My wife and I decided were suffering from cruise withdrawal and decided to book a one night cruise to nowhere on the Norwegian Dawn. We had never been on an NCL line (most of our cruises have been on Carnival), so we were looking forward to discovering something different with this one night getaway.

We drove to New York City (only about a 45 minute drive) and parked across the street from the pier. Once inside the terminal, we saw lines everywhere and it seems those working the piers didn't care about people's concerns. There was a sign posted saying boarding would start at 12:45. Everything went fairly quickly as we were on the ship by 1:30.

The ship is smaller than those I have been on in the past (very narrow hallways). We went to our cabin, dropped off our luggage and went over the map of the ship (always a good idea). We then went to the Lido deck where the masses were running for food and trying to find tables. After the life jacket drill (something that went a lot smoother than most other cruise lines we'd been on), went to the Lido Deck for the Deck Party send-off. Thousands of people were gathered there for drinks and the bar-b-q party, so we went to the back of the ship (lots less people). After going under the Verrazano Bridge, went to get dressed for dinner. We would up at the Venetian Restaurant. We were seated and asked if we wanted wine. Told the hostess no, but would like drinks. The bartender(s) never came to our table, so we had water with dinner. Even asking the waiter (Reinaldo, who was fabulous) to have the bartenders come to our table, they didn't. Food portions were very small, so order two or more if you're hungry. Read more