Family Cruise - Part I

Family Cruise To The Bahamas
Part - I

         It was an experience to say the least. It was my second cruise in as many as 18 years. Our ship was the Norwegian Dawn, which left its New York pier on June 20. I was traveling with my family, which consisted of my son, Dan and his wife, Roseann. My oldest son, Richie came with his wife, Maryann, and their two sons, Pete and Robbie. Another son of mine, Pat, remained at home. Our stay aboard the Dawn was so different from the last cruise I was on.

         First of all, the ship and its interior were majestic. Once inside, I couldn’t believe that I was on a floating vessel. There were at least five elevators and access to wide stairways with gleaming oak wood banisters just opposite them. The same type of elevators and stairs were available in aft, mid section and the stern sides of the ship. In any elevator we had a panorama view of the interior deck floors through its all-glass side. Beautiful!

         The Norwegian Cruise Line’s theme on this ship was Free Styling, and I loved it. I was slightly disappointed that I never saw the good Captain on the Norwegian Dawn. He probably met with those passengers who dined in the specialty restaurants. Perhaps, some had the pleasure of dining with him throughout the cruise. But, then perhaps I saw too many Love Boat episodes. Richie did mention that he saw the Captain at poolside and again at the Blue Lagoon chatting and shaking hands with some of the passengers. Anyway, we heard the Captain’s resonant voice come over the ship’s speakers at the beginning of the cruise when we had the life jackets drill. There was a hint of an accent in his speech. The Captain’s voice was heard again over the speakers the day before our return to New York.

         Putting aside the days that we had to get up very early in order to have breakfast and then get in line for disembarkation from the ship when it docked at Port Canaveral, Miami, Bahamas, and Nassau, the cruise was very relaxing. Our reservations for excursions to these ports were made well in advance. We had our choice of at least 10 restaurants to dine at. We usually ate breakfast and sometimes, lunch at the Garden Buffet, which was one deck upward from our staterooms. There was also a fast food restaurant called the Blue Lagoon, but I never visited that restaurant. My son, Richie, said I didn't miss much by not going there. He said they offered only junk food. There's no dressing up for breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Garden Buffet. They had a roped-off smaller area just for the kids, where they could dine away from their parents. The buffet counters were made just for a child’s size. They offered favorite foods like fries, burgers, chicken tenders, spaghetti, pizza, etc. I was amused when I watched an adult fill his plate in the children's section, and then carry the tray to the regular tables. It could be he liked the menu offered in the children’s section better than at the buffet. But it was more likely he was taking back the food to his family. Sometimes, it was hectic trying to find a spot to sit and eat at the crowded tables. The passengers walked around with covered bathing suits, shorts, jeans, flip-flops, and the like.

         At the free style restaurants, passengers were required to wear proper attire. Normal resort casual wear was the norm, although evening clothes were welcomed anytime, too. On the second night, Dan was turned away, because he wore shorts, even though his collared polo shirt was presentable. He left to change into slacks and joined us a few minutes later at our table. There was one optional formal night at all the restaurants, on a Tuesday. Roseann, Dan, and myself dressed up accordingly, and we went to the Aqua Restaurant for dinner that night. The photographer took pictures of us. Of course, we purchased the prints the very next day. On most nights, we dined in the free style restaurants. It was wonderful to be served eloquently. We could have water, tea and coffee with our dinner. If we wanted a cocktail or soda, we gave the waiter our key card to process. At the beginning of the cruise, we were fortunate to learn that all key card holders had the option to order unlimited soda for the duration of the cruise at a cost of $30.00. It came in handy, whether we were at bingo, at poolside, and anywhere on the ship. Richie, my grandson, Petey, and Danny took advantage of the savings. The way my family guzzled down coke, it was a great savings. I didn’t take advantage of the discount on soda, because I wasn’t much of a beverage drinker. I likened to iced cold spring water, coffee, and tea. However, I did manage to sip on a couple of stemmed sweetened alcoholic delights during the week.

         We explored another restaurant one night, called the Venetian Room, expecting it to have a different menu. But, we found out that all the freestyle restaurants offered the same menu for the evening, but the menu was changed every day. I never had the same thing twice, and the food was presented exquisitely. The waiters at the Venetian appeared to be mostly men. They all wore the same black outfits. From what I noticed, the waiters were of both genders at the Aqua restaurant, but were mostly women. A waitress always served us when we dined there. Many of them were Asian or Oriental. They were all lovely, and they, too, were dressed alike in nice outfits. Their hair was neatly coiffed with a bun in the back. On the one formal evening, some of them were dressed as geisha girls. It was a pleasure to dine in such attractive surroundings. There was always a centerpiece of flowers or candles on the tables. The maitre’da in the Aqua restaurant was always dressed in a black suit complete with white shirt and black bow tie. She darted back and forth with an air of confidence. You just knew she had control of all that was going on in the restaurant. Her hair was cut short in a masculine manner, which fit the garb she was wearing. The food and service was excellent. I can attest to that. I gained four pounds on this cruise.

         We didn't try any of the specialty restaurants. A cover charge was required at those restaurants. Then you were billed for whatever was ordered on the menu. I imagined some people chose to dine in that fashion. The men probably dressed in formal suits, and the women decked out in all their finery. After all, it was their vacation, and if they had the means or desire to splurge, that was their prerogative. Reservations were usually made in advance at those restaurants. That's what I liked about the cruise. You had your choice to do whatever you liked aboard. The crew treated all the passengers regally. Yes, we were pampered wherever we were on the ship.

         One night at the Aqua restaurant, some of the staff suddenly surrounded Roseann and Dan at our table. They placed a frosted layer cake on the table in front of them, and sang anniversary wishes. I forgot that she had notified them in advance that they were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. I was a little upset that we didn’t take along a camera that night. The singing waiters were a nice touch, though. That special attention made the evening special.

Please click here to read more - part II-"Family Cruise - Part II"