Biffire

Yes there is a bar in Spice H20, and the card works the same as carnival and RCL.

I can answer a few, Harvest Caye is for NCL and Oceania ships. Dock space for only one ship, if a second ship is in port someone has to tender.

The adult area is Spice H20 aft area no extra charge. Cant say much about allergies, since we don't have that issue, but I know the waiters often ask about allergies. There is a room card which you use for any purchases, as a room key, and to get on and off the ship. I believe there is a movie screen however we don't usually watch movies on the ship, so I dont have much knowledge about that.

We normally eat early so MDR waits are not bad, if you eat at prime time and have 5 people it wouldn't hurt to get reservations. Goof luck and enjoy the Breakaway

Newleno,

The just water containers are also refillable.

I am with the Bird, be wrinkled I will be!

We always eat at Moderno, I really like the salad bar, heart of palms, and baked cheese and other things not normally found on a salad bar. I never had any issues with the meat, but I tend to like my meat fully cooked and not bloody.

Will be on the Dawn at the end of February, and definitely using one of our 3 nights there.

AllenFamily

We were last on the Dawn, June of 2018, Boston to Bermuda.

I think we had a white hot party around the pool. Reading the boards it seems that Glow parties are now more popular.

Sorry I can't remember more, they all seem to blend together.

We are also cruising on the Dawn out of Tampa, February 23rd.

Quiet probably won't happen, once you and several hundred of your fellow cruises arrive it gets quite noisy. The Manhattan room also has music sometimes.

Thanks for all of the replies, Sounds like a crap shoot. The pictures posted by Mking, sure made the soup look good.

Going in February, looking forward to it.

Happy new year to all.

I think we are 3 out of 5 tries. The last time we waited for 90 minutes in the tender line, finally made it to the tender, it started raining, as the tender reached the island, so we went to the pavilion and tried to eat. Everyone used it for shelter, we were there about 45 minutes and they ordered us back to the ship.  Still raining, ended up on the top deck, got soaked. Oh Well, back to the bar, had a few drinks and all was good. I always look forward to GSC, really like the food and beverage are included.Next trip we got to Harvest Caye, which will be our first time.

31 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Just going to toss in our two cents, FWIW about the Dawn ... that we sailed last May, out of NY.  We just came back about 2 weeks ago on her newer sibling ship in the similar class, the Gem & ate in Orchid Garden also ... food/menu is virtually identical. 

 

Review w. pix is here - 

 

 

The free/complimentary food served is mostly Chinese, probably comparable to what you might find in a small town, upstate NY.  However, I should note that we're in Clifton Park area, just north of Albany last Fall & found some of the Chinese food there to be pretty good - much to our surprise; and, superior to those served onboard.  

 

Menu included - the dishes that we've ordered, were fine & reasonable good - in line with expectations ... be careful with sodium level and doses of MSG, if allegic or sensitive.  Spring rolls (fried) was good, pot stickers (opt for the pan fried, avoid the steamed ones).  Seafood w. udon noodles soup was spicy/hot but I like the roast pork in noodles soup better - portion size are smallish, order an extra one if you like them.  Better yet, sample other entrees like the orange beef & kung pao chicken ... no upcharge for the shrimps - leave room for the dessert.  Overall, it's a nice change from O'Sheehan's and the MDR nightly's.  

 

Unlike the Gem, the Dawn's dining was popular and require a reservation - it was busy & full nightly (opened only for dinner) and service was a bit slow but not horrible (unlike Cagney's recently ...)  If you are on a clock, like trying to catch the shows (they're good, go see them - again) - tell the server to rush; and they can do it.  Otherwise, they will take their sweet (and sour) time about it.   

 

 

Thanks I was going to try a lunch. I guess I will try to see a menu and see if I can get a dinner reservation.

Well, that does not sound good !

Thanks for the rapid reply

We are going on the Dawn in about 7 weeks.

I have never been to the complimentary Bamboo Taste of Asia restaurant.

I read this forum frequently and never hear much about it.

Does anyone have any experience with the Bamboo?

Just wondering when it is open, what they have , is it good?

I booked with a TA, received the free beverage package and it does show on my E Docs.

I know I would feel better if you had it on your Docs.

Thanks Lisa Lisa

Happy new year counting the days til boarding the Dawn.

I was reading some reviews from another site, and they quoted $89-90 .

My question is can you use the $50 excursion credit perk, or is it separate?

The deposit has no bearing on my cruise bookings, and we only book one at a time..

Merry Christmas everyone. Less than two months before the next cruise

I was trying to formulate a response, when I read ollienbertsmum response. I have to agree.

We are doing our 12th cruise in February, 10 with NCL. They all kind of run together in my mind.

I believe the success of the cruise in some respects depends on our attitudes and ability to shake off a long line, or disappointing meal. I know we go expecting to have a great week. As far as staff, they seem to rotate from ship to ship as their contracts expire. Weather can have a big impact. We tend to look at certain weeks and destinations more so than which ship it is.

Anyway, the cruises seem to be a jumble in my memory, but we like them and and hope to many more in the future.

We will be in Harvest Caye in February. Watching You-Tube videos I see a light house that has  zip lines over the bay. I don't see any info listed under shore excursions from NCL.

Just wondering how to book, what the cost is, and is it a worthwhile activity?

27 minutes ago, MrsKC08 said:

Hello fellow cruisers. 

I've got my first Norwegian cruise coming up in March on the Getaway. I've sailed other cruise lines but I'm not at all familiar with Norwegian and how things are with some things and I'm hoping that those of you that have sailed NCL would be willing to share your insight and knowledge to help a girl out.

 

On other cruise lines they often run specials in the cruise planners for things like drink packages, excursion discounts, activity discounts, etc. It doesn't seem that NCL does that, or at least I'm not seeing anything for my cruise which is 92 days out. I thought for sure there might be something for black Friday. Do they not offer any discounts at all for things like this?

 

Do they offer a "coffee card" that can be purchased on the ship for specialty coffees?

 

Between the VIBE pass and the Thermal Spa Pass, which would you choose and why? They seem to be roughy the same cost however I can purchase the spa pass pre-cruise where I have to try to get lucky to get the VIBE pass once I board.

 

Do they do "themed nights" each night of the cruise? I've only seen the 'glow party' mentioned, but we have always enjoyed doing the themed nights.

 

We are those that like to dress up for formal nights, but it seems with the Freestyle type of atmosphere that many don't even dress up on these NCL cruises, is that correct? Are there still some people that do dress up?

Some dress and some don't , do what is comfortable for you, either is fine

 

Even with show reservations (that I see have to be made on board with the exception of Burn the Floor and Million Dollar Quartet), do you still have to arrive really early for the shows to get good seats? Is there a standby line they have for those without reservations and let them in 15 minutes prior to showtime?

 

Are there deck parties other than the Glow Party?

Usually a sail away party and maybe a 70-80s nights

Do they do a cruise critic meet n mingle like the other cruise lines do? If so, how do you register for that?

Check your roll call and see if there is one scheduled

 

How many bottles of wine can you bring on board with you?

 

Can you bring bottled water and/or soda as well?

NO

Do they do the dreaded paper straws too?

Yup, but you can always bring your own if you wish

How is the in cabin tv channel lineup?

Limited
Thanks in advance to those that take the time to answer my questions. I'm also happy to hear any other tips or pointers you would have for someone who is used to other lines vs Norwegian. Tips/Tricks, etc.

I know some of these questions were already answered, it is always a good sign when multiple people tell you the same thing.

 

Happy Cruising.

Thanks, We have booked direct and through the TA, we always know  which cruise we want, so they just handle the paperwork for us. I suppose some people have no idea and the TA steers them to one line or the other, and that is why NCL would pay a commission.

On 11/23/2019 at 10:51 AM, mamashamiller said:

Is there prime rib anymore ? And is it a certain night?

In June it was on the garden buffet one night on the Dawn

How do the travel agents make their money on a cruise booking?  I have used a TA and get the same price as I see on the website. When I cruise out of NY they have a bus that brings me from Albany, certain times of the year it is free, sometimes a charge, but well worth it. Does NCL give them a percentage on the booking ?   Just wondering with everything on line these days how the TAs stay in business.

Starry Eyes,

Thanks for the color coding tip, I had never paid much attention to that, looks I am good!

Happy Cruising

How can I tell, I have a room number but dont see the category on the paperwork?