Dawn Review- 2-12 Feb (blizzard voyage)- Newbie cruiser

[DonnaA]

Well here we go. Where do I begin.

The Ship - The Dawn was beautiful, very clean and unbelieveably large. After spending 10 days on board the last day I still found places that I hadn't been to.

The Food - Ate in Cagneys. Salsas, La Trattoria, Le Bistro, the Venetian,Aqua and the garden cafe. All specialty restaurants were good with Cagneys probably being the best...probably the best steak that I have ever had. The garden cafe is of course cafeteria food and we only went there when we were in a hurry to grab lunch on the way to a tour but the selection was sufficient and we managed to find something appealing. Breakfasts were in our cabin each morning served by our butler which was a treat.

The Service - Butler was Putu who was excellent. Concierge was Alex who was always polite and did what we asked but not anything extra...but still fine. Room stewards were excellent...room was spotless and the towel animals were great. Generally all of the crew on board greeted us with smiles and a good morning or good afternoon and were willing to help out with anything that was required. Very pleasant.

The Room- ended up with an AB due to upsell and it was great. Lots of room and butler was a nice perk.

The Ports/Tours - enjoyed all of the ports...probably ST Maarten the most and San Juan the least but all were enjoyable. The dolphin swim in Tortola was expensive but absolutley worth it. The coral world trip in St Thomas was not worth the money but still enjoyable.

The Weather- Weather was good ...showers on and off all day in St Maarten but it is the Caribbean right? The snow storm on return to NYC was a bit of a surprise and made the last 12 hours of the voyage quite interesting but mother nature speaks and we must listen. The ride was very rough 12-18 ft waves but thank goodness for sea sick pills (Bonine) they really work. Got stuck in NY for an extra couple of days but again what can you do?? Go with the flow is what I always say life is an adventure might as well sit back and enjoy what ever comes your way.

The Entertainment- Lots to do on ship. The nightly shows were all enjoyable and the game shows held occasionally in the lounge at night were hilarious...casino was great except that I made way to many doantions...lol

In General - Enjoyed the trip....spent way to much money....but would do it again in a heartbeat. NCL did a fine job in my opinion.

If anyone has any questions ask away.....I will do my best to answer.

 

Donna:o

[AndrewM]

The Service - Butler was Putu who was excellent. Concierge was Alex who was always polite and did what we asked but not anything extra...but still fine. Got stuck in NY for an extra couple of days but again what can you do?? Go with the flow is what I always say life is an adventure might as well sit back and enjoy what ever comes your way.

If anyone has any questions ask away.....I will do my best to answer.

Donna:o

 

Thanks for the review Donna! I like your attitude regarding live being an adventure. Right now I'm going through pre-cruise jitters so your philosophy will do me a lot of good.

 

I wonder if your concierge is the same Alex who is bending over backwards for Shoreguy right now.

 

andrew, 17 days to go

[NormanW]

Glad to hear this especially from a newbie! :p

 

Be warned, you've most likely lit a fire that just grows. It's called cruise addiction. :)

 

You'll definitely be back!

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

[Michaelw5]

Great review.

[Gypsea]

As a past Dawn cruiser x 2 I always like to read she is still great.

 

As far as the blizzard I have you beat. We left in a blizzard and came home to one in early Dec. 2003 (7 nights FL Bahamas). That trip home to NH from NYC took so long we had to get a room in CT. It was quite a wlecome back. An adventure you could say.

 

We had taken advice from the board and parked in a garage near the pier and came home to a dead battery and not long after getting on the freeway two flat tires. But the cruise......it was AWESOME!!!

[Mommymia27]

Donna, I was on the boat with my 1 and 3 yr old and my dad and wife; we were on deck5----second voyage on the dawn. Ok, I have to say, the captain screwed up...he was blasting 30kts tryin to beat the storm and we were RIGHT INSIDE OF IT!! Saturday night at 1-4am.... The Onboard TV that shows the windspeed and wave-height showed

 

"FORCE 12-- HURRICANE" and Wind Speeds (Sustained) of 74.9Kts...

That, is like 85 Miles per hour!!!

 

The boat was getting banged around and my wife actually thought we were gonna die...she said to me "thanks for the kids"

 

Im like "why do all these big boats sink at nite?" and "this thing was doomed after the 70ft wave hit it last year"

 

Luckily we all made it back alive...and i live in Connecticut and drove home---driving in 29inches of snow in NYC was better than that last night, that was absolutely insane...a thousand ft boat being pounded around like a little dime----i was on the boat before with 22ft waves;didnt feel it at all---but the wind makes all the difference!!

 

But you are correct Tortola was beautiful, St Thomas and ST Maarten i got some real cheap smokes and booze..and my kids had a great time. I think im done w/the dawn because its gotta be cursed but Norweigan is a great cruise line:D

[Cosmopolitan]

I wonder if your concierge is the same Alex who is bending over backwards for Shoreguy right now.

 

andrew, 17 days to go

 

Yes, it is the same Alex, (Alexander Forbes).

He was wonderful.

Handled every/any request immediately.

Very pleasant gentleman:)

 

Have a great cruise!

[DonnaA]

Donna, I was on the boat with my 1 and 3 yr old and my dad and wife; we were on deck5----second voyage on the dawn. Ok, I have to say, the captain screwed up...he was blasting 30kts tryin to beat the storm and we were RIGHT INSIDE OF IT!! Saturday night at 1-4am.... The Onboard TV that shows the windspeed and wave-height showed

 

"FORCE 12-- HURRICANE" and Wind Speeds (Sustained) of 74.9Kts...

That, is like 85 Miles per hour!!!

 

The boat was getting banged around and my wife actually thought we were gonna die...she said to me "thanks for the kids"

 

Im like "why do all these big boats sink at nite?" and "this thing was doomed after the 70ft wave hit it last year"

 

Luckily we all made it back alive...and i live in Connecticut and drove home---driving in 29inches of snow in NYC was better than that last night, that was absolutely insane...a thousand ft boat being pounded around like a little dime----i was on the boat before with 22ft waves;didnt feel it at all---but the wind makes all the difference!!

 

But you are correct Tortola was beautiful, St Thomas and ST Maarten i got some real cheap smokes and booze..and my kids had a great time. I think im done w/the dawn because its gotta be cursed but Norweigan is a great cruise line:D

 

Yikes sounds scarey...I was a little nervous with all the rocking the last night but was not ready to predict our demise....could not get much sleep most of the night though.

[NormanW]

The Master made a good decision by maintaining speed. It's all a matter of timing and you're fortunate to have just made it to SAFE HARBOR before the BOMBSHELL of a low would have REALLY whipped your butts out there.

 

You were at MUCH GREATER risk of losing life or limb on your DRIVE back home than you were at sea. It takes an INCREDIBLE AMOUNT of misjudgement and/or weather to cause a modern liner to founder. No thanks to these GD movies people think otherwise.:mad:

 

I could not begin to tell you the countless emails I answered about people asking about the weather events in The Day After Tomorrow movie. :rolleyes:

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

[nitnyleo]

Nothing slid off the tables/countertops...so it wasn't that bad.

I've been thru worse; but, never anything that lasted that long.

 

I also give rave reviews...especially to the staff and crew...I never came across anyone who gave less than good service and/or a smile and a greeting.

 

PS: Okay, drink prices seem to be getting out of hand...my only complaint

[DonnaA]

Nothing slid off the tables/countertops...so it wasn't that bad.

I've been thru worse; but, never anything that lasted that long.

 

I also give rave reviews...especially to the staff and crew...I never came across anyone who gave less than good service and/or a smile and a greeting.

 

PS: Okay, drink prices seem to be getting out of hand...my only complaint

 

Maybe not in your cabin but dishes went crashing to the floor about 5:30am and we had to prop things against the glass shower door to stop it from crashing around.

I agree with the drink prices...one night my hubby order a drink and I ordered a non alcoholic smoothie and the two drinks (with auto gratuity of course) came to $16.00....just a litte crazy if you ask me.

 

Donna

[electricron]

If the alcoholic drinks are too expensive, don't buy them.

 

There are other things to drink aboard the ship that are free, or much cheaper.

 

Why do many think they can't have fun without alcohol?

[NormanW]

Maybe not in your cabin but dishes went crashing to the floor about 5:30am and we had to prop things against the glass shower door to stop it from crashing around.

I agree with the drink prices...one night my hubby order a drink and I ordered a non alcoholic smoothie and the two drinks (with auto gratuity of course) came to $16.00....just a litte crazy if you ask me.

 

Donna

 

The only dishes we heard crashing on our cruise were the ones folks left in the passageways for the stewards to pick up...getting kicked about by drunks and those with short sea legs.

 

If the alcoholic drinks are too expensive, don't buy them.

 

There are other things to drink aboard the ship that are free, or much cheaper.

 

Why do many think they can't have fun without alcohol?

 

Woah who said it isn't fun? Well until you get your cabin charge summary...all five pages and $1711 worth. Not bad for 10 days? Not me! :eek:

 

Now I knew there was something to spend the money on by not booking the GV! ;)

 

The real alcoholics are smuggling their all plastic minis in their baggy oversized pant pockets and bunkering juice at breakfast time in their thermos bottles for mixed enjoyment later. I'm all eyes and ears. :D

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

[DonnaA]

If the alcoholic drinks are too expensive, don't buy them.

 

There are other things to drink aboard the ship that are free, or much cheaper.

 

Why do many think they can't have fun without alcohol?

 

I never said that I couldn't have fun without alcohol as a matter of fact that was the only alcohol that we did buy. We are not big drinkers and I was just stating an opinion.....

[Cosmopolitan]

Nothing slid off the tables/countertops...so it wasn't that bad.

I've been thru worse; but, never anything that lasted that long.

 

I also give rave reviews...especially to the staff and crew...I never came across anyone who gave less than good service and/or a smile and a greeting.

 

4 AM..EVERYTHING from our bar crashed and broke! Also in the bathroom!

Everything from the dining room table and the coffee table.

That's when I looked outside and saw the searchlight going around the ship and spied the waves and snow!

 

This only lasted one night...on the Jewel TWO nights!

 

Yes...I would cruise again in a heartbeat;)

 

EXCELLENT staff always:)

[welshgirl]

Hi DonnaA

 

I agree with the drinks prices. Both my husband and I enjoy a tipple and on holiday we expect to do the same and more than what we do at home, were on holidays and do as we wish!

 

The price of drinks did alter our thirst for alcohol. It was good to see how my husband coped! He managed ok as he took the opportunity to sample what the resorts had to offer, all in the name of exploring the culture of each island!

[redheddad]

The only dishes we heard crashing on our cruise were the ones folks left in the passageways for the stewards to pick up...getting kicked about by drunks and those with short sea legs.

 

 

 

Woah who said it isn't fun? Well until you get your cabin charge summary...all five pages and $1711 worth. Not bad for 10 days? Not me! :eek:

 

Now I knew there was something to spend the money on by not booking the GV! ;)

 

The real alcoholics are smuggling their all plastic minis in their baggy oversized pant pockets and bunkering juice at breakfast time in their thermos bottles for mixed enjoyment later. I'm all eyes and ears. :D

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

just because we bring a couple fifths with in our luggage does not make us alchoholics any more then you going to the chocoholic table makes you a fattie. restraint and reason in all things.

[bostonchick]

Donna, I was on the boat with my 1 and 3 yr old and my dad and wife; we were on deck5----second voyage on the dawn. Ok, I have to say, the captain screwed up...he was blasting 30kts tryin to beat the storm and we were RIGHT INSIDE OF IT!! Saturday night at 1-4am.... The Onboard TV that shows the windspeed and wave-height showed

 

"FORCE 12-- HURRICANE" and Wind Speeds (Sustained) of 74.9Kts...

That, is like 85 Miles per hour!!!

 

The boat was getting banged around and my wife actually thought we were gonna die...she said to me "thanks for the kids"

 

Im like "why do all these big boats sink at nite?" and "this thing was doomed after the 70ft wave hit it last year"

 

Luckily we all made it back alive...and i live in Connecticut and drove home---driving in 29inches of snow in NYC was better than that last night, that was absolutely insane...a thousand ft boat being pounded around like a little dime----i was on the boat before with 22ft waves;didnt feel it at all---but the wind makes all the difference!!

 

But you are correct Tortola was beautiful, St Thomas and ST Maarten i got some real cheap smokes and booze..and my kids had a great time. I think im done w/the dawn because its gotta be cursed but Norweigan is a great cruise line:D

 

 

Thanks for your post, Mommymia...I was beginning to think I was the only one that thought it was the end, LOL. This was our 4th cruise, all out of New England, and never experienced this. Loved the cruise and especially the staff.

[live2cruise2011]

Luckily we all made it back alive...and i live in Connecticut and drove home---driving in 29inches of snow in NYC was better than that last night, that was absolutely insane...a thousand ft boat being pounded around like a little dime----i was on the boat before with 22ft waves;didnt feel it at all---but the wind makes all the difference!!

 

I got to drive to the ship in that storm we were on the cruise after you and after working all day finally got to pier about 6 am to be told I would not be allowed to park til at least 10 am

[Northern Bear]

6 years later???

[ColinIllinois]

6 years later???

 

 

Internet connections run a good bit slower in Connecticut.:D

[cherylroslyn]

Internet connections run a good bit slower in Connecticut.:D

lol......

[Northern Bear]

I'll say. Anyone remember 300 Baud?

 

:D

[NormanW]

I'll say. Anyone remember 300 Baud?

 

:D

 

Yes I do.

I remember taking the (phone) receiver off the base, sitting it on the coupler and connecting. 150 was fast then. ;)

 

I also remember typing faster than the characters would "echo" back on the green screen. Hard to believe that was nearly 30 years ago.

 

Cheers,

 

Norman

 

p.s. I remember both these voyages like it was yesterday.

[Frick_&_Frack]

I do have to say that seeing this was a "blast from the past". We were on the Dawn for that voyage (Suite 10000) right under the bridge. Had the waves crashing over the balcony onto the bridge. AWESOME!

 

Sort of funny to think about the cruise since we got engaged the day we boarded. :eek: :D