Live from Dawn 9/03

[JPCruising]

Well here is the latest from the Dawn’s first Canadian cruise of the season. The weather has not been cooperating at all. Getting to the ship was no problem and we were on in no time. The weather was windy, overcast and raining. No enjoying the balconies today as the wind & rain were blowing in. We had limited visibility sailing past the Statue of Liberty. As we got out a ways the wind and seas really picked up. In an update from the bridge today they said we had 20’ seas and 80mph winds, I believe them. Rough seas don’t really bother me but there weren’t many people out last night. This morning due to rough seas our Martha’s Vineyard stop was cancelled, as we couldn’t safely tender. My wife and I were really looking forward to this stop. Around 11:00 they came out with a few alternative activities onboard but not much is happening. The seas today are still fairly rough 12'-18'and the wind around 35 knots as we sail north under limited visibility. Otherwise we are enjoying the cruise and being in an owners suite makes things great despite the weather.:D

[angeljt]

I hope the weather clears soon for you and the seas calm.

The owner's suite is wonderful and I hope you get to enjoy the balconies.

Have a great time and thanks for posting.

Sorry you missed the Vineyard.

Jackie

[Baitman19]

jpcruising,

 

Which Owner's Suite are you in. We're in 9506 when you return.

 

Is Claudio the Concierge and do you have Anshuman as your Butler? If so, please tell them hello from the Strattons and we'll see them on Saturday.

 

Sorry about the nasty weather. We really had a lot of damage around here with the high winds yesterday.

Hope the rest of your cruise is better, have a great cruise and we look forward to your posts from the Dawn.

 

Happy Sailing,

Monty

[powersl]

Hope your weather clears up for you. Thankyou for writing we leave on the 23rd and anxious to hear your reviews. Sorry about the vineyard being cancelled. Keep up the live reviews. Thanks.

 

what happens when they cancell the port - just move on to the next port of call?

[Leona1]

Thank you for posting live from the DAWN.

I am hoping that the weather clears up for you. The owners suite does make it a little more tolerable

I am looking forward to your next post.

 

Hopeing the weather clears up.

 

Leona

[jimswims]

JPCruising:

Thank you for posting live from the Dawn. I hope the weather gets better for you, it is raining here in Boston today.

We have booked an AB Penthouse Suite on the Dawn in August 07. We were in an inside on the Spirit this August. We hope that we are in for a nice surprise!

[tony@stanton19.freeserve.]

Thanks for the live report JPRcruising. We are also on next week's sailing with Monty, Diane and all the others from our roll call.

 

I look forward (after our return) to seeing your photos, I have admired your Alaska pics on your photosite before. If you could post a couple from the ship that would be interesting. You are a brilliant photographer, managing to take those pics that we wish we had taken.

 

Are you having a Meet and Greet ? If so, is it on the Sea Day ?

 

Sorry you missed Martha's Vineyard, hope the weather is more charitable as you get further away from Ernesto and he doesn't follow you:eek:

 

Have a great cruise, keep posting.

 

Tony

[JPCruising]

Weather has improved some and we actually got the see the sun this afternoon. Seas have calmed down from the 20' of last night and we had a great dinner at Teppanyaki and really enjoyed Romano Ferdiani's show tonight. To answer a few questions: Claudio is our concierge, Lucky is our butler, I think he is new, we are in room 10506 and loving it. When MV was canceled today nothing was done to replace it except we have an additional sea day instead of one. They did add an extra game of bingo. As far as pictures go I plan to post a lot upon my return, I don't plan to post any while on the ship. Well got to run as there is more to do tonight. Will check back in the morning.

[lovemykids2]

So sorry to hear you missed your first port. We will be sailing on the 16th of Sept...and must say anxious to see M V and eat the cotton candy I've heard so much about! I will keep great thoughts that the weather clears for the rest of your trip...thanks for the post...

[Cosmopolitan]

I checked your upcoming ports

Tues, Halifax - mixture of sun and clouds, 66 degrees

Wed, Bar Harbor - 66 degrees, chance of rain, 40%:( ..it could change by Wednesday.

Thurs, Boston - 73 degrees, partly cloudy

Fri, Newport - Mid 70's, partly cloudy

Sat, NY Sun/clouds, Mid 70's

 

We finally had SUN today and it appeared much earlier than the weather reports...sending it your way;)

 

Sorry you missed MV.

 

Thanks for posting.

Enjoy the Dawn and your suite:)

[Baitman19]

JPCruising,

 

Thanks for the info. Lucky's first cruise was on April 26th. He was a waiter and put into emergency service when two butlers left the ship that day. Anshuman brought him around to meet us. Claudio is the greatest!!!

 

We've stayed in 10506 twice. It's a awesome cabin. Have you figured out how to use the pants presser yet? It comes in handy

 

Looks like the weather is going to cooperate for you.

 

May the rest of your cruise be the best:)

 

Happy Sailing,

Monty

[JPCruising]

Day 3 and things are looking up. The sun is out and the seas are calm. Got to enjoy the forward balcony this morning but chose to have breakfast in the dining nook. Hey Monty I tried to figure out the pants press, do you have any instructions? Have a full day of activities and more pictures to take so I will post more later

[lastingtouch]

JPCruising,

Don't you just love that cabin?

 

Could you please ask Claudio if Anshuman is still on board for next week? We would like to request him.

 

Have you checked out the Star Bar yet? If Eka is still there she makes the best Martini's. Ask for her "Little Star" Yum!!!! ;)

 

Thanks again for the updates. Keep um coming! Have a great time!!! :D

 

diane

[Brenda33]

Hi JP,

Since you are on Dawn right now, maybe you can help me..... I am trying to find out about the Dawn's nightlife.....for instance on Carnival I spent alot of time watching a live band that played classic rock/pop music....also enjoyed the karoke. Was wondering about the entertainment on Dawn and where each was located. Thanks for your help!! :)

[Baitman19]

JPCruising,

 

Did you get lost. I know the weather has improved for you.

 

Tell us about Halifax and Bar Habour.

 

Answer to pants presser. Put your slack in presser and latch it. Push the button until the light comes on. It will take time to heat up and will put a nice crease in your pants. Something like 15 minutes.

 

Happy Sailing,

Monty

[Johnsy81]

Well here is the latest from the Dawn’s first Canadian cruise of the season. The weather has not been cooperating at all. Getting to the ship was no problem and we were on in no time. The weather was windy, overcast and raining. No enjoying the balconies today as the wind & rain were blowing in. We had limited visibility sailing past the Statue of Liberty. As we got out a ways the wind and seas really picked up. In an update from the bridge today they said we had 20’ seas and 80mph winds, I believe them. Rough seas don’t really bother me but there weren’t many people out last night. This morning due to rough seas our Martha’s Vineyard stop was cancelled, as we couldn’t safely tender. My wife and I were really looking forward to this stop. Around 11:00 they came out with a few alternative activities onboard but not much is happening. The seas today are still fairly rough 12'-18'and the wind around 35 knots as we sail north under limited visibility. Otherwise we are enjoying the cruise and being in an owners suite makes things great despite the weather.:D

 

We saw the Dawn in Manhattan on Saturday (we were sailing on QM2 out of Red Hook and drove past the Manhattan cruise terminal). We too sailed up to Canada (Nova Scotia). Once we cleared the VZ Bridge, the winds really slammed into us and seas were running about 10 - 15 feet. No rolling but a fair amount of pitching especially on the top of the ship (where our cabin was). We saw a reduction in the seas around 8:00 pm but had pitching through the night. It was still windy enough on Sunday that the doors to the outside deck areas were blocked off but the ship rode very comfortably. No mention by the Captain of 18 - 20 foot seas on Saturday or 12 - 18 foot seas on Sunday. He did mention winds blowing across the bow creating hazardous conditions on deck (hence the blocking of all outside doors).

 

QM2 handled the weather extremely well. She maintained a speed of approximately 28 knots the whole way. The dining room was full both nights (except that one passenger at the table next to ours had an "accident" in the dining room on Saturday night...this was his first cruise and I'm sure that he'll be taking a second one).

[JPCruising]

You can probably tell by the lack of post that I have been out visiting the ports and activities of the ship. My wife and I have really been enjoying the suite and all it includes.

Halifax – I was up early to photograph our arrival into the port, also I had arranged a private taxi tour prior to leaving home and had planned to meet the guide/driver, Bob at 7:30 am. The ship docked at 7:00, we had an early breakfast in the suite and Claudio called at 7:10 to tell me that we would escort us off the ship so we could have an early start on the day. Thanks to Claudio we were the first people off the ship. We had a great day of photographing the highlights such as Peggy’s Cove as well as off the beat track places like Blue Rock. Our trip ended up being 7 hrs long and of course we still didn’t get to see everything. The weather in Halifax before getting off the ship was very overcast and looked like it was going to be a gray dreary day with light rain, instead it turned out to be a beautiful day. We ran out of time to do anything in Halifax itself so can comment on things to do in town, but would recommend Peggys Cove to anyone for it’s great beauty. Leaving Halifax the balconies were full, everyone in the owners suites were out on the forward balconies enjoying the view and great weather as we sailed away. After a long day we enjoyed dinner in our suite before going out to evening activities.

Bar Harbor – Again I arose early to photograph our arrival into the port, this is a tendering port and it is a beautiful area. It was overcast and cool and I enjoyed photographing from the front and side balconies. Soon we were anchored and my wife and I were off to the Venetian for breakfast, our first time eating breakfast out of the suite. Claudio had told us the night before that everyone must go through immigration, even if you weren’t leaving the ship that day. He recommended waiting until at least 8:45 before trying to get into line for immigration. Well due to immigration coming late, really checking over everyone’s papers it took a LONG time to get off the ship. NCL did there best but I didn’t reach the dock until 10:45, I was glad I did have some pre-arranged activity. Another thing that didn’t help matters is that shortly after dropping anchor the fog rolled in and you couldn’t see anything, it was a total white out. Once we got to the dock we booked a 2.5 hr tour on the Ollie trolley tour, it was a school bus actually. The driver, Bradley grew up near by and was extremely knowledgeable. Will continue

[JPCruising]

Bar Harbor continued – the tour was good except for the weather as the fog blocked most of the views. Cadillac Mountain was fogged in most of the day although some told me that it did clear later in the day. The weather did improve but we decided to return to the ship mid afternoon and have lunch on the side balcony looking out over the harbor and what a grand view it was. Again we enjoyed the balconies as we sailed away. Dinner at LeBistro, magic show, and more ended a great day.

Comments on the ship – this was our third time on NCL, first on the Dawn and first in an owners suite. For me I enjoy the ships almost as much as the ports. I have also been on several other lines and I am always impressed by the friendliness of the staff and regular crew on NCL. I really enjoy talking to the room stewards, waitresses, and other crew. I have enjoyed the fun and different restaurants that we have eaten at, although many times we have had the butler bring in our meals which has been extremely nice. I have enjoyed the shows so far with the exception of the South Beach Rave, both my wife and I really didn’t care for it. I will try to post more later and will write a lot more once I am home and we post a lot of photos on my photosite after I return.

[matt690]

JPCruising,

 

Thanks for the update, and I am glad you are enjoying the Dawn. We were aboard the Dawn two weeks ago, and we had a fabulous week. Hopefully you were able to see the Second City show. If you saw it, how did you enjoy it? Make sure to go to the other show that they have in the Spinniker Lounge. Also, try to take time at night to enjoy the bands playing throughout the ship. Some of the singers were very talented. If you eat breakfast in the Venetian again, try to request the waiter Michael Destresso. We were fortunate to have him as our waiter in LeBistro, and we requested to have him for breakfast in the Venetian. He is an extremely nice and personable man. He is going home on Saturday after ten months aboard the Dawn. If you meet him, please tell him that we send our regards and hope that he has a great vacation with his new-born three month old daughter. You can tell him we were the family two weeks ago who took a picture with him on the last morning.

 

Have a great rest of the cruise, and I can't wait to hear about the rest of your stay abord the NCL Dawn.

 

-Matt

 

<removed name from post, per poster--kimberly b.>

[lastingtouch]

JPCruising,

I knew you must have been having too much fun to write. ;)

 

As you leave the ship we'll be coming on. Please, please, find out from Claudio if he will still be on the ship next week?

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

diane

[angeljt]

JPCruising,

I knew you must have been having too much fun to write. ;)

 

As you leave the ship we'll be coming on. Please, please, find out from Claudio if he will still be on the ship next week?

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

diane

Diane,

I believe I remember that you are Monty's better half. (hope I don't get in trouble for that one) ;)

I hope you have a wonderful time, and welcome to the 9506 club!!!

Jackie

[shoreguy]

JPCruising,

I knew you must have been having too much fun to write. ;)

 

As you leave the ship we'll be coming on. Please, please, find out from Claudio if he will still be on the ship next week?

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

diane

 

I believe his next vacation is mid Oct hopefully JP will confirm

[lastingtouch]

Thanks Shoreguy! I should have just went to you for the answer.

 

Here's one for you. On our last cruise Anshuman told us we could request which butler we wanted. Do you believe that to be true? Do you think having the OS buys us some clout? :confused: We'd like to have Anshuman again.

 

di

[lastingtouch]

Diane,

I believe I remember that you are Monty's better half. (hope I don't get in trouble for that one) ;)

I hope you have a wonderful time, and welcome to the 9506 club!!!

Jackie

 

Thanks Jackie! I can't wait to be a member of the 9506 club. Monty' will be doing his "Live from the Dawn". Sometimes it's too much information! :rolleyes: (at my expense!) Stay tuned!

[Cosmopolitan]

Thanks Shoreguy! I should have just went to you for the answer.

 

Here's one for you. On our last cruise Anshuman told us we could request which butler we wanted. Do you believe that to be true? Do you think having the OS buys us some clout? :confused: We'd like to have Anshuman again.

 

di

 

Yes, you can request the butler that you like.

 

We have done that and it worked out fine, the butlers work it out between themselves. We did it butler to butler and did not involve the HD;)