rhinomike Posted August 27, 2014 #1 Share Posted August 27, 2014 We are thinking about booking a cruise on the Dawn out of New Orleans. We have been on both the Star and Spirit. Loved the Spirit. The Star seemed a little run down. That was several years ago. When was the last time the Dawn was in Dry Dock? I think it is an older ship. Any pros or cons? What do you guys think of her? Our other option is the Carnival Dream. Our norm is Carnival but my wife likes the itinerary a little better on the Dawn. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted August 28, 2014 #2 Share Posted August 28, 2014 We are thinking about booking a cruise on the Dawn out of New Orleans. We have been on both the Star and Spirit. Loved the Spirit. The Star seemed a little run down. That was several years ago. When was the last time the Dawn was in Dry Dock? I think it is an older ship. Any pros or cons? What do you guys think of her? Our other option is the Carnival Dream. Our norm is Carnival but my wife likes the itinerary a little better on the Dawn. Thoughts? I was on the Dawn a year ago, maybe a little longer, and it was just fine. Everything looked good and seemed to be in good working order. Staff was great. Food was good. On deck 13 forward there is a hot tub away from all the other activity. Don't know the last dry dock, and can't compare the Dawn with the Carnival Dream. I would choose the Dawn, due to the fact I would just choose NCL over Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare www3traveler Posted August 28, 2014 #3 Share Posted August 28, 2014 We are thinking about booking a cruise on the Dawn out of New Orleans. We have been on both the Star and Spirit. Loved the Spirit. The Star seemed a little run down. That was several years ago. When was the last time the Dawn was in Dry Dock? I think it is an older ship. Any pros or cons? What do you guys think of her? Our other option is the Carnival Dream. Our norm is Carnival but my wife likes the itinerary a little better on the Dawn. Thoughts? The Dawn was built in 2002 and refurbished in 2011. She will not be due for dry dock and refurbishing in 2016. For, I am booked on Her for 18 January 2015 and I am in countdown mode now. I am so looking forward to sail on Her. This will be my first cruise on Her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starry Eyes Posted August 28, 2014 #4 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Star and Dawn are sister ships. star is one year older and was last renovated in 2010. I'll be on her next month, so I'll know her condition better then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker@sea Posted August 28, 2014 #5 Share Posted August 28, 2014 (edited) Dawn just got tons of new carpeting . The theater was upgraded with all new upholstery . New coffee machines in the buffet ( that make a 1/2 decent cup of joe ). New chairs in the buffet that don't hold water from wet swimsuits . Juice machines now have flavored waters. Promenade deck was refinished and murals repainted too . New menus in the Mdrs Etc. She's in pretty good shape . :) Edited August 28, 2014 by biker@sea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted August 28, 2014 #6 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Star and Dawn are carbon copies. Been on both very recently. Both showing wear and tear but in fine shape for older ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negc Posted August 28, 2014 #7 Share Posted August 28, 2014 We were just on the Dawn (Boston to Bermuda) and thought that the physical plant was in fine shape. We did think that the pool area is much too small for the number of passengers onboard and there were several instances where the level and quality of service was severely lacking. That is not to say that we did not encounter some extraordinarily good staff- we definitely did - but there were too many others who seemed not to want to be on the ship or serving the guests. Perhaps there were a large number of crew members too eager to finish up their time onboard and their performances suffered as a result. I think that NCL may be noting a rise in less than complimentary comments about this ship and will likely take actions to improve the situation by removing some dead weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhinomike Posted August 28, 2014 Author #8 Share Posted August 28, 2014 My wife said the Dawn. It has an extra Port and we don't like sea days. The Dream has an extra sea day. I hope we like the Dawn. Any cabins to stay away from? Although I'm sure our choices will be limited. We want to go after Christmas for New Years Eve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker@sea Posted August 28, 2014 #9 Share Posted August 28, 2014 My wife said the Dawn. It has an extra Port and we don't like sea days. The Dream has an extra sea day. I hope we like the Dawn. Any cabins to stay away from? Although I'm sure our choices will be limited. We want to go after Christmas for New Years Eve. deck 8 aft has a noise problem with Spinnakers lounge under there .:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dna529 Posted August 28, 2014 #10 Share Posted August 28, 2014 We have sailed on the Dream and the Dawn. Both were great. In my opinion, kids would like the Dream better, but if you don't have kids with you then go for the Dawn if you like the itinerary better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elainemh Posted August 28, 2014 #11 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Dawn just got tons of new carpeting . The theater was upgraded with all new upholstery . New coffee machines in the buffet ( that make a 1/2 decent cup of joe ). New chairs in the buffet that don't hold water from wet swimsuits . Juice machines now have flavored waters. Promenade deck was refinished and murals repainted too . New menus in the Mdrs Etc. She's in pretty good shape . :) Did you notice if they have added the new wine dispensing machines? Loved them on the Breakaway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhinomike Posted August 28, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted August 28, 2014 We have sailed on the Dream and the Dawn. Both were great. In my opinion, kids would like the Dream better, but if you don't have kids with you then go for the Dawn if you like the itinerary better. 4 teenage boys. Ages.... 14, 16, 17 and 18. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NH Cruisers Posted August 28, 2014 #13 Share Posted August 28, 2014 (edited) I have sailed both the Dawn (2 times in last 3 years) and the Carnival Dream (1 time when she was only 5 months old). I personally like the Dawn more, but your kids will most likely favor the Carnival Dream. Dawn has much more dinning options, most for extra fee (I am alright with that). Nothing on Carnival can compare to NCL suite experience, or so I hear. The Carnival Dream has nice waterslides and also a good sandwich bar at the stern plus a pasta bar onboard. Any way you choose, you most likely will have a wonderful time. Edited August 28, 2014 by NH Cruisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker@sea Posted August 28, 2014 #14 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Did you notice if they have added the new wine dispensing machines? Lovedthem on the Breakaway. I did not notice them . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhinomike Posted August 28, 2014 Author #15 Share Posted August 28, 2014 We did the Carnival Sunshine last year and since my wife liked the itinerary better on the Dawn..... We just booked two cabins on the Dawn. We wanted a big suite but they were all sold out. We never plan very well. We like connecting rooms. The only 2 connecting rooms they had left was 5102 and 5106. Any problems with those rooms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker@sea Posted August 28, 2014 #16 Share Posted August 28, 2014 We did the Carnival Sunshine last year and since my wife liked the itinerary better on the Dawn..... We just booked two cabins on the Dawn. We wanted a big suite but they were all sold out. We never plan very well. We like connecting rooms. The only 2 connecting rooms they had left was 5102 and 5106. Any problems with those rooms? I'd be happy there.:D Low and midship gives the best ride on the ship if the waves kick up .:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhinomike Posted August 29, 2014 Author #17 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I'd be happy there.:D Low and midship gives the best ride on the ship if the waves kick up .:) Yeah. That's what I was thinking. Plus straight up the elevator is the garden cafe. Mmmmm. Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lolavix Posted August 29, 2014 #18 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Did you notice if they have added the new wine dispensing machines? Lovedthem on the Breakaway. I sailed last week and they weren't there yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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