Dawn Out Of Boston Questions - First Cruise for Parents

[DCNadeau]

Hello All!

 

I have a few questions I was hoping all you great people out there can help me out with. My wife and I are taking her Parents on there first cruise this summer on the Dawn out of Boston for her Dads birthday. And I had a few questions..

 

A little on us my wife and I are in our late 20's and have been on many cruises, this however is our first on NCL. Previous have been CCL and RCI. We love cruising and have been on mega ships and smaller ships. Love both busy days and relaxing by the pool.

 

Her parents have never cruised and are looking forward to it. What should we be expecting on the Dawn compared to what we may have experienced on CCL and RCI? How are all the shows? Is there karaoke and if so how often? Every night? Is there a piano bar or dueling pianos? How is the night life? Are the dance clubs/bars open and filled late?

 

Do the pools and hot tubes stay open late or do they close early like on CCL?

 

What are some of the "must dos" on the ship?

 

Thank you everyone for reading this and Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!

[Demonyte]

I can't compare NCL with the lines you mentioned but I can tell you about NCL in general and something about Dawn specifically.

 

- There is karaoke in the pub on port side behind Guest Services, I think it was arranged every night.

 

- People here say that NCL's entertainment (especially the shows in theatre) are better than on most other mainstream cruise lines.

 

- If I remember correctly, there is a (baby?) grand piano at Gatsby's Champagne Bar on deck 6.

 

- Nightlife varies a lot, only really good party we had on Dawn was the White Hot Party that started on the pool deck, but then again, we were on a 12-night reposition cruise that attracts more older clientele.

 

- Pools and hot tubs usually close around 10pm or 11pm latest on all NCL ships.

[mi3stooges]

In 2010 I took my then 3 teenagers (the eldest turned 18 on the cruise). It was the most memorable cruise for me in along time.

 

I remember it had a lot of comedy nights and Second City was awesome! I was disappointed in Second City on the Epic in 2012. All show were fantastic. Bollywood was better than I could have ever imagined...the kids enjoyed it too!

 

The front of the ship, about deck 13? has a hot tub that looks out the front of the ship. It never seemed to be used...great spot!

 

We also had, who I consider to have been the best Cruise Director in history... Matt Baker. He really made the cruise.

 

The Dawn was my first introduction to Freestyle dining, and it was a hard transition. I was used to the 6 and 8 dining. But we met a waiter that made it a great experience for us. He said come here at the same time and I will take care of you. We didn't go to many of the other restaurants. It worked for us at the time. :D

[BeachMartini]

Hello All!

 

I have a few questions I was hoping all you great people out there can help me out with. My wife and I are taking her Parents on there first cruise this summer on the Dawn out of Boston for her Dads birthday. And I had a few questions..

 

A little on us my wife and I are in our late 20's and have been on many cruises, this however is our first on NCL. Previous have been CCL and RCI. We love cruising and have been on mega ships and smaller ships. Love both busy days and relaxing by the pool.

 

Her parents have never cruised and are looking forward to it. What should we be expecting on the Dawn compared to what we may have experienced on CCL and RCI? How are all the shows? Is there karaoke and if so how often? Every night? Is there a piano bar or dueling pianos? How is the night life? Are the dance clubs/bars open and filled late?

 

Do the pools and hot tubes stay open late or do they close early like on CCL?

 

What are some of the "must dos" on the ship?

 

Thank you everyone for reading this and Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!

 

You are going to love the Dawn! Your style sounds just like my husband and I. We enjoy relaxing on deck with a bucket of beers, and also taking part in things like martini tastings, karaoke, and trivia. I don't have specific answers about times things stay open until, but there were always people dancing in the Spinnaker, singing karaoke in Pearly Kings and listening to piano music outside Gatsby's well into the late evening.

 

Here are my must dos:

 

Star Bar cocktails - love to listen to the piano player up there. After a couple of cocktails people start to sing and dance a bit (maybe that was just me)

 

Curling up with a book in one of the window seats inside on the main drag, I think it's deck 6.

 

Second City comedy shows, especially the adult show.

 

The Quest!

 

Play Deal or No Deal once

 

Getting a spot at the Bimini Lounge for BDA sailaway. Great spot to people watch and reflect on a great time in Bermuda as you head back home. The fries are delicious at Bimini too.

 

Dinner at Cagney's during sunset

 

Martini clinic (Find out if they will offer more than 1 as they usually do. The second tasting on a later sea day was much less crowded and we were able to select our drinks)

 

Laying out on Deck 13 (?) Forward. There are usually plenty of loungers and the breeze cools you off.

 

Enjoy! We sail here again June 12!

Edited February 17, 2015 by BeachMartini

[mi3stooges]

You are going to love the Dawn! Your style sounds just like my husband and I. We enjoy relaxing on deck with a bucket of beers, and also taking part in things like martini tastings, karaoke, and trivia. I don't have specific answers about times things stay open until, but there were always people dancing in the Spinnaker, singing karaoke in Pearly Kings and listening to piano music outside Gatsby's well into the late evening.

 

Here are my must dos:

 

Star Bar cocktails - love to listen to the piano player up there. After a couple of cocktails people start to sing and dance a bit (maybe that was just me)

 

Curling up with a book in one of the window seats inside on the main drag, I think it's deck 6.

 

Second City comedy shows, especially the adult show.

 

The Quest!

 

Getting a spot at the Bimini Lounge for BDA sailaway. Great spot to people watch and reflect on a great time in Bermuda as you head back home. The fries are delicious at Bimini too.

 

Dinner at Cagney's during sunset

 

Martini clinic (Find out if they will offer more than 1 as they usually do. The second tasting on a later sea day was much less crowded and we were able to select our drinks)

 

Laying out on Deck 10 Forward. There are usually plenty of loungers and the breeze cools you off.

 

Enjoy! We sail here again June 12!

 

Oh my gosh!! The quest...YES!! Don't miss it!!

[BeachMartini]

[quote

 

We also had, who I consider to have been the best Cruise Director in history... Matt Baker. He really made the cruise.

 

 

We loved Matt Baker! Wiggy Wiggy Wah!!

[NewEnglandNANA]

My DH and I loved cruising on the Dawn to Bermuda.

I can't compare it to other lines but I can tell you we were busy the whole time.

I believe there was Karaoke a few nights. The bars were busy and they had trivia too. Tim Kaminski the comedian was so funny!

 

We splurged and bought a spa pass so we went there a lot :D.

 

The thing we loved about this cruise was the 3 DAYS Docked in Bermuda.

We purchased a transportation pass for the three days, this is used on the ferry or busses. SO worth it! I think it was 18pp at the time. We explored the island as much as we could.

 

Unless you want to you don't need to pack formal wear.

 

Deck 13 front hot tub I had all to myself the last morning.

 

They do have a piano player somewhere.... Make sure you read the dailies to find out what you want to do the next day.

 

Our cruise had the usual chair hogs on the pool deck.

We found the staff very friendly. Would do this cruise again in a heartbeat!

Edited February 17, 2015 by NewEnglandNANA

[DCNadeau]

Thank you so much so far for you quick responses! I'm going to be saving all this information for sure!

 

What is "The Quest" you all are talking about??

 

Cant wait for more information others have to share! The more the better! I would also love to hear more peoples stories about the ship!

[BeachMartini]

Thank you so much so far for you quick responses! I'm going to be saving all this information for sure!

 

What is "The Quest" you all are talking about??

 

Cant wait for more information others have to share! The more the better! I would also love to hear more peoples stories about the ship!

 

We can't tell you! That would ruin the surprise!! Just be sure to show up early. This is actually my favorite night on the Dawn (aside from it being the LAST night!)

 

Park it in the Spinnaker Lounge to see the adult Second City show followed by the Quest. So much fun!

[Barb Nahoumi]

You are going to love the Dawn! Your style sounds just like my husband and I. We enjoy relaxing on deck with a bucket of beers, and also taking part in things like martini tastings, karaoke, and trivia. I don't have specific answers about times things stay open until, but there were always people dancing in the Spinnaker, singing karaoke in Pearly Kings and listening to piano music outside Gatsby's well into the late evening.

 

Here are my must dos:

 

Star Bar cocktails - love to listen to the piano player up there. After a couple of cocktails people start to sing and dance a bit (maybe that was just me)

 

Curling up with a book in one of the window seats inside on the main drag, I think it's deck 6.

 

Second City comedy shows, especially the adult show.

 

The Quest!

 

Play Deal or No Deal once

 

Getting a spot at the Bimini Lounge for BDA sailaway. Great spot to people watch and reflect on a great time in Bermuda as you head back home. The fries are delicious at Bimini too.

 

Dinner at Cagney's during sunset

 

Martini clinic (Find out if they will offer more than 1 as they usually do. The second tasting on a later sea day was much less crowded and we were able to select our drinks)

 

Laying out on Deck 13 (?) Forward. There are usually plenty of loungers and the breeze cools you off.

 

Enjoy! We sail here again June 12![/QUOTe

 

We'll be there with you. YAY

[BeachMartini]

Barb - Didn't we sail together in June 2012? Hope to see you on the roll call!

[margie1221]

You and your parents will love the Dawn - we sailed last May from Boston to Bermuda with a group of 22 - celebrating dear friends wedding anniversary - we titled it their "50th Jubilee at Sea". We had a ball!! Have been on CCL, RCI and three other NCL ships. Don't know if it was our group, the itinerary (LOVE Bermuda), the ease of sailing out of Boston, the size of the ship (VERY manageable), awesome crew, friendly casino dealers and servers... Might be my favorite cruise of 12 so far :)

 

Yes, after dinner at Cagney's we stumbled (almost literally) into the Star Bar - fantastic young woman at piano - followed her to the Atrium for more performances later in the week. Patty and Jose were terrific entertainers, also - absolute favorite of the anniversary couple.

 

Yes, karaoke was hysterical in the Pearly Kings Pub - not sure if I ever laughed so hard - maybe it was the Lemon Drop martinis from one of the BEST bartenders at sea - Chips Ahoy - Phil and I sang to Sonny and Cher's "I got you Babe" - ridiculous!!

 

Had Spa Passes but honestly didn't use it as much as we thought we would - preferred to hang out with our group in the public areas.

 

One last thing - I see that you're sailing in July... we went on the Gem to Bermuda a few years ago in July for our 30th wedding anniversary - it was super HOT - much more than we thought it would be. Too hot, to walk around Bermuda and we're very active. Book an air-conditioned island tour one of the days for your parents so they don't melt!!

 

Hope this helps...

Edited February 17, 2015 by margie1221

[OceanDreaming2]

We've been on the Dawn a couple of times recently (New England/Canada fall 2013 and fall repo 2014) and the Quest wasn't being done anymore.

 

If you enjoy a good meal, try a specialty restaurant.

 

Be sure you attend the Bollywood show, it is one of the best shows put on by Norwegian production staff.

 

The White Hot Party is fun - but is only as good as the CD makes it. Hope for the best. :rolleyes:

 

The deck 13 hot tub and sun area is a hidden gem.

 

Several good acts in the Atrium. We enjoyed Jose and Patti. They have quite a following.

[BeachMartini]

We've been on the Dawn a couple of times recently (New England/Canada fall 2013 and fall repo 2014) and the Quest wasn't being done anymore.

 

If you enjoy a good meal, try a specialty restaurant.

 

Be sure you attend the Bollywood show, it is one of the best shows put on by Norwegian production staff.

 

The White Hot Party is fun - but is only as good as the CD makes it. Hope for the best. :rolleyes:

 

The deck 13 hot tub and sun area is a hidden gem.

 

Several good acts in the Atrium. We enjoyed Jose and Patti. They have quite a following.

 

You must have missed it, or perhaps it's based on the itin? I read a review from last summer BDA that still included the Quest, and here is a link to the dailies from just last month that someone was kind enough to share, the Quest is featured on the last night.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2cglkf94mo73x2o/AAB17qLEHdzRwu42AwWhwtBka/Dawn_Daily-2015_01_24.pdf?dl=0

Edited February 17, 2015 by BeachMartini

[soccersharon]

OP, we are sailing in July as well :)

 

I appreciate everyone's posts here. This will be our first Dawn / Bermuda cruise! So looking forward to seeing Bermuda [emoji267]

[OceanDreaming2]

You must have missed it, or perhaps it's based on the itin? I read a review from last summer BDA that still included the Quest, and here is a link to the dailies from just last month that someone was kind enough to share, the Quest is featured on the last night.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2cglkf94mo73x2o/AAB17qLEHdzRwu42AwWhwtBka/Dawn_Daily-2015_01_24.pdf?dl=0

 

I'm glad it's still being done on some of the cruises. It all depends on the CD. :p

Edited February 17, 2015 by OceanDreaming2

[DCNadeau]

Thank you all so much for your responses!

 

The Quest thing sounds like a big Deal. I hope out CD is great I have been on cruises with crappy ones and it stinks. But when you get a good CD the cruise is great!

 

Another question my father in law wanted me to ask. How is the smoking policy? Is there designated areas? How is the cigar bar area we read about? Do you have to bring your own or can u purchase on the ship?

 

Also are you able to track your spending on the TV's int he room on the DAWN and also look at dinner menus? This was good on CCL and RCI so we could watch our spending and plan out meals!

 

Thanks!

[Demonyte]

Also are you able to track your spending on the TV's int he room on the DAWN and also look at dinner menus? This was good on CCL and RCI so we could watch our spending and plan out meals!

 

Can't help you with smoking but to this I have to say "no". Only newer NCL ships (only Gem and all megaships) have interactive TV systems, Dawn is too old to have them originally and has not been retrofitted with the system either.

[DaisyGoldberg]

Smoking is port side, at least by the pool and on the promenade deck. And in the casino!

 

The cigar bar is midship next to Le Bistro... on the starboard side. I have no idea whether they sell cigars in there -- seems rather small, but maybe if you buy them in Bermuda you can bring them in. I assume whatever you buy in Duty Free you have to wait for like booze?

Edited February 18, 2015 by DaisyGoldberg

[acton1776]

Another question my father in law wanted me to ask. How is the smoking policy? Is there designated areas? How is the cigar bar area we read about? Do you have to bring your own or can u purchase on the ship?

 

We sailed on the Dawn last June and we are going to be on the June 12th cruise again this year. My wife smokes and had no problems out on the deck. When you are around the pool you can only smoke on the port side. They do sell cigars in the cigar bar also!

 

You will have a great time!!

[OceanDreaming2]

Thank you all so much for your responses!

 

The Quest thing sounds like a big Deal. I hope out CD is great I have been on cruises with crappy ones and it stinks. But when you get a good CD the cruise is great!

 

Another question my father in law wanted me to ask. How is the smoking policy? Is there designated areas? How is the cigar bar area we read about? Do you have to bring your own or can u purchase on the ship?

 

Also are you able to track your spending on the TV's int he room on the DAWN and also look at dinner menus? This was good on CCL and RCI so we could watch our spending and plan out meals!

 

Thanks!

 

The Quest is a big deal. You have to go with an open mind as you may well see more than you bargained for! :eek:

 

As a nonsmoker, I can't say I sought out smoking areas but I believe the Dawn does have a cigar bar. Other smoking areas are the casino (no cigars there) and an outside area. It was by the pool but that may have changed.

 

No interactive TV's on the Dawn but they are all flat screen. You can find the daily menus posted outside the dining rooms. And you can always check your tab at the service desk. Better to check it often than to wait until the last day when so many others are looking for the first time! :rolleyes:

 

We had a few issues with the Dawn but from my understanding, everything has been corrected. Enjoy your cruise! :)

Edited February 19, 2015 by OceanDreaming2

[cricket200]

 

How is the cigar bar area we read about? Do you have to bring your own or can u purchase on the ship?

 

Thanks!

 

Yes - you can buy cigars there or bring your own - they have a menu and a pretty good selection. I am not a smoker so cannot comment on the prices.

Seats are comfy - people friendly. Service can be a little slow depending on how busy Gatsby's is.