My Dawn Western Caribbean Cruise on March 23-30, 2014 Review with photos

[FL Sunshine]

Disembarkation:

 

We needed to be out of our cabin by 9:15am. We went to Cagney's for our final breakfast then went back to the cabin to get our carry on luggage and say our good byes to Rosh and Dennis.

 

We were to meet Patrick in Spinnaker's for out priority disembarkation. He went back and forth escorting suite guests off the ship. We were in no hurry, as we had no plane to catch etc so we hung out and were his last family to go. There were other passengers waiting in Spinnaker's for their color luggage tags to be called.

 

I told Patrick that I felt that I was in a Disney tourists group as we were leaving because he held up this sign to follow him. I don't remember what was on the sign.

 

We were off the ship quickly. We did get into a 15-20 minute delay at the top of the escalator before getting down to claim our luggage and go through customs. We just figured that someone got caught going through customs and they didn't want us to see the commotion. Once that was cleared up we went down the escalator had a porter help with our luggage and we went through customs with a breeze. At the Tampa port, there is a separate line for passengers who have porters to get through customs and it is generally quicker than the other lines.

 

The porter unloaded our luggage on the curb and we waited about 10 minutes for my in laws to arrive and take us home.

 

I am happy that I got to relive my wonderful vacation with, but now I am in cruise withdrawl.

[FL Sunshine]

I hope you enjoyed my review. I would be happy to answer questions.

 

Some Final Thoughts:

 

I am happy that I decided to give the Dawn a second chance. I enjoyed the Spring break family crowd better than the November 2013 cruise. I did more on board activities in November like trivia, Minute To Win It game and Win Loose or Draw. These activities were with Shirley, an activities assistant. She was so much fun. This cruise I only saw her once to say hi.

 

Our Cruise Director was Dan Dan. He was very funny doing his "monolog" after each show. That was the only time I ever saw him during the entire week. Our Assistant CD was Dingo Dave. He was everywhere!

 

Here is a list of the evening shows we went to in the Stardust:

Sunday - Welcome Aboard Variety Show

Monday - Band on the Run

Tuesday - Tim Kaminski, Comedian (hilarious)

Wednesday - Bollywood

Thursday - Second City (very funny)

Friday - Oceans Apart (an awesome aerialist/ballet act)

Saturday - Pure Variety

 

Oh, here is a tip. Bring a light sweater or jacket with you. I was cold in most of the common areas, especially the Stardust.

 

The soft serve ice cream is in the back of the buffet. They have chocolate, vanilla and swirl. Cone or bowl. There are many toppings.

Sprinkles is the ice cream bar by the pool with the regular scoop ice cream. It had chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and banana. Cone or bowl. Not as many toppings, but good.

 

You can get fresh baked cookies in the buffet near the ice cream station. There is a sign that says get cookies here or something like that. Just stand there until you get a servers attention. The warm cookies are so delicious. Then head for a glass of cold milk.

 

That's all folks. :)

[Twelvevman]

I hope you enjoyed my review. I would be happy to answer questions.

 

I enjoyed your review very much. Thank you for taking the time to write it and including such great pictures. I live on reviews like this to pass the time until its my turn. 13 more days and I will be on the Dawn and it will be our first suite. :) Can't wait to try the French toast and the Crab Cake Benedict. You pics made them look so yummy :D

[Nanatochase]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post your review. I really enjoyed it. We leave on the Dawn this Sunday and I'm so excited. I've always wanted to do a review, but never have. Maybe when I get back this time. Thanks again.

[ALS1214]

The Dawn has jewelery, perfume & cosmetics, liquor and gift shops. They also set up tables in the atrium area to sell gold & silver chains by the inch, t-shirts etc.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Yes, Thanks so much for the awesome review! I cannot wait till July 11th to board the Dawn. :)

[anne.brumlevestaley]

Your review was awesome and has convinced me to book the family suite without a balcony for next spring break.

This will be our first NCL after two DCL. Can you give me any insights on the children's programming? My kids will be 8, 9, & 11 when we sail.

Also, does anyone have any info about sailing out of NOLA?

TIA

Anne

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FL Sunshine]

Your review was awesome and has convinced me to book the family suite without a balcony for next spring break.

This will be our first NCL after two DCL. Can you give me any insights on the children's programming? My kids will be 8, 9, & 11 when we sail.

Also, does anyone have any info about sailing out of NOLA?

 

Hi Anne,

I am glad my review was helpful. My daughter did not attend any of the children's programs. I didn't even get a chance to check it out. I did see on two occasions the children parading around in costumes and painted faces. Very cute and they looked like they were having fun. Even some parents were joining in on the fun.

 

I am sure someone will be able to answer your questions.

[anne.brumlevestaley]

Day 4

 

Belize:

 

You guessed it, we had our breakfast at Cagney's. We had two huge duffle bags, another duffle bag and a backpack loaded with 180 pounds of donated clothes, shoes, school supplies, books, toothbrushes etc we collected for the children of Belize.

 

A little background on this. My mother did several medical mission trips to Belize when I was younger. She helped set up clinics in the villages, treated, educated etc. I loved hearing her stories when she would return. I followed in her footsteps and worked with SE Asians when I graduated from college as a Social Worker.

 

When my husband and I traveled to Thailand to adopt our daughter we loaded up suitcases of donated items to take with us for the orphanage. So the thought came to mind to do the same for Belize. I already knew there was a need and Belize holds a special place in my heart.

 

I asked family members, friends and my church for gently used children clothing etc. Then I thought why not make it a project and open it up to the Roll Call group for anyone that was interested. The response was beyond our expectations. Again, a big thank you to anyone in our Roll Call that contributed. :)

 

NCL and their staff were so helpful with these bags. This was a tender port, so Patrick had us call him 15 minutes before we were ready to leave. He sent housekeeping with a luggage cart and Rosh came also to our priority place at the Cucina. They accompanied us all the way to the tender boat and loaded the bags on the boat. What service!

 

Unknowingly, when we arrived at the Belize port NCL had someone there to meet us, take the bags to customs and helped us through customs. They even arrange for the minister who we were delivering the donations to get a special pass to bring his truck into the port area. They helped load the bags in the truck. Everyone was happy. Mission accomplished. :D

 

Upon returning home I received an email that said the donations were delivered to a very poor community called Libertad in northern Belize. :)

 

To be continued....

 

 

Could you send me a pm with the minister's contact info? I'd like to collect items as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

DCL Fantasy 2013

DCL Wonder 2014

[oklaviking]

Thanks for the photos and information. I am looking at this type of cabin for our family cruise in 2016. Your photos are a real help.

[bermuda lover]

A random pic of my baby girl. Don't tell her I said that. "Mooommm, I am not a baby, I am 14! Quit saying that!" :rolleyes: This was taken on our first sea day.

 

Thank you so much for your review; I loved every piece of it… I am going in 30 days and staying in a OS for the first time. Your pictures were great, thank you for taking the time; we all appreciate it.

 

Do you happen to have any of the dailies?

 

Lisa

[drdelta]

I am so moved by what you did for the people of Belize. What information can you give me so I can do the same thing?

 

Thanks,

Debbie