Norwegian Dawn Review
Great time with lots of fun and adventure for the family
Rating by category
Additional details
This was my first cruise, booked through NCL.com and went with my wife and a 5 year daughter. I am from India currently working in USA on H1B visa. I follow pure vegetarian diet. I selected Norwegian cruise line because they have free style cruising and great choices for buffet. I enjoyed variety of vegetarian food throughout the stay, great entertainment shows and activities, very nice crew staff. I had planned port activities on my own and had a great time on ports.
Visa/Immigration/Embarkation/Disembarkation:
I have a valid US visa stamped on our passports so once onboard I did not have to show my passport/visa on any port. On every port they just see your shipboard card.
Cabin Review
Inside
Cabin was very nice. Our steward was Maria Alvir. She took good care to set up our cabin twice a day. I went with my wife and one kid. They had set up king style bed, very comfortable. Space was enough. Bathroom was very nice. Locker/Safe was available to keep valuables but it cannot fit 15" laptop. Closet had enough space and hangers. Room was very quiet, no disturbance or noise from the adjacent room.
Port Reviews
Cozumel
I booked "Royal Swim Package" with Dolphin Discovery. You need to pay in advance. It is located at “Chankanaab Park” ($12 taxi ride total) and includes free entry to park. Enjoy Sea Loin show there. And includes free Lunch and 2 non-alcoholic drink.
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel/cozumel-location-overview.asp
Roatan
I booked Fun-n-Sun tour ($30 per person) with http://www.boddentours.com/index.htm
Do advance reservation and pay in cash on day of the tour.
They also have option for Private Tour to select activities/places of your choice.
Do go to their "Monkey Business" facility. It is great for photo with monkeys and parrots. They will also take us to "Bananarama" beach in West Bay and give us 2-3 hours to spend there. It is very nice beach. I did parasailing there ($60-$65 per person).
Belize City
I booked cavetubing activity with http://cavetubing.bz/tours/cruise
Do advance reservation and pay in cash on day of the tour.
They have 3 options: Cavetubing ($50), Cavetubing + Zipline ($75), Cavetubing + ATV ($80).
It includes free lunch and rum punch. Requires Swim Shoes. If you do not have it you can rent it ($2 or $3).
Costa Maya
I did an all-inclusive package (Unlimited drinks, Lunch, Beach Activity and Massage) in $60 at
www.barefootbeachbreak.com ($2 Taxi ride per person from outside the port). Either book in advance by paying full or go directly.
When I went there only my cruise was scheduled for that date so it was not busy at all.
Just 2 shops next to this “Tropicante” is also good place. They do not have package but prices are comparable.
http://www.sandalsandskis.com/tropicante.html
Do tell them the exact place where you want to go.
Taxi person will try to drop you at other place where they will get commission.
New Orleans
I stayed in hotel after cruise and did city sight seeing on my own for 2 days.