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Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

JoanneAdkins

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 15

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 12, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 10711

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

This will all come out in my blog review, but I wanted to share my experience on the Norwegian Dawn (March 12-19 of 2023), here first. The embarkation and Debarkation was a cluster of epic proportions and the "choose your board time" was nonexistent. I loved all the ports this ship took us too, one even offering a passport stamp for a donation. When we sail, we want good food, good entertainment and port stops we haven’t been to or wanted to explore more. On the Dawn, the buffet food was tasteless and often overcooked, always uninspired, and no real variety. They took me to a port, in Honduras, where I could shop or do any number of excursions, and I opted to shop, purchasing a large, polished and shiny, shell from a shop there. Upon arrival back to the ship - Norwegian’s security TOOK MY SHELL, despite nothing being said in their daily newsletter called the “Freestyle Daily” about this being a prohibited item (attached is a pic for proof). I'm really upset about this and there was no fighting it then. I really want my shell back. Observations: • There was little to no balcony access and seating outside so we could enjoy the deck outside. • Not nearly enough bartenders and servers on the pool deck • Bamboo, the Chinese restaurant, was always booked, no matter what time… but you can’t make reservations. They should expand this space. • Main dining room was outrageously slow and not worth the wait and the buffet being shut down at 9:30 is ridiculous, especially when leaving the only choice on the ship for food to be O’Sheehan’s, which offered very slow service. Consistently delivering overcooked, cold, bland rubbery food as the only option. Because get this, they have a cozy drinking spot, away from busy and loud tables, but you can’t eat there – you have to get seated at a table in the restaurant and you absolutely cannot take food away from there. If you want other options, you get to pay the $9.95 for room service, for a 10 inch pizza, (which took 2 hours to get) ...this was absolutely on my list of why I won't cruise NCL ever again, and will warn others not to as well. Other ships have grab and go items, like pizza and sandwiches, free 24/7 where you can slink away and grab a drink and eat wherever. • You cut staff due to "budget cuts" and overwork staff that made the cut, leaving them a lot unhappy and it's reprehensible. TAKE CARE OF YOUR STAFF – those at the Bliss lounge were amazing, but not untouched by the downsize. • The Atrium was a complete waste of valuable space. Using that kind of real estate for a coffee shop is crazy. Most ships have a bar in a place like this and they use it for trivia, games, crazy crafts and other things like napkin folding class, or ANYTHING to get people involved. Note: The Cellars wine bar would be better suited for a java hut than the Atrium • Entertainment was a joke and Power of 5, the band was awful. Things I loved: • Though there was nothing for my granddaughter to do, there was a room called ‘Guppy Play” for kids 6 mo-4 years old with plenty of toys that made my two-year-old granddaughter happy – hours were 9am-12, 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm. Here is the bad part – They have a beautiful changing room, but it is ALWAYS locked and you have to find someone (not easy) to open it when there is a diaper that needs changing. Excuse is that the teens in the video game lounge next door wreck it if its left open. I don’t even know what to say about this. • The staff were always good to us – Ari, my room steward was the nicest and most human I encountered. I would venture out at 7am and come back at 11pm and he’s working and still managed a smile. The bar staff at the Bliss lounge were spectacular. • Spending time with my family. • We had a handicapped cabin and it was huge, for once it was easy to navigate We will definitely do more research for our next cruise.