Norwegian Dawn Review
4.0 / 5.0
0claireh
6-10 Cruises • Age 50s
Rating by category
Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
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Additional details
Sail Date: Nov 2016
Cabin: Balcony
We chose thisnitinerary as it had ports of call we hadn't visited before and a departure port which was also a new city for us. The port at New Orleans is right in the city, no long transfers from hotels, and just 39 minutes from Louis Armstring Internaltional airport.
The NCL Dawn has just been refitted and is modern and well equipped throughout. It has all the usual features but is now bang up to date, losing that kind of 70's kitch style all ships seem to have. Still glitzy, but in a refined and stylish manner.
The use of space to create multiple intimate 'boutique' like venues, bars, lounges and restaurants is inspired. It creates a totally up to date and modern feel throughout the ship. Gone are the vast open lounge spaces, and in place you will find cosy stylish and varied themed locations to suit your mood or preference at any given time. The open atrium lobby harmonises the space at the centre of the ship, where you can enjoy entertainments from whatever style of venue you prefer - from the coffee shop to O'sheehans pub, to more traditional lounge and bar settings on the various floors that open onto the midship.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Cabin BB
We particularly loved the bathroom - great sized shower, none of that squeezing into a triangular alcove and soaking the entire floor. Cabin was what you'd expect, good use of functional space, well designed and comfortable. Refit has seen updated soft furnishings and art work. All in all very comfortable and well maintained by the cabin steward who served us, Marck.
Port Reviews
Harvest Caye
Brand new this season, we were the third ship to call at Harvest Caye. It's a nice resort, pool is free to use, but everything else is not. Ships cards not valid as far as I could see. Zip Lines looked like fun though, and right in the beach so no travel time. Dining and drinking fair, staff still need to pick up speed, drinks at ship prices and dining is all 'speciality' so chargeable, which is a shame, because a complimentary beach barbecue is so much fun and a break from the routine of ship board dining and is offered by other cruise lines on visits to their private islands. This is something NCL should seriously consider, so all cruisers can enjoy a full beach day without extra costs.
Costa Maya
Purpose built 'village' open to all cruise lines, rather than private to NCL - again with a pool you can use for free, but that's all that is complimentary. Remeber your wallet as cash is needed, like Harvest Caye. This is more understandable here as it is a public port, (though purpose built for the cruise ships to call at and, I suspect, at least partially funded by the cruise industry).
Cozumel
We independently visited a chocolate factory. Port is a bit crazy, Senior Frogs and tacky shops, but hey, it's a vacation!!
New Orleans
Great port to start and close a cruise. Airport is half and hour away and no time at all from hotels.
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