WYTinman

Thank You to everyone following up to this point.

I had to slow my posting down.

I thought I had prepared enough of my videos ahead of time that I could finish producing the rest while writing this review.

Best laid plans......

I hadn't done my Boarding videos that will be coming up next.

Don't worry they are almost done and will be posted either tonight or in the morning.

To hold everyone through, here are the pictures of the Warehouse district at sunrise.

Looking forward to another great review about the Dawn. Your photos are fantastic. I am sure they will make your review even greater. Fingers crossed you took some photos of the menus in the MDR to share....

I'm sorry Russ,

We booked this cruise close to two years ago. Back then NCL still offered the true Unlimited Dining Package. A Specialty Restaurant every night of the cruise.

We took full advantage.

I didn't take any pictures of menus.

Probably the worst....This is the first cruise I didn't bring my camera to Dinner.

I'm sorry all....No Food Porn in this review.

Mark

Well before dawn the Norwegian Dawn arrives at the Julia Street pier.

If you can't tell by now.

I don't sleep well the night before a cruise!

New Orleans from Embassy Suites by Mark Davis, on Flickr

Up next The Cruise begins but now time for dinner and more photo editing.

Mark

New Orleans from Embassy Suites by Mark Davis, on Flickr

This was our 3rd cruise out of New Orleans and have pretty much decided the Embassy Suites on Julia St. is our go-to place pre-cruise.

The day we arrived it was cold.....Remember snow, in Tennessee.....So we just checked in, relaxed in the room waiting for the Free drinks that the hotel gives out during Happy Hour every evening.

New Orleans from Embassy Suites by Mark Davis, on Flickr

Like many, we planned to fly into New Orleans the Day before the cruise just to avoid any of the little things that can cause pre-cruise stress.

Guess what?

It snowed in southern Tennessee.

For those unfamiliar with snow removal procedures in the South. That much snow can paralyze everything.

Thankfully on the day we flew out the Sun emerged from hiding and did TDOTs job for them.

So off to New Orleans we go.

[YOUTUBE]Tk-wTLVXFH4[/YOUTUBE]

Mark

Norwegian Dawn

7 Day Western Caribbean. January 8 - 15 2017

Here I go again.

Attempting a review after others have already provided us with fascinating and well written accounts of their 7 days on the amazing Norwegian Dawn.

With Thanks to TheDougOut for Dawn - Live 11/27 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2426171

And

PaulInPGH for Seven Days on the Dawn and Christmas in New Orleans: A Review. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2435833

I will not be trying to rival their great reviews.

I will provide for you, a selection of my impressions of this cruise in my own simple terms.

In other words. Lot of Pictures.

I hope y'all enjoy

Mark

We did a small cocktail hour in our cabin on the Spirit during last Springs Transatlantic.

We just gave the butler about two days notice and he arranged everything.

We were also in an OS so the liquor bottles came with the room.

Total cost = $0.00 + big tip.

Mark

Hello, my husband and I are set to sail on the Norwegian Dawn beginning on 1/8/2017. I've been looking at the NCL website but am not finding a lot of information about gluten-free options at meal time. Is there anyone out there who is GF and has sailed recently? I'd love some input on the restaurants and menus. Also, we are fairly casual people; t-shirts and capris are my daily wear, and hubby is a truck driver so he's a jeans and work shirt type guy. We've purchased a few nicer outfits for meal times, but I'm wondering how formal even the formal night gets? Is it just a matter of preference? I'm not planning on super-casual tee shirts (like my "Live Long and Prosper" or "Doctor Who" tees) for the most part; I have several nicer although not dressy tops that I'll bring to wear with my capris. Hubby has some nice jeans, a couple pairs of khakis, and shorts he's bringing, along with polo shirts and a nicer dress shirt (gray with a red tie) he's planning to wear for anything dressy. Just wondering if those options sound OK? Thanks for the input!

 

Paula

Sailing on Norwegian Dawn, 1/8/2017-1/15/2017, Western Caribbean

Paula,

We are also sailing the Dawn on the 8th. Come over and visit us on the Roll-call here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2221449

You will find NCL is pretty casual when it comes to formal night. At one time it was called "Dress up or not night". Most people that Dress up do so as a cruise tradition or for photos. If you don't want to dress up it is fine. No one will care and if they do...So what.

I also am only bringing khakis and polo shirts as fancy clothes (For dining in LeBistro). Shorts, Jeans and T-shirts for every day wear.

I can't help with the Gluten-free options, but you can contact the access deck at NCL @ 1-866-787-5781 or talk to the Maitre D' the day prior and discuss your dietary needs.

Come visit us on the Roll-Call. It will be a fun cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2221449

Mark

Will trade for Doctor Who T-shirts:D

Probably a five day charter.

The Dawn departed New Orleans on the 30th for a 9 day Western. They return on the 8th (Sunday) for the next 7 day western.

They are currently on a nine day western

A good site if you ever want to know a ships location: http://www.sea-scanner.com/schiffsposition.php?schiff=Norwegian+Dawn

But then again, I have the diet of a 12 year old.

 

Still feeling pretty beat after my nap, we made a stop at the atrium café, where I picked up a very tasty double espresso. That gave me the energy I needed to continue lazing around for the rest of the afternoon.

Paul, These are the best lines I've read in a review EVER.

You my friend know the right way to cruise.

I'm Dawn bound in a few days. Your review is making the wait worse.

Thank You

Mark

Maho Beach is alot of fun!!

Nice Beach and good food at The Sunset Bar and Grill

Sunset Bar and Grill

More Info can be found Here: http://www.mahobeachcam.com/

and Here: http://sunsetsxm.com/sunset/

Mark

Hi all,

 

First time cruisers and were assigned 11662 aboard Spirit. Can anyone tell me if this location is problematic? Thanks in advance.

 

Terri

Terri,

The Spirit is my favorite ship. I like the location of your cabin but you are under part of Raffles Terrace and the Buffet.

You are two cabins in from the Door at the back of this picture:

Mark

Early in the morning I wanted an eye opener and I got one

 

 

 

 

 

This is a beautiful photo. I'm loving your review.

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

Mark

Thanks for your swift reply is this the same for Penthouse suites too?

No it only applies to the two Owners Suites on the Spirit.

Look through the Pictures linked in my Signature Block under 2016 Transatlantic. I have pictures of The Tokyo Owners Suite # 9708

I am looking at a possible Panama Canal cruise in spring of 2018 on either Princess or NCL. Can anybody tell the me some similarities and differences between them as far as service, food, crowding and passenger demographic? We've been on three NCL cruises so far and one RCI. Also, which do you think does a better job with the Panama Canal itinerary? Thanks in advance for any input.

Here is the biggest difference I've found between the two lines.

For a full Panama Canal transit in an aft suite:

NCL:

Princess:

These price differences are a little more than a few "Nickels and Dimes"

$12,000 per person on NCL compared to $4,700 per person on Princess

Male or Female you're on a Cruise....Boat Drinks are not only authorized they're expected!

 



 

 

I did a photo review of the April 2016 Transatlantic.

Just hit the link below

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2360524&highlight=spirit

Mark

Hmmm... looking at my windows (and yours are likely different), I see nothing where you could clamp. If all else fails, the clamp fits on the back of the suite dining chairs. I did this setup for one shot where I wanted the cabin's interior within the view.

 

I did a 5 sec interval for the flights, which looked great. Since on-board I've been doing 1 sec intervals to catch some of the subtle movements. The trip down the Mississippi is very fun at this pace (1 minute = 1 second). If anything is too slow, we can always speed it up in post.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks Doug,

Great info. As to the setup, I was referring to the balcony rails and glass. Will the Clamp work there? (Where Sue is standing in the Balcony picture from Yesterday)

Mark

 

My setup for capturing time-lapse departures from the balcony...

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Good Morning Doug,

I'm in 12526 (2 cabins aft of yours) on the Jan 8th sailing.

I have been planning to do Time-lapses also. Interestingly with the exact equipment you are using.

I won't have the steel bulkhead to clamp onto.

Will the clamp hold onto the metal support between the glass panels, the rail, or the glass itself and reach over and out enough to shoot with side/forward view.

Also is a 1 sec interval too fast for departures? I'm thinking 2-5 sec for the departure from NOLA and down the river, but ports I was thinking 1sec would show more action.

Thoughts????

Thank you

Mark

Hi everyone! I was wondering if any of y'all have ordered any of the party packages for the cabins before? I'm thinking of ordering one for my parents, but still not sure if its worth it. So if you ordered it before, do you think its worth? And does anyone have any pictures, so I can see how they decorate it?

It really is the thought that Counts......

You really need to decide if a paper banner, a few balloons, and a small cake will convey your feelings.

For the price of the package. The value is in how it is received. Not what you physically get.

You can do the same for each of the restaurants - Le Bistro has this great dish with scallops and shrimp in pastry. Teppanyaki has scallops and shrimp and lobster and calamari. ignore the naysayers. There are lots of great seafood dishes on NCL.

Le Bistro: FRUITS DE MER

Lobster, Shrimp, Scallops and Fennel in Puff Pastry,

Vermouth and Chive Cream

Teppanyaki: Seafood and Chicken on the grill

Of course if you only "feed from the trough" (Buffet). You will probably only have fish sticks and Tilapia.

I only have a few...so here you go....

Cagney's Sea Bass

Scallops and Escargot at LeBistro

With all the Hype over the Super Moon this week we decided to take a trip to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville AL.

Saturn V / Apollo Mission Diplay by Mark Davis, on Flickr

Saturn V Hall at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration by Mark Davis, on Flickr

Saturn V third stage engines by Mark Davis, on Flickr

Saturn V Hall by Mark Davis, on Flickr