Jump to content

Norwegian Dawn - Beaches, Villas, and Sunburn. 8 - 15 Jan 2017


WYTinman
 Share

Recommended Posts

 

Norwegian Dawn

7 Day Western Caribbean. January 8 - 15 2017

 

 

Here I go again.

 

Attempting a review after others have already provided us with fascinating and well written accounts of their 7 days on the amazing Norwegian Dawn.

 

 

With Thanks to TheDougOut for Dawn - Live 11/27 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2426171

 

And

 

PaulInPGH for Seven Days on the Dawn and Christmas in New Orleans: A Review. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2435833

 

I will not be trying to rival their great reviews.

 

I will provide for you, a selection of my impressions of this cruise in my own simple terms.

 

In other words. Lot of Pictures.

 

I hope y'all enjoy

 

 

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Like many, we planned to fly into New Orleans the Day before the cruise just to avoid any of the little things that can cause pre-cruise stress.

 

Guess what?

 

It snowed in southern Tennessee.

 

32141885285_764ce6b413_b.jpg

 

For those unfamiliar with snow removal procedures in the South. That much snow can paralyze everything.

 

Thankfully on the day we flew out the Sun emerged from hiding and did TDOTs job for them.

 

So off to New Orleans we go.

 

[YOUTUBE]Tk-wTLVXFH4[/YOUTUBE]

 

 

 

 

 

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, that was a quick flight! I've got my boarding pass in hand and will be coming along!! Getting on the Dawn March 5th and you know how it is, you can never get too much info before you go!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

This was our 3rd cruise out of New Orleans and have pretty much decided the Embassy Suites on Julia St. is our go-to place pre-cruise.

 

The day we arrived it was cold.....Remember snow, in Tennessee.....So we just checked in, relaxed in the room waiting for the Free drinks that the hotel gives out during Happy Hour every evening.

 

31636352353_791dfe256c_b.jpg

 

32326933731_5a95dbcf52_b.jpg

 

32447903585_fbf127f6aa_b.jpg

 

32294616892_922ef4db3b_b.jpg

 

32408099276_dd93edd43c_b.jpg

New Orleans from Embassy Suites by Mark Davis, on Flickr

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

Well before dawn the Norwegian Dawn arrives at the Julia Street pier.

 

If you can't tell by now.

 

I don't sleep well the night before a cruise!

 

31603881394_e5b278ae54_b.jpg

 

32326053461_a11256e89f_b.jpg

 

32447102695_9c92edf371_b.jpg

 

32446731205_000691b86a_b.jpg

 

32295453132_fdd8936cfa_b.jpg

 

New Orleans from Embassy Suites by Mark Davis, on Flickr

 

Up next The Cruise begins but now time for dinner and more photo editing.

 

Mark

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking forward to another great review about the Dawn. Your photos are fantastic. I am sure they will make your review even greater. Fingers crossed you took some photos of the menus in the MDR to share....

 

I'm sorry Russ,

 

We booked this cruise close to two years ago. Back then NCL still offered the true Unlimited Dining Package. A Specialty Restaurant every night of the cruise.

 

We took full advantage.

 

I didn't take any pictures of menus.

 

Probably the worst....This is the first cruise I didn't bring my camera to Dinner.

 

I'm sorry all....No Food Porn in this review.

 

 

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sorry Russ,

 

We booked this cruise close to two years ago. Back then NCL still offered the true Unlimited Dining Package. A Specialty Restaurant every night of the cruise.

 

We took full advantage.

 

I didn't take any pictures of menus.

 

Probably the worst....This is the first cruise I didn't bring my camera to Dinner.

 

I'm sorry all....No Food Porn in this review.

 

 

Mark

Best thing about your news is that with the quality of your photos I probably would want to do specialty dining each day. At least if I don't see food porn pictures for the specialty restaurants, I am more likely to be happy in the MDR.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Thank You to everyone following up to this point.

 

I had to slow my posting down.

 

I thought I had prepared enough of my videos ahead of time that I could finish producing the rest while writing this review.

 

Best laid plans......

 

I hadn't done my Boarding videos that will be coming up next.

 

Don't worry they are almost done and will be posted either tonight or in the morning.

 

To hold everyone through, here are the pictures of the Warehouse district at sunrise.

 

31603609394_56a22e7261_h.jpg

 

32068863310_1b00078599_h.jpg

 

31635143903_cad20d9c35_h.jpg

 

31634919133_392719b58b_h.jpg

 

32325245801_6b502f39cb_h.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back at last.

 

After enjoying the made to order Free Breakfast at the hotel. We repacked our bags from airplane mode to ship mode.

 

The Embassy Suites is only a short 2 block walk from the Hotel. I had over packed with all of my camera gear so this trip we opted to grab a cab down to the port.

 

It probably would of been faster to walk.

 

32446019965_31269e106a_h.jpg

New Orleans from Embassy Suites by Mark Davis, on Flickr

 

With all the one-way streets, traffic from the departing passengers, and round about entrance to the terminal. It took about 20 minutes to go the two blocks.

 

We were at the terminal security checkpoint at about 10:30 AM. Two screening lines and barely a wait this early.

 

After security we walked into the boarding lounge just as they started to open the check in lines and give out boarding numbers.

 

Here is a short walk around of the boarding lounge.

 

[YOUTUBE]nL_TbGqptSs[/YOUTUBE]

 

 

 

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you have ever heard someone say that once you try a Suite on NCL you will never go back.

 

For me it proved to be true and I will book a Suite whenever I can.

 

The Suite Life begins at the terminal. A separate check-in line, private lounge, and escorted boarding either straight to your cabin or to Moderno / Cagneys for lunch.

 

I've taken full advantage of the Upsell fairy / department on previous cruises.

 

My advice is to book a cabin that you'll be happy in. Try to upsell and if, what is offered is in your budget, take it.

 

If not, be happy with what you have booked.

 

We had originally booked a Family Suite w/balcony on deck 12. In fact ours would have been 2 cabin aft of the cabin TheDougOut reviewed.

 

We booked almost 2 years ahead of sailing. Before the "Free at Sea" for everyone and changes to Suite pricing.

 

With the Suite we booked our perks were the "Real" UDP, UBP, Service Charge, and $250.00 OBC.

 

All for a price of what NCL is now asking for Mini-suites or Aft balconies.

 

Three weeks prior to our sailing one of the Garden Villas was still available. I thought "what does it hurt to call and ask?"

 

It worked.....I'll just say that my wife and I shared a three bedroom Villa.....for what was within my established budget.

 

 

This just turned into a "Once in a Lifetime" cruise.

 

I don't think I'll be able to work the deal we got again. I know I could never afford this cabin again at full price.

 

SO MAY I PRESENT. PART 1 OF THE "VILLAS" PORTION OF THE TITLE

 

 

Boarding from the VIP lounge at the Julia St. Terminal.

 

Ever wanted to know what it's like to be the first passenger on the ship?

 

Watch this video and look for my wife pushing past the camera to be the first "dinged aboard".

 

Once in a lifetime!!!!

 

[YOUTUBE]XUpx3Okck-g[/YOUTUBE]

 

 

 

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...