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Dawn Review-The POSITIVE and the negative!

rikatine

By rikatine,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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uneamie Great Review Rare

uneamie

Posted
Posted
The Dawn is one of our two favorite NCL ships--the Star is the other. We were saddened when Impressions was changed from a MDR to the Italian restaurant, because it was always the best MDR. Somehow, the service was faster, pleasanter, and the food tastier there. Also, it was quieter.

 

I'm kind of an iconoclast for saying this, but we've usually never really enjoyed Le Bistro on any ship, including the Dawn. Only the first time we were on the Jade, with Armando was still there as the whip-cracking HD, was their Le Bistro superb.

 

Recently, on the Star, after being seated with 5 at a table crowded for 4, cheek-by-jowl with a very noisy next table, in chairs that were killing my back, Simone (our concierge extraordinaire) asked the Maitre d' to re-seat us in Soho but serve us Le Bistro food (as they share the kitchen). THAT made a huge difference. All of a sudden it was quiet, roomy, and on comfortable chairs--what Le Bistro should be. So...in 24 cruises on NCL we've only REALLY enjoyed Le Bistro twice.

 

OTOH, we RARELY have had a bad meal or a bad time in any Cagney's on any NCL ship (our SECOND time on the Jade being a rare exception. Dwen Bins is an awfully nice man--too nice to be a Hotel Director and it shows--things didn't work as well on the Jade for use after he replaced Armando.

 

We've been on all 4 Jewel-class ships, but still prefer the Star or Dawn to all of them.

 

I am sooo sorry your experience of Le Bistro on Dawn was not up to the most rewarding experience we've had, 3 times, at our most favorite table for two under the "Renior" painting...probaby gone by now, as I heard they moved all the master paintings. Sorry you did not have as pleasant experience as we did. In any event.....we adored our 3 lovely, truely classy dining times at Le Bistro on Dawn back in 2005.The seating was most comfortable, our waiter was excellent, the food was just superb....we just loved it. I know, I know it was 5 years ago....could it have changed that much?

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Teesa1021

Teesa1021

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How did they offer the 2 for 1??? Was it in the paper in the news that they left in the room each night bout the next day??? We are also leaving the end of October on the Dawn...

 

Barb.

 

 

The 2 for 1 dinning or half price cover charge was available on sea days- Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri, and Sat and only in Bambo, Impressions, and Salsas. It was from 5:30-7:00. Salsas and Impressions are well worth it. We were able to eat at Salsas for half price. It is usually 10 but 5 on half price. We ate at Impressions but they did not have anything available during happy hour time so we went anyway and paid full cover of 10.

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Teesa1021

Teesa1021

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how was the room we are booked in the cabin next door 10730 was the balcony great ??? do you by chance have any pictures that you can post?? thanks

Jan

ps do you remember what slots they have in the casino ?? any of the newer ones

 

 

I spent a lot of time in the casino. I am also from NJ and go to AC often. In my opinion the slot machines were a little dated except for a few but still nowhere as updated as what you would see in AC. There were only a select few I liked. I did enjoy one called Bombay which I won 250 on. There were also big electronic ones along the back wall behind the tables that were good. Then there were some good classics along the wall closest to the exit near stardust theater. I hope that helps...

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emsiam

emsiam

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I spent a lot of time in the casino. I am also from NJ and go to AC often. In my opinion the slot machines were a little dated except for a few but still nowhere as updated as what you would see in AC. There were only a select few I liked. I did enjoy one called Bombay which I won 250 on. There were also big electronic ones along the back wall behind the tables that were good. Then there were some good classics along the wall closest to the exit near stardust theater. I hope that helps...

 

just came back from AC yesterday and yet another trip to donate!!! we thought that we would go husband was feeling lucky he bought a 25 dollar raffle ticket for a police fund raiser and won a 2009 harley davidson on monday but there was no love in AC!! thanks for all of your help we were on the pearl in april and loved it so i hope we love the dawn too....

Jan:o

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Butterfinger1954

Butterfinger1954

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Wow! When she said she was on the last Dawn to Bermuda for this year, I went into mini panic mode! LOL I was ready to hop on the phone to my TA and ask her where I was actually going on the Dawn Oct. 18. Thanks for quelling my fears as I am really excited about spending 3 days in Bermuda.

 

I must check and see if the Dawn ports in Bar Harbor Maine this month on it's New England run. I just might make the 4 hour trip down there to get a look at her. Too bad they won't let me onboard to have a peek around.

 

Kathy in northern Maine who is mega excited that we sail in just 39 days!!!

 

Thanks for your review of the ship and of Bermuda!! It sounds like you had a really nice time! But I sure hope its not the last trip of the season because we are scheduled to head to Bermuda on the Dawn on 18th of October!! And we are all really really looking forward to this trip!!

I think they squeeze in a few Canada/New England trips right now and then head back to Bermuda for a few trips!!

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CruisnGram

CruisnGram

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Not knowing that the fixed menu was gone, we went up to make specialty reservations for the first two nights.

 

Christine

 

Sorry if I'm asking a question that has been discussed to death on CC but I've been busy and not around much lately. Are the static menu's gone now on the Dawn?

 

Thanks!

 

CG

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rikatine

rikatine

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Sorry if I'm asking a question that has been discussed to death on CC but I've been busy and not around much lately. Are the static menu's gone now on the Dawn?

 

Thanks!

 

CG

 

Yes, they are gone. One half of the menu is static and the other half changes daily. Not sure if this is the old format since I am new to NCL.

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rikatine

rikatine

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Does NCL charge for using the adult pool? I have read this and I can not believe this. Can someone confirm this for me.

 

Thanks

 

If you mean the Spa pool, yes. It is an adults only area indoors. There is not an adult pool on deck like on RCCL. RCCL charges for the spa pool too I think.

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flowers44

flowers44

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The 2 for 1 dinning in the specialty dinning rooms was on sea days and it was from 5:30 until 7 PM. It is wise to make reservations. The night we took advantage of the 2 for 1 there were plenty of empty tables available. Enoy your cruise. Bermuda is beautiful.

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