The Dawn in Winter – Blogs – shoreguy – 02/12/2006 Western

[dongordon]

On our last cruise in August, Bennie said he had many friends on the Spirit and that he might eventually end up there. Perhaps he changed his mind

 

I'm hoping he does go back to the Spirit since I'll be on the Spirit in July!

He convinced me that I made a good choice booking the Spirit.

He certainly is the "King of the Martini!"

 

Don

[matt690]

Shoreguy:

 

Hopefully you're enjoying yourself in Jamacia. How was the sea day?

 

Can't wait to hear from you. Have fun!

 

-Matt

[Studebaker59]

When we were on the Dawn January 12-22, 2006, the Star Bar was a nonsmoking bar.

[shoreguy]

Ok I ‘m back – 7:30 pm – cruising away from Jamaica. – Just woke up from a short nap on the balcony – Might have be the rum on sail back from Dunn’s River Falls or perhaps the brief stop at Jimmy Bufett’s.

Last night was the captains VIP party and dinner at Cagney’s. Spent some time with the F&B director discussing a lot of our concerns with the bar service. We will continue the conversation over dinner tomorrow night.

Cagneys was outstanding, great service but with one bump. First lobster served had spent far to much time under the warmer. It was quickly replaced.

I did not see the show last night – I am sure South Beach Rave is the same as always.

Since we were a day late into Jamaica we lost our pier and today was a tender day. The usual mess. Seas a bit rough and some delays early. It was fun to listen to the bitching in the Stardust and the 9 am tours did not head to the tenders until about 9:45. One women next to use went on endlessly – “if I wanted to sit in theater I could have stayed in NYC” , “they should let me run the world for a day”

I saw Colin Kerr today !!!! – on tv that is. They still run his tape of how to use the bathroom and control the temperature in your cabin.

The headache is fading – dinner at the Bistro

How are things going from the perspective of passengers new to NCL. As it turns out one of my associates from work is onboard. I ran into them yesterday. This is their first NCL cruise and had only cruised Celebrity in the past. The purchased the Platinum latitudes package. They have loved the food and entertainment.

Lots of crew and some passengers joined the ship today.

Tomorrow Grand Cayman.

[FundyGirl]

Might have be the rum on sail back from Dunn’s River Falls

 

Shoreguy...was this the Cool Runnings excursion? If so, do you recommend it?

 

Thanks,

 

Kathy

[matt690]

How has the weather been? How are the seas? Was there a lot to do during the days at sea? In general, how is the food?

 

Have fun shoreguy!

 

-Matt

[awh45]

Hey Jim

 

Glad you had a good day.

 

So quite a few did miss the ship??

 

I heard they changed Captains on your cruise.

 

 

So it was like Welcome to your worst nightmare new captain.

 

Glad the trip is getting better day by day

[wallygator]

Enjoy reading you blogs. Thanks for your time . Enjoy and we go soon.

Smiles :) :rolleyes:

[angeljt]

On our last cruise in August, Bennie said he had many friends on the Spirit and that he might eventually end up there. Perhaps he changed his mind

 

I'm hoping he does go back to the Spirit since I'll be on the Spirit in July!

He convinced me that I made a good choice booking the Spirit.

He certainly is the "King of the Martini!"

 

Don

I will email him and ask where he will be. Will let you know if I hear from him. My picture here is of two of Bennie's martinis. I hope he is enjoying his time with his family.

[Dolphins]

When we were on the Dawn January 12-22, 2006, the Star Bar was a nonsmoking bar.

 

The Star Bar was also non-smoking on our 1/22 to 2/2 Dawn cruise but the jazz pianist we enjoyed there said that while it was a pleasure playing there, it would soon revert back to a smoking bar because of poor business. Like another noble experiment, Carnival's smoke-free Paradise, the smoke-free Star Bar will become the victim of insufficient income.

Have you ever tried to enjoy Team Trivia in the narrow and smoke filled Pearly King's Pub?

[dongordon]

ANGELT:

 

The photo of the Dawn through the palms is beautiful....it should be in NCL's brochure!

 

Don

[angeljt]

ANGELT:

 

The photo of the Dawn through the palms is beautiful....it should be in NCL's brochure!

 

Don

Thank you Don, I like that one too. I always overshoot and end up with a zillion pics, but I love having all of them. You can download it from there if you would like to.

Jackie :cool:

[Jeanne S]

This storm cannot compare to the Blizzard 0f 1888 or the big snowstorm of Dec. 26, 1946 of over 26" and one I remember.

 

Even though Manhattan got more snow than 1946/1888, the wind was not what it was this year compared to those storms - they were real blizzards with drifts that I have never seen (am 49). Had we been out off the coast we sure would have had that hurricane force wind (saw the well developed eye on the Nasa Photo) the Dawn ran into, but not here in NYC. All I heard was the thunder and lightening and althought we did have some heavy snow, the wind was not all that bad.

[Jeanne S]

I'm sure if the crew knew how important Shore Guy was to us CCers, they would work harder. Maybe we should send some email's or call people!

 

Shore Guy is a personal friend of Dawn Hotel Director (12/02-2005) Claus (now on the Jewel). Am sure he lost no time making friends with the new Hotel Director on this sailing.

[Jeanne S]

Did Susean Jean tell you she now has the honor of having been on the Dawn immediately after each of its rough weather "incidents at sea." At least this year she did not lose a day as we did last year after the Dawn hit the big wave. They refunded each passenger (or you could use as a on board credit) us 1/7th of the cruise lost for the lost day and we also got the $100 per person credit room credit which my niece took to the casino and quadrupled.

 

How do you like this Hotel Director? I read with interest your lobster dinner at Cagney's. In 2003 we ate there and actually preferred the Nova Scotia tails in Impressions.

 

The South Beach rave was not as good in 2005 as it was in 2003 - they revamped it. We passed on Bollywood after the first time. What I did enjoy were some of the singers from the show who performed individually in the lounge near the Cigar Bar/Le Bistro.

 

So Nassau turned into Stirrup Cay and that has been cancelled? Since a hurricane hit it in 2004, there has been some erosion and we found the sand very rocky - with too much coral to step on - our last time there.

 

Well today in Fun City the temp is almost 60 but a cold front is on the way!!!! By the time I leave work today forcasts are for wind chills in the 20's. Yesterday was balmy and the snow is almost melted. This weekend we are in for an artic freeze so enjoy those balmy temps - you deserve the very best!!!

 

 

Jeannie

[nu2cruzin03]

When we were on the Dawn January 12-22, 2006, the Star Bar was a nonsmoking bar.

That's fantastic news that the Star Bar is now nonsmoking! My wife and I will now be able to enjoy that bar. We have always avoided the bar areas and casino due to the smoke. Hopefully more areas of the ship will become totally nonsmoking.

 

Rick

[CSM]

That's fantastic news that the Star Bar is now nonsmoking! My wife and I will now be able to enjoy that bar. We have always avoided the bar areas and casino due to the smoke. Hopefully more areas of the ship will become totally nonsmoking.

 

Rick

 

I agree. I can't stay in the casino more than a few minutes and my DH won't go at all because of the smoke. Hopefully NCL is reading this and will continue to make more areas smoke free.

 

Carole

[Cosmopolitan]

Shore Guy is a personal friend of Dawn Hotel Director (12/02-2005) Claus (now on the Jewel). Am sure he lost no time making friends with the new Hotel Director on this sailing.

 

We heard Klaus no longer on the Jewel...on the Crown???

[Dolphins]

We heard Klaus no longer on the Jewel...on the Crown???

 

I understand Klaus is now training the American employees on the Hawaii cruises. They give him all the tough jobs.

[dongordon]

Thank you Don, I like that one too. I always overshoot and end up with a zillion pics, but I love having all of them. You can download it from there if you would like to.

Jackie :cool:

 

Jackie......I would enter this photo in CC's "photo of the week."

I think you have a winner!!

 

Don

[shoreguy]

Just “docked” in Roatan . It will be nice to walk off the ship.

Sometimes change is good – had we gotten to Cayman as planned we would have been ship 8 in port that day. As it was we were the second of only 3 ships in port. Local tenders and onshore before the Explorer of the Seas arrived with it 4000+ passengers.

We did the Sea and See tour. I was better then I expected. Interesting way to see some of reefs and wreaks in the harbor. A quick trip to Hell and a chance to see the “new” turtle farm. It has been rebuilt across the road from it’s former ocean front location.

There is still a lot of construction ongoing to repair the damage from Ivan.

Where not to eat lunch in Georgetown – The Paradise Restaurant – waterfront up toward Eden Rock. Recommended by our tour guide, ordered cheeseburger, got turtle burger, then chicken and finally the burger. Went to pay $39 US with credit card,, wanted cash. Time to order, get food, and work thru the payment process 90 minutes.

David Dimuzio – comedy juggler was entertaining – I am certain I had seen him before – juggling knives on a unicycle.

Dinner at Cagneys – (French menu in the main dinning rooms last night.) Service was again outstanding – Steaks, Lamb, Pork perfect. Lobster a problem again and it was mine!!!. Sent it back and the charge was removed from the bill. After two bottles of wine for the four of use no need to replace it.

Casino was just very bad to me last night. I had botten back to even. I have work to do.

Ran into my friend from work again. Did a wall dive in the am and Stingray city in the afternoon had the bite on his hand to prove it. !!!!!

Almost forgot – the AB is spoiling me – If and when the upsell program ends it will be hard to go back where I belong.

Eggs Benedict this morning, fresh OJ, and hot coffee served ontime on a beautifully set table.

Time to catch the bus to the beach……

[shoreguy]

I understand Klaus is now training the American employees on the Hawaii cruises. They give him all the tough jobs.

 

It looks like he will be onshore for at least 2 years - I have been told he wants to get his green card. I hear bells:D

[fefe]

Shoreguuy

So glad to hear you are really enjoying!!! It's the good life!!

I read that you have experienced a penthouse AE, disabled suite in the past. I have booked an upsell on the Jewel for 3/5/06 and that was the only AE's available, so I took it. Then read your blog about it having less furniture, no dining area, no coffeemaker/expresso and a ramp taking up half of the balcony. All understandable for HC, but I wasn't told that! Only that the bathroom had only a shower, only difference. Can you advise??

Thank you soooooo much for any info!!!!!

[angeljt]

Jackie......I would enter this photo in CC's "photo of the week."

I think you have a winner!!

 

Don

Don,

Thanks again. I didn't know they had a photo of the week. I've never seen them. Guess I should do a bit more searching around.

Shoreguy, glad to hear you're enjoying yourself. I guess that was never in question!!!

Jackie

[marilynd]

Glad to hear about what a great cruise you are having on the Dawn. It is fun reading about the ports and your excursions. Reminds my of my cruise last Nov. on the Jewel. Same ports.

 

Isn't the AB Penthouse great. I have been in the AB on the Dawn twice with a couple of my children occupying the second the bedroom. The bathroom is to die for. Love that shower. My husband was so disappointed that our AE Penthouse on the Jewel didn't have the great multi shower head shower.

 

Enjoy your cruise !!!!! Just 11 days until my next cruise !!!!!

 

Marilyn