[ Cruise Reviews ]  [ Port Reviews ] [ Cruise Chat ]  [ Cruise Links ]  [ News ]

James Donwell

Your Age: 33
Your Occupation: Travel related web designer
Number of Cruises: First one (several on cruise ferries)
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Name of Ship: Norwegian Dawn
Sailing Date: September 26, 2004
Itinerary: Bahamas

This was my first cruise on a genuine cruise ship (and certainly not my last). I booked only a month in advance on a spur-of-the-moment when I was visiting the NCL website while attending to other business.

Even though this was my first cruise, I have been interested in cruise ships for more than a decade and always been a strong advocate for cruising.

Checking In
I arrived at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal in a taxicab at about 1pm. Out of the cab I was immediately approached by a porter who assisted with my baggage and then guided me towards the next stop inside the terminal. At the entrance a person checked that I had the proper documents ready and this was done, a second time only a few feet inside the terminal. Now, this may seem extreme, but it was amazing to see how many did not have their travel documents in hand=85 Once inside the terminal I went straight to the check in counter to have a made the mandatory imprint of my Visa and then on to pick up my keycard. Next in line was the first of many photo shoots with a backdrop of the ship. And then; welcome aboard!

I was in my room less than 45 minutes after I had paid, my cab at the curb=97and this was a sold out cruise! The longest wait was actually at the elevators, going from the boarding level at deck 6 to my room on deck 10.

At check in I was told to expect my bags to arrive at my stateroom before 8pm, they were there before we left the dock at 4pm!

The Stateroom
Cruising solo and being budget-minded I had booked an inside room, category II. My stateroom (#10599) was really nice and roomy. On one bed I found a spread to "please place luggage here" to spare the linens. The room had two (small) desks, two queen size beds that could easily be put together, a 14=94 color TV with a very simple to use remote control lots of drawers and a sizable closet. There was even a coffeemaker, a hair dryer and a mini-fridge with a full ice bucket and a safe. There are two power outlets, one American and one British. The bathroom was bigger than I have seen on some Scandinavian ferries and was very well appointed. The shower had a sliding glass door rather than a curtain, which was nice. Soaps and shampoo was provided in wall-mounted dispensers.

During the cruise Mike and Rosa, my room steward and stewardess, made sure I had new towels whenever I left the room for a second and he filled the ice bucket, too. Every night when I returned to my room to go to bed, I found a new kind of towel animal with the signature NCL chocolate mints on my bed=97again a nice touch.

The Lifeboat Drill
At 3pm, the first welcome aboard announcement was made and everybody were asked to be at their lifeboat station with their lifejacket at 3:30pm. This announcement was repeated at 3:15pm and at 3:30pm, I found myself to be one of first to arrive at boat station Y2 on the starboard side of the ship, outside on the promenade. Eventually everybody was there and we had a brief introduction to the life jackets by our Rescue Station Manager as well as a chance to look into one of the lifeboats.

Getting on the Go
After returning my lifejacket to my room, I went to the Oasis pool on Deck 12 for the Sail Away Bar-B-Q. On a perfect day, no clouds and a balmy high 60-something we pulled out from Pier 88, Berth 2 into the Hudson River with the New York skyline as a backdrop and escorted by two Coastguard patrol boats (they followed us all the way to the pilot station at Ambrose). On deck the band was playing, the first of many barbeques was set up and the waiters all offered large frozen drinks in souvenir glasses.

We left the dock almost punctually at 4pm and once in the Hudson, our Swedish captain Nicklas (Peterstam, but he never mentioned his last name) made his welcome aboard speech; he mentioned that we would pass the Statue of Liberty about 40 minutes after departure and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge an hour after departure. Almost everybody were on deck and had their cameras out to photograph miss Liberty and passing under the Narrows Bridge.

Once we passed the pilot station, our armed guards and Coastguard escorts disappeared and we set the course for Florida.

Exploring the Dawn
The Norwegian Dawn is a beautiful ship and has a great layout. I will not detail all the public rooms, this has already been done by others, but rather tell about some of the experiences you could have.

Dining
I did not want to pay the cover of the three "theme" restaurants, but sampled all the other dining venues. Service was always very attentive and no matter when or where I decided to dine, the maitre d=92 always honored my request for a table for one with no waiting time. The waiters made a point of introducing themselves and their home country (so you would remember them for your comment card on the last day of the cruise). The menu has something for everyone with appetizers, soups and salads, entr=E9es and a dessert menu of its own. The food was good, but not great=97it seemed as if NCL does not want to over spice but rather not offend anyone. On the Monday night I had the escargots in the Impres=ADsions Dining Room on deck 6, but these were tasteless (usually have a taste of garlic, when served in France) and so was most of the fare. The meals were always presented very fine and served without waiting time=97though you sometimes got a feeling they needed the table again soon. But, to be fair to all, catering to 2400 passengers is no small task.

Feeling like a snack between meals, try the Garden Caf=E9 on deck 12 or Bimini Bar & Grill forward on deck 13 or just wait a little longer and the bbq will most probably be out by the pool.

Entertainment
Every night has a new show in the lavish Stardust Theatre, forward on deck 6 and 7. This theatre seats more than 1,000 passengers and is a true Broadway style venue. The doors open 30 minutes before the show, but it was never a problem getting a good seat. The Jean Ann Ryan productions were great, but I especially liked the magic of Charles Bach and the action comedy of Thien Fu. Waiting for the show the cruise director=92s staff were all over selling lottery tickets and souvenirs and of course the bar staff would help you drench your thirst.

Forward on deck 12 the Spinnaker Lounge was used for port (read; sales) lectures as well as dance classes and great dance parties and of course the hilarious comedy of Dave Heanan, a native New Yorker!

The Dazzle's Lounge forward on Deck 7 was the place for the champagne art auctions, educative classes in napkin folding, etc. and the nightly karaoke (for adults only).

The Casino on forward on deck 6 is just as great as you would find it in Las Vegas, but you should only go there if you feel you have not paid enough for your cruise.

Wellness
The El Dorado fitness center aft on decks 11 and 12 is open 24/7 and offers the newest in the field. There are classes in yoga, spinning and aerobics daily.

If you do not feel like joining the gym, you still have the option of walking off those extra pounds from the Chocoholic Buffet doing laps on the Promenade on deck 7 where one lap is 612 yards (560 meters) and four laps total 1.4 miles. Or, you can use the jogging track on deck 13.

If you are into ping-pong, you can get bats and balls from the Reception desk on deck 7 for use at the two ping-pong tables on deck 13. On deck 14 (access from deck 13, mid ship, you will find a full size basketball court (in a cage so you don=92t loose the ball over the side of the ship) and on deck 13 there are two golf cages provided with free to use golf clubs for putting or driving.

When passing between the ping-pong tables and the golf cages, you will pass the life-sized chess game, and please feel free to make your move. Passing later again, it is always fun to see how the game is progressing.

If you are on the cruise to relax you will be happy to find hundreds and hundreds of deck chairs facing the Oasis pool and more facing forward on deck 13.

Internet
As part of my job I need to be able to access the internet on a regular basis. Hence I signed up for the $100/250 minute internet package on the first night of the cruise and enjoyed the wireless internet access in the Atrium, at the Oasis Pool and in the Spinnacker Lounge. Considering this was on a moving ship on the high seas the internet access was not fast, but reliable.

Ports o' Call
Due to Hurricane Jeanne, our itinerary was changed. On the first sea day, the captain made the announcement that as the channel into Port Canaveral did not have the draught to allow a ship of our size to enter, we would go directly to Nassau=97everyone applauded. The change in itinerary also meant that we missed out on the NCL private island.

Nassau
We arrived late in the afternoon on Tuesday. The temperature was in the upper 80-92s and so was the humidity! The port was already full (Mariner of the Seas, Disney Wonder, Carnival=92s Fantasy) so we docked at the pier farthest from the terminal building. It was a five-minute walk to the terminal building and then you are in the middle of the town. Nassau is a nice small town with a distinctive Caribbean feel=97slow paced, laid back and peddlers on every street corner. As we stayed overnight I opted to dine on the ship and hit town the next day. In stead of paying big bucks for a city tour I ventured into town on my own and saw the Queen's Staircase, The Tower, The Parliament (which was celebrating it's centennial that day) and then shopping in downtown.

Miami
Our call to Miami coincided with the arrival of President Bush for the presidential debate the same evening. The Norwegian Dawn was the only ship in Miami and we had a spectacular arrival in Government's Cut. As this was our first stop back in the US after being in the Bahamas, all passengers had to go through immigration. This meant being in line forever as the computer system was down for a while. However, the tour busses waited and everybody got to do their tours. I took the three-hour coach tour of Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Calle Ocho (Little Havana). This was my first visit to Miami and I enjoyed the sightseeing on Ocean Drive and through the city.

Port Canaveral
We were in the Port at dawn and the tours departed shortly thereafter. I had signed up for the NASA Up Close tour and enjoyed a full day at the Kennedy Space Center, including a three-hour tour of the complex narrated but a long-time NASA employee.

All in all
As I mentioned before, this cruise was my first and it met all my expectations. I liked the Freestyle Cruising and had a great time on the ship. I will probably cruise on the Norwegian Dawn in the future.

For more information on this and other cruise ships as well as passenger ferries please visit www.cruiseferries.net.

Best Regards,
Cruise & Ferries Net

James Donwell
Web Designer

Ask a Question About NCL, Norwegian Cruise Lines