Snowysmom

I appreciate all the advice for solo travel.  I lost my DH suddenly, 19 months ago.  We did alot of traveling including cruises.  I recently did a Disney cruise with a friend.  We do travel well together but I know she does not want to leave her husband for longer than a 4 night cruise.  I want to look into 7 night cruises.  Reading these posts give me hope that I can do it myself and enjoy the trip. I would find the dining to be the hardest part.  I have to try solo dining out in my town to get used to it.  I have a solo Disney park trip in the Fall.  We loved going to Disney together so now I will see how I do on my own.  Next up after that, a solo cruise. 

Enjoyed the article.  Thank you for posting.

I called yesterday and they told me my refunds had been processed on 4/19.  I see them as pending on my account today.  I canceled 3/23/20. My cruise was for October.

I sailed on the Dawn last month. The crew was outstanding including the cabin stewards, waitstaff, bar tenders, and shop employees. We asked some of them how they felt about going to NY. Most of them were looking forward to it. I believe that they are very good at what they do and it will not change because they are sailing out of NY or even for the first cruise out of NY. I think you will be quite happy.

Disembarkation was a lengthy process for us too when we left on 8/24. We stood in line for about an hour before we were finally off the ship. I am not sure why it is such an issue for the Dawn as we had the same problem in 2013. When we disembarked from the Pearl in Seattle in 2016 it was quick and easy. We did easy walk off.

We get to the port around 10:30 and usually board by 11:30. We like to have lunch and just relax for awhile before our cabins are ready. It lets us get into vacation mode and casually look around the ship.

I was on the cruise before you. DH and I were so tired of the Cruise Next pitches. We got to the point where we were making jokes about it. We did enjoy Los Lobos, LeBistro, and Moderno for our specialty meals. It is nice to be able to drive to the port. Thanks for your review.

I enjoyed your review of the Dawn and Bermuda. We were on the cruise just before you and agree with most of your review. We did like the music in the Atrium when it was Rockaway Duo. However, the music in Gatsby's was not very good. When we were on the Dawn in 2013 Ariel was there and he was really good. Thanks for the pictures. I really like the Dawn and am sorry to see it leave Boston.

Do you by any chance have copies of the daily's? We leave in 2 weeks and would love to look at them (if possible). Jan

Unfortunately I don't have the dailies. I think there were some in previous thread from maybe July if you do a search. We always read them the night before and planned the next day's activities.

I am just off the Dawn today. We had great trip to Bermuda. The staff on the ship are fantastic and very helpful and friendly. Los Lobos was our favorite. The guacamole was wonderful. We also ate at Moderno and Le Bistro. Both specialty restaurants were also very good. Aqua and the Venetian had good menus and we could always find something we liked. They had the favorites menu and the daily special menu. The entertainment started out slow but got better during the week. The Elements show was entertaining. Rockaway Duo played in the Atrium. They were very good. There was always something to do. We like walking around the promenade deck and just watching the ocean on at sea days. We are sorry to see the Dawn leave Boston. This was our second cruise on the Dawn. I will be interested to see reviews of the Gem.

I am just back from the Dawn. Great trip to Bermuda made even better by my compulsive planning. I had my clothes planned out so it was quick and easy to dress, my toiletry organizer fit well on the hook in the bathroom, excursions were booked, and dinner reservations were done and printed out for easy reference. The tips were sorted in envelopes so I just grabbed an envelope from the safe and off we went. DH was once again happy with the trip and the planning that went into it. The trips next year are not cruises but I put just the same kind of compulsive planning into those. Planning is half the fun.

I like the cash and envelope idea. Off to get the envelopes!

I am really enjoying reading this thread. Amazon has become my friend for compulsive cruise shopping. I also started buying things last year. This is like a support group.

Glad to see there are other compulsive planners. I have the toiletries and meds all set. The folder is ready.

I have a list of clothes to bring and have started gathering them. I can't take out the suitcases until the dog is at the kennel. He gets too upset. He does have fun at the kennel so that is good. One week to go.

Thank you for your review of the Dawn. We went in 2013 and had a good time. We are going again next month. After reading your review I am really looking forward to the cruise.

I had a car service pick us up at 9:30AM. We decided not to carry all our luggage off by ourselves. We tagged them with green tags, meaning we would disembark at 9:10AM. They actually called us to disembark at 9AM, and we found luggage, had the porter bring them outside, and our car service texted me that he was waiting for us. We were out of there with time to spare.

Thank you for the information. I will leave the time of pickup for 9:30.

Thanks for the info. I have seen that the bow lot is available so it is close to the ship. We may decide to go with that or stay with the car service. It will be up to DH as he is the driver.

Reading this makes me look forward to my cruise even more. I have one question. What time does disembarking begin and if you do self disembarking can you be off the ship by 9:30? I am trying to schedule a car service to pick us up. DH does not like to drive in Boston. If he left me with the luggage while he went to park I may never see him again! LOL! We will save alot of anxiety and stress this way.

I am interested in the parking situation at the pier too. We would prefer to park near the ship and not have to take a shuttle to the ship and then back after the cruise. If we get there early enough I would hope to be able to park in the garage as we did 5 years ago. I would like to get feedback on what people have done for parking. This is the part of the cruise that stresses me the most.

We did walk off disembarkation from the Pearl in Seattle in 2016. We were off the ship by 8:40 am, the car service picked us up at 9:00 am, and we were at the airport way before 10 am. Your schedule is very doable.

Thanks for the review. We went to Bermuda on the Dawn in 2013 and have booked for August, 2018. After reading your review I am looking forward to it even more.

I enjoyed reading your trip report. DH and I were on the Dawn cruise the week before. We can't wait to go back.

I am curious about the chairs for rental at the beaches. Are they the traditional low to the ground beach chairs? I have knee arthritis and cannot get into or out of those chairs so was thinking of bringing my own canvas chair that is rolled up into a carry over the shoulder bag.