NCL Dawn 2-day 'cruise to no-where' out of NOLA review

[NolaZach]

Hello, I don't get to cruise much. It's a travesty to me, It's just the SO gets sea sick and because of that we travel on land mostly. I love cruising and everything about cruising and can just sit on an open deck with a drink and a book.

I wanted to try NCL, and had been looking into cruises for a while through them, but ultimately chose the CCL Dream for our next cruise. We decided to at a little over a month out to book the NCL cruise for two days.

 

Reading these boards, I booked Cagney's in advance but chose only one as to gauge the MDR, which in the past has been a good experience for me (and was again here).

 

 

 

I started reading the posts here and looking into what to do, what to see and honestly found the ship to be really nice and well laid out.

 

 

 

 

 

Parking was an issue. I was told by Port of New Orleans that there was a Garage AT THE TERMINAL for NCL ships. We get there... Garage is for CCL only. We are stuck in a line and the smart people u-turned out to go back and park at the lot under the bridge or in Harrah's. Both of which would of been shorter walks than our choice (though they had shuttles running). We stayed in line, at one point Skycaps were motioning to us, but a port officer told us that that was the "drop off area and we were parking, and that there would be porters at the 'lot'".

So we stayed in the line. Out of the terminal area, over the flood wall gate, to the Whale lot back entrance. I would of been fine in the whale lot.... We were still in line next to it, when we were told to pay $32 for parking. Then follow the line through the bottom of the Hilton Access tunnel, to convention center blvd then into the far Hilton Garage. We came out in the hotel and there was no one that directed us to anywhere. We were told nothing until we see a lady in a Port shirt with a group. waiting for the shuttle. It leaves as we walk up and the lady says "it will be faster to walk". So walk we did.

I overpacked but it wasn't that much of a chore, only that I expected to drop my bags off.

 

 

So we walk to the terminal and it is jammed packed. We breeze through security, so that wasn't the hold up. We get past the detectors and are given a number 3 and they are on number 5 and 3 will come after 10. So we set up for the long wait. I got to the terminal for 1, we parked for 2:30. I would not get on the ship to well after five.

 

At about five our number was called and we got in line, and then got into this line..

 

 

After this, check in is quick and I see the ship

 

 

 

Since it's almost dinner time, I go straight to my room. Room 8509 in the front of deck eight.

A inside room. It was pretty tight in there but works out fine for two.

 

 

 

We all decide to meet up in the atrium and have a few drinks. While walking down a hallway I find my two bags that I checked in when I walked into the terminal so I ran them back to my room. I guess they were going to be moved later? Still I wanted to get them back to the room. We did bring rum runners. Carry-on and checked to test each. Both successful. I get that isn't liked by all, but I still bought a lot of drinks on the ship.

 

So we met at the wonderful atrium bar.

 

They usually had live music until about 8 or 9 here.

[NolaZach]

We went and headed to the Venetian Restaurant.

 

 

We all enjoyed everything that we had here.

 

 

Above was the special which was a slice of Prime Rib with potato and broccoli, it was tender and delicious.

 

 

Come back to the room to see the towel animal on the bed.

 

We had an issue with black stuff coming from the AC vent that we noted at this point, and it was promptly dealt with to our satisfaction.

We decided to go back out and watch the ship leave the river. (but then realized we still had hours to go)

 

[NolaZach]

After going back to our room we had our new Freestyle daily and a paper telling us that we had to be at the Venetian Restaurant at 11am for a make up Muster drill. Apparently a great many people missed it and it had to be made up.

(hey it's not our fault the NCLs computers failed and check in took hours)

 

 

 

It was time to go out and party. Our only options were Karaoke at the english pub, which was fun, but it's a really tiny space. SO we went right across the hall to the Spinmaker. The Spinmaker seemed to be the only place to be jamming at night. The music was pop and rap heavy but we were still able to have fun. It's a large lounge with a dance floor, and the White party the next day was also held here.

I was hoping there would be more choices foe late night entertainment, but there wasn't. Though being it was a short cruise and we just planned on drinking and having fun, it wasn't a big deal.

 

We found a "secret" hot tub on the front of the ship that no one ever seemed to be at, and made that our late retreat. No one even closed it at eleven. I bet it's crowded on a nice day, but for us every night was full of gusty winds.

 

After sampling the late night buffet we all turned in.

 

 

 

Well we went off to explore the breakfast buffet. Hands down I was impressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We take this day pretty easy. We shop, visit the casino and let the hung over ones recoup.

I liked the shopping area and tried sushi and the blu lagoon for lunch.

 

I really did not like the blue lagoon. It was like hard to explain, but just not good. The wings were okay, but nothing else was. We went back to get more sushi.

 

For dinner we ate at Cagney's. It lived up to what was promised and the strip steak was just outstanding. I got so full on the steak that we skipped dessert.

[ncklhaus]

Thank you for posting. The Dawn was our first cruise ever (in 2005 out of NYC) and we fell in love with the ship and cruising. Looking forward to more of your review.

[Samstress]

Great review. Looking forward to the rest.

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review, looking forward to the rest of it.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Does your SO use seasick remedies such as bonine or ginger. Using these according to directions, before sailing will be very helpful.

[DavyJoneses]

Good information on the parking. I think it is the first time I have seen such a great summary.

[Rebec31]

Fabulous - short and to the point!!

 

I leave next Sunday!!

[rhinomike]

We will be on the Dawn in 3 weeks. Where is this secret jacuzzi you speak of. Sounds perfect.