Cruising on the Dawn in November. Questions.

[MEL from PA]

Dear NCL Cruise Addicts:

I may be cruising on the Norwegian Dawn's 10 Night Caribbean cruise roundtrip from NYC in November 2004.
This will be my 5th cruise BUT it will be my first Norwegian and Freestyle type of cruise.
I have a few questions that I hope some of you can answer.

1. How's the ocean weather during this time of year on the eastern seaboard? Should I expect rough water until the ship reaches Florida? I hope I'll be able to wear shorts and go swimming during the *At Sea* days enroute to the caribbean, or maybe not.
2. What is the best time to arrive at the restaurants for a person who prefers to eat late and not expect to wait? Would 8:00 p.m. be a good time? If a wait is involved, how long does a person usually have to wait?
3. Are the staterooms on the Dawn nice and ergonomically designed? Are the bathrooms typically small or will I be in for a nice surprise?
4. Will I receive great service by the crew members, even though I am now paying my tips *up front* through this new NCL tipping policy?
5. How's the entertainment, in general? Does NCL have adult comedy shows?
6. I'm almost afraid to ask what the NYC Cruise Ship Terminal charges for parking these days. Does anyone know?
7. Do any of the 10 restaurants apply those additional *surcharges* that I should be aware of? I'm trying to find out any extra hidden costs here!
8. Are any of you Cruise Addicts going on this cruise? That would be cool!
9. How do you pack for a 10 night cruise? I never did a 10 night cruise before. Any good packing tips?

I realize I asked alot of questions. It would be tremendously helpful if you can provide any input. If you have other comments or tips, please feel free to add your personal opinions.
Thanks so much!



Post Edited (07-25-04 17:34)

 

[psuregina]

Hi Mel---

where are you from in PA??? I live near Gettysburg but I go to Penn State so i spend most of the year in State College. I just cruised on the Dawn aug 1-8 so I'll answer the questions that I can. The water wasn't tremendously rough and we were on the tail of tropical storm/hurricane Alex. it did rain a bit because of that on the way down but coming back was fine. with dinner, generally the later you come, the longer you will wait. my family (group of 4) usually ate around 6:30 or 7 and never had to wait but I can't really say about the wait if youre going later. The Dawn bathrooms were nice---partitioned into 3 sections, the sink in the middle, shower on the left, toilet on the right. there were sliding doors between the sink and toilet, and then the other one served as the shower door. my family was in an outside room on deck 4---not terrible, not wonderful. 4 in a room is always a squeeze so this was expected. there was one bunk and then a trundle bed was pulled out between the 2 lower beds at night. two people in this room would be nice. i thought the service was good overall. just about everyone we came across was pleasant and polite. entertainment was very good---i think there were 4 comedians on board during our week-long cruise and all were decent, with some being better than others. Le Bistro costs $15 per person, Cagney's steakhouse---$20 per person, Teppenyaki I think was $12.50 a person. La trattoria and salsa did not have extra cost, plus the three "main" dining rooms---the Venetian, Impressions and Aqua also had no cost. my family went to le bistro and la trattoria in addition to the three main dining rooms---both were very nice. le bistro gives you more of the feel that you're in a land restaurant as opposed to a cruise ship dining room. this isn't a complaint at all, just a comment that le bistro has a different feel to it. i don't know exactly what my parents paid to park for the week but it was well over $100---yuck. the ship is beautiful and i had a wonderful cruise---i'm jealous that you get to go on her for 10 days! i hope i could help answer your questions.

regina :frog

 

[donnamarie_NJ]

Hi .
I went on the dawn , last october and allthough it was my first cruise so i have not another to compair it to, i thought it was fantastic. The crew were sensational. very polite and attentative. The rooms were very very clean and modern. I had eaten at a different time each night and not waited ever. I did not go to any of the pay restaurantes. Really no need to , the others served a variety of differrent things each night and the food was outstanding. Not to mention you can eat at as many restaurantes you want each night. The entertainment was great, from acrobatic plays to comedians to movies and musicians. The outside calispo bands , were all just terrific. I work for a woman who has been on 8 or 9 cruises and she swares the dawn was the best. The sea was calm, the weather awesome,

Hope this helps, Im going on the 10/30 cruise from NYC to bahamas again, this time with my 13 year old son. thats how much i enjoyed it, Last oct, I went alone but still had a great time, very friendly cruise.

anyone else going 10/30/04 Halloween cruise LOL

 

[BigAl]

I believe the parking is currently $24 per day to park at the pier. At one point it was cash or check only, but they now accept credit cards. Depending on where you live, NCL runs a bus from Allentown, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg. Cost is $50 per person round trip. We used it last year for the Dawn from Allentown and it was very handy. We got a ride to and from the airport's economy parking lot (where we caught the bus), but could have parked for $7/day. The bus takes you right to the pier and they take care of your luggage ($2 per person) upon arrival. We were in the second group to disembark and the buses were there waiting for us. I would do it again anytime.

I don't think you need to pack a lot more than you would for a 7 day and in a pinch there are free laundries on several decks (9, 10, 11). You only need either pay $1 for soap or bring some of your own. I hope you post a review of your cruise here because it is one I have on my wish list . The Dawn is a beautiul ship and I am sure you will enjoy her. Try the fish and chips in the Pub and the chili and fried rice at the Blue Lagoon (24 hour place).

If you have any other questions, just ask psuregina - We are Penn State!

 

[mike098]

I am actually going on the November 10 day cruise on the Dawn as well. I am 15 years old, this will be my 4th cruise, first with NCL. I will be going with my dad, grandparents, aunt and uncle, it is the first cruise for all of them(i've went with my mother to Carnival Imagination, RCCL Voyager of the Seas, and again RCCL Voyager of the Seas which i just got back from today).

 

[njcruise]

I'm going on the Dawn for Thanksgiving. I've been on the Dawn before, March, but not for 10 days. The ship is great. Seems like you have all of your answers from other Dawn cruisers. It will be so great to get away and go a warmer climate! I can't wait! Have fun!

 

[snorkel]

We are also going on the 10/31 Dawn. We are taking the NCL Bus from Boston to the Port.
Fed Ex tried to deliver our documents today and we weren't home...now have to wait to
get them tomorrow!