Dawn Review to Bermuda/June 14th

[RILIPAUL]

Cruise Review: Dawn 6.14.09-6.21.09

Background:

We are a family of six, husband and wife in our late 40's and children ages 19, 15, 10 and 8. It is our children's third cruise, our fourth and second on NCL. We have sailed with a line that has since gone out of business and Carnival. We live in Philadelphia. Our last cruise on the Spirit in 07 was a major disappointment for a variety of reasons so I went into this cruise with low expectations. We had compass rewards that we needed to use so this was the reason we were sailing with NCL. Overall we had a super time on the Dawn even though the weather was overcast. Her staff were efficient, timely, courteous and always ready to fix a problem with patience and a smile.

 

 

 

Embarkation:

We chose to drive up to NYC in our minivan Sunday morning leaving around 9:30-10:00 and got to the terminal around 11:30. We could have driven up to the roof directly to park for the week where there were attendants waiting to take your luggage right from your car but we unloaded at the crowded drop off downstairs because we weren't aware of this. We were on the ship by 12:15 without glitches. We enjoyed a glass of complimentary champagne and tried to find our way to the Venetian which was not all that easy, big crowds to bypass in the lobby atrium. This was our only sit down lunch in the Venetian and it is a relaxing way to start a vacation. I found the Dawn harder to navigate than other ships, especially around the T Rex pools in the back.

 

 

 

 

Cabins:

We had one balcony cabin on port side, which faced King's Wharf in Bermuda, and our four children shared an inside. Our cabin was clean and comfortable. There were three drawers and then inside the closet four large shelves. I didn't realize that there is a fluorescent light in the closet until later in the week if you are having a hard time seeing your clothes on these shelves. All suitcases fit well under the beds. The inside stateroom was small but our kids managed. We attempted that first day to arrange the beds in the U shape configuration that I found on one of CC's threads, but I am thinking that since it was a sideways cabin this didn't work perfectly since we couldn't elevate the trundle because of the space. So the U shaped worked but the trundle part of the configuration was flat on the floor, which was fine for my 8 year old. This arrangement allows each child to get in and our of bed without stepping over someone. Our room stewards were great with replenished ice, towels and towel animals almost every night. The monkey hanging from the ceiling was a hoot..

 

 

Food:

This we all know is subjective but it is important to me on a cruise or any vacation really. We got to experience the static menus which were different in each of the MDR's. There was no surf and turf, turkey or escargot on either menu as was posted from the static menus prior to this sailing so I guess NCL is still in the experimental stages of offerings. On a personal note, knowing that I was not going to miss lobster night freed up the angst in deciding when to do specialty dining. I didn't get so bored with the selections but did so with the desserts although the pecan pie was outstanding and we ordered this several nights. My husband sent back one dinner special, the short ribs because they were fatty. I loved the prime rib and my 15 year old enjoyed the lobster in both Aqua and Venetian. My DD ordered two different chicken dishes which were suppose to come with a sauce. The chicken was dry and there was no signs of sauce to be found.

 

 

My family enjoyed Teppanyaki and they charged half price for my 8 year old. My husband and I also ate at LeBistro because we ordered the romance package where my husband changed his mind after ordering and ended up with two platters that we both enjoyed. My kids loved the Blue Lagoon open 24 hours and visited often for a quick serving of great wings, chicken tenders, burgers and fries,and creamy delicious tomato soup. We ate one dinner, almost every breakfast and lunch at the buffet where I enjoyed the omelet and waffle stations, fruit and yogurt for breakfast and the crepes for dessert at dinner. I ordered a pot of coffee every morning from room service with an order card I hung on my door the night before. Delivery was prompt and they call a couple minutes before it arrives so you are ready to receive it, my 8am wake up call. Our children used room service nightly ordering sandwiches, pizza, BLT's, cookies, cakes and brownies . Room service orders were delicious and came in a timely fashion, 10 to 20 minutes. The hand dipped ice cream was an unexpected treat by the pool deck served from 12-5pm, had to go back for seconds on the coconut. The three flavors changed daily.

 

 

Bermuda:

Thanks to the boards I knew about the bus/ferry passes which we bought for two of our three days, $90 in cash for the six of us. The first day we got on a bus that went right to picturesque Horseshoe Bay Beach, a 25 minute ride. We rented beach chairs and spent the day exploring and enjoying one of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. We brought our own snorkeling equipment and the kids found some fish near rock formations on the right side of the beach. On day two we took a 45 minute ferry ride to St. George where 19 yo DD used the free intranet access at the post office to face book her friends. My husband and children rented jet ski's here and had a blast for thirty minutes, $240 with five people and three jet skis. We then took a horse and buggy ride from an informative native of Bermuda for 30 minutes who showed us Fort St. Catherine and Tobacco Bay Beach, for the six of us, $40. It was really enjoyable seeing the beautiful Bermuda countryside at this pace. From St. George we took a bus ride over to Hamilton and then the ferry back to the boat. Our last day was rainy so we walked around the Wharf, shopped and walked over to see Snorkel Park where we would have spent more time if it hadn't been so rainy.

 

 

Entertainment:

I thought that the shows were absolutely wonderful, we all enjoyed Band on the Run and Bollywood. The Second City comedy show had us all laughing out loud. We were amazed by the Magic Show with Greg Gleason and are still trying to figure out how he does that stuff. My husband and children also enjoyed the card trick show Greg Gleason presented in the cinema which they couldn't stop talking about because they found him so amazing. I wished I hadn't missed that one. The Variety Crew show on the last evening was great, especially “Fountains”.........very funny. We saw one movie in the cinema, played bingo twice but didn't win, and mostly lost or came out even in the casino.

 

 

Disembarkation:

We were yellow, the last color of tags to be called at 10:10. Had a sit down breakfast in the Venetian prior which was pretty packed and stopped serving at 8:30. Getting our luggage was simple, fast and easy. We were driving away sadly by 10:30.

 

 

Summary:

With the improvement in the dining since my last NCL experience, the super entertainment and genuinely courteous staff I would definitely consider another NCL cruise, but I am wondering if this is all exclusive to the Dawn? I loved that I didn't have to fight with my teenagers to get dressed up for dinner because dress jeans were acceptable and nice khaki shorts too. Missed the old fashioned deck chairs that the Spirit had on her promenade deck where I could lounge quietly in the shade and get lost in a book. Lounge chairs by the pool were hogged up which was disturbing but we made the best of it. Instead of posting signs discouraging saving chairs perhaps they should have a crew member policing this so that people who are really THERE can use the loungers. I think the drink prices were steep, two pina coladas cost $18.00 and they were in regular size glasses. Used the spa on the last day for $99 got a 20 minute each foot and ankle, neck shoulder and back, and scalp massage which helped the gloom of leaving the next day. Will try to answer questions if you have any.

[ieatchickens]

Thank you for the nice review. We will be taking the Dawn next June and I wanted to hear as much as possible about the Dawn and her Bermuda cruises. I appreciate you coming into this cruise with such low expectations and explaining why.

 

Sounds like the Dawn crew turned around your image of NCL. This will be our first trip aboard NCL so I am glad I picked this ship.

 

Thanks again for the great review.

[NJ Johnny]

Welcome Home. Can you tell me on the new revised new menus did they substitute anything else for the turkey and steak & lobster entre that was removed?

[2Cruise4Ever]

Great review! Very similar to our own experience with you. I'll post my review tomorrow. Welcome home! And, we've already decided to sail the Dawn again next year, same week.

[trippe1075]

Great review. we sail july 5 and i appreciate the parking tip as we are driving to the terminal.

[ilovewdw]

What a great review! Thank you so much for sharing.

 

I will be sailing to Bermuda on Dawn this Sunday!!!! I am so excited! We cruised Spirit last year and while I thought it was great, DH wasn't thrilled...it was his very first cruise.

 

I am REALLY excited to try the new Dining Options! Last year, we only ate dinner in the Main Dining Room ONCE...I hope to eat there a few more times this year. But the specialties are always calling my name!!!! :D

[grammax3]

Great review. We were on the Dawn in May, had low expectations, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience. We were so pleased with the Dawn, we are now booked on the Jewel for October, and hopefully we will be just as happy!

[RILIPAUL]

NJ Johnny.....I think the Surf and Turf was replaced with a lobster tail/shrimp and orzo dish and the turkey may have been replaced with a lemon chicken.......??

 

2Cruise4Ever....it wasn't the greatest weather but it was a great cruise wasn't it? Looking forward to your review and so wish we could go again next year too............I'll just keep dreaming.

[Teesa1021]

NJ Johnny.....I think the Surf and Turf was replaced with a lobster tail/shrimp and orzo dish and the turkey may have been replaced with a lemon chicken.......??

 

2Cruise4Ever....it wasn't the greatest weather but it was a great cruise wasn't it? Looking forward to your review and so wish we could go again next year too............I'll just keep dreaming.

 

 

Both replacements sound great to me.. I wonder how much of the feedback NCL is listening to about the menus. Maybe they will expand them more such as the soups, desserts,etc.

[2Cruise4Ever]

Both replacements sound great to me.. I wonder how much of the feedback NCL is listening to about the menus. Maybe they will expand them more such as the soups, desserts,etc.

 

NCL is definitely listening. And, watching. They took escargot and turkey off the menu because very few people were ordering them. They are also going to add more vegetarian dishes. Corporate makes those decisions and is working on some recipes right now. It'll keep changing for a while.

[Redbird54]

"Missed the old fashioned deck chairs that the Spirit had on her promenade deck where I could lounge quietly in the shade and get lost in a book. Lounge chairs by the pool were hogged up which was disturbing but we made the best of it. Instead of posting signs discouraging saving chairs perhaps they should have a crew member policing this so that people who are really THERE can use the loungers"

 

Rilipaul,

 

Thanks for the great review.

 

Having never cruised on the Dawn I was unhappy to hear that they don't have lounge chairs on the promenade desks. So my question is where can find a place on the ship (NOT THE POOL) to sit, breath in the sea air and read a book?

[jeannep]

 

Rilipaul,

 

Thanks for the great review.

 

Having never cruised on the Dawn I was unhappy to hear that they don't have lounge chairs on the promenade desks. So my question is where can find a place on the ship (NOT THE POOL) to sit, breath in the sea air and read a book?

 

 

They have tables and chairs outside the Blue Lagoon. You can sit there and watch the world go by. There are also tables and chairs outside Perly Kings Pub which is back to back with the Blue Lagoon.

 

There are plenty of places to go to get away from the crowds and enjoy a book.

 

I think you will love the Dawn.

 

Enjoy!

Jeanne

[RILIPAUL]

"Having never cruised on the Dawn I was unhappy to hear that they don't have lounge chairs on the promenade desks. So my question is where can find a place on the ship (NOT THE POOL) to sit, breath in the sea air and read a book? "

There are quiet deck chairs in the front of the ship on 12 and 13 but they are not shaded....on deck 13 in front a "quiet" hot tub.

[franma]

We were on the same sailing and I pretty much agree with most of your review. It seems that they are still tweeking the menus. Personally we did not care for the daily chef's specials, but the regular offerings were good. They do have a shrimp appetizer similar to escargot and served in the same type dish. Desserts were limited but ice cream was available and I also thought the pecan pie was really good.

 

The entertainment was exceptional and we were very impressed. We had a lot of laughs and thought the production shows were excellent.

 

We've cruised quite a bit, but our first NCL experience had not been a good one, either. So we went on this trip hoping our first NCL cruise had not been typical. This was SO MUCH better! It just goes to show you that you can't generalize from one ship/line to another. IMHO each one is unique to itself and there are so many factors that come into play as to the kind of vacation you have.

 

We still will cruise other lines, but certainly would go on NCL and especially the Dawn again.

[Redbird54]

 

Rilipaul,

 

Thanks for the great review.

 

Having never cruised on the Dawn I was unhappy to hear that they don't have lounge chairs on the promenade desks. So my question is where can find a place on the ship (NOT THE POOL) to sit, breath in the sea air and read a book?

 

 

They have tables and chairs outside the Blue Lagoon. You can sit there and watch the world go by. There are also tables and chairs outside Perly Kings Pub which is back to back with the Blue Lagoon.

 

There are plenty of places to go to get away from the crowds and enjoy a book.

 

I think you will love the Dawn.

 

Enjoy!

Jeanne

Thanks so much for the info Jeannep and Rilipaul We leave in 9 days! I can't wait.