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Norwegian Dawn Cruise 02/15/04



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 24th, 2004, 04:27 AM
ARNE UR
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Default Norwegian Dawn Cruise 02/15/04

I will try to do a more formal, traditional review if and when time permits,
but I would now at least like to go on record with some general impressions and
comments:

1. This ship and the NCL experience was a huge improvement over my last sailing
with them in the late 90s. My biggest complaint back then was food quality,
which was vastly improved in this trip. Equal to that of any of the other
lines.

2. Since I am partial to older, smaller vessels, the Dawn was the largest ship
I've sailed, and I really enjoyed a newer, larger ship.
(I may be shaking some old habits here). Seas were very rough at times, but
this ship was amazingly stable. She really cooked at 23+ knots on average
coming back INTO the wind.

3. I liked the freestyle experience, not having to pack dressier clothes, and
have to squeeze those dressier clothes into shipboard closets and drawers.
Lets face it folks: the massmarket lines' food is really much more appropros to
resort casual, not to tuxes, suits, and evening gowns. Even those lines that
fully observe traditional formal nights are NOT providing you with formal-level
food (cepting of course Crystal, Radisson, Silverseas, etc.). As much as I
used to be a traditionalist re. formal nights, etc. , I have now come to the
realization of just how facetiously fake and full of B.S. they really had
become. The formal night tradition was great and appropros for
ocean-crossings, not for the floating resorts that cruiseships have become.

4. The longest wait for dinner seating was 20 minutes announced (10 minutes
actual), and only because we wanted Impressions, our favorite room. This
cruise was 2800+ passengers (double capacity is 2200), so I have serious
reservations about the credibility of past posters who complained of longer
waiting times for much smaller manifests on this ship.

5. Kid's program was not up to our expectations, which contrasted to our
favorable feelings about NCL in this area in the past.

6. Casino, casino staff, cruise staff, entertainment were all topnotch.

7. Posters have negative reported the Dawn's buffet, but I found it to be one
of the best (if not the best) I have encountered for all 3 meals.
Juice and liquids offerings were lean and disappointing at buffets, but food
offerings were varied and good, some dishes downright excellent.

8. Restaurant Service: Impressions; very good.
Venetian; so-so
Aqua; Horrid (not bad staff, just
understaffed)

9. Room Steward: Ok, when they showed up, but too often well into the
afternoon, which is unacceptable. Again, not bad staff, but rather
understaffed.

10. 800+ children aboard, and yet mostly more well behaved than we have seen
on cruises with only 50 to 100 onboard. Good passenger mix, can't say any one
group predominated.

11. Drinking, party atmosphere, good times, etc. etc. etc.
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

Arne

  #2  
Old February 24th, 2004, 06:54 AM
Buddy Romaine
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Default Norwegian Dawn Cruise 02/15/04


When we sailed the Dawn 3 weeks ago, there were only 40 kids on the
ship..I guess it's the itinerary change...

On 24 Feb 2004 03:27:20 GMT, (ARNE UR) wrote:

10. 800+ children aboard, and yet mostly more well behaved than we have seen
on cruises with only 50 to 100 onboard. Good passenger mix, can't say any one
group predominated.


  #3  
Old February 24th, 2004, 03:15 PM
JTK
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Default Norwegian Dawn Cruise 02/15/04

no, more like February vacation week!

Buddy Romaine wrote:

When we sailed the Dawn 3 weeks ago, there were only 40 kids on the
ship..I guess it's the itinerary change...

On 24 Feb 2004 03:27:20 GMT, (ARNE UR) wrote:



10. 800+ children aboard, and yet mostly more well behaved than we have seen
on cruises with only 50 to 100 onboard. Good passenger mix, can't say any one
group predominated.







 




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