Western Caribbean with Norwegian

A relaxing cruise getaway to the Caribbean is just what every family needs. Delicious food, captivating entertainment and family themed activities highlighted the cruise experience enjoyed by one of our top advisors onboard the exciting Norwegian Dawn.

For Lisa Summer, a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line meant the opportunity to have fun with her family and relax.

“The fact that they were all having a good time made me truly happy,” she said.

Sailing from New Orleans, Lisa describes her trip as an “absolutely wonderful experience, from beginning to end.”

“The ship was clean, programs organized, the food was wonderful and the shows were amazing,” she said. She especially loved the towel animals that appeared in their room at turndown service each night.

“The staff does a fantastic job on board,” she said. “Dingo Dave, the Cruise Director, was fantastic!”

A few not-to-be-missed elements while on board are the magic-infused dinner show, with illusions designed by top magicians, and bingo.

“Bingo is a lot of fun, definitely worth trying,” she said. She also suggests trying the different restaurants on the ship.

Lisa’s favorite shore excursion was taking a day trip to the Mango Creek Lodge in Roatan and snorkeling with Port Royal Dive company.

“Roatan was absolutely beautiful,” she said. “You arrive by boat to the Mango Creek Lodge and have a beautiful lunch on the pier. We had a cabana for the day and being able to snorkel off our patio was so much fun. Taking a boat out to snorkel on a reef was a blast.”

Other highlights included the dolphin experience in Cozumel, cave rafting and zip lining in Belize City and exploring the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya.

“The ruins were massive and just beautiful,” she said.

For those not familiar with the Norwegian cruise line or the Norwegian Dawn ship in particular, Lisa has a few tips:

• Know that you’ll still be taxed on your drinks when you’re in U.S. waters, even if you have Norwegian’s drink package.
• If you have Norwegian’s drink package and order a glass of wine at your table for dinner, there’s no charge. However, if you order a bottle of wine, the bottle price is charged.
• Take a ship map with you the first few days as it does get a bit confusing with different stairwells only accessing certain decks.

Lisa believes the cruise line is especially suited for families, even offering a meal area and tables for children.

“The kids’ program was wonderful,” she said.

She said cruisers who have a free spirit and want the ability to have great food but still remain casual all enjoy the freestyle dining on board that skips fixed dining times and pre-assigned seating.