B2B Carnival Dream March 12-26 Review

[4me-itstheC]

Please come back!!!! Your review was top notch!!! Cant wait for more!!!

 

 

 

Carmel

[CruiseLiz]

Looking forward to hearing the next segment.

 

Thanks for your review about the steakhouse. We haven't booked it for our cruise yet, but I am going back & forth so your info is helpful! :)

[CruisingSoon88]

I am loving your review! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it. I know it is sooo time consuming so please know that we really do appreciate it. We will be on the Dream on the 30th of this month for the Western Caribbean. I am especially excited to see what you did in Costa Maya. Keep up the good work!:)

[ksj620]

I am not even going on this ship and I love this review. You are a hoot. Please keep it up. You are keeping me entertained until my next cruise. Thank you for all you have done.

 

Karen

[anamanxs]

Waiting and Dreaming, the two things I do best! Can't wait to hear more!

[sandradoo]

Waiting for more!!!!!Love your review we will be on the Dream in Dec.

[dhkhth]

Meatloafsfan thank you for your great review and tips. I will be going on the Dream to the Eastern Caribbean on 5/7/11. Wondering the free bottle of wine, did it come with the reservation to the steakhouse? was it only for the first night, or just in general for any steakhouse reservation? It would be nice to have a bottle of wine to sip on the balcony mid day or in the evening.

Thank you again for a great review!!

[mitchpam]

I too am interested in the free bottle of wine... AND the rest of the story!! Thanks for sharing all this good info!

[meatloafsfan]

Meatloafsfan thank you for your great review and tips. I will be going on the Dream to the Eastern Caribbean on 5/7/11. Wondering the free bottle of wine, did it come with the reservation to the steakhouse? was it only for the first night, or just in general for any steakhouse reservation? It would be nice to have a bottle of wine to sip on the balcony mid day or in the evening.

Thank you again for a great review!!

 

The free bottle of wine at the steakhouse is only on the first night. You get your choice of a white or red. You can drink it or take it with you (the whole bottle or whatever is leftover). It's to entice people to eat at the steakhouse on night one when it's a lot less busy than the rest of the week.

[airlink diva]

Please come back with more!!

I'm sailing on the Dream in September and your info about the ship is really helping.

Please don't let a hateful troll stop you from the review!!! As you can see, so many of us are eagerly awaiting more of your review.

[raylene5]

The free bottle of wine at the steakhouse is only on the first night. You get your choice of a white or red. You can drink it or take it with you (the whole bottle or whatever is leftover). It's to entice people to eat at the steakhouse on night one when it's a lot less busy than the rest of the week.

 

We ate at the steakhouse on I believe the 4th or 5th night of our 9 day cruise and it was EMPTY (maybe one other couple in the entire restaurant at 7pm) and we didn't get a free bottle of wine...Booo! :) I will have to remember to reserve the first night next time.

[meatloafsfan]

I will be continuing my review shortly :D.

 

Thank you everyone for reading along, I am very glad that (most) of you are enjoying my review.

 

I have debated on whether or not to post anything further to the comments about my "questionable parenting". I've decided NOT to.

 

Frankly, I don't care if you think me irresponsible.

 

The only person who can tell me how to act on a cruise ship is the person paying my fare - and since that's me - well, let me just say sweetly with a fake southern accent, "Y'all have a REAL nice day, and don't let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya".

[airlink diva]

I will be continuing my review shortly :D.

 

Thank you everyone for reading along, I am very glad that (most) of you are enjoying my review.

 

I have debated on whether or not to post anything further to the comments about my "questionable parenting". I've decided NOT to.

 

Frankly, I don't care if you think me irresponsible.

 

The only person who can tell me how to act on a cruise ship is the person paying my fare - and since that's me - well, let me just say sweetly with a fake southern accent, "Y'all have a REAL nice day, and don't let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya".

 

Well said girlfriend!!!:D:D:D

[mitchpam]

Sorry to harp on this question... BUT was the free bottle of wine advertised and you knew this in advance, or was it just given to you that night and you were surprised? We sail after Thanksgiving and the first night on board is DH birthday... *that* would be a nice little surprise to do the Steakhouse WITH a free bottle of wine...

 

Glad for your return, and for your honest assesment of your trip! You are enjoyable to read...

[AryMay]

"Y'all have a REAL nice day, and don't let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya".

 

Love it! Gotta remember this comment and put it to use sometime!

 

Looking forward to more...

[pcrum]

I will be continuing my review shortly :D.

 

Thank you everyone for reading along, I am very glad that (most) of you are enjoying my review.

 

I have debated on whether or not to post anything further to the comments about my "questionable parenting". I've decided NOT to.

 

Frankly, I don't care if you think me irresponsible.

 

The only person who can tell me how to act on a cruise ship is the person paying my fare - and since that's me - well, let me just say sweetly with a fake southern accent, "Y'all have a REAL nice day, and don't let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya".

 

You go girl!!!:) Can't wait for the rest!!!:)

[picklebongo]

Please come back with more!!

I'm sailing on the Dream in September and your info about the ship is really helping.

Please don't let a hateful troll stop you from the review!!! As you can see, so many of us are eagerly awaiting more of your review.

 

I hardly consider myself a "hateful troll" and as I said in my original comments, I too enjoyed reading the review, so glad it's returned since so many of you were stressing over it.

[candigirl41]

Looking forward to more. I have taken my daughter on several cruises. She was 18 on the last one and legally an adult. She can't drink because of outdated laws. Most countries allow it at 18. She did however drink in port and in the cabin. She stayed out til 5:00 most mornings. She always checked in and I know my kid. Good for you for talking to Jenna's mom ahead of time and knowing what she can and cannot handle. Sounds like a great trip. Glad you had fun.

 

Candi

[BeccaBecca1713]

Sorry to harp on this question... BUT was the free bottle of wine advertised and you knew this in advance, or was it just given to you that night and you were surprised? We sail after Thanksgiving and the first night on board is DH birthday... *that* would be a nice little surprise to do the Steakhouse WITH a free bottle of wine...

 

Glad for your return, and for your honest assesment of your trip! You are enjoyable to read...

 

All Carnival ships with a steakhouse offer the perk of a free bottle of wine if your book the first night (as in embark day). When you first get on the ship, somewhere in the madness you'll see a Carnival employee standing at a table with big giant pieces of raw meat, enticing you to make a reservation. Just clarify with him/her about the free wine and you'll be set!! :D

[steelerjen]

I will be continuing my review shortly :D.

 

Thank you everyone for reading along, I am very glad that (most) of you are enjoying my review.

 

I have debated on whether or not to post anything further to the comments about my "questionable parenting". I've decided NOT to.

 

Frankly, I don't care if you think me irresponsible.

 

The only person who can tell me how to act on a cruise ship is the person paying my fare - and since that's me - well, let me just say sweetly with a fake southern accent, "Y'all have a REAL nice day, and don't let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya".

 

 

You ROCK!! :D

[meatloafsfan]

Dinner Companions

 

So Jenna came back to the cabin a few minutes after me. I was kind of board and looking at the fun times and noticed that the Mardi Gras stuff was tonight. I asked Jenna if she wanted to make a Mardi Gras mask (and she looked at me like I was asking if she wanted to sit through a 12 hour Opera on a hard wooden stood, in minus 20 degree temperatures wearing only a tank top and short, shorts).

 

Anyways.

 

I asked her what she wanted to do.

 

She shrugged her shoulders. I suggested we just take a look to see what's going on around the ship. She decided to go shopping. :p

 

I told her that I really wanted to go to dinner tonight in the dining room and she agreed.

 

I went to the casino for a little while but I just wasn't "feeling it". There was a very loud older couple and their friend and the husband would stand behind the two ladies playing and yelling things at the machines and was convinced that whatever he was doing was helping them win. Some people found them cute but I found it disturbing. He would wave his arms and move between the two machines and yell stuff out and it made me jumpy.

 

I moved to the other side of the casino but that didn't help because possibly the crabbiest woman in the entire world sat down next to me and started complaining about the casino - how tight the slots were, how few machines there were, there were no free drinks, blah, blah, blah. She was really harshing my mellow.

 

I came to the conclusion that fate did not want me in the casino before dinner.

 

As I was leaving (I went towards the washrooms so towards the mid ship elevators and the jackpot bar) I hear, "maam! maam!" Now I'm only 36 so when I hear the word "Maam" I look around for the older lady who is being called. And then I hear, "Maam, maam! I really like your shoes. The buckle is very cool."

 

I wanted the floor to swallow me up. He was talking about my shoes. There was some 20 somthing sitting at the bar calling me "Maam". I have never felt so old in my life.

 

I mumbled "thanks", headed to the washroom and then used the midship elevators to go back to the cabin (instead of passing by the Jackpot bar again, lest I hear that offending word).

 

I got back to the cabin feeling like I should be shopping for depends and a walker. I settled down for a glass of ovaltine, some crackers and to watch my stories.

 

Just kidding (and no offense to any older ladies who actually do the above; you keep rocking it grandma).

 

Actually, I turned back on the news to see if the nuclear reactor had stabilized in Japan. It went from being the top story for a few days to not being talked about much.

 

Jenna came in with her small bag of stuff and showed me what she bought.

 

Jenna went to order room service but since it was 6 something in the evening I suggested we just go to dinner.

 

And for the first (and last) time we were seated with other people at dinner.

 

I'm glad we tried it but am even more glad that these were not our permanent table mates for the week. On subsequent nights when asked if we wanted to sit with others, I firmly answered "No".

 

So we were seated with a Mother and daughter (the daughter was 14).

 

first we ordered.

 

I ordered the tomatoes and mozzeralla for my appetizer and then the Veal Parmigiana and the Vegetarian lasagna for my entrees.

 

Jenna ordered the chicken soup (she really felt like vegetable soup but said chicken noodle would be okay), and the flat steak for her entree.

 

The mother and daughter ordered a salad (to split) and a vegetarian lasagna (to split).

 

Then the mother proceeds to tell me how much weight she'd put on and she felt so fat and she can't believe how much food people eat......

 

:rolleyes:

 

I ordered the bottle of water for Jenna and I and Jenna ordered her canned nesteas. They had the ships water. The mom takes a sip and says, "Mmmmm, nothing wrong with this water."

 

Okay.

 

And she wasn't sounding bitchy about it either. The weight comments were more self depreciating and the water comment sounded like she was being sincere, it's just weird when you have a true fat person sitting across from you and in your little size 6 pants you're telling me you're a cow.

 

I am a pretty social person so I tried to make small talk asking if they had done anything at the ports or any activities on the ship. There was actually conversation until I asked if the daughter was enjoying Circle C. The daughter replied, "Oh I wouldn't go there, those kids are too gross - all that goes on is guys hitting on the girls". The mom was like, "Oh we do everything together, I couldn't imagine not doing everything together." I asked what they did in the evenings after dinner because so many of the activities (from the comedy club to the kareoke to the piano bar) are for adults. She said that wasn't a problem because they were usually in bed by 9:30pm.

 

She then asked what did we do with our evenings and before I could stop her Jenna said, "I go to the dances at Club O2 until 1:30pm and then hang out with my friends and Patricia goes to the casino."

 

This brought the conversation to a grinding halt for about 5 full minutes.

 

Then, funny enough the daughter asked Jenna about Club O2 and what went on there, was it fun, had she met a lot of kids. I'm guessing she had wanted to go to her club but her mom had talked her out of it - and of course, it begs the question, if she hadn't gone to the club how did she know that all that happened was the guys "hit on" the girls (as opposed to the more current term of "trying to hook up" - which according to Jenna does absolutely happen but "No" works well).

 

Anyways.

 

Once the entrees came, I was served my veal, Jenna her steak and the mother and daugther their lasagna. This was one of the few nights that I was not given both of my entrees (the lasagna was put on the server station with the lid on to wait until I finished my veal).

 

My veal was great. It was super tender, very pale (so it was actual veal and not just beef parading as veal), the breading and sauce were light - just enough but it wasn't drowned. It was also served with vegetables and potatoes. I ate the veggies and tried the potatoes but wanted to save room for my veg lasagna (especially once I saw the mother and daughters).

 

Jenna's steak was perfectly cooked again (medium well) and served with red potatoes and vegetables. She dug right in.

 

The vegetable lasagna was very heavy on the spinach. In fact, I'd say it was half spinach, 1/4 mushrooms, 1/8 pasta and 1/8 cheese. there was a lasagna on the top and one on the bottom but none in the middle. There was a think layer of cheese on top and then a little bit throughout. But there was tons of spinach.

 

So, it's put inbetween the mother and daugther and the look is not a happy one. The mom says, "Oh, you don't like spinach". On the menu it's listed as vegetable Lasagna with Spinach, Mushroom and Ricotta cheese. How do not realize it has spinach in it?

 

They picked at it for a few minutes.

 

I suggested that maybe they should order something else. They hemmed and hawed and said they didn't want to be a bother. The mom said they'd just eat some bread......

 

I flagged down our server and explained the situation and 10 seconds later there were menus back at our table.

 

The mother said she thought she'd order the veal (mine did look so good) and asked the daughter if she'd mind because after all, it is VEAL. The daughter said No the mother could not order the veal - it was inhumane and no one should eat it - ever.

 

Mmmm, mmmm good. My baby cow sure tasted good.

 

The mom ended up ordering a baked potato and the daughter ordered the fruit appetizer and a shrimp cocktail. She was going to order only the shrimp cocktail until I told them it was only 4 or 5 small shrimps.

 

After I was done my veal, the server whisked away my dirty plate and gave me my lasagna.

 

It was good.

 

I mean, really good.

 

As long as you like spinach.

 

Which I do :p.

 

And let me be clear, it's not that the mother and daughter don't eat meat - they did, they just couldn't agree on any one entree TO SHARE.

 

Dessert was much smoother. Jenna and I each ordered a chocolate melting cake. The mother and daughter ordered one to share.

 

It was their first one.

 

I have the feeling it would not be their last.

 

they ate every bite and both of their ice creams (they had given them two ice creams with their one melting cake).

 

After dinner the mother and daughter announced that they were going for a walk because they were both so stuffed and needed to exercise.

 

We bid our adeiu's.

 

And that is the story of our first - and last - tablemates. I'm okay with the two tops right next to each other but actually sharing, I think I'd rather not.

 

 

 

After dinner I went to check out the burgandy lounge but it was between shows and yet I still didn't see any open tables.

 

I had read so much about the piano bars here on cruise critic so I thought that might be a good place to hang out for a while.

 

Maybe on other ships but not that week on the Dream. They guy was kind of crappy and after 2 songs I just couldn't take it. As I was leaving so was another couple who asked me if I knew anywhere else that had live music. I told them that there would be live music in the Ocean Plaza so we headed there.

 

There was a two piece that was playing country music.

 

I actually don't mind country music so I sat and listened for a while and ordered a drink (malibu and pineapple juice).

 

The couple sat at the table next to mine but we really didn't talk. When the band took a break I got up to leave and the wife says, "oh, you're leaving?"

 

I told them the casino was calling my name.

 

Tonight I ordered a little of everything. I tried a blue martini (not a big fan) and a BBC (which I do love), and something else that was red but I don't remember exactly what it was - It was one of those things that the server was giving to another person and i just said, "I'll have one of those." :D

 

I went and played for a while and when I looked down at my watch it was 1am. I decided to call it a night since it was Roatan the following day and my day in the cabana. Or was it?...................

[meatloafsfan]

Sorry to harp on this question... BUT was the free bottle of wine advertised and you knew this in advance, or was it just given to you that night and you were surprised? We sail after Thanksgiving and the first night on board is DH birthday... *that* would be a nice little surprise to do the Steakhouse WITH a free bottle of wine...

 

Glad for your return, and for your honest assesment of your trip! You are enjoyable to read...

 

I'd read about it on cruise critic before leaving.

[imacanadian]

Your review is amazing!! I come home from work and that is the first thing I do, and I was on the first week of your back to back. We had an amazing time on the ship and it is so fun to relive it through your incredible writing. You should really look into freelancing. Everything you have said in your review is so true to how we felt about the ship. We loved it too!! Hurry up I can't wait to hear...the rest of the story!:D

[iott family]

more, please! I have waited all day for this installment and im greedy for more! :D

 

BTW, I am the momma to 4 awesome kids and I dont see anything wrong with letting a nearly 18 year old hang out at a supervised club in a supervised space geared towards the same general age group. Its not like she was wondering the streets at all hours :cool: I get so tired of judgmental people! :mad:

[mitchpam]

THANKS... (and Becca too)... this is one of the reasons I love CC and reviews like this, so many details to pick and choose from. Little tidbits and nuggets in everyones stories! and you sure write a good one! Now I have to consider if we want a 2 top or share a table with others. We have only cruised 2 other times, with 8-10 people, so this is our 1st trip as a couple... do we have to request a 2 top?