Norwegian Dawn Reviews

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Overview Dining Cabins Entertainment Casino Fitness / Recreation Spa Kids Shopping Dress Code Gratuity / Tipping

Overview

NCL's newest ship, Norwegian Dawn, is now sailing round-trip from New York to the Bahamas year-round. It's the ultimate cruise combination of Caribbean beaches, theme parks and Norwegian Cruise Lines' private island paradise all from the convenience of New York City all year long! Fabulous ports include Orlando (Port Canaveral), Miami, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay.

Enjoy Freestyle Cruising onboard the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship and the best of Freestyle Dining featuring 10 exclusive restaurants offering everything from Asian to French to Italian Cuisine, an opulent 5,350 square foot Garden Villa, ideal for the ultimate reunion for family and friends.

This Art Makes an Impression. No other ship anywhere in the world can offer its guests a more significant collection of rarely seen original art. Imagine stepping out of the Stardust Theater after an evening of world-class entertainment, and discovering Romero Britto’s whimsical “Flowers for You” hanging right outside the door. Or, they may be surprised to find Andy Warhol’s complete “Flowers” or “Mao” displayed. At almost every turn, the great works of Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Pop-Art are to be discovered on this spectacular Norwegian ship.

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Dining

Aboard Norwegian Dawn you'll discover NCL has rolled out the red carpet for its guests. This is Freestyle Cruising at its finest. NCL has created a dining atmosphere that's as free-spirited as the islands and cities we visit. NCL guests can not only select from 10 spectacular restaurants with cuisine choices from all around the world, they also have the freedom to dine whenever they want. They're welcome to come early and stay late because NCL's evening hours extend from 5:30 'til midnight. For casual dining NCL has two cafés that offer savory choices around the clock and 24-hour room service. And guests are encouraged to dress according to their style, not NCL's. There are optional formal nights, and throughout the cruise, resort casual attire is always appropriate for dinner.

Norwegian Dawn's roster of 10 restaurants has a very international flavor. The fact is, no other cruise line has more Freestyle dining choices. From the French elegance of Le Bistro to the exotic Asian allure of Bamboo, the Dawn will treat its guests to a world of culinary options. Here's your inside pass to the newest, most tempting selection of Freestyle dining on the high seas.

IMPRESSIONS
Contemporary Cuisine
The grand hotels of Europe filled their walls with the work of the great masters. This retro-restaurant has wall-size reproductions of Impressionist artwork evoking Paris in the 1900s. The extravagant menu offers delicious choices both traditional and modern.

BAMBOO A TASTE OF ASIA
Japanese Cuisine & Teppanyaki Room An elegant adventure into the world of gourmet Asian dining. A world-class experience of the finest Japanese-Thai-Chinese cuisine brings to guests the choice of a sushi and sashimi bar, a teppanyaki room and authentic Asian dishes.

LE BISTRO
French/Mediterranean Restaurant
While enjoying an intimate meal at Le Bistro, one could easily imagine sitting in a charming café on the Champs Èlysées. But the menu also reflects many delicious Mediterranean influences, it's clever mix of traditional specialties and inventive signature dishes has made Le Bistro "le favorite." Enjoy the best seat in the house as a Maître d' prepares a traditional Caesar salad tableside. Then get ready to say, "C'est bon!" $10 per person cover charge.

AQUA
Contemporary Cuisine
The cool, clean lines of this modern restaurant combined with its contemporary cuisine create an ambiance of upscale city dining. Aside from the regular menu, a variety of exclusive President's Menu selections can always be found. The chefs have also teamed up with Cooking Light® magazine to offer a variety of dishes which are low in cholesterol, salt, and fat yet high in flavor. The ever-changing selections include Baked Flounder with Thai Scallion Sauce, Sauteed Veal Scallopini topped with Crabmeat and Sauce Bearnaise, and a Red Currant Glazed Pork Chop served with Root Vegetables.

VENETIAN
Traditional Cuisine
This elegant restaurant is reminiscent of an ornate French château, where master chefs prepare a sumptuous feast. Every artfully presented course is a delight to the senses. The traditional yet highly sophisticated dishes served include a wonderful Broiled Caribbean Lobster Tail, Duck â l'Orange, and Filet of Beef Wellington. An extensive wine selection makes it easy to choose the perfect complement to your meal.

CAGNEY'S
Steak House
Aged, prime beef cooked at a searing temperature results in some of the most succulent steaks and prime rib meals anywhere. Choose from a menu of steaks, filet mignon, prime rib, lamb, fresh seafood and grilled chicken dishes.

* Specialty Restaurant, w/ cover charge

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Cabins

All cabins on Norwegian Dawn have a TV, refrigerator, safe, duvet and bathroom with shower. Lower beds are convertible to a queen-sized bed. All suites and penthouses feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors with private balcony.

Garden Villa
Spectacular 5,750 sq ft Garden Villa complete with living room, dining room and three separate bedrooms each with king- or queen-size bed, private luxury bath and CD/DVD library. Two bedrooms also feature a full bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. Each Villa features a private garden with hot tub, outdoor dining area and terrace. Butler service and concierge available.

Complimentary Limousine Service
As a guest in one of NCL's Garden Villas aboard Norwegian Dawn, you will enjoy a complimentary limousine from the pier to the airport at the conclusion of your cruise. All arrangements will be made for you on board by your personal concierge, one limousine per Villa.

Owner's Suite
With over 740 sq ft, these suites include a living room, private balconies, dining room, separate bedroom with king-size bed, mini bar, CD/DVD library and luxury bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. Butler service and concierge available.

Mini-Suite
Sitting area, private balcony, two lower beds that convert to a queen-size bed, and luxury bath and shower. (Handicapped cabins have a shower only.) Concierge available.

Oceanview Cabin with Balcony
Two lower beds, sitting area, floor-to-ceiling glass door opens to private balcony.

Inside Cabin
Combines luxury and comfort with value. Two lower beds that convert to a double, complete with TV and refrigerator.

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Entertainment

The Oasis Pool
Designed with all the amenities of a resort, the Oasis Pool is flanked by Topsiders Pool Bar, Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar, ample sunning area, hot tubs and casual poolside dining.

The Library
An elegant quiet place to enjoy your favorite readings.

Shuffles Card Room
Card room.

Cinema
Screening the latest release movies or video presentations for corporate and incentive groups.

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Casino

Dawn Club Casino
NCL lets the good times roll at their Casinos at Sea. Novices and veterans alike will enjoy Roulette, Blackjack, Craps, Let It Ride® and Caribbean Stud Poker.TM NCL's slots and video poker machines provide more exciting opportunities than ever.

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Fitness / Recreation

Lap Pool and Jacuzzi
The longest indoor pool on a cruise vessel.

El Doral Fitness Center
Work Out with an aerobics class in the 24-hour fitness center, or Chill Out in our El Dorado Spa.

Basketball Court
The Court is mainly used for Basketball with 2 sessions of Volleyball every sailing.

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Kids

T-Rex Kid's Center & Teen Club / Disco
There's a colossal amount of fun in this zone designed just for kids. There's a cinema, computer, and an arts & crafts section. There are quietspaces with a nursery and a sleep/rest area too.

T-Rex Kid's Pool
Designed with all the amenities of a resort, the T-Rex Kid's Pool is flanked by Topsiders Pool Bar, Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar, ample sunning area, hot tubs and casual poolside dining.

Video Zone Video Arcade.

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Shopping

Galleria Shops
Large department store offering a wide selection of branded & choice items.

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Dress Code

Freestyle Cruising gives you the freedom to dress as you please. So come as you are. No need to check for a suggested dress code in the ship's Freestyle Daily as you would on traditional cruises. Resort casual attire is always appropriate morning, noon and night. If you like, you can slip into a pair of khakis and a polo shirt, a skirt and blouse or a sundress for dinner. NCL does not allow jeans, T-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, bare feet, etc. in any of the restaurants at dinner.
For those who do love to dress to the nines and get that annual formal portrait photography done, there is one optional formal evening in at least one of the main restaurants on every cruise; at least two formal evenings on longer cruises. This means black tie or dark suit for gentlemen and evening gown or cocktail dress for ladies. But remember, on formal evenings you can always choose to dine in one of the other restaurants instead and enjoy some of the other lounges and leave your dressier clothes at home.
In warm climates, shorts, slacks, sundresses, jeans and tops - and of course a swimsuit and cover-up are all appropriate daytime attire. Air conditioning can feel chilly, so pack a sweater. Because weather is difficult to predict, in cooler climates dressing in layers is the best approach. For visits to places of worship, check your Freestyle Daily for attire guidelines. Be sure to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, too. Other essentials: sunglasses, a sun hat or visor and sunscreen. Don't forget to bring prescription medicines in original containers and an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Carry valuables and medication in a handbag you keep with you at all times.

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Gratuity / Tipping

SERVICE CHARGE
A fixed service charge of $10 per person, per day will be added to your onboard account. For children ages 3-12, a $5 per person per day charge will be added to your onboard account; there is no charge for children under the age of three. NCL's crew is encouraged to work together as a service team and is compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that the service charge supports. It is NCL's earnest wish that you enjoy your Freestyle Cruise experience and that the entire crew in all areas of the ship will provide you with the standard of service for which NCL is known. Therefore, if you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please bring them to the immediate attention of our reception desk staff on board so that we can address any issues in a timely manner before the cruise is over.

Both NCL and NCL America have a structured guest satisfaction program on board designed to handle any concerns raised by the guests relating to the service or on board product quickly and efficiently. In almost all cases they are able to come up with a satisfactory solution to any issues which are raised and make sure the guests can focus on enjoying their cruise vacation. In the unlikely event we cannot satisfactorily resolve the issue through the guest satisfaction program, guests will be able to adjust the service charge according to the level of inconvenience they feel they have experienced. NCL's clear priority is to have the opportunity of resolving the issue, when it happens, to everyone’s complete satisfaction.

GRATUITIES
Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on NCL America or Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Guests should not feel obliged to offer a gratuity for service that is generally rendered to all guests.

However, all of the staff is encouraged to "go the extra mile", and so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities entirely at the discretion of the guests who wish to acknowledge particular staff members for exceptional or outstanding service. In other words, there is genuinely no need to tip but you should feel free to do so if you have a desire to acknowledge particular individuals. Also, certain staff positions provide service on an individual basis to only some guests. NCL encourage's those guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. For example, for guests purchasing bar drinks the recommended gratuity is 15 percent. Similarly, for guests using concierge and butler services, NCL recommend's they consider offering a gratuity commensurate with services rendered.

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