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

frequent traveler

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in Norwegian Cruise Line

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frequent traveler

frequent traveler

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will post dailies when we returnFriday evening as we are leaving Cozumel or we are trying to since the tenders are late . . . . a beautiful sunny day, but it was crowded as 6 other ships were in port today. We tendered – didn’t dock and some people weren’t happy about that. But the Allure was there along with Carnival’s “big” ship. Tender over was quick. Captain just apologized for running late and explained that since seas were so rough, he could not use NCL tenders but had to contract them out – so that’s why service was slow. That was really great to explain. Not so common to get plain explanations like that. Really appreciate. As to rough seas – it has been difficult to walk in off the beach and snorkel at the reefs we like to visit, but we are starting to think this is now “standard” for our cruises. Heck, Nov, January, or March- during the last 4 snorkel gear has been packed and hauled to the beaches, but stays in the bag. Someone today who went on a snorkel excursion saw some good fish but she got pushed under a bit even with a life vest due to the waves. We saw divers all over the place from our beach – but not snorkelers.

Great thing about being in a suite is the “quick boarding” – this morning after breakfast we met Virgina, the concierge, in front of the Italian specialty restaurant. She handed us over to a butler, who took us through a back door into the casino, then to a freight elevator down to deck 4 where we were able to board the 2 deck tender – holds about 200 people! While the top deck was full, me and my crutches were able to squeeze in and the rest of the family had to go below. But it was a quick ride and seas were calm enough that the “windows” were open. Once we got to port, a lot of congestion as the 4 ships were churning out passenger. Many of whom thought Senor Frog was the best place to spend the day and had gotten an early start with yards of Margaritas! Outside the port area – 5 minute wait in cab line and off to our resort for the day – No more than 10 minutes going out (coming back was a different story) and access to the all inclusive small boutique resort Aura, was ours with a day pass. Beautiful beach, quiet, continual service off the beach. A couple of pools, towels and beach chairs included. The resort has several hammocks, including one in the water, a pier which was used for fishing, snorkeling, scuba and parasailing pick ups and drop offs and a reef is just off shore. The Mango Margaritas went over well, but I was partial to the house white tequila with a side of sangrita. Lunch included a ceviche with shrimp and octopus and shrimp enchiladas with chocolate mole. We met a couple from New Orleans who are on the Dawn this week and who say its rough on the seas, but they are having a good time. The husband enjoyed the French restaurant, but his wife who got sick in Costa Maya was quarantined in the cabin for two days and missed several meals. The husband blames it on the fact she only drank Sprite and not alcohol while eating at a local restaurant. They loved the 2nd city show.

Thanksgiving was a quiet day. Half of the family went to the Almaplena Beach Resort. All inclusive with a beautiful beach, good food and beverages. Good snorkeling. Family had the beach to themselves until noon when others started trickling in. The current ownership just acquired it in January – its definitely a very good value – but it is a good 20 minute cab drive. Cab fare is included in the per person charge and owner does not pay cab drive until the return trip! So cab was there on time for pick up.

So far, we’ve heard a lot of good things about excursions and haven’t heard of one that went particularly bad. A couple that went one in Roatan involving a bus ride, then a boat ride, then an optional climb up and then rappel like descent from a building (husband did, wife didn’t) said the guide was fantastic, it was a great trip with a lot of historical and cultural information but the time they took the boat ride and then bus ride back, the 7 hrs made it a bit long was the closest to a negative we’ve heard.

Thanksgiving turkey dinners at the main dining rooms was booked solid and waits were long as people lingered over such items as pumpkin bisque, smoked duck breast with chicken liver terrine, chilled black cherry soup, and the traditional roast turkey with caramelized yams, buttered corn, chesnut sage dressing, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy. There was pumpkin cheesecake, but no pumpkin pie

When I said waits were long, I’m talking down the hall and around the corner – you could always do the buffet, but we chose to go French instead – with escargot or French onion soup. Rack of lamb, duck or coq au vin. DS loved the coq au vin. Dessert was bit disappointing - profiteroles tasted stale and apple tartin was left mostly untouched. Gentleman at the table next to ours left his profiteroles also. However, yesterday afternoon’s deliveries of chocolates for the Chocoholic Buffet tonight made for enough dark, white, and milk chocolate for the cabin.

Tomorrow is an at sea day and the customs information, luggage tags, et al appeared in the cabin this morning. DH and I both have spa appointments. Left mine to the last so it wouldn’t become too expensive an addiction – really, didn’t plan to go until I got a call in the cabin at 5 pm tonight saying we were one of the lucky few to be offered a discount for tomorrow – a 30% off any service . . . so I’ll get a normally priced $129 massage for $99 tomorrow morning. Since I’m at sea – maybe my math is even worse than usual but that doesn’t seem to be a 30% reduction.

 

more to look forward to, and post - but internet has dropped this twice and is eating up minutes.

 

have a great weekend

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ohmiss

ohmiss

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Hi FT...I'm on the plane on the way to board SeaDream on Sunday in SXM. I just found your review and have truly enjoyed it! You are fabulous with your posts, very helpful to alot of people. I only wish I was as great as you in the review department! Thanks again! Hello to DH...

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Jim Avery

Jim Avery

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Hi FT...I'm on the plane on the way to board SeaDream on Sunday in SXM. I just found your review and have truly enjoyed it! You are fabulous with your posts, very helpful to alot of people. I only wish I was as great as you in the review department! Thanks again! Hello to DH...

 

Bon Voyage Ohmiss. Your review is next.:eek::D We have also enjoyed FTs posts and look forward to the wrap up. I must say, NCL posters seem to enjoy the product. There are relatively few complaints here. Either NCL posters have very low expectations or they are enjoying a good cruise experience.:D:D One needs only to read a few posts over at Cunard to get a laundry list of complaints. Heres hoping the rest of your trip goes well, FT.

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GORDONCHICK

GORDONCHICK

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There are relatively few complaints here. Either NCL posters have very low expectations or they are enjoying a good cruise experience.:D:D One needs only to read a few posts over at Cunard to get a laundry list of complaints. Heres hoping the rest of your trip goes well, FT.

 

Or it could be that we are more "the glass is half full" kinda people. We (my family) tend to take things as they come and enjoy the moments. Unless something is pretty major, we don't complain. I can tell you stuff that I like and don't like about each line, but I choose to focus on the positive (and we've found way more of that than the other anyway).

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Jim Avery

Jim Avery

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Or it could be that we are more "the glass is half full" kinda people. We (my family) tend to take things as they come and enjoy the moments. Unless something is pretty major, we don't complain. I can tell you stuff that I like and don't like about each line, but I choose to focus on the positive (and we've found way more of that than the other anyway).

 

I guess that is what I was trying to say. After a lifetime of cruising with Cunard, I am used to the complainers over there. The attitude of most of the posters on this board does seem more "upbeat" than some of the other lines.:D

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GORDONCHICK

GORDONCHICK

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I guess that is what I was trying to say. After a lifetime of cruising with Cunard, I am used to the complainers over there. The attitude of most of the posters on this board does seem more "upbeat" than some of the other lines.:D

 

We tend to pack our good attitudes, and I've heard that many on Cunard may not even have those!

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TrinaLC

TrinaLC

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Hotel is full of Amway convention. After about 6 elevators stopped totally full this morning DD and DS needed caffeine so badly they walked down 17 flights to Starbucks!

.

 

Tip - this works on the ship as well - hit the button to ride the elevator UP, when it will be empty. Then stay on, and ride it down :)

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TrinaLC

TrinaLC

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My husband tells me I was on the Dawn many years ago for a two cruise to nowhere from NYC, but it was work related and I was in meetings all day and in an inside cabin, so I if I was on the Dawn I don’t remember.

 

I was on that same cruise! I saw further down that you are a lawyer - this was a 2 night "cruise to nowhere" private booking by some company that matched service providers (such as "e-discovery companies") with potential law firm/law department clients.

 

We basically anchored off of LI... but yes, it was definitely the Dawn!

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frequent traveler

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At the airport now. Internet here is much faster than on Dawn. I know it's satellite and constricted by bandwidth but 12 minutes were eaten up last night just trying to log on here for last post. Efforts were unsuccessful.

 

If you like meat and varied salad bar, you have to eat at the new Brazilian restaurant. Our absolute favorite meal and had we not waited until the last night we would have eaten there more than once . Go early and it's quiet. Beginning at 7 the piano instrumentals provide fairly loud background music. With choices between chicken, pork ribs, 2 kinds of sausage, lamb, and 3 different types of beef, including filet, it's hard to say no when it is continually delivered table side. Sides include garlic mashed potatoes, white rice, fried bananas, and a Brazilian specialty of black beans, rice, and a slight spicy sauce. Grilled pineapple dusted with cinnamon was also sliced hot tableside. DS layered that on white rice and loved it.

Arun, our waiter, was fantastic. We hated to leave him at the end of the night.

 

More details when I get home but getting off this morning, clearing immigration and customs was so easy. So was security at Tampa airport. Day is off to a very good start.

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zqvol

zqvol

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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!

 

Don't get too excited. Instead of my normal thousands I might have taken 100. Cameras were in the bag most of the time. Sorry.

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zqvol

zqvol

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Hi FT...I'm on the plane on the way to board SeaDream on Sunday in SXM. I just found your review and have truly enjoyed it! You are fabulous with your posts, very helpful to alot of people. I only wish I was as great as you in the review department! Thanks again! Hello to DH...

 

Have fun.

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justjim312

justjim312

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will post dailies when we returnFriday evening as we are leaving Cozumel or we are trying to since the tenders are late . . . . a beautiful sunny day, but it was crowded as 6 other ships were in port today. We tendered – didn’t dock and some people weren’t happy about that. But the Allure was there along with Carnival’s “big” ship. Tender over was quick. Captain just apologized for running late and explained that since seas were so rough, he could not use NCL tenders but had to contract them out – so that’s why service was slow. That was really great to explain. Not so common to get plain explanations like that. Really appreciate. As to rough seas – it has been difficult to walk in off the beach and snorkel at the reefs we like to visit, but we are starting to think this is now “standard” for our cruises. Heck, Nov, January, or March- during the last 4 snorkel gear has been packed and hauled to the beaches, but stays in the bag. Someone today who went on a snorkel excursion saw some good fish but she got pushed under a bit even with a life vest due to the waves. We saw divers all over the place from our beach – but not snorkelers.

Great thing about being in a suite is the “quick boarding” – this morning after breakfast we met Virgina, the concierge, in front of the Italian specialty restaurant. She handed us over to a butler, who took us through a back door into the casino, then to a freight elevator down to deck 4 where we were able to board the 2 deck tender – holds about 200 people! While the top deck was full, me and my crutches were able to squeeze in and the rest of the family had to go below. But it was a quick ride and seas were calm enough that the “windows” were open. Once we got to port, a lot of congestion as the 4 ships were churning out passenger. Many of whom thought Senor Frog was the best place to spend the day and had gotten an early start with yards of Margaritas! Outside the port area – 5 minute wait in cab line and off to our resort for the day – No more than 10 minutes going out (coming back was a different story) and access to the all inclusive small boutique resort Aura, was ours with a day pass. Beautiful beach, quiet, continual service off the beach. A couple of pools, towels and beach chairs included. The resort has several hammocks, including one in the water, a pier which was used for fishing, snorkeling, scuba and parasailing pick ups and drop offs and a reef is just off shore. The Mango Margaritas went over well, but I was partial to the house white tequila with a side of sangrita. Lunch included a ceviche with shrimp and octopus and shrimp enchiladas with chocolate mole. We met a couple from New Orleans who are on the Dawn this week and who say its rough on the seas, but they are having a good time. The husband enjoyed the French restaurant, but his wife who got sick in Costa Maya was quarantined in the cabin for two days and missed several meals. The husband blames it on the fact she only drank Sprite and not alcohol while eating at a local restaurant. They loved the 2nd city show.

Thanksgiving was a quiet day. Half of the family went to the Almaplena Beach Resort. All inclusive with a beautiful beach, good food and beverages. Good snorkeling. Family had the beach to themselves until noon when others started trickling in. The current ownership just acquired it in January – its definitely a very good value – but it is a good 20 minute cab drive. Cab fare is included in the per person charge and owner does not pay cab drive until the return trip! So cab was there on time for pick up.

So far, we’ve heard a lot of good things about excursions and haven’t heard of one that went particularly bad. A couple that went one in Roatan involving a bus ride, then a boat ride, then an optional climb up and then rappel like descent from a building (husband did, wife didn’t) said the guide was fantastic, it was a great trip with a lot of historical and cultural information but the time they took the boat ride and then bus ride back, the 7 hrs made it a bit long was the closest to a negative we’ve heard.

Thanksgiving turkey dinners at the main dining rooms was booked solid and waits were long as people lingered over such items as pumpkin bisque, smoked duck breast with chicken liver terrine, chilled black cherry soup, and the traditional roast turkey with caramelized yams, buttered corn, chesnut sage dressing, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy. There was pumpkin cheesecake, but no pumpkin pie

When I said waits were long, I’m talking down the hall and around the corner – you could always do the buffet, but we chose to go French instead – with escargot or French onion soup. Rack of lamb, duck or coq au vin. DS loved the coq au vin. Dessert was bit disappointing - profiteroles tasted stale and apple tartin was left mostly untouched. Gentleman at the table next to ours left his profiteroles also. However, yesterday afternoon’s deliveries of chocolates for the Chocoholic Buffet tonight made for enough dark, white, and milk chocolate for the cabin.

Tomorrow is an at sea day and the customs information, luggage tags, et al appeared in the cabin this morning. DH and I both have spa appointments. Left mine to the last so it wouldn’t become too expensive an addiction – really, didn’t plan to go until I got a call in the cabin at 5 pm tonight saying we were one of the lucky few to be offered a discount for tomorrow – a 30% off any service . . . so I’ll get a normally priced $129 massage for $99 tomorrow morning. Since I’m at sea – maybe my math is even worse than usual but that doesn’t seem to be a 30% reduction.

 

more to look forward to, and post - but internet has dropped this twice and is eating up minutes.

 

have a great weekend

 

What Carnival "other big ship". .? Thanks.

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zqvol

zqvol

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What Carnival "other big ship". .? Thanks.

 

 

Seven ships in Cozumel that day. Allure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas, along with Carnival Magic and Carnival Conquest. At the downtown pier were NCL Star and NCL Pearl.

 

Dawn tendered into the International Pier area.

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frequent traveler

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Great review, looking forward to your wrapup! Tell us more about Moderno. Im dying to try it:D and looking forward to pictures:)

 

having to play catch up at work, but will do, hopefully start tonight. I travel to Brazil on business regularly and while Moderno wasn't totally authentic - it was pretty close, starting with the caipirinhas [brazilian cocktail] and cheese bread. you must definitely try it on your next NCL voyage. We will go there at least 2x on ours. back to work, lunch is ending.

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frequent traveler

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Ok, I have located the "classic selections" plus "tonight's signature specialties" for the MDR for every night . Our wonderful butler put them together for us on the 1st night - gave us something to do while we waiting for our luggage. I also have all the "freestyle dailies" including the inserts. (I did not realize I could have gotten free charms/ bracelet for attending a shopping seminar and then visiting designated shops along the way!). When a poster says he/she'd like to see a "freestyle daily" does that mean all 4 pages? Plus inserts? The Voice is calling . . .

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