Norwegian Dawn - NCL

Overview

NCL's Norwegian Dawn entered service in 2002 and was specifically designed to accommodate their unique Freestyle Cruising concept. The 91,740 ton ship boasts 1,112 cabins and 11 passenger decks.

In 2008 its schedule includes 7-night cruises from New York to Bermuda (Kings Wharf).

Accommodation

The Norwegian Dawn offers 1112 staterooms and suites (145 suites, 364 ocean view staterooms with balcony, 250 ocean view staterooms with no balcony, and 353 inside staterooms).

Staterooms vary but typically include:

Television
Safe
Sitting area
Bathroom with shower and toiletries
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea making facilities

Suites usually have the above plus:

Floor to ceiling glass doors
Private balcony
Separate sitting/dining area
DVD player
Butler/concierge service

Dining

NCL operates a policy of Freestyle Dining. This means:

No fixed times for dinner. Take your seat between 5.30 pm and 10 pm.
Open-seating dining.
Dress how you want. One restaurant each is reserved for those that want to dress formally.
NCL also operates its unique Freestyle Dining Ashore Programme.

The main restaurants on the Norwegian Dawn are the Venetian, Aqua and Impressions. There are cover charges in Bamboo, Cagney’s Steak House and Le Bistro.

Aqua – Offers a light, contemporary menu. Seats 312.
Bamboo – A Taste of Asia – Includes a sit-down pan-Asian restaurant, teppanyaki room, and all-you-can eat sushi and sashimi bar. Cover charge $10 Asian menu, $15 sushi, $20 teppanyaki).
Bimini Grill – Burgers and pizzas on Deck 14.
Blue Lagoon – 24-hour food court.
Cagney’s Steak House – Upscale 1930s-style steak house. Cover charge $20 or $30 for upgraded menu (Surf and Turf, whole lobster, Porterhouse steak etc.).
Garden Café – Offers omelettes, waffles, fruit, soups, ethnic specialities and pasta. Seats 426 guests.
Impressions – Casual Italian restaurant.
Le Bistro French Restaurant – French restaurant featuring original artwork by Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet and Renoir. Cover charge $15. Seats 90.
Room Service – Available 24 hours a day. No charge.
Salsa Tapas Bar – Tex-Mex tapas. Seats 112.
Venetian – Ornate restaurant offering a 5-course menu. Seats 468.

Entertainment & Public Areas

Bimini Bar & Grill – Key West-style beach bar serving snacks and cocktails. Located on Deck 14.
Cinema & Auditorium – Shows the latest movies.
Dawn Club Casino – Roulette, blackjack, craps and Caribbean stud poker. Accommodates 312.
Dazzles Lounge & Nightclub – Hi-tech style lounge and nightclub on Deck 7.
Gatsby’s Champagne Bar – Art deco-style champagne bar.
Havana Club – Small lounge offering hand-rolled premium cigars, cognacs and spirits.
Java Café – Speciality coffees, teas, pastries and cookies.
Library – Small but well-stocked library. Lends books to passengers free of charge.
Lifestyles Room
Pearly Kings Pub – Traditional English pub with pool tables, beer on tap, and large screen TVs.
Port Room – Quiet room for relaxation.
Shuffles Card Room – Games room (bridge, chess, checkers, Scrabble etc.)
Spinnaker Lounge – Venue for the late night disco.
Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar – Next to the Oasis Pool.
Star Bar – Located on Deck 13, the Star Bar overlooks the Oasis Pool. Ocean views and live piano music.
Stardust Theatre – Main show lounge spanning three decks. Accommodates 1,037 guests.
Topsiders Bar – Next to the Oasis Pool.
Writing & Reading Room – Quiet spot on Deck 12 with ocean views.

Spa & Fitness

Basketball/Volleyball Court – Outdoor sports court on Deck 14.
El Dorado Fitness Centre – Full-service gym open 24 hours. Aerobics/fitness classes daily.
El Dorado Spa- Full-service beauty salon and spa.
Golf Driving Nets – Deck 13 features 2 golf driving nets.
Hot Tubs
Jogging/Walking Track – 360-yard jogging track.
Lap Pool & Jacuzzi
Oasis Pool – The Norwegian Dawn’s main swimming pool. 456 seats and 206 sun lounges.

Other

Boardroom & Meeting Rooms – The Norwegian Dawn has four meeting rooms seating 10-12 persons. (Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok).
Chapel – Available for weddings and vow renewals. Accommodates 27.
Galleria Shops – Department store offering a wide variety of brands.
Internet Café - $0.75/minute. 250 minutes for $100, 100 minutes for $55.
Port o’ Call – Shop.
Wine Cellar – Wine tasting and sales.

Kid Stuff

T-Rex Kid’s Centre – Activities for children. Includes a cinema, nursery, sleep/rest area, computer centre, and arts & crafts area.
T-Rex Kid’s Pool – Dinosaur-themed children’s pool with slides, paddling pool and hot tub.
Teen Club – Teen hangout decorated in the style of a 1950s diner.
Video Zone – Video games arcade on Deck 13.

Effective January 2007 NCL does not allow infants less than 6 months old to sail on any of its ships.

Reader Reviews and Additional Information

Sarah :

This was so much more helpful than any other review I had so far. I have now decided to take this trip. The Freestyle dining was confusing until I read this page. I'm ready to GO!

Bianca :

The cruise is awsome!