Picking the Best Cabins on the Norwegian Dawn

A deck-by-deck analysis of the Norwegian Dawn's best and worst cabins.

Looking for the best cabins on the Norwegian Dawn? Want to find the cabin with a little larger balcony than most? And what about staying away from undesirable cabins on the Norwegian Dawn? How do you avoid the worst cabins on the Norwegian Dawn?

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Norwegian Dawn Best & Worst Staterooms: Summary
 

Best Cabins on the Norwegian Dawn are on Decks 9, 10, and 14.

Cabins to be wary of on the Norwegian Dawn are on Decks 5, 8, and 11.

Deck-by-Deck Breakdown of the Best and Worst Cabins on the Norwegian Dawn

Deck 4

Most of the cabins on the Norwegian Dawn's Deck 4 have cabins above them -- this means that they are typically more quiet compared to cabins beneath the disco or sunbathing areas (the noise of moving deck chairs late at night / early in the AM).

• Forward on Deck 4 of the Norwegian Dawn, cabins 4500- 4503 are underneath the most aft portion of the stage. There could be some noise heard overhead in these staterooms during performances, as well as before and after when staff are preparing for or cleaning after a show.
• Except for the most forward exterior and interior staterooms (4500- 4505), the rest of the staterooms on this deck have cabins above, and are consequently going to be more quiet.

Deck 5

***CruiseAdvice.org Warning ***
Some cabins on this deck with potential problems.

Deck 5 is right beneath several major public areas on the Norwegian Dawn, including the casino, bars, and restaurants. This could mean potential noise issues in many staterooms on this deck.

• Forward, 5500- 5508 port side and 5000- 5008 have the Stardust Theater above them. Noise during rehearsals and performances could be of concern in any of these cabins. 
• On Deck 5, exterior cabins 5526- 5558 port side and 5026- 5058 starboard are under the casino. Inside cabins in that area, 5525- 5553, 5025, and 5055, will likely be most affected. Noise issues from this area can occur after hours when many travelers are in their cabins on the Norwegian Dawn. If you are light sleeper, you may prefer to find a cabin elsewhere on the ship, bring earplugs, or invest in a wave machine (a sound device available at a specialty retailer like Brookstone -- produces pleasant sounds that can wipe out the unpleasant sounds).
• Port side, Ocean View Staterooms 5560- 5636 and Interior Staterooms 5557- 5609 and 5629- 5633 are beneath restaurants. Noise while these venues are open and when staff are cleaning could be issues in any of these cabins.
• Starboard on the Norwegian Dawn's Deck 5, interior cabins 5067- 5083 and Oceanview Staterooms 5072- 5078 are generally under bar areas. We suggest looking for a stateroom elsewhere, bringing along ear plugs, or investing in a wave machine for light sleepers.
• Ocean View Staterooms 5638- 5656 port side and 5138- 5156 starboard, and Interior Staterooms 5635- 5639, 5135, and 5137 are beneath the ship's galley. These staterooms are least recommended for light sleepers because noise from this very busy kitchen can occur from early in the morning until late at night.
• Some of the worst cabins on the Norwegian Dawn are on Deck 5. While we are not suggesting that this deck be avoided, you will find more quiet cabin areas on higher decks!

Deck 6

Forward on the Norwegian Dawn Deck 6, there are four Ocean View Staterooms. These are in an excellent location for travelers who love the theater!

• Oceanview Staterooms 6500, 6502, 6506, and 6508 have 159 sq. ft. of living space each on deck 6 of the Norwegian Dawn.
• These cabins accommodate up to four people, and have great ocean views!

Deck 8

***CruiseAdvice.org Warning ***
Some cabins on this deck with potential problems.

Along this entire deck, be aware that a main drag of the Norwegian Dawn is right beneath the cabins. Most of the public venues on Deck 7 are not going to present appreciable noise issues. However, there may be noise in many staterooms in the forward section from the theater, and in many staterooms in the aft section from the lounge.

• Forward on Deck 8 of the Norwegian Dawn, exterior staterooms 8502- 8558 port side and 8002- 8058 starboard, and Interior Staterooms 8509- 8527 and 8009- 8025 are above the theater. Noise during rehearsals and performances could be a problem, especially in the inside cabins.
• Port side on Deck 8 of the Dawn, obstructed view staterooms 8620- 8628 are over a bar, which could cause late night noise concerns.
• The aft section cabins on the Norwegian Dawn are over the general vicinity of the lounge. This will likely affect the inside staterooms most of all. The staterooms affected include inside staterooms 8637- 8665, 8137- 8165, 8667, and 8167. The exterior staterooms and suites that could be affected are 8630- 8676 port side through aft and 8130- 8176 starboard through aft.
• Aft, the Norwegian Dawn's Deck 8 has four Penthouse Suites (8670, 8672, 8172, and 8170) which command the most beautiful (and least breezy) ocean view. However, It needs to be noted that noise from the lounge could be an issue late at night.
• Between the Penthouse Suites, two balcony staterooms (8676 and 8176) have that highly sought aft view of the ocean! Please note that noise from the lounge below could be a problem.

Deck 9

***CruiseAdvice.org Favorite Deck ***
Highly rated by our cruise experts!

In addition to Penthouse Suites, Deck 9 of the Norwegian Dawn adds the luxurious Owners Suites! There are also several balcony staterooms and inside cabins from which to choose. Deck 9 has the added advantage of cabin decks above and beneath which filter out noise public areas can generate! Some of the best cabins on the Norwegian Dawn are generally on Deck 9. Some of the best cabins on the Norwegian Dawn are on Deck 9!

• Forward on the Norwegian Dawn, Owners' Suites 9506 and 9006 offer the most spacious accommodations on Deck 9. Each has up to 900 total square footage, two balconies, a living room, a dining room, a master bedroom with a king sized bed, and a whirlpool among other fine amenities. However, unless there's a tailwind, balcony views from this vantage point are going to be breezy!
• Penthouse Suites 9502, 9500, 9000, and 9002 are located between the Owner's Suites on Deck 9 of the Norwegian Dawn. Each has up to 568 total square footage. Ocean views from these forward facing balconies are likely to be windy.
• Deck 9 of the Dawn features Balcony Staterooms port side (9508- 9730) and starboard (9008- 9230).
• If you are looking for an inside cabin, this is an excellent deck. There are several located on Deck 9 of the Norwegian Dawn, and 9719 and 9219 are the most spacious! Guests have indicated noise issues in cabin 9662 due to its proximity to the Atrium area.
• Aft on the Norwegian Dawn's Deck 9, there are four Penthouse Suites (9732, 9736, 9236, and 9232). Each has up to 411 sq. ft. including the balcony, and that majestic (less breezy) view of the ocean.
• Balcony Staterooms 9738 and 9238 are located between the aft Penthouse Suites and have that highly sought view of the ocean!

Deck 10

***CruiseAdvice.org Favorite Deck ***
Highly rated by our cruise experts!

The Norwegian Dawn's Deck 10 is also cushioned between two cabin decks, which helps to make this another, more quiet place for a stateroom or suites. Some of the best cabins on the Norwegian Dawn are on Deck 10!

• Forward on the Norwegian Dawn, Owners' Suites 10506 and 10006 offer the most spacious accommodations on Deck 10. Each has up to 900 total square footage, two balconies, a living room, a dining room, a master bedroom with a king sized bed, and a whirlpool among other fine amenities. However, unless there's a tailwind, balcony views from this vantage point are going to be breezy!
• Located between these two Owners' Suites, Penthouse Suites 10502, 10500, 10000, and 10002 are the largest of their kind on Deck 10 of the Norwegian Dawn. Each has up to 568 total square footage. Ocean views from these balconies are likely to be windy.
• There are numerous balcony staterooms port side (10508- 10722) and starboard (10008- 10222) on the Norwegian Dawn!
• Deck 10 of the Norwegian Dawn is also a great location to reserve an interior stateroom, if this is your preference because this is one of the more quiet decks. Inside staterooms 10711 and 10211 are much more spacious than standard.
• Least preferred inside cabins are 10707 and 10207. Both are located by stairwells.
• Aft on Deck 10 of the Norwegian Dawn, Penthouse Suites 10726, 10728, 10228, and 10226 have incredible ocean views! Each has up to 411 sq. ft. including the balcony. That said, guests have reported noise issues in suite 10226 due to its proximity to the lounge.  
• Between the Penthouse Suites, Balcony Staterooms 10730 and 10230 also have that beautiful (less breezy) views of the ocean. If you are looking for an aft balcony stateroom, either of these are great choices as these have larger than standard aft balconies.

Deck 11

***CruiseAdvice.org Warning ***
Some cabins on this deck with potential problems.

Deck 11 of the Norwegian Dawn has a few Balcony Staterooms, several Mini-Suites, inside cabins, and ten Family Suites. While some might prefer being only one deck away from the Oasis Pool and the Garden Cafe, noise from Deck 12 venues can be an issue in many of the accommodations on Deck 11. With the exception of the cabins in the forward section of Deck 11, accommodations on this deck are not recommended for light sleepers! 

• The best located accommodations on Deck 11 of the Norwegian Dawn are exterior cabins 11500- 11552 port side and 11002- 11052 starboard, and Interior Staterooms 11501, 11503, 11519- 11529, and 11019- 11029. All of these accommodations have cabins above them to buffer noise from public venues.
• Forward on Deck 11 of the Norwegian Dawn, there are ten Family Suites (11510, 11520, 11530, 11550, & 11560 port side and 11010, 11020, 11030, 11050, & 11060 starboard). Each of these has 587 sq. ft. including the balcony, and features a bedroom for children as well as a second bathroom with a shower. The Family cabins are in in short-supply and are very popular given their attractive sleeping arrangements. They sell out very quickly, so it is best to book early if this is your preference.
• Most of the accommodations port side and starboard are mini-suites. On average, each of these have over 280 sq. ft. of space including the balcony on Deck 11 of the Dawn.
• Exterior suites 11560- 11606 port side, 11060- 11106 starboard, and interior cabins 11533, 11535, 11033, 11035, 11579, and 11069 are underneath the pool section on Deck 12. It will be possible to hear some noise in this area, such as the scraping of deck chairs when staff are cleaning at night.
• 11606 and 11106 are beneath public bathrooms on Deck 12. Noise could be an issue when these restrooms are busy.
• Aft, there are several suites and staterooms located under the restaurants on Deck 12 of the Dawn. These are 11616- 11678 port side, and 11116- 11178 starboard.
• Mini- suites 11616 and 11116 are more spacious than average on Deck 11 of the Norwegian Dawn.
• Interior cabins 11609 and 11109 are larger than standard.

Deck 12

Deck 12 of the Norwegian Dawn features Deluxe Owner's Suites, Family Suites with Balconies, Family Suites, and Inside Cabins. All of the cabins are located forward on this deck. All of the suites are large enough for 6 people!

• Ranging from 667 -732 sq. ft., Deluxe Owner's Suites 12502, 12500, 12000, and 12002 are the largest and the most luxurious accommodations to be had on Deck 12. These are all located most forward on Deck 12 on the Norwegian Dawn.
• Family Suites with Balconies (12520 -12530 and 12020 -12030) range in space from 409 sq. ft. to 495 sq. ft. Of these suites, 12530 and 12030 are a bit oddly shaped and may be a bit more spacious. Please note that the balconies of all of these Family Suites with Balconies can be viewed from the deck above. 
• Family Suites 125-6 -12518, 12006 -12018, 12532, and 12032 are Family Suites that boast up to 409 sq. ft. Of these, suites 12510 and 12010 are oddly shaped and may be slightly roomier than standard.
• Suites 12518 -12526 and 12012 -12026 are located beneath the Bimini Bar & Grill on Deck 13. In these suites, late night noise may be an issue. Guests of 12532 have indicated noise concerns in this cabin.

Deck 14

***CruiseAdvice.org Favorite Deck ***
Highly rated luxury accommodations by our cruise experts!

Accommodations on Deck 14 of the Norwegian Dawn are without question the most exclusive and luxurious of all! This is where the Villas are located. Each has access to the private Concierge Lounge, and features a private courtyard which includes a hot tub, pool, and sundeck!

• The most spacious accommodations on the Norwegian Dawn are the 3 Bedroom Garden Villas (14500 and 14000). Each has 6,694 total square footage with a 4,455 sq. ft. balcony!