We went on our 10th cruise (3rd NCL) on the Dawn with 4 couples and 6 college aged kids. Great food, friendly guests and staff, fun atmosphere, quick service, and drinks! This was only our 2nd time staying in an inside cabin, and I wouldn't recommend it with 4 people. Carnival Dream's inside cabins are much larger. However, the ship itself was nice considering it is older and going to renovations this summer. Our favorite bar waiter, Aaron, paid special attention to us, and our wait time was very small for drinks by the pool, at shows, etc. The drinks were very good, though I missed the menus that are all over the Getaway. You can still order all those drinks, I just forgot which ones I liked last year.

The 2nd City comedy was fabulous, I only wish they had more comedy shows! In addition, the spinnaker lounge was way too small of a venue for this act. The rest of the entertainment was average, but I loved the Quest show--too funny! While the ship was older, it was well-maintained and looked very nice. I felt like we were well taken care of by all of our waiters, bartenders, and cabin steward. I love the freestyle concept, but I do miss getting to know individual waiters like you do on other cruise lines. Concierge was helpful, making reservations and such, and there was never a long wait at guest services or for dinner. Our only problem was that we had a clogged sink, and it was fixed in less than a half an hour. We also loved Leo at the Blue Lagoon, the 24 hour sit down or to go bar, similar to O'Sheehans on the Getaway. Our group loved the wings, chef salad, tomato basil soup, and macaroni and cheese for lunch there. We mainly dined in the Venetian restaurant--even ate breakfast there when we didn't go to Blue Lagoon.

The work-out facilities were small, but clean, and there was a machine available every morning. Our cruise director was fun and even taught most of the dance classes. White Hot party is not to be missed. Hot tubs got rather crowded, and you need to reserve pool chairs by 10 am but that seems to be the norm (even on Royal Caribbean's mega ship, the Oasis). I would have enjoyed another water area like so many of the newer ships have in the back of the boat. Booked our next trip on the Escape. Norwegian has the right idea with the Ultimate Beverage Package being included. I love not dreading a large bill at the end of the trip! Read more