NCL Dawn 5/11/08 Just back (quite long)

[pbsli]

Home from NCL Dawn 5/11 cruise

We had AE penthouse suite aft at the very back of ship, I can’t image being anywhere else on the ship.

Had a very easy trip from Long Island to pier Arrived too early to board but waited in a small upper area for suite guests (and bridal group). There was coffee, tea, juice, cake and cookies available. At first we were directly incorrectly to main waiting area but after asking a few people we were redirected to the upper lounge area (be forewarned there is no elevator).

A little after 11:00 we were boarded by group; bridal party first then suites, then latitudes. Fast and simple check-in, met Anka but did not have escort to room as they were not yet ready. Champagne or OJ as we boarded was a nice touch and you could have as many as you wanted. Went to Venetian for lunch, nice table at back of dining room with a view of water and NJ. Food and service were very nice; they did not rush us at all.

After lunch we went to see if suite was ready (it was). My husband was happy to sit on balcony with a scotch and take pictures. Then we met Ravi our butler, as good as things were going they just got better. Ravi was wonderful. The 2.0 upgrades were not in the suites yet but Ravi got us new down pillows, extensions cords for computer, etc. Champagne & chocolate covered strawberries, fresh flowers, fluffy robes, big fluffy towels. We were off to a great cruise. Sat on balcony with drinks as we left NY.

Dinner at Bamboo that night Sushi Bar was fabulous. The sushi chef Heikichi Allida made some wonderful suggestions. We had just been seated when Code Oscar was announced, my husband went out on the deck (he said he saw a small blinking light in the water & then nothing) Crew was there immediately putting out rescue boats but water temp was only 42o. They kept making announcements from the bridge to let us know what was going and officers could be seen everywhere letting guests know the latest.

Weather was not the greatest, lucky my husband & I both have good sea legs.

Room service in the suites is great. Ravi said anything we want from any restaurant any time. Also breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s for suite guests. Anka was great with suggestions & if we picked a time that overlapped a show or activity she would suggest a change.

Not happy with the casino, went there the first night to set up an account but it was sooo smokey, poor ventilation, very few manned tables (I like interaction not machines) that we decided to skip it for the duration of the cruise.

Dinner at Venetian one night food good but it’s such a large room and can get quite noisy. Salsa (free) was very good and white sangria was very good. LaBistro, Impressions and Cagneys (all extra charges) were great. The small extra charge was worth it (anywhere for $10 to $20 per person) Great selections, window seats impeccable service and much quieter than the bigger restaurants. The Garden Café and Blue Lagoon were also nice.

Unfortunately due to weather the pools (even in the spa), hot tubs and most outside decks were not available while at sea.

I know this is long so I will do a second review on Bermuda. But… the Segway tour was a great intro. to the dockyards easy to use and Rob the owner is a great tour guide (highly recommend).

[islandersx4]

Is the mini suite considered a "suite" with perks.....I am aware no butler, was wondering about embarkation. This is our first time on NCL and it appears the mini is just a wee bit bigger than a balcony cabin and of course a bit more $.

Thanks for any info and maybe a picture, anybody?

[musicgirl63]

Thanks for the review. So you can drink as many glasses of champagne as you want? Yes!!!!

 

Islandersx4, I don't think mini-suites are included with all of these perks. I believe they are referring to the Romance Suites. If you check out the ship and click on rooms, you'll notice that mini-suites are not in the separate category. This is where you'll find a list of the perks for the penthouses, owners suites etc.

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/fleet/staterooms.html?shipCode=DAWN

 

This may also help. It lists what each room is getting.

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pressroom/pressRelease.html?storyCode=PR_031208_Freestyle2.0

[Tideone]

Thanks for your review and the nice things you said about Ravi.

We also had an aft AE Penthouse on the Dawn when we sailed in February.

Ravi was also our butler and may I say he did an outstanding job of taking care of us.

We can't wait until July when we will be sailing the Dawn again - in the same cabin we had in February and hopefully we will have Ravi, although he said the butlers are often rotated.

What was so nice was he said even he was changed to another deck of cabins, he would still come back and take care of us.

dennis

[pbsli]

Yes, the staff kept roaming the area with trays full of champagne

2.0 was not complete on the 5/11 cruise but our butler Ravi (the best) got us feather pillows and lots of extras.

 

No matter what stateroom you have the Dawn is a great ship, you will have a great time... enjoy

 

I think cat AE is the lowest level suite to get the extras such as;

Butler an consig. service

Bathrobes;

Priority Restaurant Reservation and Reception Hotlines;

VIP Breakfast & Lunch in Cagney's;

Bottle Moet Chandon White Star Champagne on ice in our suite

Customized Fruit Menu with replacements as needed;

Customized Canapé Menu (our favorite was cheese and crackers & choc. covered strawberries);

Still only folgers Coffee & old hotel coffee makers;

Fresh-baked cookie at turn down on last night of cruise.

[nyflush]

Thanks for your review. Wow small text maybe you can make it a little bigger it's a hard read. Ravi is the best he made our last Dawn cruise amazing. I wonder if he still does the AB suites as well. Glad you had a great cruise.

[jentroubles]

pbsi-- thanks so much for your reveiw! Can I ask for one clarification? Did they also close the hot tubs in the spa area? (I've read in others they were closed above deck, but this is the first I saw that the spa area was also closed!) My mom, friend and I are planning on setting up a tent there next week! :eek:

[pbsli]

Not sure about the hot tub, but the pool was empty and they had potted plants blocking the doors into the pool area. Seas were very rough going and coming. Never checked while in port.

It was a great cruise and Bermuda is our favorite island.

[2Cruise4Ever]

Thanks for your review and the nice things you said about Ravi.

We also had an aft AE Penthouse on the Dawn when we sailed in February.

Ravi was also our butler and may I say he did an outstanding job of taking care of us.

We can't wait until July when we will be sailing the Dawn again - in the same cabin we had in February and hopefully we will have Ravi, although he said the butlers are often rotated.

What was so nice was he said even he was changed to another deck of cabins, he would still come back and take care of us.

dennis

 

Isn't Ravi the BEST?????? He was our butler last year and took such great care of us. I'm so hoping he's our butler again this year (in a little over 2 weeks!).

[islandersx4]

Musicgirl, Thanks for the info, I appreciate your response.