monkida

We have a non-carnival resort day booked at sunset beach. Is it OK/common to bring the cruise ship towels here? Or do they deny cruise ship passengers if they know they are from a ship?

I'm back. You can bring your cruise ship towels without worry - just make sure you return them to the ship so you don't incur any fines. Not a problem.

I was also in a cove balcony and don't think the wind was 80 mph. Yes there was a smell of peppers and onions but not bad. It was January but they had the air conditioner on in the public areas.

Which room? I didn't smell it on my previous cruise cove balcony when I was not under the galley.

It is hard for me to fathom, someone coming to New Orleans from Minnesota and getting on a cruise ship and complaining about 70 degree weather in January.

 

OMG

 

Obviously you do not do your homework about time of year, weather, or where you are going.

 

Anytime of the year on a cruise ship is wonderful !!

 

And I betcha you would rather be here now, OH MY 77 today than in that cold ars Minnesota!!

 

LOL

Oh believe me, I did plenty of homework and I knew it would be the weather I experienced. I just didn't realize how much I wouldn't enjoy cruising in it. I guess you live and learn...and Alaskan cruises are not in my future! :)

I bet there are summer days in LA when you wish you were in a cooler climate too.

Be well!

I was also in a cove balcony and don't think the wind was 80 mph. Yes there was a smell of peppers and onions but not bad. It was January but they had the air conditioner on in the public areas.

Ah...thanks must have gotten it mixed up. Thanks for clarifying the badness if the day! :)

I just posted this on the Cruise Critic Reviews, however I thought it may be helpful to some to post here as well. Enjoy - or don't - either way I had fun!

Feel free to ask questions.

The gang: Three families of six adults (32-41) and five children (2, 6, 8, 8, and 10) who like to have family and adult fun. We are from Minnesota and Washington, DC.

Embarkation: SLOW. We were in group 12, however boarding was delayed due to required drills. We sat in the terminal for a long time and finally started boarding around 12:30. One of our families was late and they received passes for a free lunch in the French Quarter. Many families were standing uncomfortably in the very crowded terminal. People were not happy.

Disembarkation: SLOW. We were one of the last groups to get off the ship (group 26) and we experienced a long line through baggage claim and customs. Taxis were madness to get, however this was in part because of the marathon that was going on and road closures.

NOLA: The French Quarter was dirty and slummy. Pre-cruise we stayed at the Country Inn and Suites French Quarter with a great price. We did a great walking tour and enjoyed Cafe du Monde and other great spots. Post-cruise we stayed near the airport and did a plantation and Acme Oyster House which was much more enjoyable for our family. The food was excellent wherever we went and one of my favorite spots was going to the grocery store!!!

The Ship: I've sailed the Dream before and she was great again. I really enjoyed the Fun Force, the Awesome Twosome, the Piano bar, and making silly faces at the photographers. We only went to one comedian - Mutsie - and he was horrible. His jokes were about southerners and church, as I'm not from the south and haven't been Christian since my teens, I didn't enjoy the show. Buffet food was meh (this was the first cruise I've been on where they serve grits which are worse than poi), however Tandoor, pizza, ice cream, and Pasta Bella were great. Seuss at Seas was a cute brunch and worth the $5, especially when it was an excuse to enjoy our VIFP drink. We won a ship on a stick for both the family dance party and Harry Potter trivia. My brother also won a medal for sports trivia. Watching movies on Lido - especially Guardians of the Galaxy - was a blast! We had a great time!

The crew: Great as always - you just need to smile and be friendly and you will have great service. Seriously, I saw so many rude people. It wouldn't hurt you to say please and thank you and act with humanity instead of barking, "Two scoops of grits and more bacon!" Your attitude will go a long way to support your cruise satisfaction, my friend. Really enjoyed our waiter Junior in the MDR. Boop!

The ports: Cozumel - did Chankanaab AI and it was fun. We did the whole tour from snorkeling through the tequila tasting and Luis was great. Not many of our larger group did all the tour activities. The bar waiter at lunch was awesome and kept the drinks flowing. Grand Cayman - did the turtle farm and it was a great time to hold the baby turtles and swim with them in the lagoon. It was touristy, but the turtles were worth it. Montego Bay - I had the hardest time finding an excursion and settled on Sunset Beach Resort AI through Resort for a Day. The resort was BEAUTIFUL - our favorite. Great beach for the kids, drinks and food, and so much we couldn't do it all! Only complaint was about the return trip on the bus - it never showed up and a "convenient taxi" showed up and offered $3 a head to return. Begrudgingly we did it, but it didn't ruin our time at the beautiful resort.

Stateroom 2392, 2396, and 2388: We had 2392 - a cove balcony - which connected internally to 2396 (brother's family) and the balcony opened to 2388 (best friend's balcony). It was a great room and I love the cove balcony. These rooms are below the galley. We didn't hear too much noise, but a few days at sea we strongly smelled the scent of onions and peppers cooking. If you are sensitive to odors, this is not the room for you. On the bright side, I saw a dolphin jump from the water from my balcony. Last time I stayed in cove balcony 2252, I would select that room over 2392 in the future as it is closer to the atrium and not under the galley.

The weather: IT STUNK! The first day at sea was windy and 70 - we braved the pools but not too long. The ports and the second to last sea day was BEAUTIFUL. The last day at sea was rough - worst day I've had at sea. It was 60 degrees and 80 MPH winds. The boat was rocking and many people were ill - this was our Seuss at Sea brunch day. We barely made it through - the brunch was awesome, the sea was cruel.

I'd do it again! I'm actually looking into going back just to Montego Bay and the Sunset Beach Resort for a future trip.

We have a non-carnival resort day booked at sunset beach. Is it OK/common to bring the cruise ship towels here? Or do they deny cruise ship passengers if they know they are from a ship?

Looking forward to what you think. We did the Oasis last February and are back to Carnival again. It was a beautiful ship with great shows, but we just have more fun on Carnival! Not to mention, the prices are usually better...sounds like you got a great price!

I'd pick the Dream as well. I have been on the Liberty (Conquest class) and Dream, and will be going on the Dream in a short few weeks!

Ports: I've been to all but Antigua, and my favorites include Roatan and Cozumel. It is true I've never been off the boat in Belize, however I love the day on the ship with that itinerary. Roatan is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and I like that the beach is just off the boat.

Ship: I haven't been on the Conquest, but her sister ship Liberty pales in comparison to the Dream with my family (kids 8 and 10), and I can't wait to get back on for the water park, the Cove Balconies, and The Fun Force.

Embarkation: I am excited to sail out of NOLA this time and experience a city which is an additional vacation to our cruise. Florida ports are just a passage to the fun while NOLA is part of the fun.

Either way, have a great trip! I don't think you can go wrong!

I am looking for a reasonably priced restaurant that has good food for our pre cruise stay in New Orleans.

Here are the restaurants on my short list for my trip in less than 3 weeks. If it helps, we are three families of six adults (mid-30's to early 40's) plus five kids 2-10.

• Acme Oyster House
  
• Cafe Du Monde
  
• Gumbo Shop
  
• Deanie's
  
• Johnny's PoBoys
  
• Pat O'Brien's (Hurricanes to-go only)
  
• Ruby Slipper
  

Sailing Dream Feb1 and 8. Want to purchase the spa pass for the week. How and when can I purchase it? Experiences from those who have done this?

I purchased it when I visited the spa once onboard. There wasn't a rush by any means. Just go when it makes sense early in your trip.

We were in 9269 - it was a great cabin. I really liked being so close to the atrium elevators and the Lido deck. We did hear a little atrium music every now and then, but nothing major. We really liked the Lido deck and this next time we were really torn between a cove balcony or lido deck on the Dream - we went Cove because it is just so unique!

Does anybody have pics of cabin number 2254 on the carnival dream that they can share with me?

We stayed in that room in 2011 - it was a fantastic room. For some reason I don't really have interior pictures of the room, but lots of exterior pictures.

I have no idea how to add pictures, so I will attach them. I know they are kind of small - sorry. At least you'll know what side the bed faces!

Cove Balcony Pros:

- Close to the water

- Deck 2 right below the atrium, dining, etc.

- Balconies are private - especially on the dream class with deck 6-7 are invasive with the Promenade extending on 5

- Lowest priced balcony

- Lower, mid ship location has less sway

- I believe balconies are slightly larger than regular balconies

Cons

- Further away from Lido

- No clear balcony wall

- Risk of closing storm doors (rare)

- Balcony partitions do not open on both sides of the balcony - only one