Dawn Princess Review - March 7-21

That's right, 2 weeks of cruising in the Sun on the beatiful Dawn.

Like many experienced cruisers, we chose a one night precruise option, because of possible weather delays on our flight from LAX to San Juan. Lucky for us, nothing went wrong, and by Saturday afternoon, we were comfortably ensconced in room 405 at the San Juan Marriott. It was one of those great corner rooms, which just came our way through happenstance. With a large wraparound balcony, we had a view of the pool area, the beach, and the ocean! That evening, we took a $15 cab ride to the Intercontinental, where we had a terrific steak at Ruth Chris' steakhouse. A bit pricey perhaps, but not outlandish, all things considered.

John and I are cruise veterans, with more than 40 trips to our credit. We've found that one week is never enough for us, and as we're both retired, we prefer to take back-to-back cruises. Because he wanted to get his certification for scuba diving, he chose the Dawn Princess because of its PADI sanctioned program of instruction.

Our wonderful T.A, Brian, found us a great room at half the price others were paying for less comfortable accommodations.

Because the hotel to ship transfer wouldn't take place till the early afternoon, we sent our bags with the luggage that would be collected later that day, and took another $15 cab ride to the ship shortly before 11am. We didn't have long to wait, and it was a pleasant day, with shade by the terminal against which we were lined up. The terminal opened promptly when they had indicated it would, and the line moved along swiftly. As we had qualified for platinum member status with the first cruise, we were shuttled into the special line set up for those in that category. After taking an impression of our credit card, we received our room keys and went on board. Perhaps I've come to expect the line of uniformed and smiling escorts on Celebrity who show you to your room, but that's not the way Princess handles the situation. Instead, several staff is stationed at strategic points near the elevators to point the way to your deck.

We were on deck 11 (Aloha), and had no difficulty finding stateroom #406. Upon entering the room, we found it a tad smaller than the similar accommodations we share with John's 86-year-old mother, but since this was just going to be the two of us, it would prove just fine.

Venturing two decks above, we had our first of many meals at the tastefully decorated and efficient, Horizon Court. As we're both champion Diet Coke drinkers, we purchased $25 stickers for the week, which would allow us unlimited coke refills. In addition, you receive an insulated beverage glass that is yours to keep after the cruise. In my experience, it's best to order a large coke, instead of having these small glasses refilled. The food in Horizon Court was plentiful and the variety was dazzling in the various options.

Our room steward was a lovely thoughtful lady from the Philippines, Dorie. Not only did she keep our stateroom spotless, but also it was always picked up and tidy. It was always a joy returning to our room and finding it so orderly...quite a change from home, he he.

As it was just the two of us, we chose anytime dinning. This was the first time we had used this option, and it worked well for us. We often enjoy a light snack of guacamole or finger sandwiches after 4pm, but if you have first seating dinner, then you're often full from your afternoon treats. So, we were still able to enjoy our afternoon snacks, sip some wine on our verandah, and go to dinner between 7 and 7:30, with enough time to catch the late show and not feel rushed. Because we did have anytime e dinning, we ate in the Florentine dinning room, while guests with traditional fixed sittings, ate in the Venetian.

The glamorous glass and brass atrium, soars 4 decks above, around which are clustered the shops, pizza parlor, lounge areas, and the casino. Glass elevators transport you with effortless ease from deck to deck, a plus for those unable to climb stairs.

Service in the Florentine was excellent. Everyone from the young lady at the door who checked your key card to see that you were in the right area, to the staff of waiters and bus boys who served with efficiency and smiles, seemed intent on providing outstanding service. Victor and Robert were two of our favorite waiters, and we were fortunate to have been in their stations. The food on Princess has greatly improved overall. While portions were perhaps not as large as on Celebrity, for instance, one was always able to request more if more was desired. Presentation is still a quality that needs some work, but that's nitpicking, and doesn't affect the taste or range of the dishes.

John's scuba instructor was Meghan, a bouncy athlete with patience and a quick wit. The equally capable Lester, who couldn’t have been nicer, and was always there to assist the divers with their tanks and other gear, assisted her.

In selecting two different itineraries, we visited several different ports, with St. Thomas the sole repeat. During our two weeks of cruising we called at Aruba, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and Isle Margarita. The latter port turned out to be a favorite, and on the island bus tour, we had a chance to see some of the more scenic areas of this tiny island. Our guide, Miguel, was a font of information, not only about the history of the area, but also of life on the island, as it exists today. St. Maarten was a great shopping port, and the Jimmy Buffet boutique, Last Mango in Paradise, was one of our favorites (yes, we're both Parrotheads).

As for the entertainment, the three production sows, "Rhythms of the City", "C'est Magnifique", and the cabaret styled show that is presented on the final formal night. The first two shows, we had seen last year aboard the Tahitian Princess. But they have been fine tuned so that they are enjoyable revues with spectacular dancers, singers, and costumes. I may be wrong, but with such capable musical talent available in the Dawn Princess Orchestra, was the music canned...it certainly didn't appear to be live, and no credit was given to the Dawn Princess Orchestra. I was told by one of the entertainment staff employees that sometimes the shows are taken off the smaller ships and put on the larger vessels, as was the case in point here.

On evenings when there were no production shows, there was still a plethora of entertainment offerings in both of the large venues, the Vista Lounge and the Princess Theatre, as well as in the numerous clubs and lounges on board. Adam Ace, Chip Romero, Paul Edison, and Feto Giron, were just some of the performers whose acts we caught over the course of our two cruises.

While there is not a cinema on the ship, recent films are shown in either the Princess theatre or in one of the other lounges. Among the films shown were "Intolerable Cruelty, "Under the Tuscan Sun", "Runaway Jury", and "Captain and Commander". For those still seeking additional films, try the assortment broadcast in your stateroom.

One of the pluses of a Caribbean cruise is the large number of shipboard activities. There is music poolside, most afternoons, lots of trivia, bingo, port lectures, and the art auctions.

Amy and Chad were the art auctioneers on both our cruises, and were well informed about the artists and artwork they carry. While one might find a cruise ship an unusual place to purchase art, great bargains are to be had here, over a typical land based gallery. While there are indeed world-class artists such as Dali, Miro, Wyland, Steinovitz, and Tarkay, several up-and-coming artists are also offered at auction. Some lesser works are also mixed in among the treasures; Caveat emptor is more than a warning. Be prepared to live with what you buy, and buy only that which you love.

Overall, the cruise was a good value for the money. We enjoyed a number of sublime moments that no amount of money can buy: crimson sunsets, azure waters, the languid attitude of a tropical latitude. We shared good times with fellow passengers and formed new friendships. We can't wait till our next Princess cruise, which is the “Islands of the Pacific Theatreâ€, cruise on May 17th!

John and Andy

thank you for such a wonderful and informative review. Our first time on Princess will be on the Dawn 11-03-04 to the Southern Caribbean for 10 days. Can you tell me if the balconies on the Caribe Deck are covered? We have an aft cabin and am a little concerned about vibration???

Thanks for the great review! Looking forward to our cruise this weekend on the Dawn and seeing you guys again on some future cruise!

Richard and Debbie

Norwegian Dream Mediterranean/Holy Lands 10/99

Carnival Holiday Ensenada 1/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 10/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 4/01

Windspirit Costa Rica 1/02

Windsurf Southern Caribbean 1/03

Tahitian Princess Tahiti 10/03

4/11/04 Dawn Princess Southern Caribbean Cruise

10/14/04 Tahitian Princess Polynesia/Cook Islands

12/23/04 Dawn Princess Western Caribbean Cruise

Hello Danad, It seemed that the Dawn has less vibration aft than some newer and bigger ships I have been on. Ships tend to pick up cavitation from the props, and natural harmonic movements that translate throughout the hull. I have been on ships all my like and no longer pay much attention to any of it. The forward part of the Dawn has more pronounced vibration and movement from the oncoming seas.

The balconies on the side of the ship are cut out of the hull, so they are covered. I do not remember what the stern balconies are like if there are any on this ship.

John

Hi Richard and Debbie,

Do not forget your dive gear. I thought the service aboard ship was about as good as our great TP trip. Please say hello to Meghan and Lester at the dive center for me. They also man the excursion desk on ocassion and help with getting all the tours off on the tenders. They would rather be diving.

John

Great review I will be on the Dawn in just 4 days!!

Hi John,

We will ask for Victor and Robert in the Florentine dining room and tell them you all highly recommend them.

We have booked the Rhone dive on Tortola with an independent dive operator. We must be there at 9:00 am to leave with their dive boat. The ship arrives there at 8:00am. We must tender to the dock and then take a taxi to Nanny cays which is about 15 min. away.

Do you think we can make it or should we do the dive with the ship?

We are worried that if we dive with the ship it will be packed, our private dive is with only a max of 6 people.

let me know what you think and how was the Rhone dive that you booked with the ship.

thanks,

Richard and Debbie

Norwegian Dream Mediterranean/Holy Lands 10/99

Carnival Holiday Ensenada 1/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 10/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 4/01

Windspirit Costa Rica 1/02

Windsurf Southern Caribbean 1/03

Tahitian Princess Tahiti 10/03

4/11/04 Dawn Princess Southern Caribbean Cruise

10/14/04 Tahitian Princess Polynesia/Cook Islands

12/23/04 Dawn Princess Western Caribbean Cruise

Hi Richard and Debbie,

Tortola was the one port with the small tender dock where only one or two tenders could get in at a time. With three ships there, the tenders got backed up and you would have missed your dive boat if it left on time. The Dawn's trip was really nice with 16 on the boat, but we split into two groups. The boat was very nice and larger than many of the other boats,which might also be an issue as the sea crossing to the dive site is a 20 min ride and was rough that day. Several seasick divers were observed who had to give up their dive. We also had a professional dive videographer who put together a nice video of just our dive and the charge was reasonable. I have my slides back from the dive and they are really neat. I need to get them scanned and online. No matter how you get there, this was a dive to remember with several surprises.

John

Thanks John,

We just booked the Rhone Dive with the ship so we won't have to worry about not doing the dive of a lifetime! We will take pictures of the mysterious thing that you allude to.

Thanks again!!!

Richard

Norwegian Dream Mediterranean/Holy Lands 10/99

Carnival Holiday Ensenada 1/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 10/00

Renaissance R4 Tahiti 4/01

Windspirit Costa Rica 1/02

Windsurf Southern Caribbean 1/03

Tahitian Princess Tahiti 10/03

4/11/04 Dawn Princess Southern Caribbean Cruise

10/14/04 Tahitian Princess Polynesia/Cook Islands

12/23/04 Dawn Princess Western Caribbean Cruise

John,

Thank you sooooo much for great review of the Dawn. Reviews on this ship are few and far between. Which can be frustrating for us cruisers who are trying to get recent info. on this ship.

My DH and I also feel one week cruises are not enough time. So...we have done several back to backs ourselves.

We were very seriously thinking of doing the exact intinerary you did aboard the Dawn this pass winter...but it didn't work out for us to go then. But...we are booked on a back to back cruising the Inside Passage in Alaska...also aboard the Dawn.

This will be our first Princess cruise.

Glad you had an enjoyable vacation!

The southern Caribbean is my favorite place to cruise to.

CaribbeanCrazy

CaribbeanCrazy, the Dawn is a big favorite for the Alaska trips and is the perfect size to view from.

We are going to book the Grand out of Galveston so I can dive the Caymans, Cozumel, etc. Plus, its a lot less flying for us.

Next year I would also like to return to the So. Caribbean as well.

John

With such few responses to a review, they are really not worth the effort to write other than Celebrity pays nice upgrades for reviews.

Andy and John

Andy and John

Yes, I think they are. Sharing your knowledge and experiences is fun. It's a longtime CC tradition and it makes the cruising world a better place. I loved the review even if I'm not going on the Dawn anytime soon. I read somewhere that for the most part on the Internet you are usually posting to or for yourself. I always look back at my responses and rarely get a comment, But they are fun to look back at. Do you ever go to "view your posts" and reminisce? Hot topics get many more hits than reviews. See, What to do about the Cigar Smoker on the balcony next door?? That came back to life from 9/27/03 recently. You never know.

Steve

Golden 2/04

Grand 11/03

The three most exciting sounds in the world: Anchor chains, plane motors, and train whistles....George Bailey

Starsjohn,

We really enjoyed your review. It strengthens our resolve to take a back-to-back cruise!

Thanks for sharing your valuable insight with us.

Ken & Nancy

Thanks folks for the kind comments. I started using CC to find reviews for prospective trips and found there was a wealth of other details to be gained. Its now possibe to find the best bar tenders, stewards, shore excursions, what services to engage or avoid. If it was not for the CC site, I would not have known about the big discount and drop in fares for upcomming long trip on the Pacific Princess. The TA gets the big call tomorrow. Again, thanks to all who contribute.

John

I too would like to say thanks for the review! We are planning a cruise on the Dawn or the Sun Princess in Feb. 05 this gives us a good feel for the ship. I would hate to see people quit posting reviews, they are great to read. It is one way to enjoy cruising between our own cruises.

Hi Hilary, Feb is the ideal time to be on the Dawn without the crowds of holiday or break guests. The ship is so well kept and service is next to perfect, Enjoy!

John

Just booked the Dawn for Feb 18-8th 10 day cruise. This will be 3 for me on this ship.

Can't wait...

Dawn Princess 2/2005

Tahitian Princess 2/2003

Grand Princess 3/2002

Windstar 12/2000

Dawn Princess 12/1998

Dawn Princess 11/1998

Nordic Empress 2/1998

Splendor of the Seas 12/1997

Windward 12/1996

Windward 12/1995

Starward 12/1994

I would consider the DAWN in early January as I have a trip to the Galapgos Islands in March. We are also looking at the Grand as it leaves from Galveston, much closer to home.

John