NHbrewhoppers Cruise Review on Norwegian Dawn on Apr 20, 2018

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review

NHbrewhoppers

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 6

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Sail date: April 20, 2018

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Food: We are a vegan family and we were able to eat without any issue on the boat. The manager at Aqua took the most amazing care for us during dinner to ensure our food was made as requested. The buffet was the same food for each meal for 7 straight days, being vegan we are used to eating a limited menu. But for everyone else I felt a bit bad for most folks. On Carnival it changed daily, which is what I would expect. It would have been nice to eat some variety. 99% of the food at the buffet was pretty bland. We at at Bamboo and the sushi was the best we’ve ever had. The fajitas at O’Sheehans was our go to many times over the trip. Tip - eat at O’Sheehans rather than the buffet if you can... it takes longer but the food has more flavors then Aqua or buffet. Shows/activities: comedian Sam and magician PJ were outstanding. The game shows deal or no deal were fun with Luz. The major show Element was great. The other shows were just ok. Al the lounge piano player was great. Staff: they were the best part of the ship. Raquel at O’Sheehans, Aldo & Sunny at Gadsbys, manager at Aqua, Wilfredo or Steward... all went way above and beyond over and over. Bin & Patricia provided so much daily entertainment. And who can for get “washy washy”. We loved the people and their top star service! Boat: they layout is terrible. I’m sure you’ve read this before and it’s true. You can get to everything but you have to remember what sets of stairs or elevators to get there. We climbed stairs and went down many long hallways for a week. Must have been why I lost 2lbs on a cruise! Amenities: we bought the spa package and it was well with the money! Super nice people and they hot tubs and warming beds were great. The picture studio was pretty outstanding. The bliss lounge and gatsbys were beautiful hangout areas. Stardust was great as well. Biggest highlights: the staff hands down. Great warm and friendly people with amazing unique stories. The cleanliness of the ship was a big bonus. The variety of dining and bar areas. Rooms were cleaned spotless. The photography was great. The adult drink beverages were made perfectly. The spa was so worth the money. O’Sheehans fajitas were the best meal on the boat. Getting on and of the boat was speedy and easy as ever from embarkation, port jumping and debarkation. Lowlights: the boat is really smoky. You cannot avoid it as there are tons of smoking areas on the boat. No matter if you are walking by any of the opening doors, casino or anywhere even close to the casino, top deck... gatsbys... really anywhere but deck 4 or 5. I don’t mind smoke here and there, but it’s everywhere on this boat. The cigar lounge is really a cigarette close box for 7 straight days with extremely poor ventilation. The lack of buffet variety was a bummer as it never changed day to day. If you are a coffee or beer snob, then you will suffer for 7 straight days... as I did. The coffee is weak, even at the Java cafe pay bar. They only decent beer was Guinness (only at O’Sheehans) and Lagunitas Little Sumpin. The remedy was mixed drinks, problem solved. The layout of the boat was not well designed. The positives outweighed the negatives for the Dawn. They were very accommodating, polite and genuinely appeared happy to meet and take care of you during your trip. Just don’t expect amazing food (unless you pay for specialty dining) or coffee/beer, expect smoke and watery coffee and beer. If your expectations are set right, you will love the Dawn!

NHbrewhoppers Cruise Review on Norwegian Dawn on Apr 20, 2018

Overall rating:

Review summary

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