Norwegian Dawn Review

NEEDS SOME WORK, BUT STILL A GREAT CRUISE

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Norwegian Dawn
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Tybro
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: May 2016
Cabin: Family Suite with Balcony

We recently sailed on the Dawn for a 10 night to Mexico and South America. This is the last cruise before the Dawn goes in for some refurbishment. Overall, the cruise was very good. We upgraded to a suite, which was totally awesome. Not only was the room great, but the butler and concierge service that comes with it makes it a completely new cruising experience. We had the free drink and 5 free specialty dinner package and ate most meals in Cagneys and must say I never had a bad meal the whole 10 days. I ate in the MDR a couple of times and that was also good. I never ate at the buffet so can’t judge that.

A couple of observations about the ship: It doesn’t really have a good gathering space. All special events takes place in the theatre or in Spinnakers, which is a dark, windowless space at the end of the ship. The bar service was always poor during any event taking place here and almost no walk around service. Gatsby’s is too small and cramped to hang around and the central bar is a coffee bar and has limited alcohol. That left the only real place to hang around and gather for drinks to the casino. Just seems like they need to reorganize the central parts of the ship.

The cigar bar is a glass box crammed in near Gatsby’s and has no ventilation. It’s just like an airport smoking room and is pretty pathetic to be called a cigar bar. They should make one in a nice room that has windows. The pool/Jacuzzi area needs some serious work and I assume that will be done in dry dock.

Cabin Review

Family Suite with Balcony

Cabin SD

Cabin was awesome. Had huge master bathroom with windows in the shower stall and over the tub. Had a nice living room with dining area and then a spare bedroom with it's own bathroom. More storage space than I could ever use, in room Kurig coffee maker, and 4 televisions. (one about the tub1) Balcony was standard size but had nicer loungers. The amenities that come with a suite are as good as the suite itself. Here are some of the extras you get with a suite: We were ushered into a private room and served food and drinks while waiting to board and then escorted directly to our room, as soon as boarding began, which had beautiful flowers and a bottle of champagne waiting. We had access to Cagney's for breakfast and lunch, which is only open to suite guests and the food was excellent. The butler made all of our dinner reservations, left canapés in our room every day and provided excellent room service for anything we asked for. When tendering to a port, the concierge took me to a private elevator and directly on to the tender boat with no waiting. On debarkation day, we met the concierge in a lounge and were then escorted in a private elevator directly to the front of the line getting off the ship. If I could afford to, I would never not have a suite again. If you ever get a chance for a good deal on a suite, DO IT!

Port Reviews

Grand Cayman (Georgetown)

Walked off the ship and about 5 minutes to a snorkel site. Rented gear for $18 and walked right into the water and saw the best assortment of beautiful fish that I've ever seen on any snorkel trip. Would do it again.

Cozumel

Day at Mr. Sanchos resort. Rode the jet skis which were a bit pricey at $72 each, but was fun. Went swimming, had some beach time and then a great meal in the restaurant. The whole facility is clean and beautiful and highly recommended. $18 taxi ride from the ship (both ways).

Belize City

Have to tender to shore and there's not much there. Take an excursion or don't bother getting off the ship.

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