos in the collection to see if we have anything for that area, we used to order from BL & when it was nice outdoors, bring our own outside to sit, relax & enjoy - watching the ocean. There're lot more loungers then, stacked & securely tied together & hosed/washed down nightly - I do recall that by our 2005 sailing on the Dawn, the deck was rather sparse & wide open - except for the occassional joggers/runners ...

We have those folding camp chairs that are easy to carry around, but never really wanted to bring them on a cruise - I supposed an inflatable air mattress can served as a floating yoga mat/padding, or even those bamboo mats sold in some of the 99 cents store around here, just roll them up to go. And, we had also seen folks "borrow" chairs from the reception/atrium lobby and bring them outside to sit & relax.

The logics, nowadays - anyway, is to have folks inside at the shops, casino, spa & other revenue-generating spots ... when was the last time you saw the bar stewards "patrolling" the deck area & taking UBP orders :D

Part of the reasons might've been safety at sea, especially we've been on a few ones with rough seas & the outdoors were closed & roped off-limits.

Clearing the deck chairs by stacking or tossing them overboard upon an order to evacuate reminds me a bit of blocking the fire exits in a theatre and clearing them only after a fire is underway. Seconds matter.

If seconds matter, then I don't think we shouldn't be mustering in the Stardust. Reminds me of gathering in a certain section of the burning theater before exiting. But I'm not a life safety expert. Are you?

The Dawn had maybe 20 loungers on each side, at most. I didn't count them. If someone told me it was more like 12, I'd believe them. They were always full when we were down there. There are far fewer on the Dawn's Promenade than any other Promenade I've been on. It's very noticeable jut how barren that Promenade is. Obviously the life safety folks need to do their evaluation and make sure things are safe, but, I find it very hard to believe that the reason there are so few seats on the Promenade is a life safety issue. I very much doubt it has to do with life safety.

If seconds matter, then I don't think we shouldn't be mustering in the Stardust. Reminds me of gathering in a certain section of the burning theater before exiting. But I'm not a life safety expert. Are you?.

You're re-arranging my words and cherry picking to make an argument where none is really necessary.

If "seconds matter" then you won't be mustering in Stardust. Is this concept that hard to understand?

All I said was consider the possibility.

And for the record, yes, I am an occupational safety specialist in industrial manufacturing and petrochemical. While not maritime, the fundamental concepts associated with evacuation are not dissimilar.

we use our balcony for sitting, and the promenade deck for walking. When there are chairs , they're usually taken.

Does anyone even muster on the Promenade?

Yes. As unbelievable it might sound for some (others know that the cabin class has nowadays nothing to do with priorities in emergencies unlike a hundred years ago), best accommodations onboard have the worst muster station - people from Garden Villas are amongst those mustering while standing outside on the promenade deck. Been there, done that (on Dawn last year).

Yes. As unbelievable it might sound for some (others know that the cabin class has nowadays nothing to do with priorities in emergencies unlike a hundred years ago), best accommodations onboard have the worst muster station - people from Garden Villas are amongst those mustering while standing outside on the promenade deck. Been there, done that (on Dawn last year).

Wait - if you are mustering on the Promenade deck, doesn't that mean you folks from the first class cabins, errr, I mean, "best accommodations on board" get onto the life boats first, ahead of those of us in steerage class, errr, I mean, the rest of the ship? :):D:)

Yes. As unbelievable it might sound for some (others know that the cabin class has nowadays nothing to do with priorities in emergencies unlike a hundred years ago), best accommodations onboard have the worst muster station - people from Garden Villas are amongst those mustering while standing outside on the promenade deck. Been there, done that (on Dawn last year).

We had the same experience on the Star in the Garden Villa, was totally surprised :)

Is this true on the Gem too?

Only a few lounge chairs?

Those ships used to have lounge chairs all around the promenade deck. I liked them cause they were in the shade and it was so peaceful there!

Yes they use to have chairs. My last cruise on the Dawn a year ago, there was none. Some people were sitting on the floor of the deck. I use to love sitting there. :mad:

When I was on the spirit in 2010 the promenade had a lot of tables and chairs on the promenade and some loungers. It was great having it to sit out after a long hot day in port and have an iced coffee. Just want something similar. The spirit also had the aft outdoor eating area that was shaded.

Thanks for bringing this topic up. I don't like to relax in the sun, so have noticed how barren the promenade deck is on the Dawn. I have been on an Oceania ship and if FDR has anything to say, we should be seeing more seats on NCL. The promenade on Nautica was a great place to relax with lounge chairs and tables available. One of the best parts of that cruise for me.

Thanks for bringing this topic up. I don't like to relax in the sun, so have noticed how barren the promenade deck is on the Dawn. I have been on an Oceania ship and if FDR has anything to say, we should be seeing more seats on NCL. The promenade on Nautica was a great place to relax with lounge chairs and tables available. One of the best parts of that cruise for me.

Thanks for not flaming me as I expected I would be. I have been on ncl Dawn 5 times and voiced my complaint on the ship and online and nothing changes. It is such a quick fix. Add chairs, tables and loungers like other ships and cruise lines to give us another outside area to enjoy!

Thanks for not flaming me as I expected I would be. I

You do realize that someone else offering a different perspective in a calm, rational manner is not equal to "flaming" you, right?

Oh dear, it's been a long time - it was probably the first time we cruised the Dawn back in 2003, they had some tables & chairs right outside Blue Lagoon (now/soon to become O'Sheehans) - it could've been those heavy picnic style ones with the long benches - old brain not kicking in gears, TGIF here. Will need to hunt for those old photos in the collection to see if we have anything for that area, we used to order from BL & when it was nice outdoors, bring our own outside to sit, relax & enjoy - watching the ocean. There're lot more loungers then, stacked & securely tied together & hosed/washed down nightly - I do recall that by our 2005 sailing on the Dawn, the deck was rather sparse & wide open - except for the occassional joggers/runners ...

 

 

 

We have those folding camp chairs that are easy to carry around, but never really wanted to bring them on a cruise - I supposed an inflatable air mattress can served as a floating yoga mat/padding, or even those bamboo mats sold in some of the 99 cents store around here, just roll them up to go. And, we had also seen folks "borrow" chairs from the reception/atrium lobby and bring them outside to sit & relax.

 

 

 

The logics, nowadays - anyway, is to have folks inside at the shops, casino, spa & other revenue-generating spots ... when was the last time you saw the bar stewards "patrolling" the deck area & taking UBP orders :D

 

 

 

Part of the reasons might've been safety at sea, especially we've been on a few ones with rough seas & the outdoors were closed & roped off-limits.

I also remember those days when the Blue Lagoon was on deck 7 and they did have tables and chairs outside. We really enjoyed that too. Now the Blue Lagoon is on deck 8 where the Mexican Restaurant was located. We just got off the Dawn today after not sailing on her since she left NY many years ago. She's still a nice ship but lots of changes. I also think that they could make deck 7 a much more comfortable place to relax. I'm not sure if it's a safety issue as the Breakaway has lots of furniture on deck 8. I have been in storms on the Dawn and the furniture had to be stacked and tied down. I did notice that there were some deck chairs and that passengers did leave a mess behind, whether it be plates of food or empty drink glasses so I'm thinking it would require a lot of man power to keep the deck clean.

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Wait - if you are mustering on the Promenade deck, doesn't that mean you folks from the first class cabins, errr, I mean, "best accommodations on board" get onto the life boats first, ahead of those of us in steerage class, errr, I mean, the rest of the ship? :):D:)

While that can be true in some situations, there can be also situations when evacuation is done by assembling directly to the lifeboats instead of the assembly stations.

Also, muster drill and having to stand out there (all other assembly stations have seats) happens with 100% certainty, abandoning ship not so much. :D

Wait - if you are mustering on the Promenade deck, doesn't that mean you folks from the first class cabins, errr, I mean, "best accommodations on board" get onto the life boats first, ahead of those of us in steerage class, errr, I mean, the rest of the ship? :):D:)

Not necessarily. We were in a mid-ship balcony last month on the Dawn and mustered on the promenade desk.

I don't think it's the Dawn, it's a sign of the times. We have been cruising NCL for 14 years: in the early years there were many chairs and loungers on the Promenade deck, now just a few. I don't know why--but they do have to close the deck frequently in any kind of windy weather: perhaps they lost chairs overboard or had to do too much work securing the chairs? Also, people ALWAYS moved the loungers to the worst places--to the narrow places where the walkers couldn't squeeze past. People may have been tripping over them. I regret the loss of a shady place to sit, but as a heavy promenade deck walker, I have mixed feelings.

Just saw pics of the Gem promenade of someone who just disembarked and there were plenty of loungers there. I just wish that my long cruise on the Dawn would have the same. I don't get why ncl can't do this to make the cruise experience more pleasurable as other cruise lines do.

I went up to the Bimini bar to sit and hang out plenty of seats