We returned yesterday from a wonderful NCL Dawn cruise to Florida and the Bahamas. After reading some negative comments on message boards, I was a bit concerned prior to sailing, but had and absolutely wonderful cruise vacation, and would recommend this ship to anyone!

Bus service: Prompt and efficient. (Note that you will arrive later at the pier when taking the bus service -- approximately 1:30 PM) and also you cannot use express debarkation, but this was not a problem and the bus made the trip to New York stress free.

Embarkation: Relatively smooth, although arriving in the afternoon makes the lines longer. Go early (11:30 AM) if you can.

Cabin: Category G, Obstructed view outside cabin with four people. Large enough for our needs. Little drawer space. Mainly shelves and closet. Pack lightly. Nice vanity. Spacious bathroom. Refrigerator, safe, hairdryer (good one), coffeemaker. Bring small plastic food containers. Take creamers from buffet for coffee and put in frig. Leave hairdryer home. Didn't need over the door shoe holder. Fourth bed is on floor, not bunk style so floor space is limited when beds are turned down. View was good. Little obstruction from lifeboats.

Restaurants: We ate dinner mainly in Impressions, which was wonderful! Service from Paul and Anak was great! The three main restaurants have the same dinner menu, so it is a matter of which one you like best. We ate at the Venetian the first evening and is was very nice but not as personal as Impressions. If you are prone to motion sickness, do not sit by the back windows in the Venetian. They are floor to ceiling and are over the engine and this was unsettling to some. We ate at La Trattoria one night and found the food to be excellent there as well. We did not eat at Salsa, or any of the surcharge restaurants, since we enjoyed the food so much in the main restaurants. Tip: Ask to see the menu book at reception the first evening, and decide based on that which nights you would like to try a specialty restaurant. Breakfast in the Venitian was delightful, and I also enjoyed the Garden Cafe. We had lunch on deck each day. Great barbequed ribs!

Sunday: Prime Rib
Monday: Formal Night (optional)- Beef Wellington
Tuesday: Italian Dinner-Shrimp Scampi
Wednesday: President's Dinner- LBJ's Steak
Thursday: Caribbean Night-we ate at La Trattoria since this was our least favorite menu in the main restaurants
Friday: Farwell Dinner- Lobster & Filet!
Saturday: Chef's Dinner - Veal Scaloppini

Entertainment: Really enjoyed the South Beach Rave, also Bollywood was good. We missed the Music of the Night show. Bands were all excellent, in particular the house band, the Ironics, and Roots Link. Violinist Domonique Eva and her juggling husband were good, but she was a very talented musician doing a lot of schmaltzy showbizzy stuff. The comedian, Chris Clobber, was hysterical! Best entertainment on the ship. More of a cerebral comic, but very funny. I believe he is leaving the ship though. Movies are run several times a day in the cinema. They are ones that are out on video and have been edited to a PG-13 format.

Shore excursions: Only took one - Sea Island Adventure in Nassau. Went to a beautiful island which was much less crowded than NCL's and had a nice lunch. It was a bit overprice, but very enjoyable. In Port Canaveral we used Art's Transportation to get to the Space Center and saved $17 per person. Space Center was okay, but I think Cocoa Beach is your best bet in the hot months. Stayed on the ship and enjoyed the pool and facilities in Miami. Great Stirrup Cay is beautiful, but much too crowded for this size ship. Tip: Other passengers said they went to the Hilton in Nassau for $15 pp and had a great day on the beach. This is an 8 minute walk from the ship.

Gym: Husband said it was the nicest he's seen on a ship. I worked on putting on, rather than taking off pounds!

Spa: Didn't use.
Casino: Didn't use.
Bingo: One game -- too expensive! Too much else to do!
Shops: Nice but pricey.
Photos: Nice selection, typical ship prices.
Soda program: Didn't use. (Ice Tea is free)
Teen Passport: Get one of these if you have a teen-smoothies are great!
Teen Program: Kids went the first night, met friends and then just stayed with them the rest of the cruise. They only went to the movies for teens after that. Make you teen go the first night or they will not find many kids there after that.
Talent Show: What an amazingly talented group of people! My son was the pianist and I was very proud of him, but I was so impressed with the talent that these passengers had. Many were as good as professionals!
Library: Nice selection
Pool: Too small for this size ship, but otherwise nicely designed.

THERE WAS NO SMELL OF SMOKE IN MY CABIN WHICH WAS ON THE SMOKING SIDE OF THE SHIP. THE FOOD WAS GREAT, THE STAFF WAS COURTEOUS, AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST CRUISES I HAVE BEEN ON! AS THE COMEDIAN SAID, "SOME PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING. IF THERE IS A WHOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE SHIP, COMPLAIN. IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH RAISINS IN YOU OATMEAL, PLEASE BE QUIET!"