Dawn Review 08/22/04 - 08/29/04 LONG REVIEW!

[sillybutt]

Background: First time cruiser, young couple in the early 20's.

 

Expection: Pretty high since i read ALMOST all the forums in regard to the dawn and everyone seem to love it. Keep in mind, I'm a New Yorker, I love to fine dine in the city and watch Broadway shows, so my standards are slightly above the norm =D

 

Food: My favorite part of the cruise. its true when the ppl tell you, you dont have to rush theres PLENTLY of food for EVERYONE! The free restaurants: "Venetian" is gorgeous, but if you get a window seat near the end of the back, be prepare for some vibration caused by the engine. And, there will be a lot of noise cus the restaurant is huge, i went there at 9:30 (last seating is at 10:00PM) and basically had the whole place to myself, that was "wonderful! "Impression" was smaller but i liked it a lot more than "Aqua", that might be in part due to our wonderful waitor, Keith. The only specialty restaurant i went to was "le Bistro" and its because i purchased the "honeymoon/anniversary" package. The restaurant is great, the ambience was quiet which is good. They overcooked both of our filet mignon, i asked for medium rare. MUST TRY: escargot and chocolate fondue. The goodbye dinner includes filet mignon and i had it at Venetian, it was delicious cooked the way i want it and it was FREE :D

Chocolate Buffet: It looks better then it taste. The line is long but like everyone sed it moves very VERY fast.

 

THE SHOWS: If you have time to watch only one show, watch the show "Bollywood", its dawn's signature show and there's a reason why! =)

 

BALCONY ROOM: Our room was 10532, midship balcony on the 10th floor and it was wonderful. We're totally spoiled now, and can only think about getting another balcony room or upgrading to a suite for our next cruise. The balcony comes in handy for all those sunrise and sunsets. The water pressure in the showers are great, the shower in general is great, plenty of space so you dont have to worry. BRING SOAP AND SHAMPOO!!! i'm not picky when i say that the shampoo smells like hot chilli pepper, my bf laugh at me but its true. and, theres no conditioner (thank god i bought my own), after 7 days i feel like i need a hot oil treatment, their hair blower is wonderful too. If you bring your own water bottle (you can directly fill your water bottle up in Blue Lagoon and the gym), remember to put it in the refrigator before you leave your room, our maid threw away two of our bottles thinking we're done with it when we left it laying around.

 

THE ACTIVITIES: we didnt take advantage of much of the activities,altho we did attend all the shows but from ppl that did take advantage of it they seem to have a lot of fun. Outdoor ping pong equipments are retreive on Deck 7 Reception Area.

 

Movies: Saw "house of sand and fog". Other showings include: Cheaper by the dozen, Along came polly, The Bounce.

 

Service: EXCELLENT!!! I seriously did not lift a finger on this cruise. Whoever is worry that the service wouldnt be fabulous because you're automatically paying only 10 per day, rest assure...they're wonderful. The staff wouldnt even let me lift up my own tray after finishing breakfast at the Garden Buffet to the trash can. I saw nothing but smile EVERYWHERE (that includes the restaurants).

 

SHORE EXCURSIONS: Florida: we did Kennedy Space Center. We didnt get it thru NCL. There are taxi's and vans right outside when you board. Wait for a family group and you're able to take the van for 5bucks each, they charge you a lot more if you're going on your own. For admission, get the Standard Package around $30 for adult, my bf insisted on getting the ADMISSION TO ALL package which cost $35 for adult, and ended up doing the same thing as the standard package, so save yourself five bucks each and get the standard. Once in there, go straight for the bus tour that runs around 2 - 2 1/2 hour, thats the BEST part of the center, trust me the other can be view when you get back. Also, watch the 3D show in the IMAX theatre. Be on the lookout for alligators on ur bus tours =). grab a window seat theres plenty of pictures to take!

Miami: went to South Beach, nothing to see. The beach is wonderful but couldn't find any shops and the taxi ride was $16 one way! If you want to shop you need to go to bayside. and there's a BB Hopper which is like a bus ride ticket that alongs you to hop on to any of their buses anywhere along the bus route and they go all over Miami, so do yourself a favor and take that, its worth it. its $18 for each person.

Cay Stirrup: The island is beautiful!!! go there early, we got there before 10AM, yes there is a lot of ppl, but trust me it will only get more crowded thruout the day, we're able to enjoy the beach and water before it got contamated with food and other stuff. Buffet lunch is provided. I was told there were lockers but i just left all my stuff on the beach, no one is going to take it theres just too many ppl.

Bahamas: SOOOOOOO hot and boring. Took the taxi $4 each to atlantis, truefully i was bored and i didnt enjoy it at all, all we did was roam around the casino and the hotel, you're not allow out to the beach, there are guards at the door unless you're lucky and we took a glimpse of the small FREE part of the aqarium and that was it. There is water taxi, it starts at 9AM and it will not leave until its fill with ppl and trust me its VERY HOT! The straw market is hot, indoors in a huge tent. the key word is BARGAIN!! there are tons of vendor and they're all selling smiliar items so trust me its easy to get a good price on things dont settle for the first stand. We purchase a mask for bf's father, retail was: 175$, i got it for $50 ;D Happy shopping!

 

 

Overall: The ship is wonderful and its gorgeous, expected it to be a little bigger due to the comments i read previously. Service once again is wonderful, Colin (Scottish Cruise Director) makes waking up in the morning a little easier =). Shows were a great entertainment.

 

The down side: i couldnt tolerate the teenagers on board. They ruin our movie by coming in 1 1/2 hr late and tumbling into their seats, they once again ruin our Broadway Concert in the lounge by sitting down and talking loudly among themselves, ambivalent to what is happening around them. Most of them are extremely rude. The younger kids were simly adorable to watch when they march around w/ their KIDS CONSOLERS. If you want an ADULT ATMOSPHERE this cruies might not be for you, or make sure that you book it during a season where kids are all in school.

 

ill be happy to answer any additional questions =) for all those are cruising with norweigan dawn, enjoy...you'll have a ball!!

 

- Sillybutt:)

[ChrisConnolly]

Hey Sillybut ... Nice review.... Sounds like the dawn I love traveling on.. My question for you is did you hangout with any other couples around your age?

 

I like the longer cruises but was disapointed last year that there weren't many people in their 20's... I'm going over NYE this year, so hopefully there will be a younger crowd.

[MaxKare]

Why are New Yorkers always so arrogant?

 

 

Keep in mind, I'm a New Yorker, I love to fine dine in the city and watch Broadway shows, so my standards are slightly above the norm =D

 

Some of the worst food I have ever eaten has been in a "fine dining" establishment in New York with $200 price tag.

 

I think more people move out of New York every year than move in. Why do so many people retire in New York and head to Florida?

[karfest]

Thank you for the review. It is refreshing to hear from a first time cruiser. It seems the more cruises you have under your belt, the more critical you get and forget what a joy it is just to be cruising. You have succeeded in capturing that first time excitement.

 

A warning- once you move into a suite or mini-suite, you can never go back!! It is the only way to cruise.:)

 

Also- you are officially a grown-up now that you have complained about teenagers, welcome to our world:D

[PattiCake]

I don't think the poster was being arrogant by stating their New York Status. It's a way to let other people know where they are coming from when they review things.

[bragstarr]

Sillybutt--

 

Thanks for taking the time to post the review; there are many of us afflicted with the same disease as you were, reading every tidbit of information I can find before a cruise. I really appreciate your information on Kennedy Space Center. We are renting a car for $31 for the day to go there, but it gives me an idea on how to handle it. I've already been to Nassau and Miami, but I'm sure other people will appreciate that information. Sometime hopefully you'll get lucky and stay AT the Atlantis like my family did a number of years ago (it was a freebie for us, we really lucked out!), you can really appreciate it when you can do all their activities, but I'm always fascinated at the number of people who go there just to look at it!

 

I also got a laugh like Karen above did regarding your teenagers comment, being that you are in your early 20s--but as you know, and you probably were one, there are many teens who know how to handle themselves well--my 17 year old was with us on our cruise last year, along with his friend, and they spent most of their time with us and behaved beautifully.

 

Welcome to the "now I am hooked on cruising" club!:D

 

Robin

[Fred C]

Sillybutt. Nice review. We too were on the Dawn the week before you. Wasn't the cruise director Colin a riot? Do you happen to know the name of the female singer who sang nightly in the grand atrium with a trio. She sang Brazilian type songs? Thanks...Fred C

[cruise182]

I loved the Dawn!!! Freestyle rules in my book. It will be hard to sail on another ship after the Dawn!!

[MaxKare]

Sillybutt:

 

I was watching Punked on T.V. when I read your post, so I thought I would punk you. I love NY and the people in NY are the best. I dont like the Yankees but the food is great and so is the entertainment.

[cometsmom]

Thanks for a very informative review! We have only sailed twice - both times on Carnival and both times out of NYC. In looking at next summer's cruises from NYC, Carnival is only offering the Legend again (which we did this July) and the Canada trip (which I'm sure is wonderful - just not tropical enough for me!)

 

I started looking at NCL for the first time because they will be doing Bahamas cruises from NYC - we saw the Dawn right next to us in port this summer and it looks beautiful!

 

Anybody do the Legend and the Dawn before?? Any comparisons? We have to travel in summer (two boys, 16 and 14) so as far as there being a lot of kids on board, that works out great for us!

 

Any cruise vacation as far as I'm concerned is going to be a great experience but any info the Dawn would be appreciated. We'd be looking for a balcony - what are the good decks on the Dawn, etc. Thanks!

[Englishbridetobe]

Hi me and my hubby to be are taking our first ever cruise on the dawn for our honeymoon, and just cant wait. Everytime i read a review it makes me want to burst with excitment, we are in our mid 20's and its nice to see review from someone at a similar age, we are sailing 26/9 and so hopefully will not have to many teenagers spoiling our holiday!!!

 

We have got the honeymoon package what did you think of it i have had mixed veiws on it, as i didnt have to pay for it anything they give us will just be a bonus

 

hope to hear from you soon

[ChrisConnolly]

. Why do so many people retire in New York and head to Florida?

 

 

Because the housing is cheap and its warm year round....

 

 

Don't get me wrong I love Florida...

 

 

 

Chris Connolly

[dolfinmusic]

Thanks for the review!!! I have sailed on Carnival Legend and loved it! I am looking into the Dawn for next fall. As a matter of fact - I have emailed Laura and she is going to get pricing for me because I would like to do an official CC group cruise on the Dawn next fall. Sounds like a great time!

 

Did you do the bars or club at all? How was it at night?

Terri

[sal13579]

Have not sailed on Legend but have sailed on Destiny, Triumph and Victory which I really enjoyed. Was hesitant to try NCL because I do like Carnival, but I have to say after the Dawn, I am hooked. Was on Dawn last November and will be on again Oct 24. Favorite ship to date. Love the Freestyle!! I am in no way dissing Carnival, I would go with them again. It's just that the Dawn is my favorite.

[DobiePitRott]

Thanks for your review! I was on the Dawn this past April and couldn't agree with you more about the service on this ship! The best!!! I had the same cabin catagory and will find it hard NOT to have a balcony cabin from now on.

 

Best part for us was sailing out of NY and NOT having to worry about flights to and from!

[sillybutt]

ChrisConnolly,

 

Nope, unfortunely we didn't really hungout with any other couples of our age. Most of the times we were dressed in our "comfy" clothes and can be mistaken as teenagers. Second, most of the couples on the cruise at the time were either on their honeymoon (wants to be left alone ;D) or married couples with children.

 

- sillybutt:)

[sillybutt]

maxkare,

 

 

its a good thing that i read all the post before i start replying.=)

 

- sillybutt:)

[sillybutt]

Fred C,

 

"Colin, come up to the bridge"....(inside jokes for those that cruised with Colin before)..yep he is simply the best. he's going to be visiting nyc in sept as well, so as he sed, if you see someone walking around in nyc esp. around tourist area, dont be shy to say hello!

 

sorry fred i dont seem to remember the female singer who sang nightly in the grand atrium with a trio. The only singer i remember by name was "Laura" she was the one that sang WHO CRIED FOR ME ARGENTINA, she did the beginning of the last show.

 

- sillybutt:)

[sillybutt]

englishbridetobe (beth),

 

 

congrats on the honeymoon. and yes, i do think you should get it. let's do the math for a minute here shall we:

 

LeBistro dinner for two (and, yes you just HAVE to go there cus ur going to be dining iwth the master and its the most intimate restaurant on the whole ship) = $30 ($15 each)

 

A bottle of red wine (OR you can choose other wine & pay the difference) = 18

 

Another bottle of champagne (sparkling wine) waiting for u at your stateroom = 18

 

They will take a picture of you and your husband at the honeymoon party and normal picture purchase is = $8

 

that adds up to $74

 

the package also includes: a certificate for honeymooning with dawn..its corny but its also very cute and is signed by the captain of the ship, canapes delivered to your room..they're not that great but they're included (free) ;D so all in all i think its worth it.

 

tip: you might be able to change your bottle of champagne with another bottle of wine at similar price, call NCL to find out =)

 

and ENJOY!

 

- sillybutt:)

 

ps we love the wine with the balcony during sunset. keep all your wine receipts, they have a wine promotion, buy 5 bottles get the 6 one for free =)

[sillybutt]

dolfinmusic (terri),

 

 

didnt really go into any of the bars for drinks but been in there for several occassions, for eg: art auction. they're nice, to me its nothing special, a lot of smoking going on, i quit smoking 1/2 a year ago so i was trying to stay away from that area. did order a pina colado and bf order a frozen margarita one night, dont know if its the bartender or not but both tasted horrible and afterwards we just stuck to wine for the rest of the trip.

 

side note: during art auctions, they have complimentary champagne =)

 

 

- sillybutt:)

[dolfinmusic]

Thank you!!!!! :)

[Patpcozy]

Sillybutt Hi Thanks for the great review. We are going on the Dawn Nov 7. we are also a balcony 10590 so not too far from yours. Glad to hear you liked it, this is our 5th cruise, but our 1st balcony. Thanks for all the tips and i'm so glad you enjoyed the cruise and the Dawn. Oh and I'll be looking for Keith.

 

by the way anyone going to nassau we went to the atlantis after 5 because we heard we would be able to go thru the whole aquarium and we did noone bothered us.

Thanks again Pat

[robbi52a]

Hi

 

We Were On The Same Cruise With Our 3 Teenagers. I Agree With All Your Comments Except For The Service Especially In Main Dinning Rooms Which Was Spotty Ranging From Rude To Adequate Rob

[nbooth]

Hi, myself and my family went on the Dawn last Aug and loved it and have another cruise planned for October 24 of this year. We had a wonderful cruise director who is no longer with NCL as far as we know, but are wondering who is the new cruise director and hopefully he is as good as Rich. Also, are the shows the same as last year, Dollywood, etc. Thanks for any info you can give me on this. Glad you enjoyed the Dawn as most of us do.

[Englishbridetobe]

hi sillybutt, thanks for the info, i agree, that whatever we get will be great as we got it for free, and i must remember to keep my recipts for the wine, thats a great tip thanks:)