Light is not Dawning on Marblehead

My husband and I went on our first and only cruise three years ago. We booked the trip on a whim and had a great time on NCL. We're currently considering a 7 day itinerary to Bermuda on the Dawn. I've spent a decent amount of time lurking on this site trying to learn from all the cruise veterans out there and I've picked up a lot valuable information so far. I have a couple questions I'm hoping some of you might be able to help with:

We're considering a September/October itinerary out of Boston. Does anyone have experience cruising out of the Northeast that late in the season? Is this a bad idea?

Having done a lot of reading about the various cabin options, we've decided the "suite life" is not for us. We'd have no use for a butler or a concierge and we would not take advantage of the specialty restaurant breakfast/lunch option often enough to make it worth the money. We do really like the idea of extra space though. I was looking at mini suites on the Dawn (a little extra space without the extra perks) but all the aft mini suites appear to be located outside the spa. We probably won't spend any time in our cabin, but I'm still a little worried about foot traffic in this location. Does anyone have any experience in a mini suite next to the spa on the Dawn?

Thanks for any insights anyone can offer.

My husband and I went on our first and only cruise three years ago. We booked the trip on a whim and had a great time on NCL. We're currently considering a 7 day itinerary to Bermuda on the Dawn. I've spent a decent amount of time lurking on this site trying to learn from all the cruise veterans out there and I've picked up a lot valuable information so far. I have a couple questions I'm hoping some of you might be able to help with:

 

We're considering a September/October itinerary out of Boston. Does anyone have experience cruising out of the Northeast that late in the season? Is this a bad idea?

 

Having done a lot of reading about the various cabin options, we've decided the "suite life" is not for us. We'd have no use for a butler or a concierge and we would not take advantage of the specialty restaurant breakfast/lunch option often enough to make it worth the money. We do really like the idea of extra space though. I was looking at mini suites on the Dawn (a little extra space without the extra perks) but all the aft mini suites appear to be located outside the spa. We probably won't spend any time in our cabin, but I'm still a little worried about foot traffic in this location. Does anyone have any experience in a mini suite next to the spa on the Dawn?

 

Thanks for any insights anyone can offer.

Haven't heard that Marblehead quote for a while, got married in Gloucester!

We just had an aft balcony on the Dawn Mar. 1st, we like the mini much better, more room, but love the aft so booked it (late booking, full suites were gone) Last year we sailed in a mini suite on dawn, booked a forward one so it wouldn't be under anything noisy, loved the size, I booked it for our friends that just traveled with us on Mar. 1 and they didn't mind being forward, very quiet, between suites, not much movement, you might want to try one of those, unless you need to be closer to the food venues!!

Forgot to mention that we left out of Tampa both times so have no idea about sailing out of Boston.

The spa has hours that they are open, approx. 8am - 10pm.

I would be more concerned with that location because it is under the garden café and there have been many posts regarding a scraping or dragging noise when you are under the buffet.

Be careful the mini you choose isn't under the buffet or galley. The overhead noise is awful!

As for cruising out of Boston, we left on a New England cruise the end of September and the weather could not have been better. If you can swing it, opt for the 14 day RT Boston that takes you to Quebec. Fantastic scenery and very tourist friendly. A little chilly at times, so you would need to pack layers.

We went out of boston last week of october....sure the first and last day were chilly, but i had never experienced calmer seas in 7 cruises.

We're considering a September/October itinerary out of Boston. Does anyone have experience cruising out of the Northeast that late in the season? Is this a bad idea?

Many will do it and have no problems -- but I wouldn't risk it personally (I'm prone to sea sickness during rough seas). :D

One simple reason:

(all category 4 hurricanes on Atlantic since 1851, source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Category_4_Atlantic_hurricanes)

Of course ~15 category 4 or 5 hurricanes in the last 10 years means that the odds of hitting one during a week long cruise are quite small, but still a lot higher than outside hurricane season. Our friends embarked during Sandy and stayed in port on a rocking ship for two days (IIRC) before being able to start the actual cruise.

We went out of Boston over Labor Day weekend last year and had a wonderful cruise to Bermuda. We are going a week later this year due to a family wedding. I've always stayed away from hurricane season but decided to chance it. The cruise line doesn't want to risk their ships so they try to avoid bad weather if possible. So much so that sometimes a Bermuda cruise becomes a Canada cruise.:eek:

Haven't heard that Marblehead quote for a while, got married in Gloucester!

We just had an aft balcony on the Dawn Mar. 1st, we like the mini much better, more room, but love the aft so booked it (late booking, full suites were gone) Last year we sailed in a mini suite on dawn, booked a forward one so it wouldn't be under anything noisy, loved the size, I booked it for our friends that just traveled with us on Mar. 1 and they didn't mind being forward, very quiet, between suites, not much movement, you might want to try one of those, unless you need to be closer to the food venues!!

 

Forgot to mention that we left out of Tampa both times so have no idea about sailing out of Boston.

Wow, Me too on your Marblehead Quote. Lived in Marblehead for a wile years ago. Just had to post a comment as I had not heard that in some time. Something I say to myself now and then when I do something stupid.

We did an aft balcony on the NCL Star to Mexico a few years back for the same reasons you mention. Spent most of the time in the cabin on the balcony. It worked for us. Doing a Suite on NCL Pride of America for Wife's 50th B-day in 18 days. Got to try it at least once.

Enjoy our trip.

Of course ~15 category 4 or 5 hurricanes in the last 10 years means that the odds of hitting one during a week long cruise are quite small

Actually from a statistical point of view the past 10 years, or any amount of time for that matter, is 100% irrelevant. Just like in the casino, if 34 has rolled 50 times in a row, 34 still has an equal chance of coming out on the 51st roll as any other number. :)

I've done two cruises to Bermuda during last week of September. 2012 out of Bayonne and 2014 on Breakaway from NY. First one weather was great and seas were calm. Second one was a little cooler in NY but 80 in Bermuda. Seas were a little rough on return trip but no problem. Beautiful time of year for Bermuda as long as your luck holds out for no storms!

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Sorry that should read 2013 from NY!!

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On my cruise this past November, we were in 11056, a mini-suite located slightly forward starboard. I am telling you, that cabin was absolutely perfect. No noise from anywhere and the balcony had a slight overhang, which protected us from both the strong sun and, when we needed it, the rain. I very much recommend this cabin to anyone who asks!

I can't speak to the weather, but if you're flexible, and are willing to book after the final payment date, you can get some tremendous deals on Sept/Oct cruises. I booked for friends a couple of years ago for rates that were nearly half of what is published now.

We're currently considering a 7 day itinerary to Bermuda on the Dawn. I've spent a decent amount of time lurking on this site trying to learn from all the cruise veterans out there and I've picked up a lot valuable information so far.

Wow, Me too on your Marblehead Quote. Lived in Marblehead for a wile years ago. Just had to post a comment as I had not heard that in some time. Something I say to myself now and then when I do something stupid.

 

We did an aft balcony on the NCL Star to Mexico a few years back for the same reasons you mention. Spent most of the time in the cabin on the balcony. It worked for us. Doing a Suite on NCL Pride of America for Wife's 50th B-day in 18 days. Got to try it at least once.

 

Enjoy our trip.

And "dawn breaks on Marblehead" when you finally understand something that you were confused about:D

We are trying our first suite Dec 2014 on the Pearl.

On my cruise this past November, we were in 11056, a mini-suite located slightly forward starboard. I am telling you, that cabin was absolutely perfect. No noise from anywhere and the balcony had a slight overhang, which protected us from both the strong sun and, when we needed it, the rain. I very much recommend this cabin to anyone who asks!

We sailed in 11552 (just about opposite side of 11056) last year and loved it, booked it for our friends this year, they loved the cabin also, very quiet area but far from food venues, good way to walk off that extra dessert.