NCL Dawn or Carnival Dream

[Barb Nahoumi]

I have been on the Dawn many times, for the Boston to Bermuda cruises. It has recently undergone a major dry dock, which we look forward to seeing next June. Like you, we prefer the smaller music venues to the theater productions. The food is good in the MDRs, so we don't go for the restaurant packages. We don't drink enough to make the beverage package worth it. We chose the paid gratuities and 250 minute internet promos available for our balcony booking.

 

As far as kids go, college spring breaks will be in March, but younger kids may have theirs in April. Many of the younger ones spend their time in the kid clubs, so they should be occupied most of the time.

 

We were never bored on an NCL ship. There are activities day and night. Just read the "Daily," which is placed in your cabin every night. It will have a list of all of the activities for the next day.

 

There is a pool band, but we don't always care for the loud rock music. When we leave ports, they have a poolside barbecue. Sometimes at noon on sea days.

 

It's been a long time since we've sailed with Carnival, but we did enjoy that as well.

[BrianSimpsonKY]

ONE thing i have learned to do is.....get on YOUTUBE and type in Norwegian Dawn...lots of videos done by regular folks, you can get a lot of information that way...it's time consuming but worth it to me concerning ships!! Same goes for the Carnival ship!!!

 

 

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[EmeraldCoastCruisers]

We sailed on the Dream last year and had a Spa Balcony Cabin. Don't have any complaints with the Carnival Dream. I agree with some though, there weren't a lot of things going on during certain evening hours after the show and before the late, late night activities. We are scheduled on the NCL Dawn for a 9 day out of NOLA and I am SO EXCITED to hear so many who like the NCL better!!!! Makes me even more looking forward to it. We chose a large picture window instead of a balcony because we spent so little time on it with the past few cruises. Yes, we loved our morning coffee or evening cocktail hour out there, but honestly not enough to book them much more (and we've used them for MANY cruises). I'm VERY EXCITED about our all inclusive option with NCL as we will not have a bill at the end with gratuities or drinks. We don't drink a lot, but to not have to worry about how many or how often is a huge plus for us!!!

 

I can share about my NCL experience upon returning, but reviewing others, I would go with NCL Dawn over the Dream and I absolutely loved the Carnival Dream!

[MagnoliaBlossom]

We have done both, several times. We are platinum on both lines, so obviously, i am not a cheerleader for either. I would prefer NCL, simply because of the additional evening restaurant availability. Some of Carnivals alternate dining areas, like Guys, chopstix, and the deli are not open in the evening, but that can vary by ship.

 

A significant point is that Carnival has three ports of call (usually) while NCL has four. That will also effect your price somewhat because of additional port charges. It's not a lot, but it is just a factor. We really enjoy Costa Maya, so that's always a plus for us, and in full disclosure, we have not been to NCLs new private island, Harvest Key. It will not open til November.

 

Very minor point, but this is big to us. Carnival will not allow you a coffee pot in your cabin, NCL will. Crazy I know, yes, there is room service, I get it. But I love to roll over plug on the pot and crawl out of bed to my favorite coffee.

 

I find NCLs entertainment better (more live bands, versus DJs), sound levels more to our liking and better casino table games. Their muster drill is much quicker and more humane. (Picky, I know)

 

CCL has a better specialty drink menu and I thnk they are a little better priced. Deserts on CCL are better, and they have 24/7 soft serve ice cream and yogurt but the buffet is better on NCL. CCL has better pizza and you can get Caesar salads at the pizza place, it's open 24/7.

 

CCL lets yu carry one one bottle of wine per adult, but they will not open it for you if you didnt bring a corkscrew - you have to call room service to come and do it. NCL does not allow carry on wine (unless you pay the $15/bottle corkage) but they will deliver you a corkscrew for your wine.

 

If you a building points towards a reward program, NCLs program is far superior to CCLs, for what it's worth.

 

On the newer ships CCLs rooms are larger, but NCLs balconies have sliding doors, giving yu floor to almost ceiling views. CCL has CNN and NCL has FoxNews. CCL has thick terry cloth robes in all cabins, NCL has lighter waffle weave in balcony and above only.

 

I truth, the lines have far more similarities than differences, it is all just a matter of little things. I don't thnk you will be disappointed whichever ship you choose.

 

Enjoy,

Georgia

Edited September 30, 2016 by MagnoliaBlossom

[NWACruiser]

I have never sailed NCL, so I will not compare ships. We have sailed three times on the Dream. We both think the Dream is a great ship.

 

We stayed in balcony cabins twice and an inside once. The cabins have enough room for what is needed on a cruise. We did not seem to be in each other's way inside the cabin. I do prefer the balcony cabins, since I like to sit outside at night in a quiet area. The Dream has a few hidden decks that are not on the deck plans but are accessible and quiet.

 

The Dream had a cover band for the first two cruises. Then they had a country band on the third. Both bands were good. The stage band also played one night during each cruise. Carnival is eliminating the stage bands when they change the shows during dry dock. This to me is a big loss.

 

Carnival has a dedicated piano bar. A great player will make the bar a lot of fun. We have had great luck with most of the cruises. The last two were not so good. But I found other live music to see.

 

We found that set dining time was much better than anytime dining. We got to know the wait staff and vice versa. This made dining much more fun, as we got to know the staff.

 

We also got to know a lot of the rest of the staff and crew, just by interacting with them during the cruise. The crew puts in a lot of hours every day for several months in a row. Getting to know them makes their day.

 

When the Dream gets re-positioned and hits Eastern and Southern cruises, we would sail her again. We have done everything on the Western Caribbean now.

 

I was looking at the Dawn for a particular cruise in January 18. It seems like a nice ship. They did a great job in its makeover during the dry dock.

 

When you are on a cruise, you are away from work. ENJOY IT! You are on vacation. There will be little things that happen, that could "ruin your cruise" if you let it. So don't let the little things ruin a vacation.