Cruzinnana47

amybeth28 - You are doing such a good job with this review of the Dawn. By separating the review in sections, it's very easy to follow - for new cruisers and cruise vets alike. ;) You're giving a lot of helpful info. & tips to help people plan their time on the ship.

I've been following with interest as we will be sailing on the Dawn again next spring (out of NOLA). Although we sailed on the Dawn previously, it was back in 2004, when the ship was still fairly new & based out of NYC, doing a FL-Bahamas itinerary. So it's nice to read your review and see what has changed on the ship. We remember having a great time on our cruise in 2004 and hopefully will enjoy our upcoming one in 2016 as well.

Wonder if you spoke to anyone who mentioned the Chef's Table dinner?

I read your review of the Dawn and absolutely appreciate your outlook on life and your comments (I am french and sometimes look for my word in English). I do not think I would go on the Dawn until it is refurbished. So if it is Bermuda this year it has to be the Breakaway. So I read your review on the sister ship. Sorry for the plane problem. I think I could put up with such a big ship since there is place to be more quiet. I cannot understand how such a big ship has only one pool (not counthing the kiddy one).

my husband does not want to go on such a big ship, but happy wife...

 

I will wait for some reviews before deciding. In the meantime our CDN dollar is loosing value which is not a good thing for us.

Have been on both the Dawn and Breakaway. Although the Breakaway is a new big ship (and very attractive, with many activities), we did not care for it. We are in our 60's and prefer a smaller ship to relax on and take a leisurely stroll around the wraparound promenade deck, so we will be sailing on the Dawn again next Spring. The entertainment was good on the Breakaway, but the theater and other entertainment venues are too small to accomodate the amount of passengers onboard. The pool area was small as well. On the other hand, sailing from NYC is a great experience, seeing the skyline and passing the Statue of Liberty and under the Verrazano Bridge.

Hope that whichever ship you decide on, you will enjoy your cruise to Bermuda!

Once the port authorities clear the ship, passengers can start getting off, usually those with ship excursions or priority status will be first. In tender ports, it might take longer, but generally you wouldn't need to wait 2 hrs., unless there was some type of problem.

As theloo stated, most often they announce (and post on the ship's newsletter) that passengers need to be back onboard one hour before departure. That's been our experience on nearly all of our cruises.

And WELCOME to cruise critic!:D

We learned years (& several cruises) ago to pack travel mugs with us. We are both coffee fanatics and need a lot more in the AM than a "tiny" cupful.

Thanks for pointing out this tip for other cruisers. :)

Hopefully, you enjoyed your cruise and the beautiful island of Bermuda.;)

This is interesting -- quite a few here have seemed to have received similar e-mails today.

Ours was for our April, 2016 cruise. We have a balcony and they offered us a free upgrade to a mini-suite if we voluntarily move our cruise to dates in Nov. and Dec., 2015.

Won't be happening with us. Travelling with 2 other couples and the dates aren't going to work with them either.

How long does it typically take to get off the ship if its scheduled to arrive back at NY at 8 a.m.? Are there often delays or is it pretty accurate?

It depends--I'm sure some would tell you they got off in short order. Especially those who choose to self-debark. We weren't so lucky when we sailed on the BA (Jan., 2014). Even though the ship was tied up pretty much on schedule, there was a major back-up getting off the ship and think it was nearly 11 am before we got into the terminal to claim our bags. :eek: Hopefully, that time for us was a fluke and you'll have no problem.

I'm a VERY cold natured person and even the 60's is cold to me. I'm that person that you will find with 3 shirts and a sweat shirt on when it's cold, long johns and pants and 2 paris of socks and boots on. I'm constantly cold...and LOVE the summer and warm weather. I keep telling my hubby I can't wait to hit menopause so that I'll be warm. :p :eek: So having a balcony so that I can stay inside behind the glass until I want to go out to take a picture or see something will be a must.

 

I"m the same way--hate being cold--DH tells me I must be part reptile as I love to stay out in the sun when it's HOT.

Don't be too anxious for menopause--I used to say that too, but it's not a "comfortable" warmth -- more like being suffocated...:eek::p

Enjoying the review - love the pix of the Dawn. Brings it all back after over 10 yrs. since we sailed on her and looking forward to returning to sail her again next Spring.

Enjoying your review of the Dawn. and like many others, have been anxiously awaiting it--and looking forward to your experience in lovely Bermuda. We were on the Dawn in 2004 when it was still a fairly new ship and will sail on her again next April from NOLA.

Being from MA (born in Boston) I had to chuckle about Dunkin' Donuts being everywhere you looked--how true. Most people around here have to have their daily "Dunkie" fix. Personally, I'm not a fan. I actually love Tim Horton's like your hubby and wish they had one around these parts. Going to Canada soon and can't wait to stock up on bags of ground Tim's...:p

So you got to see the "T" in close proximity to your hotel. Yep, that's the good old "red line" which you heard and saw going by. Actually, the part of Boston you were staying in on Morrissey Blvd. is Dorchester.

Looking forward to the rest of your review. ;)

I kinda remember that. Maybe they disappeared because trays made it too easy to carry food back to our rooms. :D

LOL...good one!;):p:D

On our BA cruise (Jan., 2014), we had the Wine & Cheese get-together for past guests outside at Spice H20. We didn't have a table, so had to juggle everything on our laps in chairs...but still a nice event.

Yes, you usually do get an invitation in your stateroom.

I am curious guys, is it true that at one point in time, NCL did provide trays at the Garden Cafe?

I seem to recall having trays on our 1st few NCL cruises in the 1990's. Haven't seen them the last several cruises.

If your Mom is a peppy, active senior--then most likely she will enjoy herself. As far as the Studio goes, hard to say whether there will be others her age on your sailing, but it's of course a possibility. If she likes mixing with others of all ages, there should be no problem. There's a nice lounge for the use of those in the studio cabins.

The Breakaway is a pretty ship with a lot going on--over 4000 pax, and a pretty lively vibe. If your Mom doesn't mind that, then all should be fine.

Dawn is at the dock now--should just be a short while until docked. Looks like a nice evening there....sure the pax are anxious to get onto the lovely island of Bermuda--better late than never...:)

First off, welcome to Cruise Critic! Even if you could book a balcony cabin on the Spirit for 4 people, it would be a very tight fit. As Sauer-Kraut had suggested, try to book a balcony and inside or one of the Family Inside or OV cabins. The Spirit is a lovely ship--hope you enjoy.

We've been on 8 NCL cruises - on the last became platinum, and have our 9th NCL cruise booked for next April.

Welcome back to those who just returned on the Dawn. Yes, I knew the local media would make a bigger deal of the situation that it was and get folks at home worried. But glad you all are fine and I do have to say I'm happy to hear that NCL sent the pres. down to address concerns and obviously the Capt. & crew responded appropriately and helped keep everyone informed and calm.

The other good news is you have the 15% future credit and there was free rum punch and beer!:D:cool:

isn't she usually closer to being tied up at the time she was shown entering the harbor? Either way, she's here and in one piece but now the fun begins with the news stories... Wonder who will do the carnival robe routine and come off and kiss the ground. :eek::rolleyes::d

Thee's always at least one...LOL...;):D

So glad the Dawn is back and the Boston news stations can finally give it a rest (but not before they try to nab a few passengers disembarking and get their remarks)....the local media sure blew this out of proportion...:rolleyes:

Such a horrible tragedy. Prayers to the family and all involved.

I'm on the fence and therefore "Unsure" of future bookings with NCL. Having said that, we are already booked on the Dawn for next April out of NOLA and that cruise may make up our minds for us--especially after all these recent changes that were put into place. Would like to try another line we haven't sailed on before or perhaps try Princess again, which we do like.

It's frustrating because this cruise in 2016 will be our first as Platinum, but the perks might not be worth it if NCL comes up with any more "changes".

Thank you, Dorhead1230, for starting a Positive-toned thread. It's such a ray of sunshine in the bleak, negative vibe which has permeated this NCL forum lately. (I confess I also posted re the recent changes, too, but tried not to be too much of a "Debbie-Downer").

We are looking most forward to returning to New Orleans before our next cruise which will be our 2nd time on the Dawn.

After finally making Platinum, we are also happy to have earned a few more perks, including dinner at Le Bistro with wine and getting a free bag of laundry. And having the UBP will make for a more festive atmosphere with family and friends...;):cool:

Oh the OP is right. The winds were howling, and everyone was getting sick. I personally saw a half a dozen get sick in the halls. We were moving all over the place - the crew said it was the worst they had been in well over 5 years.

Our 1st cruise from Boston to Bermuda in May, 1997 on the NCL Majesty (pre-stretch) had quite the bumpy ride down AND back. The ship was a lot smaller than the Dawn. We ended up being the only 2 at a table for 10 in the MDR. There were "seasick bags" everywhere, including the elevators and folks camped out in the hallways and lounges during the evening--evidentally to get away from the rough ride in their cabins. A woman actually got seriously injured on our cruise (sea day enroute to Bermuda) while on the promenade deck, and had to be med-vaced by the USCG. So it does happen from time to time. I can see why the OP considered it scary. But as I said before, when you're sailing in the Atlantic, especially North, it can be extremely rough. Remember the "rogue wave" on the Dawn in April several years back?

OP, I do hope you had an enjoyable time while in Bermuda. It's a lovely island.

I was on the Norweigen Dawn out of Boston, sailing to Bermuda May 1st. On may 2 we hit the worse storm , like being in a hurricane!. I was surprised the ship continued on to Bermudia, and didn't take us elsewhere. There was another ship following us and it turned around, was this the Breakaway out of New York? Where did it go since it didn't show up in Bermuda? I am a seasoned cruiser and I was terrified....as were the other passengers and crew!

Breakaway was in Bermuda - just arrived a couple days after you. Saw them on the Port of Bermuda webcam.

It can very often be rough leaving Boston. We had some rough seas on that route, also in May--but certainly not a hurricane. That's how it is sailing the No. Atlantic sometimes.

Actually the folks on the Dawn enroute to Bermuda right now could have choppy seas, courtesy of tropical storm Ana. As stated by previous poster, the Captain and his team know what to do to avoid putting the ship, passengers and crew in danger.

DH bought a "Dive-In" t-shirt years ago, as well as a "Bar Hopper" t-shirt (with the blue rabbit logo) on the Dawn in 2004--still packs and wears on every NCL cruise.

Enjoying this trip down memory lane...:)