Norwegian Dawn Review
Rating by category
Additional details
I have been on cruises before with my family but this was the first cruise I was planning with a group of friends. It was our senior year in college for spring break and we go to school in New Orleans so it was a natural choice to choose a cruise that departed from that port. We booked early on and got a good deal to get two unlimited drink packages for free (well almost despite a $100 service charger for each) for our room. I was also excited about some of the ports because I had not been to some of the western Caribbean locations.
As far as traveling with a group of twenty somethings we had a great time on this cruise. The unlimited drink package was definitely worth it and I did not feel like the drinks were watered down. I think cruises are unique because you can really enjoy them at any age.
The entertainment on the cruise was fairly typical of what I've experienced on past cruises. We went to the main theater one night and saw a song/dance show which is what your would expect on a cruise. I really loved that they had Second City improv group on the cruise and on the last night we went to their 18+ show which was hilarious. The cruise director Gio was a great presence on board and we enjoyed going to smaller entertainment activities like trivia or the "sexy leg" contest by the pool.
Cabin Review
Mid-Ship Inside
Our cabin was exactly like others I have stayed in. Inside, no window, and tiny. We did not spend much time in our room so quality was not what we were looking for. It was always well attended to and even when we had an issue with our safe someone came to fix it pretty quickly.
Port Reviews
New Orleans
I live in New Orleans so this is incredibly biased but I love this city and if I had never been before its definitely worthwhile to spend a few days here before disembarking on the cruise. There is a lot more to this city than the French Quarter/Bourbon street. I recommend getting po-boys at Parkway Tavern, going to Shaya on Magazine street, and eating at Peche in the warehouse district. Ride the streetcar along St. Charles Ave to see the beautiful homes and then take a walk in Audubon park right across the street from Tulane University. Rent a car and take a tour of Oak Alley Plantation about an hour outside New Orleans. Definitely go to Cafe DuMonde and eat beignets!!
Harvest Caye
This is not really a port just an extension of the cruise ship. You dock and feel like you're in a disneyland esque place that is pretending to be Belize. It was a really nice pool which we enjoyed and it felt very much like being at a resort. We did not want to be ripped off and spend money on food while we were there so we took a break and went back on the boat for lunch which was easy enough. We did not even bother with the beach because the sand was pretty rough.
Costa Maya
When you get off the cruise ship it is hard to find where to take a shuttle to get to the beach. A lot of people will try to scam you to pay for a $60 all inclusive beach but don't do that. Take a shuttle for $3 into the town. It is definitely overhwhelming with the amount of people who come up to you trying to sell things but we were lucky to find a great spot on the beach at "Yaya Beach". The staff was easy going and friendly without being overly aggressive like every other place. You don't have to pay to use the couches on the beach we just had to buy a drink and/or food. It was a beautiful spot and the water is shallow way far our because of a reef blocking the waves. Costa Maya is trying to be a big tourist spot like Cozumel but still undeveloped and getting there...