This is a cruise designed to introduce travelers to some of the most important sites in Western history and culture, while giving you a comfortable bed, tasty meal, and ample libations along the way.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Speedy and uncrowded, but also uninviting...the old shipping warehouse on the Trieste wharf didn't feel terribly welcoming as we moved through the layers of security and checking in, to be unceremoniously pointed toward a concrete pier and open gangway to finally board Dawn.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Main dining was adequate--staff seemed overworked, at times inattentive, and managers/hostesses somewhat cold and dour. Specialty was excellent at Le Bistro and Cagney's, so-so at Los Lobos. Bar staff was great at Gatsby's, Topsiders, and Bliss. Buffet was busy, but excellent quality food. Need to be patient to get you seating and work around people who are moving aimlessly without regard for others.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
This is a very port-intensive cruise, so activities are low priority. Wife did spa one day and liked it. I did hot tubs several mornings with my coffee, and most afternoons after returning from excursions. Did karaoke twice, but mostly we just sat and enjoyed food and drinks.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Good live music in Gatsby's and atrium areas in evenings. Only attended one show, the Broadway Cabaret done in Bliss, which was fine quality--the 6 young performers were on par with Broadway touring company casts I've seen recently.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Steward was fine--once daily service in cabin was sufficient.
Overall there was a sense that there was a drop off in quality of customer service, and that staff was overworked and unhappy--which was a change from 4 previous NCL cruises on other ships. I hope this is just a post-pandemic "blip".
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
I like Dawn--it is smaller, a bit older, but well-suited for certain types of cruises, like this one, which aren't necessarily designed to be "recreation-centered".
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Comfort, size, cleanliness are fine--BUT bad location! No issues from being directly off elevator lobby, but it was directly below the entrance to the Garden Cafe buffet above--and there was table and chair dragging and heavy foot traffic every morning from 0500-0530 on! Would not recommend except for very early risers or heavy sleepers!
Please stop equating it with (Venice) with those parentheses, NCL, unless you're going to do more to assist passengers with transfers--it is a 2 hour rail trip to Venice. People not doing their research were taken by surprise.
I'm glad that Venice is not exposed to the ravages of mega ships any longer, but it is not easy to visit--even if one is staying nearby for a day or 2 before the cruise. And Trieste, Solvenia, and the Dolomite region certainly would have enough to see in their own right!
Never thought I'd visit Albania unless I was a spy or POW. Good on them for realizing that they have things to show the world. Did Blue Eye and castle excursion--quite a bit of hiking!
Again weather forced 3 ships to be disembarking in old port area...long wait for cable car. Had private excursion, which turned out well, but left with somewhat jaded impression of the place. Must be a real mess in summer!
Nicest weather day, but Mykonos was almost empty--clearly post-tourist season. We were able to shuttle to town, walk around on our own (with Rick Steeves' walking tour guide), found a lunch, got "bombed" by a local pigeon... Nice day.
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