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Item: Norwegian Dawn
Rating: 4.4
Author: Capnbob

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review

Capnbob

Contributor Level: Second Mate

72 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 6

Helpful Votes: 122

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5

11 Night Southern Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 09, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10026

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Cruise only had 900 people on it. 40% capacity due to Covid. Never crowded anywhere and staff couldn’t have been more helpful. We miss one port-The Cayman Islands. Port was closed to visitors due to Covid so we got an extra sea day. We had a great time on this cruise. Weather was in the high 70’s to 89 in Cartagena, Columbia. We stopped twice in the Dominican Republic where we did an eco canoe trip and a boat trip on the Chevron River.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Garden Cafe

5 out of 5

Excellent variety of food choices. Omelets made to order, pho made to order. We missed the seafood night as they don’t advertise the nightly themes for the buffet. They had large shrimp available in great quantities. Salad bar and desserts were plentiful. Food temp was kept warm. Lunch had paninis and a variety of sandwiches and other hot meal choices. Don’t miss the self serve soft serve ice cream at the back of the starboard side of the buffet. Yummy!

Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar

4 out of 5

Only had one flavor each day. I only eat chocolate ice cream and they only had it one day. This is hard scooped ice cream.

Aqua Main Dining Room

5 out of 5

Our favorite dining venue. Same menus as the larger dining room but quieter. Easier to have a conversation. Food was delicious. Waiters were perfect and elegant.

Venetian (Main Dining Room)

4 out of 5

Beautiful large room with excellent service but a little too noisy for us. Preferred Aqua Dining room which is smaller and quieter.

Topsiders Bar and Grill

4 out of 5

Didn’t eat lunch here but the burgers smelled delicious.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

They had lots of activities but many had a few attached like bingo some gym classes and other games. We enjoyed one trivia game and line dances golf and walking track.. Pools were a little cool but some swam. We loved the tiered stadium style loungers at the pool especially when the band was too loud

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Some better than others. You have to find your fav music. Lots of variety. Shows were all very good. Especially liked the singer the first night and the acrobats and ballroom dancers that taught us the cha cha at a dance class the day after their performance.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Perfection!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

A little confusing but you get it as the cruise goes on. Ship was very clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Cabin was clean and we had daily cleaning and turn down service. We bid on an upgrade and moved from a sail away outside portal window to a mini suite balcony. Love the extra space and had a bathtub. Ship was only 40% full so everyone we talked to got the upgrades. Our butler was fantastic. Remember converter plugs as this cabin only had one American plug

Ship tip

Have fun! It’s a nice ship.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Oranjestad, Aruba

3 out of 5

Walked around the port. Free wifi at Lucy’s restaurant and had a drink and checked our email. There is a free tourist train that can take you around the town. Wed been to Aruba twice before so no excursion.

Thumbs Up 0

Tampa, Florida

5 out of 5

Came in a day early and stayed at the Hampton Inn very near the port. Ask at the desk for a shuttle to the port. Also complementary breakfast. Publix and CVS close by .

Thumbs Up 0

Willemstad, Curacao

4 out of 5

Caves were nice. Our cave guide was excellent. Tour of town could have been better.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

4 out of 5

Did and excursion to Ocean World Day Pass. Saw a shark, dolphin and bird show. Much like and older Sea World park without Shamu.

Thumbs Up 0