Dawn to Bermuda Review. A tale of two cruises

[Framily]

Wrap up. A tale of two cruises.

 

 

 

I figured I would give my overall impressions and compare to previous cruises.

 

 

 

Embark

 

Even with the slight delay which were reported being due to computers being down, it was super quick and friendly. This is a push based on the other cruise lines. Nothing special, nothing bad.

 

 

 

Room

 

Room was slightly smaller than what I was used to. I really liked the dual bathroom on the Disney dream, but I understand that is a much newer ship compared to the dawn. The bedding was new, but was really hard. My preference has been the comfort bedding on Carnival. I slept so well on my Carnival cruises. Plus having the toilet issues was a tick down. Never experienced that before. Advantage Carnival and Disney.

 

 

 

Dinning.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the food on NCL. One of the things I love about cruising is eating. The specialty dining was pretty even between CCL and NCL, and I didn't use specialty in DCL. The MDR on NCL was better than Carnival and freestyle dining is the way to go. I don't think I ever want to go back to a set dining time. I preferred the buffet on Carnival and missed the pizza that was available on CCL. Desserts were better on CCL but overall advantage NCL

 

 

 

Entertainment.

 

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the shows on NCL. They were really top notch. Which is similar to Disney and better than what I experienced on CCL. I did find that carnival had more events, i.e comedy shows, that I liked to attend. So overall this gets a push.

 

 

 

Bars/Nightlife

 

I found the bars to be similar across the lines, with the disadvantage going to DCL because the clubs and bars were always quiet, although very nice. Deck parties were similar across the lines. I wish disney would put in casinos, but that is no big issue. I will get into the UBP in my value for money part. Push between CCL and NCL

 

 

 

Staff

 

Truly a tale of two cruise here. I loved, loved my room steward. But some of the wait staff was hit or miss. Which I found to be close to CCL. One thing I didn't like about freestyle eating was that I enjoyed building the relationship with my wait staff as the cruise progressed. I still remember my servers from CCL (10 years ago) and DCL, but I none of the wait staff sticks out from this cruise. NCL and CCL is a push with service, with a big advantage to DCL for service (top notch)

 

 

 

Disembark

 

Push along all lines. Never had any issues with getting off the ship, outside of a previous rude customs agent.

 

 

 

Value for Money

 

Here is the big one for me. I don't cruise a lot, so this boils down to be the most important part. I did enjoy having UBP and SDP. I got good use out of the UBP because I had it. I am not a big drinker and would have had just as much fun having two drinks a day vs the 6-7 I had with the package.

 

 

 

I will base these costs based on two travelers with expenses. I am not figuring in ports and transportation in this one.

 

 

 

NCL. Exterior room with very obstructed window view on an older but nice ship. Final cost for 7 days for two adults with TIPs and service charges was $3200

 

 

 

CCL Balcony room. Similar type of ship (Legend) and age. Final cost for two (which includes drinks bought and specialty dining paid) was about $2200 for 8 days

 

 

 

DCL Extended Balcony room. Newer ship and more to do. Final cost for 2 was $2500 but was for a 3 day.

 

 

 

So what does this all mean. Cruising is very subjective and this is just my opinion. Value for money, CCL wins. I did enjoy my NCL experience, but I feel for the money, it could have been better. I would have preferred to have a lower cruise rate without perks. Unfortunately with work schedules, last minute fares are not an option. Kristen was slightly disappointed with NCL. This is her 3rd cruise with them and she sees how they have changed over the years, and not for the better. The bathroom issues were a big bummer. And her previous two cruises have been on DCL and there, service spoils you. If NCL comes around with the right price, I will cruise with them again. I had a very good time. So my initial thoughts are, if we are doing a family cruise, I will pick fewer days on DCL for a similar/lightly cheaper total cost. Next vacation between the two of us, I may explore other options like Celebrity, RCCL or Princess. Or take a super affordable CCL trip. I am also turned off about the new water policy. But I will allow more that for that to shake out.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the review. Let me know if you have any questions and happy cruising

 

 

It was a pleasure to meet you and your lovely wife on the cruise! Thank you for taking the time to write all of your thoughts and posting your amazing photos. Because I am cruising the same week next year, I am saving all of your posts to look back at during the year! Best wishes!

 

 

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[Stace894]

Truly enjoyed your review. We were on the Dawn last October and look forward to being on her again after Dry Dock this August. I have to agree with your determination that CCL had the better trip for the cost. We have used NCL due to the closeness of Port and not having to pay for transport to NYC for embarkation and the UBP. When I factor those two in its worth the extra $$ for the convenience of Boston. If the UBP wasn't a part of the package I would really have to think about it. Just nice not to have to think of the cost. Wish CCL would be able to get a ship out of Boston in the summers!

 

Thanks again for the fantastic and informative review.

[johnjovi]

Thank you for the great review - I appreciated your honesty and can tell you are pretty easy going! Going on the Dawn (for the 4th time I believe) for the repo in October. Also, congrats to both of you on your weight loss - AND - bigger congrats for weighing in and getting back to your healthy lifestyle after the cruise - I have had several good weight losses ruined because I did not face the scale and get back to healthy life after the cruise. Keep up the great work!

[Viva_la_Vida]

Awesome review, thank you!

 

Is the O'Sheehans menu different on this ship? I could swear the Breakaway's menu was much smaller. . .Can anyone clarify? I'm feeling a little crazy!

Edited July 13, 2016 by Viva_la_Vida

[lovable70]

First time cruiser here! Thank you so much for your review! You gave a lot of information that was very helpful! Looking forward to the dinning in Cagney and La Cucina.....will be going to the Brazilian restaurant also. Leaving on July 29th and can't wait to cruise to Bermuda. Some questions for you that I don't know since a first timer..........

 

1. When you were paying for the ferry and transportation, did you use US $ or exchange on the ship for Bermuda currency? Was wondering how that would work.

 

2. Want to go to Horseshoe beach. Read your review but wanted to double check.....if you had to do it all over again would you have taken the taxi from the dock yard to the beach? Wonder how much that would have cost for 2 people? And is the mini-shuttle different from the taxi?

 

3. What did you have to have use cash for (and not your CC)?

 

Congrats to you and your wife on your weight loss! Hope you both got back into your routines when you came home! I know how difficult it can be!

[megansdad1]

Awesome review, thank you!

 

Is the O'Sheehans menu different on this ship? I could swear the Breakaway's menu was much smaller. . .Can anyone clarify? I'm feeling a little crazy!

 

Someone stated that the menu changed while on the cruise.

[megansdad1]

First time cruiser here! Thank you so much for your review! You gave a lot of information that was very helpful! Looking forward to the dinning in Cagney and La Cucina.....will be going to the Brazilian restaurant also. Leaving on July 29th and can't wait to cruise to Bermuda. Some questions for you that I don't know since a first timer..........

 

1. When you were paying for the ferry and transportation, did you use US $ or exchange on the ship for Bermuda currency? Was wondering how that would work. Every place took USD, No need for Bermuda currency

 

2. Want to go to Horseshoe beach. Read your review but wanted to double check.....if you had to do it all over again would you have taken the taxi from the dock yard to the beach? Wonder how much that would have cost for 2 people? And is the mini-shuttle different from the taxi? They has mini shuttles that held up to 20 or so people. They also had taxi vans. Both quoted 7 a person. For the taxi, it needed to be full. Yes I would have done the taxi if I did it again, but the ferry was scenic, so it wasn't terrible

 

3. What did you have to have use cash for (and not your CC) I used cash for everything, but that was a personal choice. ?

 

Congrats to you and your wife on your weight loss! Hope you both got back into your routines when you came home! I know how difficult it can be! Thank you. After two weeks, We dropped everything we gained :)

 

I hope this helps

[megansdad1]

It was a pleasure to meet you and your lovely wife on the cruise! Thank you for taking the time to write all of your thoughts and posting your amazing photos. Because I am cruising the same week next year, I am saving all of your posts to look back at during the year! Best wishes!

 

 

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Thanks. It was a pleasure meeting you also. I wish I had made it to the M&G. We are also planning something for next year. Thinking maybe something out of NY this time.

[sweetride]

I know this review is a couple months old, but I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to do it. You did a great job and answered some key questions for me.

[megansdad1]

I know this review is a couple months old, but I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to do it. You did a great job and answered some key questions for me.

I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I can't believe it has been a few months already. I need to plan my next cruise. Lol

 

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[sweetride]

I appreciate you taking the time to read it. I can't believe it has been a few months already. I need to plan my next cruise. Lol

 

Haha I normally say that on the drive home from the port. I think I could do a back to back and the day back in Boston would make me ask when we were leaving again

[rphrabbit]

Is Aqua the main dining room, or one of the speciaties? Thank you

[Framily]

Yes it is one of the main dining rooms! Hi megansdad I rebooked the same cruise/dates/room as we were on! I want to see Americas Cup! I hope all is well!

 

 

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[bakersdozen12]

Thanks for taking the time to write this review! I enjoyed it. A Boston to Bermuda cruise is definitely on my wish list, as I live 30 mins north of Boston. I'm hoping that Carnival will have one that works into our schedule soon (they announced its in the works), but if not, Norwegian will be our choice. I know several people that have done this cruise on the Dawn, and enjoyed it.

 

 

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Edited September 18, 2016 by bakersdozen12

[rphrabbit]

Thank you !

[megansdad1]

So my dear MIL decided that she wanted to do this cruise. I am excited to do another dawn cruise. This will be our 1st time going on a ship we have already been on.

[elainemasey61]

Enjoyed reading your post. Sailing Boston/Bermuda in June[emoji3]

 

 

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[borntoshop29]

Thank you for your review! we are sailing out May 19th for our 25th Anniversary!

Lots of great pictures and great information.

[Kruser7]

Thank you so much for your incredibly detailed review. Eleven of us will be sailing to Bermuda in June. It is our first cruise on NCL. After reading your review, I am excited and nervous at the same time!!! Thanks for the daily freestyles as well... I love to get an idea of the activities that are my priorities!! You did an awesome job!! Thank you Thank you!!!!

[megansdad1]

Thank you so much for your incredibly detailed review. Eleven of us will be sailing to Bermuda in June. It is our first cruise on NCL. After reading your review, I am excited and nervous at the same time!!! Thanks for the daily freestyles as well... I love to get an idea of the activities that are my priorities!! You did an awesome job!! Thank you Thank you!!!!

 

You are welcome and thank you for the kind words. You will have an awesome time. I will be back on her in 370 long long days, not that i am counting. lol

[Barb Nahoumi]

We'll be back on the Dawn in June. Looking forward to it.

[elainemasey61]

Hi Barb, I'm going for the first time on June 9th. When are you sailing?

 

 

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[Framily]

Best Wishes to you and your lovely wife! 75 days and I will be back on the Dawn. How are you both doing on the weight loss? I am down 25 lbs since we cruised together!

[megansdad1]

Best Wishes to you and your lovely wife! 75 days and I will be back on the Dawn. How are you both doing on the weight loss? I am down 25 lbs since we cruised together!

 

Congrats that is awesome. I put on 15 over the winter, but i am dropping that now. I should be at goal weight before this next cruise.

[MsAnnMcD]

It's been 4 years since we were on the Dawn so this was a great read. Well done and thank you.

 

Thanks to you we will pass on the bus/ferry and just do a shared shuttle or taxi to the beach this time.

 

Also, the second time we cruised to Bermuda was in 2004. Dawn was sailing out of NYC at the time. We were in the Frog & Onion watching the Red Sox win the world series when the engineers from the Dawn were in there having adult beverages. They were talking about the problems with the toilets. So this is a long outstanding problem with the ship. I recall them blaming it on people putting things in the vacuum system that shouldn't be there. I hope it isn't an issue when we sail next month.