Gem vs. Dawn-Bermuda

[janetz]

Looking at booking NCL(ist time on NCL) to Bermuda. Which would you choose, Gem or Dawn and why? We can go from Boston or NY so I am looking for info specific to the ships. Thanks ahead. Jan :)

[Got Tequila?]

Looking at booking NCL(ist time on NCL) to Bermuda. Which would you choose, Gem or Dawn and why? We can go from Boston or NY so I am looking for info specific to the ships. Thanks ahead. Jan :)

 

For a first time NCL cruiser I would probably recommend the GEM out of NY. The GEM is a newer class ship and doesn't show the signs of wear that the DAWN does. The DAWN will be doing a drydock in May and I believe they are taking out the forward lounge which is one of our favorite places to hang out inside and look out the large windows.

 

Parking in NYC will be quite a bit more expensive so you may want to figure that into your decision....but sailing past the statue of Liberty is an awsome site. :)

[janetz]

Thank you. We have cruised from NY twice before. I agree about the parking and the 3 hour drive in is no picnic. Whereas the drive down the Mass pike is easy and about 2 hours to Boston. The best part about sailing from NY is sailing past lady Liberty. Never get tired of that. :)

[Cubechick]

I would opt for the Dawn given that it's closer and parking half the cost of NYC. For me the ships are almost equal. I prefer the bar set-up on the Dawn (she has individual bars, including a sports bar, rather than the bar central of the Gem). The atrium on the Dawn is open and inviting with glass elevators whereas the Gem's space is claustrophobic. In the Gem's favor is the Great Outdoors (seating area/bar) in the back of the ship and the fact that she's newer. If the drive to the ports were equal I'd decide based on price, the ships are that close to me.

[camz]

We have been aboard both the Gem and the Dawn out of NY. New York is easily accessible to us. Both ships are beautiful and they are very similar in nature, with the exception the Gem being newer. I would advise to go with the Dawn. Easy access to the port eliminates stress starting your vacation. In addition, I believe the Dawn's crew were friendlier. We were on fully booked cruises on both ships as we went during busy travel times. The Dawn seemed to have more deck room which seemed to accommate the passengers better. Bermuda is amazing and as far as I am concerned, the most beautiful place on earth. That being said, you can't go wrong with either of these beautiful ships. :)

[Koshlong]

How many hours does each ship spend in Bermuda? If there's a notable difference, that might be a decider.

[janetz]

Dawn it is..:D Stress free driving to port can be a great thing. Last time we left the port in NY the driving was nuts! :rolleyes:

 

 

P.S. Is there a martini bar onboard??

[ddloml]

How many hours does each ship spend in Bermuda? If there's a notable difference, that might be a decider.

 

On our Dawn cruise to Bermuda last year, the ship docked at 8:00 AM on Wednesday and left at 4:00 PM on Friday. It stays in port the entire time and the casino and duty free shop is closed the entire time in port.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Koshlong wrote: ...How many hours does each ship spend in Bermuda? If there's a notable difference, that might be a decider....

 

According to the current itineraries on the NCL website, Gem is in Bermuda for 57 hours, while Dawn is, 54.5 hours. If you really want to spent max hours in Bermuda, HAL's Veendam is there for 78 hours, that would be a decider for me plus you get to dock in Hamilton instead the Dockyard.

 

 

SBtS

 

[PJames]

We enjoyed BOTH the Gem

http://www.gummy-stuff.org/GEM-cruise-diary.htm

and the Dawn

http://www.gummy-stuff.org/Hilgenberg-Cruise-DIARY.htm

.

The Dawn is a mite "worn", but I reckon there are other considerations that should decide which to sail on.

[fridaythe13th]

Thank you. We have cruised from NY twice before. I agree about the parking and the 3 hour drive in is no picnic. Whereas the drive down the Mass pike is easy and about 2 hours to Boston. The best part about sailing from NY is sailing past lady Liberty. Never get tired of that. :)

 

Cruising out of Boston is pretty neat in it's own way. You sail past Logan and if the wind is right they will be using the runway that has the planes flying right over you, literally! I vote for the shorter drive, lower parking fee and new views!! We have been on the Gem and enjoyed it. We are looking forward to the Dawn, especially since she will be just out of dry dock a few weeks before we sail. :D

[cruiser willy]

I've not sailed on her yet, but plan to this June. The Gem is a beautiful ship, probably nicer than the Dawn in most measurable ways.

I'm guessing that you live in Western Massachusetts though. If so, I'd go with the Boston port, even if it were equi-distant with your drive to Manhattan. I'm going to have to brace myself for a world of backlash here, but after having sailed out of New York and Boston MANY TIMES EACH...I've gotta say that the biggest difference is the actual passenger composition. I prefer the predominantly New Englanders that tend to sail out of Boston to the New York / New Jersey bunch that leave from N.Y. terminals. I'm not trying to sound like a snob, but I've found that I just have more in common with the folks sailing from Boston....if only our Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins clothing. I happened to be wearing a Red Sox cap when boarding the Gem last February out of New York and got a million snide (in a playful way) remarks from baggage handlers, NCL reps, customs agents and fellow passengers. My son advised that I ditch my sports paraphernalia for the week.

Also, New York and New Jersey folks tend to live a faster pace and even on vacation tend to be more aggressive and pushy.

Of course, these are generalizations that are not true about every passenger or every New Yorker / New Jersian, but I've noticed these differences enough to influence my decision making. Unfortunately, Boston is unavailable for cruising during the winter.

[janetz]

:D Booked the Dawn !! Sept 23rd..A balcony surprise for DH :D

[fridaythe13th]

:d booked the dawn !! sept 23rd..a balcony surprise for dh :d

 

woo hoo!!

[camz]

:D Booked the Dawn !! Sept 23rd..A balcony surprise for DH :D

 

Awesome! Balcony cabins are the best. Especially, with Bermuda as your itinerary. Bermuda is beautiful. Is your cabin in the AFT by any chance? Have a great vacation! :)

[JohnIreland]

Good choice.

 

The Gem may newer , but I found the dawn to have a bit more character.

 

Either way , both great ships.

[janetz]

Awesome! Balcony cabins are the best. Especially, with Bermuda as your itinerary. Bermuda is beautiful. Is your cabin in the AFT by any chance? Have a great vacation! :)

 

 

No mid, deck 9. We had an extended aft overlooking the wake one time and was awesome! :)