Considering NCL after 50 plus cruises on other lines for great itinerary. It would be the Dawn

[stipmom]

Since it is in 2025 there is a lot of cabin availability 

Any suggestions on  midship

balcony location would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[graphicguy]

Well...mid-ship balcony is certainly a good location in a balcony.

 

50 cruises on other lines.  Carnival?  Royal?  Others?  That will make a difference on impressions.

 

Dawn is one of NCL's smallest and oldest ships.  So, easy to get around.  NCL keeps their ships in good condition, regardless of age.  So, no worries there.

 

That's all I got.

Edited December 19, 2023 by graphicguy

[mcmomny]

What itinerary are you looking at?

[vswan]

I have been on well over 30 cruises. Have never been loyal to any particular cruise line and base who to sail on by itinerary, cost, ports and cost to get to embarkation port. Have sailed HAL, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, RCI, Costa and MSC. I have to highest loyalty status on NCL and HAL. Overall I have found these two lines have a nice choice of ports at a reasonable price point - not always the case. Have sailed on the Dawn when it was one of the newer NCL ships and liked it, it was much fancier than the older ships I had sailed. Now it is one of their older ships...

 

It really depends on what you want out of your cruise. I love the older, smaller ships. I am not interested in an amusement park vibe. Are you sailing for the ports or the ship? If the ports are of interest to you and you like a smaller ship which is easier to navigate this would be a good choice.

 

Because I can be a victim of motion sickness, I always go for one of the lower decks, mid ship. I will say that I once tried a rear facing balcony in Alaska and loved it. Really depends on where and when you are going.

[NeverNCLagain]

19 hours ago, stipmom said:

Since it is in 2025 there is a lot of cabin availability 

Any suggestions on  midship

balcony location would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Avoid 11612.  I booked it based on old feedback here and it’s VERY noisy from the Garden Cafe located above with constant stomping and chairs moving.  The proximity to the elevators is also bothersome due to loud talkers waiting for the elevator.  
 

I have been on the 10th deck before and it was perfect.  I highly recommend it.  

[schmoopie17]

In my oh-so-humble opinion, Dawn may not be the best choice for your first NCL cruise (although Dawn worked out nicely for Tony Orlando).

 

I know the Dawn has its fans, but if I were recommending a ship to a first-time NCL-er, I would recommend one of the newer/larger ships. Even if you're not into all the new-fangled bells and whistles (go-karts, ropes courses, etc....which I am definitely not), I think you would get a more accurate picture of what NCL is about. Observation Lounges, District Brewhouse, more specialty restaurants, better shows/entertainment, etc.

 

I may be wrong (it's been known to happen) and I'm sure people will shoot down my comment (hey, this is CC, after all)...and speaking of CC, one of the favorite phrases around here is YMMV...and yours definitely might.

 

Of course, if it's an itinerary that you can't find elsewhere, then go for it.

[itsnotjustme]

Consider what is above you and below.  Do not get a cabin below the pool deck or buffet.  The movement of chairs, tables, etc. make a lot of noise.  Deck 10 is a good place to be.

 

Also look at the planned route to consider if port or starboard will provide better views.  We much prefer the land side over the water side.  Another consideration is if you do or do not want sunshine on your balcony.  If sailing north - south, you will have either morning or afternoon/evening sun.  Sailing east-west, you will either be on the mostly sunny south side (in the northern hemisphere) or mostly shaded north side.

 

We sailed the Dawn in Sep 2022 and really enjoyed it.  Because they were cheap, we actually booked a suite.  Most cruises we are in Balcony or Club Balcony. 

[julig22]

On the Dawn now, deck 10 midship balcony, seems to be a good location. It's an older ship but scheduled for dry dock soon I believe. Currently no usb ports in the rooms, just as an example that it's showing its age. But with refurbishment should come updates, possibly to include starlink.

[BrianLo]

13 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

In my oh-so-humble opinion, Dawn may not be the best choice for your first NCL cruise (although Dawn worked out nicely for Tony Orlando).

 

I know the Dawn has its fans, but if I were recommending a ship to a first-time NCL-er, I would recommend one of the newer/larger ships. Even if you're not into all the new-fangled bells and whistles (go-karts, ropes courses, etc....which I am definitely not), I think you would get a more accurate picture of what NCL is about. Observation Lounges, District Brewhouse, more specialty restaurants, better shows/entertainment, etc.

 

I may be wrong (it's been known to happen) and I'm sure people will shoot down my comment (hey, this is CC, after all)...and speaking of CC, one of the favorite phrases around here is YMMV...and yours definitely might.

 

Of course, if it's an itinerary that you can't find elsewhere, then go for it.

I would assume OP is specifically after an itinerary (?Africa). Dawn has truly some extremely exotic and varied options that are hard to replicate.

[Wvshimmy]

Dawn,  as others have said is one of the older in the fleet. 

We did a great 14 day itinerary on her 2019.

 Not my favorite ship,  but would definitely rebook again for an awesome itinerary. 

Love the Jewel class,  midsized ships. 

While older,  refurbished and well maintained with a certain charm without the bells and whistles. 

Dawn crew was great,  as always,  but missed the Spinnaker lounge and Great Outdoors. 

 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

6 hours ago, julig22 said:

On the Dawn now, deck 10 midship balcony, seems to be a good location. It's an older ship but scheduled for dry dock soon I believe. Currently no usb ports in the rooms, just as an example that it's showing its age. But with refurbishment should come updates, possibly to include starlink.

Julig22, we are on a family cruise on the Dawn in June, do you know if it will be in dry dock before then?

[MagnoliaBlossom]

We have been on the Dawn several times and always enjoyed her.  We do t need the bells and whistles, just good food, a nice place for a drink in the evening, an enjoyable casino and great itinerary.  Because of her size, she has some very nice itineraries, and it seems that is what your after as a seasoned cruiser.  

[julig22]

1 hour ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Julig22, we are on a family cruise on the Dawn in June, do you know if it will be in dry dock before then?

I'll ask if they have a Q&A, my comment was based on something said by a guest services rep. I do see a 2+ week hole in the schedule (according to cruisemapper) in April, in Barcelona.

[pete_coach]

Never read all the comments but, Itinerary is the key.

Going where you want when you want is what it's all about. The vehicle, while necessary, is not that important.

NCL is as good as all the others.

Edited December 21, 2023 by pete_coach

[CRUIS4ME]

Was on the Dawn for last summers Baltic cruise.  The port visits were the incentive for us - certainly not the ship. Won’t be sailing on her again unless there is a great itinerary.

Really was only transportation and sleeping quarters for us.   

[stipmom]

Thanks for all your answers .I am only interested in this ship  for the itinerary

Goes to someplaces in Baltic we haven’t been to. We are seniors and  don’t need the bells and whistles of newer ships  in a port intensive sailing

 

 

 

 

[gerry1.10]

On 12/20/2023 at 9:53 PM, julig22 said:

On the Dawn now, deck 10 midship balcony, seems to be a good location. It's an older ship but scheduled for dry dock soon I believe. Currently no usb ports in the rooms, just as an example that it's showing its age. But with refurbishment should come updates, possibly to include starlink.

Hi Juli

 

Merry Xmas! Being currently on the Dawn now could you kindly post the current officers on board please? Booked on her for the Jan 20 sailing,

 

Thanks

gerry1.1o

[julig22]

On 12/21/2023 at 6:42 AM, julig22 said:

I'll ask if they have a Q&A, my comment was based on something said by a guest services rep. I do see a 2+ week hole in the schedule (according to cruisemapper) in April, in Barcelona.

So no q&a but I asked and yes, the people I asked said there is a scheduled dry dock in April, didn't know what was being done.

[complawyer]

in the past 13 years, we have been on almost all of the ncl fleet, other than the newer ones. 

we are diamond status at this time. i sail for the itinerary and the price. we've been on the dawn a number of times.

 

to me personally, one  ncl ship is just as good as another, as long as the ports of call are where i want to go. i dont need bells or whistles, we usually try and eat at cagneys and le bistro. i think the quality of the food in both moderno and teppanyaki has gone done, so if we miss going to those 2 its not a big deal. in all honesty, i cannot say 1 bad thing about the ncl ships we've been on or the experiences we have had on any of them. as long as i have a cabin with a balcony, my kindle, a cold beer or glass of champagne, i'm happy as a clam.

 

the only negative experience we've ever had, was on the epic a few years back. we were coming out of the breakfast buffet, and the floor had just been mopped and was wet. the sign was not clearly marked, and my wife slipped and fell. Ruined the rest of the cruise .

 

other than that one time, for the last 13 years and approximately 25 + cruises on ncl, it's been super!