Zimomiller Posted June 1, 2012 #1 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Cruising on the Dawn - Day 1 pre-sailing My son’s iPhone awoke us all at 9 am belting out ‘The bird is the word”. This is a very annoying song and anyone from Michigan or that was a Tigers fan will remember this becoming an anthem for Mark “The Bird” Fidrych a pitcher for the Tigers in the mid-1970s. Mom and I scrambled around while the kids pretended not to be awake and began the awkward task of repacking for the second time this trip. We eventually left our room at 1045 after a quick run for bagels from Starbucks and headed down to grab a van to the cruise terminal. Heck we even knew the way to the pier as we had just been there the prior evening to dine. I was surprised how busy the unloading area was when we arrived at 11. But it was controlled. Very orderly, helpful people, friendly porters. We were reminded at least 3 times to make sure we had our passports in hand and not in our luggage that was about to go aboard. You will see all the boarding area, checkin area, holding area, suite lounge area in the link below to my pictures of the day. I tried to catch as many details as possible. We breezed through the security scan which was clearly more focused on finding booze than weapons. As we left the scan area we found the suites, gold and platinum Latitudes check in line to our right where a woman with a clipboard checked off our suite and name and we were handed off to a gentleman that took us to a desk for passport scans and boarding card pictures. We had to drop off the health forms as well there. Once the check in was complete we were escorted to the suite lounge. It was already very busy and not much more than an area carved out from the main floor by those belted barriers that we are all familiar with at airline check in. There we met Virginia our concierge and Caesar our butler. About 15 minutes later (a little before noon) we were escorted on the ship by Caesar. Our suite was ready to go so we piled in. Mom was thrilled to see the suite had a huge balcony and she promptly parked herself on it while we explored the cabin. I took a detailed video tour of our cabin and balcony and these pictures will be posted in the link below as well. I gave Virginia a call with all our dining ressies for the week which she graciously wrote down and told me that we would receive a written confirm later but not to worry as they were already confirmed. Lunch at Cagney’s was quick and easy. The only disappointment for me was that the seared Ahi burger was a seared swordfish burger. The carrot cake was good, but not as good as on the POA. Shrimp cocktails were not yet available when we arrived at one, but by the time we were done they were so that is what my son had for dessert. The day is gorgeous here in Boston. Clear blue skies, temps in the low 70s. Our suite is hot and the a/c ineffective so far so we have closed the drapes as we have a full sun view and it is clearly overpowering the system. We shall be having someone look at this soon as even my wife who is never warm is complaining….. For those of you sailing in SD suites I went to the floor above and took photos of each of the balconies starting with 12520, 12522, 12524, 12526, 12528. Yup you can easily see down to them from above. But they are very good sized and well placed. Just getting the announcement as I speak that it is time for the mandatory MUSTARD DRILL so I will be signing off soon so I can get this posted with the links to pics. If I find time I will try to post an update but I will likely post most of the review when we return. Link to pics of boarding the Dawn and suite 12520 photo survey: http://travel.webshots.com/album/582900583tRZjpu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manny500 Posted June 1, 2012 #2 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I walked to Black Falcon today at lunch to take a look, hope you have a great time!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted June 1, 2012 #3 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Have a great time. We'll be there a week from today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted June 1, 2012 #4 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Thanks for the pictures - it helps orient the check-in process. It looks like you didn't hit the sparkling wine yet! Will be watching web cam as you leave shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswims Posted June 1, 2012 #5 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Enjoy you cruise. Looking forward to reading and seeing more. We will be on the Dawn on 8/3. I have been on the ship 2 times before but this is our first in the the family suite. Right now I am booked just a few forward from where you are as we are without a balcony. Maybe an upsell is in the cards this time. Great weather here in Boston today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachMartini Posted June 1, 2012 #6 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Have a great time! We will be boarding as you are leaving next Friday! Your cabin pics are making me jealous! We have an inside booked but I keep checking those prices. If they fall again I might spring for a balcony:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
putchky Posted June 1, 2012 #7 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Thanks for the pictures!! We will be on the Dawn on the 15th. You had a beautiful day to sail. Enjoy your trip!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted June 2, 2012 #8 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Thanks for sharing the pictures. Hope you have a wonderful trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP50 Posted June 2, 2012 #9 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Really enjoyed your pictures. Have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herdingdogmom Posted June 2, 2012 #10 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Thanks for posting the pictures of the suite. We are next door with no balcony in October. In one of your photos of the balcony looking forward, it looks like you can look right into the windows of the cabin next door. Is that the case or are the windows tinted well? Have a terrific time in Bermuda and on the Dawn. I can't wait for your review - they are always so fun to read! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderEss Posted June 2, 2012 #11 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Great pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivavegas Posted June 2, 2012 #12 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Have a great trip! Love your photos too!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MySobriquet Posted June 3, 2012 #13 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Thanks for all the pics. It's very helpful to get an idea of what it all looks like on embarkation day. Getting me very excited for our cruise later this month. Looking forward to seeing more pix when you return. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDebbie Posted June 6, 2012 #14 Share Posted June 6, 2012 I saw the pictures on your other thread, I really prefer the aft balcony but think I will keep the sd suite for the bathroom and all the space. Hope you all are having a great time. Take pictures of 12022 if you get the chance! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimomiller Posted June 8, 2012 Author #15 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks for posting the pictures of the suite. We are next door with no balcony in October. In one of your photos of the balcony looking forward, it looks like you can look right into the windows of the cabin next door. Is that the case or are the windows tinted well? Have a terrific time in Bermuda and on the Dawn. I can't wait for your review - they are always so fun to read! The windows in the SD and SJ suites are well tinted and ther are very large easy to use curtains as well. I do not recall being able to see in the suite next to ours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimomiller Posted June 8, 2012 Author #16 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I saw the pictures on your other thread, I really prefer the aft balcony but think I will keep the sd suite for the bathroom and all the space. Hope you all are having a great time. Take pictures of 12022 if you get the chance! ;) I am with you as I prefer aft facing penthouses but it was an economical no brainer this time to get a SD suite cabin for the 5 of us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesneygirl Posted June 8, 2012 #17 Share Posted June 8, 2012 I am with you as I prefer aft facing penthouses but it was an economical no brainer this time to get a SD suite cabin for the 5 of us Welcome back!!! I can't wait to read your review!! We have an SD suite booked for our July cruise and an opportunity presented itself this week for an upgrade to an SC suite. We declined it. I am hoping we made the right decision. I am curious to know your overall thoughts on this suite. But in particular, the balcony. I am a little concerned about it not being covered. There are still 3 SC suites available for our sail date, so it's not too late for me to make the switch! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimomiller Posted June 8, 2012 Author #18 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Welcome back!!!I can't wait to read your review!! "It will be a couple days before I start writing again. Gotta recover from post cruise trauma first. I need a vacation." We have an SD suite booked for our July cruise and an opportunity presented itself this week for an upgrade to an SC suite. We declined it. I am hoping we made the right decision. "I think you will love the SD, We did. Plenty of room. Large balcony." I am curious to know your overall thoughts on this suite. But in particular, the balcony. I am a little concerned about it not being covered. "Plenty of room for 2 loungers, a couple chairs and a table. The lack of cover was never an issue for us. Note there are some size of balcony differences for the SD suites. We had 12520 and it was plenty large" There are still 3 SC suites available for our sail date, so it's not too late for me to make the switch! :) See my answers in the quotes above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manny500 Posted June 12, 2012 #19 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I am really jonesing for this review!! Please???:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdoc999 Posted June 12, 2012 #20 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Does the TV have a DVD player attached or combo with the TV? Need to know if I should bring movies for the kids. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LAFFNVEGAS Posted June 12, 2012 #21 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Welcome Home Zimomiller, I too am looking forward to your review, we are scheduled to be on the Dawn in November in an Aft SF Suite and needing some reviews that have been recent to get me excited. :) Mostly because am am on the fence if to keep this cruise or switch to the HAL Zuiderdam. I know they are not even close :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted June 12, 2012 #22 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I am with you as I prefer aft facing penthouses but it was an economical no brainer this time to get a SD suite cabin for the 5 of us Yeah, especially that ALL of you got suite perks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimomiller Posted June 13, 2012 Author #23 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Does the TV have a DVD player attached or combo with the TV? Need to know if I should bring movies for the kids. Thanks. The TVs in the SD suites have a DVD player built in and a binder llisting the DVD library onboard that your Butler can bring for you. We brought our own DVDs anticipating that we would have a player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LAFFNVEGAS Posted June 13, 2012 #24 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Zimomiller, you stated you made dinner reservations. Can you tell us which specialty dining you went to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimomiller Posted June 13, 2012 Author #25 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Zimomiller, you stated you made dinner reservations. Can you tell us which specialty dining you went to? See our dinner schedule in my next post which will follow shortly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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