What do you want to know about Carnival Dream?

[*Mach*]

Good morning, all!!

 

We're slowly motoring our way into New York Harbor and for the first time there is blue sky above. What a shame we didn't have it earlier in the cruise. None the none it was a wonderful time. Melissa and Carolyn are great folks and pleasure to get to know. We're lucky to have them at the helm of Cruise Critic.

 

We dined at The Chef's Art last evening, the supper club ( I REFUSE to call it anything else...) and, as always, it was excellent. The French Onion Soup was stunningly rich, deep in color and caused me to say 'ummm...' more times than I have fingers and toes to count. The 18 oz. bone in Rib Eye was p-e-r-f-e-c-t. I always order beef rare. If you look in Webster's under 'rare' you'll see a picture of my steak there. Tender, deep brown crusted with coarse sea salt and pepper it was a prize. Of course, I have pictures of both my food and Stitch's to add later along with photos of the club itself.

 

The design of the club is very reminiscent of all the other clubs I've dined at. Slightly low ceilings, dim lighting and generally subdued the decor welcomes one back but it's the special touches that Joe Farcus has added that make this supper club unique. Textured glass panes in a egg nog tone are back lit by thin fluorescent tube lights creating an almost cotton candy look along the walls. Each panel being slightly different than the last is evidence that no expense was spared in hand in the construction of this beautiful restaurant.

 

The service, as always, was excellent. Cautious attention to detail ensure a fabulous experience.

 

After a quick change of clothes we headed back out to take a last tour of the ship, revisiting a few choice spots including the Burgundy Lounge (stunning... just stunning...), The Song and Sam's.

 

We settled at the Jackpot bar at the casino and ran into a number of our new friends and an odd couple of guys who had decided that I was 'someone' and needed to take pictures with me... for the THIRD time on this cruise. I guess there's no accounting for taste.

 

We were entertained by one 'Papa T' who has a wonderful voice and an amazing repertoire of songs. One guy, buckets of talent equals a great time.

 

John Heald had wandered by on the opposite side of the bar. I intercepted him, got a huge bear hug and a warm smile. I've never seen John so tired. Apparently, he's been very heavily tasked since his arrival in NYC back on November 7th. On board he had been shepherding a group of about 70 journalists from a number of non-cruise publications.

 

I asked him, rather pointedly, about the selection of Marcia Gay Harden as the Godmother of the ship and it was a two fold decision. First, she lives in New York and just recently won a Tony Award for her work on Broadway and secondly, and most important, her ties to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.

 

After a very successful run with the Walk for the Cure (On Deck For The Cure) for breast cancer research Carnival is now partnered with St. Jude's to raise money for their amazingly worthy cause... totally free care for children with extraordinarily serious illnesses. I think it's an excellent choice.

 

Once John debarks he's headed to Rome for an interview with Italian television and returns to Miami 24 hours later for a cruise directors meeting on the Imagination. I think that Carnival needs to invest in a Star Trek transporter for John, either that or clone him.

 

It had been a long, busy day of eating, exploring, eating, drinking, eating and wandering. We decided to call it a night.

 

.................................................................................................

 

At this moment, the Carnival Dream is quietly snuggly up against Pier 88, the same location that this short, sweet Dream began a couple days ago.

 

I'll sign off for the moment and hope to have some time to check in from the airport in Newark before our late flight back to the Lone Star State. Crazies, take good care of the Conquest for me.

 

:)

[stitchnfool]

Good morning everyone. What a wonderful two days!!! Unfortunately my body is wondering why in the world I tried to stuff a 7 day vacation into 2!!! :eek::rolleyes:

It's been a wonderful couple of days and the DREAM is GORGEOUS!!!!

[billsrobb]

Good morning, all!!

 

We're slowly motoring our way into New York Harbor and for the first time there is blue sky above. What a shame we didn't have it earlier in the cruise. None the none it was a wonderful time. Melissa and Carolyn are great folks and pleasure to get to know. We're lucky to have them at the helm of Cruise Critic.

 

We dined at The Chef's Art last evening, the supper club ( I REFUSE to call it anything else...) and, as always, it was excellent. The French Onion Soup was stunningly rich, deep in color and caused me to say 'ummm...' more times than I have fingers and toes to count. The 18 oz. bone in Rib Eye was p-e-r-f-e-c-t. I always order beef rare. If you look in Webster's under 'rare' you'll see a picture of my steak there. Tender, deep brown crusted with coarse sea salt and pepper it was a prize. Of course, I have pictures of both my food and Stitch's to add later along with photos of the club itself.

 

The design of the club is very reminiscent of all the other clubs I've dined at. Slightly low ceilings, dim lighting and generally subdued the decor welcomes one back but it's the special touches that Joe Farcus has added that make this supper club unique. Textured glass panes in a egg nog tone are back lit by thin fluorescent tube lights creating an almost cotton candy look along the walls. Each panel being slightly different than the last is evidence that no expense was spared in hand in the construction of this beautiful restaurant.

 

The service, as always, was excellent. Cautious attention to detail ensure a fabulous experience.

 

After a quick change of clothes we headed back out to take a last tour of the ship, revisiting a few choice spots including the Burgundy Lounge (stunning... just stunning...), The Song and Sam's.

 

We settled at the Jackpot bar at the casino and ran into a number of our new friends and an odd couple of guys who had decided that I was 'someone' and needed to take pictures with me... for the THIRD time on this cruise. I guess there's no accounting for taste.

 

We were entertained by one 'Papa T' who has a wonderful voice and an amazing repertoire of songs. One guy, buckets of talent equals a great time.

 

John Heald had wandered by on the opposite side of the bar. I intercepted him, got a huge bear hug and a warm smile. I've never seen John so tired. Apparently, he's been very heavily tasked since his arrival in NYC back on November 7th. On board he had been shepherding a group of about 70 journalists from a number of non-cruise publications.

 

I asked him, rather pointedly, about the selection of Marcia Gay Harden as the Godmother of the ship and it was a two fold decision. First, she lives in New York and just recently won a Tony Award for her work on Broadway and secondly, and most important, her ties to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.

 

After a very successful run with the Walk for the Cure (On Deck For The Cure) for breast cancer research Carnival is now partnered with St. Jude's to raise money for their amazingly worthy cause... totally free care for children with extraordinarily serious illnesses. I think it's an excellent choice.

 

Once John debarks he's headed to Rome for an interview with Italian television and returns to Miami 24 hours later for a cruise directors meeting on the Imagination. I think that Carnival needs to invest in a Star Trek transporter for John, either that or clone him.

 

It had been a long, busy day of eating, exploring, eating, drinking, eating and wandering. We decided to call it a night.

 

.................................................................................................

 

At this moment, the Carnival Dream is quietly snuggly up against Pier 88, the same location that this short, sweet Dream began a couple days ago.

 

I'll sign off for the moment and hope to have some time to check in from the airport in Newark before our late flight back to the Lone Star State. Crazies, take good care of the Conquest for me.

 

:)

 

 

Mach Excellent reports thus far. Can't wait now till I read your review and see all the pictures. I always order my beef Rare!!

Wish you and Stitch a safe trip back to Texas

[billsrobb]

Good morning everyone. What a wonderful two days!!! Unfortunately my body is wondering why in the world I tried to stuff a 7 day vacation into 2!!! :eek::rolleyes:

 

It's been a wonderful couple of days and the DREAM is GORGEOUS!!!!

 

Hiya Stitch Welcome home and have a safe trip back to Texas

[BlasterDave]

Good morning, all!!

 

We're slowly motoring our way into New York Harbor and for the first time there is blue sky above. What a shame we didn't have it earlier in the cruise. None the none it was a wonderful time. Melissa and Carolyn are great folks and pleasure to get to know. We're lucky to have them at the helm of Cruise Critic.

 

We dined at The Chef's Art last evening, the supper club ( I REFUSE to call it anything else...) and, as always, it was excellent. The French Onion Soup was stunningly rich, deep in color and caused me to say 'ummm...' more times than I have fingers and toes to count. The 18 oz. bone in Rib Eye was p-e-r-f-e-c-t. I always order beef rare. If you look in Webster's under 'rare' you'll see a picture of my steak there. Tender, deep brown crusted with coarse sea salt and pepper it was a prize. Of course, I have pictures of both my food and Stitch's to add later along with photos of the club itself.

 

The design of the club is very reminiscent of all the other clubs I've dined at. Slightly low ceilings, dim lighting and generally subdued the decor welcomes one back but it's the special touches that Joe Farcus has added that make this supper club unique. Textured glass panes in a egg nog tone are back lit by thin fluorescent tube lights creating an almost cotton candy look along the walls. Each panel being slightly different than the last is evidence that no expense was spared in hand in the construction of this beautiful restaurant.

 

The service, as always, was excellent. Cautious attention to detail ensure a fabulous experience.

 

After a quick change of clothes we headed back out to take a last tour of the ship, revisiting a few choice spots including the Burgundy Lounge (stunning... just stunning...), The Song and Sam's.

 

We settled at the Jackpot bar at the casino and ran into a number of our new friends and an odd couple of guys who had decided that I was 'someone' and needed to take pictures with me... for the THIRD time on this cruise. I guess there's no accounting for taste.

 

We were entertained by one 'Papa T' who has a wonderful voice and an amazing repertoire of songs. One guy, buckets of talent equals a great time.

 

John Heald had wandered by on the opposite side of the bar. I intercepted him, got a huge bear hug and a warm smile. I've never seen John so tired. Apparently, he's been very heavily tasked since his arrival in NYC back on November 7th. On board he had been shepherding a group of about 70 journalists from a number of non-cruise publications.

 

I asked him, rather pointedly, about the selection of Marcia Gay Harden as the Godmother of the ship and it was a two fold decision. First, she lives in New York and just recently won a Tony Award for her work on Broadway and secondly, and most important, her ties to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.

 

After a very successful run with the Walk for the Cure (On Deck For The Cure) for breast cancer research Carnival is now partnered with St. Jude's to raise money for their amazingly worthy cause... totally free care for children with extraordinarily serious illnesses. I think it's an excellent choice.

 

Once John debarks he's headed to Rome for an interview with Italian television and returns to Miami 24 hours later for a cruise directors meeting on the Imagination. I think that Carnival needs to invest in a Star Trek transporter for John, either that or clone him.

 

It had been a long, busy day of eating, exploring, eating, drinking, eating and wandering. We decided to call it a night.

 

.................................................................................................

 

At this moment, the Carnival Dream is quietly snuggly up against Pier 88, the same location that this short, sweet Dream began a couple days ago.

 

I'll sign off for the moment and hope to have some time to check in from the airport in Newark before our late flight back to the Lone Star State. Crazies, take good care of the Conquest for me.

 

:)

 

I couldn't agree more, Mach. When I win the lottery St. Judes, along with the Make A Wish Foundation is gonna get a nice check. But you know, if we give enough to St. Judes then Make A Wish will no longer be a needed thing.

[oceanseagle12]

I also have 2 connecting for December (12) and was told 2 different things. I was told the dividers do not open between cabins. But the Carnival rep told me the dividers do open for connecting cabins. Anybody have any feedback about this?

 

Jake- I didn't see a response to this- sorry if I missed it. I think it is a yes and no kind of thing. From looking at the pics posted by zydecocruiser, it looks like the dividers do actually move, but they double as the weather doors. So, the best I can tell, the only place they move to is your balcony door. So if they balconies are joined, you basically don't have a balcony!

[sixgun8]

My very high priced minutes are rapidly expiring so I'll sing off for now.

 

I've got a ton of great images and a few videos to make everyone smile.

 

The list of questions is covered and I'll get to those as well.

 

See y'all tomorrow.

 

:)

 

 

Good morning everyone. What a wonderful two days!!! Unfortunately my body is wondering why in the world I tried to stuff a 7 day vacation into 2!!! :eek::rolleyes:

 

It's been a wonderful couple of days and the DREAM is GORGEOUS!!!!

 

Good to read smiles on your fingertips guys! I can't wait to see some pictures so we can ALL smile! WOoohoo

[DoreenLily]

My M-I-L is traveling with us, and has an interior room on deck 11; I'll try to get some pix, and any comments.

 

Also, I was quite glad to see the webcam pix showing the Dream; it's my first time departing from NYC, and it looks like the terminal won't be completely packed (Dream was the only ship visible in the webcam).

 

Thanks I'll really look forward to any feedback. Hope you all have a good time.

[DoreenLily]

If I remember correctly, a member of our roll call has a 1A. If that's the case I'll be glad to get pictures of the cabin to either post here or I'll provide a link.

 

:)

 

That would be really gret - thanks.

[mizLORInj]

Just back from the CTN. LOVED the Dream. I posted a few more details in the Carnival msg board area. Would go on this ship again in a second.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Oh, no, just saw this! LOL! That was the hashtag Carnival had sort of deemed "official" -- thanks for reading through to find us all :D

 

trying to catch up!

 

I wish you guys were using something besides #dream on twitter. Have to filter through people's dreams about walking around naked. lol.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Someone asked about the "secret doors" to the bow. I do believe all Carnival ships have doors that lead to the bow. I also believe that they are all supposed to be crew only... I can't break those rules but I won't say anything if you do ;)

 

When I transited the Panama Canal on sister line Holland America's Zuiderdam, passengers WERE allowed out on the bow via their crew only doors, and it was a really neat place to watch the goings-on!

[*Mach*]

Someone asked about the "secret doors" to the bow. I do believe all Carnival ships have doors that lead to the bow. I also believe that they are all supposed to be crew only... I can't break those rules but I won't say anything if you do ;)

 

When I transited the Panama Canal on sister line Holland America's Zuiderdam, passengers WERE allowed out on the bow via their crew only doors, and it was a really neat place to watch the goings-on!

 

 

Have no fear!!

I have PICTURES of the secret doors on the Vista deck!! I'll post them on this thread as soon as I can!!

The Upper, Empress, and Vista Decks all have secret door and getting to them works exactly the same...

:)

[*Mach*]

Wow, Mach. What a great picture. Glad to see the cove balconies are open. Hope the weather calms down a bit so they can stay open.

 

 

Last night when I was chatting with John he was quite amazed that the Cove doors were open overnight considering the conditions.

I was out there a great deal of the night and I can understand his astonishment. During many of the rolls the ship took waves would break a eye level. They were probably less than 100 feet off the starboard side of the ship.

:)

[*Mach*]

I've mentioned a few times what the seas were like.

I want you to see these pictures of the pilot boat retrieving the pilot. These were shot from my balcony at NO zoom. In fact, the lens was in wide angle at 28mm:

 

Need I say more???

 

:eek:

[*Mach*]

I don't really have anything specific on the ship I wish to know. However we would be interested if you could find out from the Maitre'd Ken if he will still be on the ship for the Dec 19-26 sailing. We were in his dining room on the Splendor and would love to still see him on the Dream for our upcoming sailing.

 

The Carnival Dream definately looks to be a beautiful ship. Can't wait for December to get here.

 

 

I asked Ken about his future plans. He will be going on vacation January 23 for two months but will be returning to the Dream.

He's a great guy and was very glad to hear that folks here at Cruise Critic think so highly of him!!!

:)

[editor@cruisecritic]

Your experience, Mach, was worth the price of admission. Amazing.

 

Carolyn

 

I've mentioned a few times what the seas were like.

 

I want you to see these pictures of the pilot boat retrieving the pilot. These were shot from my balcony at NO zoom. In fact, the lens was in wide angle at 28mm:

 

 

Need I say more???

 

:eek:

[anjoliza]

Someone asked about the "secret doors" to the bow. I do believe all Carnival ships have doors that lead to the bow. I also believe that they are all supposed to be crew only... I can't break those rules but I won't say anything if you do ;)

 

When I transited the Panama Canal on sister line Holland America's Zuiderdam, passengers WERE allowed out on the bow via their crew only doors, and it was a really neat place to watch the goings-on!

 

Normally the bottom deck, maybe the bottom 2 decks are crew decks, the higher up decks are open to the public and one of my favourite places to hang out but sssssshhhh, we want to keep them secret :D :rolleyes:

[*Mach*]

Your experience, Mach, was worth the price of admission. Amazing.

 

Carolyn

 

 

Thanks, Carolyn!

That was a great ride and that Cove Balcony cabin is amazing!

For someone who really enjoys like you're in touch with the sea those Coves are worth every penny. I can't imagine being able to capture images like that from any other kind of cabin. Stunning... just stunning.

:)

[editor@cruisecritic]

So, as you've already read here, Hurricane-Trop Storm-Trop Depression-nor'easter- whatever-Ida meant for an odd weekend on Carnival Dream. Odd primarily because the ship's designed to be enjoyed in warm, tropical climes (i.e. no magrodome-covered pools in case of inclement weather, not all that much to do onboard and inside). And the weather was HORRIBLE. Felt for the lady I saw cowering in the corner of the Lido buffet, paper bag held-to-mouth.

 

But there were still some highlights. Among them?

 

*Chef's Art, the ship's steakhouse, served a flawless meal, good wine, fairly priced. Nice ambience (but Carnival's taking the supper club concept, i.e. a live combo for dancing and a lovely bar area away means it's just another cruise ship alternative restaurant, decor-wise, nothing special).

 

*Loved the new Ocean area, the ability to be outside and still hear music.

 

*Food, especially in the buffet area and the aformentioned Chef's Art steakhouse, was just outstanding. Dining room a tad inconsistent.

 

*Entertainment was fantastic, loved the Cuban-influenced performers.

 

*Meeting Cruise Critic members at the Meet and Mingle! Vignettes and photos to follow.

 

There were cons, too, and it's possible that the fact that 3,000-plus people on a two night cruise to nowhere in bad weather exacerbates the negatives, but:

 

*Too much stuff, from Chef's Art reservations to spa treatments, was "fully booked" by 2 p.m. on embark day. That's poor.

 

*Way too many lines EVERYWHERE. To buy a sweatshirt, get a coffee, ride the elevator, and the most egregious -- to get food. Lines lines lines. At the restaurant for breakfast. At the pizza station at the buffet. Deli station. 1 hour wait for in-cabin service. Etc. And yet at key times, Carnival didn't utilize the space it had. Indian buffet, grill, both closed at a time when demand was high. Why not keep Pasta Bar open at night? At the Scarlet restaurant, when there are 300 people waiting in line to get in why not open the restaurant's second deck? Poorly planned and not impressive. Mind you, it's a two night cruise and these offer challenges. I've sailed on a couple on NCL, both out of New York, and they were fun and not so stressful. If Carnival can't handle it, then it shouldn't offer it.

 

*How do you build a ship these days that is so lacking in noise containment? My god, I could not only hear my neighbor's television as if it were right beside me, I could hear everything everyone said walking by cabin door (and if you can hear the neighbor's tv you can, er, hear everything else). Poor.

 

*Customer service, and this is something about which I have low expectations when it comes to Carnival, didn't quite, er, meet my very low expectations. Why is it that staffers at the customer service desk, and this is consistent throughout Carnival fleet, acts as if they are doing you a favor by "listening"?

 

*Daytime entertainment was pathetic, especially in light of the fact that everyone was inside due to weather. Highlight, so to speak, in atrium: Bean bag toss. Oh my! Why not offer a movie matinee in the theater?

 

*From what I heard from many pax, embarkation was a nightmare. The ship apparently is too big to fit a NYC gangway. Er, so what, someone at Carnival forgot to check? Inexcusable that people waited three hours to board a two night cruise.

 

If you were onboard, please share your impressions. If you are a Carnival fan, please feel free to illuminate on the cons -- I'm a bit mystified, to be honest, at how the line failed to turn a bad weather weekend into a fun ship cruise.

 

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

Cruise Critic’s meet and mingle onboard Carnival Dream Friday afternoon was a special gathering because typically cruises as short as this one don’t have them. Held in the Caliente Disco, we noticed there were almost as many folks outside, staring at the event’s sign and wondering loudly what a Cruise Critic is, as there were inside.

 

Presumably the fact the event was slated for 2:30 p.m. on embarkation day, and that waits to embark, we heard later, were as much as three hours in the terminal, meant that some passengers didn’t make the gathering. But those who did had a terrific time just kicking back, relaxing, and checking in with fellow Cruise Critic members.

 

Following are some photos and tales.

 

 

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

Host Mach and his girlfriend Lydia should get an award for longest-distance-traveled for a two night cruise! Their near-12 hour trip from San Antonio included a plane delay caused by a cracked windshield and other mishaps. After a night at the Holiday Inn at Newark Airport, they were thrilled to be onboard. First impressions?

 

“Carnival Dream is large and visually stunning, more so than I expected.”

 

On tap for tonight, he told us, was hanging out and enjoying the Ocean Plaza, drinking and listening to jazz.

 

But when we ran into Mach and Lydia this morning, turns out they had a far better show from their deck 2 “cove cabin”. These staterooms, so named because they unusually very close to the water line, have verandahs that are actually cut out of the hull. On a night with 20 ft. seas, the derring-do performance of the pilot, was an amazing feat. After leading the ship out of New York Harbor, the pilot had to jump off Dream – and onto the pilot boat – as the seas roiled tempestuously behind him. Mach captured the experience on video – and we’re looking forward to his promised link!

 

 

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

For Campers3 and MyShadow120, the trek to New York to board Carnival Dream wasn’t quite as onerous (they came from central Pennsylvania, a 3 ½ hour drive). When asked about their first impressions, the mother and daughter duo, on their 4th and 3rd Carnival cruises respectively, responded in unison. “Wow! Wow!”

 

As members of Carnival Vacation Club, they planned to go to the spa, where they were entitled to 25 percent discounts. With a 25 percent discount, I'd go to (okay, let's face it, I'd generally go anyway :) )

 

 

 

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

“Beautiful.” Their immediate answer to our “what was your first impression of Carnival Dream” question, Bernman and Puppet, from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, made us wonder: “Is that a word you usually use to describe Carnival ships?”

 

“No!” they exclaimed in unison. “Like Carnival’s other ships, Dream is over the top,” Bernman divulges, “but not Vegas over the top. It’s more refined than the usual Carnival.”

 

Bernman and Puppet were eyewitnesses to one of the more unusual occurrences we heard about today. So excited was a fellow passenger (not a Cruise Critic member, Puppet hastens to say) about being on a new ship that in one of the elevator lobbies “he dropped to the floor to smell the new ship smell.” Alas, though Carnival Dream is indeed the latest addition to Carnival’s fleet, it’s actually been hosting cruises in Europe since September 21. The new ship smell is no longer evident.

 

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

CasinoPlayer, as befits the member moniker, sidled up to us to say that he was most looking forward to gambling in the casino and also checking out the ship’s entertainment venues. One interesting detail was that he, and other gamblers, could have been out of “lady luck” if the former Hurricane Ida, whose now brought a nor’easter – with its massive winds, rains and waves – right into New York City and there was some talk that the ship would not actually go to sea. Because casinos (and shops, too) are not allowed to open until a ship is in international waters, being stuck at the pier could have been quite disappointing for a lot of folks (fortunately, we did head out to sea).

 

We liked CasinoPlayer’s observation that “Carnival has the best food of all major cruise lines” (and indeed, Carnival’s buffet was cited as the best-in-show by Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Picks awards this year).

 

Here he’s photographed with his wife Rosalie.

 

 

Carolyn