Our Dawn 1/29/17 Review-Mostly Good...

[cheaperts]

Belize Cont....

 

After getting our fill of the fine Mexican food at Los Lobos we wander the ship for a bit, had a night cap at Gatsby's and called it done for the night. Next stop Costa Maya Mexico

 

Day 6 Costa Maya Mexico

 

 

Costa Maya isn't the most impressive beach destination, and the pier is forever long. But we really like Costa Maya having been there 4 or 5 times now we always enjoy it for a relaxed beach day. There is a tram that runs up and down the pier you can jump on it to save the walk. There is an extensive tourist village at the pier, they have expanded it and remodeled since we were last there, they now have a dolphin encounter and a new swimming pool right at the pier. If you are headed to Mauhaul which is 2 miles away and the beach area, you can head out the back of the village and jump on the funky open buses for 2.00 per person to get there.

 

If you don't already have an arrangement with a beach club no problem there are lots of options, just be aware the bus guy will try to hand you off to someone who acts like you are at their beach club and tries to rope you into their services, just say no thanks and walk the boardwalk and choose the area you like best or has the best deal. There are massage huts all up and down the beach and shopping all long the way. The Tropicana is owned by an American and we have heard good things about it, fyi. We just went with the first bar we came to and paid 5.00 each for a chair, table with umbrella, wifi, and had a waiter eager to serve us food and drinks.

 

 

The beach is a little rocky but eh water is crystal clear. There was a very picturesque pair of palm trees with a hammock that was everyone's photo stop, like the MIL & Dave

 

Or Marge

 

And Me! You can see in my picture just how close the ship is docked

[cheaperts]

Costa Maya cont....

 

We had a fabulous relaxed beach day, Marge had a 45 minute massage for 20.00 and I treated my body with a plate of nachos for 5.00. It was much warmer than our first beach day in Cozumel, water felt great and we spent a fair amount of time playing in the calm water.

 

 

With a couple hours till all aboard time, we tabbed out with our waiter and set off down the board walk because of course...Marge wanted to shop. She still wanted some glassware so we wandered the shops and soon found the glasses she had seen and liked in Cozumel, and they were cheaper to boot. She got 4 wine glasses, 4 big tea glasses, all hand blown, heavy, with splattered color globs on them, pretty cool I must say. Then she found a giant hand painted plate, that we apparently needed for some reason, so she bought that too! The merchants are not overly pushy and most were very friendly. With our treasures in hand we headed back to find MIL & Dave and get back to the ship. Loaded into a cab for 2.00 each we were whisked back to the tourist village where Marge and her mom shopped a little more as we dragged them towards the ship. A little sun baked and shopped out we finally walked the world's longest pier back to the ship (note the giant plate in her hand)

 

 

A nice final port stop, relaxing and restful, we went up to the cabin and everyone sat on our balcony with a drink to soak it all in and watch the passengers come back.

The entertainment staff had music blaring and were dancing their hearts out for everyone returning to the ship. Finally once the gangway was removed and the ship pushed away from the pier, our porch party broke up, MIL & Dave headed to their cabin and the reality that the cruise was nearing it's conclusion was sinking in: next port we have to head home....

 

Having no firm plan for the evening we decided to just go to the buffett, and it was not good...After eating, which didn't take long because it was so bad, we went to the Casino, blackjack table was wide open so we plopped down, threw some money on the table...and in 10 minutes Marge was beat out of 50 bucks and done. I however was up and played on for a while longer netting a tidey profit by the time I left. The dealers were very friendly fyi, we tipped them well for being so pleasant. Marge was busy trying to feed the goldfish machine for a longtime ultimately breaking even for the night. Gambled out we went to the photo store and went through out binder. we had 35 or 40 pictures in it by now so we sorted them into keepers and not keepers. With the Gold discount we would get 10 pictures for 111.00 and we had 6 of us that were good (getting more photogenic in our old age!) and knew that MIL & Dave wanted some as well and would let them combine with us to get the discount.

 

Having not eaten much dinner we found ourselves going to O'Sheehan's and sitting down to a burger. their burger is very good and we felt we finally had official dinner, including my beloved pound cake and strawberrys. It was late and we were full so we headed for the cabin knowing we had done all we could with our port stops this cruise and tomorrow would just be the decompression of a leisurely paced sea day.

[cheaperts]

Final Sea Day

 

After a great night's sleep in our super dark cabin we got up and had our coffee, got around and went up to Moderno for breakfast. Roel asked if we had dinner plans and we told him we had Teppanyaki reserved. Another excellent breakfast, and the last, so we headed off to entertain ourselves. Due to her shopping addiction we ended up in the gift shop area. The crew of the ship over all were very helpful and very friendly, but the folks in the shops were a little dismissive. Maybe we just didn't look rich enough (don't judge a book by it's cover ;) )

 

After looking over all the over priced souvenirs and jewelry we headed to the atrium where we found MIL & Dave drinking Bloody Marys and watching a Cruise Next presentation of future cruises. They preferred the atrium bar for bloody Marys over O'Sheehans, and if I'm honest, the O'Sheehan's bartenders were not overly friendly either.

 

We always buy 2 cruise credits or "Cruise Next" vouchers as they are calling them now, so we filled out a slip for 2 and handed it over to the lady, I'll take 500.00 for 250.00 out of pocket any day! I found it humorous watching the other Cruise Next consultant try to explain to some folks what they would get for their investment, the poor couple finally ran away convinced they were being hoodwinked! But we knew better, working now to decide when and where those vouchers will go to.

 

With morning to kill we ended up in the cabin and next thing you know we started packing it up. 30 minutes later we had a bag of dirty clothes, a bag of all the stuff we didn't even get to and the evenings and Sunday's clothes held out. We looked in the hallway and spotted Robert our steward. We thanked him for the wonderful week and handed him a 50, he was very appreciative. We really enjoyed Robert, if we knew he was working near by we would say, Rooobbbeeerrtttt....and he would answer from in some cabin, Hoowwaarrdd.. a really good sport and took excellent care of us.

 

Marge wanted to go to the art auction at 1:30 so we wandered up to Moderno for our last lunch with the "swells" Another fine lunch in the fine atmosphere, we thanked the 2 matre d's and Roel who had taken care of us all week and told them it was great they let "steerage" come up, they found that very amusing, and we tipped them all. Being just after 1, we headed down to 6 mid-ship for the auction held in Aqua MDR.

 

The auction staff were great and the auctioneer was very funny, almost a comedy show with art thrown in. Of course, the only pieces we were interested in went for WAY too much, we must have good taste! Marge enjoyed a couple of mimosas and we watched other people buy pricey pieces. It was entertaining and informative and a fine way to spend some time.

 

With the afternoon to kill we decided to just go to the pool deck and lay out, the weather by now was getting too cool to swim and we just didn't want to bother with swimming suits for the hot tubs. Finding a couple of loungers in the sun we just layed out for an hour or so, knowing soon enough we would be back home in the winter doldrums.

 

A note about the pool deck, we had read lots of comments about how small the pool is and how little seating around the actual pool, but we didn't find this to be the case. We found open chairs around the pool every time we tried, and the pool, while smaller, was not too small. Our only negative on the pool deck would be the 2 hot tubs right off the corners of the stage, when a band is playing forget any discussion in the hot tub. Also there is a 5th hot tub up front on deck 13 that looks over the front of the ship and was not ever very busy, plus it is isolated and quiet. 12 and 13 forward are very calm isolated areas with the hot tub and lots of loungers if you want to get away from everyone, fyi.

Edited February 12, 2017 by cheaperts

[cheaperts]

Last Sea Day cont....

 

You know about the carpet, right? The fish all swim towards the front of the ship. Well, all but that one red one, the "rebellious fish" remember that a minute, ok?

 

With a some time till dinner at Tappenyaki, we ended up stopping into O'Sheehan's for a snack. We split a burger, then ordered 2 pound cakes

 

Oh, you guessed it, just like the rebellious fish we broke the rules...picked it up and split for the cabin! What could they do, throw us off the ship in NOLA? I think we enjoyed breaking the rules more than the dessert itself! We don't like dumb rules, maybe that's why NCL freestyle appeals to us so much, not a lot of rules.

 

After savoring our victory over pound cake oppression, we got cleaned up for dinner and met MIL & Dave for a cocktail before heading to eat. Tappenyaki has become a tradition for our family, we always have it, the filet and chicken cooked in the garlic butter, Marge likes the shrimp, MIL & Dave were quite impressed with the meal. Before the meal got going the group coordinator found us and had brought the chef to meet Marge! She often talks herself into bridge and kitchen tours, she struck out this trip, but it was a nice & unexpected treat that she brought him to meet Marge, and of course she wanted to wear his hat....because she's like that!

 

After our wonderful dinner we all headed to the photo gallery to finalize our picture selections and make the purchase. After some negotiations we had 10 pictures between us and got the package including a thumb drive with the digital images and the hard copies for 111.00 (149.00 less the gold latitudes discount) The photo agents were very nice and laughed it up with us about some of our prints.

 

MIL & Dave headed off to find music and a bar, we headed for the casino, surely we could get even! Well, almost even, the craps table did well for me, and Marge eked out a modest profit from the fish and the penguins. Over all we probably gave the casino a couple hundred for the week, but they probably need it more than us, right? Finally giving it up we headed to 9 AFT and our cabin for the last time, the cruise all but done, time to go back to reality. Our cabin was nicely made up with the towel animal and a note on the bed telling us we could come to the stardust theater in the morning for priority disembarkation with Roel, and to bring MIL & Dave with, ok!

[cheaperts]

Disembarkation and final thoughts...

 

Awoke Sunday morning a little before 7 and we were just getting docked. We had told MIL & dave to meet us at the Stardust Theater at 7:15 to walk off the ship. As we were leaving the cabin we saw Robert again and thanked him one last time for the great care he gave us. We headed to the forward elevators and down to 7, where were ran right into MIL & Dave, great timing. Roel was waiting at the entrance to the theater and lead us right to the gangway. We made our good byes and thank you's and headed off the ship to customs. Breezing through with just a moments stop, straight out to the truck and we load up all the bags. By 7:30 we were headed out of the parking lot, on the road for the 10+ hour drive back to Tulsa.

 

 

The Big Summary:

 

Having never cruised during this time period, we found it nice that the ship was not packed,the demographic was our age or older, 98% of the passengers were very friendly and in good spirits, no one seemed uptight. And the price was great, again normally cruising during peak periods this seemed like a bargain for us.

 

The Ship- public areas very nice, freshly updated. We liked the overall layout of the ship, but missed an outdoor dining area in the aft, and an indoor observation area like the spinnaker lounge on other ships. There were other aspects of the ship (like our weathered railing and rusty balcony components) that do show this is an older ship that has been run hard for a long time, but I don't expect it to sink anytime soon!

 

The Crew- We found the wait staff to be excellent in all areas except O'Sheehan's, there they were courteous and professional but not overly friendly or accommodating, felt they were just worn out. Roel and all the matre d's were very helpful and friendly, all the other folks, casino dealers, photographers, bartenders were very friendly and helpful (again O'Sheehan's a little less) The officers were less outgoing and all little aloof, most NCL cruises we have been one they were very friendly and glad to chat with you.

 

We would definitely like to cruise again during the off peak seasons, we love this itinerary and next time maybe we will make Harvest Caye. The Dawn isn't our favorite NCL ship to date but she was very nice and we would certainly sail her again.

While NCL is constantly tightening and nickle and diming a little more, it is still a great value to us and we will be loyalist for the foreseeable future.

 

That's all folks, see you next cruise!

[tallyho8]

Costa Maya cont....

 

A little sun baked and shopped out we finally walked the world's longest pier back to the ship.

 

Not even close! The pier at Progreso Mexico is 4 miles long.

[cheaperts]

I stand corrected! :)

[Luvmypups]

Thanks for the great review! We love sailing out of NOLA and really liked the Dawn last year and the itinerary, so much so, we cancelled our Liberty OTS trip out of Galveston and booked this one again for March. :)

 

Looks like a good time was had by all! Thanks again.

[In Toronto]

Thank you for the review. I enjoyed your sense of humour!

 

Ellen

[elainemasey61]

Thank you. I enjoyed your review very much. Sailing the Dawn in June Boston/Bermuda. Although I have cruised a lot I haven't been on NCL in 30+ years .... wow that made me feel old.

 

 

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[cheaperts]

Thank you. I enjoyed your review very much. Sailing the Dawn in June Boston/Bermuda. Although I have cruised a lot I haven't been on NCL in 30+ years .... wow that made me feel old.

 

 

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well, if you were a kid last time....:)

[Kristi Barber]

More cabin pics....

The Bed

 

Bathroom-Flat roll in shower, shower chair, oversized door

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb378/cheaperts/Cruise%20Jan%202017/sink.jpeg[/img]

 

 

Lastly, the balcony. Not super deep but room across for 5 or even 6 chairs, 1 small table

 

Where is the 3rd person bed in the handicap balcony room?

[cheaperts]

Where is the 3rd person bed in the handicap balcony room?

It is on the wall in front of the bed sorry I didn't get a picture from the correct angle it would fold down above the table would still be plenty of room to get around as the room is quite wide

[DebbieCruises]

Did you have to have a note from your doctor or somehow prove to NCL that you needed a handicap cabin?

[cheaperts]

Did you have to have a note from your doctor or somehow prove to NCL that you needed a handicap cabin?

 

No, our travel agent arranges it. If you work directly with NCL accessible cabins have to be booked on the phone and there is an accessibility coordinator on the ship that can help with special needs or arrangements. But they do not require documentation. If a guarantee gets assigned to accessible or someone not in a wheelchair/scooter gets put in an accessible, and they ultimately need it for someone they can/will move them to a standard cabin.

[pathubia]

1st Sea Day Continued

 

Our roll call for this sailing was pretty quiet. When we joined in November? not much was going on. I read through the few pages, no one was discussing a meet and greet so I stepped up and started the list. We ended up with 75 or so people saying they would attend, and we also started a slot pull list and had 36 say they would play, not bad for a quiet roll call.

 

Now, when I say the best meet and greet ever, well on this cruise on that day! We did have good attendance, at least 50 or more showed up. Little talk from the officers, some snacks, a rather extensive Q&A with the cruise director and Cruise next rep. We had made a few door prizes we raffled off, t-shirts and Koozies (our business, see the screen name, now add a space - cheaper ts)

 

Then it was time to head to the casino for the slot pull, we had 24 total players and lost 3 bucks each! But I think fun was had by all, & the ship donated a bottle of Champagne for the highest spinning player.

 

Well after noon, we were ready to eat so we headed back up to Moderno for lunch. I did get pics of the Haven/Suite Lunch menu, I will post them tomorrow, gotta go to bed now, still trying to recover from vacation!

 

Did you host the M&G? If so, that explains the perks. I hosted on our cruise in October (our first non suite cruise in a long time) and we got the breakfast and lunch perk (never took advantage of lunch) and all of the daily treats!!

[cheaperts]

Did you host the M&G? If so, that explains the perks. I hosted on our cruise in October (our first non suite cruise in a long time) and we got the breakfast and lunch perk (never took advantage of lunch) and all of the daily treats!!

 

Maybe :cool:....I'll never tell....;)

[DebbieCruises]

No, our travel agent arranges it. If you work directly with NCL accessible cabins have to be booked on the phone and there is an accessibility coordinator on the ship that can help with special needs or arrangements. But they do not require documentation. If a guarantee gets assigned to accessible or someone not in a wheelchair/scooter gets put in an accessible, and they ultimately need it for someone they can/will move them to a standard cabin.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have wondered.:)

[OUgal]

Great review!

 

Did you park at the port or somewhere off-site? Would you park there again?

 

 

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[cheaperts]

Great review!

 

Did you park at the port or somewhere off-site? Would you park there again?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

We parked right at the port, the parking is fine, 140.00 for the week, you must enter from the back of the lot at the manned gate, there is another gate which is for hourly parking for the mall, do not do that! Be sure a human being hands you a parking ticket and a "get out" ticket. Getting to the porters and into the lot is what was all clustered up, they moved the bag drop off to a weird place on the side of the parking lot, it backed up traffic and makes you slog accros railroad tracks with anything you are carrying, not a deal breaker but was better in the past. We have parked in the same lot 4 cruises and have had no issues

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Seany527]

Nice review. Thanks for sharing.

[Mokescaps]

Trying to find out if there is free wi-fi at Harvest Caye, Belize. On the Dawn soon.

[Kristi Barber]

Trying to find out if there is free wi-fi at Harvest Caye, Belize. On the Dawn soon.

 

 

 

Only in the Private Cabana's I believe.

[nancydow]

Correct - only free Wifi in the cabanas on HC. And you have to have a wristband or escort to get into the cabana area.

 

 

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