Live from the Dawn 9/4/05

Hi Everyone,

It’s great to be back on the Dawn again. Weather has been great so far, but it’s getting windy and cloudy. We have 7.5-12ft seas and they seem to be getting higher. Ship is riding well, but I have a feeling the little bags will be coming out soon. Landlubbers beware! As I write this, the ship is starting to roll a little more.

Had our Cruise Critic meeting this morning in the Star Bar and about 25 people showed up. Papadave, Ken B, Farmerconn, Speakstosuits, Winediva &Lastingtouch say hello. We got to meet the new Hotel manager, his assistant, the Food & Beverage manager, Tracy Bisset (Group Services Coordinator), Rickie Mathews (the new CD) & our Concierge; Alex. Alex took the group on a tour of one of the Garden Villas. After the meeting we took the group on tour of our Owners Suite. It was really nice to finally put faces to the screen names.

For those keeping track of their favorite staff, some have moved on. The new Cruise Consultant is Brent. Rick Mathews is the new CD. He was on the Dawn in 2004. Alex is leaving the Dawn on Wednesday to go to the Star. Boy, are we going to miss him. He has been just dynamite!

For those who have asked about the wind on the front balconies, we haven’t found them windy at all, YET! Sipped champagne on our balcony while leaving NYC. What a beautiful sail-away. Had breakfast on our side balcony this morning. TrinaLC, you were right.

Went to the Lattitudes Party this afternoon. Good crowd.

Had sushi in our cabin for lunch today. I asked for one order and they doubled it. Now, we’re sushied out. Thank God dinner is late tonight. We’re going to skip the Martini Clinic, so we can attend the Captains VIP Cocktail Party. Missed it last cruise, not this time.

Can’t remember who said, “You might not ever leave the suite”. You know what, you don’t have to and you will have great time.

Gotta go now.

Will post again tomorrow or Wednesday.

Monty

Brent, the cruise consultant, was on the Dream for our cruise on 30th June to Alaska.

Glad you are having a nice time, I hope the rest of your week is GREAT too!!!:)

Suesan:) :) :)

Have a great cruise Monty and keep us updated as time allows.

:)

Hi Monty,

Did you find the Dawn shipshape after we left on Sunday. I wish I could have stayed on another week!

Wish Alex the best for us....he was great.

Say hello to Benny and Renarta in the Star Bar.....their bar's name fits them well. The best martinis on the seven seas. Ask for Benny's creaation....a rasberry, expresso martini - a real treat!

Hope the seas get calm and you have great weather.

Don

I thought I heard Lance was to be the new CD. Does anyone know what happened? Judging by all of the bad remarks about Lance on these boards, I am not surprised. And was it Hugo that was the Hotel manager. Is he gone also. Man! it seems like all of the people everyone raved about will be gone by November.

I just took a look at the dawn web cam around 7:30. Looks like its pouring and choppy waters. I think theres a hurrican far out in the ocean... your probally getting some tail ends of it...or the effects of....

If you can remember what are the cuurent movies playing on the Dawn? Sailing next week, and curious. Have a AWESOME time!

Kelly

Howdy, Monty...

Thanks for the live updates!

Are there any "featured entertainers" at this time on the Dawn? I have enjoyed Jane Powell on several cruises...and know that Pamela Stanley (old Disco goddess, now jazz singer) was on the Dawn, but now on the Jewel...

Just wondering who to look forward to!

Thanks again...and continue having a wonderful cruise!

Live from the Dawn continued:

The weather has changed. The sun is gone and the clouds are here. It’s 6:30pm on Monday night and it’s now raining and the wind is howling, force 8. We’re on our way to the Captains VIP Cocktail Hour. There’s a quite a mix of people. Only 2 tuxedos that I saw at the party. Got to meet and talk Captain Niklas Peterstam. He’s the captain who took the blame for the rogue wave. To his credit, he’s the captain who took the Star out of the shipyard and was her first Master. He’s a really dedicated officer. The new Hotel Director is Mr. Riley. He’s been with NCL for more than 20 years. Alex will be leaving the Dawn on Wednesday and Claudio will be taking his place. We’re gonna miss him!

For all of you nautical buff, the Dawn has Dynamic Positioning, which allows it to remain stationary without using an anchor. According to the captain, they use it at some of the ports where tendering is needed.

We ate at Impressions after the party. Great service and a great meal. Came back to the room feeling good. Maybe too good. Went to bed at 11:00pm. I get up at 4:45am for work each day and go to bed early. Just can’t change the routine, but I’m gonna see 2:00am on this cruise.

Tuesday morning the weather is cloudy and very windy. The ship was rolling pretty good after about 3:00am. Walking around the room is like being tipsy. As I am writing this, the drawers in the desk keep opening & closing. Just caught a glimpse of CNN and looks like we’re going to have some fun in Miami & the Nassau. Think I’ll check the internet for the weather. No breakfast on the balcony today.

We had a brief downpour right after docking in Port Canaveral, but the sun is trying to come out. We’re staying on the ship today. Thought it would be empty, but there are 987 passengers still on board according to Alex. It’s windy in port but you can still use the front balcony for all those that are thinking of booking a bow cabin. Go for it!

2:30pm and the skies have just opened up. I guess sunburning for today is over.

We

It’s been raining on and off for almost all afternoon.

Tonight is dinner in the cabin while we sail out of Port Canaveral. Then it’s off to the show. The illusionist was excellent.

It’s 11:00pm and the ship is really rocking right now. People are walking from side to side. Little white bags are out by the elevators and they’re not to put popcorn in.

Hopefully, the weather will be better in Miami because we have an excursion schedule for the afternoon on the water.

Will try to post again on Wednesday.

Monty

Which owners suite are you in ???

Enjoy!

CruiseinTime

We're in 10506. It's fabulous!!!!

Monty

Kell4321

Movies in the Cinema:

Guess Who, Kingdon of Heaven, Monster-in-Law

Meet the Fockers, Fever Pitch

Miss Congeniality 2 & National Treasure

Hope that helps

The sun is shining and it's really nice in Miami. :)

Will try to post later tonight, but the internet seem to go up and own alot!:(

Monty & Diane

If you're in 10506, isn't that the one we can see in 3D on the internet?

It looks fabulous!!!

MrTractor

Kell4321

 

Movies in the Cinema:

Guess Who, Kingdon of Heaven, Monster-in-Law

Meet the Fockers, Fever Pitch

Miss Congeniality 2 & National Treasure

 

Hope that helps

Thanks! Have a great time!

Kelly

CruiseinTime

 

We're in 10506. It's fabulous!!!!

 

Monty

We are staying in the same cabin on the Star in Nov. Does the room have a computer & internet access ? Also, is there a DVD player in the living room & bedroom ?

Thanks,

Mark

We are staying in the same cabin on the Star in Nov. Does the room have a computer & internet access ? Also, is there a DVD player in the living room & bedroom ?

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

Hey Mark,

We were in the Dawn's Owner's Suite (9506) in August and ssuming that all Owner's Suites are equipped the same, you will find a computer at the desk with capability to connect to the ship's isp via ethernet cable. There are DVD players incorporated into the TVs in the living room and the bedroom. It's not intuitively obvious that they are there, so ask your concierge how to operated them. There's also a list of DVDs available from the ship in your cabin. Again, your concierge will be able to get anything on the list. Have a great cruise.

Does the internet access cost extra in the owners suit?? No wireless onboard????

B

You do have to pay for internet access in the Owner's Suite on the same basis as everyone else. (There is a laptop provided).

There is some wireless in public spaces, and cabins close enough to pick it up from same. All requires payment though.

Live from the Dawn, continued

Woke up to moderate seas and the sunrise. No rain, Yea!! The sun is coming up. Just looked at CNN and it seems Ophelia is now north of us. Shouldn’t be too bad until the return trip.

Having breakfast in the buffet today. Must be spoiled by butler menu. Must make a note, no more breakfast buffet.

Sailing into Miami harbor now. It’s partly cloudy and you know the sun wants to come out. The ship has been clear to disembark and the mass exodus is on.

Laid out on the front balcony to get rid on my raccoon eyes before I’m only allowed out at night.

Met with Alex this morning to say goodbye. He was in jeans and open-collared shirt, a very relaxed look. He was still was packing. He’s off to the Star for 1½ months. I found out that Hugo is on vacation & will be back on the Dawn. Don’t worry the food and services are still great!

Alec introduced my wife & I to our new concierge, Claudio Schulze. He just got off the Jewel. He says the Jewel is beautiful but the décor is more modern than the Dawn. There’s no Grand Atrium, like the Dawn, but still a BEAUTIFUL ship!!!!!.

We’ll be leaving at 12:30pm for our Miami by Land & Sea excursion. It’s gonna be sunny & hot. The excursion was excellent. There must be ½ billon dollars in homes we saw on the excursion. Did you know that taxes only are ONLY allowed to go up 1.5% per year. Boy, wouldn’t that be nice on Long Island.

Went to visit Benny in the Star Bar for some martinis. Told my wife to order Benny’s special, as per Dongordon. Benny was surprised because that’s one of his Martini Clinic’s martinis. He made me an apple martini and my wife his special martini. Had two martinis each. Got back to the room about 8:00pm. Dinner in 1 hour.

Got Salsa at 8:45pm, 15 minutes early. No problem. Ordered the pitcher of white sangria. The best! We had finished our main course and the Matre` d came over and said, “Please let me get you my favorite dessert and some cappuccino. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Out came 3 desserts and they were excellent. Took one back to the room. Low and behold, in our room were 4 swan cream buffs waiting for us. Guess we have an early morning snack.

So it’s bed now, we have the alarm set for 4:00am to hit the casino before we dock at GSC.

The boats rocking again. Should sleep like babies again tonight!

Bye for now, will post again tomorrow night.

Hey Mark,

 

We were in the Dawn's Owner's Suite (9506) in August and ssuming that all Owner's Suites are equipped the same, you will find a computer at the desk with capability to connect to the ship's isp via ethernet cable. There are DVD players incorporated into the TVs in the living room and the bedroom. It's not intuitively obvious that they are there, so ask your concierge how to operated them. There's also a list of DVDs available from the ship in your cabin. Again, your concierge will be able to get anything on the list. Have a great cruise.

NYHartChapp,

Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to our cruise, that is, if it doesn't get canceled for ship use in LA.

Mark

Sailed into GSC at 7:00am. Captain didn't anchor. Thought something was up. Captain announced at 8:25am, that we would not be going on the island. The winds are howling 35-40kts and there is a good swell. Tender wouldn't be safe.

We are now heading to Nassau and should be there after 1:00pm today.

Will post later about what happens next

Diane & Monty

Diane & Monty,

Can you let me know if these folks are still playing outside of Salsa Restaurant in the evening?

Thanks,

Nancy & Frank

I am enjoying your "Live From The Dawn".... Sorry you did not get to GSC, but I have been on a tender when the waves kicked up, VERY scary and more then a bit dangerous....Next time......

Looking forward to your next installment...

Suesan:) :) :)