B2B Carnival Dream March 12-26 Review

[meatloafsfan]

We have never cruised and are going on the Dream April 16th!!!! I have enjoyed your review. This is probably a dumb question but what is up with the free drink card? Is it something they give you while you are gambling or did you earn it some other way that I missed?

 

My DH loves to play BlackJack so I want to make sure he doesn't miss out:)

 

The drink card is available to slot players once you've earned 1500 points. For table play, you'd need to be rated. I don't know how much - or how long - you'd need to play on the tables to earn it though.

[kellbellscruise]

seriously....... I love your style. I am glad you are posting this, as there are a few negatives reviews about the Dream up front and center right now. Most seem to be about the ship being too small to handle the crowd... but you didnt seem to encounter any of that. quick question.... do I need to ask or do they stroll around and offer the cards once you reach your points? again.. a thunderous applause.... for this great review.

[vanislandcruisers]

Really enjoying your Review!!!!

[balcony bound]

I'm loving this review.... love the Dream and love your style! Thanks so much for taking the time and sharing with us. I'll be looking out for more, hope you have plenty of spare time:D

[JennLuvs2Cruise]

Loving this review! Please write more very soon ;)

[dangerousfem]

This has to be one of the best reviews I have read on here.... thanks so much for posting it.... oh and add me to the list that would like you to adopt me....even though I am older than you....hahahahaha

[shelkate1]

Great review!! We were on the Dream back in Oct., but it's nice to see the ship from someone else's perspective. Keep it coming!

[seajay312]

Yes, I'm sailing on the Dream this Saturday the 9th and I would like to know more about the drink card. Do you have to ask for it when you reach 1500 points or do they automatically give it to you somehow?

[meatloafsfan]

Yes, I'm sailing on the Dream this Saturday the 9th and I would like to know more about the drink card. Do you have to ask for it when you reach 1500 points or do they automatically give it to you somehow?

 

Yes - Both cruises I had to ask for it. I just pointed out my points to one of the casino people (they were always milling about) and within a few minutes they came back with my drink card.

 

The first week I had a hole punched in my sign and sail card and used their stretchy cord so the drink card was attached directly to my card with a little metal chain. The second week I used a lanyard around my neck with a pouch so I just kept the card in there.

 

The servers will only need your folio number (4 digit number printed on your sign and sail card, and the drink card) to get you the free drinks. There is also a button on the slot machine they can press to get the number (that button is marked "Staff use" I think).

[meatloafsfan]

Relaxing day at Sea or Really did I sleep that long?

 

Jenna had come back in the wee hours of the morning once again last night so she was more than happy to sleep the day away.

 

I, in my nyquil stupor, was also more than happy to sleep the day away. :p

 

I got up around 2pm and tried to quietly get ready to leave the cabin. It must have worked because Jenna didn't stir.

 

When leaving I noticed in our mailbox outside the room that there was a small envelope. It was our excursion tickets for the next day in St. Thomas. I was standing there debating on opening the door and putting them inside or just leaving them in the mailbox when our room steward came up and asked if the room was empty. I told him Jenna was still sleeping so I didn't think we'd need service until the evening. He smiled politely and went back down the hall.

 

I think our room steward must have loved us because most of the time, due to Jenna's (and sometimes my) sleeping habits, he only had to come into our room once a day. They were actually a day where he didn't get to come in at all so he didn't need to do anything!

 

Okay, so I decided to leave the tickets in the mailbox so as not to disturb Jenna and headed up to the Lido deck in search of food. By the time I got to the buffet pretty much everything was closed because it was almost 2:30pm.

 

Mini rant:

 

The hours for food were unreasonable as far as I was concerned. On sea days the buffet and specialty places were only open until 2:30pm so between then and dinner it was deli, pizza & burgers - and I didn't find any of those options to be all that great. When late dinner is 8:15pm, I'd expect that there be something better to snack on later in the afternoon.

 

End rant.

 

Okay, slim pickings but I was hungry so I tried the deli.

 

I ordered the turkey wrap and added some coleslaw and pickles. I took this inside to eat as the buffet area was empty and the seats were pretty comfy.

 

The guy at the deli making sandwiches was really whipping those things out. The line wasn't too bad because it moved quickly. The sandwiches though, weren't that good. My turkey wrap was very bland, I couldn't really tell it was turkey to tell the truth. Later in the cruise I ordered a turkey sandwich from room service and that turkey was very good. I'm not sure why they wouldn't use the same deli meat at both places?

 

Turkey wrap from the Deli (Lido Deck)

 

And just for comparison, the turkey sandwich later ordered from room service:

 

 

I also tried the ice tea from the dispensers. (where is that Yucky face smiley?) Blah. The lemonade was okay though.

 

One thing I forgot to mention.

 

Sunday (Nassau day) I woke up and my face was all puffy - as were my hands (the two places I noticed it most anyways). Starting Sunday night I switched to bottled water and avoided the ships water and the puffyness went away very quickly.

 

So where was I? Right, I had eaten a late lunch and was ready to do something.

 

Hmmm, what to do, what to do?

 

I wouldn't have minded reading but I left my ereader in the cabin.

 

Once again - didn't bring sunscreen so outside, not going to happen.

 

A drink would be nice.....

 

Back down to the casino!

 

Where I discovered my new favourite drink - the BBC!

 

 

Mmmm, creamy, smooth, yummy and alcoholic. Does it get any better?

[tkportersat]

Love your review :) Very entertaining!

[seashell36]

OK, that's a new one for me - what's a BBC? I love the mocha getaway, the kiss on the lips, the miami vice. So, smooth creamy and alcoholic is oh so yummy - what's in it?

[pghsteelerfan]

OK, that's a new one for me - what's a BBC? I love the mocha getaway, the kiss on the lips, the miami vice. So, smooth creamy and alcoholic is oh so yummy - what's in it?

 

BBC's are awesome! This is what's in it:

 

1 1/3 oz Bailey's Irish cream

2/3 oz creme de bananas

2 oz pina colada mix

 

If you don't want it as strong, you can substitute the creme de bananas with half a banana.

 

meatloafsfan - I am really enjoying your review and can't wait for more! :)

[raylene5]

I'm beginning to think you enjoyed the Casino? :D

[JAXCRUISER]

Great review! Look forward to more. Thanks!

[LynnAnne]

Love your review, Thanks!! DH and I were on the Dream Jan.2010. DD and I will be on the Freedom Oct. our first cruise together!!!

[maryann2]

Really enjoying your review. Thank you for taking the time to do it.

[flounder315]

Great Review... Love the pictures...

 

 

I sure hope you are typing... Cuz I''m certainly waiting...:D

[jhale]

I sure hope you are typing... Cuz I''m certainly waiting...:D

 

I was thinking the same thing! I keep hitting refresh, lol.

[ToesntheSand]

I was thinking the same thing! I keep hitting refresh, lol.

 

 

Me too! Ha ha. This is such a fun review!

[MissKIA]

Me too! I don't want to be a pain, and I know it takes time, but I really want to read more!! :D

 

This is why I usually don't start reading reviews until I think they are either finished or close to being finished. I have no patience and want instant graitification. lol

[hlb76]

Thanks for the start of a great review!!!! I am hooked!!!

[pcrum]

Love your review, in fact it is definitely one of the best I have ever read!! I have 16 year old boy/girl twins, so I can definitely relate to your teen club incident. I know my daughter would have also been mortified if I had introduced her to some teen boys outside the teen club! Kudos to you for making the introductions and easing her way into the club!! My question to you is, did your goddaughter coming back late to the room alone bother you at all? My son does not do the teen club, it's just not his thing and I was so worried about my 16 year old daughter walking back alone at 1 am (when most of the teen club activities ended). We also had PT cabins (1 for the kids and 1 for DH and myself) on the Riveria deck on our last sailing (we left the day after you returned, 3/27/11), so it was a bit of a walk. I made her promise to have someone walk her back and she seemed to have no trouble finding some willing young men from the club to escort her back, but I just could not sleep until I knew she was back safely. Maybe I am just overprotective, but it was a definite concern for me.

 

Anyhoo, thanks for a wonderful review. I can't wait to read the rest!

[Smuckyjo]

I am most definitely getting a BBC!!!!!!

 

Leaving on the 16th - cannot wait.

 

I haven't decided whether you liked the food or not...hit or miss maybe - it all looks great - I am sure we will find plenty. I can see what you mean about the hours but for me it will be better so I don't eat ALL day.

 

Can you get Room Service any time?

[Texarribean Chick]

Love your review, in fact it is definitely one of the best I have ever read!! I have 16 year old boy/girl twins, so I can definitely relate to your teen club incident. I know my daughter would have also been mortified if I had introduced her to some teen boys outside the teen club! Kudos to you for making the introductions and easing her way into the club!! My question to you is, did your goddaughter coming back late to the room alone bother you at all? My son does not do the teen club, it's just not his thing and I was so worried about my 16 year old daughter walking back alone at 1 am (when most of the teen club activities ended). We also had PT cabins (1 for the kids and 1 for DH and myself) on the Riveria deck on our last sailing (we left the day after you returned, 3/27/11), so it was a bit of a walk. I made her promise to have someone walk her back and she seemed to have no trouble finding some willing young men from the club to escort her back, but I just could not sleep until I knew she was back safely. Maybe I am just overprotective, but it was a definite concern for me.

 

Anyhoo, thanks for a wonderful review. I can't wait to read the rest!

 

We took our daughter and were hesitant as you are about her walking back alone - she had no difficulties at all. We set our alarm just to make sure she was in by curfew and even timed exactly how long it would be from Club 02 to our cabin, so if there were any problems, we would know something had happened. I feel confident after a weeks worth of our daughter walking alone - you will be fine. Just remind your DD to always, always be aware of her surroundings! Have fun!