Back From Dawn To Bermuda June 1 Cruise

[Evilmille]

Very tired and going to bed and will post more of a review later. But for now, I will answer some questions I see asked on the board.

 

Casino Free Drinks: Sign up for the Casino Card (takes 2 minutes) and get free house drinks, soda, coffee etc. all the time.

 

2 Bedroom Penthouse Suite: Fantastic. 2nd bedroom is a bit small but teenagers like to sleep late so the dark doesn't bother them.

 

2.0 is fully implemented. Master bed had top sheet, we had pillow menu and the bed was very very comfortable.

 

We had a wonderful time although I lost too much money at the casino. Kinda got ahead of myself there but still enjoyed the many friends I met there.

 

This was my first cruise and I will go again. I loved the freedom and total relaxation.

 

The not so good news was our Butler, Jeffrey. He was not at the same level that I read about on this board. I think with some extra training he will be fine. He wanted to charge us for things I know to be free. Sometimes you get tired of arguing and just stop asking. No fruit or treats in the suite on the first day, pay extra for appetizers from the no charge restaurants, only 1 treat for 4 people even though 1 is alergic to dairy, forgetting to fill ice bucket. Jeffrey was very nice but I wished we had a more seasoned butler for what we paid. We stopped using him on the third day. He is a very pleasant person though.

 

Please ask any questions you have and I will answer. Sometimes expectations are higher after reading this board months before you cruise. We did have the best time, the food was great everywhere. Fresh, light and tasty.

 

The pool was too crowded on sail days. Had to fight for a chair. Relaxed and read on the balcony which was the best.

 

So ask away.

[JACruiser]

I'm so happy to hear that your cruise was good overall! :D Did you need to leave after the first week and get back on, or were you allowed to stay on the ship?

[Cosmopolitan]

Jeffrey was very nice but I wished we had a more seasoned butler for what we paid. We stopped using him on the third day. He is a very pleasant person though.

 

Seems like Jeffrey was a new butler...nevr heard of him:confused:

[KevinsCruising]

Welcome back! Sailing on the Dawn 6/29 ! Wondering: did you check out snorkal park.. worth going ? Also did they have a murder mystery dinner and when do you sign up? The free drink card in the casino is priceless information .. THANKS !!!

 

Any favorite restaurants ??? did you hear anything about the Segway excurision ???

 

Thanks again and glad you had a great time!

Kevin

[superflyjeff]

Very tired and going to bed and will post more of a review later. But for now, I will answer some questions I see asked on the board.

 

Casino Free Drinks: Sign up for the Casino Card (takes 2 minutes) and get free house drinks, soda, coffee etc. all the time.

 

2 Bedroom Penthouse Suite: Fantastic. 2nd bedroom is a bit small but teenagers like to sleep late so the dark doesn't bother them.

 

2.0 is fully implemented. Master bed had top sheet, we had pillow menu and the bed was very very comfortable.

 

We had a wonderful time although I lost too much money at the casino. Kinda got ahead of myself there but still enjoyed the many friends I met there.

 

This was my first cruise and I will go again. I loved the freedom and total relaxation.

 

The not so good news was our Butler, Jeffrey. He was not at the same level that I read about on this board. I think with some extra training he will be fine. He wanted to charge us for things I know to be free. Sometimes you get tired of arguing and just stop asking. No fruit or treats in the suite on the first day, pay extra for appetizers from the no charge restaurants, only 1 treat for 4 people even though 1 is alergic to dairy, forgetting to fill ice bucket. Jeffrey was very nice but I wished we had a more seasoned butler for what we paid. We stopped using him on the third day. He is a very pleasant person though.

 

Please ask any questions you have and I will answer. Sometimes expectations are higher after reading this board months before you cruise. We did have the best time, the food was great everywhere. Fresh, light and tasty.

 

The pool was too crowded on sail days. Had to fight for a chair. Relaxed and read on the balcony which was the best.

 

So ask away.

 

HI & WELCOME BACK! I leave this Sunday on the Dawn in an AE penthouse on the Aft! So excited...!! Sorry to hear about Jeffrey...I hope that we don't have him assigned to the back of the ship. He sounds like he's not really up to par with many of the other butlers with NCL. I'll keep my fingers crossed for better help :)

 

Were all the Freestyle 2.0 for suites in place? Did you receive upgraded Moet & Chandon champagne? Was there an MP3 player in the room? What about the coffee maker? Anything new? Were they using the pod type systems yet?

 

Glad to hear you had a good time overall! Thanks so much for letting us all know. Look forward to your comments :)

 

Jeff

[JACruiser]

I'm so happy to hear that your cruise was good overall! :D Did you need to leave after the first week and get back on, or were you allowed to stay on the ship?

 

Oops! Sorry, I thought that you said it was a back-to-back...

[Evilmille]

There was just a small coffee pot in the room, not what was advertised. So a bit of disappointment there but no big deal.

 

Champaign was not upgraded. Being VIPs we were allowed to board the ship at 11. Our suite was not cleaned yet so we went to lunch. Room was cleaned by 1:00. Luggage came quickly after that.

 

Jeffrey sent us up to Cagneys for lunch. There is NO VIP lunch on embarkment day just so you know. We were taken to the Venetian which was awsome.

 

If anyone gets Jeffrey and you feel like going a few rounds, insist on what is coming to you. Otherwise, he will tell you they don't do it and you will have to argue. I didn't feel like arguing so we let it go and had a great vacation anyway.

[KevinsCruising]

Hi again,

 

Was there anything to do on the ship when you were in dock in Bermuda? Shows to see? Casino open? or was it like the whole ship was dead?

 

Thanks,

Kevin

[gcjstri]

Hi evilmillie, welcome back and thank u for the review. Were u in an AB Suite ??? My DH and i have an AB Suite in October. I think we are in Suite# 11530. I hope Jeffrey is gone by the time we get there or gets the hang of his job.

This will be our fourth time in a Suite. We have only had one bad buttler his name was Artie (our fist butler). My DH asked him for an extra hand towel for our bar area and he told my husband just to use one of the towels in the bathroom. My DH asked him to bring us a small bottle of tabasco sauce for my bloody marys in the morning and he told my husband to go to the Garden Cahfe or the Blue Lagoon to get it himself :confused:

not very helpful. Oh well the butlers got better.

 

thanks again

minimom

[BeckyJJ02]

I was on this cruise too! Thanks EvlMille for giving Jeremy and I a tour of your suite. And we thought our balcony room was nice!;) For everyone worrying about the ship shutting down while you are docked in Bermuda...no worries. The only differences...the casino and galleria gift shop are closed and there is plenty of room at the pools and hottubs! There are still shows, spa, activities and all the restaurants buzzing on board during the 3 days just no crowds. Hope this helped!

[zebster15]

Welcome back! Sailing on the Dawn 6/29 ! Wondering: did you check out snorkal park.. worth going ? Also did they have a murder mystery dinner and when do you sign up? The free drink card in the casino is priceless information .. THANKS !!!

 

Any favorite restaurants ??? did you hear anything about the Segway excurision ???

 

Thanks again and glad you had a great time!

Kevin

We were also on that sailing. Did walk over to Snorkle Park one evening and was glad we just went to Horseshoe Bay like we usually do. Small manmade beach, sand was not the soft sand like the other beaches. Unless you have small kids, go to another beach.

 

We also did the casino card, but we didn't spend much time there. Too smokey for me.

 

Saw the Segways. There is a bus where you could rent them near the ship. I would do it there, probably less expensive, and the same place the ship sends you.

[VoyageVirgin]

There was just a small coffee pot in the room, not what was advertised. So a bit of disappointment there but no big deal.

 

Champaign was not upgraded. Being VIPs we were allowed to board the ship at 11. Our suite was not cleaned yet so we went to lunch. Room was cleaned by 1:00. Luggage came quickly after that.

 

Jeffrey sent us up to Cagneys for lunch. There is NO VIP lunch on embarkment day just so you know. We were taken to the Venetian which was awsome.

 

If anyone gets Jeffrey and you feel like going a few rounds, insist on what is coming to you. Otherwise, he will tell you they don't do it and you will have to argue. I didn't feel like arguing so we let it go and had a great vacation anyway.

 

Lucky for Jeffery you didn't live up to your avatar. Too late now, but you probably should have had a word with the concierge. He won't improve if the problems aren't addressed. I know what you mean - having to argue or constantly correct someone about what they should already know is a bit wearisome. Glad you ejoyed your cruise for the most part. Hopefully your next cruise will be perfect. :)

[VoyageVirgin]

Hi evilmillie, welcome back and thank u for the review. Were u in an AB Suite ??? My DH and i have an AB Suite in October. I think we are in Suite# 11530. I hope Jeffrey is gone by the time we get there or gets the hang of his job.

This will be our fourth time in a Suite. We have only had one bad buttler his name was Artie (our fist butler). My DH asked him for an extra hand towel for our bar area and he told my husband just to use one of the towels in the bathroom. My DH asked him to bring us a small bottle of tabasco sauce for my bloody marys in the morning and he told my husband to go to the Garden Cahfe or the Blue Lagoon to get it himself :confused:

not very helpful. Oh well the butlers got better.

 

thanks again

minimom

 

Holy crap - really, what ship was that on? I certainly would have gone balistic on him. We've been fortunate enough to never have a bad butler - had a few we didn't quite jive with but I can't imagine a butler saying that and not speaking to the conceirge at least. Wow.

[gcjstri]

That sweet butler Artie was on the Star we were in an AC Suite in the very front of the ship. It was our first experience with a butler (Sept 2004) so we did not know any better. After that that was all we asked for from him, we never bothered him again. I think my DH even tipped him $40.00 at the end of the cruise (he is too nice) for what i am not sure. Hopefully he is not still around.

 

minimom:) :) :)

[The Queen]

We'll be in an AB in October....were there any beverages (free) stocked in the room; soda, bottled water? Or is this something we'll need to purchase on board, or bring on board ourselves?

 

THANKS!

[Evilmille]

I was on this cruise too! Thanks EvlMille for giving Jeremy and I a tour of your suite. And we thought our balcony room was nice!;) For everyone worrying about the ship shutting down while you are docked in Bermuda...no worries. The only differences...the casino and galleria gift shop are closed and there is plenty of room at the pools and hottubs! There are still shows, spa, activities and all the restaurants buzzing on board during the 3 days just no crowds. Hope this helped!

 

Hi Becky, glad you got home safely. I can't wait to go again but as I told you, with college starting this fall, maybe in 4 years.

[Evilmille]

We'll be in an AB in October....were there any beverages (free) stocked in the room; soda, bottled water? Or is this something we'll need to purchase on board, or bring on board ourselves?

 

THANKS!

 

The mini bar will be stocked but you will have to pay for anything you use. There will be two large bottles of water which are free. We brought our own sodas and had the minibar emptied. I figured we saved some money doing it that way.

[Evilmille]

Hi evilmillie, welcome back and thank u for the review. Were u in an AB Suite ??? My DH and i have an AB Suite in October. I think we are in Suite# 11530. I hope Jeffrey is gone by the time we get there or gets the hang of his job.

This will be our fourth time in a Suite. We have only had one bad buttler his name was Artie (our fist butler). My DH asked him for an extra hand towel for our bar area and he told my husband just to use one of the towels in the bathroom. My DH asked him to bring us a small bottle of tabasco sauce for my bloody marys in the morning and he told my husband to go to the Garden Cahfe or the Blue Lagoon to get it himself :confused:

not very helpful. Oh well the butlers got better.

 

thanks again

minimom

 

We were in the 2 bedroom penthouse AB suite. 11010. It was great.

[Evilmille]

Lucky for Jeffery you didn't live up to your avatar. Too late now, but you probably should have had a word with the concierge. He won't improve if the problems aren't addressed. I know what you mean - having to argue or constantly correct someone about what they should already know is a bit wearisome. Glad you ejoyed your cruise for the most part. Hopefully your next cruise will be perfect. :)

 

LOL. Evil Millie is my cat. At one point when I wanted appetizers and he was insisting I had to pay for them, he had Anca our concierge call us back. First she agreed with Jeffrey and then when I explained again what we wanted, it got done. By that time I was exhasted and didn't care anymore. I just wanted to enjoy the cruise. I never was good at being waited on anyway. Much rather do things myself. I would suck at being rich.

[pcreek]

Glad to hear you mostly enjoyed your cruise!

 

We feel the same way - 'would suck at being rich' !!

 

While we would LOVE to have a suite...all the extra room and the in-room dining perks { I DO love the privacy of room service! }...not so sure I would know what to do with a Butler!! I would think the Butler would be more in the way, than not...at least for us. LOL

 

Guess it's a good thing I feel that way - and my husband loves the idea of me not wanting a suite....money-wise! ;)