Norwegian Dawn

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Norwegian Cruise Line®
Norwegian Dawn

SHIP OVERVIEW

Norwegian Dawn offers the ultimate Freestyle Cruising experience. Dine at Los Lobos Cantina, a sophisticated Mexican restaurant celebrating traditional flavours with a modern twist. Drop by The Cellars, a Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar for a wine tasting. Or take Lady Luck for a spin in the expansive Dawn Club Casino. Offering a wide range of spacious accommodation, there are staterooms to fit every size family and budget. Let Norwegian Dawn whisk you away to some of the dreamiest destinations around the world.

  • CRUISES
  • STATISTICS

STATISTICS

  • Year Built

    2002
  • Year Refurbished

    2005
  • Year Entered Present Fleet

    2002
  • Country of Registry

    The Bahamas
  • Tonnage (GRT)

    92250
  • PAX (basis 2)

    2340
  • Max Pax (inc. Uppers)

    2336
  • Passenger Decks

    11
  • Number of Crew

    1066
  • Officers' Nationality

    International
  • Cruise/Hotel Staff Nationality

    International

STATEROOMS

  • Suites

    173
  • Balcony

    0
  • Oceanview

    250
  • Oceanview No Balcony

    0
  • Oceanview With Balcony

    0
  • Balconies

    364
  • Interior

    383
  • Accessible

    20
  • Total Number of Accommodations

    1000
  • SUITE
  • BALCONY
  • OCEANVIEW
  • INSIDE

Deck Plans

SHIP REVIEWS

OVERALL RATING

4.1

Star Star Star Star Star
Based on 20 reviews

SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW

Cruise reviews reflect the opinions of travel editors and cruisers/ readers and may not represent those of our company.

SUBMIT A REVIEW

Perfect for what we wanted

MAY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Excellent staff, excellent entertainment, casual atmosphere

CONS

RECOMMENDED

Yes

This cruise ship was perfect for the type of cruise we took which was ports of call every day. The little more relaxed atmosphere is nice. It doesn’t have all the extras like water slides and rock walls or things like that but our whole group really liked that it was more quiet on the pool deck. You could find more upbeat areas if you wanted like in the bliss lounge with lots of group games etc. Some people wanted the more dress up feel at night but the10 of us that booked all loved that we didn’t have to work around and worry about dinner reservations or getting super dressed up after being out all day. We still got a little cleaned up for sure but it was less pressure in that area. Some food we didn’t love but that’s to be expected I’m sure. You could always find something you could enjoy. The staff in those areas was always great. Our room was basic but always very clean. The whole ship was very clean. We overall has a great experience!

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Norwegian Dawn Cruise Review

MAY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Great food and crew was very nice and helpful. Very clean and well maintained.

CONS

Not well organized. However it was their first cruise after Covid.

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Overall a good experience. The food was great and all the staff was nice but it just seemed like there wasn’t great communication and organization.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Review of Norwegian Dawn

JANUARY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

The Staff, the Staff and the Staff

CONS

None

RECOMMENDED

Yes

we enjoy the specialty dining as well as dining in the Venetian. the Staff takes care of the guests so wonderfully. We also enjoyed the nightly shows in the Stardust theater and especially enjoyed the comedian. The dancers and vocalist were amazing.WE also enjoy the Thermal suites for the quiet. I appreciate the cleanliness of the ship and I also feel safe. I enjoy seeing the beauty of the food as well.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

November Panama Canal Cruise Norwegian Dawn

DECEMBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Multiple ports, good food, activities, entertainment, ship size

CONS

None to speak of

RECOMMENDED

Yes

This was a 15 day repositioning cruise from New York City to Tampa, stopping at 9 ports (8 countries). Enjoyed entire experience. Staff was great. We had an inside cabin on deck 5 and had no problems w/noise or motion. Cabin was near a crew transit way, but they kept noise to a minimum. Lots of free dining options, food excellent and varied. Ate at one a la carte restaurant and food outstanding. Entertainment was varied. Ship's main singers and dance company, house band and dance band excellent. Also liked musicians who sang at different venues throughout ship. Plenty of ship board activities for days at sea. Casual cruise, not overly rigid w/dress codes and meals. Good size ship, 2,000+ guests. Took Norwegian shore excursions, which ran smoothly and were as advertised. Any delays or issues w/shore excursions were because of crew or staff. We ran late several times and ship waited for us. Overall, would recommend.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

January San Jaun Cruise

FEBRUARY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Good food, good entertainment, great itinerary, good excursions

CONS

Cabin (balcony) was small, mini-sites are better, cabins could be updated some, TV entertainment was limited unlike other NCL ships we have been on

RECOMMENDED

No

<div>Would recommend but get a mini-suite or larger if possible.</div>

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Best Cruise Ever

DECEMBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Ship, crew, food, entertainment, ports, excursions, easy on and off

CONS

We didn’t get double NCL points when booking.

RECOMMENDED

Yes

We’ve been on several NCL cruises and this was the best. (11 day southern Caribbean). San Juan is a great starting point and we stayed at a B&B for two nights. Ship is in fine shape and crew was outstanding. Entertainment was top notch, food was great, service was first rate. Much more personal attention and fun than a mega ship. Excursions were very good with two caveats: 1) if you scuba dive, book your own dives through local shops. We used VIP diving in Bonaire and it was fantastic. 2) Do not go on the horseback riding at the beach excursion in St. Maarten—NCL should drop this one. We will definitely do this cruise again!

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Boston cruise

SEPTEMBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

The crew was extremely courteous, and the shows at night were really good

CONS

The cabin's were clean but the window we had was so dirty we could hardly see through it

RECOMMENDED

No

Again, it was sad that we paid for the window cabin and it was gross , couldn't hardly see through it. We asked for it to be washed and they washed it on the inside but all the dirt was on the outside, maybe between the panes . The last port , la Baie, wasn't much there and the hop on hop off tour was poor, couldn't understand the guide and getting on and off was confusing. We spent extra time in Boston and it was well worth it although the rooms were expensive and not very nice. We spent extra time in Quebec, the rooms were reasonable and extremely nice. All in all, we had a good time.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

We travel to gamble

MARCH

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Great room service real great butler and conclierge was every place we whent

CONS

Half crew was new not good for gambling

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Never leave out of Tampa / Pri0rity disembarkation very poor /priority embarkation very poor I think most of the problem was the port not the ship.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Great Trip

APRIL

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Service was great staff extremely friendly and helpful

CONS

Not enough restrooms

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Had an amazing time would recommend to my friends and i will be causing again

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

NORWEGIIAN DAWN REVIEW

MARCH

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

THE BEST PART WAS THE STAFF AND THE ENTERTAINMENT GIO AS A VERY GOOD CRUSE DIRECTOR

CONS

THE WORST PORT WAS GETTING HOME.THE TERMINAL WAS SO HOT INSIDE

RECOMMENDED

Yes

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

NCL Dawn

MARCH

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Nice mini suite, good food in main dining rooms and Cagney's steakhouse

CONS

no nightly comedy acts, mediocre entertainment, tender at one port

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Tender process extremely slow (over two hours) - shortened our excursion time to the point that it was almost not worth getting off ship. No one seemed to care that it was taking so long...... Not sure I like Freestyle Dining - missed having that relationship with wait staff when you have assigned seating at dinner - didn't get to know any of them!!

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Western Carribean Gulf of Mexico

JANUARY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Excellent excursions, varied entertainment, good food

CONS

Service staff seemed unhappy, no covered pool or spa

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Seemed like the staff was tired and unhappy. Found out they work non-stop without a day off.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE

MAY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

CONS

RECOMMENDED

No

THE SHIP WAS BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED AND EASY TO FIND THE SPECIFIC AREAS. TOWARDS THE END OF THE 10 DAY CRUISE THEY SEEMED TO FORGET TO CLEAN THE POOL WHICH WAS VERY SLICK. WE FOUND OUT IT WAS GOING INTO BERMUDA TO BE COMPLETELY REFURBISHED. THE ROOM WAS LARGE, BUT THE PATIO WAS VERY SMALL. NO TABLE BUT 2 LOUNGE CHAIRS THAT TOOK UP ALL THE ROOM. THE RESTAURANT SERVICE WAS GOOD ONE DAY BUT HORRIBLE THE NEXT. THE FIRST NIGHT THE WAITER ACTED LIKE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE NEXT NIGHT IN AQUA IT WAS MUCH BETTER. OUR ROOM STEWART GEORGE WAS VERY GOOD.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Great trip all around

MARCH

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Comfortable clean room, delicious/plentiful food selections, variety of enjoyable entertainment, great service

CONS

Bottled water was pricey!

RECOMMENDED

Yes

First time Norwegian cruisers and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Didn't understand their term "freestyling" until we experienced it, but it's perfect for us! No specific time for dinner and nice casual dress acceptable so no need to dress up unless you want to. Will cruise with Norweigan again!

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Norwegian Dawn by the Waltons

NOVEMBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Excellent cabin service and overall staff were friendly and efficient , showed the Patriots game

CONS

Long waits for elevators, food just ok, smokey casino, cabins smaller than Holland America

RECOMMENDED

No

Not sure if we would take another cruise

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Trip To Bermuda

MAY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Intertainment was great!

CONS

Food can be better, closing buffet line to quick, no snacks after midnight

RECOMMENDED

No

need to keep the maintenance up. Elevators not working, Ladies room always overflowing on deck 6. Coffee makers not working on buffet line.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Canadian Maritimes Cruise

SEPTEMBER

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Great itinerary, great room service, good food, beautiful ship

CONS

Unresponsive cruise consultant, confusing meal reservation system, few/no cultural talks about ports, late starting shore excursions/tender boat confusion, lackluster cruise director

RECOMMENDED

Yes

Overall this was a good cruise. Norwegian, however, seems to be all about the ship and its amenities and not about the various ports' geography, history, and culture. This is the real reason we cruise. We recommend this trip, but with the concerns mentioned above.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Boston to Bermuda

JULY

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

The size of the ship...and our cabin!

CONS

Mexican food day and too many smoking areas

RECOMMENDED

Yes

We had a fantastic time! The entertainment was spectacular and our cabin attendant was the best! For the most part, the food was great. ..they should really do away with the Mexican food day. ..that was terrible! The ship was always clean and very pretty. We will sail NC again.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

NCL Dawn

APRIL

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Overall good

CONS

Needs to handle food lines and disembarkation at ports more efficiently.

RECOMMENDED

Yes

<div>Good overall</div>

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

Tampa to Western Carribean

MARCH

Star Star Star Star Star

PROS

Freestyle cruising concept; very interesting shore excursions.

CONS

They are constantly selling products/services everywhere on the ship and on shore - We had to constantly defer/resist and we think it is contrary to the Freestyle "laid-back" concept.

RECOMMENDED

Yes

It was Spring Break and there were hundreds of college students on the ship; they were mainly well-behaved and since we retired each evening around 10 before the late-night partying, we co-existed with them quite well. However, seeing some of the pigsty staterooms as we passed by in the corridors, we felt great sympathy for the cabin staff members who had to clean it up each day.

SCORECARD

  • Staff

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Dining

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Entertainment

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Activities

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Cabins/Staterooms

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Itinerary/Ports

    Star Star Star Star Star
  • Value

    Star Star Star Star Star

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