Thanksgiving on the Dawn: SDYC Addict Tries NCL Suite Life for 1st Time

[Jim Avery]

Good job FT. Making me hungry here. It takes some getting used to this board for Norwegian. If you dont post twice a day, you rapidly find your thread on page 2 or 3.:eek: Lots more activity here than we are used to over on SeaDream (or even Cunard). Mostly positive comments too.:D

[DisneyJen]

Thanks for the report FT!

 

Hope the sun comes out!!

[Cubechick]

Thank you for the report. The mention of a new menu at La Cucina has me crossing my fingers for a revamping of all the specialty restaurants! :)

[Jim Avery]

Dumb question: Is Cagney's for the Suite Life only??

[Cubechick]

Dumb question: Is Cagney's for the Suite Life only??

 

For breakfast and lunch it is. For dinner it's $25 pp for anyone.

[GORDONCHICK]

Enjoying the review & perspective.

[frequent traveler]

Tuesday afternoon –

Has rained all day. I think we have seen the sun maybe two hours since we left Tampa. We took the shore excursion to Tabyana Beach Party – what a great place. Too bad it rained. But the sand and sea are beautiful. Would love to come back when the weather is great. Music, buffet lunch, facilities were all top line. Worst part was getting off the ship. Gangplank was on deck 4, line was on Deck 7. Island needs help with roads – the potholes could swallow a person. Short drive – 15 to 20 minutes till we crossed the hill/mountain and headed down the beach. Once we picked out our beach chair and waiter (Bobby found us), it was more a matter of dodging rain. DD was the only one who got in the water. Riptide was strong and winds kept kicking up. Rum was good. Lunch was barbecue chicken, sauce seemed to have pineapple base, plus hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw & fruit.

After we returned, DS decided to order a pizza from room service. There is a $5.00 charge for this – not include, but wow – the vegetarian, the large is fantastic. Definitely worth the price. Now watching a movie.

More odds& ends. Lavazza coffee machine is great. Actually keeps the cups on top warm. DS is making cappuccino like crazy. We have milk in the fridge now. We do have chain smokers next door – when we are moving, we don’t notice on the balcony, when docked, we do.

Breakfast this morning at Cagney’s – I thought I would get some protein so I ordered a “breakfast steak” – was a fantastic, perfect, 6 oz. filet – charred on the outside and rare on the inside. So surprised. I thought I was going to get one of those tiny “minute” steaks and that would have been fine. DS had scallops, lobster and poached eggs on brioche. I can't remember who said it - but Cagney's for breakfast and lunch is wonderful. I have very bad knees and am having surgery when I get home. So not having to wait for a table - is great and unbelievable breakfasts make starting the day fantastic .

 

Casino opens when we sail. DH came home a slight winner tonight, where DS was a contributor. And Happy Hour 2 for 1 at Spinnaker Lounge at 5 . . .

[DisneyJen]

Tuesday afternoon –

Has rained all day. I think we have seen the sun maybe two hours since we left Tampa. We took the shore excursion to Tabyana Beach Party – what a great place. Too bad it rained. But the sand and sea are beautiful. Would love to come back when the weather is great. Music, buffet lunch, facilities were all top line. Worst part was getting off the ship. Gangplank was on deck 4, line was on Deck 7. Island needs help with roads – the potholes could swallow a person. Short drive – 15 to 20 minutes till we crossed the hill/mountain and headed down the beach. Once we picked out our beach chair and waiter (Bobby found us), it was more a matter of dodging rain. DD was the only one who got in the water. Riptide was strong and winds kept kicking up. Rum was good. Lunch was barbecue chicken, sauce seemed to have pineapple base, plus hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw & fruit.

After we returned, DS decided to order a pizza from room service. There is a $5.00 charge for this – not include, but wow – the vegetarian, the large is fantastic. Definitely worth the price. Now watching a movie.

More odds& ends. Lavazza coffee machine is great. Actually keeps the cups on top warm. DS is making cappuccino like crazy. We have milk in the fridge now. We do have chain smokers next door – when we are moving, we don’t notice on the balcony, when docked, we do.

Breakfast this morning at Cagney’s – I thought I would get some protein so I ordered a “breakfast steak” – was a fantastic, perfect, 6 oz. filet – charred on the outside and rare on the inside. So surprised. I thought I was going to get one of those tiny “minute” steaks and that would have been fine. DS had scallops, lobster and poached eggs on brioche. I can't remember who said it - but Cagney's for breakfast and lunch is wonderful. I have very bad knees and am having surgery when I get home. So not having to wait for a table - is great and unbelievable breakfasts make starting the day fantastic .

 

Casino opens when we sail. DH came home a slight winner tonight, where DS was a contributor. And Happy Hour 2 for 1 at Spinnaker Lounge at 5 . . .

 

Other than the weather it sounds as if you are having a great time and enjoying the "suite life."

[frequent traveler]

another cloudy rainy day . . what is it this week? can someone check the weather predictions? right now internet is so slow . .. ship is full and with bad weather I think bandwidth is staying full.

 

Since our excursion is scheduled to leave at 9 - we had room service ordered for 7:30 and we got a call from our butler at 7:15 (unlike Regent last summer, where it showed up very late). It was all hot and eggs were cooked perfectly . . . however, since its rainy, I may skip Bannister Island. DH and DD will probably go. I may taKe advantage of spa special - 75 minutes for $129, Full body massage, foot and ankle & scalp massage & and a spa facial, available only on port days. "Coupon" came with our excursion tickets and says "exclusive offer only for shore excursion's ticket holders!"

 

I don't know what is above our cabin - but the running begins at 6:30 and doesn't stop until 10:30 or 11 at night. Our concierge has indicated that she has/ will request a slow down, but so far the hurdles continue. And a warning, if you have a chain smoker on the balcony next to you, it can be unpleasant. However, I'm not sure how you avoid this. Its much better when we are moving, but when we are in port, our balcony becomes unusable.

 

I skipped dinner last night, but group was at Cagneys. Parmesan fries they brought back were very good, even cold at 3;30 this a.m. Grey goose martinis are 9.75 and Crown was $6.25. Family said steak was fantastic, lobster bisque was wonderful and mushrooms accompanying steak were also great.

 

more later

[Jim Avery]

Hi FT. Wish the weather would improve for Yall. Question: We are looking for a trip. Very cruise deprived here.:eek: We are looking at SDI R/T SJU 1/27 or NCL out of NOLA 1/24. Knowing what you now know, which would you do. Currently, airfare to SJU is good. NOLA is a drive to. :D

[DisneyJen]

Thanks for another update FT. Sorry to hear that the weather isn't cooperating:mad: Will be interested to hear about your spa treatments and if the spa personnel try to sell you product.

[iluvdoxies]

Thanks for another update FT. Sorry to hear that the weather isn't cooperating:mad: Will be interested to hear about your spa treatments and if the spa personnel try to sell you product.

 

Thanks for your review !

 

We are sailing on the Dawn on a b2b the end of this month

 

I just had a mani/pedi at the spa last trip and no hard sell.

[frequent traveler]

Wednesday pm

Chef’s table tonight. Have been directed to meet at Gatsby’s champagne bar at 5:30 hmmm. Getting a bit tired of signing for things, each bottle of sparkling water had its own separate check today at lunch even though waitress had our room card. Coupled with a cocktail, that was 3 separate checks at lunch. But Cagney’s now recognize us – ask when sit down – a bottle of Pelligrino? That’s nice. DS’ favorite today was the banana coconut crème pie dessert. I’ve been watching the bruschetta with mozzarella and tomato slices go by for a couple of days – that will on the menu for our Sea Day. Hopefully, we’ll be off at the beach the next couple of days in Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Quite a variety of shows tonight – ranging from the Genius of Ray Charles to the Music of the Beatles to Bollywood to the Grand Ole Opry to a Caribbean Deck Party with a Paradise Lotto Draw - $540,000 at 11:00 pm. Since we are missing $4,000- for-$20 Bingo at 4:30 and the Double Team Slot Tournament at 6:00, might have to try for Lotto 

Afternoon delivery of snacks today was an assortment of cheese. On the first day, 5 large – very large chocolate covered strawberries arrived at 3:30. Yesterday, 5 different hor d’oerves; and today 5 different cheeses plus toast. With Flor restocking our fruit, potato chips, and saltines, this cabin will never go hungry while waiting for room service .

 

didn't make it for a spa service today. No hard sale - the attendant explained seaweed wrap and it was a bit too much - the cellophane or saran wrap is a bit too confining so I'm thinking over options. Enjoyed the lap pool, hot tub, and therapy pool (can't spell the long name - basically a hot tub with enough tubes in it that your body is suspended). Maybe only 5 adults in there - spent 2 hrs in the sanctuary when weather didn't justify going ashore. it was wonderful.

 

Jim, you have to make your own choice - I'll do a detailed point by point review at the end, just like I always do. NCL suite life has a lot of great things going for it. Service is excellent and I love, love love the physical space. And when you hit an icky day, its nice to have all the alternatives.

[Jim Avery]

Hi FT. That's the Lawyer in you coming out. Hey, thats what we said about Seabourn in the Med, more stuff to do indoors on bad weather days. It is something to consider. Keep up the good work checking things out and posting for us stay at homes.:D

[H&J]

Look, we all know that NCL is NOT Sea Dream; They are world's apart. If you had wanted to trully go "slummin' " you would have chosen the "fun ship" line and battled the buffet lines, misnomer "serentity decks" and the demented world of Joe Vargas decor. drop acid before boarding to get the desired effect. I'll give the "fun ships" a second consideration when it's "last call" for the skiff over the "River Styx".

[Jim Avery]

Look, we all know that NCL is NOT Sea Dream; They are world's apart. If you had wanted to trully go "slummin' " you would have chosen the "fun ship" line and battled the buffet lines, misnomer "serentity decks" and the demented world of Joe Vargas decor. drop acid before boarding to get the desired effect. I'll give the "fun ships" a second consideration when it's "last call" for the skiff over the "River Styx".

 

First, it is Joe Farcus. And yes, am guilty of a couple of Carnival cruises. Enjoyed both--to a point. What I do not understand is: What is your point??

[DMH15]

Why choose? Get them both!

 

I like the way you think. I am a big fan of soup.

[frequent traveler]

Chef’s Table –

OMG – one of the best meals I have ever had on board a ship. Frankly, I don’t remember the chef’s name – he might have spent 30 seconds introducing each course. But it was fantastic. And the wines – my son has assured me that we more than drank the cost of the meal in our wine choice.

Dinner did not start on the best = some sort of cheap bubbly, instead of the Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs as advertised, but after that, it was all wonderful.

A group of 14 gathered outside the Italian restaurant. Chef introduced himself, pictures were taken and then we were escorted inside the restaurant. The dinner moved quickly, which was very nice:

1. Amuse bouche “Molecular Gastronome” – which was spherical mango, vodka, & jalepeno ravioli;

2. Ahi tuna tartare with orange wasabi glaze & sesame crisp;

Accompanied by a Matua Valley Savi blanc from Marlborough New Zealand;

3. Asparagus Cream – Cauliflower flan, crispy beetroot & saffron angel hair;

4. Short Crust Tartlett – Goat Cheese/Sun Dried Tomato Chutney/Basil Oil/Kalamata Olive Tapenade

A palate cleansing course of grapefruit & moscato ice

5. Pan seared sea bass – plaintain crusted/mango, papaya & avocado salsa/lobster veloute

Silverado Vineyards, Chardonay, Napa Valley

6. Milk Fed Veal Chop, Anna Potatos, Sauteed Spinach Truffle Veal Jus

Franciscan, Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California

 

7. Cheese Platter – St. Andre Crème & Stilton/Honey Comb/ Port Wine Infused Figs/Bagel Chips/Pickled Watermelon

Yogurt Mousse Dome – Lychee raspberry crème/hazel sable lime vanilla reduction

Chocoholic’s delight – spiced dark rum infused banana cocoa mousse

The Chardonnay and cab were unbelievably good, never had an empty glass of great quality wine. Have met some very nice folks with great experience. Just wish the sun would shine. Oh well, maybe tomorrow :)

[Jim Avery]

Sounds like you dont have to be on a little ship to be fed really well.:D

[DisneyJen]

Happy Thanksgiving FT and family!

 

Your trip reports are one of things I am thankful for today:D And of course, your friendship!

[frequent traveler]

Happy Thanksgiving FT and family!

 

Your trip reports are one of things I am thankful for today:D And of course, your friendship!

 

happy thanksgiving from a sunny sunny costa maya.

sky is clear and seas are calm.

going to be a great day.

hope all is well.

Thanks to all the NCL staff and crew who are making this a great family holiday for us. We appreciate your hard work and smiling faces.

[DisneyJen]

happy thanksgiving from a sunny sunny costa maya.

sky is clear and seas are calm.

going to be a great day.

hope all is well.

Thanks to all the NCL staff and crew who are making this a great family holiday for us. We appreciate your hard work and smiling faces.

 

Enjoy! It is sunny and 51F here ... and I need to have my head examined as I am making a 17-pound turkey for three people:rolleyes: No lobster bisque this year:(

 

Can't wait to see zqvol's photos!

[clean1owner]

Enjoy! It is sunny and 51F here ... and I need to have my head examined as I am making a 17-pound turkey for three people:rolleyes: No lobster bisque this year:(

 

Can't wait to see zqvol's photos!

 

 

Yowza!!!

Sounds like turkey salad sandwiches for a month!

 

32f and snowing here. I would welcome the weather in the carib.

[Kadir]

FT, your reports are great, thanks for doing this on your vacation, we will be onboard in a family suite on Dec 16th, so I love getting your perspective.

 

Enjoy and thanks again.

[cruisin07family]

So glad to hear (and see from the Dawn's webcam) that you have finally sailed into the sun!!! Very entertaining read; thanks for sharing.