DAWN, JADE or PEARL?

I am not really familiar with Norwegians ships. I've taken a look at them on NCL's site and gotten the basics, we are considering these three ships.. Dawn out of Boston, Jade out of NYC and Pearl out of NOLO..

Which ship do you prefer and why?

Appears the ship may be more important to you than the itinerary, but If you are going for sunshine and warm weather you are a lot closer to it in NOLA than NY or Boston.

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For me, itinerary is important (including perhaps spending time in the depature city).

But to respond to your question, and considering only the ships: personally, I have no desire to sail on the Dawn, as it lacks two of the great public spaces of the Jewel class ships (of which the Jade and Pearl are two): the Great Outdoors, and the Spinnaker Lounge.

The Jade and Pearl are pretty similar ships. When sailng NCL, I love the Jewel class ships. They're a very comfortable size, and, as I said, they have the Great Outdoors and the Spinnaker Lounge.

Other things would factor in here for me --- where do you want to leave from? What are you looking for in an itinerary?

Jade and Pearl (Jewel Class) are sister ships and one generation newer than Dawn.

The Dawn was refurbished in May 2017:

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/dawn-refurbishment&lang=

The Pearl just completed refurbishment on Feb 27, 2017

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7573

The Jade is scheduled for refurbishment in March 2017.

Given these facts, I would suggest you choose either Dawn or Pearl.

If it were my decision, I would choose the Pearl. The Pearl is famous for having the first bowling alley at sea. I really like the Jewel Class ships a lot. I think they are a good size and I especially like The Haven on these ships which is very, very special. The pool deck is larger, the spa is larger (and worth getting a thermal suite pass). Pearl was built for Freestyle dining. Also going out of the NOLA port is a breeze. Fly in a day ahead and spend the night at the Monteleone Hotel (get the breakfast included package) - eat at one of the famous NOLA restaurants GW Fin's is my current favorite, but there's also the classics: Gallatoires, Arnauds, Brennan's, Acme Oyster Company, Muriel's and so many other great ones. Take a taxi to the port the next morning. So easy!

We love the Jewel class ships and the Pearl is our favorite. Even after the recent updates we were disappointed with the Dawn.

Itinerary is important, but I am happy with the places these three are going to. Departure port is not a huge, huge issue as I live close to NY and Boston, will just hop a flight to NOLO if necessary. So itinerary isn't the focus at this point. I do like to enjoy the ship I am going on as well. This is why I ask.

For me, itinerary is important (including perhaps spending time in the depature city).

 

But to respond to your question, and considering only the ships: personally, I have no desire to sail on the Dawn, as it lacks two of the great public spaces of the Jewel class ships (of which the Jade and Pearl are two): the Great Outdoors, and the Spinnaker Lounge.

 

The Jade and Pearl are pretty similar ships. When sailng NCL, I love the Jewel class ships. They're a very comfortable size, and, as I said, they have the Great Outdoors and the Spinnaker Lounge.

 

Other things would factor in here for me --- where do you want to leave from? What are you looking for in an itinerary?

Thank you so, so much. Looking at the description on the NCL website, I would have never known these things. I feel the ship is just as important as any other part of the trip. Greatly appreciated.

Jade and Pearl (Jewel Class) are sister ships and one generation newer than Dawn.

The Dawn was refurbished in May 2017:

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/dawn-refurbishment&lang=

The Pearl just completed refurbishment on Feb 27, 2017

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7573

The Jade is scheduled for refurbishment in March 2017.

 

Given these facts, I would suggest you choose either Dawn or Pearl.

 

If it were my decision, I would choose the Pearl. The Pearl is famous for having the first bowling alley at sea. I really like the Jewel Class ships a lot. I think they are a good size and I especially like The Haven on these ships which is very, very special. The pool deck is larger, the spa is larger (and worth getting a thermal suite pass). Pearl was built for Freestyle dining. Also going out of the NOLA port is a breeze. Fly in a day ahead and spend the night at the Monteleone Hotel (get the breakfast included package) - eat at one of the famous NOLA restaurants GW Fin's is my current favorite, but there's also the classics: Gallatoires, Arnauds, Brennan's, Acme Oyster Company, Muriel's and so many other great ones. Take a taxi to the port the next morning. So easy!

Thanks you so much for the information.. We love to bowl and would definitely try to take advantage of this amenity!! lol...

This information is very helpful. I have never been to New Orleans either and may decide on it just so I can spend some time there as well as get on this beautiful ship.

We love the Jewel class ships and the Pearl is our favorite. Even after the recent updates we were disappointed with the Dawn.

Thank you.

I am not really familiar with Norwegians ships. I've taken a look at them on NCL's site and gotten the basics, we are considering these three ships.. Dawn out of Boston, Jade out of NYC and Pearl out of NOLO..

Which ship do you prefer and why?

Since We live in Massachusetts, we choose the Dawn for our cruises to the beautiful Island of Bermuda. The ship was newly dry docked last spring, and we're looking forward to seeing the upgrades. Yes, it lacks the great outdoors, and more importantly a decent Spinnaker Lounge. However, it is still a nice ship with a great crew.

We haven't been aboard the Jade, but loved the Pearl and Gem, which are similar to her. Those ships have the Great Outdoors and Spinnaker Lounges.

My question to you is where do you want to go? The Dawn goes to Bermuda from Boston weekly. I love the convenience of not having to fly,

Jade and Pearl (Jewel Class) are sister ships and one generation newer than Dawn.

The Dawn was refurbished in May 2017:

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/dawn-refurbishment&lang=

The Pearl just completed refurbishment on Feb 27, 2017

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7573

The Jade is scheduled for refurbishment in March 2017.

 

Given these facts, I would suggest you choose either Dawn or Pearl.

 

If it were my decision, I would choose the Pearl. The Pearl is famous for having the first bowling alley at sea. I really like the Jewel Class ships a lot. I think they are a good size and I especially like The Haven on these ships which is very, very special. The pool deck is larger, the spa is larger (and worth getting a thermal suite pass). Pearl was built for Freestyle dining. Also going out of the NOLA port is a breeze. Fly in a day ahead and spend the night at the Monteleone Hotel (get the breakfast included package) - eat at one of the famous NOLA restaurants GW Fin's is my current favorite, but there's also the classics: Gallatoires, Arnauds, Brennan's, Acme Oyster Company, Muriel's and so many other great ones. Take a taxi to the port the next morning. So easy!

Just a slight correction the Dawn was refurbed in 2016. I am curious as why you'd pick Dawn or Pearl over the Jade. After dry dock, I suspect you won't be able to tell the Pearl from Jade, other than hull art. We do like NOLA too. Court of Two sisters for brunch and Johnnys for po-boys We stay at Harrah's though since it's always comped. It's just a couple blocks from the port. .

Thanks you so much for the information.. We love to bowl and would definitely try to take advantage of this amenity!! lol...

This information is very helpful. I have never been to New Orleans either and may decide on it just so I can spend some time there as well as get on this beautiful ship.

My family has vacationed in NOLA for all my life. The Monteleone is the oldest privately owned hotel in the French Quarter and it's just beautiful. The Monteleone is famous for many literary talents staying there (Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Eudora Welty, Sherwood Anderson, Anne Rice, etc.) and also the famous Carousel Bar. Every morning the restaurant makes a different type of Eggs Benedict - really great! The rooms are beautiful and fairly large by NOLA standards. Taxis and pedi-cabs are plentiful. There is exclusive shopping along Royal Street to be enjoyed with art galleries and antiques and even a couture hat maker should you need something for the Kentucky Derby - they will custom make your hat to match your outfit at Fleur de Paris. Take a ride down to Decatur Street and get on one of the horse drawn carriages at the St. Louis Cathedral for a tour of the French Quarter. Afterwards you might walk down Decatur Street and stop in at the original Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets (ben-yays). Walk further on to the French Market and have a Shrimp Po' Boy or Mufaletta for lunch. There is shopping along Decatur in either direction. You can buy anything from pralines to Christmas ornaments to hot sauce and voodoo dolls on this street. You might enjoy a visit to the nearby Mardi Gras World to see the floats, take their free shuttle back to the area of Harrah's Casino - maybe stop in there and play slots for a while and then go outside the casino to get a taxi back to your hotel. In the evening, go to dinner at the restaurant of your choice (reservations required) and then take a walk down world famous Bourbon Street. Watch all the crazy tourists and drunk people - an amazing sight to behold. Stop in at a local bar and listen to some jazz. Have some $1's on you for when the musicians pass the hat. Take a taxi back to the Monteleone. If you have more than one day, it is also possible to rent a car down on Decatur street and drive out to the Plantation Road. You can easily do a day trip to see Oak Alley Plantation - leave in the morning and have lunch out there at the Plantation - they have a great restaurant and then drive back to NOLA for dinner. http://www.oakalleyplantation.com

Other cool things to do in NOLA:

Cooking tours

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/culinarytours.html

or even a cooking focused vacation:

http://www.epitourean.com/destination/30/Louisiana?gclid=CjwKEAiA6OnFBRDcgt7YmPKI33ESJACJoTJY0s3iYTNLltUFv0NKKajYVYw24hmcPNyT9mgfgMMnpxoCIm3w_wcB

Swamp Tours:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/swamptours.html

Cemetery Tours:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/cemeterytours.html

Haunted New Orleans Tours:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/hauntedtours.html

And more and more restaurants - which are so amazing!

If you cruise from NOLA you start in the brown river, but it is interesting to sail along to the Gulf of Mexico where you see oil rigs lit up at night. By the next morning you are down in the Caribbean sea.

What you need to know about NCL:

BEFORE your cruise, select which specialty restaurants you want to go to and get on the website and make reservations. IMO Le Bistro is the absolute best restaurant on these ships and we usually go at least 2 times per cruise, followed by Cagney's, then I like the sushi bar. Many people love Teppanyaki - the food is done correctly for this style of dining and they do a good job putting on the show but we are not fans of Benehana type restaurants, but do reserve this if you enjoy it as it is small on the Pearl and will be fully booked up. Moderno is also good - although a massive amount of food. La Cucina has a new menu which we have not yet had the opportunity to try, but many say it is quite good.

Just a slight correction the Dawn was refurbed in 2016. I am curious as why you'd pick Dawn or Pearl over the Jade. After dry dock, I suspect you won't be able to tell the Pearl from Jade, other than hull art. We do like NOLA too. Court of Two sisters for brunch and Johnnys for po-boys We stay at Harrah's though since it's always comped. It's just a couple blocks from the port. .

I think it would simply be, that each of them leaves from a different port around the time I am travelling. I am having a difficult time deciding and am trying to way all the pros and cons in order to help me make a decision. ALL have great itinerary's for the time I am travelling. Late October to mid November. all Caribbean.

I am having such a difficult time and I want to make a decision today, because the FREE at SEA ends tomorrow.

NOLA is someplace that you must see at least once in your life. It really is a very special and unique city and will be so different from what you are used to. IMO, just based on that, I would say go ahead and book the Pearl!

Being a NOLA native, of course I go with the Pearl. SuiteTraveller, that is a great pre-cruise itinerary! I would also add the WW II museum, it is truly an unexpected treat. If the weather is nice a street car ride down St. CHarles Avenue is great. Get off at Wahington Street and have lunch at Commanders Palace and stroll through one of the famous cemeteries just across the street. Order a gin fizz or a milk punch. If you ride further down you will pass Tulane and Loyola Universities. Loyola is the home of "touchdown Jesus". Where St Charles curves into Carrolton you can dine at the Camillia Grill, a NO classic diner. The car will turn around and take you back to Canal Street.

NCL doesn't usually return to NOLA until mid November so check your dates.

As sad before, New Orleans is a place everyone should visit at least once.

Being a NOLA native, of course I go with the Pearl. SuiteTraveller, that is a great pre-cruise itinerary! I would also add the WW II museum, it is truly an unexpected treat. If the weather is nice a street car ride down St. CHarles Avenue is great. Get off at Wahington Street and have lunch at Commanders Palace and stroll through one of the famous cemeteries just across the street. Order a gin fizz or a milk punch. If you ride further down you will pass Tulane and Loyola Universities. Loyola is the home of "touchdown Jesus". Where St Charles curves into Carrolton you can dine at the Camillia Grill, a NO classic diner. The car will turn around and take you back to Canal Street.

 

NCL doesn't usually return to NOLA until mid November so check your dates.

As sad before, New Orleans is a place everyone should visit at least once.

Thank you! I took my Australian SIL on that itinerary as a long weekend last November although we stayed at The Saint to save some money. (It was nice but I still prefer The Monteleone by far.)

Dawn would be my Last choice. ;p

.

Being a NOLA native, of course I go with the Pearl. SuiteTraveller, that is a great pre-cruise itinerary! I would also add the WW II museum, it is truly an unexpected treat. If the weather is nice a street car ride down St. CHarles Avenue is great. Get off at Wahington Street and have lunch at Commanders Palace and stroll through one of the famous cemeteries just across the street. Order a gin fizz or a milk punch. If you ride further down you will pass Tulane and Loyola Universities. Loyola is the home of "touchdown Jesus". Where St Charles curves into Carrolton you can dine at the Camillia Grill, a NO classic diner. The car will turn around and take you back to Canal Street.

 

NCL doesn't usually return to NOLA until mid November so check your dates.

As sad before, New Orleans is a place everyone should visit at least once.

What/where is NOLA? I would love to know more? I would love to go to New Orleans one day. Which cruises go from there. Which international airport would one fly into from the UK? Hubby and I do a special cruise once every 5 years for our anniversary, we cruise twice per year in between - but every 5 - aim for a bucket list check - Can you tell me more please? Thanks :)

We would chose the cruise out of NOLA for the itinerary. And the embarkation port.

What/where is NOLA? I would love to know more? I would love to go to New Orleans one day. Which cruises go from there. Which international airport would one fly into from the UK? Hubby and I do a special cruise once every 5 years for our anniversary, we cruise twice per year in between - but every 5 - aim for a bucket list check - Can you tell me more please? Thanks :)

NOLA = New Orleans Louisiana = from the first letters of the city name and the short form of the state name.

We have always loved the Pearl best of all the Jewel class ships. For some reason (even though all the NCL ships have great service) the service on the Pearl has always seemed to be a cut above the rest. Now that she's been refurbished, we're wanting to find another Pearl cruise and see what she's like.

We also prefer the Jewel class ships, as we like a smaller, somewhat less crowded ship. Very pleased to hear the news that NCL will be building some new ships sized in between the Jewel and Breakaway classes in the next few years.

The reason that embarking in NOLA appeals to me is that it's closer to the destination ports and there will be less sea days. Although sea days are nice I really like an itinerary that allows us to see many different ports. Not to mention that the culture in New Orleans is an adventure in itself. We sailed on the Dawn out of New Orleans about 6 weeks ago. Although they eliminated the great outdoor she is a beautiful ship since the refurb. We have an upcoming Panama Canal trip on the jade and can't wait to see what she's like. My daughter will be sailing the pearl in December. So until then I can't offer any helpful information on those ships. The one thing I did notice on the dawn was the staff just didn't seem as lively as on other ships. I know it sounds silly but we really got accustomed to the happy happy washy washy greetings on the other NCL ships. We didn't hear it once on the dawn.

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My family has vacationed in NOLA for all my life.

 

....

 

If you cruise from NOLA you start in the brown river, but it is interesting to sail along to the Gulf of Mexico where you see oil rigs lit up at night. By the next morning you are down in the Caribbean sea.

THIS. Cruising out of New Orleans is unique and special b/c you start out sailing along the winding river. It takes the whole night to get down to the sea. I've never found any other port like it.

NOLA = New Orleans Louisiana = from the first letters of the city name and the short form of the state name.

 

Thanks for the info.

I'd like to combine a cruise with a trip to New Orleans - def sounds like a plan :)

My family has vacationed in NOLA for all my life. The Monteleone is the oldest privately owned hotel in the French Quarter and it's just beautiful. The Monteleone is famous for many literary talents staying there (Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Eudora Welty, Sherwood Anderson, Anne Rice, etc.) and also the famous Carousel Bar. Every morning the restaurant makes a different type of Eggs Benedict - really great! The rooms are beautiful and fairly large by NOLA standards. Taxis and pedi-cabs are plentiful. There is exclusive shopping along Royal Street to be enjoyed with art galleries and antiques and even a couture hat maker should you need something for the Kentucky Derby - they will custom make your hat to match your outfit at Fleur de Paris. Take a ride down to Decatur Street and get on one of the horse drawn carriages at the St. Louis Cathedral for a tour of the French Quarter. Afterwards you might walk down Decatur Street and stop in at the original Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets (ben-yays). Walk further on to the French Market and have a Shrimp Po' Boy or Mufaletta for lunch. There is shopping along Decatur in either direction. You can buy anything from pralines to Christmas ornaments to hot sauce and voodoo dolls on this street. You might enjoy a visit to the nearby Mardi Gras World to see the floats, take their free shuttle back to the area of Harrah's Casino - maybe stop in there and play slots for a while and then go outside the casino to get a taxi back to your hotel. In the evening, go to dinner at the restaurant of your choice (reservations required) and then take a walk down world famous Bourbon Street. Watch all the crazy tourists and drunk people - an amazing sight to behold. Stop in at a local bar and listen to some jazz. Have some $1's on you for when the musicians pass the hat. Take a taxi back to the Monteleone. If you have more than one day, it is also possible to rent a car down on Decatur street and drive out to the Plantation Road. You can easily do a day trip to see Oak Alley Plantation - leave in the morning and have lunch out there at the Plantation - they have a great restaurant and then drive back to NOLA for dinner. http://www.oakalleyplantation.com

Other cool things to do in NOLA:

 

Cooking tours

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/culinarytours.html

or even a cooking focused vacation:

http://www.epitourean.com/destination/30/Louisiana?gclid=CjwKEAiA6OnFBRDcgt7YmPKI33ESJACJoTJY0s3iYTNLltUFv0NKKajYVYw24hmcPNyT9mgfgMMnpxoCIm3w_wcB

 

Swamp Tours:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/swamptours.html

 

Cemetery Tours:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/cemeterytours.html

 

Haunted New Orleans Tours:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/hauntedtours.html

 

And more and more restaurants - which are so amazing!

 

If you cruise from NOLA you start in the brown river, but it is interesting to sail along to the Gulf of Mexico where you see oil rigs lit up at night. By the next morning you are down in the Caribbean sea.

 

What you need to know about NCL:

BEFORE your cruise, select which specialty restaurants you want to go to and get on the website and make reservations. IMO Le Bistro is the absolute best restaurant on these ships and we usually go at least 2 times per cruise, followed by Cagney's, then I like the sushi bar. Many people love Teppanyaki - the food is done correctly for this style of dining and they do a good job putting on the show but we are not fans of Benehana type restaurants, but do reserve this if you enjoy it as it is small on the Pearl and will be fully booked up. Moderno is also good - although a massive amount of food. La Cucina has a new menu which we have not yet had the opportunity to try, but many say it is quite good.

Suite traveler, are you a travel writer or in the business in some capacity? If not, you should be! Great guidance for the OP and all who may visit New Orleans.

OP, my vote is to sail from New Orleans. It's an American City like no other, unique for all the reasons mentioned. The energy of the city, food, music, and the hospitality of the locals is incredible!

We would love to try the pearl or the jade but we continue with the dawn due to it being right near our home. We have taken the fall repo to the Caribbean almost every year and Bermuda x6. We are booked on the October 2018 14 night round trip Caribbean and 5/2017 Bermuda. As long as the itinerary is good I will continue to cruise the Dawn. And by the way, the 14 night itinerary is great and NO FLIGHTS!