Tips & Tricks for First Time Cruiser Ever; Traveling on Dawn

Please suggest some good tips/tricks for someone who is traveling on NCL Dawn for the first time (to Bermuda) and overall first time cruiser ever.

I have never sailed before so looking forward to this experience, but kind of wanting to know what to expect as well.

Also, has anyone ever succeeded in getting a stateroom upgrade once onboard?

Thanks for all the suggestions/advice!

There are no "tricks"...it's a vacation...that's all! Getting upgraded on boarding day is VERY rare...most ships sail full, so there's no place to move you! At least, not into the "suites" or bigger cabins!

The ship is your resort hotel for the week....albeit with smaller rooms! The only thing that's really different is that you will wake up someplace different every day!

I'd suggest you research your ports....most things are easy to do on your own, without paying those high "excursion" prices! BUT...you have to know something about where you're going! So, hit the library in your town, get a guidebook and read up on where you're going! It will enhance your time ashore! Bermuda is very easy to get about....lots of public transport, as "visitors" are not allowed to drive there!

Hi, firsttime_cruiser2015!

I'm fairly new to cruising myself. I just booked my sixth cruise! I went on the Dawn to Bermuda last August and loved it. I have a tendency to really research my cruises--both the ship and destination, so I compiled quite a bit of information for that cruise. I would be happy to share it with you. If you have an email address, I could send it to you. I have a Word document with Internet links, a map, etc. that I could email to you. Keep in mind, though, that some information may be dated since my cruise was last year. :)

Jenesaisquoi, do you mind shooting a copy of that over to me? I Sailed the Dawn back in 2011 and am booked for this September. I'd be very interested in what info you had gathered.

I'm at AEckhardt124 at gmail

Thank you so much [emoji4]

I'd would like one to bigtony1964@optonline.net

jenesaisquoi , I will be on my 3rd cruise....1st time with NCL and 1st time to Bermuda next August. Would you mind e-mailing me that info??? I have only gone from Boston to Canada...so this will be a LOT different!!! It's cinpond3@aol.com

Thank You!!!!

Hi OP

Can you describe who you are and your "style" a little? There are things I'd recommend for an adult not cruising with children or a big group. Just need to know a little of what you want out of your vacation. What cabin category are you in? That might make a difference too.

Here are a few tips I have gathered for out first Dawn cruise this September:

* Their is a interesting crowd mural on the Sports Deck by the basketball court

* Look for penny machines (the ones that flatten a penny and imprints a design) either in the sports bar, the arcade and/or outside Dazzles

* Find the popcorn machine in Pearly Kings

I like to curl up with a book in one of the window seats on Deck 7 (maybe 6?). You can lean up against the glass and watch the ocean.

AEckhardt, bigtony64, & Pond Fun,

Yes, I will be happy to email you what I have. :) Just be sure to verify important information and be aware that prices may have changed since last year.

Some things to add: DH and I thought the entertainment was very good on the Dawn. If the Elements show is still playing don't miss it. Also, there was an aerialist act that played one night and was also a part of the Elements show that was excellent if you like that sort of thing. Don't know if they will still be on the ship this year, though. Second City was very popular on our sailing in August, and if you want to go to their late night adult version, get there early. We ended up sitting on the floor along with many others.

Bus passes for Bermuda were sold at the ship's excursions desk, which was very convenient. I believe this was either the day before or the morning of docking in Bermuda.

One tip that I read here that ended up paying off for us was to go to the Meet and Greet arranged by a Cruise Critic member from our Roll Call. We didn't have a big turnout of CC members, but the Dawn staff showed up big time. The captain, cruise director, and a number of other staff were there. In fact, it was a little embarrassing because there were more Dawn staff than CC members at the Meet & Greet!

Here's the real secret tip, and I read it here on CC. At the M & G, mention to the staff member in charge of the M & G that you would like to sign up for dinner with an officer. Only six of us did this, and we were told that it was a random selection, but later in the week we all received invitations to the dinner with an officer. When it came time to be escorted to our tables we were informed that the officers would be the captain and the head of guest services. Needless to say, we were all very excited! Of course, there's no guarantee you will have the same luck as we did, but I think it may increase your chances of being selected.

I wrote a very detailed review of my Dawn cruise to Bermuda in July 2013. It's pretty long, and obviously some things have changed, but it will give you the basic lay of the land of the ship, and some ideas about a few possibilities of things to do in Bermuda. It's here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1902973&highlight=dawn+bermuda+july if you'd like to read it. Enjoy your cruise!

jenesaisquoi , I will be on my 3rd cruise....1st time with NCL and 1st time to Bermuda next August. Would you mind e-mailing me that info??? I have only gone from Boston to Canada...so this will be a LOT different!!! It's cinpond3@aol.com

Thank You!!!!

I did a cruise to Canada from Boston, as well. You will LOVE Bermuda. It's so beautiful, and it's wonderful being docked overnight and not having to worry about making it back to the ship before a certain time. I emailed you the info. Let me know if you have didn't receive it or if you have any questions.

Jenesaisquoi, do you mind shooting a copy of that over to me? I Sailed the Dawn back in 2011 and am booked for this September. I'd be very interested in what info you had gathered.

 

I'm at AEckhardt124 at gmail

 

Thank you so much [emoji4]

I have emailed you the info. Have a wonderful cruise!

I'd would like one to bigtony1964@optonline.net

I have emailed the information to you, too. Enjoy your cruise!

got it thank you so much

Please suggest some good tips/tricks for someone who is traveling on NCL Dawn for the first time (to Bermuda) and overall first time cruiser ever.

 

I have never sailed before so looking forward to this experience, but kind of wanting to know what to expect as well.

 

Also, has anyone ever succeeded in getting a stateroom upgrade once onboard?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions/advice!

Here are some ideas that come to mind.I haven't read what others have said, but I am sure there are some great ideas posted here. One thing is to take time to talk to the crew, be it your cabin steward, the bar personel or the dining room staff. They love it when we show and interest in them. Ask about how long they have been with NCL, do they have a family at home and when will they be returning home? If you haven't already, you might want to join the MandG (roll call group here) you will get good ideas and make frineds before you even start your cruise. Another must, in my book is to eat in at least one specialty dining room.

TO get an upgrade after boarding ship is almost impossible. You can ask, but it doesn't happen. Yesrs ago it was a little more likely.

got it thank you so much

You're welcome!

Here are some ideas that come to mind.I haven't read what others have said, but I am sure there are some great ideas posted here. One thing is to take time to talk to the crew, be it your cabin steward, the bar personel or the dining room staff. They love it when we show and interest in them. Ask about how long they have been with NCL, do they have a family at home and when will they be returning home? If you haven't already, you might want to join the MandG (roll call group here) you will get good ideas and make frineds before you even start your cruise. Another must, in my book is to eat in at least one specialty dining room.

 

TO get an upgrade after boarding ship is almost impossible. You can ask, but it doesn't happen. Yesrs ago it was a little more likely.

OP, I have heard of the upgrade fairy but have never been visited by her. I now believe that she belongs in the same realm as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. lol Your best bet is to keep a close eye on price drops for your cruise and upgrade yourself if a cabin category you're interested in decreases in price.

I have emailed you the info. Have a wonderful cruise!

Thank you very much. [emoji4]

Thank you very much. [emoji4]

You're welcome! :)

I wrote a very detailed review of my Dawn cruise to Bermuda in July 2013. It's pretty long, and obviously some things have changed, but it will give you the basic lay of the land of the ship, and some ideas about a few possibilities of things to do in Bermuda. It's here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1902973&highlight=dawn+bermuda+july if you'd like to read it. Enjoy your cruise!

Dorhead1230, your review of the Dawn was one of the best I've ever read!!

DH, DD, and 3 friends are going on the Dawn to Bemuda, In two weeks, even though your review was from 2013, it was do detailed, and informative, Thanks so much !

Hi, firsttime_cruiser2015!

 

I'm fairly new to cruising myself. I just booked my sixth cruise! I went on the Dawn to Bermuda last August and loved it. I have a tendency to really research my cruises--both the ship and destination, so I compiled quite a bit of information for that cruise. I would be happy to share it with you. If you have an email address, I could send it to you. I have a Word document with Internet links, a map, etc. that I could email to you. Keep in mind, though, that some information may be dated since my cruise was last year. :)

Could you please email me that info? That would be really helpful. My email id is coolgal1084 at gmail

Thank you.

Thank you to all the replies so far- really helped a lot.

Excellent review and thanks we leave May 8th

Jenesaisquoi...would you mind sending it to me as well? annietownsend at comcast dot net? I would be grateful!