Norwegian Dawn at Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Launched in 2002, 92,250 gt. Operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. IMO: 9195169. MMSI: 311307000. P1170603
For our cruise to Bermuda, Susan and I booked Norwegian Dawn sailing from New York City. This would be our first cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line. We selected this cruise because it allowed three days in Bermuda rather than two days typical of other cruise line itineraries.
There was much concern at the outset that our cruise would get to Bermuda! Norwegian Dawn had experienced engine trouble in the middle of August, forcing it to return to New York one day early. Those travelers lost one day in Bermuda. Then, Hurricane Earl appeared in the Atlantic and along the East Coast. It threatened to send the ship to the Bahamas as an alternative destination the week before our cruise! (The Bahamas are nice, but wed just been there in March.) As it turned out, all was well, and Hurricane Earl moved off doing little damage. In fact, it left the Atlantic unusually calm for our cruise.
And so, around Noon we drove from Secaucus, New Jersey, through the Lincoln Tunnel and up 12th Avenue to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. (We typically stay in Secaucus on visits to New York City. Its easy to take a New Jersey Transit bus
Pier 88, Manhattan Cruise Terminal, New York Harbor. Built in 1935 as the New York Passenger Ship Terminal (Piers 88, 90, 92 and 94). P1170709
from there to the Bus Terminal.) The boarding process seemed a bit slow, but we were on board the ship by 2:00 p.m. We went straight to the Venetian, one of two main dining rooms, for lunch.
After lunch, we checked out our cabin on Deck 11 and then set out to explore the ship. Norwegian Dawn is 92,250 in size to Carnival Pride we sailed to to the Bahamas in March. Muster drill was at 3:15 p.m. Then, in the Stardust Theater, we found a rehearsal was in progress. It turned out that a large group of Dutch amateur musicians were on board for the cruise. Tzigane was their name and they had several different ensembles that would perform throughout the cruise. On stage was their Hot 100 Big Band unit and singers. We watched the sound and lighting checks for a bit.
Norwegian Dawn sailed at 4:00 p.m. It was a beautiful and sunny Sunday afternoon! As we sailed down the Hudson River, Manhattan, the Empire State Building, and the Financial District were on brilliant view. Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty were backlit in the bright sun, but stately. Finally we sailed
George Washington Bridge. suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River, connecting the Manhattan and Fort Lee, New Jersey. It is 4,760 feet (1450 m) in length. Opened in 1931. P1170693p1
under the Bridge at the entrance to New York Harbor. It was time to go below as the ship sailed past Long Island.
The Aboard Show was at 7:30 p.m. Cruise Director Matt Baker from Wales was a lively character, like one would imagine a cruise director to be. His signature Wikki wkki wah! would during the cruise. The ships Showband, Jean Ann Ryan Company, Fire and Ice, and gave a preview of entertainment for the week.
