Norwegian Dawn Review

4.0 / 5.0
3,018 reviews

Hurricanes and freestyle dining.

Review for Bermuda Cruise on Norwegian Dawn
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Hambone53
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Oct 2014
Cabin: Penthouse with Large Balcony

This was our first cruise. We've always been "get on a plane and get there" travelers with trips all over the US, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. Liked our room, a large forward facing penthouse with huge deck, sofa, dining table and chairs, large bathroom with shower and tub, concierge, butler and cabin steward.

Embarkation was a breeze. Didn't like the lack of information in our cabin about the ship, what's where on board, restaurant menus and descriptions of the dining ambience etc. On Friday we learned that Tropical Storm Fay was due to hit the Island on Sunday AM. I asked our concierge if we were being diverted and she said "no, Sunday will be 81 and partly cloudy in Hamilton". We awoke early Sunday to find the Ship's Log displaying 96 knot winds and 15 to 17 foot seas. Even with the stabilizers out it was a very rough ride. Instead of docking at 11AM we didn't dock until nearly 8PM...losing a day on island. Reading a news report after the cruise it appears the forecasters thought the storm would be weaker and much furher east of the island.

We bought the upgraded dining option, but found that Cagney's was really the only restaurant we both had great experiences at. Teppanyaki was the standard hibachi show, but only 1 table and since you can't choose your dining companions you're left with what you get. Our fellow diners were not a good match. The food that was served was mediocre at best and can't compare to the 3 similar restaurants within 5 miles of our house. Moderno was awful. Slow service, way overcooked food, a large woman picking items off the salad bar with her bare hands, loud C&W band in the atrium, people wearing flip flops, tanks and swim suits standing next to our table chugging beers and watching the band below... we left and went back to Cagney's.

Cabin Review

Penthouse with Large Balcony

Cabin SE

It was a good room, getting a bit threadbare, but clean and well maintained by our steward. The huge forward facing balcony was outstanding. I'd rather have a straight Keurig style coffee maker than a cappuccino machine. Sofa, coffee table and chair as well as a dining table with 4 chairs. I think for our next cruise I'll look for a separate bedroom and living/dining room, but the Penthouse size was comfortable enough.

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