Norwegian Cruise Line

MV Norwegian Dawn

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Operator: Norwegian Cruise Line
Year Built / Last Refurbished: 2002 / 2002
Length / Tonnage: 956 / 92,000
Number of Cabins / Passengers: 1,120 / 2,240
Officers / Crew: Norwegian / International
Operating Area: Caribbean

Like her sister the NORWEGIAN STAR, the NORWEGIAN DAWN was delivered early by the shipyard and entered service in December 2002. Unlike her sister though, the forward portion of her hull is covered by, ...uh... innovative, artwork.

The artwork, depicting Norwegian Dawn's itinerary, runs on both sides of the hull with the starboard side featuring dolphins playing in Technicolor waves reflecting the ship's Caribbean itinerary from the port of Miami. The port side features New York City's leading lady, the Statue of Liberty, signifying the ship's groundbreaking Bahamas and Florida itinerary from the port of New York.

The ship's hull also features reproduced signatures of 20th Century masters Renoir, Matisse, Van Gogh, Monet and Pop icon Andy Warhol. NCL is installing a collection of original oil paintings by the Impressionist artists in its signature Le Bistro restaurant.

Elsewhere on the ship is a collection of Pop Art featuring original signed works by Warhol. The artwork is on loan from Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay's personal collection and will be displayed on the 2,240-passenger Norwegian Dawn.

The easiest way to describe the public areas of the NORWEGIAN DAWN is to take a tour of the ship beginning on the top deck and moving down through the rest of the ship. So here we go.

DECK 14 -The Bimini Bar and Grill is located midship here. The bar specilized in island drinks which are sold in a fun atmosphere of teak furniture and street lamps with a view of the pool.

DECK 13 - All the outdoor decks are made of rubber composite, and I don’t recall seeing any teak decking. The decks are very well designed, in a tiered arrangement both in the forward section facing the bow, and midship by the pool. It actually looks a little like a stadium with rows and rows of tiered deck chairs (ala CARNIVAL DESTINY). There is a Jacuzzi all the way up front with a great view.

Midship is the Star Bar, a very classy piano bar with leather chairs and a view of the pool. Aft of the Star Bar is the Steak House Restaurant.

Further aft is the T-Rex children's area and the Teen's Club. A selection of video games is also located nearby in the Video Zone.

DECK 12 - Forward is the Spinnaker Lounge and Bar. This is the longest bar on the STAR, and the view is over the bow. This is a very large lounge that is also used as a secondary show lounge for smaller shows like a singer or comedian.

Just aft on the port side are a series of conference rooms. These are state of the art and named after the famous Asian cities, The starboard side contains a beautiful Shuffle's Card Room and reading room. Both lounges feature floor to ceiling windows. In the center is a cinema and rather large Library. The Library was fully stocked with books and featured very comfortable seating.

Midship is the main pool area - the Oasis Pool. Aft of the pool is the Topsiders Bar and Grill and Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar. The entire area is decorated with large metal palm trees. At night, these light up and blink ala Carnival Cruise Line.

Further aft is the Garden Café and La Trattoria. La Trattoria is touted as an Italian dining area, but in fact it looks no different than the Market Café and is just an extension of this area. The Market Café is probably the most disappointing area of the ship. It looks very much like a cafeteria with vinyl floors, plastic chairs and tables, and wall coverings that look like oranges, apples and other fruit. The whole area came across as cold and cheap, and not suited to the style of the rest of the ship.

Further aft is the top level of the El Dorado Fitness Center. It is connected to the deck below by a semi-circle staircase and mini-atrium. The fitness center contained every piece of equipment you could ever want, plus a very attractive juice bar. There are interior windows that look down through the small atrium, but strangely enough, no exterior windows which make this area a little dark.

Outside and all the way aft is the T-Rex Kids pool which is quite popular with the young crowd..

DECK 11 - The lower half of the El Dorado Spa is located here all the way aft. Contrary to the fitness center, this area is completely surrounded by floor to ceiling windows facing the sea. This certainly ranks as one of the most beautiful spas at sea, complete with the longest indoor pool afloat. Separate men’s and women’s changing rooms, saunas, and steam rooms are offered. In addition, there is a beautiful lounge area for each sex in the port and starboard aft corners of the ship complete with aromatherapy.

The forward portion of Deck 11 and all of Deck 10 consist of passgners accomodations.

DECK 9 - Midship is the Internet Café. The area is operated by Digital Seas and equipment is state of the art. This area can only be accessed from stairs that lead up from the atrium area on Deck 8.

DECK 8 - Midship is Salsa's Restaurant. This rather large and noisy restaurant is actually the upper balcony of the atrium. The specialty is Tex-Mex and tapas and is one of the easier restaurants to get a reservation at, due to its size. Passenger accomodations occupy the remainder of Deck 8.

DECK 7 - Forward is the beautiful Stardust Theater. It’s almost all in red, with comfortable theater style seating. Individual air vents are located in the back of the chair in front of you!

Just aft of the show lounge is Dazzles Lounge and Night Club with its post-modern, techno-funk decor.

Moving further aft is the Sushi Bar, Bamboo Restaurant, and Teppanyaki Bar. All three of these areas essentially share the same space, and all look quite authentic and pleasing. The Sushi Bar has an open kitchen where you can watch the preparation. Teppanyaki is actually a private room that features one large cooking table such as you would find at a Benihana. I’m not quite sure how you would reserve it though. The entire area is open to another mini-atrium that looks down to Gatsby’s Bar below, and is connected by a staircase.

A long hall which includes the photo gallery leads to the Grand Atrium. The atrium is very attractive with fountains, four glass elevators, the reception deck, shore excursion office (port side), and a small sundry shop (starboard side). The center of the atrium is the raised Java Café. Coffee and baked goods are available here, and the seating area has a great view of all the action, complete with live music. The reception desk is open 24 hours and is fronted by an all white marble floor. Very attractive. Hanging from the ceiling is a large, retractable movie screen that is viewable from both the Java Café and the restaurant above. There are also fountains to each side of the glass elevators along with a sea of plastic flowers.

Continuing aft on the port side is the Pearly King's Pub. It’s pretty much the sports bar on the DAWN and looks like an authentic pub. In the same position but on the starboard side is the Blue Lagoon Restaurant. This small buffet restaurant is open 24 hours and is patterned after a diner. There are little tables and tiny round stools to sit on. This space is another left over from the original design for Star Cruises, and the small furniture seems like it was intended for the Asian market.

Moving all the way aft is the Galleria Shop. This is actually one large shop, which NCL calls a Department Store. Without a doubt, it is the largest shop afloat, as this space was originally intended to be the Casino (hence the lack of a single window). One unique feature is a café/bar directly in the shop.

DECK 7 - offers a wrap around promenade deck, again with rubber non-stick flooring. Instead of having plain, white steel bulkheads, there are whimsical paintings on all the bulkheads surrounding this deck.

DECK 6 - Forward is the lower half of the Stardust Theater. Entry is from two long and ornate hallways, complete with glass displays and chandeliers. At the entrance are two authentic looking ticket offices, as you would find at an old theater. Lots of little details everywhere you look.

Moving aft is Dawn Club Casino with the regular assortment of shipboard games and slot machines.

Further aft is Gatsby’s Champagne Bar, The Soho Room, The Wine Cellar, Havana Club, and Le Bistro. All these spaces are in the lower level of a mini atrium and compliment each other. Gatsby’s is the main bar area, and is very open and includes a piano. Right off of Gatsby’s is the Wine Cellar, which includes a small sitting area for wine tasting, and open displays showcasing all the wine. Very attractive looking. The Havana Club is a glass enclosed lounge for cocktails and cigars. Very much like Michaels Club on the Celebrity ships, the lounge features large ocean view windows. The entrance to the Impressions Restaurant is also off this area. One of the two main restaurants onboard, this restaurant features French cuisine similar to the same offered on other NCL ships. There is a partially open kitchen where some of the preparation can be viewed.

Walking aft down a long corridor past Le Bistro brings you to the first of the “included” restaurants onboard NORWEGIAN DAWN. It’s called the Aqua Restaurant, and is very attractive. The décor is similar to The SoHo Room, again very light, airy, with windows on both sides. The ceiling looks like a sky of twinkling stars. This restaurant is supposed to features a lighter, more contemporary menu.

All the way aft is the Venetian Restaurant. Entry to this restaurant is only from the aft staircase on Deck 7. The reason?, there is a large galley separating Venetian and the Aqua Restaurant that makes it impossible to pass through on Deck 6. The entrance to Venetian is via a grand staircase and the effect is stunning. Venetian is very ornate, and very French in décor. All the way aft are huge double height windows with an incredible view of the ships wake. Quite a beautiful setting to be sure. Venetian could be considered the “main” restaurant onboard NORWEGIAN DAWN, and there is no extra fee to dine here just like the Aqua Restaurant.

Last are the foyers, corridors and stairs. There are 12 large elevators and three stair towers onboard. Four of the elevators are glass enclosed. Each of the stair towers are a different color. Red, Blue and Green. This way you always know what part of the ship you are in. The cabin corridors are rather plain and void of any artwork. The cabin doors are steel and painted with a glossy paint that makes them look rather industrial. Too bad this small detail could not be improved upon.

With freestyle dining onboard the NORWEGIAN DAWN you have 10 restaurants to choose from, catering for every taste. You can eat when, where and with whomever you please. If you prefer the traditional way of dining, you need only see the Maitre d' to arrange a particular table at a set time that suits.

In general, the food is tasty and well presented. Service in most cases is very good, although it is more inconsistent than you might find on a non-freestyle ship. Food is cooked to order and you can "design your meal by selecting your own combination of these dishes in any order you wish".

There is a good selection of wine to choose from. In the main from America, with some French and Australian vintages. Bottles start at $18 and rise. There is a 'buy 4 bottles get 5th free' voucher one can obtain from a waiter during the first 4 nights. One must ensure all the 4 bottles are purchased on the same cabin account, preferably the same Sun Card to take advantage.

All staterooms on NORWEGIAN DAWN have a TV, refrigerator, safe, duvet, bathroom with shower and tea and coffee facilities. Most lower beds are convertible to a queen size bed. All suites and penthouses feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors with private balcony. All cabins are beautifully decorated and well designed.

For the money, the Category AF Mini-Suites are an excellent value. They are stunning with rich deep colors, dark woods, and beautiful fabrics. They also provide more closet and drawer space than the standard cabins. The bathroom in the mini-suites is of the same sectioned design, but with a bath tub instead of a shower.

If you are looking for more space you might want to consider a Romance Suite, Category AD. These rooms are just beautiful from top to bottom! Dark woods, expensive furnishings, flat screen TV, dressing area and a large bathroom. There is even a table and four chairs for dining. The walls are all covered with a rich, silk wallpaper. The aft facing balcony offers teak flooring and furnishings, and is a decent size.

If you really need some serious open spaces you can always book the Owner’s Suite, Category AA. There are two bathrooms and two balconies. One facing the side, and one with a forward view. The artwork and furnishings are truly unique and appear to be quite expansive. I noticed a satellite phone was provided, along with a laptop computer and flat screen TV. Another flat screen TV was located above the Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom!

Finally, if only the best will do you can book a Garden Villa on Deck 14. There are actually two of these, although they can be combined into one VERY large suite. The Garden Villa is actually six different cabins that share two very large living areas. These Villa’s are located at the very top of the ship, with floor to ceiling windows that face the sea and pool area. In addition, both Villas offer a private deck decorated like a Japanese Garden. Complimenting the private deck is a personal Jacuzzi for yourself and any friends you may meet! J I thought the deck area was beautiful, but I was disappointed in the use of plastic plants and flowers instead of the real thing. The individual cabins (or bedrooms if you will) offer all the amenities as described in the Romance Suites. They are also somewhat eclectic in décor, and will not appeal to everyone. The shared living area is huge, complete with bar, kitchen, pantry, grand piano, dining table, flat screen TV’s, and of course couches and chairs. All the furniture is very modern and unique. The view from the living area is directly over the main swimming pool.

Each of the six bedrooms/baths has it’s own door and key, and I assume they could be sold separately, although I’m not certain if NCL is doing that. There is also a main entrance to each of the Villa Suites through a glass and chrome door. If both suites are purchased as one, the entire area can be closed off from a door on the deck below, making it completely private. There would really be no reason to ever leave!

You are likely to find a great mix of Nationalities aboard, with the majority being American. There will also be a smattering of people from Europe and Canada. Newspapers in brief, in a number of languages are available by reception. The average age range is around 45, and you are likely to encounter many families during the summer and during school holidays.

From Miami, Norwegian Dawn will rotate an Eastern and Western Caribbean itinerary through May 3, 2003. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary calls at San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, USVI; Tortola, BVI and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The Western Caribbean itinerary calls at either Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

In May Norwegian Dawn repositions to New York on a 14-day cruise from Miami to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; St. Georges, Grenada; Roseau, Dominica; St. Thomas, USVI; Tortola, BVI; Newport, Rhode Island and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts before arriving in Manhattan.

With the introduction of free-style cruising, in our opinion the newer ships in the NCL fleet have lost some of the warmth of the past. With the wider variety of options it has become increasingly more difficult for the staff to get to know you - and you to get the know the staff and your fellow passengers. If you haven't cruised before, you will probably have a good, maybe even a great time on board the NORWEGIAN DAWN. If you are a veteran cruiser, you may find NCL's free-style approach lacking in terms of quality and service.