Norwegian Dawn is the new sister ship to the highly successful Norwegian Star which is currently operating year round in Hawaii.   The Dawn will bring NCL's FreeStyle cruising in it's highest form, to the Eastern and Western Caribbean with departures from Miami.  Starting May 18, 2003 the Dawn will operate a new summer 7 night Itinerary that includes port calls in Nassau, NCL's private island Great Stirrup Cay, Miami and Port Canaveral.

The Dawn accommodates 2,240 passengers with a crew of 1,100. Of particular importance, in addition to the 372 standard staterooms with balconies, is an entire deck of 107 mini-suites with balconies.   As with the Star, the Dawn offers two Garden Villa suites with a total of 5,350 sq ft of living space featuring roof top terraces, outdoor dining, outdoor and indoor Jacuzzis, two steam rooms, three bedrooms and a large dining room.  These suites are ideal for top corporate VIPs and entertaining.        

The Dawn's decor is whimsically cosmopolitan.  Colors throughout the ships are fresh and bold but do not over power the extensive use of rich gleaming cherry wood.  On the cosmopolitan side is the most expensive art collect to ever go to sea featuring original paintings by Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, Renoir, Warhol and a host of contemporary artists and Pop Art.  The three deck level Stardust Theater seats 1,150, almost without obstructions, with a European Opera House feeling.   On the whimsical side you will find video juke boxes in several locations that let you program the music along with accompanying videos.    When entering the casino the hologram art work of kings and queens seem to follow your every move.

Dining on NCL's new FreeStyle ships is totally different than on most ships.  The Dawn features a total of 10 different restaurants and 11 unique menus every night.   Restaurants range in size from 72 to 472 seats.  The selection is amazing for a cruise ship and maybe a review by a food critic might be in order, but let me try to point out all of the options.

• Venetian is a 16th Century Grand Italian Villa style main dining room offering a traditional cruise dining experience.

• Aqua is the second main dining room with a hip modern decor offering a lighter contemporary menu.

• Impressions is a 1900 style Grand French Bistro

• Bamboo is a Thai/Japanese/Chinese complex and also features a sushi and sashimi bar as well as a Teppanyaki room.  Additional charge applies.

• Le Bistro an upscale French restaurant offering an ala carte menu of nouvelle and classic French cuisine.  Additional charge applies.

• Cagney's Steak House is a traditional American Steakhouse in the 1930's style.  Additional charge applies.

• Salsa is a unique restaurant located around the atrium mid ship featuring an up-market Tex-Mex menu along with Spanish Tapas.

• La Trattoria is a casual Italian restaurant featuring, what else, pasta and pizza.

• Garden Cafe is the buffet style restaurant offering numerous "food action stations" with extensive and varied selections.

• Blue Lagoon is the 24 hour dining outlet featuring a diverse menu ranging from burgers, wok dishes to fish and chips.

Also available are the mandatory pool grill, a coffee shop with sweet goodies and an ice cream bar.

During my brief inaugural cruise we had the opportunity to sample actual partial menus from numerous restaurants.  Without exception the menus where innovative, had a great selection and the food was excellent.   Who would think that you would be on a cruise ship comparing the quality of Fajitas to those advertised on TV or a Chinese meal to your local favorite.  Impressive to say the least!  Obviously each room is strikingly different as well.  A floating dining around!

The balcony cabins on the Dawn are very pleasant.  Again the light and bright decor is appealing and is a good contrast to the cherry wood accents.  The cabins all have several nice pictures as do all the deck hall ways.  The bathrooms consist of three compartments: a shower with full length sliding glass door, the center sink compartment and the separate toilet compartment.  Everyone thought that this was a long over due sensible arrangement, particularly the sliding glass shower doors.  Another feature greatly appreciated was the coffee/tea machine in each cabin.

Entertainment is not hard to find on the Dawn.  The ship offers a total of 13 bars and lounges.  In difference to the Norwegian Star this ship also offers a full casino.  The Spinnaker Lounge is the late night spot and will feature a South Beach Style Late night party one night on each cruise.   The preview we all enjoyed WAS a party and again an NCL first.  The two new Jean Ann Ryan Shows where contemporary and very "With It".

While not new the Internet Cafe does offer a first.  NCL's Dawn and several of their other ships now offer Wireless internet access also know as Wi Fi.  Guests have 24-hours access wherever the ship is located. Now guests can surf the net or check their emails by the pools, in a lounge or in one of the meeting rooms.  A limited number of lap tops are available for rent

The meeting and private functions spaces on the Dawn are quite good.  There are 4 interconnected meeting rooms, a board room and a purpose built cinema/auditorium all located adjacent to on another.  Thankfully there are several smaller lounges that are also good for private cocktail parties and other functions.  There seems to be a room size that will fit most any size group and in many cases you will have several choices.

If you are not familiar with FreeStyle Cruising let me explain.  The biggest difference is obviously the number of restaurants you have to chose from.  Equally important is that fact that YOU decide when and where to dine between 5:30 pm and being seated no later than 10 pm.  For groups you have the opportunity to do a private dinner in many cases.  There are some restrictions for groups but at the very least you finally have some options besides table 23 second seating!  Another feature of FreeStyle Cruising is on formal nights where some of the restaurants and lounges are reserved for the people who enjoy the formal night experience and others are for people who would prefer to dress casually.              

I would highly recommend considering the Dawn.  The ship is as close to a floating resort that has ever been made so far.  Without question there are bigger ships but none offer the dining options that the Dawn and several other of NCL's newer ships do.   None offer you the real freedom of choice when it comes to dining.   The atmosphere is relaxed and fun.  The crew ratio is similar to a fine resort 1 crew for each stateroom/room and the service levels show it.  You'll need seven days to explore and appreciate this ship.