dolita22

My parents were just on the Dawn last week and said it was by far their most favorite cruise! Don't worry. Just go and have a good time. :-)

My parents were on that cruise and I believe are still in line waiting for their luggage and to get through customs. Ay yi yi. They are going to miss their flight this afternoon, but should hopefully make one tonight.

They said they had a wonderful, wonderful cruise, aside from today's experience!

We did that same itinerary on the NCL Epic in January of this year (actually got engaged on the Epic). Here are my suggestions:

St. Maarten: Look into Bernard's Tours (http://www.bernardstours.com/). They are a private tour company, with tours around the island, including stops at Orient Beach and Maho Beach. Orient Beach is more relaxing and Maho Beach is more exciting with the planes flying in and out overhead. My now-husband wants to go back to Maho Beach on our honeymoon cruise on the Indy in February! Check out the St. Maarten board for lots more reviews on Bernard's Tours. Tours are about $45 per person. People have most all good things to say about him, and we had a great experience. It may have been the potent rum punch and beer he serves on the tour... :)

St. Thomas: Take a cab to Magens Bay beach. It's beautiful and the water is crystal clear and really calm. People were snorkeling right from the beach when we were there in January (they either rented the equipment from one of the little shops on the beach or brought their own, we weren't sure).

Nassau: No suggestions, but I do suggest some sort of tour. The straw markets are right off the pier, but they are busy and if you're not into shopping, you might find it kind of dull. Definitely go see Atlantis, though!

Happy honeymoon!

I've sailed RCCL once and NCL twice now, and really enjoyed both lines. I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as others, but wanted throw in my two cents regarding the Epic.

We cruised on the Epic in January of this year and loved it! We did get engaged on the ship, so there's a fond place for it in my heart. The ship was full and busy, but we somehow managed to avoid the crowds everywhere except the pool deck. The pool decks were always busy. We ate in the buffet one night and the MDRs (Taste and Manhattan dining rooms) other nights, and only had to wait to be seated in the MDR one night. Complimentary glasses of champagne and a pager were given to us, and our wait was just 15 minutes. Food and service were good in both places. Since you're not picky eaters, you should be good to go there! We enjoy the Freestyle dining and laid-back atmosphere of NCL ships. My parents are now on their 6th NCL cruise in two years as well.

If you get a chance, go bowling when you're on the Epic! We still managed a decent score, even though we were at sea.

We're giving RCCL a shot for honeymoon in February, since the NCL itineraries didn't appeal and we wanted to spend 8 nights at sea on the Indy. We're excited to try out something new and change it up a bit!

Have a great time!

Thanks for your review! I sailed the Epic the day you disembarked and had a fantastic time as well! Was hoping someone from my sailing would have posted a review by now, but no such luck. I guess we did just get home on Saturday... ;-) Would do one, but I got engaged on the cruise and was celebrating with family that was along and didn't participate in nearly as many events as you did! So thanks for letting me reminisce. You write great reviews and look like you have a good, fun time wherever you go. :)

Thanks for posting these pictures! They are awesome. Sailing the Epic in January and cannot wait!! It's my sister and BIL's first-ever cruise and I think they are in for a treat. :-)