Semi-Live, Dawn - Canada & New England 5/11/2019, our old favorite

[shadowmeboy]

Arzeena - next month 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2663480-getting-excited-to-cruise/

 

 

Edited May 16, 2019 by shadowmeboy

[G-DawgMN]

 Thanks for doing this, we'll be jumping on the Dawn on Saturday! This helps a lot for some last minute planning/changes.

 

 

[mking8288]

 Thanks for doing this, we'll be jumping on the Dawn on Saturday! This helps a lot for some last minute planning/changes.
 
 

Great, enjoy ... Our Roll Call's Slot Pull got cancelled by the ship as they're busy & had slot tournaments. Thanks, Marty for trying to do one.

Also, avoid the casino area b/c of the cigarette smoke and ventilation.

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[mking8288]

Enabled my MiFi hotspot to tether 4G LTE signal over T-Mobile land towers near the pier - 2nd. time using the travel laptop ... 

 

A few quick "General Comments / Notes" as FYI for those sailing the Dawn soon, as a matter of observations ...

Aside from not having towel animals (not a deal-breaker,  those sailing with children can ask or request them from one's Room Steward, and should be cheerfully done)  

 

Ice buckets are no longer provided either, at least currently - not for Insides & Ocenaviews - one can be requested (and, for RS to refill it).  

 

Unlike the Breakaway, Gem or Escape, those Comments Card in the dining revenue (MDR) and the Vacation Hero Cards are not readily distributed & provided, not even at Guest Services - said to be given ou on Day 6 or 7, toward the end of the each cruise.  If there is drop/mailbox for the General Manager (formerly, titled as Hotel Director) - I haven't seen it & will look for it later.

 

Ship's WiFi, apparently, on older Cisco hardware (yes) - does not support faster 5 Ghz band or 802.11 ac standards, which partially explained the sluggish speed that I ran into 2 nights in a row.  Not Good - forget streaming !! or spending money on the premium unlimited VPN package on the Dawn, IMHO.  

 

That's it for now, I will do a review post-cruise.  Time to go ashore, Gangway is on Deck 5, portside today - all abroad is 3:30 AND sail time is 4 pm later (EDT).  

[jaja]

Again...I can't thank you enough for all this...!!!   Making  copious notes for Saturday departure !

[mking8288]

Stopping for a fresh lobster roll & fries, good @ only $18, right on Commercial Street on the waterfront next to the Portland Trolley tours, just past Starbucks on other side.

 

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Edited May 16, 2019 by mking8288

[Arzeena]

Great pictures and info. I bookmarked it.

 

 

[mking8288]

Heading back, a nice & sunny day, still on the chilly side. Can't believe it's Thursday already ...


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[adamnoone]

I was in downtown Portland this morning right after she docked. Makes me want to go on my upcoming cruise even more now! Come on December!!

[dexddd]

5 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Yes, have been looking at price going up and down and up again,  but booked it before RJ keeps changing his mind anymore.

Hopefully Charry will be back.
Dexdd ...looking forward to meeting them on the 6/22 cruise.

Have fun!

I'm not sure where she will go but her husband Jefferson is a butler.  We met him last June on the Escape.  I don't know how much ability they are to try to get on the same ships and same schedule.

 

See you then.  Bags are already packed so I could go on a cruise at a moments notice.  It was only 12 weeks between our Seaside trips so I pretty much washed what needed to be washed and re-packed it.  I have a short list of what I need to add back.

[dexddd]

See the webcam and portcam with a nice, sunny day and people walking the streets.

 

Yes, the trip does seem to have gone by fast, even more so if you are on the sailing.

[mking8288]

Backing out of & away from Portland on time, less than 450 nm from home, 285 to Newport, arrival is 11 am.

 

Tonight is Elements in the Stardust, 6:30 & 9 pm with the Farewell.

 

Update will be limited to text till tomorrow as WiFi is slow, until we get tender ashore in RI, except for important FYI, etc.

 

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[Arzeena]

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Backing out of & away from Portland on time, less than 450 nm from home, 285 to Newport, arrival is 11 am.

 

Tonight is Elements in the Stardust, 6:30 & 9 pm with the Farewell.

 

Update will be limited to text till tomorrow as WiFi is slow, until we get tender ashore in RI, except for important FYI, etc.

 

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

How many ports left?

Any plans for Newport? I like to see the mansions and dream about them. Cannot buy any 🙄because that would mean cutting the cruise budget and that is a big NO NO. LOL!

Did not get any upsell email yet for the Escape.

[mking8288]

WiFi is on strike at sea, sorry folks, no update tonight, wait till 10 am tomorrow or later when we get to our last stop, Newport & get solid 4G LTE signals.

[dexddd]

10 hours ago, Arzeena said:

How many ports left?

Any plans for Newport? I like to see the mansions and dream about them. Cannot buy any 🙄because that would mean cutting the cruise budget and that is a big NO NO. LOL!

Did not get any upsell email yet for the Escape.

Yes, mking on tour for retirement mansion today.  Mrs. Mking won enough money in Dawn casino to pay for it.

 

Other than March next year we have time to visit your new home mking.  Show us some pics of the summer cottage.

[Arzeena]

44 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Yes, mking on tour for retirement mansion today.  Mrs. Mking won enough money in Dawn casino to pay for it.

 

Other than March next year we have time to visit your new home mking.  Show us some pics of the summer cottage.

Will be featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous....the MKing Mansion. Yes Henry?

[Arzeena]

Just got the upgrade advantage email for 6/2.

 

[mking8288]

Almost 10:30 am, got a 4G LTE signal, still 13 nm to port, running top speed now of almost 23 knots, going to be late running tender lifeboat ops. Gold & Platinum do not need tender tickets. 

 

MDR packed for breakfast & open for lunch today.  Found the comment box, hero cards out, 1 day turnaround on our free laundry.

[mking8288]

Yay, cellular signal is fast.

 

Elements is a must see. Dinner at Bamboo was fine, not great. Crew's farewell.

 

 

[mking8288]

Mifi tethering on 4G ...

 

[mking8288]

Breakfast & Room Service nenus, no new 2019 MDR menus, same old ...

Yeah. boo boo !! 

😤 😷

[graphicguy]

11 hours ago, mking8288 said:

WiFi is on strike at sea, sorry folks, no update tonight, wait till 10 am tomorrow or later when we get to our last stop, Newport & get solid 4G LTE signals.

Well...that sux.  I know on the GEM when we sailed together, I was getting really good WiFi connections and speeds (at least for being on the Sea).

 

Thanks for all of your work on reporting back to us.  Greatly appreciated!

Edited May 17, 2019 by graphicguy

[mking8288]

Navigation update, from steerage ...

Does not look like we will get inside the harbor & come to a stop for another 30 minutes, going to be a mad dash for the gangway to tender.

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[jaja]

Again--thanks for ALL the great info....can't wait to board tomorrow....

[mking8288]

Ship is coming to a full stop, setting up tender platform for boats to get ready, and wait for local officias to come on board to clear the ship before pax can proceed.

 

Capt explained that we slowed down due to Right Whales sighted in area & mandatory speed restrictions for marine life safety.

We are going to enjoy lunch first to avoid the crush. All abroad is 5:30 pm for sailing to NY at 6 pm.

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Edited May 17, 2019 by mking8288