Cruising Africa On NCL’s Norwegian Dawn

From spotting lions in Mossel Bay to playing a live quiz show or getting a massage in the Mandara Spa, time stretches luxuriantly between ship and shore onboard Norwegian Dawn.

Cruising around Africa on Norwegian Dawn is like dividing your time between two worlds. One minute, we’re following heavy footprints left in the grass that lead us to a herd of elephants rolling around in a pool of wet mud. Then, just hours later, we’re back onboard, sitting in the Irish pub, O Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, eating cheeseburgers and apple pie and describing the shores we’ve just explored to our new friends. That contrast between ship and shore is akin to holding onto an invisible taut rope.

Time seems to stretch luxuriantly on the 12-night Africa: South Africa & Madagascar Norwegian Dawn cruise from Port Louis in Mauritius to Cape Town. The ease of combining rich cultural and wildlife experiences with the comfort and convenience of cruising from A to B is what made this cruise such a standout. Here’s an overview of the ship and facilities onboard Norwegian Dawn which includes everything from a rundown of rooms and suites to its restaurant and bars.

Who is this cruise best suited to?

The cruise along the southern coast of Africa seemed to resonate with couples and my husband and I certainly made memories that will last a lifetime. Yes, kids are welcome onboard NCL’s Norwegian Dawn. But they were few and far between on my recent cruise. In terms of activities for kids, there is a Splash Academy (for a fee), an Entourage Teen Club and T-Rex Kids’ Pool. But I counted less than a dozen kids under the age of 18 onboard at the time of cruising.

Those children that were onboard tended to be travelling for a special occasion with multiple generations. All this makes those sans kids pretty happy when it comes to accessing areas such as the pool without a splash-happy vibe. Or having a nice quiet dinner. The ship seemed to attract a mostly middle-aged English crowd.

an aerial view of the Norwegian Jewel ship — Cruise along the southern coast of Africa onboard NCL’s Norwegian Dawn.

Rooms and suites

Norwegian Dawn’s 2016 refurb got rid of most of the garish décor in the cabins in favour of a more neutral look and another small update in 2021, but it was definitely due for another zhoosing. I have since learnt that the ship also went into drydock in April 2024 (shortly after my sailing), undergoing a light cosmetic refurbishment. Renovations included refreshing the carpets, wallpaper, and tiles in select areas around the ship. Some staterooms received refreshed wallpaper as well.

NCL has some of the largest suites at sea and our accessible stateroom is very roomy indeed. It has a balcony where we spend a lot of time during our days at sea watching the waves whip into small meringue-like peaks. There’s a small flatscreen TV that offers news channels, a free movie channel and a lot of for-a-fee films as well as info on shore excursions.

the three-bedroom Garden Villa onboard NCL Norwegian Dawn — The Garden Villa boasts panoramic sea views.

The cabin has ample storage with hanging space, drawers and shelves. There’s a nightstand, a mini table with ottoman stool and a mini bar that we ask to have emptied to make room for our own snacks. There is just one 110-volt outlet so bring a multi-plugger.

Our shower is spacious but the bathrooms could do with a bit more functional shelving. BYO conditioner as there is only a conditioning shampoo, shower gel, bar soap and body lotion provided.

It takes a fleet of professionals to make the Norwegian Dawn ship sing. Every time we disembark the ship the room is precisely as it was when we left the day before. It’s like a clean slate and the stewards deserve a shout-out for this.

Private deck of Garden Villa onboard Norwegian Jewel — The three-bedroom Garden Villa features a private deck.

Restaurants and bars

In addition to eating for free from the buffet at Aqua and the Venetian, O’Sheehan’s pub, Bamboo, the Asian restaurant, and in the two main dining venues, we try out the extra-fee venues that included Teppanyaki for dinner and a show, Cagney’s Steakhouse for slabs of Angus beef, Mexican Los Lobos for tacos.

the dining interior of Teppanyaki, Norwegian Jewel — The hibachi-style Japanese restaurant Teppanyaki.

While Moderno Churrascaria is known for its meat, the salad bar is also sensational. We also head to the Bimini Grill and outdoor bar to enjoy burgers, beers and live music. To La Cucina for pasta and charcuterie. And catch up with friends for a tutored wine tasting led by the ship’s sommelier in The Cellars – A Michael Mondavi Family Wine bar.

the La Cucina restaurant onboard NCL's Norwegian Dawn — The modern dining room of Italian eatery La Cucina.

Activities and entertainment

Check the Freestyle Daily that arrives in your stateroom each morning to get an outline of the day’s activities and plot a course for party time. You can BYO your own drink to the Stardust Theater to catch a show as the stadium-style seating has cup holders. Arrive early to avoid having to clamber over people to find a spare seat as the theatre seats more than 1000 audience members.

a circus act performance at Le Cirque Bijou, Norwegian Jewel — Le Cirque Bijou entertains with death-defying acts.

You can play the live quiz show Deal or No Deal, vote for your favourite singer in Showdown (American Idol meets Motown), boogie along Soul Rockin’ Nights, or see a mesmerising magic show in Elements.

Alternatively, you can catch up with friends and be served by the ship’s sommelier in The Cellars, an intimate wine bar. The Sugarcane Mojito Bar also has a rotating roster of live music and is a good place for a boogie.

The Dawn Club Casino Bar is really only for those who like to gamble. A safer more wholesome bet is a beanbag toss, dance class, spa treatment or seminar.

the elegant space at Norwegian Dawn Atrium — The Atrium offers an elegant space for dining and relaxation.

Deck plan

We got horribly lost on our first foray around the ship. But after a few hours wandering around Norwegian Dawn, we discovered we could just go with the flow of the fish on the carpet in the corridors to find our way from aft to fwd.

the public pool deck onboard NCL's Norwegian Dawn — The pool is located on Lido Deck 12.

The NCL App outlines the Dawn-class deck plan which changed slightly after its refurb. You will find the Stardust Theater on Deck 6, Atrium Lobby and Photo Gallery on the Promenade (Deck 7), Library (Lido Deck 12) and pool (Lido Deck 12) as well as the Entourage teens club on Deck 13, which includes a video arcade. Gatsby’s Champagne Bar is on Deck 6 along with the Havana Club and restaurants Le Bistro (French) and La Cucina (Italian).

the Le Bistro restaurant onboard NCL's Norwegian Dawn — Le Bistro serves contemporary French cuisine.

The ship’s main dining rooms, The Venetian and Aqua are also on Deck 6. O’Sheehan’s is on Deck 8 and the Moderno Churrascaria is on Deck 13. If you’re in need of a massage head to Mandara Spa (Deck 11) which is adjacent to Pulse Fitness Center (Deck 12). Los Lobos Cantina is on Deck 12 and Cagney’s Steakhouse and Sugarcane Mojito Bar are on Deck 13.

the spa thermal suite onboard Norwegian Jewel — The Mandara Spa offers hot and cold therapies.

Shore excursion highlights

One thing about sailing around southern Africa on a ship with capacity for 2340 guests is that the list of shore excursions is extensive. And the proximity to the main attractions allows us to quickly catapult from our neat and ordered cabin into a landscape stalked by beasts without the hours of gruelling overland travel.

Kalaisson Temple in Port Louis in Mauritius — Shore excursion highlights include the Kalaisson Temple in Port Louis.

NCL returned to African waters in 2024 for its second and longest season and the selection of destinations and immersive shore excursions makes the sailing very appealing. The new 12-day cruise route departs from Port Louis, Mauritius to Cape Town, South Africa.

penguins on Boulders Beach in Cape Town — Boulders Beach is a sheltered inlet frequented by penguins in Cape Town.

Along the way, the sailing itinerary includes stops at Nosy Be, Madagascar, known for its seascapes and lemurs; Richards Bay, the gateway to Zululand; Elizabeth Bay, the jumping-off point to Addo Elephant Park; and Mossel Bay, known for its windswept beaches. One of the standout experiences we enjoyed was spotting elephants in Addo Elephant Park after just an hour’s bus ride from the port in Mossel Bay.

Addo elephant cows — Addo Elephant Park is a highlight on the Africa itinerary. (Image: Willie Erasmus via Getty Images )

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Norwegian Dawn FAQs

Where does Norwegian Dawn sail from?

Norwegian Dawn sails from Southampton, Oslo, Stockholm, Le Havre, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Cape Town, Doha, Rome, Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Singapore, Piraeus and Laviron. It home ports in Southampton (England) and Cape Town (South Africa).

an aerial view of NCL's Norwegian Jewel ship at Cape Town, South Africa — *Norwegian Dawn* sails to Cape Town in South Africa.

Where does Norwegian Dawn sail to?

The ship sails to Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and Africa. If you’re looking for a getaway to sunny climes, it’s likely there’s an itinerary to suit.

Sustainable practices

Norwegian Dawn is 294 metres long and built to carry 2340 passengers (double occupancy). A quick glance at the Sail & Sustain: Our Global Sustainability Program outlines a raft of climate action strategies and targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

The program, revamped in 2022, is aiming to reach net zero GHGs by 2050 and a reduction in GHG intensity of 10 per cent by 2026. The ship produces 90 per cent of the fresh water used onboard and has a strong focus on reducing single-use plastics. Norwegian Dawn uses biodiesel blends (70 per cent marine gas oil and 30 per cent biodiesel) to operate.

The company’s strategy also includes a commitment to driving a positive impact on society and the environment. What was evident while onboard was the support and investment in local communities and tour operators.

How much does it cost to go on Norwegian Dawn?

Prices start from $4,225 per person for an inside room.

Dive deeper into NCL’s Norwegian Dawn with our extensive review of the restaurants and bars, as well as an overview of what to expect from the rooms and suites.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Cruising Africa onboard NCL’s Norwegian Dawn