pookeysmom

On 3/6/2022 at 8:53 PM, Cruizer Diana said:

Another question...

• Bicycles appear to be provided. Are they available in all ports? Is there a fee? Do you have to reserve them in advance? Has anyone used them?  

Thank you.

Diana

Hi Diana, I just got off the AQ about a month ago & there were plenty of bikes available. We just had to sign up at the front desk & they had them ready for the choosing at the gangway. There's no cost & they were pretty nice bikes. We enjoyed them at Nottoway.   (Oops....just got around to noting that you've already cruised. Oh well, LOL! Hope this info helps other cruisers) 🤣

7 minutes ago, amoba said:

Thank you very much, DaveinCharlotte, for the detailed info on the trolley to the bus to the airport in Memphis.  That is very tempting for those with only carry-on bags.  Also, to pookeysmom, that's interesting about final documents being sent only after everyone has completed online check-in?  Do you know how far in advance we can check-in on-line or how late it can be done?  Thanks, Vicki

I'm not exactly sure how soon you can check-in, but I'm thinking as long as you have the confirmation # you could go to the website & complete the passenger information form & I would do it as soon as possible for that reason. I'm guessing the sooner everyone does it, the sooner they can send the docs 🙂

Hi!   We're leaving next friday for the 2/20 cruise NOLA to Memphis. We just got our documents yesterday, because our travel agent said they wait for everyone to complete online check-in before sending out documents. The paperwork says we'll disembark in Memphis at 9:00am. 

One thing we're wondering is what the included excursion will be in Nottoway since the Plantation is still closed?

We just cancelled our April transatlantic cruise, concerned that the ports would be unavailable, or we wouldn't be allowed into Southampton at the end. Plus my parents are elderly. Even though we're all vaxed & boosted, they have underlying health issues & decided not to risk it yet.

But we are still taking our Mississippi river cruise next month out of New Orleans. Not looking forward to flying anywhere these days, but for this bucket list cruise, we'll give it a go.

Hubby & I booked a bike and barge cruise from Germany through 5 other countries & back in August. We love European river cruises & this is our 1st bike and barge.

Praying all this has calmed down by then 🙏

This is the best thing ever! This is how I will cruise the Danube River in April 😢🤣😢

and this is how we live to cruise again!

(The Magic Mike reference reminded me of the movie The Proposal where the guy in Alaska was everything....Manager, minister, exotic dancer!  LOL! 
Good luck with that 😂😂😂)

No possible way of knowing, even a few days ahead. BUT, Rhine and Moselle should be in much better shape than the Danube.

 

By the way, we did the Rhine and Moselle with Avalon four years ago. It was awesome!

Thanks! That makes me feel better :) I cruised this itinerary several years ago with my parents & can’t wait to go again with Hubby this time. Avalon is awesome!

Next Tuesday I plan on being on the Viking ship going down the Rhine. I was wondering if there is any concern with water levels or guest having to switch ships?

Hi, I’m wondering the same thing about our Avalon cruise in early August on the Rhine & Moselle

I’m on board the vision. My family saw a body bag put into a hearse when we arrived at the port, so it didn’t end well for that family unfortunately

Ship - Dawn

Deck - 10

Stateroom # - 10211

Stateroom Category – ?

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - N/A

Balcony Size? N/A

Was wind a problem? - N/A

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - no

Any other comments? - Accessible cabin with living room/pull-out sofa, large restroom with bars, large doorways

I hope this isn't a silly question...

I wonder why I'm seeing so many Holland America & Celebrity commercials in Houston all of a sudden?

I've never seen them advertise here before & it makes me wonder are they coming to Texas or if they're trying to get us to fly somewhere to cruise them?

I'm curious because NCL & Princess are leaving & I'm wishful thinking...

got off the Dawn Sunday. Of all my cruises so far-10+ on 4 lines, The Dawn was my favorite ship so far. It looks brand new, its spotless, the food & choices were outstanding, the crew were friendly and a delight. You will LOVE the Dawn she is a BEAUTIFUL ship. PLUS, she is getting a makeover before June so you'll be on a new ship. Spinnaker is still there too and the best club on the ship.

Great to hear! I totally agree that attitude has everything to do with whether or not you enjoy your cruise.

I'm glad you had fun!

Not trying to be harsh, just my honest opinion. I went into this cruise expecting amazing cruise-food as people have told me over the years, and was disappointed. If you go in with high expectations, you will definitely be let down. But if your goal is to get drunk and eat hot dogs, this is the cruise for you.

 

 

 

Very bland and never hot cafeteria/hospital type food. Lots of strange stew-type dishes that you could eat over rice but simply had no taste. Beef empanadas that were basically a can of chili in a crust. Hamburgers/hotdogs and potato salad nonstop at the buffet. It seems that since the drinks are free they don't invest in quality food for the cruise.

 

 

 

A few good things we did eat are:

 

A bread pudding dessert in the MDR on the first evening

 

steak with chimichuri in the MDR on the second evening

 

Waffles with a banana compote in the MDR for breakfast

 

 

 

So I guess you can find a couple things that are decent, but the majority was pretty poor quality, especially the buffet. It's also very disappointing to run into cardboard pizza.

Well, this is a bummer to hear. We've been on the Sky several times & it's always been our quick & easy getaway.

It sounds like making it all-inclusive has changed the overall quality of the cruise. I guess even though they charge more now for the cruise itself, all the money they used to make on liquor they're trying to make up for now by lowering the quality of the food. Sad...

Thank you lhsail and NMLady. Guess I am going to be in that early morning tender ticket line up.

 

 

 

Do you know how early that starts and how long the line is? If it starts at 7 am should I be in line at 6 or 630?

 

 

 

I am bravely trying a private excursion this time, but maybe too bravely?

 

(lol "in" line -- Canadian "tell", I think. Don't American's say "on" line? Or is that a regional thing?)

Not sure about times, but I'm from TX & say in line :)

Thank you! That is awesome! Enjoy the Dawn!!! We are going for our 40th birthdays!!! Which aren't until a couple of months but we both have kids graduating this year so thought we better get an early start :)

Good idea! Take advantage of it while you can. May will be crazy when you get back, I'm sure [emoji2]

We went to Bananarama on the other side of the island and enjoyed the beach there immensely! It was maybe a 10 minute ride at most. The water was beautiful and if you swim out far enough you can snorkle.

We've been to Bananarama also. It's a little crowded but beautiful!

Thank you all so much for the info!! My girlfriend and I leave Monday!! Can't wait! Running away from work and the family for a girls cruise. It will be her first one and I haven't been in a long while. Sure appreciate all the great advice from fellow CC members! Thank you!! :)

Girl cruise...Woohoo! Have fun! The Sky is a fun cruise ship & girl trips are the best - I just booked the Dawn for my 50th birthday Girl Cruise!!

I am on the same cruise!! There is a roll call if you haven't already seen it.

 

 

 

This will be my 6th time on the Dawn and my first 10 day cruise!! I cant wait!!

Awesome! I will go to the roll call, thanks!

Major disappointment since that's 1 main reason I booked yesterday. We were really looking forward to it & don't like Belize city. Looks like our UBP will get a workout that day.

Following this since i just booked the dawn for the 10 day cruise right before she goes to dry dock in May. I can't wait! I believe your experience has everything to do with your attitude & washing your hands to avoid illness

Every time we show up at a port we are told they're sold out. Seems like they keep lowering prices & offering Upsells until it sells out

I went to Roatan last month on the Jade. Only the Dawn had permission to dock, but we got there first, so they gave us an hour to walk off before we had to leave to anchor at sea & tender in. We walked off at 6:45am. It was great, but even tendering wasn't bad there, since the Jade uses its own lifeboats instead of local boats. They were fast. But by walking off so early, we got an extra 2 hours in Roatan!

Thanks for your review.

We've been on the Sky several times & love it. Yes, it's smaller & older, but the price was right & the stops were fun.

We look forward to trying the all-inclusive cruise ASAP.

The only thing that bothered us on the Sky was on the most recent time..our steward never came & introduced herself & her service was not great. Guest services was kind of rude too. A definite first for us since we're not picky, we're not buttholes & we love NCL.

We did the 12/12/15 cruise & it went well. Belize is kind of a pain for tendering. The calling of tender numbers went on until 11:30am, so you have to get in line early early for a low tender number.

In Roatan we heard the announcement at approx 6:30am that we had until 7:50am to walk off before we had to leave & anchor at sea. We ran off the ship, jumped in a cab & were on the beach by 7:30am! That gave us approx 2 extra hours in Roatan!

I've always loved the Sky 4 nt cruise, I will be excited to cruise all-inclusive from now on. Following this....

There are a few things I prefer about RC. When I cruised RC last year, they allowed 1 person in cabin to buy ultimate beverage package, whereas NCL makes everyone in a cabin buy. And RC's package included specialty coffees. NCL does not.

I prefer RC for the adult pool Solarium. NCL has the pools together & they're not good about enforcing the adult pool rule.

Other than that, food was better on RC. They still have formal night/lobster night & escargot offered every night.

NCL has done away with lobster night & there was no escargot in MDRs.

Anytime dining is good on NCL. I don't like give restricted to a set time.

Also, on RC we were in a Jr suite & earned DOUBLE c&a points. NCL only gives 1 pt per night for mini suites.