DAWN to Bermuda... some questions

[iphotograph]

My husband and I have been thinking a lot about where to go this summer... where to take our 4-year old on his first cruise.

 

At first, we thought about Southern Caribbean on Carnival. But we have our hearts and minds set on another NCL cruise. So, we figured a B2B on NCL SKY would be it! :)

 

But the more we read this board, the more we are convinced that we would rather go to Bermuda. :D

 

Here are some of our questions:

 

(1) Flying to JFK using our airline miles... we plan to do some sightseeing before (or after) the cruise as we have never been to NY before. What hotel would you recommend that's not exorbitantly expensive and close to major attractions?

 

(2) If you have any hotel recommendations, how far is it from the port where NCL Dawn departs? And approximately how much a cab ride would cost from the hotel to the port?

 

(3) How's the KID's Club on the Dawn?

 

(4) Since this is not a port-intensive cruise, we are thinking of booking an inside stateroom. Is this cruise usually sold-out that the possibility of getting upgraded to an oceanview (or an upsell to a balcony) is less likely?

 

We would appreciate any information you could provide us. Thank you.

[ZoneHPH]

(1) Flying to JFK using our airline miles... we plan to do some sightseeing before (or after) the cruise as we have never been to NY before. What hotel would you recommend that's not exorbitantly expensive and close to major attractions?

 

I would look around the section of midtown manhattan from 33rd street up to 59th street. opens up the options for hotels. the immediate attractions can be done on foot. not sure how long you'll be in town.

 

(2) If you have any hotel recommendations, how far is it from the port where NCL Dawn departs? And approximately how much a cab ride would cost from the hotel to the port?

 

I heard the Michaelangelo hotel in midtown was a good "bargain" for NYC. if you are anywhere near midtown...the cab ride should be around $10 or so...not too expensive.

(3) How's the KID's Club on the Dawn?

 

I heard ok...but then again we don't have kids...yet.

 

(4) Since this is not a port-intensive cruise, we are thinking of booking an inside stateroom. Is this cruise usually sold-out that the possibility of getting upgraded to an oceanview (or an upsell to a balcony) is less likely?

 

book the inside stateroom. it's an expensive cruise because the ship will be docked for a couple days. so essentially the ship won't be making the most money from the pax from the booze and/or the casino. upgrades are possible, but the Dawn tends to be filled going to bermuda because it's such an easy trip for people that live in our area.

 

i wrote a review of our Bermuda trip from last year. i'll attach the link.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=797043&highlight=

[carol54]

What would you consider exorbitant pricing for a hotel room? Those of us who live in the NY metro area are used to $300+ for a decent hotel in NYC. But, of course, there are other options. Give me an idea.

[2Cruise4Ever]

We are sailing the Dawn to Bermuda this June. This will be our 4th time on the Dawn (3rd time to Bermuda). And, we have 2 kids (now 6 and 11).

 

Hotel: we always stay at the Holiday Inn Midtown on West 57th street. They have very reasonable prices and it's an 8 block walk to Rockefeller Center and a short cab ride to other attractions. It's also only 5 blocks from the pier (going to the Intrepid Museum this year!)

 

Kids Crew on Dawn: EXCELLENT!!!! We can't keep our kids out of there. They absolutely LOVE the programs and are dissapointed when they can't go because we're going ashore instead.

 

Upgrades: well, this is a very popular ship and very popular itinerary. So, the chances of being upgraded are slim. BUT, with the economy the way it is, maybe a bit better. We never book a cabin that we wouldn't be happy with. If it were me, I'd book the balcony out-right. DH and I LOVE sitting on the balcony at night while the kids are sleeping.

 

Bermuda: the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) is not to be missed. We love it and our kids love it. The South Shore beaches are the most popular, but we liked the seclusion of 9 Beaches (10 minute bus ride from Kings Wharf) and Snorkel Park (10 minute walk from the ship).

 

Any other questions, just ask!

[flowerchild]

You may want to consider staying right outside of Manhatten, over the bridges, like Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carrol Gardens to save $$...a quick train ride into the city, you'll be close to everything, and Brooklyn is cool, too. Try hotels.com or a priceline bid. I saw hotels for $80 recently for those areas on both sites.

 

We live close by to the areas I mentioned (Bensonhurst) and I've been looking into transportation options to the Port of NY, also, for our first ever cruise from NYC. I havn't found much, unfortunately...taking public transportation would require 2 buses and a train AND Taxi...I think I would rather just take car service and save myself the aggravation of having to schlepp my stuff. Car service prices average $35 each way, yours will be less since you are closer...

 

Here's a map of Bklyn and it's areas...

http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/brooklyn/index.htm

[njhorseman]

Personally, I would never book anything less than a balcony cabin for Bermuda. Bermuda is beautiful, the weather is great, and you're in port three days, giving you plenty of time to relax. I love sitting on my balcony watching dusk approach and later at night looking at the stars and the lights on shore.

 

To me, a port intensive cruise is where you can book the inside cabin and not miss out on anything because you're going to be out and on the go touring every day and the ship will be cruising from port to port every night, making the cabin just a place to sleep.

[bonniltc]

Go to: www.cruisebabies.com

This is a wonderful resource for families or even singles. It answers tons of questions. We are traveling on the Dawn to Bermuda on 5/10/09. We chose this cruise because we thought that it would be enjoyable but less hectic than a multi-port cruise. We also chose it because of the childrens program. Friends went on the same cruise last year and their 3 year old loved the Kids Club.

Have a wonderful time.

Bonni:p

[iphotograph]

Thank you for your responses. Very much appreciated! We're now starting to look at NY hotels in the area that some of you suggested.

 

ZoneHPH, enjoyed reading the review of your Dawn cruise. Thanks for sharing! Did the crew cook some Filipino food for you? When we cruised the GEM, one night, they brought a "buffet" of Filipino food to our table - made the other guests wonder why we have so many different dishes on our table! LOL. And it was just for me and my husband. :D

[ZoneHPH]

Thank you for your responses. Very much appreciated! We're now starting to look at NY hotels in the area that some of you suggested.

 

ZoneHPH, enjoyed reading the review of your Dawn cruise. Thanks for sharing! Did the crew cook some Filipino food for you? When we cruised the GEM, one night, they brought a "buffet" of Filipino food to our table - made the other guests wonder why we have so many different dishes on our table! LOL. And it was just for me and my husband. :D

 

well you read my review. being that my DW and i are filipino (native born and made in the usa, respectively) we totally enjoy the fact that majority of the ship is filipino...especially for my wife. it also gives me a chance to practice my native language. (you know they aren't going to laugh, if they want a tip...hahahah...j/k).

 

as for filipino dishes while on board...it's a given. are you filipino? here is a sampling of what i've had over the years:

 

- adobo (chicken simmered in soy, vinegar, garlic, onions, bayleaf)

- pancit (filipino lo mein)

- caldareta (beef stew)

- rellenong talong (stuffed eggplant)

- tocino (sweet roast pork), eggs, and garlic fried rice (breakfast)

- moongo (mung bean soup)

- lechon (roasted pork)

- roasted chicken, illocano style

 

and yes the cool part is when the dishes arrive, they serve it with the style of traditional dining. of course with a treat like that...a "gratuitous" thank you is always provided by us.

 

EDIT:

i know i sound overly proud of my heritage. but i recently visited the philippines this past Christmas. and i have to say...well paying jobs are not that easy to find. in fact, the largest export that the country provides to the international market are OFW (overseas foreign workers). and just like other countries represented on board...they work very hard. just wanted to share that fact...we are very lucky.