Norwegian Dawn, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, is a medium-sized ocean resort ship launched in 2002 and last refitted in 2024. It accommodates up to 2,290 guests across 1,170 cabins. Passengers can count on 1,032 crew members to assist them while on board.
Ships of this size combine a good range of facilities with a comfortable, less busy onboard environment. Families with children can sail on board Norwegian Dawn.
On board, 13 restaurants and eating venues, including five complimentary venues and eight available for a supplement, are on offer. Guests can choose from French, Asian and Japanese cuisine. There are also nine bars and lounges for guests to enjoy.
Entertainment aboard Norwegian Dawn comes in many forms. Options available to guests include onboard shopping, a video zone arcade and the dawn casino.
Norwegian Dawn has 1,170 cabins across 27 accommodation categories. That includes inside and outside options. Amenities vary across the tiers, with higher-category cabins including a generous array of extra perks. But across the board, you'll still experience the signature Norwegian Cruise Line approach to quality and service.
A thoroughly enjoyable cruise. The Norwegian Dawn is a little old now but is still a great cruise ship.
On the whole we really enjoyed this cruise. The staff were exceptional and quality of service and friendliness was really high. The cabins are a bit small but still pleasant to use. Boarding was efficient and friendly and were on board within 40 minutes of arriving at the terminal.
Food was of a high standard in the main restaurant although the buffet was not quite as good, but certainly acceptable. Most evenings we ate in the main dining room and were pleased with the food quality, choice and service. We also twice ate in the Bamboo restaurant and throughly enjoyed our meal both times - if you like Chinese/Asian food we can definitely recommend this.
We ate in two of the specialty restaurants. The first was the Cagneys Steakhouse. An exceptionally good meal with excellent service. We would definitely eat there again and although it was included in our package, we would pay to eat there. The second specialty restaurant we ate in was Le Bistro which was rather disappointing. The service was still great but the food was quite ordinary. Although we didn't complain, we did tell the Maitre D when asked about our meal and he seemed only a little concerned. We really felt that we should have been offered some level of compensation for a very ordinary meal with an extra cost that was not as good as eating in the main dining room.
Our only criticism of the whole cruise was the noise level. All the bands and musical acts were extremely loud and the performance in the theatre was way above 110 decibels when 90 decibels is usually regarded as a safe maximum. Having a 'quiet' drink in any of the bars was impossible and it was very difficult to have any conversation. we mentioned this to the Cruise Director and her comment was that the levels were set by ' head office' and couldn't be reduced. We know of at least 50 other guests who complained about the noise level. In fact it made some evenings unpleasant.
However, the positives definitely outweighed the negatives and we will definitely cruise with NCL and on the Dawn again.
A packed itinerary covering 8 Scandinavian and Baltic countries gave us a whistle stop adventure around the area. The only disappointment had been the withdrawal of the overnight stay in St Petersburg. The ship was only about 1/3 full, presumably because of the Covid hangover. This limited certain aspects of the ship’s operations, but meant we had very attentive staff. The outside cabin was as expected with sufficient space for 2 weeks belongings. The bathroom was great with the shower and toilet both having doors for privacy if needed. It was our first trip with NCL, but it won’t be our last.
Overall cruise a disappointment
Itinerary changes spoiled cruise content
Food very good
Service very good
Entertainment poor with exception of their star show Elements which was excellent
McNamara singer very good turn
Promotion of deposit overpowering and an obvious company priority
Itineraries obviously with foreign passengers particularly USA in mind without consideration to uk customers with most cruises leaving UK ports but ending up elsewhere with little consideration of costs involved.
No relaxation lounges
Great cruise, possibly helped by the ship being less than half full due to fears over covid and the war in Ukraine. Good food, staff and accommodation.
Would definitely cruise with NCL again!
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This ship is a treasure not to be missed! Step aboard Norwegian Jewel® and discover elegant décor, modern comforts, and a relaxed vibe. Cruise to unforgettable destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, and Canada & New England.
Ready to follow the sun instead of a timetable? Featuring a classic design and elegant interiors, Norwegian Sun® offers you a refined atmosphere for exploring top destinations worldwide.
The Ultimate JoyrideGet ready for the ultimate joyride with Norwegian. Come aboard Norwegian Joy® and discover everything that awaits you on board. A variety of staterooms, adults-only Vibe Beach Club and the Thermal Suite at Mandara Spa — all dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation.
Ready to break away from your everyday routine? As one of our larger ships, Norwegian Breakaway® offers everything you need to feel a world away whilst cruising to top destinations. Take a Caribbean cruise and swim with dolphins, step back into history on a Mediterranean Cruise, or just enjoy relaxing days on a Transatlantic voyage.
Norwegian Escape® offers the ultimate playground at sea for all ages. Take hanging out to new heights on the ropes course and dare to walk the plank, which extends eight feet over the side of the ship.
Searching for the ideal retreat? Discover a sea of possibilities on Norwegian Getaway®. Enjoy the best seat in the house at any table along the quarter-mile promenade, The Waterfront, where delicious cuisine, unique bars and lounges, and breathtaking sunsets await. Savour a wide array of complimentary and speciality dining, including our signature French restaurant. Hang with your crew at the action-packed Sports Complex and Ropes Course. Experience the thrill of The Whip and Free Fall water slides. Or slow things down—way down—with a massage at Mandara Spa.
Relive unforgettable moments aboard the newly enhanced Norwegian Encore — built for “Again! Again!”. Race around the Encore Speedway, unwind in the Thermal Suite’s sauna or salt room, and raise your glass to panoramic views at the Observation Lounge.
