travel dog

Wow!   Congratulations - whatever caused that to happen.   And now we will all wish for similar good fortune.

Thanks for explaining how it works.  I think I'll cancel the two Bottled Water packages I've purchased (hey, every $15 helps!), refilling when on the ship, and taking the sealed bottles when going ashore.   (I did see that we have the ability to bring bottles of water onto the ship, but we will be coming straight from our cruisetour, at 8:30pm, and doubt we will have time or opportunity.)

I take from the comments that the (first) mini bar set-up is also complimentary -- good to know.    

Thanks so much!  I'll make that the first thing I do ... and make sure to go in person.

It is my understanding that passengers in suites receive a complimentary specialty dinner for the night of embarkation only.  Our schedule shows us arriving at 8:30 pm from our cruisetour (on the train).  With the possibility of delays, obtaining key cards, locating luggage, etc,  I'm afraid we will wind up missing our chance to have that dinner.   Has anyone run into this situation before?  Would it be possible to switch to another night?  Thanks for any help or suggestions. 

I read somewhere (but now can't find it, of course) that one of the perks that comes with a full suite is that you can have free bottled water, on request, throughout the voyage  We were upgraded to a suite and I would like to know if I can cancel the Bottled Water Package for which we pre-paid.

Just returned on the Dawn RT Boston to Quebec City. Yesterday, when we stopped at Bar Harbor, everyone, whether they intended to go ashore or not was required to go to one of the bars (Spinnaker for US citizens, Gatsby I believe for non-citizens) to have their ship ID and passport checked and a little sticker put on the ship ID. The whole process took quite a while, instructions were confusing (e.g., they said 'passport AND photo ID' but only wanted passport -- later they said you had to walk down 3 flights to get to tendering and only after a long time added that there was elevator access for the disabled). The the biggest problem (other than having to get up at 8:00 a.m. even if you meant to sleep in!) was that tendering to Bar Harbor was very delayed. You were given a tender ticket at the 'inspection' and couldn't go to the boats until your number group was called. We were one of the first groups to go through inspection (b/c a high floor number) but still weren't able to reach shore in Bar Harbor until 11:30 am -- excursions were missed, other plans cancelled - a right royal mess! --- Is this the new normal? We thought maybe there was a problem - someone missing or 'extra' - but they gave written notice on Tues night that the Thurs inspection would be happening (although omitting info on how disruptive it would be). We entered US waters on a transatlantic in 2012 and there was nothing like this. Does anyone know anything about this?

I guess my question is how did you find out that there was going to be a tour at that time? Did they tell you as you got on the ship? Thanks

[On embarkation day] >>>we went to the Gatsby lounge and met Big Ben (cruise staff) for a tour of the ship. Big Ben was a large presence throughout the trip and he was extremely funny and pleasant<<<

Is this something you signed up for beforehand, or is it available to everyone? I hadn't heard about this before (or seen it - have been on the Dawn twice before). That's always sort of a 'down' time and I'd love to do a tour! Thanks for any info.

One BIG difference that is very important if there are more than 2 in your party. In the Balcony cabin, when the sofa bed is opened out, you cannot walk out to the balcony. The only way to reach it is to crawl over the folded-out bed. Very inconvenient. There are three of us who travel together and after the first time, we never get a balcony on the Dawn (and, I assume, sister ships).

As to the bathroom, however, unless you want/need a tub the arrangement in the Balcony cabins - 3 separate areas for shower, sink and toilet - is much nicer and more convenient.

Thanks, folks -- just what I needed to know! We'll probably wait until we get there to see what time, how tired we are, etc. but it seems we have the choice of either taking a cab and getting a Charlie Ticket 7-day pass (which works best for us) at the Charles/MGH station the following morning -- or -- getting our pass from the machines at South Station upon arrival and going to our destination on the Red Line.

How nice to have that step all sorted out. It's amazing how one important missing fact can keep you puzzling and indecisive for days. Thank goodness for these Boards where most of that sort of information can be supplied!

We will be arriving pre-cruise in Boston (South Station) on Amtrack around 9:30 p.m. and need to get to our hotel (John Jeffries House, right across from Mass General Hospital). 2 adults - we will each have wheeled luggage (probably 1 large and 1 small + purse or backpack). If we can wheel them on a level surface there is no problem - lifting the large piece or carrying it up or down stairs would be a significant problem.

Couple of questions:

--- Should we even think about taking the Red Line from South Station to Charles/MGH stop? Concern is two-fold: 1) at that hour would we be able to get 'Charlie' card - or whatever is best - to use for several days until the cruise? 2) is getting into the subway cars on the level, so we could just wheel our luggage, or would we have to go up steps? I ask because when we were there last, taking the subway from Quincy into Boston, the cars required going up several, rather steep steps.

-- A taxi fare finder page suggests the taxi fare for the trip would be around $10 or $11. Does that sound right? We might be better off taking a taxi that night and getting our Charlie Card (or whatever) at the Charles/MGH station the next morning.

Thanks for any help! It wouldn't worry me too much except for the late hour of arrival.