No more NCL

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

cruisergirl01

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 5

Helpful Votes: 189

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 26, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 5091

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

We were very disappointed in this cruise. The cruise line changed their main dining room menus the week we were on this ship. They were very bland and unappetizing. There was never a shrimp cocktail or lobster or any special dishes offered. The so called volcano type dessert offered was baked and turned out in the plate and by the time you got it was very dry. We ate in the specialty restaurants 2 times and were very unimpressed with the dishes. We had a scallop and a shrimp dish (both listed as jumbo) and both times the seafood in the dish was small and tough and had to be cut with a knife. The only dish we had that was good was a T-bone one night. They do not have any elegant dress night. When we asked about it at the Guest Desk, we were told you dress as you like. Many of the men even wore Docker type shorts and t-shirts in the main dining room. It was surprising to us, as one night when in line for one of the specialty restaurants we ran into a gentleman we met on deck with the captain and 2 other officers also waiting for the restaurant to open, and all four of the gentlemen and lady officer commented on our dress and how it looked so nice like it use to be. Which seemed to do them harm also as not many of the photographers were taking elegant pictures to sell. I asked the desk for my past cruiser pin and was told that was another program they stopped.

We were also very disappointed in their ports, (partially our fault when booking) as 2 of our 4 ports were either private islands or new private ports with really no shopping and no tours to take. There was nothing unless you were beach people, as we are not. We are shoppers and like historic tours. The employees were all very friendly and helpful as they could be in all areas. The entertainment was ok, but not totally wonderful. We were very disappointed in NCL as we paid more for this cruise with them than we could have paid for the same ports with Carnival, to try them again after 10 years as we very much enjoyed our last cruise with them. We will not be going on NCL ever again or at least for another 10 years.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

The only bad part of our cabin was the very little closed space given to our room. We had 2 adult women with evening clothes and various other female needs that it made it cramped. We also noted that our room stewards never took out an empty dish, glass or anything when doing our room and several days we had to find the stewards cart and get our own ice

Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Harvest Caye, Belize

1 out of 5

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

3 out of 5

16 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

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sparkeybob 4 years ago

I would say this cruise line is not for you. All of them do things differently. Maybe a little reading before hand could have helped you out before going.

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matt2paige 7 years ago

We cruised the Dawn in September, we had a fantastic time, amazing food and very attentive staff. It is called Freestyle Cruising for a reason, dress up/down....we chose to "dress" for dinner each night. It just made it special for us.

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ljh180 7 years ago

Something is fishy with this review. No cruise history...the way it's written. I have to wonder if this is legit.

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lscully 7 years ago

NCL hasn't had shrimp cocktail in the MDR for years. If you didn't like what you ordered, why didn't you ask for something else? Aft MDR and Le Bistro do not allow shorts, all the other restaurants do. There are many shopping and island tour excursions available- both through the ship and through private companies. You obviously did zero research on this cruise. It seems like you didn't want to enjoy yourself. You probably should go back to Carnival- it's ok, we'll get over it.

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bups 7 years ago

Sometimes I hate people. With just the tiniest bit of research you would have known all about NCL before you cruised. This is your fault not NCL's.

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sumday2 7 years ago

I booked NCL because of the freestyle cruising. I don't want to think about spending a ton of money on formal clothes when in reality we'd never where them again! You should have done your homework. I wouldn't spend a dime for a vacation until I knew EXACTLY what it was. It sounds to me that you didn't take the time to do that.

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henrii64 7 years ago

The Dawn must have changed, I wasn't allowed in the MDR for dinner in any type of shorts. Boys could get away with no collar but not men. The new menus were rolled out a year ago fleet wide and don't have lobster on them as a complementary entree. I've also noticed no shortage of guests dressing very formal on Sea days and getting lots of photos. A little research goes a long way.

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meredith050 7 years ago

I have cruised twice with NCL and the food both times was fantastic! Customer service always amazing and like said previously, NCL is free style cruising... Research would have told you that!

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jmerew76 7 years ago

why do people have to ruin it for others . let us make our own opinion. if you did your research you would know NCL is a more casual cruise some people don't like to get all fancy. No one is ever happy with anything now days.

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SeaNY109 7 years ago

"We were also very disappointed in their ports, (partially our fault when booking)..." Ummm this completely your fault but I am interested to hear your justification. Also, to rate a vacation poorly because you didn't receive your past cruiser pin in petty.

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kim02125 7 years ago

The thing I like most about Norwegian is their casual style. The last thing I want to mess with on vacation is pantyhose and dress shoes. Don't care for formal nights at all.

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Theaden07 7 years ago

I thought the food on ncl was better this last cruise. Have done RC and MSC. Wouldn't do either again. We dress up on the days at sea and many other passengers on NCL do the same at least this past February they did. I'm an NCL fan. And I also got my ship pin on the last cruise.

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mplsheather 7 years ago

I've cruised both RC and NCL and both have their pluses and minuses. I agree RC has better food, but I don't care for the formality. I'm on vacation and really don't want to pack a formal dress and shoes for one night. I also love that the have an adults only area mid ship. I travel NCL more because it is more laid back. Great customer service on both lines. I'm not a fan of private ports either, but we count that as our relaxation day. We typically do our own thing and walk the other islands. We aren't shoppers, we like to hang with the locals. I'm sorry your experience wasn't great, I'm a bit worried about the food. I'm a spicy food person, so maybe I'll pack some sauces.

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steelhead 7 years ago

try Celebrity!

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cruiserking 7 years ago

Book a cruise with Royal Carbbean, great ships, delicious food and two formal nights a week.

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