Dawn Review 5/11 - 5/18

[catlady461]

This was our second cruise on NCL; our first was on Pride of Aloha in Sept,2007. We have also cruised on RCCL(5) and Celebrity(1).

We drove in from Ohio on Saturday & stayed at the Hampton Inn-Secaucus. Room was nice and we ate dinner at Outback across the street.

 

On Sunday morning we drove to the port and parked the car at the pier arriving around 9:30 AM. Very easy to navigate to the port and had no problems. Parking was $210 for the 7 days. Took our luggage and left it with the porters and went to the embarkation center--we were the second couple to arrive. Check-in began around 10:30(didn't see lattitudes line) and we were on the ship by 12:00 with champagne upon boarding.

 

Cabins were not ready so we went to Venetian for lunch. Food & service were great and our cabin was ready after we finished; about 1:30.

We had a BA aft cabin on deck 10 which had a huge balcony and plenty of storage. The balcony had 2 lounge chairs & small table but we weren't able to use it much since the weather was bad with huge waves.

 

We were finally able to use it in Bermuda which was great. Our room steward, ALEX, was great. Room was cleaned twice a day without a problem and even had 2 towel animals.

 

We ate at Impressions twice, LeBistro, Cagney's and Bamboo. Service was great in all the specialty restaurants and no problem getting reservations for Between 5:30 & 6:30. Impressions(Italian) was worth the $10 it now costs(hubby had his pasta & chicken parmigian both times -- I had the Lobster ravioli & veal scallopini: both were excellent. They do have the carpaccio on the menu as an appetizer(it was also excellent) and the Chocolate Fondue for dessert.

 

We enjoyed the food at both Cagney's & LeBistro but were disappointed with Bamboo.

 

We grabbed food at the buffet for breakfast & lunch most days and on possibly 2 days we also had dinner. The buffet had a variety of choices and we didn't seem to have a problem. Also had room service a few mornings and the delivery was right on time with no problems. New menu has omelets all day so we could order those.

 

We did not go to any shows(too busy playing in the casino) or do any shore excursions. Did go to Hamilton via ferry and shopped; also walked to Clocktower and Fort in Kings Wharf. Had agreat time.

 

Disembarking in New York was a breeze. We chose green tags(9:45) and were off the ship in no time. Grabbed a porter and went through customs easily. Were on our way home by 10:30 after hubby retrieved the car and loaded it with the luggage.

 

We would definitely take this cruise again but probably not in May since the weather is so unpredictable.

 

Any questions; please ask.

[thecatsmeow]

Nice review. Enjoyed reading it. :) How was the casino?

 

Joyce

[catlady461]

Didn't win anything big but at least played all week and still came home with money. Also drinks were free with Casino At Seas card and managed to get money off our onboard account.

[KJM-Cruising]

Nice review. We will be sailing in August and I can't wait. Please explain the fact that you picked green tags and got off the ship at 9:45 a.m. I've never been on a NCL Cruise and I am concerned about what time I should have our limo service pick us up at the port because they only wait so long before they start charging more $$$. I would like to be able to give the driver a more specific time if possible. So, can you pick what time you want to disembark? Also, did you apply for the Casino at Sea Cards on line or did you get them in the casino when you got on the ship? Thanks for the info.

[jeffs55]

We picked a red tag (10:30 AM) because we live 8 miles away and were going to take a cab anyway and we were pretty much on time getting off the ship, but had the longest wait on the pier we have ever had. Got the cab about 11:30 AM. Home before noon.

[honeymooners11]

Great review...we are going on her in April next year. My parents and I have booked the 2 BA Aft balcony rooms on deck 10. It will be my husband, our 2 year old and myself in one room and my parents in the other. Do you have any pictures of the cabin and balcony? If you do I would love to see them. Also, do you know if the partition can open between the two BA cabins? Thanks so much,

 

KT

[twinky53]

Your review was wonderful. I wanted to ask a question - we also have parked at that pier. Did you unload the luggage where you parked, or did you have to stop, unload the luggage, and then park. We went on two cruises on the Dawn. The first cruise we parked then had to get the luggage down via an escalator, which was no picnic, and the second cruise there was an elevator to take the luggage down, which was a lot easier. Just curious. I can't remember which pier the escalator was located on!

 

We loved the Dawn. We plan to go again soon, but we can't plan ahead because we take care of my elderly mother-in-law, so we have to make arrangements for her first. So, when we do go, it will be more spur of the moment - i.e., when someone else can spare the time to take care of her. We would take her on the cruise, too, but she is 94 and gets seasick and hated the one cruise she took via HAL.

 

Your review wants me to book a cruise today, lol.

[Educators2]

We have parked at the pier for two of our Norwegian cruises. You drive up to the drop-off passengers section of the pier (not the line for limos and taxis), drop off your luggage and then go up the ramp to park. You only have to carry your hand luggage with you. It is very manageable and you don't have to maneuver luggage on the escalator.

[MsTabbyKats]

I've taken about 5 cruises in my life.

Unfortunately my husband gets seasick, so I had to give up these type of vacations...until he decided to try seasick pills.

So, we booked the Dawn for 5/11 to Bermuda.

I was looking forward to the whole shipboard thing...meals, shows, casino, sitting at the pool etc.

However, the mood was really dampened by the woman going overboard...and...the (awful) wind & waves.

There were 2 nights where I didn't sleep at all because I felt like my insides were being pulled. And the creaking....ugh. I had to leave one of the movies because I just couldn't focus with all the rocking and creaking going on.

I just kept thinking about "The Perfect Storm".

I met a lot of other people who were about as happy and relaxed as I was.

I do think the captain should have reassured those of us who don't cruise often that the ship was "doing ok".

I thought the service & food were great...and I obviously won't blame NCL for the weather...but....

I can honestly say that after this experience cruising is not on the top of my list.

[IWORK2CRUISE]

I've taken about 5 cruises in my life.

Unfortunately my husband gets seasick, so I had to give up these type of vacations...until he decided to try seasick pills.

I do think the captain should have reassured those of us who don't cruise often that the ship was "doing ok".

I thought the service & food were great...and I obviously won't blame NCL for the weather...but....

I can honestly say that after this experience cruising is not on the top of my list.

Sorry that you or your husband were ill MsTabbyKats. We were on the same voyage and while we would have preferred better weather it did not ruin our vacation. We will surely be back for more. The captain did tell us all daily that the ship was well designed to withstand the weather conditions.

[Cosmopolitan]

Nice review. We will be sailing in August and I can't wait. Please explain the fact that you picked green tags and got off the ship at 9:45 a.m. I've never been on a NCL Cruise and I am concerned about what time I should have our limo service pick us up at the port because they only wait so long before they start charging more $$$. I would like to be able to give the driver a more specific time if possible. So, can you pick what time you want to disembark? Also, did you apply for the Casino at Sea Cards on line or did you get them in the casino when you got on the ship? Thanks for the info.

 

I'll try to answer your question regarding disembarkation time.

The cruise line advises that whatever time you are due to arrive at port (the arrival time posted on your documents) that you allow 2 hours for the ship to clear customs.

 

You may opt to carry your own luggage off of the ship and be the first off.

On our last cruise, the luggage tags w/times for each color tag were on a board in the Atrium. You could pick your luggage tags/departure time the night before arriving at port.

 

You can always phone your driver the night before arrival and advise him what time you will be debarking the ship. Of course, delays can happen.

 

Our driver calls our cell when he arrives at the pier and we advise him approximately what time we will be off the ship.

We have never been charged extra time by our driver.

 

Good luck!

[trivia nut]

We have parked at the pier for two of our Norwegian cruises. You drive up to the drop-off passengers section of the pier (not the line for limos and taxis), drop off your luggage and then go up the ramp to park. You only have to carry your hand luggage with you. It is very manageable and you don't have to maneuver luggage on the escalator.

Educators2, hope you are still on this thread. Your name suits you well, because I have been wanting to thank you for your honest and extremely helpul critique of the Norwegian Gem.

 

Sorry I took so long in thanking you, but I finally figured out how to find you. My trip on the Gem was great! We had a M&G and everyone talked about your detailed review and how helpful it was. Some made a copy and felt like they manuevered around the ship easily thanks to your details and locations.

 

Keep writing reviews.

Thanks again,

Trivia nut:) :) :) :) :)

[jeffs55]

Although my Mom says she's never getting on a ship again! It was the wildest ride ever! We live (4 blocks apart) a few miles from the pier. We hire a local limo service for embarckation, then just cross the street for a NYC cab to get home.

[Cosmopolitan]

Although my Mom says she's never getting on a ship again! It was the wildest ride ever!

 

In retrospect, the wild rides are the best;)

[tinker]

Question about disembarking.

 

We were on the Spirit 5/11 sailing and chose Express check out and carried our luggage off. Kind of a nightmare as we were directed to an area with escalators (elevator was not working) down to customs desks on street level. (under the ramp above) From there we had to cross a busy street and find a taxi. It was very difficult and dangerous getting out luggage down the escalators.

 

When sailing on the Spirit in 06 we disembarked on the upper level where you come out on the ramp area with a taxi area. Is that where you came out?

 

I am thinking that since two ships in port the Spirit passengers where directed to street level and Dawn passengers out to the ramp area.

 

We are on the Dawn in October and will not choose to carry our luggage off again if we need to go down those escalators.

[*Luv2Cruz*]

Didn't win anything big but at least played all week and still came home with money. Also drinks were free with Casino At Seas card and managed to get money off our onboard account.

 

Thanks for the review and sorry to hear about the choppy seas. I'm planning on going to Bermuda in June '09 on the Dawn. Can you please give us some more details about the "Casino At Seas Card". Thanks!