Norwegian Dawn replaces the Norwegian Gem in NYC

Hi MKing - how is it going? We've sailed Star twice and Dawn once and really don't have much desire to sail them again. Jewel class ships are nicer IMO and Boston came out ahead in this one.

Have a wonderful Xmas and New Year!

On topic - thanks for clearing it up, never sailed the Spirit. Well, the non mega ships are all "maturing" - getting older in another 2 years but we still like the mid sized ships, for variety of reasons ... thus, an early booking on the Gem for next Spring, at 5 months out (that is "early" for us) - will cruise her at least 1 more time before she head north to Beantown. The regulars sailing out of the Back Bay are happier for the change ... well, maybe.

Here in NY, I don't know what else can NCL substitute ... the Jewel is doing Asia in between Alaska, etc. I think. Now, I do have one crazy idea that popped up - repo the Joy to NYC instead, substitute that market with a mid-sized in 2019, or, maybe leave the Jewel permanently to plow in Asia ?? Been keeping eyes on the Joy booking for X'Mas & New Year 2017 - looked like they are having trouble selling balconies & higher categories in their niche market for the holidays, when schools are out and more "affluent" families can afford to splurge - fairly good # of unsold cabins, cheap enough at Sail Away Rates (not that we would consider it, not at all.) On the other hand, the Joy's design & layout will create tons of complaints and problems for a mixed mosaic market like NY ... namely, the lack of pool & sun deck space, 2 floors of smokey?? casino and all that duty-free shopping, unless they can do some remodeling with a quick dry dock. Wishful & crazy thinking, maybe not :confused: Bob B is thinking about the Bliss, now - the Joy got the $$ bumper cars on the top deck ... put part of Coney Island's Broadwalk on it ...

We did Mexico & Alaska on the Star like 10 years ago - while it will have more "amenities" compared to the Dawn, probably not a deal maker for many looking for extra bells & whistles :p

Given the pricing seen this year for off-season, off-peak and late bookings, not sure that it will be "profitable" for NCL to put 2 mega ships in the NY market

On a side note, dearest SIL doing well with cyber & chemo ... minor side effects, blessed with plenty TLC. Too early for outcome & LT prognosis but in good spirit & hopeful. Was a good call to cancel part 2 of our Fall vacation, only took a moderate cancellation penalty for 6 of us. Regards :halo: :D

All is well with us here lately, Merry X'mas & New Year to you and yours.

 

On topic - thanks for clearing it up, never sailed the Spirit. Well, the non mega ships are all "maturing" - getting older in another 2 years but we still like the mid sized ships, for variety of reasons ... thus, an early booking on the Gem for next Spring, at 5 months out (that is "early" for us) - will cruise her at least 1 more time before she head north to Beantown. The regulars sailing out of the Back Bay are happier for the change ... well, maybe.

 

Here in NY, I don't know what else can NCL substitute ... the Jewel is doing Asia in between Alaska, etc. I think. Now, I do have one crazy idea that popped up - repo the Joy to NYC instead, substitute that market with a mid-sized in 2019, or, maybe leave the Jewel permanently to plow in Asia ?? Been keeping eyes on the Joy booking for X'Mas & New Year 2017 - looked like they are having trouble selling balconies & higher categories in their niche market for the holidays, when schools are out and more "affluent" families can afford to splurge - fairly good # of unsold cabins, cheap enough at Sail Away Rates (not that we would consider it, not at all.) On the other hand, the Joy's design & layout will create tons of complaints and problems for a mixed mosaic market like NY ... namely, the lack of pool & sun deck space, 2 floors of smokey?? casino and all that duty-free shopping, unless they can do some remodeling with a quick dry dock. Wishful & crazy thinking, maybe not :confused: Bob B is thinking about the Bliss, now - the Joy got the $$ bumper cars on the top deck ... put part of Coney Island's Broadwalk on it ...

 

We did Mexico & Alaska on the Star like 10 years ago - while it will have more "amenities" compared to the Dawn, probably not a deal maker for many looking for extra bells & whistles :p

 

Given the pricing seen this year for off-season, off-peak and late bookings, not sure that it will be "profitable" for NCL to put 2 mega ships in the NY market

 

On a side note, dearest SIL doing well with cyber & chemo ... minor side effects, blessed with plenty TLC. Too early for outcome & LT prognosis but in good spirit & hopeful. Was a good call to cancel part 2 of our Fall vacation, only took a moderate cancellation penalty for 6 of us. Regards :halo: :D

Certainly wouldn't mind seeing the Jade come to NYC like she was suppose to I thought years back. Bliss would work considering she's designed for cold weather.

The Dawn won't be in NYC in the winter of 2019.It Repo's to San Juan.That leaves one ship in N.Y.,the Escape.Since it is the only ship in town the sailing prices could be higher.To me the Escape is the Breakaway with another deck of staterooms.I've been on the Breakaway twice and i thought it was way to crowded.The Escape will probably feel worse.

The Dawn won't be in NYC in the winter of 2019.It Repo's to San Juan.That leaves one ship in N.Y.,the Escape.Since it is the only ship in town the sailing prices could be higher.To me the Escape is the Breakaway with another deck of staterooms.I've been on the Breakaway twice and i thought it was way to crowded.The Escape will probably feel worse.

Did they announce the rest of Gems 2019 itineraries ? Yesterday it looked like there were still gaps in Winter. I was hoping Gem would reposition back to NYC for the Winter.

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The Dawn won't be in NYC in the winter of 2019.It Repo's to San Juan.That leaves one ship in N.Y.,the Escape.Since it is the only ship in town the sailing prices could be higher.To me the Escape is the Breakaway with another deck of staterooms.I've been on the Breakaway twice and i thought it was way to crowded.The Escape will probably feel worse.

Did they announce the rest of Gems 2019 itineraries ? Yesterday it looked like there were still gaps in Winter. I was hoping Gem would reposition back to NYC for the Winter.

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I'm not happy to see the Gem leave New York. I don't think I would book the Dawn.

All is well with us here lately, Merry X'mas & New Year to you and yours.

 

On topic - thanks for clearing it up, never sailed the Spirit. Well, the non mega ships are all "maturing" - getting older in another 2 years but we still like the mid sized ships, for variety of reasons ... thus, an early booking on the Gem for next Spring, at 5 months out (that is "early" for us) - will cruise her at least 1 more time before she head north to Beantown. The regulars sailing out of the Back Bay are happier for the change ... well, maybe.

 

Here in NY, I don't know what else can NCL substitute ... the Jewel is doing Asia in between Alaska, etc. I think. Now, I do have one crazy idea that popped up - repo the Joy to NYC instead, substitute that market with a mid-sized in 2019, or, maybe leave the Jewel permanently to plow in Asia ?? Been keeping eyes on the Joy booking for X'Mas & New Year 2017 - looked like they are having trouble selling balconies & higher categories in their niche market for the holidays, when schools are out and more "affluent" families can afford to splurge - fairly good # of unsold cabins, cheap enough at Sail Away Rates (not that we would consider it, not at all.) On the other hand, the Joy's design & layout will create tons of complaints and problems for a mixed mosaic market like NY ... namely, the lack of pool & sun deck space, 2 floors of smokey?? casino and all that duty-free shopping, unless they can do some remodeling with a quick dry dock. Wishful & crazy thinking, maybe not :confused: Bob B is thinking about the Bliss, now - the Joy got the $$ bumper cars on the top deck ... put part of Coney Island's Broadwalk on it ...

 

We did Mexico & Alaska on the Star like 10 years ago - while it will have more "amenities" compared to the Dawn, probably not a deal maker for many looking for extra bells & whistles :p

 

Given the pricing seen this year for off-season, off-peak and late bookings, not sure that it will be "profitable" for NCL to put 2 mega ships in the NY market

 

On a side note, dearest SIL doing well with cyber & chemo ... minor side effects, blessed with plenty TLC. Too early for outcome & LT prognosis but in good spirit & hopeful. Was a good call to cancel part 2 of our Fall vacation, only took a moderate cancellation penalty for 6 of us. Regards :halo: :D

Thanks for the thoughts about ships and update on SIL.

I care more about what ship is sailing out of where since I try to only cruise out of the NY area. I would think that the itineraries will probably be the same as what the Gem was sailing.

I totally understand for those who live anywhere near a port but so many of us cruisers live in the middle of the country or regions where there are no ports we have to adjust. The Dawn isn't my favorite ship either, but we are cruising her in May because it was an itinerary we decided we wanted to try and know we will be just fine.

For those who prefer the Gem over the Dawn, why? They seem to be almost identical in size. Both recently been through dry dock. Seem to have similar amenities. I am going to book the Gem for 2019, but I am wondering why so many see it as such an upgrade. I thought the Dawn was pretty good when I went on her last year.

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Dawn does not have the great outdoors at sft deck 12 as it has a big kids pool area there.

Dawn's pool deck is also built differently to Gem and other Jewel class ships, it feels much much more noisy. Dawn is also missing the forward facing nightclub/lounge at deck 13.

The two ships are actually quite significantly different with their deck to deck layout although they are the same size.

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We will gladly take the Dawn in Texas if you don't want her.

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The Dawn only sails out of the Northeast during the summer right now and then out of Florida and San Juan during cooler months. What ship will be sailing the Florida/San Juan itineraries? Will that change too?

I was amazed when I started reading this thread, because we just got off the Dawn and we absolutely loved it. Most beautiful ship we'd been on yet. I was shocked to hear it is "so old" and a "huge downgrade." It's age doesn't show at all - I couldn't detect any wear and tear and everything looks renovated and new. I've been bragging to everyone how awesome it is since we got back. We are booking another cruise on the Dawn today for March out of Tampa. I can understand losing some amenities being upsetting, but some people are making the Dawn sound like a rustbucket. And the only amenity I missed and wished it had was the new go karts (going to book the Bliss next so we can try that), although we were so busy on the Dawn I'm not even sure we would have had time for anything else.

If there's anyone reading this post right now who has not sailed the Dawn and is mortified that it's a giant hunk of scrap metal after reading these threads, please don't panic! Rest assured it is a beautiful, modernly renovated ship with many (though not all) amenities, and it was the best ship we'd ever been on. I will be happy with either ship sailing out of Florida and San Juan in the winter, but curious in case anyone knows how this will affect the winter sailings?

If I don't want to sail on a particular ship I just drive to another port and sail on the one I want. Luckily Boston is not that far from NYC. We usually drive from the DC area to Florida to cruise. It could be worse.

Others have said it, so I'll chime in too: the lack of the Great Outdoors on the Dawn is a real issue, possibly a deal breaker.

I'll be the positive person. We loved the Dawn, and I'm wishful that an older ship will mean some lower prices out of NYC! I like the older/smaller ships because they seem more personal.

I'm going to be on the Dawn in October. Fourth time on the Dawn,love the size. You don't have to fight crowds.

Love the Dawn DOS along with Jose and Patti !

Dawn is my favorite ship. Hope to sail her out of NY again!

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Just sailed on the DAWN out of BOSTON this past July and believe me we are getting the dirty end of the stick by losing the GEM! The show's, food, ship and service is so much better on the GEM, we don't care how much cheaper the price will be to sail on the DAWN out of NYC we won't be going.

we loved the Dawn, sailed her when she was in NOLA.

Love sailing from both NYC and Boston. Boston is easier but we enjoyed the Gem so much the first time went back again same trip but not in the Haven just an aft suite. Enjoy sailing in and out of NYC so much to see.

Now for the Dawn we are heading out on her again in 2 weeks to Bermuda this will be our 3rd. time on this ship and the crew are great. We don't miss the extras you find on the Gem but do need a change and are very happy this ship is coming to Boston. So happy in fact we have talked about booking the Haven for a family trip next year but are torn because I hear the Haven is a zoo when school is out and don't want Logan to miss any school. So many choices on the Gem though so who knows spring vacation needs to be completed before I can plan next late summer early falls vacation :).

Be glad when we retire and don't need to work around vacation time.

It's nice NCL is upgrading their Boston ship to a newer ship with the GEM. It's also nice they're trying out Distinctive Voyages (longer cruises) from Boston to the Caribbean. It'll be exciting to see how this pilot goes for Boston. I have to say those who are getting the Dawn, what they did to the Spinnaker's Nightclub was stupid and thus why I stopped sailing the Boston to Bermuda run. I've done Bermuda so many times, the ship is the attraction and the Spinnaker's Lounge is a joke. It's nice to have a ship with two lounges sailing out of Boston again. If the price is right I'll definitely be hopping on the Gem! :)

The Jewel class ships are favorites of many, but I have to wonder, for those who are unhappy, how many of you have cruised the Dawn? Changes are not always bad and adding a few new itineraries is good. I care more about that than what ship is sailing out of where. I do agree not having the Haven is a disappointment to many but how many of us can afford the Haven anyway?[/quote

 

We can't afford the Haven, and very content with a balcony cabin.

 

The Dawn had a multi-million dollar face lift in 2016, and is sporting a new and refreshing look. There were some changes that I didn't like, such as removing Pearly Kings, for a wine bar. The artwork on the walls of the Venetian MDR was ruined. Oh Well, artwork doesn't spoil my cruise experience.

2019 itinerary is out for cruises out of NYC. The Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Gem switches places. Gem goes to Boston and the Dawn goes to NYC. I have been on the Gem twice and going again in September. The Norwegian Dawn is older then the Gem. Anyone feel that is a downgrade of ships out of NYC compare to the Norwegian Escape that will also leaves out of NYC?

If I recall correctly the dawn buffet has a different and not as smooth layout as the Gem

Well, I am not thrilled to have the DAWN replacing the Gem, but I am open to seeing what the 2016 changes brought. I am also a fan of the spinnaker lounge on the Gem and the jewel. I just saw Dawn in Bermuda this week as we were there on anthem of the seas.

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I am also very disappointed with the "swap". I really love the Jewel class ships. Was on the Dawn once..not impressed. Will be sailing the Gem in October...one last time. I will miss her and her great staff.