We thoroughly enjoyed our trip on the Dawn. I can't answer for the kids program since we were not travelling with children, but the rest of the ship was beautiful. There were four of us cruising and we chose not to eat in any of the extra charge places. Between the three dining rooms (Venitian, Impressions, Aqua), Il Trattoria (an Italian-themed dining area created in one of the buffets), the Tex-Mex area, the Blue Lagoon (fast food - great chili, fried rice and open 24 hours), the buffets, the fish and chips in the Pearly Kings Pub, the afternoon barbeque on the pool deck and finally the chicken, hot dogs and hamburgers at a top deck bar at the stern end of the ship, we could eat quite well. If you wanted, you could pay extra and eat at the French-style Le Bistro, the steakhouse (Cagney's I think), or the oriental restaurant which had a sushi bar, restaurant, and teppanyaki area.
Other extra charges would be for massages etc, at the spa (There is a free use pool there as well as steam rooms and saunas that are also free), liquor and soda, and I did see some charges for certain exercise programs (maybe $5 or so). The fitness area was extensive (and included).
The pool area could get crowded, but never too much to at least get wet (don't plan on swimming laps 
). The one in the spa was adults-only and was not that crowded (it's indoors). We could always find a chair in the sun, although we might have had to go away from the pool.
All in all, I felt that the Dawn was a great value for the money and would sail on her again any time.
Post Edited (05-30-04 09:48)
