Central Oregon Gal

I can't wait for you to sail again - I started with you on day 1 - as I will be sailing the Dream in Oct of 18 and love to see and hear what others love prior to going - that way I can avoid the pit falls - and you are right 15 is the goal - however we do tend to cheat and add an additional bottle in our room for emergencies - gearing up to sail with the old folks on Royal in a 40 or so days - at least there is no limit on drinks - and our ship will be full of Elvis impersonators - should be a fun trip to come up with some drinking games. Thank you so much for the laughs, the pictures, and taking us along for the ride.

seems that mediocre food is a common complaint on all lines recently - only been sailing since 2004 (typically twice a year) I wouldn't say the food is horrible but it has changed - personally I think it is so more will pay for the specialty dining options - as for kids - I got nothing -

Ahhhh, Labadee, my first experience with a cruise line private island. There was no special suite area, no parade, just a few bar guys wandering around selling the drink of the day, a banana boat ride, some snorkeling and jet ski excursions and the local straw market.

 

The beaches weren't crowded, the line for lunch was only long for the first 30 minutes.

 

In those days, the ships had maybe 2,500 passengers, not 6,000. Explains a lot...

 

Private island stops now equate to a sea day for me. I have my choice of pool chairs, there is no line in the buffet and I eat in air conditioned comfort without flies, sand flies, or sand.

I agree with you 100%

Really? Do you know which ports allow this now? I am fairly certain RCCL's package is good on CoCo Cay, but I was under the impression that CHEERS! was good ONLY on the ship. If it's now good on Half Moon Cay as well, that's great since I'll be there next September ;)

I meant on the ship - Texas and NY do not allow package sales is my understanding so your drink package doesn't kick in right away - sorry for the misunderstanding

on the Carnival page, it lists a cost per day. Does that include boarding/disembarking days as well?

generally yes - there are a few ports that do now allow "packaged pricing on drinks" but other than that yes your entire stay on the ship is covered

only sailed Carnival twice - and have a third booked - Cheers seems to only be discounted if purchased prior to sailing - been watching it for a while and Carnival seems to hold true to pricing compared to say Royal who puts their packages on sale never seen Cheers on sale - so I would think purchasing prior with the discount and having it taken care of before you sail is the best pro - can't think of a con

Costa Maya:

 

This was the wife and I's second visit to Costa Maya. Thanks to the Ports of Call board we were able to find Maya Chan Beach prior to our last cruise and decided to spend the day there. Maya Chan is not the kind of place that you only visit once...so we ensured the entire Squad that a day at Maya Chan was the best way to spend our day in Costa Maya.

 

Let me tell you, as before Maya Chan did not disappoint. You are met with a smile as soon as you leave the port area and find the Maya Chan folks. Next up is a taxi ride that is always "interesting". To be frank the road as soon as you leave the Mahahual area you are on a sand road that is not the best in the world. But do not be dismayed...the ride is worth it for what is waiting you upon arrival. David greeted us with a smile and next thing we know we are sitting in lounge chairs beside a handwritten "Welcome Back" sign with a cup of Rum Punch. The sun shined all day, time was spent floating in the water, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and relaxing. The drinks flowed all day and the bartenders/wait staff always tried to make sure we had everything we wanted.

 

The highlight is always the home-cooked Mexican style lunch that Maya Chan puts together. Steak, pork, chicken, and fish tacos with all the toppings will leave you plumb and ready for an afternoon nap on the beach.

 

Talking with everybody from the group, this was the highlight of our trip. If you are looking for a relaxing day at the beach in Costa Maya, do yourself a favor and go to Maya Chan!

already have this booked for my next trip super happy to see you loved it

We sail away on the 14th!

we sail on the 7th - will have everyone ready for you :cool:

We'll be going on the Dream in October of 2018 (yes, a whole year away, what the heck are we thinking?) and your review is helping a heckova lot! Thanks for the tour!

sailing her in Oct of 18 also - what date are you sailing

love the candid truth on your review - please keep going

As was said before, although it is not included in the program, yes you can purchase a bottle for your room. Can either purchase it pre cruise from the fun shops and it will be there when you get on the ship or I believe you can order from room service (although I never have).

I guess I should have been clearer with my question I knew it wasn't included but wondered if they would allow bottle service - couldn't find anything saying no - so now we won't have to worry about exceeding the 15 on a sea day -

Yes, you can purchase a bottle for the room in addition to Cheers.

Have a great cruise!

thank you for the info - couldn't find anything saying not.... but since Cheers has a number of beverages compared to RCCL not having a number thought I would double check :hearteyes:

Room service not included in package

 

 

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totally understand that - I asking if we can also purchase the bottle service to room - prices are pretty clear on the site -

So... if my cabinmate and myself both have Cheers Package... can we also have a bottle delivered to cabin?

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as I sit here in the pacific northwest watching the clouds and sun have their daily war over who will win out for the longest appearance of the day - and watch the temps go from 24 to 42 in the last couple hours - I scroll through your pics and dream of my next cruise - won't be on the Dream until next year - but learning a lot about this ship from your review and we could be BDBs (Best Drinking Buddies)

I pre-purchased the Premium Wi-Fi and just logged into the Carnival Hub and entered my name and folio and there was a charge and then a credit on my account.

 

The bad part, unlike you, my wi-fi on Miracle, was almost unusable most of the time. It was so slow that it would time out on pages. Also, we had to be in the sitting area of our Vista Suite to get reception. I did get a 50% refund.

 

Take care,

Mike

We had an aft balcony and in my cabin it was so so - but the rest of the ship it was very good - might depend on phone a little too - my sister who sailed with me had an iphone and she was less pleased than I was with my Samsung

Me neither! Kept looking at the seats trying to figure out how you sit on them? Let's hope we don't have to find out!!! Can't wait!

 

Loving the pictures, keep them coming!

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

thinking you stand - maybe - hope to never find out

sailed twice in the last year or so and both times had pre-paid internet - signed on through the HUB app - it worked very well on the Miracle

We've sailed RCCL and Carnival, including the Dream. The Dream is a very nice ship.

 

The biggest difference you'll find, or that we've found, is that service, generally, is better on RCCL. That's not to say you won't get good service on Carnival -- you will -- but is just feels different on RCCL. And it should: you pay more for Royal than Carnival.

 

Food, entertainment, and bars are on par.

 

Guests, or clientele, are what they are. You'll have a few hoity-toity people, a few "people of Wal-mart," and the rest will be your average cruisers. Carnival attracts a slightly younger crowd and more children than Royal. Both RCCL and Carnival have very good kids' programs.

this made me giggle - it is kind of how I explain the difference too - have not sailed the Dream before - scheduled to be on her in Oct of 18 - have sailed many RCCL ships and like them both but they are different - I can sail Carnival 7 nights with a medium suit case - Royal yeah 1 large and one medium -

I am thirsty and hungry now - can't wait the 50 some days till it's our turn on this beauty - thanks for sharing your vaca - truly enjoyed following along.

never seen inside the lifeboats - didn't know what I expected but that was not it - loving your photos and review - can't wait 59 days and counting for me

oh the wonderful dreams I will have tonight - thanks for sharing

Love the sea day brunch - steak - wish they served asparagus with it :)

never done the upgraded meal plan - excited to continue to experience it through your review - thank you so much for the pics and the info - sailing the Oasis in January with my sister and we are both following you :) thanks - hope dinner is amazing

Oh wow - Sabor my favorite - looked amazing