Live from the Dawn 1/18 - Guess who

Ok one more try - thanks for the emails - now just chill and enjoy all the flavors of the Internet.

All that aside I will take a run at it and see where it goes.

Saturday 2/17

It is about 11 pm and I have not finished packing. Third weekend in a row with business calls every 4 hours around the clock from Friday 5 pm until midnight Sunday. My last call this weekend will be from the balcony of the Dawn around 6 pm. I need this cruise.

Booked this cruise about 2 weeks after I got of the Dawn last Feb. Same AB as last year and it turned out to be a great value. For the Last 3 months the AFs were selling for about $200 less. So much for last minute bargain hunting.

This will be my 7th cruise on the Dawn and with the recent changes in this itinerary I can say I have never repeated an itinerary. Faced the same reduced speed in Feb 2005 and another one of a kind itinerary. Shame I will not have a chance to cruise on the Dawn next Feb from NYC but I am already booked on the Gem and if it is half as fabulous as the Pearl I will be delighted.

We have had what you might call an active roll call. We did not make 50,000 posts but got within 300 posts if you count the other boards the group is on. Most days I referred to it as The View.

Here is the plan – watch the EPS Cam - Dawn gets to the harbor I head for the pier. I have to believe it will be late arriving so no sense heading there at 10am. Our revised itinerary has us getting back 2 hours later and leaving Tortola one hour sooner. I will try and post from the pier between calls. Dinner is all booked for tomorrow night – 16 from the roll call at Cagney’s 8 pm. Email is a wonderful thing and Claudio a great concierge.

Ok folks get ready for a cruise. 2/18

Day one at sea - thoughts on the last 24 hours. The Dawn was in early. I watched here dock from home on the web cams and then headed for the pier, parked, and settled in upstairs at the pier with the penthouse and Latitudes members. Boarding started about noon the usual gold rush witheveryone trying to exit upstairs at once. Doors to the cabin hallways were closed with signs stating you cabins will be ready at 3 . Dropped the carry ons in the cabin, met the cabin staff, and got pot of their way. Lunch in Venetian by 1 pm.

I all starts to get hazy after that. Drinks with friends in the Owners Suite, Drinks in my AB, muster drill, Drinks, Pearly Kings, and finally dinner for 16 at Cagney’s One table of 6 and one of 10. Food was excellent. In fact the first time I had lobster onboard and it was not overcooked and a bit dry. Then it could have been the 3 bottles of wine my table of 6 went thru.

Off to the casino which as we all know is not a good idea after a day of too many drinks. The casino was very good to me. I broke even. It was easy I just never played. Walked in and unlike prior years was unable to fine a $5 table. Made one lap and headed back to the cabin for some much needed sleep.

Enough travel log. Things people want to know.

I have not been able to get a real answer on the Dawn speed problem. Everyone is being very careful with any answers. VIP party tonight I will see what the Captain has to say. Here is what I know – crew of contractors onboard working on one engine. Nobody would tell me if they thought it was an onboard problem or if in fact an Azipod that will require a drydock. All I can say is they are working it. Updates to follow.

We may in fact be later then planned into San Juan. Had to change coarse last night to avoid a storm. The ship was rocking and the doors slamming in the middle of the night.

This morning as we crossed the Gulf Stream it was remarkable ( I will upload a picture sometime today) The air was about 40 F and the water 70F creating what the captain called sea mist. Much like the early am on a lake but pushed by the winds across 12 foot seas.

1 pm and off to Latitudes reception, 4pm Martini Clinic, 7 pm VIP Cocktail party, and I was going to take it slow today.

Later folks – I have not read any of the posts – maybe later.

Day 2 at sea -

Quick up date we are zipping along at 23.5 knots and should be in San Juan on time. Current depth of the sea as Jimmy the CD said is over all our heads at 70,000 ft. 70s today. No new information on the “reduced speed “ problem. Vargen one of the CC members onboard watched yesterday afternoon from his aft cabin as the switched on and of the starboard azipod and the speed of the ship as reported on the tv went from 22 to 15 to 22. Clearly they are working on it.

Many though I was crazy cruising Presidents week – Kids gone wild ..lol The facts only 420 passengers under the age of 21 onboard. No packs running thru the halls, no elevators with all the buttons pushed, no passenger held hostage. Average age this cruise 43.

Working backward on yesterday:

The casino was very bad to me last night I could not get a card and the cash donations continued to add up. For those that are concerned the only $5 table game was the Ultimate Texas Holdem.

Lobster night last night – As good as it ever was in the past. Gone is the brown mystery sauce. Just nice (be it small) rock lobster tail, with melted butter. For the first time in years I even ordered a second portion. Not mushy not dry. Impressions remains my favorite main dining room.

VIP reception at 7:30 – The usual 1 hour open bar. What was unusal that unlike prior cruises all the senior staff greeted the passengers at the doors but seemed to just disappear by 8 pm not one to be found. I was hoping to corner the captian to better understand the engine issue. Never had a chance. The only two staff members I know from past cruises are Claudio and Calvin Lodge who just came onboard as the HD to cover vacation.

Martini clinic 4 pm until - $15 and we ended up with six martinis – most wisely split one tasting. Everything made with top shelf. A great time was had by about 20 of the Bummer Busters onboard.

Yesterday 1pm the latitudes reception was the usual – an hour of rum punch/ yellowbirds, red & white wine, champagne, domestic beer. Nice warm up for the day that was cloudy and 40s.

A little more on our meet and greet at 10:30 it was the best yet. We had a series of “contests” as we got ready of the past year for this cruise online. Just some great prizes that several of the Bummer Busters put together. Not sure where they came up with mine. A blue tee shirt that says SHADY on the front and Martini on the back. I love it. I donated a wireless mouse for one of the contests. Margarette and Ann went overboard with the prizes and brought 100s of Madi Gras beads for everyone. Everyone had a great time putting names with faces.

The Ship – The Dawn remains in great shape. Those booked into 10506 are in for a surprise. The ungly green carpet is gone. Those in that OS last cruise got a treat. They upgrade them to the GV so NCL could replace the carpet. I have not noticed any decline in service as reported but it is only day 2 at sea. One thing I have noticed is the very visable senior staff does not seem to be here. None of the staff at the meet and great offered their cards of direct numbers to the members as they have on prior cruises. What I like to call the Klause effect is perhaps wearing off. Calvin is perhaps the exception as I have run ito him twice.

Nit picking – I have seen a lot more handprints in the elevators – not sure if this is just the effect of having so many school age kids on board or everyone getting caught up after turning around the ship. Not talking about a single hand print but a door full of them.

Enough for this morning – downloaded a new book headed out to the pool deck with the ipod and start it. The sun is trying to come out.

Not sure there is much of value here but based on oll the emails these ramblinbs are back. I need to fire up the other laptop and work on some pictures – later shoreguy out.

Thanks for coming back SG, cruise sounds heavenly so far. You are so generous to do this while on board, I don't think I could bear to look at a computer while on vacation:eek:!

Thanks, Shoreguy! This place just didn't feel right without your posting your SG stuff while at sea. Keep that blog coming.

Have a lovely cruise

Shoreguy Just Wanted To Ckeck In And Say Hi.this Is One Of The Minions In Fact Ring Leader From The One Night Gv Cruise Just Wanted To Say Thanks Again For The Invite In The Gv We Had Great Time Have A Martini For Me. Enjoy Your Cruise. Sailsman/ringleader

Thanks, Shoreguy! This place just didn't feel right without your posting your SG stuff while at sea. Keep that blog coming.

 

Have a lovely cruise

I feel the same way, thank you Shoreguy!

Thanks, Shoreguy! We sure have missed seeing you around.

Have a great cruise!

Jackie

Jim: sorry to hear the "Klaus effect" is wearing off -- it continued when Hugo took over as HD of the Dawn, and he carried that over to the Spirit...:rolleyes:

We're all anxious to hear about the azipod problems -- especially since we're cruising when you get back on 3/1 -- so any info you can find out will be greatly appreciated! People on our roll call are beginning to panic :eek: , thinking the cruise will be cancelled. I sincerely doubt that will happen, as we sailed on the Dawn in 04 with the same issues -- it may slow us down a bit, but won't stop us from cruising!

Thank You So Much Mr. Shoreguy.

Wonderful, as usual.

We Shall be looking forward to your pictures.

Sail:D :D

Enjoy yourself as much as you did on the Pearl :D:D

Sometimes its not the ship doing 15 knots its the computer. One time last trip it showed the same time for over three hours and the position was 300 miles from were we actually were(I called down and then they reset it)...

As you pointed out we were in fact early back to NY. They don't actually schedule it to do the full 25 knots on any leg. So if it can do 23.5 knots you should be on time except that if they changed direction for the storm or slowed down that could change it being on time. The HD told us last time that one of the reasons they are moving the Dawn to Miami was that running it close to full speed every trip ofr such a long distance(from NY to the Carribe or Florida) is hard on the engines.

You said they have idicated some delays in arrival...I hope it doesn't make it gtoo bad for you :) Have a great time.

Thank you so much Shoreguy. Just know that we do appreciate your time and hope you have a great cruise. We will be aboard the Dawn next month, and all of your input is so helpful.

Blessings Fran

Have a great trip Shoreguy, I just loved the Dawn and love hearing about her again!!!!!

Thank god, the mystery brown sauce is gone!!!!! I like my lobster with melted butter! Now, THAT'S good news!!!! Thanks Shoreguy for your updates, I enjoy them as I am looking forward to my next Dawn trip in April.

Have a good vacation!

~Jo~

Glad you're back! I love reading your blogs, it's almost like being on a ship myself. Oh well, not long till I leave for the Pearl so I'm enjoying the pre-cruise warm-up. :D And keep the good info coming. I'm especially happy to hear about the lobster. Never did quite figure out that gravy thing.

Shoreguy, just wondering if you met Christie and Ray (The Wolffs) at the meet and greet. Christie called me during departure and was under the covers and not feeling well in her aft cabin. I hope it was just a 24 hour bug. Hopefully, I'll hear from her in San Juan.

Just another Mom worried about her 30 year old baby. Children may grow up, but Mom's never change.

Sorry we forgot to try the lobster on NCL Star a couple weeks ago. The dailies confused me on NCL after doing RCCL and Princess for our last two cruises. They are just setup differently. Halfway thru the cruise, I figured out where to look for things. Just a senior moment or two.

Shoreguy - looking forward to the rest of your posts...we sail on the Dawn 3/11....can't wait! :)

Shoreguy it's great to have you posting your blog here. I'm getting so excited for our 4/1 cruise. Thanks for taking the time to post.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest and seeing the pictures.

Shoreguy I'd like to know about the entertainment/shows. I'm researching our next cruise...btw, I always enjoy reading your stuff...

How very kind of you to post and share with us. Are you in the usual Diamond penthouse? Who is the butler? Is there an Ass't. Hotel director on board? We had a great guy named Jaime. Enjoy yourself and give our best to the rest of the CC group.

Sorry, Dup!

Shoreguy,

Thanks again for all the info. Always enjoy your posts.

Love the Dawn, sailed her 4 times ... we are cruising on the NCL Jewel in 5 days! Doubt it will top the Dawn but looking forward to a new NCL experience.

Keep in touch,

Juried

Just a quick update at 1:00 am on the 21st – 260 NM from San Juan – cruising at 22.5 knots.

Spent the day wondering why everyone was running late. It was very frustrating. They left me sitting for 20 minutes for my spa appointment. Raced to Venetian for lunch just before they were to close and they kept seating people for an extra half hour. Got to dinner and everybody showed up 20 minutes late. Perhaps it was the fact that we change time zones last night and I decided to reset my watch at 3 am. The best part I asked a bar waiter what time it was and his watch and mine showed exactly the same time. Then he added that his watch was a half hour fast so he not be late for work. The net result my watch was over 25 minutes fast.

A little sun today 70s, Pool side BBQ – the usual mad house, casino continues to be very bad to me. The good news I did find the $5 blackjack tables. The bad news they are poolside.

Food remains light years ahead of last winter. Great service tonight in impression.

Entertainment like food is subjective – Dan Hodge Cabaret in the Stardust to night. Some folks seemed to enjoy it they even clapped. My son and I wanted to jump off the balcony and kill ourselves. A little bad Tom Jones, a little bad Neil Diamond, a Jerry Lee Lewis segment, a little I love my dad…………..you decide

Tim Triplet did an adult hypnosis show in Spinnakers at 10:45. He is a strange guy but the show certainly had its moments. One poor woman will spend the rest of her cruise living down her performance.

Did have the joy today of some yuets playing doorbell tag today. Other then that the no issues with the passenger mix. There are only about 2500 onboard and they can stuff 2800 onboard. Went to Impressions at 7 this evening and no real wait at all. Maybe ten minutes. Not even time to really start my drink at Gatsby’s.

Those worried about the ship. I have no new news but I would not be concerned if you are cruising in the next few weeks. We are making good speed.

Later

1:40 am out.

Thanks Jim!

Reading this is a little bit like being myself on the ship with you!

Hope to seeing you and Pat on the GEM TA:D

Btw the video about our transatlantic crossing is almost done and I will upload it next weekend.

Have a great cruise.