If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Impressions of Norwegian Dawn | PegNDerek | Cruises | 34 | January 17th, 2004 10:28 PM |
Escape Winter Blues: Book A Cruise! | Ray Goldenberg | Cruises | 11 | January 7th, 2004 05:06 AM |
Carnival Corporation 4th Quarter Financials! | Ray Goldenberg | Cruises | 0 | December 18th, 2003 03:49 PM |
Cruise ships must pay their own way | [email protected] | Cruises | 20 | October 12th, 2003 03:17 AM |
Norwegian Dawn Cruise | Jonny Cochrane | Cruises | 1 | September 13th, 2003 07:11 PM |