First Norwegian Experience= Last Norwegian Experience

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review to Bermuda

AmberTravels

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 70

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Bermuda (Boston Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 09, 2017

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 9722

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

We have cruised in the past, mainly with Royal Caribbean and were extremely disappointed with this cruise company. Because of the Freestyle Cruising offered with Norwegian you never have a set dinner table, time, or any guest service members specifically assigned to you. With this option they also pool tips and automatically charge you a certain amount a day for both bar services and food services. I believe because of this setup none of the crew members are held accountable for their service- they will receive a pooled tip anyway. We noticed this especially with the bartenders, some of them were extremely rude. One in particular worked in the coffee bar in the morning, greeting you with an annoyed expression, and then as the pool bartender for the afternoon and evening. By then he could care less about serving you. Overall that seemed to be the same feeling with all of the staff around the ship.

The food was also terrible. You could find some great dining options in the main dining rooms but the buffet was subpar. It was the same food everyday in a setup that looked like a poor cafeteria. There were also never any table in the buffet cafeterias.

Lastly, the boat itself was dated and had way too many sleeping room compared to activities and seating at dinner and public areas for the number of people on board. Everywhere you went felt crowded. The pool is tiny and there was little daily entertainment for all age groups. Since we had 2 full sea days on the way to Bermuda and the way home it grew tiring since there was nothing to do but drink. The beds in the room were also extremely uncomfortable!

Overall, we were less than impressed with our cruise experience and will not cruise with Norwegian again. We have also let all of our friends and family know of our experience. We were required to pay $400 in tips- $100 each for the bar services and $100 each for the food and other services. On top of the cost of the cruise and taxes, after poor service we were then hit with the $400 in charges and were extremely disappointed!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

The buffet was terrible!! The main dining room food was nice but the atmosphere and service was poor.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

There were some entertainment options for older people and children but nothing for ages in between other than drinking- and it seemed like a lot of people were extremely drunk often.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Because of the free style cruising offered the staff pooled tips and none of them seemed to care about impressing the paying travelers.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Very dated and cramped. Too many people on board with very little to do or places to go. Every show ran out of seats, the buffet area didn't have enough space/tables, the pool deck was constantly overflowing with people.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

The balcony was great to have, we loved it. The bed was terrible! My back/neck was hurting by the end of the week and we did not get any decent rest.

Ship tip

Sail another ship!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Boston, Massachusetts

5 out of 5

Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, Bermuda

5 out of 5

22 Comments

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

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sumday2 7 years ago

@skolteech514 when I was on the Dawn for the May 26th cruise the director was JC Sanchez. He was great and so funny! I don't remember who the captain was thought. I can't wait until next May until we're on the ship again.

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skolteech514 7 years ago

Losing reservations I don't understand I have been 18 times and going again next week We have never "lost" our reservations We always print out any info we get from NCL and take it with us. The crowding of the pool area is a crap shoot The time that you choose to cruise will make that happen like spring break large family reunions lots of families You just don't know We have a pool at home and we don't cruise just for the pool By the way who is the captain and CD now on the Dawn

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bruiz 7 years ago

I agree! you will find my group on the right side of the pool!

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panamascooter 7 years ago

bruiz need to meet up for some beverages

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bruiz 7 years ago

I went on this cruise last July. Had the best time ever. going back July 21st. this time bringing my parent,sisters and some friends. Can't wait!

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sincitygrrrl1 7 years ago

jawoolf, I went to Bermuda on the Dawn for the same reasons as you. I had a fabulous time. I ate in one specialty restaurantonly. otherwise at the Venetian, O'Sheehan's & the buffet at the Garden cafe. The food was good at all of them. Go on both sudes of the buffet as they do have a few different items on each side, the beginning of the line is the same but further down there is different offerings. I found the staff to be most pleasant & helpful. I only asked for help twice and they explained everything to me. it was my first cruise & I enjoyed it so much I have already booked the same cruise for next May but this time with a balcony room which came with 2 free offers so I got the drink & dining package.

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panamascooter 7 years ago

I'm going in 25 days I'll let you know jawoolf55

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esm54687 7 years ago

jawoolf: you will have a good time...... just remember that there are a few people with legitimate bad experiences (and many more where they are self induced by lack of planning, research, etc)..... if you look at the miniscule number of negatives compared to the overall number of passangers on any given trip...... odds are definitely in your favor to have a good time.

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jawoolf55 7 years ago

Yikes. I've been on several Royal carribean cruises and will be taking my first Norwegian one in 72 days... These comments are making me feel uneasy.. We booked this so we could cruise right out of Boston without flying. Just looking to relax poolside and visit beaches in Bermuda. I hope this freelance dining isn't a nightmare as none of the specialty restaurants appealed to me. ðð³

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panamascooter 7 years ago

I don't need a table cook the steak put in a Togo box I'll eat on my balcony

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tbizzarro 7 years ago

no we did its right on our cards and we have the print outs. they said oh must be a computer glitch . nothing we cam do. ..

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panamascooter 7 years ago

NCL sent me a confirmation email with my dinner reservations. So I will make sure I bring those with me. I go in 25 days

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flipflop15 7 years ago

I print out everything too from shore excursions to dinner reservations. I hope these complainers don't ever come back to NCL.

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sumday2 7 years ago

I agree with esm54687. All of your information for your fine dining should be in your emails regardless of who you booked it with. I personally had a folder with exactly what I was getting from food to excursions and it's a good thing I did because Priceline "lost" a $200 onboard credit but because I had the paperwork the guest services was great. This time I went directly through Norwegian as I did not come across one employee that was in the least bit rude.

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esm54687 7 years ago

how did they lose "both of your dining reservations"? Didn't you print out your paperwork? Even if lost, I find it impossible that you can't get into "any fine dining"...... stinks, but pay again and pursue the refund when you get home. Maybe you thought you prepaid but it didn't process, etc.

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tbizzarro 7 years ago

yes. I am on this cruise right now. all i can say is its horrible. they lost both of our dining reservations. prepaid by the way and now we cant get into any fine dining! there is nothing to do on this ship.. you cant even relax and lounge by the tiny pool area because the music is so loud. you cant even get in the pool it doesn't fit many people. I will never again take a Norwegian cruise

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cdrc777 7 years ago

Ship is "dated?" Completely refurbished a year ago. Prefer a set time/table to eat dinner but book a freestyle cruise? "Food was terrible"...followed by "great dining options in the main dining rooms"....means exactly what?

I've been on the Dawn before and after the refurbishment. It was never dated. Rude staff? Never experienced that. Too many people...at the pool...at the buffet....in the theater...just too crowded everywhere. Why be on a cruise? (I have never not been able to get a seat in the buffet or for a show. I am not one to hang out by the pool, but if swimming without crowds is your thing, there is always the thermal spa.) Oh...yes...I was on the Dawn in May. Going back in August:)

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sumday2 7 years ago

Did you even bother to have "freestyle" defined to you? Had you looked into it more you may have realized it wasn't for you. I sailed on the Dawn in May. It was my first cruise and didn't experience any of what you stated, in fact we booked again for next year.

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esm54687 7 years ago

Sorry your trip was below your expectations

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flipflop15 7 years ago

you should probably stick with Royal if you feel this way. we have.been on the Dawn twice to Bermuda. she is a wonderful ship. there are things to do on sea days. You should have learned more about Freestyle before you went.

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