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So much fun! by
A Traveler from Cambridge, MA Sailing date: May 2012I went on this cruise with my fiance, and we loved it! There were a lot of older people (we're in our late 20s) but this didn't bother us because we weren't really trying to meet new people -- we kept to ourselves and had a really nice time. The freestyle format was really great for this because we didn't have an assigned dinner table or time. It was wonderful to be in the same port for 3 days -- we felt that we got see and do a lot in that time (and we loved that there was no curfew at night, so we could come and go as we pleased). We liked the shows, but weren't so much into the other activities. We played trivia a couple of times, but other than that, we mostly read outside or watched movies in our room. We would both choose Norwegian again! Dining/FoodOverall, I was very pleased with most of the food. We typically ate dinner in one of the main dining rooms, and more often than not, we got delicious meals. Not every single thing on the menu was delicious, but I would say that I really liked about 80% of what I ate. We tended to eat steak and fish, and both tended to be very yummy (although once my fiance ordered a chicken dish and it was pretty bland). For our other meals, we would generally go to the buffet or the BBQ outside, both of which were very good with a lot more options than the main dining rooms (lower quality food, but more flavorful). We also did one meal in one of the specialty restaurants and it was AMAZING. However, it was fine as a one-time thing -- eating at the regular places most of the time was perfectly fine.  7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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  What a Fabulous Time! by
Gary E from Roanoke, VA Sailing date: Jan 2010Pros: Our lovely spacious stateroom, friendly staff, cleanliness of ship, great enterainment, delicious food, attractive ship, multitude of activities, tours available, ease of boarding and deembarking Cons: The amount of time it took to get started on our tours wasted our time in the ports. We did not have enough time to shop or sight see after our scheduled activity. We were on the Norwegian Dawn for a 5-day trip to the Western Carribean. It was my first cruise and I/we were very impressed. Our room had a sitting room and deck which was wonderful; in bed at night I loved looking out at the ocean and hearing the waves. The ship was very attractive, clean and accessible for the number of people on board. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The evening entertainment was excellent although there was not enough time to take in the multitude of daily activities I would have enjoyed, especially with the inviting Oasis pool area. The tours available were varied and extensive. We chose to snorkel with the stingrays and turtle farm in Grand Cayam and enjoyed both immensely. In Cozumel, we went to Tuman which also enjoyed very much. Our tour guides were very knowledgeable and entertaining. We are also impressed with the ease of boarding and deembarking. Our only complaint was not enough time in port. It took so long to leave the ship that 1/3 of the day was over. We would have preferred to leave at 8:00 am and have some some at the end of our tours to shop and sight see. Ship QualityPlease see above Dining/FoodPlease see above Stateroom QualityPlease see above Ship Staff QualityWe had the cutest wait staff, willing to take our picture several times to get it right, and go to another restaurant at lunch to get me cottage cheese which wasn't served there. Entertainment & Activities
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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A fabulous cruise by
Nancy Z. from Bend, OR Sailing date: Mar 2009Pros: The ship Cons: All the specialty restaurants required a cover charge. I have never taken a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines before but I certainly will in the future. The Ship was immaculate, the service was outstanding, the food was delicious and the entertainment was the best. Ship QualityThe ship was of top quality. It was very clean. Our stateroom was on the 11th deck and we were close to everything. Dining/FoodWe ate in the main dining room and the buffet. There was so much variety to choose from. It was attractively prepared and displayed and it was delicious. We are vegetarians and had many choices. We did not eat in the specialty restaurants. Stateroom QualityThe stateroom was small but well appointed and comfortable. The steward kept it in pristine condition. Ship Staff QualityOur room steward was very good. The cruise director was outstanding. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe Jean Ann Ryan dance troup presented 3 shows and they were wonderful. The rest of the entertainers were very good. 
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Road Town, Tortola, B.V.I.We took the Sage Mountain Hike and Beach excursion. The open air taxi ride on the narrow, windy road to Sage Mountain was "exhilarating." We hiked in the Sage Mountain National Park and had wonderful views of the port. Then we snorkeled in a beautiful bay.
Cayo Levantado (Samana), Dominican RepublicWe went on the Hike, Bike and Kayak excursions and it was nice. We took an open air "taxi" through the countryside and then took a bike ride and a hike. We ended with a swim and a kayak trip on a beautiful tropical beach.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.The Castaway Girl Sail and Snorkel was the highlight excursion. We sailed to a small off-shore island and then snorkeled in a beautiful coral reef. On the 45 minute sail back the crew kept us supplied with delicious run punches.
13 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
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Very relaxed and affordable. by
Tracy from Farmingdale, NY Sailing date: Aug 2006Pros: Spa was great. Unbelieveable and would do it again. Entertainment & Activities
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Would Do It Again! by
A Traveler from Boston, MA Sailing date: Jul 2012Pros: Itinerary, Food and Entertainment Cons: rough sailing 1 day Norwegian Dawn's cruise to Bermuda is terrific! The staff is top notch and the entertainment is among the best I've ever seen on a cruise. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodExcellent buffet and restaurant dining Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityExceptional Entertainment & ActivitiesEntertainment (especially the last night) incredible 6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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worst experience ever by
A Traveler from Philadelphia Sailing date: Mar 2010Pros: nothing Cons: food, room Stinky toilet
Only 1 free restaurant, 9 others charge cover charges (5 free and 5 charge on Jewel 3 years ago). Cover changes are $15 - $25 now instead of $10 - $15.
Same menu every day except one new entre in the free restaurant.
No more cilantro or green scallions after first 30 minutes for soup in buffet area. Even Refuse to replenish when asked for.
No buffet from 4:30 5:30 pm (when most people back on ship).
Really bad ice scream.
Annoying promotion/sales announcement all day.
Leaking ceiling in hall way and restaurant. Ship Quality
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Entertainment & ActivitiesNightly show is pretty good. But just 1 hour out of 24. Children's Programs
8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Wonderful Cruise by
Max B from Brooklyn, NY Sailing date: Sep 2010Pros: Entertainment, freedom to enjoy it at your own pace, ports of call Cons: Tendering to shore............ The Dawn is a beautiful ship, lots of things to do onboard, entertainment was wonderful, staff very friendly and helpful throughout the ship. Ship Quality
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Bar Harbor, MaineBeautiful and quaint town, make sure to walk around lots of stores to visit. Our tour here was probably our favorite. (Whale watching) We were skeptical but we had a chance to see around 20 whales. Make sure to bundle up and where something to keep you dry.
Don't Miss: whale watching Boston, MassachusettsDon't Miss: Quincy Market..... Newport, Rhode Islandforget the tours just walk around and you will be satisfied absolutely wonderful...
Halifax, Nova Scotiawas wonderful. we took an excursion and enjoyed it. (lighthouse/lobster) just walking around was nice also.
Saint John, New Brunswickjust did our own thing here. Lots of history and City Market is a must when you visit.
Don't Miss: City Market ( fish & Chips, fried Clams) 7 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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a good cruise by
Andrew G from westport MA Sailing date: Aug 2011Pros: entertainment Cons: No adult pool entertainment was first rate. Food was ok, not great unless you paid more for the specialty resteraunts. The cabin was ok, NO table on my balcony, I requested one it never came. Ship Quality
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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First cruise and we had a great time. by
Maureen and Vinny from Flushing, NY Sailing date: May 2010Pros: The staff treated us like gold. Cons: No gulden's mustard, haha. This was our first cruise. We would recommend this ship to others. Again, the staff was fantasic. We took the Bermuda tour and had an excellent guide. One of the gacuzzi's on one partiuclar day was not too hot. Ship QualityI know bathrooms are an issue. The overall ship was kept in tip top shape. Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityGreat Bed. Ship Staff QualityNelson and Perfecto were perfect hosts. Kirstina from the Bulgaria, everyone was fantastic Entertainment & ActivitiesJose and Pattie were great listening. 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Awesome for a couple of first timers by
Charles F. from Manchester, NH Sailing date: May 2010Pros: They take great care of you Cons: lots of additional things to pay for if you aren't careful This was our first cruise and first trip to Bermuda. We will be doing both again and on ths same ship if possible. If not with NCL at the least. They really were great. The "Freestyle" cruising idea works for us because we didn't want to be tied to certain people / mealtimes. The staff on board is really great. The entertainment was well rounded. The food, once we got away from the caf, was very good. Even the caf was fine, no surprises, just a bit bland so everyone is happy I guess.
The few things we noticed was that there were a lot of fees if you wanted anything other to drink besides tap water which may all be standard, this was our first time. And the Duty Free shop is no bargain. Also the main pool struck me as small but that may be normal. There were plenty of hot tubs!
Bring money if you want to do anything on Bermuda besides sit on the (Gorgeous) beaches. Seriously. Its a beautiful place with no real poverty that we saw but you pay extra for all that. Ship QualityThese are real big ships. Think of a floating hotel but because they are on their side you have to walk the distance you would take an elevator from one end to the other. Get a room toward the center and on a high floor. Deck 7 appears to be the high traffic floor during most hours. Deck 4 is where everyone has to go to disembark while at Bermuda. Dining/FoodThe 2 main dining areas, Aqua and Venetian are great, almost no need for the specialty restaurants for us tho Teppanyaky (sp) is very entertaining. Stateroom Qualitythey cleaned it early and reset if again later. Very nice Ship Staff QualityVery helpful at every corner. Entertainment & Activities
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King's Wharf, BermudaBuy a 3 day bus pass, they count for the ferries too. The cruise lines tries to sell you their transportation to the beaches, etc. Didn't need it and saved a few bucks. We did book the 5 hour bus tour the first day via the cruise lines. Very informative and entertaining. Enough so that we were able to do our own thing the rest of the time with some knowledge of how things were laid out.
Don't Miss: Hit Hamilton on Wednesday night for Harbor Nights and Horseshoe Bay 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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