Issues with the Dawn

[mking8288]

It's opposite the current Blue Lagoon.

 

Deck 7, port side near the Shore Ex desk, or just behind the Lobby Reception desk - it can be access from the AFT stairs/elevators and you can walk thru it to get to MDR from MID ship. It has several large flatscreen TV's and great for watching action sports. :D

[mercede70]

Thank you for all who have provided input to my inquiry, you have all made my anxiety turn to excitement so now I am off to start packing! :D

 

I will review my cruise experience when I return, hopefully it will be as exceptional as my previous 3 vacations on-board these beautiful floating cities!

 

Michele :)

[sunworshipperatsea]

If you are considering book a cruise on Dawn right now, having just come off that ship on Sunday, I would not book a cruise on her. Not right now.

 

Yes there are signs of wear and tear (but not major ones), and yes we found the music everywhere on the ship was too loud, but that's not the big problem. The problem on this ship is the service. Having been on a number of NCL cruises, I never thought I would say that. Maybe after the upcoming dry dock things will improve after the crew has had a change of pace? But it seemed like everytime you needed something, with one or two exceptions, it was a let down and something went wrong.

 

I'm not taking about major problems (although we had one of them, too which I won't get into here), but so many small things. I can give examples if interested but there are too many to list here.

 

It was not bad enough to put me off NCL altogether...I think they have a good business model and have really enjoyed sailing with them many times in the past, but the execution of this model, on this sailing, on this ship, was very poor and just not up to the standard of service we are accustomed to on NCL at all. If you are looking for a good cruise, you may still have it, but if you are looking for a great cruise, you may not find it on the Dawn right now. Certainly our friends who are die hard Princess fans, will not be booking on NCL again.

 

To balance with a positive note, we did enjoy the food both in the main dining rooms and the speciality restaurants (when it was served properly).

 

Also, the Quiet Zone at the front of the ship is a blessing. Accessable from deck 11, you don't get the noise from the main pool area and it's sheltered from the wind with its many small level changes, nooks and crannies. There is also a warm, not hot, jacuzzi. Not crowded on port days but get there early if you want a lounge on sea days. But why do they put only the saggy and broken lounges there while the new ones are only kept around the pool? They actually went to the trouble of moving four new lounges we brought to out to the Quiet Zone back to the main pool area during the night. Why?!?

 

I hope this was helpful to anyone considering NCL Dawn for their cruise, just know what you might be getting into.

 

PS - Choose your cabin very carefully. Like service, sound is a problem on this ship. The noise from Dazzles was intolerable even 2 decks above and I could still hear the slot machines in the Casino from our replacement cabin on Deck 5. In the middle of the night the crew (and guests too, but they don't know better) are slamming doors and talking very loudly in the corridors. I don't think I should have to wear ear plugs to sleep at night in my own cabin, but apparently, NCL does.

[VonChap]

We sailed on the Dawn in October, 2010. We had such a great experience that we are sailing on the Dawn again in two weeks. We had great service and great food in October.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Kim

[Phreddee]

We just got off the Dawn on March 4 I think and the ship is professional handled and sails just fine. She makes 20 kn in modest seas. So enjoy yourself.

[Jokelady]

We just got off the Dawn on March 4 I think and the ship is professional handled and sails just fine. She makes 20 kn in modest seas. So enjoy yourself.

 

Thanks Phreddee... I am on the Dawn with VonChap in lss then two weeks.... can't wait!

[LaFinDuMonde]

I believe divers are used on a regularly scheduled basis to make sure the pods are clear of any seaweed. How can they know if everything below the water-line is OK if they never look?

 

With all of the drama on these message boards, I'm surprised no one has made a post asking if the Dawn made it through the Tsunami... :p :cool: haha