Just back from 6/16 Sailing of the Dawn ~ Quick Review

[2Cruise4Ever]

We returned home from the Dawn yesterday. We had so much fun all week that we just CRASHED when we walked in the door last night.

 

Just a quick review for now. I'll post more details later.

 

First of all, the service was outstanding!!! This cruise was even better than the last one we took 2 years ago and we didn't think that was possible. Some folks who made it superior:

 

Claudio our concierge. He took care of every request with a smile. He even got us into Teppanyaki when he thought it was full. He sent us treats every evening (which we didn't receive last time). No, he didn't say who was replacing him when he leaves for the Gem.

 

Ravi, our butler. Couldn't have asked for better service. He doted over our kids and us like we were royalty. He also took very good care of my in-laws who were in the adjoining AF to our AB Penthouse. No request was too small or too great. We even had some fellow CC-er's over for happy hour (Hi, Karrie and Bob!!!) one evening and he was right there to make sure we had a good time.

 

Tito and Cenen, our room stewards. Not enough can be said about them. Towel animals every night. Always accommodating and unobtrusive. Whenever we needed ANYTHING, they took care of it quickly.

 

Lea, our server in Venetian. She continually went out of her way, even when we weren't seated in her section.

 

Chris, the bar server in Topsiders Pool bar. One word: WOW! We never had to wait for a drink whenever he was working. He also looked after us at Great Stirrup Cay when we weren't sitting in his section.

 

Ronnie and Shibu, our servers in Cagney's. Again, WOW!!! I'll detail that service when I get into the details of my review.

 

Jacques, the Hotel Director. Very attentive. And, very appreciative of our grattitude.

 

Jamie, the Assistant Hotel Director. This man has more patience than anyone should legally be allowed to have! He attended our Meet N Greet and answered every question we had. We saw him several times throughout the week. He always went out of his way to greet us.

 

Oh, and Keystone, Sunny says hi. He remembers you. And, he also remembered us from 2 years ago. That was a nice surprise!

 

OK, a few other details: Embarkation was a breeze. We arrived at the pier at 10:00 a.m. and were quickly ushered to the VIP waiting area upstairs. We were on board by 11:30. The only reason for the wait was because we arrived just as the first passengers were disembarking. We spent some time by the pool and our suite was ready at 1:30.

 

Disembarkation was even easier. We met Claudio in the Stardust Theater at 10:15 and were off the ship before 11:00.

 

The food was fabulous everywhere we went: Venetian, Garden Cafe, Blue Lagoon, Cagney's, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki, and the pool-side BBQ was delectable!

 

We had sunny weather and smooth seas from beginning to end. Well, ok, not quite the beginning. We sailed out of NYC in a thunderstorm, which was actually pretty cool.

 

We found out that the Jade is coming to NYC in 2009 for 10 and 11-day Exotic Caribbean cruises. Hmmmm, I think we'll check that out.

 

We took advantage of the Cruise Rewards program where we put down $250 on a future cruise and received $100 toward our current on-board account. We have 1 year to book and 2.5 years to sail. We'll likely book the Dawn again next year when she starts sailing to Bermuda exclusively.

 

Well, that's it for now. I'll start my detailed review later on today. Remind me to tell you about my Bill Engvall moment at Great Stirrup Cay. You'll love this!

 

We kept running into some fellow CC-er's: Karrie and Bob (KBCL), are you stalking me??? Carol and Jimmy (TVLady3), how much did you win in the casino THIS time??? Almost at Platinum level, you go girl!!

 

I only have one complaint: it wasn't long enough!!!

 

Have a great day, everyone.

[noenre]

Thanks for the review! It's so nice to hear the positive ones!!

 

Glad you had such a great time :D

[Dolphins]

Happy to hear that our favorite ship and her outstanding staff are still giving passengers an enjoyable cruise experience.

[just crusin]

Thanks for your post we leave on the 30th on the Dawn first cruise and love hearing everything about it. I cant wait to me Claudio we have an AE penthouse so I think we will meet him.

Any particular restaurant better than the others it is only me and DH so Im thinking of trying them all. Im not sucha a Mexican fan but will give it a shot.

thanks again:)

[2Cruise4Ever]

We loved all the restaurants. But, if we had to choose, it would be Cagney's. Whole Maine Lobster, Filet Mignon. All was scrumptuous. And, the service can't be beat!

[KeystoneCruiser]

 

Oh, and Keystone, Sunny says hi. He remembers you. And, he also remembered us from 2 years ago. That was a nice surprise!

 

Sonny had a terrrific memory. I really miss him. My parents were actually hoping that he had been transfered to the Pearl.

 

Anyone who goes on the Dawn needs to look him up!!

[inai]

We were also on the 6/16 Dawn sailing. However, we were not in a suite room, soooooo, we did not get the first class service. We booked an outside cabin. We "very rarely" saw our room steward. We never had ice in our ice bucket. We had to go to Salsa, the specialty rest. every evening to get ice. We requested terry robes for the two of us and were denied due to our lower room number. (We received robes on our last cruise 18 months ago on the Dawn, same room.) "There were many cuts in service and quality since our last Dawn sailing in Nov. 2006."

 

Did we still have a good time. YES. It's what you make of it.

 

Each cruise line and each ship is different. We have been on many lines and each one has positive and negative points. It's up to the individual and their preferences.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[KBCL]

Hi Everyone-

 

We also were on the 6/16 Dawn. We had an awesome time. We booked a balcony on the 9th floor, nothing fancy. Our cabin stewards (Roderick & Deval) were outstanding. They made me a towel animal every night and he checked back in the morning to see if I liked them.

 

This was my first time on NCL and I will book again. We sat out by Bimini bar everyday and was taken care of by Noel and Chris. They were great and went out of there way for us daily.

 

Being that we were not VIP's we had to make our reservations the day before. We NEVER had a problem getting in. Cagneys was superb!!!

 

We met some great people on the ship too. Liza and Jim (awesome cabin) that is living the high life!!! LOL and NO we are not stalking you!!! LOL!!!!

 

The weather was perfect and the seas were so calm. It was a perfect week!!!!! My DH broke his foot on friday on the ship. We did not find out until last night (Sat). Even with that we still had a great time!!!!!

 

Thanks,

Karrie

[Cosmopolitan]

2cruise4ever ~

 

Welcome back! Glad you had a great time and thanks for the review:)

 

PS - it's NEVER long enough:(

[Cosmopolitan]

 

"There were many cuts in service and quality since our last Dawn sailing in Nov. 2006."

 

 

I assume by service you mean the ice and the robes.

Can you be more specific about the cuts in quality:confused:

[SweetpeaOne]

Thanks for sharing your review. And glad you had a good time.

[2Cruise4Ever]

Hi Everyone-

 

My DH broke his foot on friday on the ship. We did not find out until last night (Sat). Even with that we still had a great time!!!!!

 

Thanks,

Karrie

 

:eek: OMG!!! How did he do that? I hope he's ok.

[Smellytoes]

Hi Everyone-

 

We also were on the 6/16 Dawn. We had an awesome time. We booked a balcony on the 9th floor, nothing fancy. Our cabin stewards (Roderick & Deval) were outstanding. They made me a towel animal every night and he checked back in the morning to see if I liked them.

 

This was my first time on NCL and I will book again. We sat out by Bimini bar everyday and was taken care of by Noel and Chris. They were great and went out of there way for us daily.

 

Being that we were not VIP's we had to make our reservations the day before. We NEVER had a problem getting in. Cagneys was superb!!!

 

We met some great people on the ship too. Liza and Jim (awesome cabin) that is living the high life!!! LOL and NO we are not stalking you!!! LOL!!!!

 

The weather was perfect and the seas were so calm. It was a perfect week!!!!! My DH broke his foot on friday on the ship. We did not find out until last night (Sat). Even with that we still had a great time!!!!!

 

Thanks,

Karrie

 

Isn't Noel awsome! I first met him on the Majesty YEARS ago. When I saw him on the Dawn last year he still remembered me. I couldn't believe it.

[NYHartChapp]

Thanks for your post we leave on the 30th on the Dawn first cruise and love hearing everything about it. I cant wait to me Claudio we have an AE penthouse so I think we will meet him.

Any particular restaurant better than the others it is only me and DH so Im thinking of trying them all. Im not sucha a Mexican fan but will give it a shot.

thanks again:)

 

 

Have a great cruise.

 

Le Bistro was my favorite.

[lastingtouch]

Can't wait to hear more!!! Did you see Eka? :D

[POOHISME2]

we leave on the 30th on the Dawn first cruise and love hearing everything about it. I cant wait to me Claudio we have an AE penthouse so I think we will meet him.

Any particular restaurant better than the others it is only me and DH so Im thinking of trying them all. Im not sucha a Mexican fan but will give it a shot.

thanks again:)

Sorry you wont get to meet him, Claudio is now on vacation and then will go to the Gem, his replacement is a very lovely woman, I don't remember her name, but very friendly.

 

I too was on the 6/16 sailing and I was very happy with all the new upgrades since dry dock. The staff worked very hard and they achieved more than I ever expected in just 2 weeks.

 

The panel TV in Pearly Kings has been replaced with a beautiful large plasma and they added 2 more in there.

 

The stand up white bar wall by the DJ booth in Gatsbys is gone, making that are a sitting area and looks much larger.

 

The railings around the ship have all been varnished, the ship has been painted and is spotless.

 

The Garden Cafe had the most noticeable changes. No more trays and no more railings that you would rest the trays on. The line went smoothly and quickly. The furniture was also reupholstered and looks great.

 

The food was another HUGE difference. The Buffet food was EXCELLENT! Many new food choices and plenty of different stations. Make sure you walk the whole length.

 

Also, the specialty restaurants were FANTASTIC! The new menu in Impressions of Italy was SUPURB!

 

Cruise Rewards is back to $100 OBC for $250- deposit, a great deal if you are thinking you will sail NCL within 2.5 years.

 

As usual, Jacques, Jamie, JP and Mannie have everything under control and run a great ship. The staff was all very pleasant and personable.

 

And as said before embark was a breeze as was VIP debark.

[seafeet]

 

The Garden Cafe had the most noticeable changes. No more trays and no more railings that you would rest the trays on. The line went smoothly and quickly. The furniture was also reupholstered and looks great.

 

 

Just curious, how did the elderly or folks that needed assistance in walking (with a cane, etc) manage the buffet without trays or the "rails" to help them navigate through. I know my mother, and she dosen't use assistance, wouldn't be able to manage her plate and balance on a moving ship, and lets not even go to the people who just don't look where they're going. Was there more staff on hand to help this group out?

[POOHISME2]

Just curious, how did the elderly or folks that needed assistance in walking (with a cane, etc) manage the buffet without trays or the "rails" to help them navigate through. I know my mother, and she dosen't use assistance, wouldn't be able to manage her plate and balance on a moving ship, and lets not even go to the people who just don't look where they're going. Was there more staff on hand to help this group out?

There was at least one person stationed at every part of the buffet. But, I'm sorry, I really didn't notice anyone who actually needed assistance, so I cant answer how this would work. I am sure if you asked for help, they would be glad to help out your mother.

 

I had my 5 year old niece with me and she had a very hard time holding the plate and walking straight without hitting into something or someone, so I just held her plate too.

[KBCL]

:eek: OMG!!! How did he do that? I hope he's ok.

 

 

Remember how windy it was on Friday afternoon??? We walked out onto deck 6 after we saw you at the buffet. The door slammed shut right on his toes. It was funny and he was such a good sport about it. We waited until we got to CT to go to the emrgency room. He said it was still worth it.:p

 

Back from vacation and I have to wait on him. NO FAIR!!!!!!:eek:

[seafeet]

Thanks Poohisme2. I was just curious for the ones who travel without the help of family. I used my mother as an example only because I know how she moves and I've seen (as I'm sure you have too) many on ships that are not nearly as mobile as she is and they're by themselves or with somone who's not much better than themselves. Sorry to say, you wouldn't catch my mother on another ship, EVER! She sailed out of NY about 25 years ago (a retirement gift from her boss) to Bermdua. Well, to this day the woman swears that they went through the Bermuda Triangle and horrible things happened (she really is a very sane person:p ) and the waves were washing over the top of the ship (maybe) and she had to tie herself onto the bed so she would stop falling out! Can't convience her that things have changed and to try again. Boy, talk about holding a grudge!

[gima33]

Does anyone have the daily scheduelles that sailed on the Dawn last week ( 6/16/07 ) ??? Sailing on 7/14/07 and would love to get an idea of the daily itinerary for the week. thanks

 

Gima

[2Cruise4Ever]

I have them. I just have to scan them in first. Then, I'll get them up on line. They have completely re-designed the Dailies. I like the new format better.

[jimswims]

Thanks for the review and update about the Dawn.

 

I am counting the days until our first cruise on the Dawn. The whole family is looking forward to it.

[ratherBcruizin']

I have them. I just have to scan them in first. Then, I'll get them up on line. They have completely re-designed the Dailies. I like the new format better.

 

Oh yeah, love to see those!! :D

[inai]

I assume by service you mean the ice and the robes.

Can you be more specific about the cuts in quality:confused:

 

Our room steward was usually no where in sight. As I mentioned, we had to get ice every evening.

 

We only got "one" towel animal and that was on the last night of the cruise.

 

We hunted down our room steward the first night and the first full day of our cruise to request bar soap and two extra towels. It took two days to get the bar of soap and two extra towels for our room. No terry bathrobes upon request anymore, unless you have a higher cabin #. Our room was not vacuumed well either. I asked for a wine glass. Never got that either. I had to go to Salsa, and they were not happy that every day I had to pass the rest. with an ice bucket.

 

Another cut:

The fish and chips at Pearly Kings Pub is gone. My DH was looking forward to their fish and chips.

 

Another cut:

What happened to the shrimp scampi and other delicious meals. I saw alot of fish, ravioli, turkey, chicken. Definitely, seemed alot different than our last cruise (18 months ago)

 

Another cut:

No more tray service at the buffet. You can put alot of plates of food on a tray. If you have to juggle two plates (like dinner and salad plate) or a plate and a glass, that's about it. You think twice before getting up and going back for more food. I never once saw the crew assist a passenger to their table. HAL has crew waiting at the end of the buffet line to take your tray and seat you.

 

I agree with others that the pool area was crowded and we could not get a lounge chair. Toomany people reserved rows of chairs. The crew needs to be more attentive of this reserving chairs.

 

All in all. We had a nice cruise. You get what you pay for, and I think the price was right.