Renovations Complete for Norwegian Dawn

Norwegian Dawn's new Los Lobos Cantina
Norwegian Dawn's new Los Lobos Cantina

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that renovations are now complete on Norwegian Dawn, following a month-long dryadic that was part of the cruise line’s The Norwegian Edge $400 million fleet enhancement project. 

The drydock added two new restaurants and three new bars and lounges to Norwegian Dawn, as well as updating design and décor in all public spaces and refurbishing all staterooms, including the ship’s signature Garden Villas

New Restaurants and Dining Enhancements

The drydock added Los Lobos Cantina, a new concept for the Norwegian fleet. It is an upscale Mexican restaurant that offers a modern take on traditional favorites like guacamole prepared tableside, al pastor tacos, enchiladas de mole and hand crafted margaritas, all available à la carte. Los Lobos Cantina will open on July 1. 

O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill is making its debut on Norwegian Dawn as of June 17, and offers sports bar décor and pub fare and beers on tap. Wine lovers can now check out The Cellars, a Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar in the space formerly occupied by the Pearly King Pub. The new upscale wine bar offers tastings and educational events. 

Sugarcane Mojito Bar will serve up more than 15 varieties of mojitos in a modern lounge area on Deck 13 adjacent to the new location for Moderno Churrascaria. Finally, Spinnaker Lounge was transformed into the Bliss Lounge, offering a larger space for guests to relax and enjoy a cocktail, with refinished bar fronts, new contemporary accents, furniture and carpeting.

The dining experience onboard Norwegian Dawn will be further enhanced with extensive renovations to all of the existing complimentary dining venues. The Venetian and Aqua both now have a completely new look, with enhancements including new wall coverings, carpet and hardwood flooring, entry signage, artwork, ceiling finishes, reupholstered furniture, lighting, and window treatments. Bamboo Asian Restaurant also has undergone a complete refurbishment with fresh carpet and hardwood flooring, new furniture including tables, barstools and chairs, updated artwork throughout the space, new decorative and architectural lighting, along with window treatments and wall finishes. The Garden Café has undergone a redesign with new layout for smoother service that includes upgraded flooring, artwork, decorative lighting, wall finishes, signage and furniture.

Specialty restaurants will also have a new upscale look and feel throughout the ship. Le Bistro and La Cucina have exchanged locations, with each space presenting a premium dining experience with new décor including updated carpet, furniture, decorative lighting and signage. Moderno Churrascaria resides in a new location on Deck 13 adjacent to Sugarcane Mojito Bar and has all new décor, furniture, window treatments, wall coverings and artwork that evokes the restaurant’s Brazilian theme. 

The Teppanyaki restaurant was completely renovated and doubled in size with two additional tables, new flooring and décor and the addition of a divider between Bamboo and Teppanyaki for a more private experience. Cagney’s Steakhouse now showcases a modern look with new décor, furniture, updated artwork, new carpet, wall finishes, decorative lighting and a modified, more open layout.

The ship’s existing bars and lounges will also offer a fresh experience, with Gatsby’s Champagne Bar debuting with brand new furniture, flooring, decorative lighting, artwork, window treatments and an art deco-inspired chandelier. The Cigar Bar will have new tile flooring, draperies, furniture, and an enhanced new humidor.

A newly refurbished Garden Villa
A newly refurbished Garden Villa

Updates to Staterooms and Public Spaces

Every stateroom on the ship was enhanced during this renovation, receiving new carpets, bedding, drapery, artwork, flat screen TVs and furniture. The dry dock also allowed for a complete makeover of the ship’s two Garden Villas, now with a more clean and modern look with brand new flooring and furniture inside and out, new ceilings, lighting, bedding, décor and 42” flat screen TVs.

As with the recent enhancements to several other Norwegian ships, Norwegian Dawn’s public spaces, elevators and restrooms were refreshed from top to bottom to receive an updated look with a new contemporary design, as well as new lighting, flooring, wall coverings and wall sconces to give the full ship that “new ship” look and feel.

The ship’s Atrium has a new modern and clean look with plush carpet and new lighting, chic furniture and a new lounge seating area, as well as enhancements to the Guest Services reception desks. Tides, a new shopping venue offering a wide selection of fine jewelry, was added to the Atrium. The ship’s existing shopping venue, Ports O’Call, has been renamed Tradewinds and also received a complete makeover with new finishes, lighting and flooring, as did the ship’s Library.

The refreshed Atrium
The refreshed Atrium

Norwegian Dawn also offers guests easier ways to view and purchase mementos of their cruise vacation with an upgraded Photo Gallery with new individual digital monitors  and larger photo display panels, along with sleek furniture and tile flooring.

The ship’s pool deck was completely refurbished to create a brighter and livelier atmosphere for sun-seekers with new decking and new white awnings aimed at giving the open deck a sleek, yacht-like feel. Additionally, the main pool deck received new exterior showers, upgraded pool loungers, and a fresh look to all exterior corridors. The Bimini Bar overlooking the main pool deck was completely refurbished and now has a completely new design and look. Kids sailing aboard Norwegian Dawn can now enjoy an upgraded Entourage teen space and video arcade with built-in entertainment areas, new carpeting and wall finishes and new modern furniture.

Entertainment venues such as the Dawn Casino and Stardust Theater were also updated. The Dawn Club Casino now has more colorful signage, new artwork, wall finishes, carpets, bar tops and an upgraded VIP area. Guests sailing aboard Norwegian Dawn will now be able to enjoy headlining shows Band on the Run, Showdown and Elements in a refreshed Stardust Theater with reupholstered and re-cushioned seating, as well as new carpets and drapery throughout.

Guests looking to unwind can do so in the completely redesigned Mandara Spa and Pulse Fitness Center, offering Techno Gym equipment. The Mandara Spa has received a new look and layout with refreshed sleek décor, updated treatment rooms and newly added spaces including a barber shop, nail salon, spa pool and eight heated loungers in the thermal suite.

Norwegian Dawn will sail from Boston to Bermuda each week through October, spending three nights in port, and from New Orleans to the western Caribbean -- including a call at Harvest Caye, Belize, the line’s private island destination -- during the winter season, beginning in November. 

Visit www.ncl.com