The Dawn boring?

[bigsky]

Cruising on the Dawn in May. We always cruise on the larger ships....mostly Royal. We've cruised many times as well. Looking at the deck plans, it doesn't look like theres much to do. There's an event in Bermuda that's going on. The Dawn will be work best for that. Reason we choose it.

Opinions of those that have been on her and the eatery recommendations would be very appreciated. Any shows to see?

 

Thanks so much!

[JennaMae]

Check out this review of the Dawn!!! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2426171&highlight=THE+DOUGOUT

[cruise pup]

Looks like the Dawn is great for drinking and passing out. ;)

[don't-use-real-name]

The DAWN and it's sister ship "STAR" are not floating amusement parks they don't

host prime entertainment i.e. Blue Man Group.

 

I have been on both ships pre dry-dock and the DAWN post.

 

A nice conservative upgrade of the ships features - La Cucina and Le Bistro changed

places the Teppanaki expanded doubling it original size - the Buffet got brighter

lighting and duplicate food lines to speed things along for breakfast.

Added was a Mexican restaurant Los Lobos and used in the am for a much needed

overflow breakfast service - The 5'O-Clock bar replaced with a wine bar.

I have this feeling with the UBP that the alcohol service is on a conservative side.

None of this slam bam quick downing of drinks to see who can get drunk the

fastest and cost NCL the most money. Merely what I observed and participated

in Hic-hic between drinks - best for your own health and NCL bottom line.

 

My recent New England Canada cruise the crew was very attentive to keeping the

ship clean and running smoothly and nary a frown or less than a smiling face.

 

If you want a lot of entertainment bells buzzers and amusement park rides this is

not your ship - however it is not a fuddy duddy cruise ship full of retirees in rocking chairs.

Something for everyone - a comedy - magician - broadway dance production -

Bingo - and all that sort of expected entertainment. A fair size Casino - gift shop -

duty free shop.

 

Granted when this ship is full it is taxed heavily on moving around and getting

on and off for shore excursions and the alike but the capacity is about 1/3 less

than the -AWAY class ships. NCL needs to find methods to move the masses.

Waiting tends to diminish the pleasure of cruising. Using one narrow gangway

for some port stops is a real challenge. Would be great to have one gangway to

exit the ship and another to board port facilities permitting. For able body cruisers

permit the use of steep ladder like crew gangways instead of the gradual switchback

gangways.

Please move it move it move it !

I have a place to go - a drink waiting - and entrance to the 'rabbit hole' - here

I come Alice ----- !

[bigsky]

Thanks for your responses. I'm trying to have a good attitude. But knowing I love the large ships with all the bells and whistles, it's a bit of a challenge. But this is the only ship that will give us those 3 days to watch the America's Cup. I know this is not my last cruise.

We'll have a great 3 days in Bermuda and make the most of our other days at sea. Knowing my dh won't cruise without his flowrider, I think it will be more of a challenge for him. Wishing the breakaway would have worked, but it didn't.

 

It's a cruise, and better than being home! But I found this date on this ship is so much more money than we normally spend! And we cruise on the large ships on Royal...oh well.

 

I'll bring a good book to read by the pool :D

[BirdTravels]

The Dawn is similar to a small ship (2000 guests) on any cruise line. traditional entertainment. Bars every 50 ft. Not going to get all of the bells and whistles of an oasis class ship.

[AlexandNessa]

I am a fan of the Dawn. If you are entertained enough on the Explorer class ships on Royal, you'll be entertained enough on the Dawn.

[OneWord]

Vapid

[cage keeper]

Haven't been on The Dawn but can't imagine any cruise being boring. :D

[negn]

Dawn is one of my favorite ships. For me it's all about relaxing. I've been on the larger ships but don't need all the bells and whistles. Days at the pool, a leisurely dinner ,some time at the casino and a couple of nightcaps does it for me.

If your cruise is to Bermuda, youll be spending 1/2 your time off the ship anyway

[biker@sea]

Not a real fan of Dawn.

 

But I did endure 17 cruise's on her. ;)

 

.

[EmeraldCoastCruisers]

We were on the Dawn in November and loved the ship! I don't care for some of the larger ships myself as I like to feel the movement of the sea! There was plenty to do on a day-to-day basis and relaxing and exploring the ship on sea days. Never did we feel like there wasn't something to do or too much down time like we did on our last Carnival Dream cruise.

 

I also agree with cage keeper, can't imagine any cruise being boring. But then again, I cruise to shut down and relax. [emoji6]

 

 

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[excitedtocruise]

Been on the Navigator, Freedom, Pearl, Escape and Getaway twice. I am now going on a 10 day cruise on the Dawn in December and I am very excited to do something different rather than what is offered on the mega ships (especially entertainment). We travel with ages from 15 up to 85, never been bored on any of our cruises. I always tell our group the cruise is what you make of the cruise. Have fun!!!

[Nola26]

Cruising on the Dawn in May. We always cruise on the larger ships....mostly Royal. We've cruised many times as well. Looking at the deck plans, it doesn't look like theres much to do. There's an event in Bermuda that's going on. The Dawn will be work best for that. Reason we choose it.

Opinions of those that have been on her and the eatery recommendations would be very appreciated. Any shows to see?

 

Thanks so much!

 

I just took my first cruise on the Dawn over Christmas and really enjoyed the experience, I would do it again. I've also cruised on the Escape and Getaway.

 

One thing you may want to do is buy the thermal suite passes. That will give you a quiet pool area albeit inside, with some nice features (heated loungers, steam, sauna, amazing whirlpools).

 

The live musical entertainment is around the ship, though I didn't think the talent was quite as good as I found on the larger ships, but no so bad I just had to walk away, just not as good. I saw each show in the theater and enjoyed them all. In fact the magician was new that cruise so I saw his first show so I'm sure that one is even better.

 

Definitely make a reservation for Bamboo, an Asian restaurant on 7 right above Gatsby's. The main dining rooms are both nice, but I preferred the Venetian and had B, L and D there. Buffet has variety, quality and quantity so I think you maybe be pleasantly surprised there. You mention Royal several times, so I'm not sure if you're familiar with Free Style dining: show up where you want to eat, when you want to eat, no reservations needed for the main dining room or pub. However, Bamboo is newer and smaller so reservations are suggested. We made one Day 1 onboard, wasn't a part of my pre sail planning.

 

I used the basketball court, saw the golf practice net in use, shuffle board and ping pong were also busy. The library on 12 is also nice if you want to grab a book, read indoors or grab a board game. I took a couple of the comp exercise classes in the gym. I just walked through the pool deck to get from point A to B. The only time I hung out there was for the white hot party. I did find a couple of relaxing chill out places on deck 13 outside of Moderno's and near shuffleboard. There are eateries on the pool deck: small self serve burger and snack bar with hand dipped ice cream (close to the buffet entrance), Biminis up one level, but still in pool area.

 

Your reasons are sound and you've chosen a lovely ship, enjoy.

[mvrck1010]

We were on the Dawn in August 2016. Our kids (18, 17 and two 16), my in lawns, my mom, and my sister all joined. This ship has something for everyone. The wife and I enjoyed specialty dining for a few nights which was extraordinary. Activities included scavenger hunts, deal or no deal, bingo, dancing, and a lot more. We are not big into the shows in the theatre, however the other entertainment was great. You chose a great ship!

 

 

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[bigsky]

Thank you all again for your responses....

 

Yes, half the time off the ship. This is very different and will go in it with that attitude. Any cruise can't be bad. Though I'm used to the large ships, a change isn't bad either. This won't be my last cruise and will make the most of it! Good to hear some really enjoyed her.

 

I was looking at specialty restaurants...the Mexican one, steak house and the one where they cook in front of you....thoughts on those?

[GORDONCHICK]

We've spent the past two Thanksgiving weeks aboard the Dawn, and had a good time for both. I don't care for the duo that was performing in the atrium in the evenings, nor the guy at the bar outside LeBistro, but the rest of the entertainment was really good. Enjoyed Band on the Run and the illusionist (can't remember his name) was excellent.

[Still Dreaming]

Not a real fan of Dawn.

 

But I did endure 17 cruise's on her. ;)

 

.

 

 

This made me laugh!! I think you should try it one more time to make sure!!!

[kcwingwalker]

Thanks for your responses. I'm trying to have a good attitude. But knowing I love the large ships with all the bells and whistles, it's a bit of a challenge. But this is the only ship that will give us those 3 days to watch the America's Cup. I know this is not my last cruise.

We'll have a great 3 days in Bermuda and make the most of our other days at sea. Knowing my dh won't cruise without his flowrider, I think it will be more of a challenge for him. Wishing the breakaway would have worked, but it didn't.

 

It's a cruise, and better than being home! But I found this date on this ship is so much more money than we normally spend! And we cruise on the large ships on Royal...oh well.

 

I'll bring a good book to read by the pool :D

 

You have the right attitude!

 

Last fall I was on the Dawn for 21 days and mostly everything was OK. But sorry to say I might not sail on the Dawn again. The crew was excellent. But the Dawn just seemed tired to me even after the drydock.

 

Bermuda is so lovely there is no way you won't enjoy your trip and the America's Cup.

[luddite]

:)

You're gonna watch 3 days of sailboat racing and you're concerned that the cruise ship might be boring?

Huh.

[Mac4YYZ]

Cruising on the Dawn in May. We always cruise on the larger ships....mostly Royal. We've cruised many times as well. Looking at the deck plans, it doesn't look like theres much to do. There's an event in Bermuda that's going on. The Dawn will be work best for that. Reason we choose it.

Opinions of those that have been on her and the eatery recommendations would be very appreciated. Any shows to see?

 

Thanks so much!

 

Here's my impression of the Dawn from a recent 9 day new years sailing:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2440997

[bigsky]

:)

You're gonna watch 3 days of sailboat racing and you're concerned that the cruise ship might be boring?

Huh.

 

:D The sailing doesn't last that long. But this event is huuuuuuge as Trump would say. There's a lot of hoopla that surrounds it and lots going on there where we dock. Stuff is being built specifically for it. Will be exciting....I promise.

[bigsky]

Here's my impression of the Dawn from a recent 9 day new years sailing:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2440997

 

Thank you for the read!

[Lady Patriot]

I went on the 1/22-1/29 cruise to the Western Caribbean. Honestly I wasn't impressed. It is pretty basic, without, as others say, bells and whistles. Even though it had been redone, to me it still has that "old" feeling.

 

One nice thing is that the Dawn seems to be cracking down on chair hogs. There is a sign saying that anything left on a chair longer than 30 minutes it will be removed.

 

The crew was fantastic. On the first day we were in crazy rough seas (16' swells) with gale force winds, and they quickly got everything tied down or locked away. One thing I would have appreciated--those rough seas lasted a good 18 hours. It would have been nice if either the captain or somebody could have let us know approximately when we might come out of it. That info wasn't on the navigation channel.

 

I hope that helps. Have a good time.