New Cruisers - Dawn - Boston to Bermuda Oct 2015 - Need Advice!

[BingoSlots]

Hi all!

 

My boyfriend and I are brand new to cruising and we have booked the Boston to Bermuda cruise aboard the Dawn for October 9-16. We were lucky enough to have our cruise comp'd as we are frequent gamblers and received a Casinos-At-Sea free cruise! (aside from port fees/taxes)

 

We were able to get the Ultimate Beverage Package and we booked an inside cabin.

 

We need some advice. What are the inside cabins like? I've heard small but they suffice for what you need them for. We don't plan to be in the room too often. I see from some pictures there is a TV, silly question, but is there cable?

 

Also, any suggestions on where to hang out? Bars, areas of the ship? We are 29 and 31 years old.

 

Also, any advice on necessities to pack would be helpful too!

 

Thanks in advance!

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Hi all!

 

My boyfriend and I are brand new to cruising and we have booked the Boston to Bermuda cruise aboard the Dawn for October 9-16. We were lucky enough to have our cruise comp'd as we are frequent gamblers and received a Casinos-At-Sea free cruise! (aside from port fees/taxes)

 

We were able to get the Ultimate Beverage Package and we booked an inside cabin.

 

We need some advice. What are the inside cabins like? I've heard small but they suffice for what you need them for. We don't plan to be in the room too often. I see from some pictures there is a TV, silly question, but is there cable?

 

Also, any suggestions on where to hang out? Bars, areas of the ship? We are 29 and 31 years old.

 

Also, any advice on necessities to pack would be helpful too!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

The TV is very limited, usually a news channel, an entertainment channel

That shows some tv shows maybe a movie channel and then some ship channels, but as you said you are not going to spend much time in the room. Just be prepared that an inside room, and in fact all rooms on a cruise ship are very small, have low expectations and you won't be disappointed because you really will only use the room to sleep. On the dawn there are lots of bars and lounges to hang out in as well as outside areas. A cruise to Bermuda is great and you will have a blast!

[SuiteTraveler]

Read this thread - it's a review of the Dawn going to Bermuda from someone who was in an inside cabin with lots of photos:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2221726

[Seanote]

Hi all!

 

My boyfriend and I are brand new to cruising and we have booked the Boston to Bermuda cruise aboard the Dawn for October 9-16. We were lucky enough to have our cruise comp'd as we are frequent gamblers and received a Casinos-At-Sea free cruise! (aside from port fees/taxes)

 

We were able to get the Ultimate Beverage Package and we booked an inside cabin.

 

We need some advice. What are the inside cabins like? I've heard small but they suffice for what you need them for. We don't plan to be in the room too often. I see from some pictures there is a TV, silly question, but is there cable?

 

Also, any suggestions on where to hang out? Bars, areas of the ship? We are 29 and 31 years old.

 

Also, any advice on necessities to pack would be helpful too!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

There is limited satellite TV. They tried cable, but it kept getting caught in the ship's propeller. :D

[FraudBroad]

Hi all!

 

My boyfriend and I are brand new to cruising and we have booked the Boston to Bermuda cruise aboard the Dawn for October 9-16. We were lucky enough to have our cruise comp'd as we are frequent gamblers and received a Casinos-At-Sea free cruise! (aside from port fees/taxes)

 

We were able to get the Ultimate Beverage Package and we booked an inside cabin.

 

We need some advice. What are the inside cabins like? I've heard small but they suffice for what you need them for. We don't plan to be in the room too often. I see from some pictures there is a TV, silly question, but is there cable?

 

Also, any suggestions on where to hang out? Bars, areas of the ship? We are 29 and 31 years old.

 

Also, any advice on necessities to pack would be helpful too!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

You will enjoy the Dawn and LOVE Bermuda!

Here's a list of a few things that I pack on ALL of my cruises:

Strong clip magnets - the walls of the cabin are magnetic. I bring 4/5 magnets with me to hang paperwork, jewelry, and even towel on.

Three way plug. There is only one outlet in the cabin. Bring a three way plug so that you have enough outlets to charge all of your electronics.

Safety pins and small sewing kit - Just because you never know!

Shampoo/Conditioner - They supply shampoo (which I hate) and there's no conditioner.

Lanyard - I always bring a lanyard to wear my key card on. That way I don't have to carry around my purse.

Sunscreen, sunscreen and then some more sunscreen. It's EXPENSIVE to buy in port!!!

Extra memory card for my camera

 

The hair drying in the cabin works great so you don't need to bring one!

 

As far as the bars on the ship....there are plenty of them! It really depends on what you're looking to do and what's going on that night.

Bimini on 13 is great if you want to be outdoors

Spinnaker is inside and is really the "disco" on the ship. They also use this venue for a lot of games/shows run by the Cruise Director's staff.

Pearly Kings - Great little pub

Star Bar is just quiet and is a great place if you want peace and quiet while enjoying your drink.

 

You'll have an amazing time! Enjoy your vacation!

 

Regards,

Natalie

[BingoSlots]

Wow!

 

Thanks so much for the information and that link provided to the other post. That was alot of helpful information.

 

We are so excited to cruise!

[johnlatte]

Hi all!

 

 

Also, any suggestions on where to hang out? Bars, areas of the ship? We are 29 and 31 years old.

 

Also, any advice on necessities to pack would be helpful too!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

First, let me say that the average age of most passengers on the Dawn is upwards of 50. (I qualify for sure) Not a bad thing at all, but just be aware that it has a certain vibe that goes along with a bit older crowd.

 

To me the best bars on the Dawn are Gatsby's and Pearly Kings. The pool bars, Topsider's and Bimini get pretty crowded especially with the UBP promo going on. You may find that you have to wait to get served at either bar. I particularly like the terrace area above the pool. If you can secure a seat there, you don't have a lot of traffic in front of you and you can see what is going on at the pool or look at the ocean. The Dawn has pool deck BBQs on some sea days and the food is really pretty good. If they don't have a BBQ they put out a pasta bar, just okay.

 

I thought the shows were pretty good especially Elements and Band on the Run. I think the magician and the acrobatic couple were just okay.

 

For packing..this is the best part of NCL. It's freestyle so you don't have to dress up at all if you don't want, or you can go all out. I usually wear a camp shirt and either a pair of khakis or shorts to dinner. The wife doesn't dress up either. It is really very resort casual.

 

Bermuda is a great spot for a first timer, simply because there is a lot to do, and you don't have to rush back to the ship except the last day. You'll have a great time. I will be going back again in the future I hope.

Edited July 21, 2015 by johnlatte

[bevkay]

We did this cruise 2 years ago and it was awesome. I didn't have an inside cabin on that trip but I did before on the Spirit and we had 4 people in there, although 2 were kids, and it was small but fine. I will say that we slept great in there!!

 

The ship has a lot of great places to hang. I don't agree with the older crowd comment as we didn't see that at all but we also went in July. Pearly Kings was one of our favorites.

 

Nice ship, decent food and great entertainment. Enjoy!!!

[kcwingwalker]

There is limited satellite TV. They tried cable, but it kept getting caught in the ship's propeller. :D

 

Oh thank you so much for giving me the giggles:)

[moonieelf]

I tried taking that cruise almost the same week as you last year. Let me warn you, you're cruising during hurricane season. Be prepared for an alternate cruise. Hurricane Gonzolo hit Bermuda the day my cruise was scheduled to leave Boston. So, we ended up going to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private island.) Also, if there is a storm, be prepared for rougher than normal seas.

 

I stayed in an interior stateroom on the Dawn. It is big enough for 2 people (though they might try and say up to 4 people can fit in the room comfortably.) There is a TV, but you'll get 5-7 channels for things happening on the ship, 2 channels of pre-selected tv shows and movies, and maybe 4-5 other channels that based on satellite signals may or may not work.

 

I spent a lot of time between Topsiders and Bilimi (I think that's how it's spelled. They're both on the pool deck) or Spinnaker (on deck 7.) With the UBP you will be able to get any drink under $11 that is not an espresso based drink. Normal coffee is available in the Garden Cafe (the buffet) and the Main Dining Rooms. You can get soft drinks if you need a caffeine boost though.

[TrpngBilly]

That's pretty cool...scoring a comp'd cruise. Like others have said, inside cabins are very "cozy", as are all cabins on a ship essentially. However, given that you got comp'd, I wonder if it's worth your while to see about upgrading to an ocean view or even a balcony. It might be worth it since the base price has already been comp'd. The cost of the upgrade may be worth it to you in this particular case.

 

Most people only use the cabin to sleep, but there's a certain enjoyment sitting on your own balcony and watching the sea go by while enjoying your morning coffee...or watching the sea of stars above as you enjoy one of those complimentary beverages on your balcony.

 

Everyone has a different opinion about accommodations, so you have to find out what's best for you...either way - you'll no doubt love your cruise regardless of what type of cabin you choose to sleep in.

 

Bon Voyage!