I took a NCL dawn Caribbean cruise from Miami for 7 days.
I had earlier taken Carnival Fascination Cruise to Bahamas for 3 days earlier. I will
compare them(NOTE: NCL vs carnival comparison is like comparing apple to oranges)
The ship seemed nice- not as grand as Carnival. The pool deck was approximately same.
I took inner cabin at NCL- as I realized during Carnival cruise - that you don't stay
inside the room anyway - and you get better 360 degree view from top of the ship.
I had given 5 $ tip for my 4 baggage's to potters(as per some site recommendation to give 1$ per bag). 3 of my bags arrived around 6 pm(ship left at 4 pm) - the other bag arrived around 8 pm.
There was no iron in my NCL room. It contained a safe and lots of towels to carry on pool, excursion etc). The room was small - as expected - like in carnival.
It had 1 110(US) and 1 230 V plug(UK) in room. there was another one in
bathroom - but it had protective lid on it and was meant for shaving.
I beleive in Carnival i had seen coin laudry. In NCL dawn the laundry
seemed expensive for "same day" (default is next day - which also was
expensive).. I even heard some guys dropped some clothes at laundry
near ports!!
This time i had unfortunately got room near the "front" of the NCL ship. It seemed
to rock more then Carnival one. But again one passenger pointed that in a Bahamas
cruise -the ship does not travel fast as it has to travel "shorter distance" - and also
the sea must have been calm at that time. I did take lots of sea sickness medicine-
which did help(on one day). Your bed will definitely feel going up and down in a
rhythmic motion - during the "days at sea"day(especially if are at forward or back of ship).
The carnival had "fixed sitting" time for lunch and dinner. NCL had lot more food
choices - eg you can eat lunch/dinner at Aqua/Venetian restaurant(same menu-different settings) at any time(when its open). There was also choice to eat at Garden Buffet - which is
Buffet style(always had 3 or 4 indian food etc) any time. There was a very small 24 hours food place called Blue lagoon - which i never went. You could pay "cover charge"(eg 20$) and
also eat at "specialty restauarants" -some Teriyaki etc.
Carnival had one formal night - where you were supposed to wear suit etc(not that i wore it). NCL did not have anything like that - but they had notice to not come in restaurant with tank tops etc. But people did not care. Also some 40% of people did dress up - especially during the last days.
I kept my daughter Hiba with day care counselors with nick names like Lollypop, JennyBean,
Ricko , Roudy , magic etc. There were were very good and she was kept in 2 to 5 years
group as she is 5. For most of days - when we were on land- we kept my 5 year old daughter with them(as she does not know swimming) with them. My daughter definitely preferred staying with them as compared to coming on land - when we finally took her with us at Great Stirrup Cay.
The "waiter service" quality was almost same(with carnival having slight edge). The room staff
at NCL were very good. But my toilet flush did not work on 2 nights - and once during day time(we called them - and they replied that somebody was working on it).
The shows(similar to las vegas ones) were almost similar in both NCL and Carnival.
NCL seemed to be cleaner -and they would always ask us to wash our
hands with their anti bacterial liquid at all restaurant entrance(probably due
to some stomach virus years back).
Carnival had water fountain near pool deck(eg to fill bottle). In NCl you
could go to nearby Garden cafe and fill the water first in "glass" and then pour
it in your water bottle(for cleanliness reasons I guess).
So whom do i recommend - my wife liked NCL . But with variety of
food choice - NCL may have the edge over Carnival for some people.
For late night party - Carnival seemed to attract the "party crowd" -and
hence there was more late night activities(dancing etc) in carnival.
I personally both of them great in "overall experience" and both were different/good
in their own way.
Rental car:
I noticed the parking in Miami port was 20$ instead of 7$ previously and hence there was no pointing in parking your rental car(for even 3 day trip). Also the rental facility arrangement at
miami port seemed to be non existing(for security)- as compared with airports. You should
not try to reach Miami port at the last moment as you will be stuck in traffic jam.
While reaching Miami - we took Avis- and had to pay around 15$ for cab rental return.
While going back we took Budget (paid 20 $ to reach there by cab)- and they made us wait 3 or 4 hours (around 1 pm) - till the other guys catching next cruise ship returned their cars(some people said that it happened at other rental agencies also). I could not book other car rental - while i was waiting - as ALL rental car in Miami were out of cars - per Orbitz etc. Hertz does provide shuttle service to port - but it was very expensive. Of course people who took shore excursions
at "arrival" to Miami - were send to Miami/Ft Lauderdale by NCL.
Visa requirement For Dominican Republic:
Most island like Tortolla etc were clear about visa requirement. It was hard to find
any good info. on visiting Samana(Domnican Republic) In fact their website mentioned
that Indian,Chinese etc even with US Green card need a visa to go there. Their website
also mentioned about some 10$ Tourist card for even US citizens(which is not true for cruise). But when I called them(after trying for 1 hour) - they mentioned that website had outdated info
for GC rules. Hence the only thing i needed to get in/out the ship at Miami port was PP +GC. While going on the "islands" - all I had to carry was "photo id" + "ship card" like everyone else.
Shore Excursions:
I have posted my videos (Hindi + English) here : http://www.youtube.com/zahidncst
a) Samana:
Since there is no "dock" - you have to take "tender" (ie small boats) to land from ship to
island. This wastes lots of time on the land- that you could otherwise have. Dominican republic
looked like a typical third world country(poor, bad roads and limited bad quality toilet facility)
But you get relatively cheap excursion like "ATV" , riding on horse to water fall, mangrove explorations. We chose the ATV (all terrain vehicle) excursion and it took us over
potholes and also on small stream(river) an then on beach. We also stopped at a "small"
waterfall -but good enough to dive into the "mini pool" from the rocks.
We loved ATV excursion a lot - and I am sure the "horse ride to waterfall" must also have been good. The owner did not seem to speak english - but he was friendly and helped us tie our backpack to front of vehicle. The guide though knew english - and it looked like he knew half of the island people. We tied our backpack on the front of the ATV with rope - and we should have worn the swimming clothes - as there was no place to change at the "mini waterfall". The DR people seemed to be friendly and nice(hope they can improve infrastructure and make visa rule tourist friendly). There was "decent" rest room(toilet) immediately as you got out from tender boat. There was 1 bad quality toilet at the first stop(beach) and also another bad quality one at second stop(mini waterfall). We also drank fresh coconuts(5$) and pina colada/pine apple (5$) at the first stop -samana beach on our ATV excursion.
To start ATV - ensure gray button is on RHS - you then have to press LHS brake - shift drive in neutral (from say forward mode) and start the vehicle. The accelerator and main brake are on RHS.
b) St Thomas (US Virgin island).
This beautify island being part of US - your cell phone(eg AT&T) will work there. There are lots
of internet cafe etc. - and its really pretty(reminds you of Oahu). Luckily the
ship docks out here. You can immediately come out and go to Haven side mall or
take a skyride to paradise point. We then took "Sea Trek Helmet" excursion at
Coral world. With this helmet - you can walk underwater and see the coral/sea life.
You can wear prescription glasses in the helmet. The helmet wears 75 pounds - but someone lifts the helmet onto you while going in and out. The helmet feels like "12 pounds" when
you are under the water. You can take your underwater camera/camcorder to shoot
photos. We then took our backpack from their safe - and instead of returning back to
ship - we took a cab which gave a tour of 2 hours for all scenic spots on the island for 25$ each.
(Eg skyline drive, megan bay , mountain top etc)
Even though this is part of US - it use LHSs driving system (but with the same car system of US
ie the driver seat being on LHS instead of RHS in UK/india)
c) Tortolla
We wanted to take "Virgin gorda bath and snorkel" - but it was cancelled due to big winds.
(In that you have to swim for at least 100 yards - and hence may not be able to carry
your backpack - but you will spend more time at Baths)
We were then forced to take Virgin Gorda Highlights excursion. We took shuttle, then boat
and then shuttle to reach the Baths. The Bath is very beautiful with big bolder caves.
You reach the "first beach" - then go to caves - and then go to second beach.
Due to the huge number of people- our time at Bath may have been only around 45 minutes.
We in fact got lost (went in circle) at the "caves" - as 3 couples(including us) tried to go alone -
as the "guide" never informed us that they were ready to go to caves. Hence some people
never went to the caves - and just returned back to shuttle from the first beach.
We then finally reached the second beach from where we went back to the shuttle.
d) Great Stirrup Cay.
This is small strip of island. NCL will bring some food(eg burgers etc) on this inland from
the ship. If you are lucky to get the first boat - you may even to get to sit on hammocks.
Though there were lots of place to sit(but not all got umbrella/shade). We rented
a floater out there- and we had lots of fun - though the floater tends to always float
to the deeper parts. We had a small scare when it went to deep water- but i was able to get down and drag it back to shallow water. There were life guard on wave runners- but i doubt they would make it - in case of trouble.
You can check my other blog for visiting Hawaii
Cruise Tips:
- Book plane ticket at least 1 day or maybe even 2 days in advance.
(Some guys from Toronto who had booked even 1 day in advance could not
reach Miami - and they directly went to second port to catch it)
Dont try to come to port at last moment - as it takes time to get in and out.
While going back you may take NCL shore excursion in Miami - and they may
even drop you back at airport.(ie save on cab fare)
- Take sea sickness medicine with you.
- Wear swim clothes or alternatively carry it with you while boarding the ship - as your(and others) luggage is likely to arrive late. That would be best (less crowded) time to use the jacuzzi and swimming pool.
- Minimize time in crowded place and wash your hands regularly (if you don't want
to fall sick)
- Do buy water camera in advance.
- Do buy two way radio - if you have large group.
- If you visit any third world country (eg samana)- you should always use bottled water and dont expect good infrastructure(road,toilet)-but you can enjoy the natural beauty and cheap stuff.
- Do get your onwn snorkelling kit(for beaches). You can always rent one though.
- Remember to take your iron with you(eg not in ncl-dawn).. Sufficent
clothes(as laundry may be very expensive )
- Some NCL dawn ship have white clothes party at night. So you may take white dress(Also suits/evening wear are not required - but its good idea to take it - as most people seem to wear them from 2nd day onwards ).
- Check if your vaccinations for you and your family are up to date. Contact CDC (or your local doctor) to seek advice on any vaccinations that you may need. Avoiding outside food/water and protecting yourself from mosquitoes/insects will minimize risk.
