Onboard the Dawn now!

[latitude 22]

buenos tardes mi amigos!

 

country western is tonight..in wheelhouse bar...each theme night is starting about 9 or 930pm

 

they've become pretty standard, island deck party, country western and 50's sometimes a disco...it depends on the cruise staff and itin.

 

when i say not many people dress i really mean that...so unless you're in a group and everyone is doing it..save your luggage space for souveniers! just my 2 cents...watch on your cruise it will be wild and all 1700 pax will dress up..hahahahahaahhaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

this reminds me...last cruise we were on dolphin deck i think 335..it's an inside above the wheelhouse...the noise from the wheelhouse on that section of deck 8 is horrendous..thump thump thump from the bass...after more than 3 hours you begin to ponder marching down there and pulling the plug on the amp system... :D

avoid those cabins...we were fortunate they moved us after day 3 to another cabin...

 

you're very welcome about posting...my days have been soooo busy...

it was problematic yesterday when I had to make the monumental decision between wine tasting and tea time...not to mention whether should I take a nap at 11:30am or wait to 1pm!

 

oh movies onboard...i watched james bond casino royal in cabin- i need to go to montenegro now, the illusionist in cabin- now THAT was a mind game...i need to rent the dvd and redo the last 5 minutes...the producers was in cabin, but my mom wanted to go to breakfast then, dreamgirls is coming up in the theater and devil wears prada is tonight in the theater...

 

adios!

[cruzinchris]

Thanks for the daily updates, Latitude. I'm following the Dawn webcam and can almost feel like I'm back on the ship.

 

I'm sure most here at CC will agree with me that "live from" threads are still alive and well :) .

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[latitude 22]

oh just thought of this...

 

pull out your handy dandy deck plans on this ship class

 

there are 2 common inside cabin sizes..

 

the wider ones and the long skinny ones...been in both on the last cruise

and we booked a long skinny one. this cruise from that analysis..we are on caribe in the 200 cabin range

 

the long skinny one has A LOT more storage space, so if you're going with an inside i would recommend this..

 

we usually book insides or balconys so I can't comment on outside configuration.

[CruisinCadie]

Thanks for the live updates. The more I read, the harder it is to wait.

 

In another thread, someone mentions that Princess sells needlework kits (coin purse, eyeglass case, etc.). Do they have those on the Dawn? Will be on the last Mexico sailing this season, and I think this would be a good way to pass the time.

 

KD

[Bobed1927]

Your posts have been very informative but they have raised two VERY important questions in my ever food conscious mind. At the theme events do they serve theme appropriate snacks? Do they have popcorn in the movie theater?

[TorontoTL]

RA RA RA! Keep having a great time on the lovely SUN, oops DAWN Princess. You made me laugh when you were quoting the captain that during his mid day update. I loved the Dawn last year and wish I was onboard with you now. Keep having a great time and thanks so much for the information particularly about the updated internet access.

[zzzdoc]

Hi, we are sailing on the Diamond at the end of this month. I would like to make my own ATV reservations. Since we're in port the shortest amount of time, I'm trying to find out how quickly one can get off the boat in Cabo. Since it transports guests by tender to the shore, and we wouldn't have reservations for a shore excursion through Princess, I'm worried that we won't get off the ship for a couple hours after it drops anchor. thanks for any help.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Thanks for all the interesting info you have been providing, sounds like you are having a really fun time.

[Seacucumber]

We were on Dawn from Feb 5-16. She is great and our head waiter at Venetian dining room was Mr. Valentino. He took care of all my vegan food requirements.

[latitude 22]

Buenos Noches mi amigos!

 

I have contacted my inside sources :cool: ...

 

there is no popcorn served outside the princes theater for movies...keep this in mind...it can always change but at this time on this cruise no popcorn, sugar babies, licorce or jujubees.

 

over the years i have seen the correct pairing of culinary delights related to the theme ...they do this well in the dining room...deck buffet parties most of the time..but i've been in caribbean and NEVER seen anything ever jerked...well except on RCCL and if you ever run across jerk food on rccl it is time to lose all restraint and PILE your plate HIGH so it reaches the SKY then grab yourself a red stripe and gorge!

 

sorry, went off on a tangent here unrelated to princess..

 

diamond atv ?....diamond and dawn are completly diffrent ships I would go over to the port board or find an old roll call or post the question on the usual princess board for a specific answer. Otherwise the standard answer.... if it's important enough to you- be there for tender tickets at least 30 minutes earlier than the patter says with your entire party or buy a shore excursion but ditch it so you will be the 1st off.

 

needlework...i saw them for sale last cruise 12/1 but haven't seen anything this cruise..

 

 

Security...our port side is facing the bay ...while docking they had crew putting up MASSIVE SIZE banners off the side our ship on deck 7 and deck 4...they read...Stay 50 meters away this is a security zone....I have seen the federal marine boats patrolling ...last time we had military gun boats covering our aft! :D

 

well, i need to walk off my beef tournedos and passionfruit mousse cake..

 

hasta luego!

[CL-JW]

Hi there.

 

Just want to say thanks for your "Live" thread from the Dawn.

 

We sailed her from SF in October 2005. To be honest, we were worried about the size of the Dawn. She was our third cruise. Our first was QM2, our second was Voyager of the Seas. Both huge ships. We were a bit concerned that Dawn would be too small.

 

Turns out that she is a perfect size. We really love that ship and are enjoying reliving the experience via your posts!

[latitude 22]

You are all most welcome...

 

I love the Dawn it's my favorite of this class, she truly has a warm and inviting spirit to me.

Those of you that have cruised at least a couple of times know what I mean about a ships spirit!

 

getting ready to head off to sleep...

 

It's Z day bright and early tomorrow...

 

did anyone see the moon tonight...wow!

 

just reread this thread, someone asked about msn messenger...

 

they say it's on here, but yahoo im didn't work and that's suppose to be on here

 

so, everyone grab a pen and paper, write this down...put it with your passport or travel doc case...

 

KOOLIM.com

 

follow the directions you can log on to your im system even if the ship has direct access blocked!

 

if i forgot to answer someones ? let me know...and thanks for overlooking my spelling and grammar or is it er ....

 

woo hooo....my brain is officially jello and it's only day 5

 

good night sleep tight...

[iamnewtocruising]

iamnewtocruising ..were you the one that posted the thread about traveling with an 11 year old? if not please read what I wrote..

is she well traveled otherwise? or is this her 1st big adventure?

 

 

 

Hi Latitude 22

Yes I was the one with the 11 year old. She has traveled alot in our trailer, mostly to National Parks, but never on a ship. I think she would consider this a much bigger adventure than hours in the backseat of our truck. She is use to seeing things she has never seen before, but usually there are not many other kids around during the months we have traveled so she will like having other kids her age to be with.

 

Thanks for continuing to keep us informed!!

[iamnewtocruising]

Hi one last question.. well maybe not the last but at least the last for tonight.

 

We are currently booked in a A210 (Aloha deck inside cabin forward port side for 3) A506 has just become available which is midship post side. From the drawing it looks like it does not have any common walls with any other cabins so I am wondering if it might be a better room. Do you have any ideas? How quiet do you think each one might be?

 

Thanks,!!

A

[tawcat]

look forward to all your udates latitude! i think we hit the 50 day mark today!!!!

[latitude 22]

We are just pulling up the tenders now.... and then it's sailaway..so i'm going to post quickly and then venture outside....

 

needlepoint...7.00 for a kit, i think even if it's not mention go to the ceramics at sea person on day 1 and ask...

 

newtocruise...will check on cabins later..but if you see blank space it's a crew area...the 200 cabin is far forward you may feel more motion, but we are in the low 200 range right now and haven't felt too much.

 

FOD...several times get-togethers have been mentioned in the patter

 

I LOVE Zihuatanejo, my 1st cruise as a child and Z was the 1st stop. It is here that I learned that the life that I knew was pretty cushy and important life lessons began

 

I had my 1st experience that good food doesnt have to be in a fancy restaurant...a restaurant can be 2 pieces of wood placed on top of 2 oil drums....street tacos...anyone...

 

I learned to negotiate, to bargain....how to make the deal fair..and in the end always always keep in mind who needs that dollar (10 pesos) more me or them? These skills served me well when I needed to negotiate contracts later in life.

 

I learned that fresh caught fish doesnt stink.

 

Zihuatenejo has fabulous beaches, views and wander around - there are stores that you find a crafts people working a loom, weaving a basket, get into town early to see the fishing boats coming back in ...

when you walk off the tender before you turn right to walk along the shopping area..there is a true corner market in front of you...water is 50 cents each and 16oz soda bottles are .80 cents each...look to the left there's a modern building...non descript..it has clean bathrooms and it has A/C.

 

Most importantly Z is a happy and relaxed port of call...a nice change from the craziness of Puerto Vallart and Acapulco....

 

Time for sailaway!

[CruisinCadie]

Thanks for checking on the needlepoint kits. I will look for the ceramics at sea class.

 

Can't believe it's only 50 days until our trip.

 

KD

[JohnQ]

We were in one of those inside hallway long skinny cabins in front, right above Wheelhouse Bar on the Feb 5th cruise. It was pretty loud the first two or three nights. Then it got quieter or we got used to it. They quit about 11#0 or 12 each night. A korean 60's band!!!

 

As for the skinny inside, I would have to seriously disagree with you re better cabin. The biggest problem is that you cannot make a queen bed and be able to walk around the sides of it to get in or to answer the phone. Never seen anything like it before. We had to put back as twins, which is not COOL!!!. Nice to know about more storage, but we better have the wider cabin on our Sep cruise.

[latitude 22]

johnq...

 

Just pondering your post ....

 

you are absolutely right on that...

 

sorry folks...

 

let me explain

 

i've only cruised with my mom for the last couple of decades, never a significant other - so if its 2 twin beds then it does configure larger.

 

A queen most likely no- you will probably get 3 more drawers but it will be harder to climb out of bed

 

My husband and I will be taking our 1st cruise together in May for our 1st anniversary (Star Princess-Skan/Russia itin)

 

It will be his 1st cruise...i'm sure my perception having a queen bed in a cabin and traveling with a 1st time cruiser will be completly diffrent. It will be a fun experience for me to see cruising through his eyes.

 

I'm sure we will be going to shows every night, and all demonstration/lectures on our 2 sea days! so many items in the patter I've passed on over the years, because it's a been there done that...and I would prefer to spend my sea days reading a book or watching the wake.

 

checking out the patters for all of you and answering your questions has set the tone for me to begin thinking like he might during his 1st cruise experience.

[Tahoestarr]

Latitude...

 

Was thinking of you guys and your full moon last night...it must have been beautiful on the water! We loved "Z" too! Our favorite port!

 

Hey Kuse and Nap!

[mtejeda]

It's been so fun reading your posts, Latitude. I was on the last cruise with Tahoestarr (I also live in Northern Nevada/Tahoe) and I'm sooooo wishing I was still there instead of HERE at work!

 

Keep up the good work and if you get to Aloha 720, say hi to Moises and Nop for me! Moises (steward) gave me his card but I can't find it!! :( I wanted to email and thank him...

[genoa]

Hi Latitude

 

Thanks so much for your posts, makes me feel like I'm cruising with you.

 

To Imnewtocruising,

 

I would take cabin A506 vs A210, it's midship and you shouldn't feel as much especially on the way home from Cabo. We have an 11yr old daughter who has sailed 9 or 10 times and she can't wait until our next cruise. She writies "There are always many things to do. You can swim, meet other kids, and do whatever you want to, that is what cruises are for, to have fun while traveling!:D"

[bdjam]

I love the Dawn it's my favorite of this class, she truly has a warm and inviting spirit to me.

Those of you that have cruised at least a couple of times know what I mean about a ships spirit!

Certainly do - it's good to know someone else does! :)

[anotherlurker]

Latitude,

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and time with us. Talk about an on the spot and up to the minute review!!

 

My DW and I have been reading your posts with great interest! We are renewing our vows on the Dawn in just over 2 weeks! :D

[rflarson]

Hi Lattitude,

 

We will be getting on the Dawn Princess when you are getting off this coming Saturday. We're looking forward to the relaxation. While we are anticipating going, can you answer the following questions:

 

1. Did Princess start charging for the desert bar that is held each day at around 4:00 pm? I read on another board that they had started to charge for the Sundae bar.

 

2. What beverage selections are available in the dining room (besides the outrageously-priced drinks)? Do they still have the juices for no additional charge?

 

3. Is there any place to post an announcement for fellow passengers? We've booked a deep sea fishing charger in ACA when we arrive and would like to split the cost of the trip with someone but I have no idea how we would find someone to split with.

 

4. Since you have been to ACA before, what would you suggest doing/seeing?

 

5. Since you are an elite member do you get your Internet for free? How many cruises do you have to have to get elite status?

 

6. What kind of temps are you seeing down there? The weather said 92 in ACA. Was it hot there?

 

7. What do you suggest doing in Ixtapa? We haven't been there before so I don't know what to expect.

 

Thanks for the answers. I love anticipating!

 

BTW, to the person that asked about parking at the Pier, there are 2 places to park there. One place is right across from the pier and it costs $12/day. The other one is about 6 blocks down the street and they cost $10/day. You can either walk to the $10/day place or take the trolley for $1.50. I called the parking place across the street from the terminal and they said they have plenty of spaces and shouldn't fill up.