Our trip on the Dawn 6/17

We had a nice time. The few things that were unavailable didn't get in our way.

I avoided the public bathrooms. They were very lovely and new but many were out of order and had flooded floors. I didn't want to walk in it. [emoji37] not sure where the water was coming from. I seriously doubt it was sewerage but still...they were busy keeping at them with cleaners and fans.

We were lucky because our room was one floor up from where we tended to spend a lot of time. So it was easy to get to a rest room [emoji15]

We were deck 8 aft facing. It had atrocious music booming and banging until 3 AM every night. Literally vibrated our bed. I did get ear plugs from guest services but didn't use them. Psyched myself to sleep knowing peace comes after 3. Although NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

But that's our fault for not researching. We always get aft facing on deck 10 but with the No May bookings and subsequent cancellation of our 6/3 booking we were in kind of a panic to secure a cabin. Well Ed was. He really likes it back aft watching the wake. Now I know why deck 8 was available. [emoji10]

Also I saw on Bermuda port cam the ship is docked port side this week. That would be nice if it docks that way next May when we go again.

I sound cranky but that Calico Jack party boat ruins the ambiance of evenings on the balcony. Funny thing is I didn't know it was sea worthy and we saw it sail off into the distance shortly after we arrived. What?

I heard they took it some where to take employees out for the Monday holiday in Bermuda. It came back for Monday night.

It wouldn't be as loud for us anyhow if the aft was the other way. It would be nice to watch the Oracle area activity too![emoji1303]

All the menus are changing July 1. So we missed that. Including O'Sheehan's. They get their own menu then. Right now it's still the old Blue Lagoon menu. Mexican opens July 1.

We were told at one of the Q&A's with officers that the menu changes every three years. I remember the last time.

He talked a little about the process and planning of menus in Miami and test kitchens and lots of other things. Chefs.

So when we go back we'll see even more new things.

Our neighbor in an aft facing suite next to us told me his bathroom had severe flooding from the walls. Filling floor and shower with water. And their toilet was often out of order. Scary. I know a few times I had a little scare when I'd push the flush button and wait and wait and it would flush about a minute later. Just as I was about to run screaming for the phone. Someone else told me all her clothes on the closet floor got soaked. She could hear water in the walls.

All the new furniture was nice. Decorations around ship are contemporary/geometric design.

Nice comfortable seating in out of way places. The lounge area above O'Sheehan's was great. The new chairs in Bliss are very heavy and it's fun to try and move them. And watch the others try.

I loved the wine bar. They have tablets to view the wines. The first two maybe three days we had awesome!!! (Can't express enough just how great!!) wine choices by the glass with UBP.

Then I went in again and looked for my wine. Ricardo said oh they updated the list last night. [emoji46]. It was back to the few cheap wines that are ship wide when you ask for a glass.

They literally took them right off! I was scanning pages like a madwoman.

They'll have to fix that again because paying customers will not be happy with the current choices either. We couldn't complain because it was free for us anyhow.

He let us finish off a bottle from night before that was no longer listed. I think he would have opened another too but we had places to go and people to see.

We brought three bottles with us. At check in the wine guy wasn't there. We waited and waited where they told us to stand. Finally Ed grabbed our carry on and we went and sat down. Amost an hour later I still didn't see wine guy to pay corkage fee too.

When he finally showed up I did not march over and say hey I owe you $45.

We didn't open two of the bottles. We had one at lunch on embarkation at MDR. I saw the waitress staring at bottle looking for sticker but she didn't say anything.

Oh. I do have a complaint. They only had soy milk in Java Cafe for one day. Sunday I think. Every time before and after I tried to get a soy cappuccino they said sorry.

How can I forget our major complaint?? Channel 2 the Navigation channel was all snowy static. Never worked. I don't know about ship wide but those I thought to ask said they didn't have it either.

We like to see where we are. How high the seas are Etc. But you are in luck. They're working on a lot of IT updating all over the ship and I think it will be new and enhanced on the new TVs.

It did no good to ask on the phone because we were told I'll have someone check it. Even Alain acted like he knew nothing about it. "Hey Alain what's up with Channel 2?"

When the engineer was talking at a Q&A I found out about the IT enhancements that were ongoing.

One more observation but I didn't notice it right away...balcony was filthy. Dirty walls. Rusty rail posts. Chips and shards. Dust from where they had sanded the deck. I think they were out there working on way to Boston before we got on.

We had unpleasant weather for a couple days so I didn't spend much time on the balcony. It was wonderful out there on the way home. Didn't see whales. Saw tons in Nantucket Sound last year. Which I don't know when we were there since Ch 2 didn't work ...

The connecting "doors" back there were open for well over 24 hours and banged all night in the bad weather. Steward couldn't fix it.

Finally the maintenance man came twice. Second time he drilled a screw in.

I did have a giant pet moth land on my rail post on Thursday. He was there most of the day. I saw him fly by the day before, to the next balcony.

On embarkation day our key cards would not open our room. They worked for the first hour.

Luckily like I said it wasn't hard to run back and forth 4 times after they'd re-set it. Long lines but we cut by then. Had to!

Finally the guest relations woman ran up and tried it for herself. Then she called security. She came and aimed some gadget at the door and it was fixed. Then we just made it in time to muster!

We had two dinners for two because of our platinum status. Had them both in LaCucina.

Ate in Bamboo once. O'Sheehan's once. Other than that we enjoy the buffet. Leisurely and eat at our own pace. Lots of choices.

You'll all see for yourself how the ship is and enjoy your own experiences.

Happy cruising! Can't wait to see more comments and opinions on the new Dawn!

We had a nice time. The few things that were unavailable didn't get in our way.

I avoided the public bathrooms. They were very lovely and new but many were out of order and had flooded floors. I didn't want to walk in it. [emoji37] not sure where the water was coming from. I seriously doubt it was sewerage but still...they were busy keeping at them with cleaners and fans.

 

We were lucky because our room was one floor up from where we tended to spend a lot of time. So it was easy to get to a rest room [emoji15]

 

We were deck 8 aft facing. It had atrocious music booming and banging until 3 AM every night. Literally vibrated our bed. I did get ear plugs from guest services but didn't use them. Psyched myself to sleep knowing peace comes after 3. Although NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

 

But that's our fault for not researching. We always get aft facing on deck 10 but with the No May bookings and subsequent cancellation of our 6/3 booking we were in kind of a panic to secure a cabin. Well Ed was. He really likes it back aft watching the wake. Now I know why deck 8 was available. [emoji10]

 

Also I saw on Bermuda port cam the ship is docked port side this week. That would be nice if it docks that way next May when we go again.

 

I sound cranky but that Calico Jack party boat ruins the ambiance of evenings on the balcony. Funny thing is I didn't know it was sea worthy and we saw it sail off into the distance shortly after we arrived. What?

 

I heard they took it some where to take employees out for the Monday holiday in Bermuda. It came back for Monday night.

It wouldn't be as loud for us anyhow if the aft was the other way. It would be nice to watch the Oracle area activity too![emoji1303]

 

All the menus are changing July 1. So we missed that. Including O'Sheehan's. They get their own menu then. Right now it's still the old Blue Lagoon menu. Mexican opens July 1.

 

We were told at one of the Q&A's with officers that the menu changes every three years. I remember the last time.

He talked a little about the process and planning of menus in Miami and test kitchens and lots of other things. Chefs.

So when we go back we'll see even more new things.

 

Our neighbor in an aft facing suite next to us told me his bathroom had severe flooding from the walls. Filling floor and shower with water. And their toilet was often out of order. Scary. I know a few times I had a little scare when I'd push the flush button and wait and wait and it would flush about a minute later. Just as I was about to run screaming for the phone. Someone else told me all her clothes on the closet floor got soaked. She could hear water in the walls.

 

All the new furniture was nice. Decorations around ship are contemporary/geometric design.

 

Nice comfortable seating in out of way places. The lounge area above O'Sheehan's was great. The new chairs in Bliss are very heavy and it's fun to try and move them. And watch the others try.

 

I loved the wine bar. They have tablets to view the wines. The first two maybe three days we had awesome!!! (Can't express enough just how great!!) wine choices by the glass with UBP.

Then I went in again and looked for my wine. Ricardo said oh they updated the list last night. [emoji46]. It was back to the few cheap wines that are ship wide when you ask for a glass.

 

They literally took them right off! I was scanning pages like a madwoman.

They'll have to fix that again because paying customers will not be happy with the current choices either. We couldn't complain because it was free for us anyhow.

 

He let us finish off a bottle from night before that was no longer listed. I think he would have opened another too but we had places to go and people to see.

 

We brought three bottles with us. At check in the wine guy wasn't there. We waited and waited where they told us to stand. Finally Ed grabbed our carry on and we went and sat down. Amost an hour later I still didn't see wine guy to pay corkage fee too.

When he finally showed up I did not march over and say hey I owe you $45.

 

We didn't open two of the bottles. We had one at lunch on embarkation at MDR. I saw the waitress staring at bottle looking for sticker but she didn't say anything.

 

Oh. I do have a complaint. They only had soy milk in Java Cafe for one day. Sunday I think. Every time before and after I tried to get a soy cappuccino they said sorry.

 

How can I forget our major complaint?? Channel 2 the Navigation channel was all snowy static. Never worked. I don't know about ship wide but those I thought to ask said they didn't have it either.

 

We like to see where we are. How high the seas are Etc. But you are in luck. They're working on a lot of IT updating all over the ship and I think it will be new and enhanced on the new TVs.

 

It did no good to ask on the phone because we were told I'll have someone check it. Even Alain acted like he knew nothing about it. "Hey Alain what's up with Channel 2?"

 

When the engineer was talking at a Q&A I found out about the IT enhancements that were ongoing.

 

One more observation but I didn't notice it right away...balcony was filthy. Dirty walls. Rusty rail posts. Chips and shards. Dust from where they had sanded the deck. I think they were out there working on way to Boston before we got on.

 

We had unpleasant weather for a couple days so I didn't spend much time on the balcony. It was wonderful out there on the way home. Didn't see whales. Saw tons in Nantucket Sound last year. Which I don't know when we were there since Ch 2 didn't work ...

 

The connecting "doors" back there were open for well over 24 hours and banged all night in the bad weather. Steward couldn't fix it.

 

Finally the maintenance man came twice. Second time he drilled a screw in.

 

I did have a giant pet moth land on my rail post on Thursday. He was there most of the day. I saw him fly by the day before, to the next balcony.

 

On embarkation day our key cards would not open our room. They worked for the first hour.

 

Luckily like I said it wasn't hard to run back and forth 4 times after they'd re-set it. Long lines but we cut by then. Had to!

Finally the guest relations woman ran up and tried it for herself. Then she called security. She came and aimed some gadget at the door and it was fixed. Then we just made it in time to muster!

 

We had two dinners for two because of our platinum status. Had them both in LaCucina.

Ate in Bamboo once. O'Sheehan's once. Other than that we enjoy the buffet. Leisurely and eat at our own pace. Lots of choices.

 

You'll all see for yourself how the ship is and enjoy your own experiences.

 

Happy cruising! Can't wait to see more comments and opinions on the new Dawn!

Hi, How was the traffic flow in the buffet?

.

I'm leaving on July 8th and I'll be on the 11th floor. I am now hoping my bathroom, walls and\or closet don't have issues! This is the 2nd post that I've seen so far from the Dawn that had bathroom issues. *fingers crossed*

Glad you still had a good time!

Great feedback, thanks.

Hi, How was the traffic flow in the buffet?

 

 

 

 

 

.

It was fine! They were always changing sides. But at least two whole lines were open always. A little different at each.

When you come up from the aft stairs or elevators there's now only one entrance to Garden Cafe. Remember there was two before. The other one is now the entrance to the Mexican restaurant. Which was not open yet.

Same with leaving so you'll hit a road block if you try to exit the old way.

It's either the one near stairs or headed out to pool.

It's nice up there. New plates too. [emoji12]

The chef said the buffet pans are smaller to avoid waste. They just keep refilling with new fresh pans rather than putting a lot out at once. We thought everything we had was very good. It was kept really clean.

Coffee is still nasty. [emoji37]. That is the face I made each time I thought I'd try it. Ed liked it.

Great insight - thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing. I will be onboard Christmas week so hopefully the plumbing and TV issues will be resolved by then.

Was the television upgraded to HD/flat screen?

Oh no!! Can I ask what room number you were in? We are going in Oct, and oh MAN dont want to be up all night!!

Thanks for sharing your experience on the Dawn. We're cruising on her for the first time on a New England-Canadian cruise in September. Very pleased to here about the renovations and hope they get the plumbing issues fixed before our cruise.

Thanks for sharing. I will be onboard Christmas week so hopefully the plumbing and TV issues will be resolved by then.

 

 

 

Was the television upgraded to HD/flat screen?

Yes. It has new features as well.

Oh no!! Can I ask what room number you were in? We are going in Oct, and oh MAN dont want to be up all night!!

It was 8676. Aft facing balcony. We always book deck 10 back there. (We have change issues [emoji10])

But none were available after our original booking was cancelled for dry dock. And in a panic mode we took it.

The 'change' issue made us stay in Aft-facing. We didn't even question it. In the back of my mind I see my TA emailing me that it can be very loud with the nightclub below. I was like: who cares we'll take it.

Don't ever book that one.

I have to remind her to never book another client in there or they'll hate her. [emoji52][emoji1306]

The suite beside us was just as bad. Our neighbor said they were up all night also. Every night.

I'm sure all 4 rooms on Deck 8 Aft-facing are sleep and peace robbers.

The only relief was White Hot Night. It was out on the pool deck.

All quiet below.

But a loud thunderstorm rolled in and guess what. The party moved in to Bliss late night.

Oh well. They all had fun I'm sure.

I should have stormed down there with my hands on my hips and told them to turn that $h@t down before I call the cops! [emoji19]

I really thought about it.

Thanks for sharing your experience on the Dawn. We're cruising on her for the first time on a New England-Canadian cruise in September. Very pleased to here about the renovations and hope they get the plumbing issues fixed before our cruise.

I think that will be a nice one. Never tried that itinerary. I'm sure the plumbing will be fixed. I can't imagine what went wrong but they must be working around the clock to fix it.

We still had contractors onboard during our cruise. Some a few doors down from us too.

There was a big IT team there as well.

And some upper management from Miami.

We love the Dawn. I'm sure she'll be fixed up. They keep working all year. Every year. Right?

One other thing lurking in the back of my mind. Someone asked an officer at a Q&A if Norwegian was going to charter any ships for use as hotels at America's Cup next year.

Pretty sure he said Breakaway will be a hotel. And he said they considered the Dawn. I kind of blacked out and can't remember the rest of the conversation.

We are booked May 5 next year. If that week gets cancelled for charter I'll have another 'change issue' episode.

He also said its not definite yet that the Dawn will be back for Boston to Bermuda in 2018. But something about bigger ships and Kings wharf and blah blah. I was still blacked out.

Thanks for your trip report.

keith

Interesting to hear about the Dawn being a leaky ship again. There was some discussion on/off several years ago but nothing really in the last 2-3 years.

Were there upgrades to staterooms and baths other than the tv?

Arrgh!! 8172 is the one we are in ... maybe just maybe it wont be so bad in October

Were there upgrades to staterooms and baths other than the tv?

Press release stated bedding, carpets, drapes and artwork also uograded/changed.

We were on the same cruise. I'm sorry to hear about the noise issue. We always stay in a balcony cabin in Deck 10. This year was the first time in many Bermuda cruises that we had noisy neighbors who came in yelling after a night in the casino. At least that was short-lived compared to the nightclub noise.

We thought the renovations were fabulous. The ship looks so classy, and the staff is so proud of it. Our only complaint ( minor) was that the TVs in O'Sheehans were so annoyingly loud that we couldn't talk. All in all, this ship has been vastly improved, and we can't wait to sail her again.

I loved the wine bar. They have tablets to view the wines. The first two maybe three days we had awesome!!! (Can't express enough just how great!!) wine choices by the glass with UBP.

Then I went in again and looked for my wine. Ricardo said oh they updated the list last night. [emoji46]. It was back to the few cheap wines that are ship wide when you ask for a glass.

 

They literally took them right off! I was scanning pages like a madwoman.

They'll have to fix that again because paying customers will not be happy with the current choices either. We couldn't complain because it was free for us anyhow.

 

He let us finish off a bottle from night before that was no longer listed. I think he would have opened another too but we had places to go and people to see.

 

What were the best red wines by the glass...and how much more than the $15 allocation were they?

Love your posts thanks so much….

As far as bigger ships coming in…. my thought is don't. I like the smaller more personable ships

We had a nice time. The few things that were unavailable didn't get in our way.

I avoided the public bathrooms. They were very lovely and new but many were out of order and had flooded floors. I didn't want to walk in it. [emoji37] not sure where the water was coming from. I seriously doubt it was sewerage but still...they were busy keeping at them with cleaners and fans.

 

We were lucky because our room was one floor up from where we tended to spend a lot of time. So it was easy to get to a rest room [emoji15]

 

We were deck 8 aft facing. It had atrocious music booming and banging until 3 AM every night. Literally vibrated our bed. I did get ear plugs from guest services but didn't use them. Psyched myself to sleep knowing peace comes after 3. Although NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

 

But that's our fault for not researching. We always get aft facing on deck 10 but with the No May bookings and subsequent cancellation of our 6/3 booking we were in kind of a panic to secure a cabin. Well Ed was. He really likes it back aft watching the wake. Now I know why deck 8 was available. [emoji10]

 

Also I saw on Bermuda port cam the ship is docked port side this week. That would be nice if it docks that way next May when we go again.

 

I sound cranky but that Calico Jack party boat ruins the ambiance of evenings on the balcony. Funny thing is I didn't know it was sea worthy and we saw it sail off into the distance shortly after we arrived. What?

 

I heard they took it some where to take employees out for the Monday holiday in Bermuda. It came back for Monday night.

It wouldn't be as loud for us anyhow if the aft was the other way. It would be nice to watch the Oracle area activity too![emoji1303]

 

All the menus are changing July 1. So we missed that. Including O'Sheehan's. They get their own menu then. Right now it's still the old Blue Lagoon menu. Mexican opens July 1.

 

We were told at one of the Q&A's with officers that the menu changes every three years. I remember the last time.

He talked a little about the process and planning of menus in Miami and test kitchens and lots of other things. Chefs.

So when we go back we'll see even more new things.

 

Our neighbor in an aft facing suite next to us told me his bathroom had severe flooding from the walls. Filling floor and shower with water. And their toilet was often out of order. Scary. I know a few times I had a little scare when I'd push the flush button and wait and wait and it would flush about a minute later. Just as I was about to run screaming for the phone. Someone else told me all her clothes on the closet floor got soaked. She could hear water in the walls.

 

All the new furniture was nice. Decorations around ship are contemporary/geometric design.

 

Nice comfortable seating in out of way places. The lounge area above O'Sheehan's was great. The new chairs in Bliss are very heavy and it's fun to try and move them. And watch the others try.

 

I loved the wine bar. They have tablets to view the wines. The first two maybe three days we had awesome!!! (Can't express enough just how great!!) wine choices by the glass with UBP.

Then I went in again and looked for my wine. Ricardo said oh they updated the list last night. [emoji46]. It was back to the few cheap wines that are ship wide when you ask for a glass.

 

They literally took them right off! I was scanning pages like a madwoman.

They'll have to fix that again because paying customers will not be happy with the current choices either. We couldn't complain because it was free for us anyhow.

 

He let us finish off a bottle from night before that was no longer listed. I think he would have opened another too but we had places to go and people to see.

 

We brought three bottles with us. At check in the wine guy wasn't there. We waited and waited where they told us to stand. Finally Ed grabbed our carry on and we went and sat down. Amost an hour later I still didn't see wine guy to pay corkage fee too.

When he finally showed up I did not march over and say hey I owe you $45.

 

We didn't open two of the bottles. We had one at lunch on embarkation at MDR. I saw the waitress staring at bottle looking for sticker but she didn't say anything.

 

Oh. I do have a complaint. They only had soy milk in Java Cafe for one day. Sunday I think. Every time before and after I tried to get a soy cappuccino they said sorry.

 

How can I forget our major complaint?? Channel 2 the Navigation channel was all snowy static. Never worked. I don't know about ship wide but those I thought to ask said they didn't have it either.

 

We like to see where we are. How high the seas are Etc. But you are in luck. They're working on a lot of IT updating all over the ship and I think it will be new and enhanced on the new TVs.

 

It did no good to ask on the phone because we were told I'll have someone check it. Even Alain acted like he knew nothing about it. "Hey Alain what's up with Channel 2?"

 

When the engineer was talking at a Q&A I found out about the IT enhancements that were ongoing.

 

One more observation but I didn't notice it right away...balcony was filthy. Dirty walls. Rusty rail posts. Chips and shards. Dust from where they had sanded the deck. I think they were out there working on way to Boston before we got on.

 

We had unpleasant weather for a couple days so I didn't spend much time on the balcony. It was wonderful out there on the way home. Didn't see whales. Saw tons in Nantucket Sound last year. Which I don't know when we were there since Ch 2 didn't work ...

 

The connecting "doors" back there were open for well over 24 hours and banged all night in the bad weather. Steward couldn't fix it.

 

Finally the maintenance man came twice. Second time he drilled a screw in.

 

I did have a giant pet moth land on my rail post on Thursday. He was there most of the day. I saw him fly by the day before, to the next balcony.

 

On embarkation day our key cards would not open our room. They worked for the first hour.

 

Luckily like I said it wasn't hard to run back and forth 4 times after they'd re-set it. Long lines but we cut by then. Had to!

Finally the guest relations woman ran up and tried it for herself. Then she called security. She came and aimed some gadget at the door and it was fixed. Then we just made it in time to muster!

 

We had two dinners for two because of our platinum status. Had them both in LaCucina.

Ate in Bamboo once. O'Sheehan's once. Other than that we enjoy the buffet. Leisurely and eat at our own pace. Lots of choices.

 

You'll all see for yourself how the ship is and enjoy your own experiences.

 

Happy cruising! Can't wait to see more comments and opinions on the new Dawn!

We were on the same cruise, we met at the Meet and Greet. I thought you would like to know where Calico Jack's ship went on Monday. We were in Hamilton and saw it at the dock right where the ferry comes in. We mentioned to a local that we did not think it was seaworthy too, and he told me it was made from an old ferry to look like a pirate ship. It was booked for a private party of local people who were going to meet up with other party ships and "raft" together. We saw several of other boats filling with people and heading out of Hamilton Harbor. He told me that Monday Hero's Day was the first big summer holiday.

We found that large moth you mentioned on our balcony too on Deck 10 in the aft. It was around quite a bit. I wondered if it got off in Boston.

I wrote a long review of our cruise but it has not been published yet.

We were on the same cruise, we met at the Meet and Greet. I thought you would like to know where Calico Jack's ship went on Monday. We were in Hamilton and saw it at the dock right where the ferry comes in. We mentioned to a local that we did not think it was seaworthy too, and he told me it was made from an old ferry to look like a pirate ship. It was booked for a private party of local people who were going to meet up with other party ships and "raft" together. We saw several of other boats filling with people and heading out of Hamilton Harbor. He told me that Monday Hero's Day was the first big summer holiday.

 

 

 

We found that large moth you mentioned on our balcony too on Deck 10 in the aft. It was around quite a bit. I wondered if it got off in Boston.

 

 

 

I wrote a long review of our cruise but it has not been published yet.

Hi Jane. I spent over an hour last night selecting and commenting on lots of pictures from our cruise. About 60 I ended up trying to post. What a dummy. I didn't know you could only share 6 per post. I'll try again later.

Here's one of the moth. Or did I already post it?

What week are you on next year? I told Ed if it's May 5 like us, we will be neighbors. I know you get a suite in aft-facing. We're booked in 10230. It's one of the two middles between suites.

Our favorite.

You told me a little of your findings about Calico Jack when we were in the lounge above O'Sheehan's.

The ship is already on the way back! This week it was docked port side. Which I would prefer.

I figured out how to edit [emoji19][emoji10]

What were the best red wines by the glass...and how much more than the $15 allocation were they?

Sorry I can't remember. The tablets have so many choices! We only tried one over the $15 limit. It was a $30 per glass. Michael Mondavi with a special extractor. They don't remove the cork. So we paid $15 each. Which for some reason they credited back. It was the day before they took all the good wines off the tablet. They updated. I said why?? He told me it was some weird story.