Norwegian Dawn

*The Norwegian Dawn* passes Lower Manhattan on the way to Bermuda and the Bahamas**
Status:	in service
Placed in Service:	December 2002
Tonnage:	92,250 gross tons
Length:	965 feet
Beam:	105 feet
Decks:	15
Speed:	25 knots
Complement:	2,224 passengers, 1,126 crew
Registry:	Bahamas

Norwegian Dawn is a cruise ship that began sailing in 2002 and is currently in operation with Norwegian Cruise Line.

History

The vessel was ordered from shipbuilders Meyer-Werft, Papenburg (Germany), to be delivered in 2001 to Star Cruises. However, it was decided by Star Cruises that SuperStar Libra and SuperStar Scorpio would enter service as part of the fleet operated by subsidiary company Norwegian Cruise Line. These vessels would become Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn. In 2002, Norwegian Dawn was delivered to NCL.

Vessel class

Norwegian Dawn is the second "SuperStar"-class vessel built for NCL by Meyer Werft. She was preceded by Norwegian Star in 2001 and followed by Norwegian Jewel, Pride of Hawaii, and Norwegian Pearl. One more vessel of this type, Norwegian Gem, is currently under construction and due for delivery in 2007.

Amenities

As with her sister vessels, Norwegian Dawn has a wide variety of restaurants, bars, entertainment and activity areas. One of her more unique features are twin Garden Villa staterooms. At 5750 sq ft., they are among largest at sea and come with complete with living room, dining room and three separate bedrooms each with king or queen-size bed, private luxury bath and CD/DVD library. Two bedrooms also feature a full bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower. Each Villa features a private garden with hot tub, outdoor dining area and terrace.

Some of her other amenities include:

Le Bistro French Restaurant
Salsa Tapas Bar
Cagney's Steak House
Bamboo Asian Restaurant
Blue Lagoon Impressions Main Restaurant
La Trattoria Italian Cuisine
Aqua Main Restaurant
Venetian Main Restaurant
Teppanyaki Sushi and Sashimi Bar
Bimini Grill
Gatsby's Champagne Bar
Java Café
Bimini Bar
Topsiders Bar
Galleria Shops
The Oasis Pool
Stardust Theater Lap Pool and Jacuzzi
Hot Tubs (6)
El Dorado Spa and Fitness Center
Internet Café
T-Rex Kid's Center
Havana Club The Port Room Wine Cellar

Cruises

The Norwegian Dawn sails from New York City to Port Canaveral, Florida; Miami, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and Great Stirrup Cay. She will be repositioned to Miami in October, 2007 and sail 7-day Caribbean itineraries. Her Summer 2008 itinerary will be a 7-day Bermuda cruise from New York City featuring 3 days in King's Wharf (Royal Navy Dockyard)

Trivia

Kim Catrall is the godmother for Norwegian Dawn. She christened the vessel in a lively ceremony in New York City.
Norwegian Dawn was the first NCL vessel to utilize hull art. Originally planned as a way to further promote the vessel, the concept was extremely well received and hull art was incorporated to most other NCL vessels, with the exception of those vessels scheduled to transition out of the fleet within the next few years.
On April 16, 2005, after sailing into rough weather off the coast of Georgia, the Norwegian Dawn encountered a series of three 70-foot (21 m) waves, . The third wave damaged several windows on the 9th and 10th decks and several decks were flooded. Damage, however, was not extensive and the ship was quickly repaired. ^[1] Four passengers were slightly injured in this incident.
The Norwegian Dawn, was the filming location for Rosie O'Donnells R Vacations, a cruise designed for gay and lesbian families.

References

^ Reuters (April 18, 2005). Freak wave pummels cruise ship.

External links

[freakwave-1] Reuters (April 18, 2005). Freak wave pummels cruise ship.

[1]