Thinking about Dawn out of Boston this summer. Have some Q's.

[deedeetoo]

We have never sailed NCL before and have never sailed out of Boston but are considering it because we won't have to fly. I have a few questions.

 

First, with so many sea days, it would be important to us to be able to get loungers in the vicinity of the pool so we could watch activities. Are these generally available or do you have to get up at the crack of dawn to get one? Do people put towels on loungers to reserve them (hate that) even though they are no where around?

 

Second, our oldest will be 18 this year so will have aged out of the teen center. Do they have activities or meet ups scheduled so that the college age kids can find each other easily?

 

Finally, does it matter where you book? Can TA's discount NCL or add incentives or will you get the same deal everywhere?

 

TIA

[1025cruise]

I did this cruise last year. On the sea days, the pool deck was mobbed with people. Don't recall seeing reserved loungers that didn't have a body in them, but I didn't really look. I booked the thermal suite and enjoyed my lounging time there.

[esm54687]

Excellent choice!! My wife and I cruised on the Dawn out of Boston June 2015 and had such a great time we are looking at May 2017 !

 

The pool area is "stadium style" meaning that there are several levels of loungers that look down on to the pool. You don't have to be out there at the crack of dawn but anytime after 9am you are risking not getting a spot. I did not witness a lot of "reserved" loungers but it will happen.

 

Being 18 he \ she will have full access to everything (including the casino) and even can partake in an adult beverage (beer or wine) with your permission by filling out the waiver. Suggest you head over to Cruise Critic Roll Call when you finalize your date and sign up for the Meet & Greet.

 

TA or NCL will be the same. Only real difference is if you book through TA, you can not communicate with NCL to change your reservation, etc - must be through the TA. But.... if you go through a TA, sometimes they give you perks such as a bottle of wine or OBC as a thank you.

Edited February 26, 2016 by esm54687

[ELA]

We did Dawn last year and loved it. I had a great spot and then some people few chairs down started to smoke... I Ended up leaving. So you never know but if you get there around breakfast time you should be fine.

[dexddd]

We did the Dawn in early June a couple years back and the pool area was pretty much full and hard to find any seats. The ship had a ton of college aged kids so much that it felt like it was a college spring break cruise. Generally everyone was well behaved though.

[Barb Nahoumi]

On sea days, the pool deck can get crowded. You might need to go up to the next level to find loungers, but there's still a good view from there.

 

Servers circle around with trays of fruit and take drink orders. Sitting up above is fine.

[rvsullivan]

We did Dawn last year and loved it. I had a great spot and then some people few chairs down started to smoke... I Ended up leaving. So you never know but if you get there around breakfast time you should be fine.

 

And of course that is because the port side of the pool deck is for smokers. If you take a chair/table on that side you will be joining them.

[peg013]

Finally, does it matter where you book? Can TA's discount NCL or add incentives or will you get the same deal everywhere?

 

TIA

 

Yes, TA's can and do discount NCL's prices. I get 10% off every cruise (only the actual cruise fare not taxes and fees). It used to be 10% back in Reimbursable OBC but now we have the choice to get OBC or have it taken off the fare itself. Plus I still get everything NCL is offering. :)

Edited February 28, 2016 by peg013

[Vee & Elvis]

I did May & October in 2015 (and going back in Oct 2016).

 

I think it has to do with timing. I never had to wait for a lounger. There are also ledges in and around the pool.

 

Please, please, please --- don't be a chair hog. There are so many levels of loungers.

[pmoniz]

We are considering a cruise out of Boston to Bermuda as well. What's a better time to April-May or Sept-Oct? I'd rather avoid the summer months but really don't want to spend the first few days indoors either!!

 

Yes, I know the weather in NE can change in the drop of a hat...but just looking for people who have cruised out of Boston at those times opinions and thoughts. Thanks!

[bostonfred]

We are considering a cruise out of Boston to Bermuda as well. What's a better time to April-May or Sept-Oct? I'd rather avoid the summer months but really don't want to spend the first few days indoors either!!

 

Yes, I know the weather in NE can change in the drop of a hat...but just looking for people who have cruised out of Boston at those times opinions and thoughts. Thanks!

 

As a native Bostonian, I can tell you that the North Atlantic is cold in the spring. It can be cruel on the Cape in the spring. It is always warmer inland. I think weather wise the fall is better.

[pmoniz]

As a native Bostonian, I can tell you that the North Atlantic is cold in the spring. It can be cruel on the Cape in the spring. It is always warmer inland. I think weather wise the fall is better.

 

That's what I figured too!! Thank you!!!

[JCMass.]

We are considering a cruise out of Boston to Bermuda as well. What's a better time to April-May or Sept-Oct? I'd rather avoid the summer months but really don't want to spend the first few days indoors either!!

 

Yes, I know the weather in NE can change in the drop of a hat...but just looking for people who have cruised out of Boston at those times opinions and thoughts. Thanks!

 

We have done this cruise twice in May and once in late October. Boston weather is unpredictable. In early May it was very warm the same as in Bermuda the day we left. On another cruise it was very cold and windy on the first day, and 91 degrees on the day we returned to Boston much hotter than in Bermuda.

 

The last cruise in October saw very cold rain on the day we left and there were few people outside for the first sea day. Once in Bermuda it was beach weather in May and again in October. The trip back at sea it was not as cold as the way down.

 

I don't think you can predict how the weather will be in spring or fall in New England.

[GeezerCouple]

The weather is quite unpredictable at any time, no surprise.

But in Sept/Oct, there's more of a chance of hurricanes, although it's still a low probability.

 

However, the water is likely to be warmer in September.

 

We went in early Sept 2014, and the water was delightfully warm (and I can't stand cold water, so if I felt comfortable, chances are everyone else would, too!).

 

We have scheduled again in early fall rather than late spring for the same reason.

 

The sea days were SO relaxing, both directions :)

[TheManitoban]

Did September 2014. it was the last Boston-Bermuda before they switch to Boston-Quebec (we stayed on the Dawn and did that cruise too).

 

Day one in Boston was HOT. Very hot. Which was wonderful. It was very hot and sunny the whole week. The most packed I saw the pool deck was sea day coming back from Bermuda. But the group I was with basically moved back and forth between hot tub and pool so werent concerned about loungers.

 

I did see loungers available higher up on the stadium seating. And they have lots of loungers around, even if they are not exactly pool side.

 

As for the 18 year old, I cant specifically speak for him as I havent been 18 for awhile. But I went on the cruise with elderly parents so I wasnt with "friends". But I made friends on day 2. Very easy to meet people. I doubt your kid will have any trouble meeting anyone.

 

Oh and one other thing in the favour of "fall" vs "spring", I suspect the ocean temperature is warmer in "fall". September was still summer to us and the ocean in Bermuda was very warm. I know it's cooler in the spring.

[pathubia]

We have done this cruise twice in May and once in late October. Boston weather is unpredictable. In early May it was very warm the same as in Bermuda the day we left. On another cruise it was very cold and windy on the first day, and 91 degrees on the day we returned to Boston much hotter than in Bermuda.

 

The last cruise in October saw very cold rain on the day we left and there were few people outside for the first sea day. Once in Bermuda it was beach weather in May and again in October. The trip back at sea it was not as cold as the way down.

 

I don't think you can predict how the weather will be in spring or fall in New England.

 

LOL we have also done this cruise twice in May and once in October (were you with us, LOL)....

 

May was chilly leaving Boston, beautiful in Bermuda, we hit a hurricane in October, hurricane Gonzalo in 2014 and got diverted to the Bahamas which was a fun cruise. We are cruising the Dawn again this October 21.

[lisakoivu]

My now 19 year old refuses to set foot on a cruise ship - even 'away class - now that he is out of kids club. Says there'd be nothing to do, he'd be bored. Offered to take him and GF on Jewel for Christmas (when there WERE Christmas cruises on Jewel LOL) and he turned me down flat. He does not drink AT ALL. Can take or leave swimming.

 

Dawn is a small ship. Depends how much your son likes to cruise....and/or drink, I suppose. Just thought I'd share my experience FWIW.

[pmoniz]

I don't think you can predict how the weather will be in spring or fall in New England.

 

Yes, so true! You absolutely never know what the weather will bring in New England.

 

I was just asking what peoples experiences were when they cruised out of Boston and what their thoughts were. Thank you all for your sharing!

[sail7seas]

I did that cruise last summer and it was fine. We had great weather and that, of course, always makes things good. :) This was my first NCL cruise after about 80+ HAL cruises, and I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. I was a new widow, sailed with friends, got my own penthouse cabin and was happy I went. I would do that same cruise again. :)

 

I can't comment about teen activities other than to say all the cruises I've been on, teens always find each other and they make friends quickly. There were plenty of young adults on Dawn last summer.

[carolknj]

We just booked our trip on the Dawn leaving from Boston for July 15th and it will be my dh, and dd who is going to be 17 by the time of the cruise. We are going to be driving up to Boston the day of the cruise. It was cheaper to sail out of Boston then leaving from NYC.

If you are planning on going on the 15th of July I had started a roll call