This was our third cruise on the Dawn out of NOLA, same itinerary. It's an easy port to sail from for us and we prefer the smaller ships. At embarkation, I told the greeter we were priority boarding and she pointed us to an area we stood in for about 20 minutes that was not moving. I asked those around me if they were in suites and they said no, so I knew I was in the wrong line. I returned to the Greeter and asked if this was the line for Penthouse Suite Guests and she said "No, you didn't say Penthouse, you should have told me Penthouse and not just Priority". I didn't expect to be spoken to that way, a simple "No, Penthouse Guests should go to this line" would have sufficed.

We stayed in an Aft Penthouse Balcony Starboard side on Deck 9. It is called an "Aft facing Penthouse with large Balcony", but it is not a large balcony. Our cabin was never comfortably cool but the suite beside us had adequate AC. We felt the entire ship was entirely too warm and were uncomfortable especially when dressing for dinner and when at dinner! Because we were in a suite, we were offered breakfast and lunch in Cagney's each day. The food was very good in Cagney's, service slow, but to get a cocktail was a major ordeal. The staff didn't mind advising that they had to go to another deck and bar to secure a glass of wine or other drink. The Star Bar is located just outside Cagney's and I wondered why they would not have it manned during the same hours for guests at Cagney's.

Karaoke night was blacked out due to several televised sporting events and was held in the Pearly Kings Pub which is a very small venue. The Dawn has limited bar areas. The ship was clean and well kept, including the public restrooms. Events at Spinnaker Lounge seemed understaffed and the wait was long for a beverage. We had read articles prior to the cruise about the new smoking policy. While we did not smell cigarette smoke while in our cabin, meaning no one was smoking on their balcony, smoking was common in the casino and the entire 6th deck wreaked of smoke spilling from the Havana Club. We enjoy Gatsby's Champagne Bar but the strong stench of pipe, cigar and cigarette smoke made that rather unpleasant for us. Read more