Norwegian Dawn Review

Don't let the seemed benefits make you choose this cruise line.

Review for Canada & New England Cruise on Norwegian Dawn
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Terri Abeloe
6-10 Cruises • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Sep 2015
Cabin: Balcony

Just got back from a cruise from Boston to Quebec City. Not impressed at all with NCL and will not cruise with them again. This cruise was my 7th cruise, I am 54 year old. We have cruised this line before, aprox. 5 years ago and ONLY chose this line because it had Prince Edward Island, as one of our friends we were traveling with, wanted to see this port.

Getting on the ship was pretty good. We had a embarkation time of 11-11:30 am. checked in but weren't allowed to board for another hour. We had the drink package and ordered cocktails. Beware that if you order drinks while in port or in U.S. waters, you will pay an additional port charges on each drink. (not in the fine print). I noticed that the bar waiters were few and far between compared to previous cruises I have been on. We had to go to the bar most of time and order our drinks there. I'm guessing the "Drink Package" may not be profitable for NCL? The cruise staff seemed so busy interacting with each other than with the passengers. This was surprising to me as I had never had this experience before on any cruse line. Have things gotten so laxxed in the last 4 years?

NCL now has a service charge for room service, which we didn't know before we cruised. You can order coffee and rolls and not pay the charge. We opted to dine in Cagney's at and additional $34 per person and what a disaster. over 3 hours and food not worth the extra money. Our room steward was the best part of the cruise. He was very attentive! BEWARE: you should make reservations in the dining room for dinner. We did this and boy am I glad we did. The first night the line to get in without reservations was at least 100 people long. If you have reservations you can go to the desk in the actual dining room and not stop at the top podium. Service in the Aqua dining room was much faster than the Venetian dining room. Food not that great. Not horrible, just ok. They don't have the chocoholic buffet anymore? And not once for dinner did they offer lobster. Don't let the benefits or "free" inclusions sway you to this cruise line, although the ultimate beverage package was the best thing this cruise had going for it. Getting off the ship, took over 3 hours. Lots of angry people. It would be nice to take a cruise and not feel like the cruise line is always trying to get in your pocket.

Cabin Review

Balcony

Cabin BD

Typical cabin. Storage for suitcases under bed. Light in closet did not work in any of our cabins (traveled with 2 other couples. So this made it hard to see inside. Bathrooms are nice sized.

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