Dawn Review April 16-26th

[LucynEthel]

My sister & I really did enjoy the cruise but there were a few things that were bothersome. We did not realize when we booked that it was a holiday time for school kids...stupid I know. There were tons of them that travelled in packs around the ship, pushing every button on the elevators, running & pushing. But the most disturbing thing was the underage drinkers. We saw two girls who looked about 13 or 14 sitting next to us in a bar drinking beer...I did a double take... could not believe it. Another night a young girl about 12 was completely drunk in the same bar. I did hear other people complaining "where are the parents?" It seemed to me that parents considered the ship a "big" babysitter and the kids were free to roam & do what they liked with no supervision.

The food was O.K. There certainly was a lot of it but the meat was generally overcooked & tough. I only gained one pound on this trip...a first.

The main dinning rooms were beautiful, never had a problem with service & got seated immediately no matter what time we went. The buffet food was O.K. not great and sometimes the noise & lines did not make having lunch enjoyable. I loved the Venetian but the menus for lunch were "odd" so only went there twice. We visited the tapas bar one night but no one came to serve us...even after we asked...so after about 20 mins of just sitting there we left. Only got to have one ice cream at Sprinkles it was good but the line ups were not worth it.

We had a great time in the pub and the casino...never went to the shows..have done shows on other ships & prefer the smaller bars.

Would we travel on the Norwegian Dawn again...for sure..it is a beautiful ship with lots to do.. but would try to pick a week when it wasn't a holiday for school kids.

[jp2001]

Regarding Salsa Restaurant, you need reservation for dinner and then, you must see the Maitre D to be seated. That probably explains why you were not served.

About the kids... too bad some parents don't act like parents. I don't think I would sail when there is a holiday for this reason. I don't understand why the bartenders served alcohol to 12-14-15 years old!!! I would understand not to ask ID to someone about 20 years old but 12 to 15!!!... doesn't make sense.

[LucynEthel]

No we did eat in Salsa's one night..didn't have a reservation but the maitre'd sat us in anyway as it was not busy. The Tapas bar is right next to it , we were told the bartender would explain the tapas selection to us but even when asked nothing happened.

I was shocked when we saw these young people drinking...not sure if the drinks came from the bar or if they brought them with them...as I saw them later with the same beers in their hands. Believe me they were nowhere near 18 let alone 21 which is the drinking age. I do think the waiters & bartenders turn a blind eye to this type of thing.