I have a few Dawn questions

[Irishgrl73]

Traveling on the Dawn to Bermuda in August.

 

1) How many Specialty Dinners did you do? Wondering if the package is worth it or not.

 

2) Are the specialty restaurants open for Breakfast or lunch or only dinner?

 

3) Can you reserve the specialty dinner before you leave or do you have to do it on the ship? Is it hard to get a reservation?

 

4) Are there any area that children are not allowed or have a curfew?

 

5) If your kids were in the kids club do you know how many kids to counselors or how many kids they had.

 

6) Does any one have any experience with special needs and kids program? Would love to hear what you thought.

 

7) Would love to hear any tips you have especially with Children since we are traveling with our 5 year old.

 

Would love to see any pictures if you have any too.

Edited February 11, 2015 by Irishgrl73

[Freespir8]

Traveling on the Dawn to Bermuda in August.

 

1) How many Specialty Dinners did you do? Wondering if the package is worth it or not.

 

2) Are the specialty restaurants open for Breakfast or lunch or only dinner?

 

3) Can you reserve the specialty dinner before you leave or do you have to do it on the ship? Is it hard to get a reservation?

 

4) Are there any area that children are not allowed or have a curfew?

 

5) If your kids were in the kids club do you know how many kids to counselors or how many kids they had.

 

6) Does any one have any experience with special needs and kids program? Would love to hear what you thought.

 

7) Would love to hear any tips you have especially with Children since we are traveling with our 5 year old.

 

Would love to see any pictures if you have any too.

 

Congratulations on your upcoming cruise! I can answer a few of your questions:

 

1. It is really personal preference. You don't need to go to a specialty restaurant and can do just fine in the MDR’s. I personally love the extra special feel and we normally go to at least 3x. We usually eat more on those nights just because the food is so delicious. If you plan on going every night, then the package is a good value. They usually have a special though once you get on the ship that allows you to purchase 3 at a discounted price as well.

2. Specialty restaurants are open for dinner only unless you are a in a suite. If you are in a suite, you will have access to Cagney’s/Moderno for breakfast and lunch.

3. Yes you can reserve the specialty dinners prior to cruising or you can do it on the ship. I haven’t heard about any issues in making reservations with the exception of Teppanyaki which has limited seating. If you are set on a specific time and restaurant, always better to book earlier rather than later to ensure you get the spot you want.

 

I don’t cruise with young kids (Yay…they are all grown up! ) so hopefully someone else can pipe in on the rest of your questions.

[maxshadoe]

Pretty sure they are not allowed in the cigar bar. Lol, sorry could not resist

[Irishgrl73]

Pretty sure they are not allowed in the cigar bar. Lol, sorry could not resist

 

:D LOL I'm sure!

[cliffd64]

Traveling on the Dawn to Bermuda in August.

 

1) How many Specialty Dinners did you do? Wondering if the package is worth it or not.

 

2) Are the specialty restaurants open for Breakfast or lunch or only dinner?

 

3) Can you reserve the specialty dinner before you leave or do you have to do it on the ship? Is it hard to get a reservation?

 

4) Are there any area that children are not allowed or have a curfew?

 

5) If your kids were in the kids club do you know how many kids to counselors or how many kids they had.

 

6) Does any one have any experience with special needs and kids program? Would love to hear what you thought.

 

7) Would love to hear any tips you have especially with Children since we are traveling with our 5 year old.

 

Would love to see any pictures if you have any too.

 

4.) Children are not allowed in: Lounges after 11 pm even if they are with parents, Late night comedy shows or hypnotist shows which are typically for adults, the casino, adults only pool and hot tubs.

[AEckhardt]

No kids in the Spa area either

[Barb Nahoumi]

You have questions, and I might have a few answers.

 

I don't usually eat in specialty restaurants. The MDRs are fine with me. If you are a suite, Cagney's and Moderno are open for lunch.

 

As a Platinum Latitudes member, I am entitled to one specialty dinner, so DH and I will be doing that on our next cruise.

 

You can make reservations on the ship. If you booked during the month of January, 2015, NCL was offering choices of OBC, a beverage deal or the specialty dining deal. We chose the OBC.

 

We don't cruise with children, so can't help with those questions.

 

The Dawn is a great ship, and I think that you'll enjoy it.

[meglet]

I've sailed on Dawn 3 times and I wasn't aware there was an adult pool.

 

Last summer was our first time in a suite and it was only Cagney's that was open for bkfst and lunch for suite passengers.

 

There IS a forum on cruise critic entitled (sorry, lazy, didn't go searching for it) "special needs cruising" or something like that and there may be other parents asking and answering questions similar to yours.

 

I've got the Dawn booked for next August, (trying for a good rate in July and previously sailed in July) and I'm planning on booking my dining ahead of time. The ship is packed and I wonder if the current promotion will have more pax eating at the specialty restaurants. If you want to eat at a specific time, why the heck not, and give yourself some peace of mind. You can always cancel if you change your mind. If you have the UDP no harm, no foul. Last summer we went to the Venetian MDR around 6:30 hoping to eat and the wait was going to be an hour. The hostess called around and got us into Bistro.

 

I'm excited to have the UDP because I found the ambiance in the main dining rooms often to be similar to a college cafeteria with better furnishings and food. LOTS of people and LOTS of noise. It's a long meal with a 5 year old anywhere you go, so maybe build in some break time between courses for a little walk...out to overlook the pool from Cagney's, out for a little dance at Gatsby's which is outside Bistro.

[dexddd]

I've sailed on Dawn 3 times and I wasn't aware there was an adult pool.

 

Last summer was our first time in a suite and it was only Cagney's that was open for bkfst and lunch for suite passengers.

 

There IS a forum on cruise critic entitled (sorry, lazy, didn't go searching for it) "special needs cruising" or something like that and there may be other parents asking and answering questions similar to yours.

 

I've got the Dawn booked for next August, (trying for a good rate in July and previously sailed in July) and I'm planning on booking my dining ahead of time. The ship is packed and I wonder if the current promotion will have more pax eating at the specialty restaurants. If you want to eat at a specific time, why the heck not, and give yourself some peace of mind. You can always cancel if you change your mind. If you have the UDP no harm, no foul. Last summer we went to the Venetian MDR around 6:30 hoping to eat and the wait was going to be an hour. The hostess called around and got us into Bistro.

 

I'm excited to have the UDP because I found the ambiance in the main dining rooms often to be similar to a college cafeteria with better furnishings and food. LOTS of people and LOTS of noise. It's a long meal with a 5 year old anywhere you go, so maybe build in some break time between courses for a little walk...out to overlook the pool from Cagney's, out for a little dance at Gatsby's which is outside Bistro.

 

On the Dawn there isn't just an adults only pool. Just a couple adults only hot tubs.

[lolavix]

We sailed on the Dawn last August with our three children.

 

I have a lengthy review with tons of photos (see link in my signature). I will mention right off the top that we did not eat in the specialty restaurants at all; we did eat dinner in the MDRs a few times, both with and without the kids. We ate lunch in the Venetian twice and breakfast there once.

 

My kids loved the kids club and in August, there will likely be a fair number of kids. While Bermuda was the highlight for most of us, my youngest (six years old) thought the best part of all was the kids' pool.

 

Feel free to ask any specific questions about the kids' club, if you'd like.

[kcfoxy]

Teppanyaki, a specialty restaurant, may be open for select lunches, with 1 limited seating, (18) at noon on Sea Days. You may make reservations online several months ahead of your cruise. We made several this week for our late April cruise. Staff was also very good in bringing food to our cabin if we were interrupted or unable to finish what was ordered.

 

If you made it through aps and main, but needed to leave before enjoying dessert they could also drop that off, for example. You may eat different parts of your meal in different restaurants. Children may eat from the regular menu or specialty menu. If you are not going with the UDP, then they would be charged 1/2 for specialty menu and not charged at all for regular child's menu which has things like macaroni and cheese, hamburger, plain cheese pizza, chicken fingers, chicken noodle soup and sometimes even peanut butter and jelly.

 

Sorry, but I do not have information about the children's programs. Some cruises will have a lot more kiddos than others. In August I would think more. The ratios might vary but we always saw laughing, happy kids enjoying their programs, swimming and special events such as dress up parades. The young counselors all appeared to be patient, calm but good-natured and kind.

Edited February 14, 2015 by kcfoxy

[janymac]

Barb,

If you and DH are now platinum, you will each get a free meal for two at Le Bistro. I found out that you do not have to go to Le Bistro, you can use them in any of the specialty restaurants 20.00 and under. Enjoy your two free meals!!! We ate at Moderno and the Oriental restaurants...nice!!

Enjoy

janymac:p

 

 

 

 

You have questions, and I might have a few answers.

 

I don't usually eat in specialty restaurants. The MDRs are fine with me. If you are a suite, Cagney's and Moderno are open for lunch.

 

As a Platinum Latitudes member, I am entitled to one specialty dinner, so DH and I will be doing that on our next cruise.

 

You can make reservations on the ship. If you booked during the month of January, 2015, NCL was offering choices of OBC, a beverage deal or the specialty dining deal. We chose the OBC.

 

We don't cruise with children, so can't help with those questions.

 

The Dawn is a great ship, and I think that you'll enjoy it.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Barb,

If you and DH are now platinum, you will each get a free meal for two at Le Bistro. I found out that you do not have to go to Le Bistro, you can use them in any of the specialty restaurants 20.00 and under. Enjoy your two free meals!!! We ate at Moderno and the Oriental restaurants...nice!!

Enjoy

janymac:p

 

I am platinum but my husband isn't. I have done a few cruises with my friends, because he could not always come. So, for the time being, it will be 1 specialty dinner. We'll be on board for his birthday, so maybe we can book it for then.

 

Gonna enjoy it. Thanks.

[janymac]

I am an executive chef/dining director. I love anything I do have to think up, order food, create food and serve!!

Have a great time.

janymac:p

 

 

I am platinum but my husband isn't. I have done a few cruises with my friends, because he could not always come. So, for the time being, it will be 1 specialty dinner. We'll be on board for his birthday, so maybe we can book it for then.

 

Gonna enjoy it. Thanks.

Edited February 15, 2015 by janymac

[amberjohn]

First set of questions.......

 

We (2 adults mid-fifties, daughter 23, son 20) are planning on taking the Boston-Bermuda cruise from Boston on 7/10/15. Since I can't seem to start a new thread I figured I'd piggyback on this thread.

 

Some questions we have:

 

Are there any Bermuda tours that you recommend that are worth the cost?

 

What drinks are included in the Main Dining Rooms ?

 

What is the average cost of drinks at Royal Naval Dockyard compared to the

ones on the ship ?

 

Any advice on where to park in Boston for the cruise ?

 

We have sailed on one NCL cruise in the past. Does that make us “Latitudes members” ?

If so, what benefits to we get?

 

If I book the July cruise and find a better rate, do they honor it?

 

We are booking an inside cabin. Is the middle of the ship better than the front or back?

Is it better to get a higher or lower deck (I think decks 5-10 are available).

 

What is the earliest I should get to the port? What time do they start checking us in?

 

Does anyone have the menu for the Blue Lagoon? Do they still have chicken wings?

 

More questions to come....

Edited April 5, 2015 by amberjohn

[legion3]

We ate at the specialty's every night so we would have really benefitted from the UDP.

 

Here is a review I did of the week dining, including Blue Lagoon.

 

FWIW

 

Teppanyaki

 

Day 1: we pre-booked Teppanyaki so we could depart Tampa with a bang. The show was very good and entertained my two DD's (7 and 4). At 5:30 we were a party of 4 and one other couple were all that were present.

The Food was very good too, it was too much food. It really was. Could have made a meal of just the salad, soup, grilled veggies and fried rice.

 

However we did order a main course. I got the Shrimp and scallops, my DW got the chicken with noodles, my one DD got lobster, scallops and calamari and my other DD got beef and chicken. No kids menu was offered so they got full meals. At the end we took back to our cabin two full plates of chicken and beef. Even a day later as a midnight snack the food was great cold.

 

Le Bistro

Day 2: My DW and I did Le Bistro the next night. It was good but did not wow us. Service was very so-so. I had heard so much good that I was somewhat disappointed. DW said "if this is the ceiling on food then I guess we now know." BUT...tune in for the tale of two sittings for Le Bistro.

 

Had the Pork and really was nothing special. We also sat in the wine cellar area which might have been nice except for the noise of Gatsby's and a live and loud singer, 6 feet away, singing not very french tunes , loudly. Also, we had just done the martini tasting a few hours before and were not fully out from under the affects of them. We could not even consider ordering dessert. All of which may have contributed to the evening as well.

 

La Cucina

Day 3: Whole family partook, much better than expected, nice big room, generally a more darker and intimate venue, way more than Le Bistro was. Unfortunately we had the kids . Fortunately they brought the kids meals way way early, which was good. They also were done eating before we had our main meals, which was bad. I quickly whisked them up to the kids splash academy and dropped them off and returned to find my meal waiting. It was still hot. So DW and I finished the meal. They served the only warm bread on the ship along with multiple olive oil dips. To be fair we did not have any pasta in the meals we chose, so that could have been cooked poorly, I don't know. Deserts were excellent.

 

La Cucina Pizza and meal in room

Day 4: We had a suite so we decided to have our Butler bring a La Cucina pizza for the kids and two salads and the bread service with olive oils and set it up in our room. Even delivered the food was warm and excellent. We really liked this venue even though Italian is not my first choice.

 

Bamboo

Day 5: Again we all went as a family and the food was good. it was nothing special but it was not terrible. The kids ate all of their Sweet and Sour pork, despite having little sweet and sour sauce. Oh there was a big bowl of onions, peppers and pineapple but the actual amount of sauce was small, but they had enough. Had the shredded chicken and spicy beef in orange sauce. Again a good family meal overall. A middle of the road Asian eatery.

 

Cagny's

Day 6: Just the two of us at the steak house. It was good to excellent, my bison steak was excellent and cooked perfect. DW had the Chicken and enjoyed it very much. Service was good and overall this was a good meal.

 

Le Bistro

Day 7 : Had pre-booked both sea days as I was really looking forward to the menu I had seen on line and all the good reviews. This time we went without 6 martini's and lowered expectations and made it clear we wanted to be inside away from the noisy bustle of the bar area. This meal was way, way better. Better service, better taste, and we got dessert. This saved Le Bistro!!!! Viva Le Bistro. I had the Lamb it was excellent. DW had the beef filet and thought it was great. Creme Brulee and Napoleon were both excellent. We cracked open our sparking wine that came with the room and ate well.

 

So that's it.

 

Just for the record we had a suite and so ate our breakfast and lunch at Cagny's everyday and once in a while at blue Lagoon. Excellent. The steak on the steak and eggs was always well cooked and flavorful, even if a tad small. It was a quite place to eat and they took good care of us.

 

My kids did eat at the MDR with the kids club one morning and they partook of the kids Cafe in the buffet and occasionally we got something as well but never a whole meal. The kids liked the Kids Cafe and it was convenient to feed them so we could do the "us" dining or if in a hurry.

 

I had not planned on not trying the MDR's but nothing on the menu's jumped out at us and the one night we thought we would try the line waiting at both was quite long. that said we would have eaten in them but it just didn't happen.

 

I want to ad one thing. Blue Lagoon had good wings and was a nice place for lunch too. However a number of the kids items have to come from room service, and they say it can take 20-25 minutes, which is a lot for a grilled cheese or PB&J.

 

Also it may say its a 24 hour eatery but after a certain point the food all comes from room service, again with the built in delay.

 

Room service it really becomes a table for room service after dinner. Really! might as well order it to the cabin.

 

the wings were still good, ask for them without sauce, and the mild sauce is very mild. My one DD does not like spicy and this she had no problem with. Almost tasted like a sweet and sour type sauce but it was buffalo like in color.

 

all in all a good food week.

[legion3]

 

Blue Lagoon menu

[Barb Nahoumi]

First set of questions.......

 

We (2 adults mid-fifties, daughter 23, son 20) are planning on taking the Boston-Bermuda cruise from Boston on 7/10/15. Since I can't seem to start a new thread I figured I'd piggyback on this thread.

 

Some questions we have:

 

Are there any Bermuda tours that you recommend that are worth the cost?

 

What drinks are included in the Main Dining Rooms ?

 

What is the average cost of drinks at Royal Naval Dockyard compared to the

ones on the ship ?

 

Any advice on where to park in Boston for the cruise ?

 

We have sailed on one NCL cruise in the past. Does that make us “Latitudes members” ?

If so, what benefits to we get?

 

If I book the July cruise and find a better rate, do they honor it?

 

We are booking an inside cabin. Is the middle of the ship better than the front or back?

Is it better to get a higher or lower deck (I think decks 5-10 are available).

 

What is the earliest I should get to the port? What time do they start checking us in?

 

Does anyone have the menu for the Blue Lagoon? Do they still have chicken wings?

 

More questions to come....

 

We don't usually book ship trips in Bermuda. The public transportation is an excellent way to get around. You can obtain bus/ferry passes and brochures on the pier.

 

If you mean non-alcoholic beverages with dinner---water, tea, coffee. Can't tell you about price comparisons of drinks on or off ship.

 

If you are a past-guest of NCL, you are a Latitudes Member. Perks are commensurate with your level.

 

There is a parking garage near the pier. We don't use it, since we arrive by car-service.

 

Mid ship on a lower deck is probably smoother.

[AEckhardt]

First set of questions.......

 

We (2 adults mid-fifties, daughter 23, son 20) are planning on taking the Boston-Bermuda cruise from Boston on 7/10/15. Since I can't seem to start a new thread I figured I'd piggyback on this thread.

 

Some questions we have:

 

Are there any Bermuda tours that you recommend that are worth the cost?

 

What drinks are included in the Main Dining Rooms ?

 

What is the average cost of drinks at Royal Naval Dockyard compared to the

ones on the ship ?

 

Any advice on where to park in Boston for the cruise ?

 

We have sailed on one NCL cruise in the past. Does that make us “Latitudes members” ?

If so, what benefits to we get?

 

If I book the July cruise and find a better rate, do they honor it?

 

We are booking an inside cabin. Is the middle of the ship better than the front or back?

Is it better to get a higher or lower deck (I think decks 5-10 are available).

 

What is the earliest I should get to the port? What time do they start checking us in?

 

Does anyone have the menu for the Blue Lagoon? Do they still have chicken wings?

 

More questions to come....

 

 

I second Barb about the tours. Bermuda is very easy to get around and its a very small island. Do a little research prior to your trip and pick a few places you'd enjoy busting, such as the Crystal Caves, the aquarium, Horseshoe Bay, Snorkel Park, etc. Pick up the transport passes (always choose derry over bus if you can! Busses tend to be VERY crowded and they drive like maniacs! Lol!) and a map and off you go!

 

Included drinks in the MDR: iced tea, water, coffee, tea, and juices during breakfast (but nothing fresh squeezed)

 

All food is expensive on the island. Drinks are high but they do have specials at certain times in certain bars. Swizzle Inn has pitchers of Rum Swizzlers, IIRC. The Frog and Onion has a few specials as well, and I'm sure many others do, too, but keep in mind prices tend to be on the high side. Ship drinks are mostly between $8-$11 for mixed drinks. They have daily specials and beer buckets, too.

 

Easiest parking in Boston is right at Black Falcon pier. It's not too pricey and you literally walk across the street to the dock. I like to be at the pier around 10:30-11am. Latitudes members (anyone who has sailed NCL in the past) can use the Latitudes line for check in. Depending on how many times you've sail, and how many points you've racked up determines what benefits you receive such as discounts at the shops, photo shop, etc. Check on your MyNCL at NCL.com to see what level and what benefits you can get.

 

Lower decks midship are best to avoid seasickness. It's also pretty easy to get around when midship, although it gets a bit complicated below deck 6 mid due to the kitchens and dining rooms. I always pay attention to what is directly above or below a room I'm about to choose to avoid noisy areas. I have been in a deck 5 mid ocean view on the Dawn and had no issues that I can remember, though.

 

Relax, have fun, and enjoy exploring Bermuda!