Dawn Garden Villa 14500 Information

[happygolucky62]

We had the pleasure of sailing in the Garden Villa on Norwegian Dawn May 12-19, 2017.

I am going to share our experience and hope you find something that you may not have known before.

I made the Reservation for the Boston to Bermuda Trip in August 2106. There were 8 of us. My family of 7 adults and a 2 1/2 year old.

I originally reserved a 2 Bedroom Suite with the adjoining mini suite.

2 months later, I decided the mini suite would be too small for 3 adults and a toddler so I switched that cabin to another 2 Bedroom Suite. I liked the idea of adjoining cabins but thought the room was more important. I paid the difference and upgraded to two 2 bedroom Suites.

In February, the price dropped on the 2 Bedroom by $1,000 each. I called NCL and they offered me an OBC of 25% or we could upgrade to 2 Owner's Suites, keep the original offers and pay nothing more. I did hesitate because I had liked the 2 bathroom aspect. I didn't know if the 4 adults in my cabin would be able to get ready all sharing one shower. The half bath would have been handy but losing a shower was not so great. In the end I did upgrade both cabins to the Owner's Suites on Deck 10.

Then talk of the bidding program started. Like everyone, I started dreaming of getting the Garden Villa. The offer range was from $1k to 5k. I decided I definitely wanted the Villa so I bid $3500, It was strong. I also bid $3000 on the 2nd cabin. Oh wouldn't that have been something...Both Garden Villas! Every week I would increase my bid because I needed the Villa by then! 3 weeks out, I called NCL again and asked what the cost of the Villa would be to outright buy it. They told me I had to pay $10,000 more to buy it. I decided that this was going to be a trip my family would remember forever so I paid the difference and was now locked into the Vila 14500.

I kept my daughter's bid going at $3,600. 48 hours before we sailed, I got the "you have been denied" e mail. Oh well, how could I even think of complaining, we were about to share a week together, it was going to be mother's Day and my Birthday that week and we would have a wonderful time. Suites 14500 and 10506 here we come!

[happygolucky62]

Before we upgraded to the Villa, the Pre Cruise Concierge sent the letter with the Luggage Tags for both Owner's Suites and the list of Suite options. I got my daughter's requests and mine together and e mailed them in. I had asked for Liquor that was not on the List and they accommodated me. I also asked for milk to be in both cabins and made our Pop and water preferences. I wasn't sure what their pillows were like so I said I would choose when we got on board. I changed some dining reservations to times that had not been available when booking online. After I upgraded to the Garden Villa, I asked the Pre Cruise Concierge if I would get new Luggage Tags sent to me. She said that it was too close to sailing so I should just write the new cabin number n the Tags.

On Cruise Day we showed up at the Terminal around 10:45 am. We gave our luggage to the porters and headed inside. We were sent to the line and given Health Forms to fill out. We went through the line until someone noticed we were in the Garden Villa. She got all upset and told us we were to leave the "Regular" line and move immediately to another area. We never got to the counter. We were sent to the Curtained area and Leah, our fantastic Concierge, met us and that was the start of a week of her outstanding Service. When I told her I had the Owner's Suite also she pulled my daughter's paperwork and keys and we went to have a snack. We all started wondering because we had never gone to the Counter to show any of our paperwork. I think they realized the mistake and then we were all sent out to the Priority Check In to show our Passports and get our Security Photos taken. The Suite area became very crowded at one point and they asked that if there were any guests who were CAS guests. Those who raised their hand were asked to leave because they were apparently not VIP enough for the small area. It was funny because none of them moved. There were a couple of groups who were made up of people in Suites who had brought along their friends who were not in a Suite category. Since no one was moving, they decided not to press the issue since we were all going to be able to board soon anyway.

The Butlers were introducing themselves to their respective guests. They were taking people on the ship then and soon it was our turn.

[dexddd]

Yeah, the suite check-in area (actually the whole terminal) is on the small side.

[happygolucky62]

Our wonderful Butler, William, was not in the Terminal so another Butler escorted us to the Garden Villa. He took us up the elevator and it was always a crowded ride being the 8 of us plus the Butler. A woman with a huge suitcase jumped in before all of us could get on. It was so funny and awkward. The Butler told her it was going to be too full but she just said, "Well I am only going to 12" We rode in silence and she got off on 12. When we got to 14 we got off in the Foyer area the 2 Villas share. There is a staircase that drops right down to Cagney's with a locked door which could be opened with our keys. It was so convenient to slip down for breakfast. More about that door later. There were also 2 glass doors which look just like the main doors but went to the back of the Suite. It was the door the Steward used to come and go. We entered and went to check out the Living Room. 14500 is the Villa that has the very nice bar area rather than the stainless steel kitchen. It also has the egg chair.

One of the first things I noticed was the gap near the ceiling of the dividing wall between the 2 Villas. It is just a retractable wall and it is not tight at the top or soundproof. We realized this the first day when the piano tuner left our room and headed next door. We could hear him playing the piano as if he was in the same room as us. We took note, but I don't think we or our neighbors were too bothered all week. We did meet our neighbors waiting for the elevator and he made a comment about how we were being too noisy but I think he was kidding. We did hear their conversations quite a few times but we just ignored it.

I had already decided I wanted the last room by the Sun Deck because I had watched a recent YouTube video that had been posted after the renovation. It is a great video, check it out. Just search NCL Dawn 14500 and you will find it.

The room I chose had a full wall of windows overlooking the side and a sliding glass door so the room was flooded with light. The closet was huge and the bathroom was the same size as the "Master" but the bath tub could fit one, not 2 people.

My oldest daughter and her boyfriend took the Master and we left the middle room for sleepovers for anyone from the Owner's Suite, 10506 that wanted to crash there.

My intention was to watch my grandson while the kids all stayed out and he could sleep there. He ended up sleeping with us in the King Bed in our room. As a grandma who lives 3 states away, I was in heaven!

The Butler showed us how to get down to Cagney's for lunch. There we met Shetty, one of our Heroes of the Cruise.

My oldest daughter is vegan by choice and gluten free by need. Her boyfriend is a vegetarian. I had let them know when I made the reservation 8 months earlier and they had noted it in the room notes. Shetty is the Maitre'D and as soon as we swiped out room key at lunch, he appeared and talked extensively about their needs. He suggested options for lunch and they were very happy. All week long, Leah, William and Shetty met with Meghan and John in the morning and planned what they would want to eat. I honestly thought it was because we were in the Villa but I have read a lot since our return and see that NCL really takes wonderful care of their guests with special dietary needs.

[happygolucky62]

After lunch we went down to see the owner's Suite 10506 the rest of the family was staying in and then headed back to the Villa. We met William and he showed us all of the features of the Suite. He showed us how the showers work and took us outside to show us the hot tub and Steam Room. He said that you just need to give them 1 to 2 hours notice for the Steam Room since they don't leave it on. We headed down to the Muster and when we returned most of our luggage had arrived. My daughter's suitcase was missing and William took a description and made sure it was found immediately.

We soon realized that we were in for a very different experience. We just wanted a relaxing week and William and Leah went overboard making sure we didn't need for anything. It made us uncomfortable sometimes but they only wanted the best for me and my family.

Throughout the week we were escorted to all of our dinners and off of the ship. We made quite a sight, like a row of ducklings following Leah or William. On the night we were eating in Cagney's, I kidded and told William that we could probably make the trip down one flight of stairs alone, he actually got offended. He has a job to do and we let him do it.

We never asked for anything specific for our afternoon treats for the first few days. William was all over Meghan's needs and brought sandwiches and cookies that were gluten free. She also got muffins. Most of the time we didn't know they were gluten free and we ended up enjoying them.

On the third day, since he was bringing enough for all eight of us, I asked for something different. He brought a huge plate of PB&J sandwiches which disappeared quickly. We had crudites and dip, fruit, canapes, cheese and potato chips. One day we got shrimp. We never got M&Ms but when I asked if he had any, he rushed back in the service area and we heard him pour them into a bowl. He reappeared and the bowl stayed full the rest of the week.

Our wonderful Steward, Joe had his hands full since all eight of us were utilizing the Villa. He kept it so clean and was always smiling. On the first day he brought 2 Orchid plants which fell out of their pots that night. We went into the Service area looking for a broom to clean it up. There is enough room back there to have 2 more rooms. It is stocked with linens and food and drink.

Leah was at Breakfast every day and checked on our dinner plans. She also took note of what Meghan and John would be eating and put in their order.

She came to the Villa nearly everyday to check on things or make arrangements for anything we needed. She told us that we would get a Limo at the Terminal to take us to the Airport. We had late flights so we were one of the last people off of the ship and we were escorted to our luggage which was waiting and a porter took it to the Complimentary Limo.

We never had to go to any of the talks regarding disembarkation and other things because she would take care of everything in the Villa for us.

When we returned to the ship on my birthday she and William had decorated the Living Room with balloons and streamers and Signs. There was a cake and a cupcake for my grandson to enjoy.

She gave us a complimentary dinner of our choosing on the final night.

She was always waiting for us at the Theater to escort us to the reserved seats.

I will add one more posting regarding the funnier side of being a guest in the Garden Villa but if there are any specific questions that come up, I will be happy to answer them.

[fonrouge82]

I'm enjoying reading your review of the Garden Villa. We too, had the pleasure of staying in the GV on the Dawn last August. We were made to feel like royalty, as it seems your family was as well. Your review brought back wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing!

[maja651]

Do you have any pictures of the villa? We are considering booking it for a cruise in 2019 and I would love to look at some pictures. I cannot watch online videos, as the shakiness makes me nauseated every time. :o

[smokie36]

We stayed in it just me and my wife we got upgraded at last minute from an owner suite. Unbelievable experience our friends spent alot of time there.we were treated big time from pier to the end of cruise.

[jinteso]

Great review! I could only dream of getting one. I have a DOS on the Dawn early next year but both GVs are full. How far out do you have to book one to get it? Every cruise that I look at has them booked.

[NancyL2]

What a great review of the GV! We had William on our September Peal cruise last year.....he is amazing!

[WYTinman]

Do you have any pictures of the villa? We are considering booking it for a cruise in 2019 and I would love to look at some pictures. I cannot watch online videos, as the shakiness makes me nauseated every time. :o

 

Check out my review here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2448727

There are many pics of 14500 starting on page 2 and a few more at the end of the review.

Mark

[happygolucky62]

Hello again everyone. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back at this. I need to work to afford next summer's cruise to the North Cape on Jade!

I do have a lot of pictures of the living room area and sun deck. As I said, I stayed in the third bedroom so I could use the sliding glass door. I have lots of pictures from that room. I will try to figure out how to get them uploaded tonight.

If someone really wants them, I would be happy to e mail them to you. Just let me know.

My daughter stayed in 10506, the Owner's Suite. You will love it! They had a great time. NCL does so much to make sure every guest has a wonderful time. There was a damp spot on the living room floor of 10506 when my daughter arrived and it got a little bigger every day. The Steward noticed it and Leah was all over it. It was no bother to my daughter and her family, they just walked around it.

They took care of the wet carpet and Leah insisted on giving me a $200 OBC for our troubles. It was totally unnecessary but as I said, NCL takes care of their guests.

Hopefully, the next post will have photos!

[mom2t&j]

Love the review! Any pictures you can post yet?

[garycarla]

I am so glad you were NOT able to do the suite +mini since the folks in the mini would not get some of the suite perks.

 

AND

 

So glad you did not get the two OS as putting extra adults in there would not be the best arrangement. Though the OS costs for than the 2BR, it has less beds and way less privacy since it is basically one big room.

 

Agree? Yes? No?

[happygolucky62]

Hello again. I am sorry I have not been around lately but as I said, I am trying to pay for next year's trip!

The photos posted in the review by WYTinman are basically identical to mine so I would recommend looking at those until I get time to figure out how to get mine up. The only difference in mine would be some of the birthday decorations Leah and William put up and different clothes in the closet!

In the end, I was very happy with getting the Villa and the Owner's Suite. I now know perks for everyone was necessary and I think even though we had all of the room in the Villa, sometimes my kids wanted to be alone in their room.

I have an AFT Suite on Jade booked for next year going from London to the North Cape.

The room, 10166, is identical to the center room in the Dawn Garden Villa. I used that room a few times getting ready for dinner, while my partner was in our bathroom. Even though it has the smaller bathroom, the room felt very spacious. Adding in the Balcony, I think it will be perfect for 2 of us. I am really looking forward to it.

Please let me know if you have any other questions! I am glad you all have gotten some enjoyment out of it!