Just Back From Dream - Eastern - The Good & Areas for Improvement

[CorvetteLady]

You said you had lunch on embarkation day in the dining room. Is the Dream doing that on every cruise now? If so I hope they start doing it on other ships. That was one of the few things about NCL that we really liked.

[jas1178]

Thank you for all the kind comments. I have awesome kids...and love them to death!

 

As promised: here is my MDR Lunch Rant

 

12 - Main Dining Room - Open during Embarkation / Nassau / and Sea Days. This has been one of my favorite options - that I feel Carnival has missed the ball on TREMENDOUSLY. They now keep the same limited menu all week long!

 

Here's a little history on the MDR Menu:

 

Originally (and as far as I know on all other ships) the menu rotates daily. Here are a few of the standard lunch menus: Lunch 1 / Lunch 2 / Lunch 3 / Lunch 4 / Lunch 5

 

A few months ago on Dream, they introduced a new "BRUNCH" Menu:

Menu Link Now let me point out that this menu offered enough variety that it didn't need to change daily. This was an AWESOME idea.

 

Now they have replaced the BRUNCH Menu with a Luncheon Menu:

• 
  
  • Capreese Salad
    
  • Meditearan Chicken Cesar Salad
    
  • Omlet or Scrambled Eggs
    
  • Clam Chowder
    
  • Club Sandwich
    
  • Fish Sandwich
    
  • Penni (Sorry can't read the second word)
    
  • Regatoni
    
  • Tex Mex Burger
    
  • Salmon with Rock Shrip
    
  • Pork Chop
    
  • Banana Cream Pie
    
  • Vacation Sundae
    
  • Chocolate Brownie Melting Tart (NO RELATION TO MELTING CAKE)
    

Also, all items are entree sized - so no side salad or cup of soup. Also, not custom orders (ie no Onions on the Fish Sandwich).

 

Definitely am partial to the Brunch Menu I showed, but if you can't do that....go back to the regular lunch menus. I like to be served in the dining room, but any reason to return. Also glad I didn't waste a cruise day lunch on it....it wasn't that good.

 

I am sure the reason for this is budget...and based on the VERY poor attendance we saw at lunch daily, perhaps they want it to fail so they don't have to offer it?

 

 

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Just want to mention - these rants that I am posting, are merely frustrations on areas that Carnival could improve. These didn't ruin my vacation, so please don't take them out of context.

 

 

Regarding the grilled Cottage Cheese: it isn't anything like you'd think. It reminded me of the Indian Vegetarian Dinner that appears on the Dinner Menu Night 1 - on every ship. Spicy - but very good. Tried it on a cruise where I wasn't interested in my usual, and was very pleasantly surprised.

[Hollyday]

I'm sure you all know the joys of unpacking etc :-)

Compounding that process is the fact I dislocated my knee on the last night of the cruise :(

 

This cruise included my DW31 / DD4/ DS1 / & ME31.

 

We live in Tampa (2.5 hours to the port) but decided to stay at the Residence Inn the night before. They offer FREE Parking and a $3 per person per way Shuttle. Trying to be thrifty, I used the shuttle service after dropping everyone else and the luggage at the port. This ended up being a huge hassle, and don't recommend this process.

 

We're on the Dream in December, also live in Tampa. I was wondering why you do not recommend the Residence Inn shuttle. What was the huge hassle?

 

Thanks,

 

Holly

[jas1178]

What time did you see the Dream arrive at the terminal/port?

What time did you all get to the terminal?

And, then, Get on-board?

 

My Dear wife said that it was like 5am ish. Looked like she was tied up by 6:30am

 

Dropped off wife & kids at 10:15 / They were boarding by 10:40.

 

You said you had lunch on embarkation day in the dining room. Is the Dream doing that on every cruise now? If so I hope they start doing it on other ships. That was one of the few things about NCL that we really liked.

 

Yes, lunch is served on embarkation day in the mid ship restarant on deck 3 which you can access behind the lobby bar. (The rest of the time it is in the aft restaraunt - deck 3...which makes little sense)

[jas1178]

We're on the Dream in December, also live in Tampa. I was wondering why you do not recommend the Residence Inn shuttle. What was the huge hassle?

 

Thanks,

 

Holly

 

Hi Holly - they just weren't timely. (and according to the desk this is not unusual) My wife was texting me that they ship was boarding - and they guy took his time doing paperwork, taking payments, and sharing everything he knew (second handed) about cruising. I just wanted to get going, he just wanted to talk. He mentioned how we had plenty of time as we were still very early. I said at this point...you know they are currently boarding the ship...he kept on.

 

In my case, I was trying to save a few bucks not having to pay for shuttle for everyone (while also getting a decent boarding zone number). The shuttle is scheduled for 10:45. Think we actually got dropped off close to 11:30. If you don't care about time...it probably isn't a hastle. We just like to get on before it gets crowded and crazy, and maximize our time on board.

[FLSpaGuy]

Will be on the Dream in September and was really hopeful they had the Rotisserie Chicken Station. I was on the Splendor last year and that was my favorite place for lunch. It was on the next deck up from the buffet in a quiet little spot and people did not find it for the first few days of the cruise. Great Chicken, Mac & Cheese, etc.

[Hollyday]

Hi Holly - they just weren't timely. (and according to the desk this is not unusual) My wife was texting me that they ship was boarding - and they guy took his time doing paperwork, taking payments, and sharing everything he knew (second handed) about cruising. I just wanted to get going, he just wanted to talk. He mentioned how we had plenty of time as we were still very early. I said at this point...you know they are currently boarding the ship...he kept on.

 

In my case, I was trying to save a few bucks not having to pay for shuttle for everyone (while also getting a decent boarding zone number). The shuttle is scheduled for 10:45. Think we actually got dropped off close to 11:30. If you don't care about time...it probably isn't a hastle. We just like to get on before it gets crowded and crazy, and maximize our time on board.

 

Thanks, we may have to rethink this.

[I Luv Crusin]

Grilled cottage cheese? Now that sounds interesting!

 

It's probably paneer, a fresh Indian cheese similiar to cottage cheese.

[mississauga]

Will be on the Dream in September and was really hopeful they had the Rotisserie Chicken Station. I was on the Splendor last year and that was my favorite place for lunch. It was on the next deck up from the buffet in a quiet little spot and people did not find it for the first few days of the cruise. Great Chicken, Mac & Cheese, etc.

 

Same setup except for the menu...pasta instead of chicken rotisserie. You put in your order and when ready is brought to you. Enjoyed it more on the Dream than on the Splendor.:)

 

jas1178, great review. Thanks for sharing! A few things have changed since we cruised on the Dream last December so looking forward to the changes when we sail in November again.

[Madelyn's Mom]

We will be sailing on the Dream with our four year old daughter in September. Do you happen to have any copies of the kids capers you could post?

[ChaylaT]

Keep it coming!! Love the review! We leave Saturday!!!!!!:eek:

[jas1178]

We will be sailing on the Dream with our four year old daughter in September. Do you happen to have any copies of the kids capers you could post?

 

Yes, have all of the capers. Will try to scan them tomorrow!

[Savs]

We leave in 4 weeks and would love to see the children's activities as well. Thanks!

[WAHMto5]

Great review, thanks for sharing!!

[jas1178]

Keep in mind that these were 4th of July week, so I'm not sure if things may have been shifted some to accomidate that.

 

You should be able to click for full size images...

 

[jas1178]

Sorry in the delay in providing the final areas of my review, will try to finish up tomorrow evening.

 

Any questions I can answer?

Any other requests?

[Madelyn's Mom]

Thanks!

[stefyo]

Sorry in the delay in providing the final areas of my review, will try to finish up tomorrow evening.

 

Any questions I can answer?

Any other requests?

 

 

 

What a great review! We will be on her in January. Is there no fish n chips on this ship???

 

What did you do for excursions?

[crewsweeper]

jas1178... enjoying reading your review. Appreciate your candid comments. We were confused by the photo system too. Only one of at least 6 pictures taken (and purchased) of DW and I or BIL/SIL ever showed up on the kiosk system. Kudos for scanning the Fun Times. They just aren't printed for easy scanning and reading, IMO.

 

And a ? on the infamous "SMELL"; did you smell it? Were the dining areas on the Lido deck smelly, especially after hours?

[Beardeh]

If you get time to scan the "capers" would really appreciate it or you can email them to me at: beardeh@aol.com Just put Dream in the Subject Thanks

[CarribbeanTina271]

really enjoying the great review! Thanks... so now I want a cabin like yours, so after posting this I will go and see whats available for Oct!! LOL I would love the window seat;)

[clearwatergirl]

The ship is gorgeous. So pretty in so many ways! The deck 5 Lanai that goes all the way around became our nightly walk with our strollers before bed. We enjoyed the Ocean plaza - a great space.

 

But this brings me to our first area that needs improvement:

 

Fun hub for those that don't know is a new feature on Dream. Terminals are scattered throughout decks 3/4/5 and provide access to the internet (for a fee) but also provide access to an onboard schedule/maps and social network.

 

This was a huge disappointment. With 4500 people on board, less than 85 had signed up before the last sea day. Of those that did, several were staff (Captain/Cruise Director/Youth Director/IT Manager) which were only there for looks - and did not utilize it.

 

It was a neglected feature that has so much potential. It was obvious that the scheduled was from months ago (it matched an old copy of capers we had - and didn't seem to be updated). Also, features were highlighted (like the "poll of the day") that were left defunct.

 

It was not advertised at all, and holds so much potential. I hope they don't abandon this - but improve it.

 

While I am ranting...how about ranting about the photo department:

 

The dream is testing a "NEW" Photo system that offers Plasma TV/Kiosks around the gallery that guests can walk up to and find their photos. The system is called "Easy Photo Finder". Guests walk up, swipe their sign and sail card...and nothing. This is after the photographers scan your card before photos...so why the disconnect??? I decided to ask. The photo manager explained they have been trying things for a few months. The technology is setup to be facial recognition...your initial security photo is the starting point. They tried this for 2 or 3 cruises, but there was a conflict between the security and the photo system. The only answer was to have a professional photographer take everyone's individual photo at the gang way...which they would try.

 

The system does allow you to browse all photos and add the one you find of you manually to your "album", which we did throughout the cruise. 1/2 way through the cruise, they modified the software to no longer show you a gallery view of say 20 photos per page, but changed it to a single photo per page...so in our case we went from 3 pages of photos to 60 to shuffle through.

 

I should also mention that these kioks were SLOW - and browsing to find new photos was painful.

 

Again - many of us have been BEGGING for this technology. Let me compare my photos side by side from both formal nights/etc.... These kiosks do just that. But for them to be used by mainstream users they have to be simply slide your card and the photos have to be there. Whos stupid idea was it to do facial recognition??? JUST SCAN OUR SIGN & SAIL CARDS (which the photographers are DOING!) and link them that way! Keep the ability to browse for photos in case we didn't get scanned - etc...but speed it up! THIS SYSTEM HAS HUGE POTENTIAL - PLEASE put people on it that want to see it suceed and not someone who considers it a bother to even turn on every morning.

 

Ok, more review & photos tomorrow....sorry for the double rant!

 

Anyone reading this?

Anyone have questions?

 

Good Night! HEY! CURTIS - where is my towel animal? Where are my mints? Why isn't the bed turned down? Hello? Oh...yeah, guess I have to do it myself.

 

 

Great review. Thank you. I agree with us begging for new technology to deal with the photo dept. Sounds like Disney has come up with a solution that makes sense. Process needs to be streamlined and simple for all. Makes total sense to me that, by just utilizing the sail and sign card everytime your photo is taken, should pull all your photos in one fell swoop throught the card reader at the kiosk. Sounds like a good idea. Let's hope they get the technology right and real soon so it can go fleet wide.

[jas1178]

What a great review! We will be on her in January. Is there no fish n chips on this ship???

 

What did you do for excursions?

 

No Fish N Chips...thought I would miss it, but did not.

 

No Excursions this trip...we had just been eastern carribean a few months before, so this was just a low cost trip - and mostly enjoyed the ship & waterworks while in port (we did sneak out for some shopping)

 

jas1178... enjoying reading your review. Appreciate your candid comments. We were confused by the photo system too. Only one of at least 6 pictures taken (and purchased) of DW and I or BIL/SIL ever showed up on the kiosk system. Kudos for scanning the Fun Times. They just aren't printed for easy scanning and reading, IMO.

 

And a ? on the infamous "SMELL"; did you smell it? Were the dining areas on the Lido deck smelly, especially after hours?

 

No, and we spent alot of time in the Gatherings Restarant (even after hours when Noah could run around without major crowds). So no regarding the smell being discussed in the other thread.

 

We encountered the "smell" in a few areas (mostly elevator lobbys) a few times, but were never in the location for more than a few moments...Not a big deal...(Did keep the kids off the stairs in those areas when present ;-)

 

If you get time to scan the "capers" would really appreciate it or you can email them to me at: beardeh@aol.com Just put Dream in the Subject Thanks

 

The Fun Times aren't condusive for scanning, tried. Had to give them away this morning to a friend leaving in 30 days. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try to get you answers.

 

 

Sorry for the delay in finishing the review...will try tonight.

[DGP1111]

Really enjoyed reading your take on this ship. Kudos on a task very well done!! :)

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Yes, lunch is served on embarkation day in the mid ship restarant on deck 3 which you can access behind the lobby bar. (The rest of the time it is in the aft restaraunt - deck 3...which makes little sense)

 

I think I can shed a bit of light on the decision for not doing the embarkation lunch in the aft dining room aboard Carnival Dream. The aft elevators are the main ones the crew uses that day for luggage/supply delivery, often taking up all but one.

There is absolutely zero method for those passenger in wheelchairs (or mobility challenges) to get to that dining room without the aid of an elevator. It would also be tough for those who've chosen to board with larger rolling carry-on bags.

[jas1178]

Time for some additional thoughts:

 

 

Camp Carnival - Overall very good. Liked the location and facilities for the 2-5 especially - but toured the other rooms...very nice. Counselors were efficeient, but not as friendly as we are acustom. Normally our daughter gets very attached - but didn't this time.

 

Only gripe I have is that they scheduled the T-Shirt Decorating Activity in the middle of the past guest party. This is one of the two big items the kids get (the other is the backpack). When we asked if it was possible for our daughter to have one, since she was at the past guest party...the answer was no...you have to buy them for $10.95. Not the end of the world, but definitely not a thank you for cruising.

 

 

Side note - while riding the elevator up to Camp Carnival - a young lady of 10 had a lanyard around her neck with a Plat card. She has been on 18 cruises in her short 10 years. She plans on being milestone before she hits club O2. *Wish her dad would adopt me!*

 

Under 2 Care: Not everyone knows that care for infants is available. This is always for the $6 / hour fee ($4 for each additional sibling). Care is available 7-9am during Playtime - where parents can bring kids in and play with them FREE. Also available is any night 10pm - 3am. During port days, care is available until noon. If you have a late port, special hours will be announced in the caper. Other ship have noon - 2pm sea days as playtime - Dream did not this particular week.

 

My only gripe (minor) is for example St. Thomas the under 2 hours were 8-12. We were scheduled to arrive at 10:00, but didn't clear customs till near 11...sooo yeah, that works well ;-)

 

 

Shows & Entertainment - The Production shows were very good with "Dancing in the Streets" being a RUNAWAY winner. Better than any show we've seen at sea. All were well worth the time to see. Even the Legends show this week had some INCREDIBLE performers.

 

Comedy - The comedy club concept is nice having the ability to see 4 performers over 4 nights. Only saw 1 show, and while he wasn't as funny as we'd hope, was still fun.

 

Waterworks - The kids LOVED waterworks. Our little daredevil 4 year old did the Twister, Toliet Bowl, Racers, and small kids slides. Our 1 year old enjoyed the little slides and his private baby pool which we set beside there.

 

 

Lasershow - I saw a lot of people that were very impressed with this show. Personally, we weren't overly impressed - but I should mention that programing intelligent lighting & lasers is part of the business I am a part. This is not Theme Park League Shows (nor on the same level as the Production shows in the theatres)...its not amature, but its not professional either. If you don't see/do these things daily...you will probably like the shows. If you are 40 or so, and the bands/songs that were popular in your day interst you, then you will definitely enjoy the show. (I'm a bit young for most of the bands they used).

 

Music - I LOVE LIVE MUSIC. The Atrium Duo was good, the Trio in Ocean Plaza was great, the Casino guy was good, and the Showband (man I miss when you could call them an Orchestra) was excellent. If you attend the Past Guest Party / Captain Reception / Fun Farewell Party / or the showband in Ocean Plaza you will hear a young lady name Cara sing. She is really fantastic - and can both sing & has great stage presence. (Our little Emma & Noah fell in love with her - and she with them - in fact Emma cried as she left the boat wishing that Cara could come with her. Here's a picture of her...tell her Emma and Noah say Hi if you see her!

 

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By the way - Ocean Plaza is a great venue for activities. We really enjoyed the entire Promanade deck on this ship, especially the Lania where we walked with our two strollers nightly.