princess tu tu

So, yeah, I will first confess I haven't read this whole thread since I just got back from the Dawn.

 

The ONLY downside to the whole reef event(from a passenger's perspective) was that the media blew it out of proportion. I was on one of the fore facing verandas at a sail away party when this all went down.

 

The ship looked like it was going to hit the buoy that was defining the reef boundary. Apparently, there was a steerage problem. The captain apparently threw the ship into reverse in order to "soften the blow" which it did. It was as calm a stop as I've ever felt.

 

We had debated not telling anyone back home in order not to worry them. That got thrown away because the media blew it out of proportion. Here was Norwegian's response:

 

A) Provide free phone call home to tell loved ones.

B) Give us an extra morning in Bermuda (they didn't need to let us off the ship)

C) Give us a 15% discount on a future cruise

D) Give us free rum punch and beer yesterday (not ALL day, but a good portion of the afternoon)

E) Get us home in time.

 

On top of all that, the president of NCL flew to Bermuda to get on the ship and address concerns. Bottom line - it was, from a passenger's perspective, no big deal.

I also returned today from this cruise, have to agree with kboutin, no big deal to us, yes we felt it hit , and it was kinda of scary at first, We were just in champagne reception at Gatsby's for the Chefs table. First Announcement came right away, emergency announcement for crew, then Captain"s announcement explaining what happened, then the night went on with dinner etc, I felt fully informed and not at all concerned for my safety! The media was totally overblown hype!! I had a wonderful trip.. and will return with a trip report when I recover from eating, drinking and partying so much !

Just got an E -mail to upgrade to a penthouse balcony suite SE, from a balcony 10 th floor BA, for $ 500.00 Per person....

What is included in this upgrade and is it worth $ 1000.00

Only 3 days till we cruise !

Any help appreciated..

Thank You so much Jethrojam, hoping to catch a review before our cruise on the 15 th, great job so far, nice photos, esp. the dallies...looking forward to more! P.S. I think you were supposed to be on our cruise on the 15 Th ?

I made my reservation with Somerset on their website and they sent me a confirmation E mail !

Would love to view some dallies before we leave in two weeks ...Yay!

Does anyone know the schedule for this shuttle? I want to take it on my last day, which is a short one! I think my ship leaves at 5PM.

Beach shuttle ticket office: 8 am -2 pm

To the beach: 8:30am -3:00pm (not sure how often)

To the ship: Last shuttle @ 6:00pm ( again , not sure how often it runs)

Every hour ? every 1/2 hour?

I would not appreciate being forced to use hand sanitizer!

I have severe eczema on my hands and using the sanitizer would burn like a b%%ch !! I am obsessive about hand washing, and try not to touch hand rails, elevator buttons etc. Been lucky so far! ;)

Our cruise is May 15 th, out of Boston!!! 18 more days!!

So excited!

We are taking the Horseshoe bay beach shuttle from the Dockyard $16.00 Per Person round trip! Takes you right down to the beach. instead of the top of the hill, worth it in my opinion!

We are travelling on RCCL Liberty of the Seas in July and will be docked overnight on a Monday night at the Dockyards. They have a beach bonfire excursion. I normally don't book excursions through the cruiseline, but would really like something that doesn't involve a boat ride that evening. Has anyone done this? Is it just a bonfire at snorkel park? Can you just go to snorkel park and buy admission or do you have to book through the cruiseline?

 

Thanks

Ok, I finally found the link to the snorkel park Beach Bonfire

http://www.thewestend.bm/

Click on summer activities, you will find the schedule of events for the Dockyard & Snorkel Beach.

BTW its free admission!

I wouldn't pay for a boat excursion when the snorkel park is so very close to where the ships dock! What exactly does the excursion include?

Transportation?? that's ridiculous, its an easy walk, admission? I think its either free, or $5.00 admission. I am going to Bermuda , first time in May, I have been on the board, and Trip Advisor, gathering all my information, I feel like I should have been a travel agent!!

I also had concerns about cold water temps in May, Going May 15th out of Boston, But coming from the past winter we had 70's is good, real good, and

us East coasters are used to the cold Atlantic !

I won a $4500. jackpot on the last evening on the Carnival Destiny!

It paid for the trip! This was 10 years ago ! LOL

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, I would love to have that word doc. also

send to; petron.m6452@sbcglobal.net

Thanks so much!

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 !

We have never been to Bermuda either,

been reading all the info I can, here goes my 3 day plan;

Day 1, which is a Sunday, shuttle to Horseshoe beach, walk the path along the south shore beaches, Warwick, Jobson's cove etc.

Day 2, renting a Boston Whaler boat from Somerset 4 hours. Maybe check out Hamilton on the ferry from Dockyard either before or after boat.

Day 3, Hamilton on ferry, Botanical gardens in the am, back to Dockyard, for lunch and shopping before sail away.

Bravo!:cool:

Newbie here to NCL, Wondering how many pages are in your package of E docs?

Printing for 2 separate bookings, don't want to run out of ink!

Many Thanks!

It's been an interesting winter so far...soo much snow...

Have to wait till May to cruise, stuck here in Ct. till then!:eek:

Does the new Horseshoe beach shuttle run on Sunday??

Also to Flowers44, how did you get to Somerset Bridge water sports on a Sunday??

My 3 day goes like this so far;

Sunday; Beach day if the shuttle is operating

Monday; Boston Whaler rental from Somerset...Thank You Flowers 44 for that idea !

Tues; shopping and lunch at the Dockyard...maybe Segway tour?

Good to hear positive reviews on the Dawn!

Will be sailing in May....

We have the Dawn booked for May 2015 Boston to Bermuda...

Would love to hear about your trip upon your return, such as food quality, ships condition etc... The reviews lately haven't been too good! Have a great trip !

Can't wait to read it !

Interested...please continue!

We loved St Lucia, never felt unsafe, beautiful island!

I am a total foodie , been a chef for 32 years...and DH not whatsoever!!! He's very fussy, picky ,etc. Total opposites...LOL

Would it be weird for me to attend the Chefs Table by myself?? Or is it basically for couples ? Don't want to pay $$ for him to just stare at his food, and he doesn't drink wine either!