Just Off The Dawn

[cruise2much]

This is my first attempt at a cruise review so bare with me and I will try to communicate my cruise experience the best I can.

Embarkation: We arrived in NY around 7:00 am and was directed to the overflow parking above the cruise terminal, went and roamed around NY returned to the terminal around 11:30 moved the car to our berth and went to check in. I was delighted to go from security to boarding the ship within 30 minutes. I was floored by the embarkation the fastest I have ever made it on to a ship and this was my 4th time on the Dawn.

Once on board we were told the cabins would not be ready until 2:00 so we had a little lunch and stopped by Pearlys Pub for a drink, all good so far. Went to our cabin got settled in noticed a little wear & tear but the ship has been in service for going 5 years I think, so considering that the cabin was as nice as we remembered from our last trip. As for the ship in general you can see most of the seams in the carpet now and a few signs here and there of disrepair but I am in the construction industry and most of what I noticed would probable go unnoticed by most.

We decided to have dinner at Lebestro and here is where things started going a little south. First, because of the storm the seas were a little rough nothing we haven’t experienced in the past so we weren’t very concerned our waitress on the other hand was positively alarmed. Several times proclaiming “Oh, Lord-Jesus Christ” going around our table to stare out the window and letting out intermittent squeaks at what she thought was disturbing conditions needless to say making our dining experience a little uncomfortable. Then the food arrived and I was not overly impressed with what they offered but was not too concerned.

Day 2: Martha’s Vineyard- We proceeded into what I assumed to be the harbor where we were to tender from. Anchored for about an hour then was told due to weather we would not be visiting this port. Though disappointing it was understandable, but it took until around Noon for them to have a revised itinerary for onboard activities. I found this to be unprepared we were after all following in the wake of a tropical storm and every one was wondering the night before if we would stop. So I would imagine the cruise director would have a back up but no, instead we were presented with such activities as Airbrush tattoos $7.50, Bingo $$$$, Aerobics extra charge applies. Oh yes I almost forgot a seminar on Irritable Bowl Syndrome this was free, what cruise isn’t complete without that?

Day 3: At Sea- Not a lot to do again, I really feel a lot was left to be desired for the activities on this cruise, We did the lunch thing at the Buffet and yes the desert station is no more, A few selections at the end of the buffet line. 3 choices for regular and sugar free. No description of what you are choosing just assorted pastries. This evening we dined at the Venetian. Wow!!! I heard about the Lobster thing, forgot about asking them not to include the special sauce. When they presented the plate I was disgusted, Not only was the lobster tail tiny, I was only half of a tail!!! Thats right they split the tail down the center and gave me half… What the *~^# was that? And the sauce reminded me of kindergarten paste. Not a lot going on at night, plenty of photo opps the Disco did not open until midnight, with nothing to occupy us till then we often turned in early.

Day 4: Halifax: I love this port, nothing but nice. I was a little surprised at the Cost of the Tall ship excursion though, It’s about a 10 minute walk from the ship and is $22.00 for the cruise, NCL charges a little over $80.00 per person for this one but you do get a sandwich. The weather decided to get better and we were to find it remained this way throughout the rest of the cruise. We were grateful. Back on the ship and on our way…

We tried to call and make reservations for Salsa’s we were told nothing available until 8:00 PM so we decided to forgo Salsa and maybe stop by Blue Lagoon, we happened past Salsa’s however and found it to be almost deserted asked for a table and were seated at a table for two at once. I must say Salsa’s was the best our waiter Glen was awesome we left a comment card naming him the highlight of our cruise. We ate there on two more occasions this trip and I tipped Glen about $20.00 over the amount automatically credited. I made sure to give him cash.

Day 5: Boston- It was on this day we were the most upset with NCL. Just before our arrival my wife was informed her father was in the hospital with hart trouble and it was likely he would need open hart surgery. As you can imagine my wife was very upset and we were ready to send her home. We went to the pursers desk and found no help, First they said we needed to inform them 24 hours in advance so they could prepare the paper work, We had to pay $300.00 for my wife to depart due to the Jones Act of which we were aware. We asked to see someone in charge; we were told she was upstairs dealing with other issues to return in an hour or so to see her. We went upstairs seen two people with passports asked them if they seen the person in charge of immigrations and they directed to a room where we found the woman in charge as well as a US official. He told us to meet him on the gangway at 9:00 that morning and he would escort us to the immigration station where my wife would receive clearance and would most likely not be charged $300.00 due to the emergency. We asked him what paperwork we needed from the ship and was told none just our ID and passport. She did not end up leaving due to the lack of flights and later found her father would not get the surgery until the following week. We were dismayed however at the lack of help or compassion for that matter from the officials on the ship assigned to deal with these matters.

This evening we had reservations at Salsa again; I tried to get earlier seating and was told again the restaurant was booked. Again when I went to the restaurant I found plenty of seating and was placed with our favorite waiter just as before. Later I got the feeling if you try to dine at a pay restaurant if you dine before 6:00 PM it was half price. I think this is why early seating at the reservation desk always seemed to be booked up until it was full price but the restaurants never seemed to be full?

Day 6: New Port- This one was the Big one. We anchored a 9:00 am as scheduled. As usual the announcement they would begin tendering once cleared. Our balcony was directly above the tender station, at about 10:00 we started to crew like the photo department head to shore. It was not until 12:30 that we arrived on shore and we were among the 2nd group to leave the ship. Later I talked with people that did not make it to shore until 2:30 – 3:00 that afternoon and had to be at the last tender returning @ 5:30. Their were a few unhappy people, they used tender tickets White tickets from 0 to 1000 then blue from 0 to 1000 plus. We had white 0145 & 0146 so I am sure you could imagine the disappointment of blue 1000 plus.

Day 7: NY home at last- Nothing to report we were among the first off left parking left NY via GW bridge best way to exit in my opinion.

At the end of the cruise I was not disappointed with the ship or crew for the most part they were present and the ship was nice as usual. I am disappointed with NCL as a company however, I did really notice a decline in the services available, the food offered, like the cookout on deck hamburgers and hotdogs, No chicken No ribs No steak. Most of the activities offered were focused around spending more money “ Power Shopping Bingo Air brush Tattoos @ $7.50, Pilate’s (extra fee applies). The shows were all the same and the Art action was a joke. This itinerary was really directed towards the senor crowd and no a lot for the younger guest to do.

[JuneauMe]

Thanks for the review,

I have been on the Dawn 4 times, and I too have noticed that things have gotten scimpy. It's kind of a shame, cause I love the ship, and the crew really is so nice, but on each successive trip, there would be yet another cut.

And I have to tell you that we just returned from a bermuda trip, and we had the same CD as you. He is a total waste of a pay check. NCL should toss him and bring back the desert station, or put chicken back on the BBQ. The guy had nothing going on on the ship! We also had the option to pay for our on board activities or go to the free irritable bowel lecture. If the menu choice were more exciting, I might have needed the lecture, but no too much to "indulge" in, so no need for that.

I'm still going on the Dawn to do the Canada/NE trip, but like I said...I have noticed that things are not as nice as they had been. Oh well.

Donna

[uneamie]

 

 

 

Day 2: Oh yes I almost forgot a seminar on Irritable Bowl Syndrome this was free, what cruise isn’t complete without that?

 

 

 

LOL! :D :D

We are going on the Dawn for a Western Caribbean cruise in April...I will be sure to complete my cruise by attending this seminar for sure. ;)

All laughter aside....we did the Dawn a year ago and loved the ship itself. I think the food needs some major improvment...especially in the Garden Buffet but all in all we had a great cruise. Sorry you has so many issues to deal with and I do hope your wife's father will be OK. Thanks for the review and the chuckle. ;)

[LORRY (NOT MY REAL NAME)]

In response to JuneauMe and Cruise2much. I took one cruise on the Dawn, it had been my 13th cruise, approximatley, 1st on Norwegian Line. I hated this cruise and I love cruises. There was nothing to do, everything was extra, freesyle dining stinks, I can go on and on. My comment is, that I can't believe someone would go back on this ship, let alone 3 or 4 times. I feel bad that it took you that many times to see how bad this ship, service, crew, line was. Hope you look into Carnivals cruise out of NYC, the Victory go to Canada and the Legend goes to the Caribbean, either of these 2 ships is a HUGE step up from the Dawn, entertainment wise, food wise, cost wise. Please give them a shot, I'm sure you won't be dissappointed.

[cruise2much]

In response to JuneauMe and Cruise2much. I took one cruise on the Dawn, it had been my 13th cruise, approximatley, 1st on Norwegian Line. I hated this cruise and I love cruises. There was nothing to do, everything was extra, freesyle dining stinks, I can go on and on. My comment is, that I can't believe someone would go back on this ship, let alone 3 or 4 times. I feel bad that it took you that many times to see how bad this ship, service, crew, line was. Hope you look into Carnivals cruise out of NYC, the Victory go to Canada and the Legend goes to the Caribbean, either of these 2 ships is a HUGE step up from the Dawn, entertainment wise, food wise, cost wise. Please give them a shot, I'm sure you won't be dissappointed.

 

I have been on both in fact, the Legend was the first ship I took the canada trip on Sep 7th 2001 out of New YorK, I loved it, It does seem that going that direction will be a low key cruise, It was the first time on Carnival I seen clear halls after Midnight :D

[spiedieone]

I have been on a few cruises, and lines and i'm sorry you did not like the dawn, freestyle is not for everyone. We take an anual girls cruise, and took the dawn last march, we loved it so much we booked the 11 day in feb. We thought the ship was great, lots to do all the time, and the people on ncl are great, from the staff to the passengers. I will agree the food isn't the greatest but the ship is, and you can't beat going out of nyc.