Carnival is the way to go when it comes to cruising

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 80

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Verified Review
Norwegian Dawn

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 20, 2016

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11578

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

 I decided to try and I decided to try and Norwegian Cruise Lines I decided to try and Norwegian Cruise Lines figuring that I would get a great deal and a good value for my money I will soon mistaken with all the hidden fees that they charge they charge 13.50 per person per day additional watch for my family of 4 for this Cruise turned out to be an additional an additional $378 for what they call gratuity also I paid my balance in full but yet I'm noticing fees on my credit card from Norwegian Cruise Lines the entertainment was not good and they had no stand-up comedy shows the food was alright but very confusing on the different restaurants to go to I had a mini-suite  and I requested 3 beds  4/4 people in the mini Suite  my kids had to share a bed  which one is a step kid  and that did not work well also the bed that they gave them did not accommodate them because their legs hung halfway off the bed I don't think that I would ever cruise with Norwegian again

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5
All the decent shows were filled in you had to go an hour early to get a seat and there was hardly any decent shows on this ship

Children's Programs

1 out of 5
My twelve year old step-daughter was put into the Dolphins Club where they did a circus with the younger kids she would have rather sat on the balcony and read a book and that's what she did on some days rather than going to the club

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5
I thought I was getting a room that would accommodate my child and my stepchild that did not happen

Ship tip

I didn't care for the ship because I had bad accommodations

Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
Great for shopping get all of your stuff there

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

1 out of 5
Got robbed by South Shore Excursions they supposedly told me snorkeling a beach scene and a ride to and from the beach for $25 a person when we got to the beach we had to pay an additional $20 per person and when we wanted to go snorkeling we had to pay another $20 per person

Belize City, Belize

5 out of 5
We did ziplining with a Crystal Cave tour an Elvis our tour guide was the best tour guide that I have ever had great time I highly recommend it especially if you can get all this to be your tour guide

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

1 out of 5
The shopping there is double the price of Cozumel and everyone just looks at you like your a dollar sign

Traveler Photos

The kids had sleep with their legs off the bed
Was this review helpful? 42

6 Comments

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

smilemakrr    8 years ago

Every cruise no matter what line charges gratuities. It's part of how the staff gets paid. I'm more than happy to give them $13.50 per day for all the work they do from sun up to sun down.

mduran040    8 years ago

It seems from reading this and all your posted experiences on this cruise that you invested more time looking for bargains rather than getting informed about your cruise. How can you not know there was an additional gratuity fee or that it was a hidden charge. When almost every cruise line when finalizing your reservation they ask if you wish to add the gratuities to reservation cost or you can pay them as part of your onboard expense account. This charge amount is then divided among all the cruise members that have to serve to your needs, clean your room, cook the food you ate, prepared your drinks, washed the plates you ate on and the glasses you drank from and dont forget the entertainment staff that they have to find ways for you to have fun. Yes its a cruise ship for you to vacation on and have fun and be stress free but for the crew members its there job. They provide you there service they should be compensated with a gratuity charge.

SvetlanaS    8 years ago

Did you ask for different room? Obviously kids was not comfortable.

mommy2theo    8 years ago

I did not know you could request to have them removed, very interesting. I would NEVER want them removed however I appreciate not having to cook or clean or do dishes lol

mpazillo    8 years ago

Sorry about your bad cruise but all cruise lines charge a gratuity which is divided up among all crew members that you do not see. Also these charges are not hidden it is clearly explained on the cruise lines web site. You also have the option to go to customer services and have them removed.

Other reviews of this sailing