Dee has always wanted to swim with dolphins so we took the opportunity to do it in Tortola. The facility was still under construction but the staff was very helpful and there were changing rooms but no showers. 
The pools / pens were at the edge of a mangrove swamp and that made some of the guests a bit nervous. The water was not clear but was moving and looked to be clean. 
The interactions with the dolphins was wonderful. I had a ho hum attitude going in but after we were finished I have to say I am glad we did it. 
On our way out I saw a school of small (2'-3') barracuda in one of the back pens near the edge of the mangroves. I though it was cool, Dee was happy she didn't see it when we were walking in. 
Not much to see in the port itself so we went back to the ship via tender once the excursion was finished. 
 

Tortola

We made the mistake of booking a tour with Elmo of Luxury Safari Tours. We waited for an hour at the security gate, where his confirming e-mail had told us to wait, but he never showed up. Upon returning home I found an e-mail from him telling us that the meeting spot had changed. I had a local contact phone number for him that we tried but there was no answer. Lesson learned, the ship tours are more expensive but I've never been stiffed on one of them. 
The cab a tour hawkers at the end of the pier were obnoxious. You couldn't turn around without being hit on to book a tour or take a cab to the beach. 
Making the best of it we wandered around the port and found a great little art gallery where we bought an original painting by a local artist, Steven Murphy, who just happened to be in the gallery that morning. We had a nice chat with him about his art and his travels to Cuba where much of inspiration comes from. 
 
 

Antigua

We took one of the Catamaran / snorkeling / beach break tours and had a wonderful time. The crew of the boat were helpful, attentive and funny. The captain gave us some history as we cruised to the first spot. 
I always chuckle when they haul the sails up but keep the engines running. Have to keep on schedule and wind is just not reliable enough. I'm not sure I've ever seen one of the big catamarans actually sail. 
The snorkeling stop was amazing. The crew was in the water with food for the green turtles that live in the area. The turtles know where the food is and we didn't have to wait long before they were swimming in, out, up, down and all around us. They are so graceful and gentle. 
As we approached the dock the clouds were rolling in and by the time we reached the buses the heavens had opened and one of those can't see ten feet tropical "showers". 
That pretty much ended the day and we headed back to the ship without seeing much of the town. 
 

Barbados

Easily the most scenic of the islands we visited. The cruise in past Nevis at sunrise was spectacular. 
We rode the St Kitts Railroad and it was a great way to see a large portion of the island. The train is a little wobbly and the screeching of the wheels, in the tight corners, was worse than fingernails across a blackboard. 
Friends who had gone to beach said it was the best beach of all the ones we had seen on our cruise. 
 

St. Kitts (Port Zante)

Don't book 11578 on the Norwegian Dawn if you like to sleep past 6am. The cabin is directly under the pool deck and the crew was up bright and early every day moving the tables, chairs and lounges.

I never understood why some cruisers had such strong loyalty to a cruise director but after meeting Matt Baker and having such a GREAT time at all the shows he and his staff were responsible for, I can see why.Our cabin attendants were eager to please and did a great job for us.

Norwegian Dawn Review

Norwegian Dawn January 14-23 2011

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