We have done cruises with many different cruise lines, but we are long-time NCL passengers, having started with the NCL Norway and experiencing an average of 2 or 3 cruises in recent years. With our "almost Platinum Plus" status, we generally know what to expect (and lately, unfortunately what NOT to expect). There is no question that in recent years, NCL like other 'more budget' cruise lines has pared the staff so it is much harder to find excellent service, but fortunately some individual staff members still provide service that stands out. On the Dawn, we found such people in the Aqua dining room, La Cucina, the Casino, and generally among the bar service people.

Along with the NCL Dawn experience, our recent experiences on the NCL Jewel and the NCL Spirit, all similar sized ships, have shown us that service is primarily a 'cultural' result of the leadership of the ship or department (The Spirit being horrible, and the Jewel ranking first-rate). The Dawn fits into the middle of this spectrum with some very good departments, and some just horrendous.

Our experience with two Specialty restaurants is indicative of this. La Cucina, despite having a rather stark ambiance, truly made up for it with excellent, attentive service and with superb food (a filet Mignon was far more tender/flavorful than Cagney's)! Everything about the experience was perfect. The Management Staff was very visible, but not intrusive. Rather than spending their time stopping at tables with indifferent chitchat designed to make us think he cared, he spent his time assuring that every aspect of the restaurant worked flawlessly. Read more