MITSUGIRLYS DAWN TO BERMUDA NOVEL (or review as some may call it)

[perfect match]

Great review, Kim! As you usually do, you have me wanting to sail on a ship I had no plans to sail on and to a destination that wasn't on the top of my list of places I wanted to go. Well, Bermuda was somewhere on my radar, but certainly not at the top of my list. Now, I'm going to be looking at cruises that stop in Bermuda, preferably for several days!

 

I'll be back tomorrow to read your recap. :D

[jethrojam]

We got outside and a taxi pulled up that said "Gobostonshuttle.com" on it and he offered to take us to the airport for $10pp and all 8 of us could fit with the luggage in there so we figured why not.

 

 

 

Great review. But for the record: What that man did is illegal in the city of Boston. While you can call any company for a pick ip ride such as a limousine company or uber, in order to solicit business, the driver and car Must have a city medallion.

 

Why is that? Because for 80$ you could have went to the airport and back twice. (Well almost). 5-6 miles 15$ plus 11 for tolls/massport fees.

[dudput]

When we left the dawn in Boston that's the same thing we said about customs. They didn't even look at your form. I just wish they had a different way of leaving the boat. The lines were crazy. Your right they wrapped around for ever.

[Jamman54]

Bravo, Kim, Bravo!!! Another GREAT review from you!! Will look forward to your next great adventure!!

[destaw7182]

I have cruise withdrawal now that your review is nearly complete [emoji12] This was another great one as usual, I can't wait to read your final thoughts.

 

My husband and I are trying to decide if we want to do another cruise or just go to an all-inclusive. I haven't seen a itinerary that "excites" me so far...

[coscab]

Awesome review, and you saved me the trouble of researching where to snorkel!!

I am not sure if you have been to Dominica but Scotts Head is our most memorable snorkel spot from all the places we have cruised to.

There is a tiny spit of land between the Atlantic and the Caribbean and a small mountain you can climb up and look back down at the path, it is so awesome, I had looked at pictures and had longed to go there, couldn't believe I was actually there myself finally.

We took the local bus and then walked a bit to get there or you can take a taxi but the local bus was so much fun, holds about 10 people, I got so friendly with one of them she wanted to take me home, the driver stopped at a bakery, took orders and money from the locals, hopped off and got them bread, pastries etc. and hopped back on and handed there orders to them. He drove half way up the mountains to drop people at their doorsteps (kinda scary) among other things, it was quite an adventure:eek:

We snorkeled on the Caribbean side, had the place to ourselves, (well almost, there was a local with a machete opening almonds off a tree and letting us try them) someday hopefully we will be able to go there again.

I will try to post a link separately or you can check you tube.

Edited June 26, 2015 by coscab

[coscab]

.

 

scotts head dominica

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-C-QUEataY

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xom3acvL3kI.

Edited June 26, 2015 by coscab

[cadien]

I was a little disappointed that they didn't have the kids buffet opened on this last day but we did grab our food and still ate in the kids section...just to be able to find a table for all of us.

 

So they had the kid buffet set up the rest of the time? Ours was never set up in April despite there being 1,000 kids. Or maybe that's why it was never set up. Disappointing regardless since we were with a 3-year old. I'd thought maybe they were just doing away with it.

 

 

NOW HERE IS THE WEIRDEST CHECK OUT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED!!!!

 

There was a customs guy (I assumed) just standing on the ship before you "ding out" and you just handed him your customs form. DONE! That was it. He didn't look at the form. He didn't go over the form. He didn't ask any questions. AT ALL!! This was the weirdest thing ever. IS IT ALWAYS LIKE THIS?

Ours was that fast too. In Long Beach. Good to know I shouldn't expect it every time!

[mabones]

I remember the Magician & his wife from our cruise last fall. Did they bring their daughter this time? She is just adorable. Excellent shows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[coscab]

oops (back on and handed "there" orders to them.) spelled "their" wrong

Edited June 26, 2015 by coscab

[ncklhaus]

I loved your review as always, but I must insist that you immediately, and I mean IMMEDIATELY!! book another cruise in the very near future so you can write about it. :D

 

Thank you for all of the hard work you have put into this review and all of the time it took to write it.

 

Can you tell me what software or site you use to add your Mitsugirly logo on your pictures? Thanks in advance.

[JKSWonder]

Such a great review with terrific pictures.

 

I now can say the following with absolute certainty:

 

1. My family will not starve on NCL

2. They will not be bored on NCL

3. They will be perfectly happy with the oceanview room I've booked us into (we've only had balconies on DCL).

4. I will have to try and figure out how to convince my Mom that despite all she has read and heard, there isn't actually a casino on NCL. I will never be able to get her out of there.

[KPfromCT]

You have OUTDONE yourself with this review, Kim.

KUDOS!!!!!:D:D:D

Another great adventure with the family.

Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your reviews.

Thank you for taking the time to do this.:D

Looking forward to your final thoughts.......

 

Also, can you tell us what's up next for you?:o

[mitsugirly]

Another fantastic read! You always do a great job on your reviews. I really enjoyed your Sun review. It made us feel we had already been on board when we boarded her in April for our Panama Canal trip.

 

Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed my Sun review. We had such a blast on that cruise. :)

 

I just want to say how much I enjoyed your review and when can you cruise again? Because I can't wait for the next one!

 

Thank you so much. I don't have anything planned at the moment (other than next years Dawn to Bermuda which I'm still debating), but I have been looking. :D

[mitsugirly]

Great review, Kim! As you usually do, you have me wanting to sail on a ship I had no plans to sail on and to a destination that wasn't on the top of my list of places I wanted to go. Well, Bermuda was somewhere on my radar, but certainly not at the top of my list. Now, I'm going to be looking at cruises that stop in Bermuda, preferably for several days!

 

I'll be back tomorrow to read your recap. :D

 

I would definitely say to put it on your radar...and sooner than later. :D It's definitely a beautiful place for sure.

 

 

Great review. But for the record: What that man did is illegal in the city of Boston. While you can call any company for a pick ip ride such as a limousine company or uber, in order to solicit business, the driver and car Must have a city medallion.

 

Why is that? Because for 80$ you could have went to the airport and back twice. (Well almost). 5-6 miles 15$ plus 11 for tolls/massport fees.

 

Great, glad you shared that info with me and I now know I wasted my money. LOL So you are saying 8 of us could have only paid $15 total for the ride? There wasn't any tolls. :confused:

[mitsugirly]

When we left the dawn in Boston that's the same thing we said about customs. They didn't even look at your form. I just wish they had a different way of leaving the boat. The lines were crazy. Your right they wrapped around for ever.

 

So this is like this all the time there in Boston with customs? I have never seen them ON the ship and it done this way. It was awesome!

 

Bravo, Kim, Bravo!!! Another GREAT review from you!! Will look forward to your next great adventure!!

 

Thanks so much. I heard you are getting ready for another in a few days. I hope you have a wonderful time and now that I have this review basically over with, I can get back to reading the boards and hopefully I'll catch your next one. Have an AWESOME cruise!!! :)

[mitsugirly]

I have cruise withdrawal now that your review is nearly complete [emoji12] This was another great one as usual, I can't wait to read your final thoughts.

 

My husband and I are trying to decide if we want to do another cruise or just go to an all-inclusive. I haven't seen a itinerary that "excites" me so far...

 

LOL about the cruise withdrawal. I know exactly what you mean since I don't have anything else planned for this year....yet. :p

 

I have said so many times that I would like to try a "land" vacation or an AI and I always go back to the cruise instead. LOL It's so hard to break away.

 

I never have a problem finding an itinerary to excite me...even if it's one that we have done before. There's just too many places to go and see that are different than the last visit. :p

 

Awesome review, and you saved me the trouble of researching where to snorkel!!

I am not sure if you have been to Dominica but Scotts Head is our most memorable snorkel spot from all the places we have cruised to.

There is a tiny spit of land between the Atlantic and the Caribbean and a small mountain you can climb up and look back down at the path, it is so awesome, I had looked at pictures and had longed to go there, couldn't believe I was actually there myself finally.

We took the local bus and then walked a bit to get there or you can take a taxi but the local bus was so much fun, holds about 10 people, I got so friendly with one of them she wanted to take me home, the driver stopped at a bakery, took orders and money from the locals, hopped off and got them bread, pastries etc. and hopped back on and handed there orders to them. He drove half way up the mountains to drop people at their doorsteps (kinda scary) among other things, it was quite an adventure:eek:

We snorkeled on the Caribbean side, had the place to ourselves, (well almost, there was a local with a machete opening almonds off a tree and letting us try them) someday hopefully we will be able to go there again.

I will try to post a link separately or you can check you tube.

 

Just know, there are plenty of other places to snorkel there as well. I just didn't have enough time to hit them up. :p

 

I haven't been to Dominica yet. It sounds like an amazing place. I'll have to keep this in mind if I ever go. :)

[mitsugirly]

.

 

scotts head dominica

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-C-QUEataY

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xom3acvL3kI.

 

Thanks for the links. Very pretty although I'm not sure I would want to trek it with little ones. :p

 

So they had the kid buffet set up the rest of the time? Ours was never set up in April despite there being 1,000 kids. Or maybe that's why it was never set up. Disappointing regardless since we were with a 3-year old. I'd thought maybe they were just doing away with it.

 

 

Ours was that fast too. In Long Beach. Good to know I shouldn't expect it every time!

 

Yes, the kids buffet was open every day with no problems. That really sucks if they didn't have it open during those busy "kid sailings".

[mitsugirly]

I remember the Magician & his wife from our cruise last fall. Did they bring their daughter this time? She is just adorable. Excellent shows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I did not see their daughter, but I did overhear someone say that she was there this time. :)

 

I loved your review as always, but I must insist that you immediately, and I mean IMMEDIATELY!! book another cruise in the very near future so you can write about it. :D

 

Thank you for all of the hard work you have put into this review and all of the time it took to write it.

 

Can you tell me what software or site you use to add your Mitsugirly logo on your pictures? Thanks in advance.

 

 

I will forward this information on to my hubby and let him know I have another job to do and try to get one booked asap. I have been eyeballing one for the Jade for November since I have yet to sail on her.

 

Thanks for all the compliments. I really appreciate it.

 

I made my own logo just using a font that I found and downloaded into PS and then saved it as a .png so that you have a clear background and I just drag it onto every picture. :)

[mitsugirly]

Such a great review with terrific pictures.

 

I now can say the following with absolute certainty:

 

1. My family will not starve on NCL

2. They will not be bored on NCL

3. They will be perfectly happy with the oceanview room I've booked us into (we've only had balconies on DCL).

4. I will have to try and figure out how to convince my Mom that despite all she has read and heard, there isn't actually a casino on NCL. I will never be able to get her out of there.

 

Thank you so much for the compliments. I love doing the reviews and love it even more when people are able to hang with them and enjoy them.

 

IF by chance your mom gets wind that there's actually a casino on NCL and IF you are by chance on the Dawn, just throw her a bone and tell her to head directly to the RainForest game and then thank me later. ;) :D

 

You have OUTDONE yourself with this review, Kim.

KUDOS!!!!!

Another great adventure with the family.

Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your reviews.

Thank you for taking the time to do this.

Looking forward to your final thoughts.......

 

Also, can you tell us what's up next for you?:o

 

Aww, thanks so much. It means a lot to me.

 

I honestly don't have anything up next. I'm looking though. IF I book with NCL (I have a future cruise certificate to use), I will be doing the Jade in November. If I don't book that, I will probably be doing Carnival next time around. I'm hoping either Breeze or Magic. I'll settle for either at this point. :D

 

Then I have the Dawn to Bermuda again next June 3rd, but not sure if I'm keeping that. I may change it to the Breakaway.

 

BUT...next year we have a bunch of "celebrations" to do so....In February my 50th birthday and in May our 10th anniversary. I wonder how many I can talk the hubby into for next year. :D

[losbun]

 

Coming out to take a bow at the end and she spots us.

 

 

 

Hey Kim, enjoying your review as always. I've read all your reviews and they've helped so much especially at the ports but this is the first one I've read in real time and been able to comment on.

 

1) I can't believe how grown Sakari looks. Love her dress, do they have it my size?

2) I would love to know how you organize your photos. I am no photographer (although I did get an Olympus Tough based on yours and other recommendation, love it) and I even will limit or delete a lot of photos because I just get overwhelmed with what I'm supposed to do with them all :(

[agennis]

Thank you so much for putting this together. I have been following since you started and the hubs is now teasing that I barely set my purse down before I check in after work. Heading to Bermuda on the BA this fall.....just me and the bestie to celebrate 25 years of friendship. Your pictures are amazing!!!!! and will help us plan our adventures. Thanks again for taking the time and sharing with us.

[Johnsmomkathy]

This was the best review !! I literally felt like I was there with you all! Thank you for taking the time to do it. I have been on the Dawn 4 times since Boston is a 15 minute drive from my house and you had pictures of things that I never saw lol.We also rented a Whaler and had a great time. Thanks again Kim!!

[JinxyB]

Great review-thank you again for doing it! I'm going on the Dawn at the end of August and thanks to your review, now have some more ideas for Bermuda!

 

You should try to sail the Breeze before she leaves Miami-I recommend the 8-day southern Caribbean cruise. Or try the Magic when she moves to Port Canaveral-4 ports on a 7 day cruise vs 3 ports when sailing from Galveston. The Breeze is my favorite Carnival ship to date (sailing for the third time on her next Feb) and I think your family would have a blast!:D

[mitsugirly]

Hey Kim, enjoying your review as always. I've read all your reviews and they've helped so much especially at the ports but this is the first one I've read in real time and been able to comment on.

 

1) I can't believe how grown Sakari looks. Love her dress, do they have it my size?

2) I would love to know how you organize your photos. I am no photographer (although I did get an Olympus Tough based on yours and other recommendation, love it) and I even will limit or delete a lot of photos because I just get overwhelmed with what I'm supposed to do with them all :(

 

Thanks for the comments and glad you were able to catch this review as it unfolded.

 

I love her dress too. She ended up with several new dresses this cruise because of growing up so fast. I look back a few years ago when we took her on her first cruise 4 years ago and she was so little.

 

I am going to do a write up of how I organize my photos and such for the reviews at the end of this review as well. I have had a lot of people ask me this over the years. It will be a special "add on" :D

 

Thank you so much for putting this together. I have been following since you started and the hubs is now teasing that I barely set my purse down before I check in after work. Heading to Bermuda on the BA this fall.....just me and the bestie to celebrate 25 years of friendship. Your pictures are amazing!!!!! and will help us plan our adventures. Thanks again for taking the time and sharing with us.

 

Glad you enjoyed it and lucky you to be heading there on the BA. I hope you have a wonderful time with the bestie. I keep saying I want to do an all girls cruise...but that would probably only consist of me, Kendra and Sakari. LOL I'm not sure anyone else in the family is up for it...well, maybe the DIL would do it. :p I think it would be a blast.