Lap pool on the Dawn

[swmrgrl]

We are sailing Dec 19 for an 11 day cruise on the Dawn and staying in one of the Garden Villa's with a total of 7 people (4 adults and teens 16, 18,19). I have read a lot of interesting reviews both good and bad about this cruise line. We have never cruised before and are going with an open mind and no real expectations of what we are going to receive. My parents are celebrating their 50th while on the ship and I hope we can have something special done for them. We are planning to be resort casual the whole time and prefer the idea of freestyling.

 

Our cruise agent has had a difficult time getting information from NCL rep's about our so-called perks. All we've been told is we will be looked after very well. I just hope the one perk is early embarkation and disembarkation so my parents don't have to stand in lines.

 

I am curious about the fitness lap pool on this ship. How many metres or yards long is it, and how busy is it?

 

If you want to use the fitness facility is there a good time to use it? Is it open 24 hours?

[smeyer418]

You are in the Garden Villa- you get everything! soda liquor priority everything! you will be well take care of. Probably invited to dine with the Captain. If you go to the NCL website and click on your assigned cabin from the deck plan it lists what extras are included somewhere. http://www.ncl.com/fleet/03/staterooms.htm

As for the lap pool and the gym, I don't remember if it is open 24 hours(according to the NCL website its open 24-7) but someone will have a freestyle daily for you to look at and it will tell you. The website also says that some of the Garden Villa rooms are public-they aren't. The Gym is very well appointed with a lot of equipment. Whether it will be crowded or not depends a lot on who is on your cruise. It wasn't crowded most of the times we were on the ship(twice) and I went. (usually early morning). The lap pool wasn't crowded the about 10 times I used it. But it did get crowded one morning around 8 am.

 

Enjoy it!

As for the length its about 40 -50 feet, again that is from memory.

 

here is the ncl website and you can click on the lappool. according to them its the longest on any ship.

 

http://www.ncl.com/fleet/03/pubrms.htm#

[Dolphins]

Just returned from the Dawn. I like to swim laps about 7AM before breakfast. When I sailed on the Dawn in January, I found it unoccupied and enjoyed swimming there. On our recent cruise, I found the doors locked and when I contacted the reception desk, I was advised that the lap pool opened at 8AM. I requested an earlier opening on my comment card. Also be advised that on cold sea days when you most want to use the lap pool, it is often emptied if the seas are rough.

[swmrgrl]

Thanks for the information. I don't know which website may have indicated parts of the garden villa are open to the public. That doesn't make sense at all since it is a prvately booked room regardless of the size. If your information is correct that it isn't open to the public then I won't stress about it. I can see people viewing it if it was unoccupied for the cruise.

 

The lap pool situation is great news as I am a masters swimmer and wouldn't mind doing some swimming while on the ship. All of us are excited about what the ship has to offer and are hoping the excursions are good too.

[EileenN]

The ship is a pleasure, but the Garden Villas are awesome. We had a tour of one on our cruise. It was unoccupied. Three spacious separate suite bedrooms with a bath each...Ceiling to floor windows that you cannot see into from outside...Jacuzzi baths.. spacious living room and dining room. Main view overlooking the pool and a great view of the fore of the ship. Private garden with tables and chairs and your own hot tub and up a flight of stairs to a private sun deck. You can have dinner delivered from any menu in any dining room on the ship by your own butler or get preferred reservations to any dining room. The personal attention is unbelievable.

You will be treated royally and never want to come back to civilian life. Eat it up and enjoy..we all deserve that treatment once in our lives.

[e.durban]

We returned from the Dawn 12/09 and I tried to use the lap pool from time to time. I have to say that it's pretty difficult to use for a real swimming workout. I swim in an olympic sized pool here in NYC, and while I don't really need anything near that size in a pinch, the Dawn's pool is pretty, but small. 40 feet long sounds about right. It's also pretty shallow, about 4 feet deep, and when the ship is pitching (as on last Wed.) one end was often no more than 2 feet deep. I'm not kidding...if you'd done a racing turn you would have killed yourself. I'm reasonably tall, but it was distracting to occasionally scrape my fingers on the bottom doing a crawl stroke. As Dolphins says, pool hours were 8am to 11pm and on really rough days (our first at sea) the pool was drained (the waves were fun, but...) I suspect the water was drained to protect the older folks who on most days were paddling around in the warm water (about 85 degrees.) The pool will hold about 3 people doing laps if they keep to separate lanes, but this was a problem. It made a fun turn after the gym, but that was it. A lap pool where you swim against a current is part of the design of the new NCL Jewel. Looking forward to it...

[swmrgrl]

Hmm, maybe I'll have to swim really, really early or extremely late. From the temperature you are giving the pool is very warm to even swim moderately.If the older folks are paddling around its obvious most users really don't 'swim', they putz around. I'm all for a pool with a current. I'd love to have one in my back yard, but it is a tad bit expensive. It's cheaper to buy a membership somewhere. I swim in a centre with 10 lanes in the 50m pool and 2 - 25m pools with 6 lanes that has a moveable bulkhead. Oh well, some minor swimming is better than none but I have long arms so I'll have to be cautious.

[smeyer418]

Given that you are in the Garden suite, I bet if you ask they will open it early for you.

[msescada]

Thanks for the information. I don't know which website may have indicated parts of the garden villa are open to the public. That doesn't make sense at all since it is a prvately booked room regardless of the size. If your information is correct that it isn't open to the public then I won't stress about it. I can see people viewing it if it was unoccupied for the cruise.

 

The lap pool situation is great news as I am a masters swimmer and wouldn't mind doing some swimming while on the ship. All of us are excited about what the ship has to offer and are hoping the excursions are good too.

SWMRGRL DO NOT STRESS, please...

 

No part of the Garden Villa is open to the public. Period. We've staying in your cabin twice and in the Star's 14500 once. Even the maintenance crews have to have the concierge's or the passenger's permission to do clean up (we had a soot problem in August, looked like it snowed black flakes and the staff had to wait until we gave them permission because Ruth Hagger (concierge par excellence) wouldn't disturb us at 10 pm when she found out about the problem).

 

Now, as for perks, there are too many to list and many will annoy passengers who have paid less for their cruises, but here goes:

 

You want dinner reservations anywhere, anytime, call the concierge.

You want shore excursions, call the concierge. You'll get them if it is at all possible.

You want a special lunch/dinner served in the Villa, a party for your folks, call your butler (John, probably) and/or the concierge, and it will be perfect.

 

You want a hair appointment, a spa appointment, give your cabin number and it will magically get done.

 

You will get 6 bottles of alcohol of your choice for use in the Villa. Plus mixers.

 

Don't count on being invited to dine with the Captain. Didn't happen and we did two one-wk back to back cruises (and tried not to be obnoxious, either).

 

My mother-in-law (an older lady and a bit frail) was with us. During the sunday stopover in between the two weeks, she had a personal escort off and back on the ship to make sure that she made it (she didn't want to go to the Intrepid with my husband, son and me).

 

Let's see, what else? Oh yes, the bathrooms... spectacular. Even nicer than the bedrooms. Hardest decision you'll have to make is who gets the front one.

Whomever takes the front one, PLEASE make sure that the blinds are turned so that the rest of the passengers at the pool can't see in (unless you like giving a shower show for free; I'd rather charge for the entertainment).

 

Any dvd you want, the concierge can get and you have dvd players built into every TV.

 

Watch your bare feet on the metal legs of the couch. You'll see what I mean when you get there. They're deadly.

 

The Garden: a paradise. Completely private. Sauna with shower. Beach towels are in there. Plenty of space to lounge, including a hammock. Hot tub is a miracle after a long day of play. Table for 6 + table for 2 under shade awning. Eat outside one night/afternoon. (We'd bring the poolside barbque up and eat in the Garden). Up the stairs an you have a private sun deck (the roof of the villa) that could hold 100 people. Great place to watch as we sail out of NYC.

 

The first time you see the Garden Villa, it will almost be embarrassing. You'll get used to it very quickly.

 

You get priority debarkation. Embarkation is a bit trickier because getting thru security can be a bit of a hassle. We went to one of the NCL/security people and told them we were in the Garden Villa. He escorted us to the front of the line. The security guard acted like he could care less (don't blame him, tho). So we went back to the end of the line. Then the agent came and got us again. Seems he called someone inside the departure hall who came to meet us. We barely stopped all the way onto the ship.

 

Oh yes, best perk of all: you get cordless hand phones that work on the ship. You and your family will always be able to reach each other anywhere on the ship.

 

See you in the hallway.

[WaxonWaxov]

When I saw the title of this thread, for a minute I thought it said “lap dance”

 

 

He he he

 

[rundogrun]

I'm a swimmer too, and found the lap pool suitable for maintaining conditioning during the week away. By my stroke count, I had it at about 15 meters. Don't worry about the distance and just swim based on elapsed time.

 

Never had any problems swimming laps (actually found the pool better suited for stroke drills than laps) as people on my two cruises were mindful of the swimmers using the pool.

 

As previously noted, it can be shallow, so don't plan on flip turns.

[swmrgrl]

Since joining cruise critic I have gained a lot of insight and knowledge about cruising. I had never wanted to cruise before because I thought there wouldn't be enough to do or see, etc. After talking to several people we know who have cruised several times, I picked the 11 day because it worked out with our school schedule and it was longer than a week.

 

I am amazed at what this ship has to offer and the detailed info that everyone has been providing about our villa. I expect we will eat in our room on the 19th to avoid the lineups. We don't have any expectations like meeting the captain or being demanding with staff because that is not the way we are anywhere else. I don't believe in putting on airs or being a snob, or having the 'I'm better than you' attitude.

 

I've printed off the meeting location, but what is ship's time? The time in 24h mode? I'm assuming our clocks will have the correct time.

 

We're flying out of Edmonton to Toronto then La Guardia on the 18th and staying at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers. I'm assuming an NCL rep will be arranging our transportation to the pier since I have a transportation transfer.

 

Our cruise agent gave us a wonderful perk of limo service to the airport when we leave and when we come back. Wow! No driving or cold weather worries.

[msescada]

swmrgrl --

By saying "ship's time," I meant what ever time the clocks are set to on the ship. Most of the Carib is an hour ahead of NY.

[dongordon]

"Dolphins" has indicated that the lap pool does not open until 8:00 AM, placed a suggestion on the comment card that it open earlier.

 

Is that still the case? I also like to swim before breakfast and 7:00 AM would be ideal.

 

Don

[Merc85]

..........

We're flying out of Edmonton to Toronto then La Guardia on the 18th and staying at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers. I'm assuming an NCL rep will be arranging our transportation to the pier since I have a transportation transfer.

.........

I'd suggest you talk to your NCL agent since normally the transportation transfer is from the airport, not a downtown hotel. Although for this cruise, given you're in the Garden Suite, you could be right. But still I'd check to make sure. Have fun!!! :)

[ChrisConnolly]

If you are in the garden villa you are supposed to recieve free limo service.. Call your TA...

 

 

 

Chris Connolly <=== Travel Agents want to be me.

[oyster bay]

anyone know what perks come with this category?

[ChrisConnolly]

Cabins BA – N

Bath Amentities:

Body Lotion

Conditioning Shampoo (Dispenser)

Bath Gel (Dispenser)

Shower Cap

Sewing Kit

Other:

24 hr room service

Duvets

Mints on Pillow

NCL Shopping Bags

Safe

Refrigerator

Hair Dryer

Wood Hangers

Continental Breakfast

Hotel Services Book

 

Mini Suite AF – AG

Embarkation:

1 bottle of NCL’s Private Cuvee

Cut flower(s) in a bud vase

1 Fruit Basket

1 Bottle of Spring Water

Bath Amentities:

Moisturizing Lotion

Conditioning Shampoo (Dispenser)

Bath Gel (Dispenser)

French milled Soap

Oatmeal and Almond Soap

Deodorant Soap

Shower Cap

Sewing Kit

Other:

Concierge Service

Bath Robes

Feather Pillows

Time Fax Daily

24 hr room service (standard menu)

Continential Breakfast

Wood hangers

Duvets

Mints on Pillow

NCL Shopping Bags

Safe

Refrigerator

Hair Dryer

Hotel Services Book

 

Suite AB – AE

Embarkation:

1 bottle of Domestic Champagne

1 Floral Arrangement

1 Small Tray of Hors D’oeuvres

1 Fruit Basket

1 Bottle of Spring Water

Bath Amentities:

Moisturizing Lotion

Conditioning Shampoo (Dispenser)

Bath Gel (Dispenser)

Cotton Balls & Q-Tip Caddie

Aloe Facial Soap

Citrus Body Bar

Glycerine Soap

Theraputic Hand Cream

Chamomile Night Cream

Bath Salts

Loofah Mitt

Shower Cap

Sewing Kit

Other: Butler Service

Concierge Service

DVD and CD Player w/library

Alarm Clock

Bath Robes

Feather Pillows

Upgraded Linen

Time Fax Daily

Full Breakfast Menu

24 hr room service (Butler menu)

Warm Face Towels, embarkation

Glass of Chamapagne, embarkation

In Suite Dining

Shoe Shine Service(Butler)

Shoe horn/Lint Brush in Closet

Turn Down Food Amenity (formal night)

Wood hangers

Duvets

Mints on Pillow

NCL Shopping Bags

Safe

Refrigerator

Hair Dryer

Hotel Services Book

 

Suite A1 – AA

Embarkation:

1 bottle of French Champagne

1 Floral Arrangement

1 Small Tray of Hors D’oeuvres

1 Fruit Basket

1 Bottle of Spring Water

1 Bottle of Sparkling Water

6 Bottles of Liquor from Menu (A1 Only)

3 Bottles of Liquor from Menu (AA Only)

6 Sodas

Bath Amentities:

Conditioning Shampoo (Dispenser)

Bath Gel (Dispenser)

Moisturizing Lotion

Cotton Balls & Q-Tip Caddie

Aloe Facial Soap

Citrus Body Bar

Glycerine Soap

Theraputic Hand Cream

Chamomile Night Cream

Bath Salts

Loofah Mitt

Shower Cap

Sewing Kit

Other: Butler Service

Concierge Service

DVD and CD Player w/library

Alarm Clock

Bath Robes (upgraded)

Feather Pillows

Upgraded Linen and Towels

Binoculars

Padded Hangers

Time Fax Daily

Full Breakfast Menu

24 hr room service (Butler menu)

Warm Face Towels, embarkation

Glass of Chamapagne, embarkation

In Suite Dining

Shoe Shine Service(Butler)

Complimentary pressing on Captain’s

Welcome Night

Pant Press & Shoe horn/Lint Brush in Closet

Personal Computer with Printer

Turn Down Food Amenity (formal night)

Duvets

Mints on Pillow

NCL Shopping Bags

Safe

Refrigerator

Hair Dryer

Hotel Services Book

 

 

 

Chris Connolly <== thanks to someone who posted this before.

[msescada]

If you are in the garden villa you are supposed to recieve free limo service.. Call your TA...

 

 

 

Chris Connolly <=== Travel Agents want to be me.

 

Actually, it is only one way and that way is always, always at the end of the trip. The concierge will contact you a couple of days before the end of the trip to schedule the pick up time.

[Suesan Jean]

:) So the Dawn lap pool is at least 85 Degrees, HOW GREAT IS THAT!!!! And I'm not an old fuddy duddy either!!! I just like my pool water quite warm, (just take a look at my summer propane bills!!!) I KNOW where I will be swimming on the Dawn come April 17, 2005.

Is the lap pool water salt water? Is the pool water on the outside deck heated also? Just wondering.....

 

Suesan:)

[shoreguy]

:) So the Dawn lap pool is at least 85 Degrees, HOW GREAT IS THAT!!!! And I'm not an old fuddy duddy either!!! I just like my pool water quite warm, (just take a look at my summer propane bills!!!) I KNOW where I will be swimming on the Dawn come April 17, 2005.

Is the lap pool water salt water? Is the pool water on the outside deck heated also? Just wondering.....

 

Suesan:)

 

I am not sure if the lap pool is salt or fresh. All the outdoor pools are salt and are heated. Everyday on the TV they post the temperature of the pools and spas. It seems to me the pools are in the low 80's and the Spa around 100.

[Suesan Jean]

:) Thanks "Shoreguy"!! Your information has been most helpfull!!

 

Suesan:)

[bragstarr]

This lap pool is sounding better and better. I'm sailing in February, and want to be outside for sailaway (brrrr), and after that, I think hubby, son (he's 18) and I are all jumping into swimsuits and warming up by swimming some 85 degree laps!

 

Swmrgrl, have a wonderful time in the Garden Villa. Sounds marvelous! Someday.....