Norwegian Dawn - Cruise Ship - Tips and Advice?

Question

I will be going on the Norwegien Dawn cruise ship this May. It is my first cruise but I will be going with people who have already gone cruising before and love it.

I am looking for any tips or advice from people who have been on the Dawn before - Best/Worst things to do? Best/Worst food to try? I would especially like to hear any tips that cannot be found in a travel book - things I wouldn't know otherwise.

The cruise will be going to Bermuda and Nassau, Bahamas so please tell me of any great excursions or fun things to do at those places that are available through the cruiseline. (or tell me what not to do as well!)

Also, does anyone know the casino age requirement and the drinking age on the Dawn? (please answer this only if you've been on it in the past few months or work for the cruiseline).

Thanks!

Answer 1

I have to agree with tbugs:

NCL is a terrible cruise line. I got so turned off by them. Bottom line for me: Boat was filthy, crew was rude, ship activities sucked, nightlife was weak, drinks overpriced (tax and tips charged), casino bad, getting off the ship for ports of call was a nightmare, buffet food was gross, making dinner reservations was really hard (make them the first day to insure you can get a table), hidden charges (gratuity's).etc, etc.

Do your self a favor and research some other Cruise lines. I wish I had. I have heard much better things about other lines.

Answer 2

I hate to be negative but you definitely chose the worst cruise line for your first cruise.

Okay, the legal casino age and drinking age is 21.  You have a keycard that you use to buy drinks and if you are under 21, the keycard is a different color than those of 21 or older.  You will NOT be served.  If caught drinking under 21, you can be put off in the next port to find your own way home with no refund.

Bermuda is very nice.  It is like the climate of North Carolina so May will be good.  Beautiful beaches with pink coral sand.  Restaurants on shore are very expensive so try to eat on the ship when possible.

Nassau is not as nice.  The local people are constantly trying to sell you junky crafts and will wear you out saying NO.  Do not even think of buying drugs or you will be caught and very heavily fined.  If you do buy liquor ashore, it will be taken from you when you reboard the ship and kept until the evening before you leave the cruise.

NCL has the Freestyle Cruising.  Do take the opportunity to dress nice and use the main dining room.  Too many people just want to stay in shorts and tee shirts and only go to the buffet dining.

For shipboard food, it is very mediocre as far as cruiselines go.  Do have the veal marsala.  It is very good.  Lobster tail is a specialty on formal night.  You can ask for 2 or 3 tails if you wish and they will give it to you.  The filet mignon was always tasteless and tough.

You will want to take your own snorkel and mask along.  Do not bother with fins.  You can rent these things but I really do not trust the disinfecting methods.

The Norwegian Dawn has a bad history of having Norovirus outbreaks on it.  This is similar to very severe intestinal flu with "discharges from both ends" if you follow me.  It lasts about 3 or 4 days and ruins the vacation.  Take along plenty of Imodium and use hand sanitizer whenever you can.  Handshaking or using the hand rails is usually how it is spread.

Sorry about your choice of cruise line and ship.  I am sure you will have a pretty good time if you take simple precautions.

Answer 3

age required in the casino on the dawn is 18 same as drinking,if u r under age and u have PA u can have beer and wine only

Answer 4

In Nassau I would personally stay away from the flea markets as they are right their when you get off the ship so be aware and keep all your personal belongings close to you and as for excursions in Nassau you could do the Pirate adventure you go to different places but I think you have to find your own way back to the ship which wasnt that difficult or yo could do the Atlantis tour and some cruise lines you only get to go around it but on others you get to go inside Atlantis and all over the place iwht your tour and it was amazing so I would deffinately do that, if you can and you probably would want to come back to Nassau and stay at Atlantis because its just that cool. Its an amazing place.