Help ! Pearl or Dawn in a suite and in general ?

[Luckybee]

We booked the Pearl DOS for Dec 2013 even though we were not crazy about the itinerary but based on everything we've read thought the Pearl would be a good fit...ie dos has our own deck for tanning/hotub, great choice of specialty dining, modern, great service courtyard amenities etc. I expect on this cruise we'd be less active and likely forgo some of the stops ie ; ocho rios and cozumel having been there and done that on land before(although we wouldnt miss Grand Cayman because we love it there)etc etc..

 

Now on the other hand we've been looking at the Dawn, which in order to get our own deck we'd need the Garden Villa(pricier), but we love the itinerary. Of course the GV would be spectacular, but what about the rest of the ship...does the dining compare ? food quality in specialty restaurants(we'd prob only do specialty dining as I tend to be a bit fussy :) casinos? gym ? other public areas ? service? demographics? more kids/less (this would be beginning of Dec. and it would just be dh and I in our 50's)

 

Our NCL rep tells me that she gets very few complaints about the pearl and she thinks we'd be happier there ? Can anyone help us compare ?

[palmyrafan]

We booked the Pearl DOS for Dec 2013 even though we were not crazy about the itinerary but based on everything we've read thought the Pearl would be a good fit...ie dos has our own deck for tanning/hotub, great choice of specialty dining, modern, great service courtyard amenities etc. I expect on this cruise we'd be less active and likely forgo some of the stops ie ; ocho rios and cozumel having been there and done that on land before(although we wouldnt miss Grand Cayman because we love it there)etc etc..

 

Now on the other hand we've been looking at the Dawn, which in order to get our own deck we'd need the Garden Villa(pricier), but we love the itinerary. Of course the GV would be spectacular, but what about the rest of the ship...does the dining compare ? food quality in specialty restaurants(we'd prob only do specialty dining as I tend to be a bit fussy :) casinos? gym ? other public areas ? service? demographics? more kids/less (this would be beginning of Dec. and it would just be dh and I in our 50's)

 

Our NCL rep tells me that she gets very few complaints about the pearl and she thinks we'd be happier there ? Can anyone help us compare ?

 

I can't speak to the Dawn as I have never cruised on her. I have cruised on the Pearl twice in the Garden Villa (Haven) suites and we love the Pearl and the Haven. As for the food and you being fussy, you can always ordder your food to suit your tastes. We have found the casino not to be very bad at all; smoke is filtered out pretty well. We have not used the gym although friends of ours have and they love the one on the Pearl.

 

I'm sure others can help you a lot more. But we love the Pearl and the Jewel Class ships in general and prefer to sail on them. Regardless, enjoy your cruise!

[McDebbie]

I haven't been on the Dawn yet but the big flaw I see is that you like the itinerary more which means you would be spending less time in the room. Is that really worth GV price? Hard decision, we will be on Dawn in October and I will try to post a comparison but you may want some more immediate answers.

[NW Pacific]

Have been on both Dawn and Pearl. Not in your category. But the food (menu) is fleet wide, same choices will be the same on both Ships. the main differences between the two in my opnion are the Dawn does not have the outdoor buffet area and no longer has the Spinakker lounge forward with ceiling to floor glass windows like the Pearl does. this probably would not affect you in either case since of your private location. The bar/lounges are diferent on each Ship, the main one on the Dawn is Gatsbys and has the Pearly Lion ( a fun bar with popcorn). The Pearl has Bar city , (three bars each named differently in the same area. Both have "Star Bar" (which no one seems to go to) and both have the same pay as you go restaurants. I have yet to be in your location (we feel lucky to get a Aft Penthouse) so having your own special space may negate the diference of Ships, we love them both!

[Luckybee]

I haven't been on the Dawn yet but the big flaw I see is that you like the itinerary more which means you would be spending less time in the room. Is that really worth GV price? Hard decision, we will be on Dawn in October and I will try to post a comparison but you may want some more immediate answers.

 

You've hit the nail on the head.I've been going back and forth thinking exactly the same thing...so much so that I'm driving dh crazy...lol !

[Luckybee]

Have been on both Dawn and Pearl. Not in your category. But the food (menu) is fleet wide, same choices will be the same on both Ships. the main differences between the two in my opnion are the Dawn does not have the outdoor buffet area and no longer has the Spinakker lounge forward with ceiling to floor glass windows like the Pearl does. this probably would not affect you in either case since of your private location. The bar/lounges are diferent on each Ship, the main one on the Dawn is Gatsbys and has the Pearly Lion ( a fun bar with popcorn). The Pearl has Bar city , (three bars each named differently in the same area. Both have "Star Bar" (which no one seems to go to) and both have the same pay as you go restaurants. I have yet to be in your location (we feel lucky to get a Aft Penthouse) so having your own special space may negate the diference of Ships, we love them both!

 

Interesting, because from reading alot of posts and reviews I had thought that the differences were more dramatic than that. Hmmmm, more food for thought.

[Luckybee]

Anyone else with comparisons of the 2 ships ?

[marelind]

We have been on the Pearl and the Star (sister ship of the Dawn). Here are my thoughts: If you want your own deck, you could think about the OS on the Dawn, which has a large front deck, but if you want your own hot tub, too, then on the Dawn you would need to go to the GV . If a hot tub is important, then the DOS or GV on the Pearl is the way to go. Both ships have basically the same specialty restaurants. Personally, I love the option of the Haven on the Pearl, and I will choose a Jewel class ship over the Dawn/Star when possible.

[Julma]

Haven't been on the Dawn yet (Sept'12), but we had a OS last Nov on the Pearl and loved it. Haven was lovely. There was hardly anyone there, however there was one family, six in total, who were there all the time. Not necessarily all six, but some combination. Never on the sundeck, but they ate there, exercised, showered, swam and were in the hot tub every time my husband and I were there. My guess is they never left the ship and hardly left the area. It was fine and they were certainly not doing anything wrong, I just found it a bit awkward.

[BikerAl]

Been on both, and given the suite choices and itinerary, I would definately go for the Dawn. As for food, thought it was better on the Dawn.

 

Al

[bakerintn]

Pools: Dawn has a kids pool at the stern; Pearls is right next to the main pool along with the water slide.

 

Atrium: Dawn has the tall center atrium with glass elevators: Pear has two-story central area.

 

Rock Wall: Pear has one, none on Dawn

 

Bowling: Pearl has this, Dawn does not

 

Great Outdoors: Pearl has this outdoor dining / bar area, Dawn does not

 

Specialty Restaurants: here is a link to the whole array:

http://www2.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Dining_Flyer_062211.pdf