Review of the Inaurgual Dream Cruise

[GlendaleCruiser]

My review of the Inaugural Cruise on the Dream:

The Ship: I love the ship. It is a little staggering in size and is in a style that I would describe at 30s-40s Art Deco. I’m still trying to figure out what their idea of the theme is, but that’s mine. There are murals in the hallways, so that will also help you find your cabin.

The waterslides are great and worth climbing up to, and there were really no lines or very short ones. There are two slides, one being the Twister, which is similar to most tube slides and the second one is the hurricane or toilet bowl style, so there is something for everyone.

I never had a problem getting a chair. On sea days it was hard to get one right down by the pool and in front of the jumbotron, but the screen could be seen by both levels and on the sides. There were always plenty of empty chairs on the upper (11) deck. We sometimes had to wait for a table on the pool (Lido-10) deck to play cards or eat, but the shady ones went first.

The cabins were pretty much the same as I’ve seen before except for some truly garish art on the walls (orange and yellow) in the cabins. I didn’t remember the hair dryer being in the top drawer of the vanity on the Conquest, so that might be new or my memory might be faulty. Bathrooms are identical to what I’ve known.

Broadway shows were good: One called “Dancing in the Street” and was pretty much classic pop. Fast paced. The second one was “Get Ready” and was similar but focused on Motown. They really need to figure out what to do with the computer sound group, however, as they and their equipment took up the last two rows of the front section of the “Encore” lounge. Less seating, and it made the first two rows in the back section impossible to see from, too. Hopefully, they will figure it out. They still have the equipment on the top level so why they need this is beyond me.

Saw a magician with card tricks and he was great. Didn’t go to the juggling show and heard I didn’t miss anything. Saw two comics in the Burgundy Lounge. One was so-so (Malfori?) and one was really good (Ed someone). Todd Wittmer, the Cruise Director and staff were great and they put on a cut show at the end of the talent night show. He did a great job as CD and I would recommend him anytime.

The large number of passengers made excursions interesting. It was reported that in Monaco there were 11 buses of 55 people each (550) taking the “Highlights of Monaco” tour. Monaco is really rather small, and you can see the ship from the Casino, so you may want to get a cab and do it on your own.

Naples: Never seen so much graffiti in my life. Dirty. Glad that we went to Ancient Herculaneum where the town was buried in mud, not ash. Therefore, it is much better preserved that Pompeii. Very interesting, but crazy to take a bus down those city streets!
We went to the cameo factory and learned how they make cameos, got to see someone making one.

We went to Mt Etna, which was fortunate for my tour (Mt Etna and jewelry factory) as we got to the top and the fog cleared for 10 minutes so we could take pictures. If my memory card ever shows up I will show them to you L. The tour to Taormina did not make it Mt. Etna, as their road was covered by landslide from that direction.

We went to a jewelry factory and prices were the whole gamut from affordable to expensive. Very lovely city home converted. We were able to watch them work on a gold ring and a gold necklace and they explained the process.

Venice: One of the highlights was the ship playing Pavorotti as we entered Venice. Because they were playing it from the Lido deck, people near the grand water highway could hear it, too. When we left the city they played “Time to say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and several small motor boats accompanied us out.

We took a panoramic tour of Venice, which unfortunately did not go down Grand Canal. Their boat was too big. We essentially saw the same things we saw the next day on the Murano and Burano Islands tour. We had to pass all the same landmarks so the first tour was a waste. Murano for glass was interesting, but the prices were high at the shop where they demonstrate the methods. Other little factories are selling different styles (simpler) for less. The Burano Island was mostly on our own and we saw lace being made and had many opportunities to buy lace, gelato, and lemoncello (my new favorite).

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Lovely little tour to a farm for wine, bread, cheese and proscuitto, cherry brandy and sugared orange rinds. Visited the little town of Cavtat on the coast and it was beautiful. Clear water, lots of sidewalks cafes, yachts tied up outside. Went to the old city and didn’t want to pay 8 Euros to walk along the wall, so shopped instead. Cute little ancient town.

Barcelona: Didn’t spend enough time there. Tour took us around the city a little and then shopping at Las Ramblas. Walked around to see the unfinished church and some of the Gaudi buildings. Saw the cathedral where Queen Isabella welcomed Christopher Columbus after his first voyage, and royal palace at the time.


Florence: Have to bus from Livorno to Pisa or Florence and we went to the Uffuzzi Museum in Florence. Nice lunch at a local restaurant, walked the streets a lot. Saw the Duomo, but was disappointed to never find the University building which houses the original “David” by Michaelangelo. Also, disappointed when the tour guide told us that a church we met in front of (St. Croce square) housed the tombs of Michaelangelo and Gallileo. We only found out on the bus back to the ship.

All in all, a wonderful cruise. Wonderful things to see, just never enough time in each port (as always).

[Chuggiebug]

Thanks for the review. We are a little over 2 months out and getting anxious

[TravelingT]

Thanks so much for the report! I am sailing on the Dream in December. It sounds like fun.

[LHP]

Sounds wonderful.

What an experience.

Thanks for the tips at the different ports...for when it is our turn (HOPEFULLY ON THE MAGIC) !!!

[oakleys]

Thanks, please post some pics of the ship if possible

[DqALEX]

Thank You. Thats my dream cruise

[meluvtogocruise]

Thank you for your review. Glad you had such a wonderful vacation!

[the5cruzrs]

Do they have the jumbotron on all day, and if so what do they play?

ETA - thanks for the review,....we are looking to go on the dream in 2010

[scperk]

Could you tell us a little more about the ship...........Dennis.

[afcj1]

It sounds like you had a very nice time and enjoyed the ship. I'd love to do that route.

Thanks for posting

[aubreysmom]

Thank you for the Dream review! Sounds wonderful. Florence is my favorite city in Italy - have been there several times. I am so sorry you didn't get to see David! A part of a day in Florence - or any where in Italy - is not nearly enough But some is better than NONE

[yogimax]

Murano and Burano are both great places to visit. I'm surprised you didn't mention the neat colors of the houses on Burano.

Thanks for an excellent review!

[mom23guys]

Thanks for the review. I leave tomorrow.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Originally Posted by yogimax

Murano and Burano are both great places to visit. I'm surprised you didn't mention the neat colors of the houses on Burano.

Thanks for an excellent review!

Well, I am used to colorful houses in Charleston, where my daughter used to live, but you are right. I am totally on overload and if I told you everything it would take me DAYS.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Originally Posted by the5cruzrs

Do they have the jumbotron on all day, and if so what do they play?

ETA - thanks for the review,....we are looking to go on the dream in 2010

Yes, the jumbotron is on all day and usually on underwater scenes.

I will try to post some pictures (wish me luck!), but I am so sad to say that my memory card with the first 172 pictures on it are lost so far. I am waiting for my accomplices (I mean friends) to share their pictures with me and hopefully that will be soon, so that you can see the ship lives up to the hype. And yes, it is BBBBIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGG.

Some pictures I would love to share are the murals in the hallways that are like right out of the 30s and 40s. I don't think my friends took pics of them and they are on the lost (so far) card.

[js]

Thank you for posting. We won't be on the Dream until August 2010.
Can you tell me what cabin you had, where you were located and if the promanade had any effect on your cabin if you had balcony.
Thank you very much.

[DGP1111]

Thanks SO much for taking the time to post this.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Originally Posted by js

Thank you for posting. We won't be on the Dream until August 2010.
Can you tell me what cabin you had, where you were located and if the promanade had any effect on your cabin if you had balcony.
Thank you very much.

We were inside in 9362. It was right next to elevators and storage for stewards, and we never heard a scratch or a thump. I think some others are posting about their balconies over the lanai. I think it will be a viewing problem somewhat when you are used to being next to the sea, but a bigger problem at Spring break when the Lanai gets noisy.

[GlendaleCruiser]

There are GINORMOUS pots of these beautiful flowers surrounding the Lido deck pool area.

[GlendaleCruiser]

My favorite Bitter and Blanc and a view of the ship in Monaco.