Carnival Sunrise vs NCL Dawn

[daggct]

My husband and I are looking into our first cruise without the kids, second cruise overall. Over Christmas we were on the RCCL Harmony and loved it.

Trying to not use vacation days, I have narrowed it down to the Sunrise or the Dawn. Both are 4 day cruises to Bermuda from NYC (we are local and do not want to have to fly to the port).

The cruises have the same itinerary, similar prices, and are one week apart in Sept 2019. Sunrise is Thursday to Monday, Dawn is Friday to Tuesday. 

Extra info- I know it's hurricane season, but we can't switch to October-too much going on, and by November it's not warm enough for us. We are around 50, kids away at school. Don't want to be the oldest people on the ship-or the youngest. 

 

Has anyone been on these ships/itineraries before? 

 

Thanks!

 

 

[shof515]

the dawn has less passengers compare to the sunrise. with the sunrise makeover, carnival added more cabins which adds more people to the ship

[declansdad]

Never been on the Sunrise but we did sail on the Dawn out of Boston to Bermuda. We found that it was really lacking places to go in the evening. If you went to one of the shows you had a difficult time getting into the lounge after that. The only other spot was a small bar that did karaoke every night. We also found many of the servers to be disinterested at best.

[NYcruzzer]

For the date you selected a Balcony on Carnival is $1621.00 (all-in including port ) for two. NCL comes in at $2278.00 (all -in including port,fees, and service charge for UBP and dining package. ) ..NCL's offer includes 4 "free" perks including Drink Package, Wi-fi, Specialty dinner package, and ShoreX credit. .. In essence you are paying for the freebies. I would sail either line in a heartbeat. If there is a major storm a coming then you may get diverted North to Canada instead of Bermuda..Have a great cruise if you go !

[daggct]

21 hours ago, NYcruzzer said:

For the date you selected a Balcony on Carnival is $1621.00 (all-in including port ) for two. NCL comes in at $2278.00 (all -in including port,fees, and service charge for UBP and dining package. ) ..NCL's offer includes 4 "free" perks including Drink Package, Wi-fi, Specialty dinner package, and ShoreX credit. .. In essence you are paying for the freebies. I would sail either line in a heartbeat. If there is a major storm a coming then you may get diverted North to Canada instead of Bermuda..Have a great cruise if you go !

 

Agreed, but since the drinks package and internet are things we will get anyway adding them to the Carnival price makes them pretty evenly priced. 

[evandbob]

I've been on the Triumph pre Sunrise and thought it was just okay.  It's conversion may make it a more crowded vessel.

 

Been on the Dawn recently, they did a nice overall refreshing rehab, decor is modern.  We had made reservations for shows, so we didn't have an issue getting into any.  Just like with Carnival, NCL has different music venues throughout the ship.  And of course, both have casinos.  

 

NCL's dining package gives you a choice of 4 specialty restaurants while Carnival has only 2.

[NYcruzzer]

1 hour ago, evandbob said:

I've been on the Triumph pre Sunrise and thought it was just okay.  It's conversion may make it a more crowded vessel.

 

Been on the Dawn recently, they did a nice overall refreshing rehab, decor is modern.  We had made reservations for shows, so we didn't have an issue getting into any.  Just like with Carnival, NCL has different music venues throughout the ship.  And of course, both have casinos.  

 

NCL's dining package gives you a choice of 4 specialty restaurants while Carnival has only 2.

 NCL's mega ships such as the Breakaway class offer reservations (including online) or "stand-by" options for the main shows and comedy. Almost 100% sure the smaller ships such as Dawn still abide by the traditional open seating concept for all their shows.. The Dawn is a perfect size ship at 92250 Gross tons and around 2300 Pax. NCL tends to lower prices after 120 final payment. If you choose the Dawn I would wait until early mid July to book. There will still be plenty of cabins to choose from. Rates will drop. 

[daggct]

Thank you all.

We are hoping for a price drop over the summer. Since we're not particularly invested in either, we may just wait and see which is less expensive and decide then.

[jimbo5544]

On 5/27/2019 at 8:32 AM, evandbob said:

I've been on the Triumph pre Sunrise and thought it was just okay.  It's conversion may make it a more crowded vessel.

 

Been on the Dawn recently, they did a nice overall refreshing rehab, decor is modern.  We had made reservations for shows, so we didn't have an issue getting into any.  Just like with Carnival, NCL has different music venues throughout the ship.  And of course, both have casinos.  

 

NCL's dining package gives you a choice of 4 specialty restaurants while Carnival has only 2.

Ummm, 2?

[jimbo5544]

On 5/27/2019 at 10:46 AM, ronbe65 said:

With 115 cabins added, the Triumph/Sunrise is no longer an option for 7-day cruises for us. But for a short 4-days getaway I see no principal difference.

The Dawn has 1 extra hour at Bermuda.

Just out of curiosity (to see how they refurbished the Triumph), I would go with the Sunrise.

If you want better food you'll go with the Dawn.

 

Happy cruising!

Do the people multiply on the last 3 days?

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

Do the people multiply on the last 3 days?

 

I was confused by that comment too. Not sure how a ship would be okay for a 4 day cruise but not a 7 day cruise. Unless I read it wrong, the comment was based on the ship being more crowed due to the additional cabins (which I agree with). From what I understand, they are selling the same number of cabins on Sunrise regardless of the cruise length. 

[crazy4tweety]

I just got off the sunrise last week and I love it

i went with a group in our 50s 60s and 70s  I can tell you Chris the cruise director on the sunrise is one of the best I have seen heck The shows I enjoyed our was a five day though you can download the carnival hub app for five dollars and stay on top of things you like to do. We had 3,500 I think on our cruise but I never ran into to many people the buffet line got crowed at breakfast and lunch but we learn to go to the back they cook the same omelets are eat in the Italian restaurant no charge for breakfast the shows alwAys had seats available 

[jimbo5544]

8 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

I was confused by that comment too. Not sure how a ship would be okay for a 4 day cruise but not a 7 day cruise. Unless I read it wrong, the comment was based on the ship being more crowed due to the additional cabins (which I agree with). From what I understand, they are selling the same number of cabins on Sunrise regardless of the cruise length. 

Just the negative nellies coming out to play.  They have never been on the ship even.

[mizLORInj]

On 5/26/2019 at 9:14 AM, daggct said:

 

Has anyone been on these ships/itineraries before? 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

Just off Sunrise on Monday morning, Memorial Day.   We did the 4 nighter to Bermuda.   My review is here.  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2666507-sunrise-4-nighter-to-bermuda-may-23-2019/

 

We were on the Dawn years ago.   After NCL removed the Spinnaker Lounge to put in cabins, I won't bother with it even if refurbished.  LOVED the Spinnaker Lounge.  Did not care for the Dawn or the Star, but love the NCL Gem and larger, newer ships.   

 

So for me, even though Sunrise was not completely redone as Carnival would like you to think, I'd pick that over Dawn.  This is going by SHIP itself only--not the cruise line at all.   

 

As for NCL, remember the "freebies" are not completely free.   ALSO, Norwegian does not allow you to bring ANY beverages on board.   On others we each bring a bottle of wine at embarkation and water or soda if we feel like it.   

 

have fun on whichever you ultimately choose.    Oh, and hurricanes. . . Bermuda rarely gets them. 

[surfone]

We sailed about a month ago on the 1st sailing on Sunrise out of Norfolk and we just sailed on the Dawn out of NY last week.

We enjoyed both and are also in our 50's.  Dawn is one of our favorites and sailed on her twice.  If you go with the free drink perk on the Dawn then that would be my first choice, (even though you pay the gratuities, it's less than CCL) we enjoyed the bar/lounge area choices on the Dawn.   The Sunrise though has the new Red Frog Pub that is awesome, too, and I have to say the food on both as far as the MDR's were about equal on our sailings.  You can't go wrong on either,  enjoy!

[thesmiths]

We are doing the Sunrise in Sept for the 8 day for the first time on her.

Can't wait.

 

Enjoy either ship you chose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Steve551]

On 5/26/2019 at 7:18 AM, NYcruzzer said:

For the date you selected a Balcony on Carnival is $1621.00 (all-in including port ) for two. NCL comes in at $2278.00 (all -in including port,fees, and service charge for UBP and dining package. ) ..NCL's offer includes 4 "free" perks including Drink Package, Wi-fi, Specialty dinner package, and ShoreX credit. .. In essence you are paying for the freebies. I would sail either line in a heartbeat. If there is a major storm a coming then you may get diverted North to Canada instead of Bermuda..Have a great cruise if you go !

How much would Carnival be with Drink Package, Wi-fi, Specialty dinner package, and ShoreX credit.  To be fair you'd need to figure that into the cost of the Carnival cruise - the drink package alone, for 2, would make up the price difference.

[jimbo5544]

18 hours ago, thesmiths said:

We are doing the Sunrise in Sept for the 8 day for the first time on her.

Can't wait.

 

Enjoy either ship you chose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well said, enjoy your cruise and let us know your thoughts when you return.

[NYcruzzer]

6 hours ago, Steve551 said:

How much would Carnival be with Drink Package, Wi-fi, Specialty dinner package, and ShoreX credit.  To be fair you'd need to figure that into the cost of the Carnival cruise - the drink package alone, for 2, would make up the price difference.

That was my point..If you are interested in those perks then NCL may come out a little cheaper..Plus their drink package can be used on embarkation day. Cheers on Carnival out of NYC doesn't start until day 2..I saw some videos of the Sunrise. Ship looks real good. Dawn is one of my favorite NCL ships and was recently refurbished. I wouldn't hesitate to sail on either.

[daggct]

On 5/31/2019 at 10:05 AM, NYcruzzer said:

That was my point..If you are interested in those perks then NCL may come out a little cheaper..Plus their drink package can be used on embarkation day. Cheers on Carnival out of NYC doesn't start until day 2.

 

Does anyone know the reason for this? The drink package will definitely be part of whichever cruise we choose.

Carnival's probably works better for us, we drink a  lot of bottled water and espresso. And in this case we're not getting on the ship till later in the day of embarkation, so paying for one less day on Carnival is ok.Just wondering.

[Nic6318]

54 minutes ago, daggct said:

 

Does anyone know the reason for this? The drink package will definitely be part of whichever cruise we choose.

Carnival's probably works better for us, we drink a  lot of bottled water and espresso. And in this case we're not getting on the ship till later in the day of embarkation, so paying for one less day on Carnival is ok.Just wondering.

 

Hi Daggct

 

If you were wanting all the included perks that NCL is including and that is going to make the prices similar, then that's good for comparison.

 

Now looking at the cruise itself... naturally you have to realize, a 4 day Bermuda cruise can barely be called a Bermuda cruise. This is a cruise that stops in Bermuda, there definitely is a difference.  I understand you time constraints, etc...etc. I am looking at the thought that this is your second cruise. A four day over the weekend cruise would typically be considered a "party" cruise. Normally the Bermuda destination doesn't get that kind of designation, but as I said, a 4 day Bermuda cruise is different. It's just not allowing you to see the island. It's just that they had to stop somewhere.

 

With this in mind, if all you wanted was to get away on a ship for a few days and have fun, then either choice will fit the bill. The NCL option includes the upsells in the price vs. on the Carnival ship you would be paying per use. Take a look at each ship, see if any amenities that you would enjoy are offered on one vs. the other.

 

have a great cruise

 

[jimbo5544]

5 hours ago, daggct said:

 

Does anyone know the reason for this? The drink package will definitely be part of whichever cruise we choose.

Carnival's probably works better for us, we drink a  lot of bottled water and espresso. And in this case we're not getting on the ship till later in the day of embarkation, so paying for one less day on Carnival is ok.Just wondering.

To specifically answer your question it has to do with the different ways the cruise lines tax for drink packages.  NCL does it differently so they can offer it on embarkation.

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, Nic6318 said:

 

Hi Daggct

 

If you were wanting all the included perks that NCL is including and that is going to make the prices similar, then that's good for comparison.

 

Now looking at the cruise itself... naturally you have to realize, a 4 day Bermuda cruise can barely be called a Bermuda cruise. This is a cruise that stops in Bermuda, there definitely is a difference.  I understand you time constraints, etc...etc. I am looking at the thought that this is your second cruise. A four day over the weekend cruise would typically be considered a "party" cruise. Normally the Bermuda destination doesn't get that kind of designation, but as I said, a 4 day Bermuda cruise is different. It's just not allowing you to see the island. It's just that they had to stop somewhere.

 

With this in mind, if all you wanted was to get away on a ship for a few days and have fun, then either choice will fit the bill. The NCL option includes the upsells in the price vs. on the Carnival ship you would be paying per use. Take a look at each ship, see if any amenities that you would enjoy are offered on one vs. the other.

 

have a great cruise

 

While shorter cruises have a reputation for being more of a party atmosphere, I believe the 4 days out of new are somewhat different.  If you set the bar of a Bermuda cruise at 7 days and only going there, you have eliminated about 95% of cruises. 

[AAAAmerican]

Dear dagct,

 

Choices+choices.

 

One thing please remember NCL uses a whole lot of loquacious palaver in four letter words..eh.

 

They TX you more, they say a TIP is now a fee.

 

NOT FREE.!

 

Going again, as we are booked too now on the newly named and new God Mothered ship of Carnival was our choice.