Upcoming NCL Dawn cruise -- questions welcome

[CruiseBoston]

Hi folks ...

 

My family will be sailing on the NCL Dawn (Boston to Bermuda) this coming Friday (eek!). I am planning on doing a review when I return, but figured I would post here in particular, to see if anyone has specific questions they are hoping to get more opinions on. I draw the line at photographing food and menus, in part because so many kind souls already do that, but do let me know if there is anything Family Board related on your mind. I will collect Camp dailies, but our week is supposedly the last under the old program before Splash Academy is rolled out on the Dawn, so unless that is incorrect, I won't post them.

 

We are very very lucky to be sailing in a deluxe two bedroom owner's suite with four adults and two little ones (me37; DH33; MIL71; FIL87; dd4; ds2). The master bedroom will have us and the kids, and MIL & FIL are in the second bedroom with appropriate egg crate requested for the sleep sofa. We did the same cruise three years ago in a balcony with just DH, myself, and dd, who was then one year old.

 

We expect the kids will have breakfast in the room and use the camp for a few of hours on sea days, then late morning, lunch (at the suite restaurant) and nap/quiet time with me & DH, and most dinners together all six of us. My daughter is adamant that she wants to do the pizza making party the camp usually offers, and to be part of any parade that might occur. It is nice that the age divisions happen to still allow dd & ds to be together.

 

In Bermuda, our plans include the King's Wharf attractions, the Bermuda Museum and Zoo, and, while three generations of menfolk go to the Crystal Caves, the three generations of ladies will indulge in afternoon tea in Hamilton. Since there is a lot of rain on the forecast, we will try to play the specifics by ear, and would even be happy hanging out on the boat during one of the port days if the kids were enjoying themselves with less crowds, etc.

 

So, let me know if you have specifics you want to know more about ... I will officially be panicked about packing starting tomorrow, but will certainly be on CC for stress relief until the last moments before departure.

[DISNEY1975]

Hi folks ...

 

My family will be sailing on the NCL Dawn (Boston to Bermuda) this coming Friday (eek!). I am planning on doing a review when I return, but figured I would post here in particular, to see if anyone has specific questions they are hoping to get more opinions on. I draw the line at photographing food and menus, in part because so many kind souls already do that, but do let me know if there is anything Family Board related on your mind. I will collect Camp dailies, but our week is supposedly the last under the old program before Splash Academy is rolled out on the Dawn, so unless that is incorrect, I won't post them.

 

We are very very lucky to be sailing in a deluxe two bedroom owner's suite with four adults and two little ones (me37; DH33; MIL71; FIL87; dd4; ds2). The master bedroom will have us and the kids, and MIL & FIL are in the second bedroom with appropriate egg crate requested for the sleep sofa. We did the same cruise three years ago in a balcony with just DH, myself, and dd, who was then one year old.

 

We expect the kids will have breakfast in the room and use the camp for a few of hours on sea days, then late morning, lunch (at the suite restaurant) and nap/quiet time with me & DH, and most dinners together all six of us. My daughter is adamant that she wants to do the pizza making party the camp usually offers, and to be part of any parade that might occur. It is nice that the age divisions happen to still allow dd & ds to be together.

 

In Bermuda, our plans include the King's Wharf attractions, the Bermuda Museum and Zoo, and, while three generations of menfolk go to the Crystal Caves, the three generations of ladies will indulge in afternoon tea in Hamilton. Since there is a lot of rain on the forecast, we will try to play the specifics by ear, and would even be happy hanging out on the boat during one of the port days if the kids were enjoying themselves with less crowds, etc.

 

So, let me know if you have specifics you want to know more about ... I will officially be panicked about packing starting tomorrow, but will certainly be on CC for stress relief until the last moments before departure.

 

Cant wait for the review. We leave in 2.5 weeks. I stumbled upon your post while googling "Splash Academy" Im looking for info re: the program, but am now interested in your Hamilton Tea! Im going with hubby, 2 teen boys, 9 yo daughter and 74 yo mom. The boys will be snorkling to a shipwreck one day and I am looking for something to do with the girls. A tea sounds perfect for my mother! I was thinking of the billionaire row boat ride thing, but now Im thinking a little time on land might be nice! Please give me details of the tea..where/when/what etc..! Thanks

[CruiseBoston]

Sure. We are doing the traditional afternoon tea at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel -- Heritage Court. You can find more information here: http://www.fairmont.com/hamilton/GuestServices/Restaurants/AfternoonTea-HeritageCourt.htm This really ends up being more of a meal, but I can't find the sample menu anymore -- the cost for adults was $34 when I made the reservation and something like $15 for children, with wonderful kid-friendly options like crustless pb&j. I have read reviews that they are great with (well-behaved) children, often seating them near the koi pond, etc. Service is 2:30 - 5:00. If my ds joins us, we will not stay that whole time. If she is having a particularly trying day, she may just go to the Caves with papa and grampa, but I am guessing she will be on board for it. You can make a reservation with the concierge or concierge agent (I dealt with CA Kerri) at concierge.hamilton@fairmont.com Reservations are strongly encouraged.

 

Here is a link with some more Bermuda afternoon tea options, though I do not know how current it all is: http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_00024f.htm

 

Have fun!

[CruiseBoston]

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[CruiseBoston]

We are back and I'm working on my write up. The rainy weather caused us to change some Bermuda plans, especially since our kids loved the boat and the pools and the kids camp so much. I will link my review here and on the main NCL board, probably by Monday night. Any specific questions welcome.

 

For those looking for Splash Academy info, we kind of got a hybrid. The staff started their training for all the new programming this past week, and a few things rolled out for our sailing, but the program will not be fully rolled out/training complete on the Dawn for a month or so.

 

My daughter told all her favorite staff folk that she would be back on this oat oat next year "when I am five," and had an awesome time. We will see what the cards hold for our vacation plans, but feel we scored as parents this time, finding something that worked for everyone.

 

More soon,

[crusinmama06]

Welcome back! The kids crew on our Gem cruise really sealed the deal for us - making it one of the best cruises ever. And my girls loved Bermuda.

 

I will be looking for your review of Dawn. :)

[China1234]

I am also looking forward to your review. We will be on the Dawn in March with a 7 year old, so I will be interested in what you have to say how the ship was for kids. :)

[mitsugirly]

Please come back and give us a link to your review. We will be on the Dawn in 6 more months with a 4 year old. Would love to see pictures as well. Glad you enjoyed your cruise. :)

[alise007]

would love to hear more --we are booked on the Dawn Sept 21 Bos to QC and taking our 4 and 6 yr olds

 

Wondering how they do dinner for the kids club? It is our anniversary and we would like at least 1-2 dinners as an adult meal and maybe then the casino before picking up the kids for bed!

 

We may book one of the specialty restaurants as a treat!

 

I hope the new system is in place by then--so far our roll call has NO kids and very few people on it. Most of them are doing the b2b so they can round trip Boston. I can only pull the 1st grader out for so long!

 

Thanks in advance and look forward to the review!