Breakaway,escape,getaway will i be disappointed on dawn?

[Smong]

We have sailed mega ships for the past 4 years now looking to book on the dawn will we be disappointed? Oh we have also only stayed in the haven will book a suite on dawn but again will we be disappointed?

[OHRiverRats]

We've done all of these. Dawn is the only smaller ship we've been on. We loved it. Our cruise was very port intensive so your mileage may vary.   It was nice not to have to have reservations for shows.  They had a great variety of entertainment.  There were none of the fancy new bells and whistles, but we enjoy just relaxing in the hot tub. Haven't done the Haven so I cant answer that one. Hope you enjoy her as much as we did. We were unsure since we had only done mega ships, but were pleasantly surprised. 

[valleyvillage]

A lot will depend on your facility with releasing expectations and then dropping comparisons. We love the Dawn class and the smaller, less expensive Thermal Spa is one of our favorite spots on the ship. Heated tile loungers, aft view, hot tubs and a lap pool...sauna steam and bliss!

[pcakes122]

As others have said, it REALLY depends upon what you most enjoyed about the mega ships and the Haven.  If you let us know some of those things, we can better give you an idea of how to set your expectations.  For example, one thing I LOVE about the Haven is the private sundeck.  No suites sundeck on the Dawn, so that was one of the deal breakers when I recently swapped a Dawn cruise for an Escape cruise.

 

Overall, I like the smaller ships (and their suites experience) however I am 1) disabled, 2) "old", 3) don't really go to shows, 4) spend most of my time in the casino and/or spending time on the Haven sundeck.  So I don't miss any of the "bells & whistles" of the megas.  If I was younger and more able, I might feel differently.

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

Been on epic, breakaway, Escape, and dawn all multiple times dawn is our least favorite by far, by 1000 each night they pretty much had put the majority of ship to be with exception of casino, which is so small and often too crowded, and the one night club still open would have the same 30 or so night owls like my dh and I.  Also the few parties outside since no spice h2o were not nearly as fun.

now if I was say doing Europe maybe would sail her again otherwise no.

positive side though the crew both times were great just like the awesome escape crew which I think has the best crew ever

[PortFees45]

There's no Haven, so that's a huge plus. 

[tomk3212]

We sailed on the Dawn way back in '04 when she & her sister ship, the Star, were considered "mega-ships" of their day.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves & it was largely because of this experience we've pretty much stuck with NCL over the years.  We sailed again on the Dawn in '09 & then on the Star quite recently in '16.

 

IF you're accustomed to the mega-ships of this era you're probably going to be disappointed as the Dawn does not have all the bells & whistles the Breakaway & Breakaway-plus (BA/BA+) ships have.  However it's also not going to be as crowded, you're not going to have to make show reservations & you can walk completely around Deck 7's Promenade which you cannot do on the BA/BA+ plus class.  The shows on the Dawn, while not as elaborate as the Broadway-themed ones on the BA/BA+ are still quite entertaining.  Also being able to watch Liars Club, Not-So-Newlywed, The Quest, etc. comfortably in the Spinnaker Lounge rather than the Atrium is a HUGE plus in my experience.

 

We'd rather have the Gem & ships of her class in NYC rather than the Dawn but we also understand NCL's business reason behind shifting the Gem up to Boston & bringing the Dawn back to NYC (her original homeport, btw) .While we really like the newer ships I think you'll like the Dawn IF you keep these caveats in mind & don't get your expectations too high.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

[brookie848]

We've been on the Dawn twice after only being on mega-ships (Escape, Epic, Getaway) in the Haven. We had suites on the Dawn. 

 

The Dawn is nice for a port-intensive cruise. We enjoy the shorter evening shows (no reservations needed). We do miss the Haven sun deck and bar, but we do enjoy spending time in Gatsby's. 

 

Would I sail the Dawn for a "standard" Eastern or Western itinerary if a bigger ship was also available -- probably not. But it is great for port-intensive itineraries. 

 

If you have any specific questions, please ask. 

[gymbomb]

We have done Haven on Breakaway, aft balcony on Escape, and insides, balconies, and a suite on Dawn among other ships. Dawn is one of our favorites -- the size is wonderful, and I like the more traditional entertainment schedule. If you go in thinking you won't like it, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. If you go in expecting a great trip, you should have one.

[tgloersen]

I was in the same boat as you (No pun intended!)  Just got off Dawn a few weeks ago.  Great ship! missing some of the bells and whistles of the newer ships.  But it is also missing the crowding as well!  I would sail her again for sure!

[pcakes122]

Everyone is sharing their perspective, but unless posters also share "who you are" (childless couple in their 40s, single 25-year old, 30-year old women friends on a "girls trip", couple in their 70s with mobility issues, etc.) your take really isn't helpful to either the OP (since they have not shared who THEY are) or anyone reading this thread in the future.  I really think who you are impacts what you would like on a cruise/from a ship.  JMO 🙂 

[zqvol]

20 hours ago, Smong said:

We have sailed mega ships for the past 4 years now looking to book on the dawn will we be disappointed? Oh we have also only stayed in the haven will book a suite on dawn but again will we be disappointed?

 

Unless you use the ropes course and that type of stuff you will enjoy Dawn and its suites more than the mega ships.

[All-ready2cruise]

OP, in my opinion, because you're already looking at things to be disappointed with, YES, you will be disappointed with the Dawn.  Dawn is a lovely ship, sister ship of the Star which I've spent over 30 days on, but will not afford you the same exciting challenges as the Breakaway which I've just disembarked yesterday. 

IMO, we all have wants, needs, and desires, it's up to you to decide what those are! Rock climbing, big water slides, loads of decks with lots of different venues... does that sound like what you want and what you would be happiest with? Then you know what you want. It's really all on YOU. 

Have a great cruise, choose the right 1 for you. 

[Smong]

22 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

As others have said, it REALLY depends upon what you most enjoyed about the mega ships and the Haven.  If you let us know some of those things, we can better give you an idea of how to set your expectations.  For example, one thing I LOVE about the Haven is the private sundeck.  No suites sundeck on the Dawn, so that was one of the deal breakers when I recently swapped a Dawn cruise for an Escape cruise.

 

Overall, I like the smaller ships (and their suites experience) however I am 1) disabled, 2) "old", 3) don't really go to shows, 4) spend most of my time in the casino and/or spending time on the Haven sundeck.  So I don't miss any of the "bells & whistles" of the megas.  If I was younger and more able, I might feel differently.

 

[Smong]

We are in our early 50s sailing with my Sons and their girlfriends. We are casino guests so we do spend most nights in the casino. Don’t really care about ropes and slides. I think my biggest concern would be not having the privacy of the haven sundeck. Seems from what most are saying seating is not a problem though.

[imacruiser99]

Personally I like the smaller cruise ships.  I have only been on the BA (as a mega ship), but the best NCL ship I have been on was the Sun.  Much more personable and the staff did not see overly stressed.  

[newmexicoNita]

10 hours ago, imacruiser99 said:

Personally I like the smaller cruise ships.  I have only been on the BA (as a mega ship), but the best NCL ship I have been on was the Sun.  Much more personable and the staff did not see overly stressed.  

totally agree with you. The Sun followed by the Dawn are our faves as well. We have done both mega and the small ships as many think of them as. It all depends on what one expects from the cruise experience and how much they feel the need for constant upscale entertainment.  We have always found plenty to do on the Dawn and love so much about her and the Sun. Service wise, we find those 2 much better than the mega ships. 

[Harratine]

After doing two mega ships, we did the Dawn last week.  It was refreshing to not have lines of people everywhere.

[lenquixote66]

On 7/7/2019 at 8:39 PM, Smong said:

We have sailed mega ships for the past 4 years now looking to book on the dawn will we be disappointed? Oh we have also only stayed in the haven will book a suite on dawn but again will we be disappointed?

We went from a Cunard ship with 806 passengers to the mag ships ,Breakaway,etc.Our next cruise will be on the Dawn.

[kitty-sail]

Originally sailed on the Dawn about 15 yrs ago. Over the last 5 yr have been on the Escape  Breakaway and stayed only in Haven suites.

 

We were in a suite on the Dawn 3 mos ago which I truly enjoyed after having many doubts about returning to a smaller ship. One plus of the Dawn is that it is a smaller, friendly neighborhood type of atmosphere. No go carts, water slides.

 

It offers private breakfast and lunch in Moderno's for suites. No private restaurant for dinner although you will get special service in MDR  or specialty restaurant as a suite guest. No private pool, sundeck, or bar and I missed these most on sea days. In lieu of Haven sundeck we utilized our balcony more. We hung out at the Bimini bar instead of the Haven lounge. Spent time at the forward hot tub Deck 14 which is out of the way and secluded instead of the Haven sundeck. (I would suggest to NCL to rope this area off for suites.)  Getting spa passes instead of private pool.

 

Roel is the concierge and is the best. Unlike other concierges, you will see him 10 times a day, at the show, at dinner -he makes sure you have everything you need.   The shows are not elaborate but they were quite enjoyable and a variety of entertainment. There is trivia in the Atrium which brings a crowd, Who wants to be a Millionaire game, entertainment by the pool in the afternoon.

 

If your group can do without go carts and water slides, the Dawn can provide a very enjoyable vacation.

Edited July 15, 2019 by kitty-sail

[Harratine]

Just off the Dawn on Saturday.  Wonderful time.

[sverigecruiser]

On 7/8/2019 at 2:39 AM, Smong said:

We have sailed mega ships for the past 4 years now looking to book on the dawn will we be disappointed? Oh we have also only stayed in the haven will book a suite on dawn but again will we be disappointed?

 

We loved the Dawn many years ago but that was before we became suiteaddicts. Now we will not cruise on a mass market line without the suite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

I can't know if you will be disappointed but we should miss the Haven. 

[Grandmafreddie]

Very different experience

thermal spa way smaller and not uo to  date

shows mah

like bigger ship haven only open for breakfast and dinner much older ship

casino small did several dawn and gem 

you will notice the difference 

 

[Barb Nahoumi]

We prefer smaller quieter ships, to the megas, and have been on the Dawn many times for the Boston to Bermuda cruises.  She never disappointed us.  I'd give her a try, and see what you think.

[Harratine]

1 hour ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

We loved the Dawn many years ago but that was before we became suiteaddicts. Now we will not cruise on a mass market line without the suite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

I can't know if you will be disappointed but we should miss the Haven. 

We did a Dawn suite AH (after Haven).  The service was wonderful.  Butlers super helpful and you have never seen a concierge until you have met Roel.