fonrouge82

We stayed in the Garden Villa on the Dawn on a Boston to Bermuda cruise. The pool deck was VERY busy but we had absolutely no issues with noise. I believe it is soundproof.

Enjoy the Garden Villa. It is fantastic!

A nicely written review! Glad you enjoyed the Vibe as much as we did! It truly made our vacation. Some feel it is a waste of money, but we made so many friends, as it sounds like you did too, and made it worth every $$$

It sounds like you spoke up, as you should have after waiting an unreasonable amount of time. It also sounds like NCL responded appropriately. Thank you for sharing your story with a happy ending, rather than simply holding your complaints inside, not sharing them with NCL at the time, and venting them on CC after the fact!

The spa pass was our favorite, most relaxing part of sailing on the Escape!

Did it ever occur to you that the information that is being provided is meant to help people avoid problems or avoid confusion on their next cruise? :confused:

Did it ever occur to you that information can be provided respectfully and without the snide undertones? :confused:

The Upgrade Fairy awarded us the Garden Villa on the Dawn one week before we cruised. In the GV we met Winn, THE BEST cabin steward we had ever had on any cruise. Everything about that trip was top notch and we made memories that will last a lifetime!

When we sailed in July, we were not priority boarders, but did just as Sid mentioned. We arrived at the port early and were in boarding group 1, then made the mad dash to Vibe when we were allowed to board. It was fun, we secured passes, and IMO it was every bit worth the mad dash!

I like to watch the Staff "cringe".

:evilsmile:

I SO hope you are attempting to be funny. Your comment made me "cringe".

Good point, CruisinHarvey! The service at every venue on the Escape is outstanding. We didn't feel like we "had" to pay for the exceptional service that we received. The Vibe simply added to the enjoyment of our cruise and we did not regret paying the additional cost, nor will we hesitate to pay it in the future. If you prefer to cruise differently, certainly your prerogative.

Happy Cruising! :cool:

We arrived at the Port of Miami at 7:45a.m. We were first in line outside of the building. We REALLY wanted Vibe passes! Another family of 4 arrived shortly after we did. We became great friends while waiting, and that continued throughout the cruise. We all got passes and it was worth every bit of the rush to get them (it turned out to be fun, actually!) We did not lay out all day. However, we did stop in to the Vibe every single day, and sometimes multiple times per day. The bartenders were a delight and from our first day, always greeted us by name. It was also fun getting to know the small group of people that were there often. We loved it and would try again for passes the next time we cruise.

We disembarked the Escape on your embarkation day. Your review made the post cruise blues more bearable. Thank you for letting us live vicariously though you. It was ALMOST like doing a b2b! ;p

We arrived early, REALLY early (7:45ish) because we wanted to secure Vibe passes. We were immediately greeted by a porter when we arrived in the taxi and then waited outside the door to Terminal B until we were allowed into the building at 9:00a.m.

Hope that helps and that you enjoy the Escape as much as we did!

I honestly am drooling for them in one week on Escape. Its nice that some people can get them anytime. We can't.

We are on the Escape July 15 for the first time. Your review is making us SO excited! Thank you for taking the time out of your vacation to allow us to live vicariously through you, Susan, and your parents!

Upgrade Advantage is not an option for us to upgrade to the Haven due to our TA's non-participation in the new program. Therefore, we REALLY would like to get VIBE passes for a quiet area away from the crowds. It won't ruin our cruise if we don't get passes, but we would love to get them.

Roel was our concierge when we sailed in the GV last August. He was amazing!

We are booked on the later excusion (9am?). What is the return to ship time?

Yet one more vote for Los Lobos! The absolute BEST table-side guacamole that I have ever eaten and the service was unmatched! It has been almost a year and I still crave that guacamole!

I'm enjoying reading your review of the Garden Villa. We too, had the pleasure of staying in the GV on the Dawn last August. We were made to feel like royalty, as it seems your family was as well. Your review brought back wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing!

Rick, your reviews blew it out of the park for me....and I read A LOT of reviews! Honestly, I am to loyal NCL after 3 NCL cruises (one of which was in the GV). However, I will compare RC to NCL after this! Thank you for taking your time to do this on your vacation!

Oh my gosh Rick, I'm going to have to give your thread a #1 standing from all that I have read. Your modeling of the #OOTD and your fantastic pictures have lured me in. I will admit to checking it several times per day. :eek: I'm booked on the Escape on July 15 and I hope to have at least 1/2 the fun that you have had!

In the first picture that I posted, the guy in the white robe towards the right is on a B6/deck 9 balcony. It is partially covered/partially exposed.

Thank you for your feedback. I really had to look for the guy in the white robe, but found him after zooming in!

We are booked in a B6, cabin 9720. We are hoping it is not covered. Is there a way to tell if is covered or not?

We sailed in the GV on the Dawn from Boston to Bermuda last summer. A trip of a lifetime! We loved everything about the Dawn and the GV was breathtaking!

I never understood why travel agents don't participate. So, because your agent doesn't participate, you're not able to make a bid? That's crazy. If I was in that predicament and I wanted to bid, I'd have to let my TA loose and transfer the reservation to NCL.

 

 

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I wish I had known that my TA did not participate in the bidding process when I booked. I am past my final payment so cannot transfer to NCL now. Live and learn. I will book with NCL next time.