Our 1st dream experience!!

Well, it has been quite some time since I wrote a review so I thought it was time since there doesn’t seem to be a lot of reviews on the Dream. So here goes.

This was our first time on the Dream and so we were more excited than normal (if that is even possible lol). The entire week before the cruise we were both a bundle of nerves. Hubby took Friday off, which was nice and that was the craziest day of getting everything together. I didn’t want to take the suitcases out too soon as it always sends the animals over the edge. We went out for an early dinner and drinks then tried to get to bed early although didn’t sleep very well (big surprise). We got up around 6am, packed the car, had some coffee, fed the babies and were on our way by 6:50am.

My dogs are like that, too. Once the luggage is out they become your shadow. If we put clothes in the suitcase and leave it open, they will lay in it with the clothes.

We stopped for gas and a bite to eat and then one potty break half way over. We arrived at the port around 10:15am and drove up to drop off our luggage. The porter immediately acknowledged our VIP status and told us our luggage would be at our room by the time we got on the ship. Hubby tipped him and we went to park the car in the garage. Parking in Port Canaveral is $20 per day and paid up front. You are given a tag to put on your dash and just find a spot in the garage and it’s a short walk to the entrance.

Ok, sorry but it has been so long since I have posted a review that I seemed to have forgotten how to post my pics from Shutterfly. They are all uploaded but now I have to stop to research the upload process. It looks like it has been changed, so I'll be back shortly!:o

My dogs are like that, too. Once the luggage is out they become your shadow. If we put clothes in the suitcase and leave it open, they will lay in it with the clothes.

I know it's probably not very cute at the time it's happening but ... that sounds so cute! :)

Thanks to the OP for doing this review, can't wait to read more we cruise Dream in 3 weeks and can not WAIT! :D

My dogs are like that, too. Once the luggage is out they become your shadow. If we put clothes in the suitcase and leave it open, they will lay in it with the clothes.

So glad someone else is saying this because our two cats do the same thing it actually gets frustrating...I have to put a towel over the whole thing now I have tons of pictures of the cats lying on the luggage with a towel over it. UGH.

I will be on the dream in November and so want to get things in the same area right now but the CATS are the reason I haven't.....I know I will forget something If I don't star putting stuff somewhere over the next month...:)

I had placed three plastic bottles of caffeine free coke (one of them had a little something extra in it) and two bottles of water in my carry on along with a bottle of Asti. Hubby didn’t want me to put the “soda” in my bag because he thought they would make me give it up but my bag went through the scanner with no questions asked and we went right to the VIP room.

Now here is where hubby and I both got a bit annoyed. We have read many comments (good and bad) on CC regarding the Faster to the Fun program but never really had any thoughts either way about it….until now. The VIP room was a pretty large room and we got there pretty early, however, when we went in, every seat was taken and they were directing people to sit in an assigned area outside of the room once you checked in. This has never happened to us before but as we looked around the area, we saw more blue, red and gold cards than platinum or white. Apparently, there were so many people that had paid for the Faster to the Fun program and everyone was all together. Please understand we do not think that we are any better than anyone else, however it is a bit aggravating that after 21 cruises with Carnival, someone can pay money on a first, second, third, etc., cruise and get some of the same perks that we had to earn after at least 10. Hubby did find someone to inquire of the procedure for boarding and he was told that VIP would be escorted prior to Faster to the Fun, which actually did happen.

We absolutely adored our trip on the DREAM in April 2011 and wouldn't hesitate to sail her again!!

Photo book: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Abt2jNo0Ys26b

Heading out on the Dream in 3 weeks!! Can't wait to read more!! PS - my animals do the same thing!!

Keep it comin'!!

It was about a 20 minute wait when we were brought to an area with green screens to take your picture. This was something we had never experienced before. They said it was a recognition picture to be used throughout the cruise. It was kind of strange but we later realized that it’s actually really cool because it’s one of the ways that you can easily locate and view your pictures in the photo shop. Thumbs up on this one!

We then went up the escalators to the second floor and were told to have a seat. There were 3 large wedding parties that had to be boarded 1st so it did take some time and it got quite crowded very quickly. There were a lot of people standing even though the Carnival rep kept telling everyone to find a seat. This drives us crazy when people do not listen and huddle around the beginning of the line. Really people??? There is plenty of food and everyone will get on the ship! Anyway, we boarded right around noon and went directly to our room, dropped our bags off and headed to the Lido deck to get some lunch. BTW, our luggage was not at our room when we arrived but we were not bothered by that as we knew they would be there shortly.

Hubby went to the Mongolian Wok and I went to the Deli. I got a tuna sandwich on a country roll and hubby got some items from the wok. After we ate, we explored the ship a bit and of course had to check out the casino.

Kennedy Space Center from our balcony

At 1pm we went to the MDR to find out where we would be seated for dinner. Hubby introduced himself to the Matre’d and just asked if we could have a private table and told him that we were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. The Matre’d was very accommodating and gave us a private table next to the window.

We went to the bar by the casino to get a drink and sat there for a little bit. We started talking with a couple of girls and I was asked if I was from CC. It was really funny, because that is the second time this has happened. On another cruise, a lady came up to me on the Lido deck and said “aren’t you Carncruiser?” So funny!! Anyway, their names were Allison and Penny and they were both very nice. We enjoyed talking with them and hoped that we would see them again but unfortunately we didn’t.

Yay, loving this review so far... Thanks for taking the time to post!

PS-My cat has ruined a key piece of luggage because she decided she didn't like that I was leaving. I've learned to keep it away from her and the dog just doesn't care either way because she knows she's going to Grandpa's if I leave. LOL

We returned to our room and all of the luggage, except for the one that had all the soda and water in it, were there. We unpacked and I decorated the room and door and then we waited for the Muster Drill.

We went to the Encore lounge for the drill. As usual, people were told not to bring drinks but many did. This drill seemed to be exceptionally long and boring but we understand that it is necessary. When it was over we went back to the room and the last piece of luggage was there, with a letter in it. All was fine and we put the soda and water away.

Fantastic review so far! I'm Gold (28 days sailed with 7 booked for a total of 35) and bought Faster to the Fun. SO surprised to see the room there that full. Holy crap!

We then went to the Lido deck for the sail away party. Hubby told me that he would dance before we left, but I just couldn’t get him to join in, so I joined the group. We stayed there for about an hour and started getting hungry so we went to the Deli and got a turkey sandwich to hold us over until dinner. We then went back to the room to change.

We returned to our room and all of the luggage, except for the one that had all the soda and water in it, were there. We unpacked and I decorated the room and door and then we waited for the Muster Drill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving the pics! Is that the inside of the door that you decorated?

View from our balcony