Nervous about dawn

[beautifullady]

Hey all. Thinking about giving the dawn to bermuda a try this coming june. I must admit I am a little nervous, after hearing a lot of negative things! The ages in my party are 40,40,22,&24. The breakaway is to expensive and not interested in trying other lines just yet! I love relaxing on the sun deck,going to martini tastings,the outdoor bbq, and going to the spa during the day. In the evening I like to go to the game shows and the clubs to listen to the music. My last cruise was on the gem in 2014 and I had a blast. The entertainment was fantastic and the crew were very friendly! I absolutely loved the cd dan dan! My favorite place to hang out was the spinaker lounge! Would love to hear about your experiences on this ship! Was it clean? was it fun or boring? Was the crew friendly? Is there a lot to do on this ship? Did you feel a lot of rocking? How is the spa area(getting a weekly pass)?!! I read a lot of negatives about the gem and was worried, but my experience was the very opposite and I am hoping and praying that it will be the case this time as well! I dont mean to seem picky but at that time it will be my 40th bday and I want to enjoy myself on the ship too! I have no worries about bermuda, ive been before and have to get back there, its so beautiful and clean! Anyway, would also love to hear from the young adults as well because I want them to enjoy it as well! Thanks a bunch for everyones help!

[Stace894]

My DH and I (44 and 40) were on the Dawn this past October and loved it. We have learned that we are not Mega-Ship people and really enjoyed our time on the Dawn. Plenty of things to keep you busy and we did the Spa passes so were there for part of the day every day. Loved all of the Trivia and made a "friend" of one of the Bartenders in Pearly Kings Pub so had fantastic service. Though I loved the ship, I will say that I was disappointed in the spa a bit. Wish there was more space to relax, only about 10-12 loungers and sitting upright in a chair is just not the same. An outside area would be nice to add as well, Maybe with the Dry-Dock coming this May!

All in all really enjoyed our time on the Dawn, enough so that we are returning with our DS, 14 this Summer for another week!

 

Enjoy with no worries!

[pathubia]

I have been on the Dawn 5 times with two more booked, a 10 day in May and Boston to Bermuda in October.

 

The current CD is Dingo Dave, he is a lot of fun. Not sure if he will still be onboard in June. He was there in November.....

 

The shows in the Spinnaker, Not So Newlywed, Perfect Couple, Quest (rated R scavenger hunt) are a riot.

 

This past cruise had a very funny comedian, Rex Haven.

 

We had the drink package and the dining package, we never ate at the main dining room. We did specialty restaurants 5 night. and we did the buffets the first night and the last night of the cruise.

 

The ship is being refurbished in May/June and should be all fresh and sparkly for you June cruisers!!

 

I have never used the spa, sorry, no help there.

[ljrfrm]

We were on the Dawn this past July and loved it!! We thought the food, service and entertainment were just what we were looking for! I would sail the Dawn again in a heartbeat!

[NLH Arizona]

Was just on the Dawn this December and had a wonderful time. I thought the crew was fantastic; always a smile and a hello and sometimes a joke. We were in some high waves, so there was some rocking on the first sea day, but it wasn't more than I've felt on other ships. I didn't go around looking for things that were not cleaned or in need of repair, so really can't comment on that, other than nothing stood out and hit me in the face. Never had an issue getting a drink, except for a couple times in the casino. Overall, I had a great cruise.

[armwinder]

My DH and I (44 and 40) were on the Dawn this past October and loved it. We have learned that we are not Mega-Ship people and really enjoyed our time on the Dawn. Plenty of things to keep you busy and we did the Spa passes so were there for part of the day every day. Loved all of the Trivia and made a "friend" of one of the Bartenders in Pearly Kings Pub so had fantastic service. Though I loved the ship, I will say that I was disappointed in the spa a bit. Wish there was more space to relax, only about 10-12 loungers and sitting upright in a chair is just not the same. An outside area would be nice to add as well, Maybe with the Dry-Dock coming this May!

All in all really enjoyed our time on the Dawn, enough so that we are returning with our DS, 14 this Summer for another week!

 

Enjoy with no worries!

 

I wonder what the bar will be like that is replacing "Pearly Kings" I think it is going to be the same as the one on the Star, haven't been on the Star since it was changed over.

[pathubia]

I wonder what the bar will be like that is replacing "Pearly Kings" I think it is going to be the same as the one on the Star, haven't been on the Star since it was changed over.

 

All they said at our meet and greet was that it is going to be a "wine bar"....And that Moderno is going to be a pub. Not sure if that means Blue Lagoon will be a pub too ??

[Doughboy139]

All they said at our meet and greet was that it is going to be a "wine bar"....And that Moderno is going to be a pub. Not sure if that means Blue Lagoon will be a pub too ??

 

Blue Lagoon and Moderno will now be O'Sheehans which will be open 24/7. The Star Bar across from Cagneys will be changed to Modernos...

[DCP]

We were on the Dawn in November and loved it. There were no issues with anything when we were aboard. We had 2 balcony rooms on deck 9. The only issue I had was people bringing their children into the 18 and older areas (bars) in the evening, and the usual people that were rude to the staff. We loved her and look forward to sailing on her again.

[beautifullady]

Thanks everyone for your help!

[gymbomb]

We have sailed on Dawn twice and were booked on it again for June, but our cruise was cancelled due to extended dry dock/renovations so we had to change to Breakaway. I am sure we will have a great time, but really we would much prefer to be on Dawn!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GORDONCHICK]

As others have said, the Dawn will under go a refurb. It will be fairly extensive according to Alain Magnier, the HD. It's a 4 week refurb, and Alain said it's the longest one he has been on board for. Anyway, he's a great HD, and Mihaela (Micky) is a great restaurant mgr. Those two work together like none I've seen before. Dingo Dave is awesome, and Alain requested him to be on his ship. He gives him a lot of latitude. Don't miss the cake decorating contest in the atrium on the last sea day - it's funny.

 

I would definitely sail the Dawn again, especially if the officers stay the same!

[casofilia]

Don't worry about dawn just take care at dusk and later!!

 

Mike

[casofilia]

Dingo Dave is awesome,

 

He was instrumental in getting the results of the Rugby World Cup games available when on the Dawn for Quebec-Boston-Quebec last September. So, even though he is an Aussie, I concur. :D

 

Mike

From over the Ditch.

[bob brown]

I've sailed on the Dawn three times, and loved every one of them....great crews, and guest entertainer's. About the only negative, IMHO, was when they eliminated the Spinnaker obs lounge in favor of additional cabins during her last major rehab.....

[mypleasure]

I am looking forward to seeing Alain and Mickey again when I sail in just over 3 weeks. They were both great when I sailed with them (a few Times) on the Spirit. They have been working together for so long now they read each others minds!

[rolyasmatt]

What negative stuff about the dawn are you talking about it?

 

Every time someone posts questioning the dawn- it's filled with positive responses. Seen tons of them over the past month. I have been on both Dawn and Breakaway. I would do Dawn again plus the ship will be renovated by then.

[Barb Nahoumi]

I have been on the Dawn at least 4 times, including one repo cruise between Tampa and Boston.

 

The only issue we had on our last cruise, was the number of stalls marked out of order in some of the public ladies rooms. However, you will be cruising after a multi-million dollar dry dock. I'm sure that all of those problems will be corrected.

 

We noticed that many of the corridors and other areas were recarpeted already. The ship is always kept spotlessly clean, by its hardworking crew.

 

The entertainment was great, especially the performances by Patti & Jose. They usually entertain on the Dawn during the summer Bermuda runs. When they sing, there is hardly a vacant seat in or near the atrium.

 

Sizewise, the Dawn is perfect for me, because I'm not a fan of mega-ships. I love the Jewel class ships of NCL, and wish that cruiselines would keep building them.

 

I've never been to the spa, other than the hair salon on the Sky years ago. That's about it.

[krazy4kruisin]

I just booked the Dawn for Oct 21st, 2016 today!. It is dh's bday present. Our first time to Bermuda & first time to Boston. I am not the least worried about it. Not a second thought. I love each and every single cruise for different reasons. We sailed to Alaska on an older ship and had the best cruise ever. Just do it!

[beautifullady]

Where on the dawn is the hotspot if the spinnaker is gone? That was my favorite spot when I cruise ncl!

[sail7seas]

I sailed Dawn this summer for my first NCL cruise after about 90+ on other lines.

My experience aboard exceeded my expectations and would definitely sail her again. I thought the crew wonderful. :)

[Freespir8]

Where on the dawn is the hotspot if the spinnaker is gone? That was my favorite spot when I cruise ncl!

They still have the Spinnaker. It was moved to the aft of the ship when the suites were built forward. It's still a hotspot. :)

[clean1owner]

In one week, it will have been 4 years since we sailed the Dawn with our Daughter and her friend, both 18 at the time. There was plenty for all of us to do, and we all had a great time.

I would not hesitate to sail again.

[beautifullady]

Yey! Thanks everyone Im no longer nervous!

[adk0425]

I sail on the Dawn next week and this is my first NCL cruise. I too read a lot of negative reviews, on the reviews page of this website and was extremely concerned as I am a loyal RCC cruiser and LOVE LOVE LOVE RCC.

 

I am glad some folks posted on this thread and the responses were good, some of yall may want to do a full blown review and off set all of the negative ones.

 

Thank you for all of your information.