Carnival Dream, in Review 8/27-9/3

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

My review (short) is also posted for this cruise. To see the Sail-away go to youtube. The great people at portcanaveralwebcam.com posted the video. I am with my family at the rear of the ship. Melli we really enjoyed your review and pics.

 

 

Thanks for the hit to the youtube vid. I saw me. around the 9:30 mark I am the little speck on the 5th balcony down from the little bump out for Lido. I am an internet sensation.

[australian_girl]

Thanks for the hit to the youtube vid. I saw me. around the 9:30 mark I am the little speck on the 5th balcony down from the little bump out for Lido. I am an internet sensation.

 

Love it. :D

[Hogladyrider]

I am really enjoying your review, brings back some wonderful memories of our cruise on the Dream last September.

 

We really enjoyed all the variety of dining options during the day so much so that we did not dine in the main dining room at all, we would have our main meal during the day and salad in the evening. Love being on vacation and doing what you want when you want!

 

We loved everything about the Dream, from cove balcony room, to serenity area to being able to walk around the perimeter of the ship.

 

We did not experience any crowding or unruley kids, but then we sail when school is in session.

 

Looking forward to reading the rest of your review and your photos! I enjoy learning about other cruisers experiences, there is always something to be learned from others.

Susan

[DaisyGirl55]

great job so far on your review! love the smiles...you looked like you were really having fun!

 

I am sailing on Saturday. With the storm out there (TD Maria) we are not sure what our itinerary will be, but we really don't care. After all, we will be cruising!

 

Looking forward to the rest of your review!

[trekkie]

We will be on the Dream 10/01/11 .. Kids or no kids , wife and I have fun...It is what you make of it.. We live about 45mins from PC, and I think this weeekend we will go over to the Port and watch the ships go out. I'll be able to see my cabin. We've done that many times over the years and its great to hear the music , and sometimes even smell the food.. People waving, screaming, and on there way to a great time, but you have to be flexible there will always be inconsiderate people no matter where you are, so suck it up laugh at them ,and move on , after all it your hard work that got you there, so don't let any thing ruin it.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

great job so far on your review! love the smiles...you looked like you were really having fun!

 

I am sailing on Saturday. With the storm out there (TD Maria) we are not sure what our itinerary will be, but we really don't care. After all, we will be cruising!

 

Looking forward to the rest of your review!

 

 

TD Maria? Storms don't get named until they get to TS strength.

[jobell]

I think that someone who doesn't swim can certainly do the dolphin encounter IMO. Keep in mind that you're on a submerged platform, and that the water is deeper than the platform is. There *is* a possibility of falling in, but it's not likely. Any time the dolphin is up on the platform, you're kneeling, or crouched down. Not sure if they have vests for people who are uncomfortable, but none of the children were wearing vests (and the water was deep for some of them on the platform). It was the experience of a lifetime for me. I'm glad I did it. (waiting to get my underwater camera pics developed).

 

Melissa is right! Your mom should be fine. My 6y/o did it w/me a few years ago (he was a little nervous at that time about swimming). He was totally fine and it is an experience of a lifetime!!! Can't wait to go again someday:D

 

Thank you, Melissa and Kari! :) Definitely going to look into it and talk to her about it. It would be her birthday/happy retirement present. ;)

[IwannaGo Now]

Thanks for the great review, so far. I was on the Dream about a year ago, and it was really crowded, and chaotic on embarkation day in the Lido buffet. I also found the MDR to be really loud, and the tables arranged in a way to make it hard to navigate to, and from our table....but she is an amazing ship.

Can't wait to hear the rest....thanks again.

[Socref124]

A few pictures of the Dream leaving PC

 

 

Where were you? We were at Millikens Pub.

[flimflubin]

Love it thanks for posting!

[melli_fera]

Hey guys, thanks for being patient! Dang work gets in the way!

 

Got breakfast at the buffet late this morning since we weren't arriving to St. Thomas until 10:00. Got off the ship close to 10:30 and took a cab to Magen's Bay to spend time at the beach. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

 

Lizard friend fell out of the tree!

 

View of the ship from afar

 

The cabs there are basically converted ford f150 pick up trucks. THere are benches in the back of the pick up truck, and roof built over it. you have to hang on for your life (and your bags!) when they go around turns!

 

 

We rented 2 chairs and stuck them under trees and spent a good 4 hours there. Dawn got fried, even using 70spf. I got a little burned on my face, but by the end of the night, it was already fading. When we were done at the beach, we took a taxi to Charlotte Amalie. LOTS of places to shop there. Many many high end stores out of our league. Then we took a taxi back to our port in Havensight and did some shopping there.

We took some "old time" photos that night before dinner, and Jason, our bar waiter hooked me up with a cocktail and a washington apple shot. I think I have a crush. He's made some good money off of me.

 

 

After dinner we ran to catch the late show "Dancing in the Streets". It was really good! Not hokey or anything. Very professional and the dancers were great! Right after that, dawn headed to the cabin and I went to superstar karaoke. This was BRAND new to this ship that night. It's karaoke done with a live band. I didn't end up doing it. They only had so many slots and the karaoke veterans took over. Plus, I was there alone, and that would have been hard. There were some very good singers among the other guests!! It was fun to watch.

 

 

I wrote back home that night, "I've been sleeping like a baby on this ship. I don't know if it's the mattress, the rocking of the ship, or just me relaxing. Tonight is the first real calm sea we've had. I can't even tell we're moving."

 

Up next... ST. MARTEEN & Chartered sailing trip!

[Haylersmom]

Hey guys, thanks for being patient! Dang work gets in the way!

 

Got breakfast at the buffet late this morning since we weren't arriving to St. Thomas until 10:00. Got off the ship close to 10:30 and took a cab to Magen's Bay to spend time at the beach. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

 

Lizard friend fell out of the tree!

 

View of the ship from afar

 

The cabs there are basically converted ford f150 pick up trucks. THere are benches in the back of the pick up truck, and roof built over it. you have to hang on for your life (and your bags!) when they go around turns!

 

 

We rented 2 chairs and stuck them under trees and spent a good 4 hours there. Dawn got fried, even using 70spf. I got a little burned on my face, but by the end of the night, it was already fading. When we were done at the beach, we took a taxi to Charlotte Amalie. LOTS of places to shop there. Many many high end stores out of our league. Then we took a taxi back to our port in Havensight and did some shopping there.

We took some "old time" photos that night before dinner, and Jason, our bar waiter hooked me up with a cocktail and a washington apple shot. I think I have a crush. He's made some good money off of me.

 

 

After dinner we ran to catch the late show "Dancing in the Streets". It was really good! Not hokey or anything. Very professional and the dancers were great! Right after that, dawn headed to the cabin and I went to superstar karaoke. This was BRAND new to this ship that night. It's karaoke done with a live band. I didn't end up doing it. They only had so many slots and the karaoke veterans took over. Plus, I was there alone, and that would have been hard. There were some very good singers among the other guests!! It was fun to watch.

 

 

I wrote back home that night, "I've been sleeping like a baby on this ship. I don't know if it's the mattress, the rocking of the ship, or just me relaxing. Tonight is the first real calm sea we've had. I can't even tell we're moving."

 

Up next... ST. MARTEEN & Chartered sailing trip!

 

Funny you should say that. My bed was so comfy,I slept so good & now I'm back home & can't sleep! I must say, I never felt the ship rock. Our category cabin is only available on deck 1(family ov) and there was no motion whatsoever! Usually I get off the ship and have shiplegs for a couple of days. Not this time!

[melli_fera]

Funny you should say that. My bed was so comfy,I slept so good & now I'm back home & can't sleep! I must say, I never felt the ship rock. Our category cabin is only available on deck 1(family ov) and there was no motion whatsoever! Usually I get off the ship and have shiplegs for a couple of days. Not this time!

 

this was my first time this high up on a ship, so there was constant motion, but it was suttle. I DID have sea legs for about 2 days. I'd be sitting at the kitchen table and just start rocking. LOL

[paper1122]

Where were you? We were at Millikens Pub.

 

I am not quite sure where I was. I parked in a public parking area that had a small pavillion and a boat ramp. Immediately to the West was a bar. Immediately to the East was where the new casino ship goes out of.

[Elmo31]

Im sitting here in suspense for the rest ........ please hurry :D!! I love reading your review and am glad you had a great time

[singley5]

Great Job so far can't wait to hear more....

We sail the Dream March 10 2012 :)

[melli_fera]

Through the magic of CC (and via a friend on my roll call), we booked a private tour excursion for St. Marteen in Random Wind Charters. Random Wind is a 50+ foot sailboat owned by a woman who lives year round on the sailboat with her two school-aged children. She has hired herself a captain and charters out her home for day trips for tourists. This was a 6 hour trip, including a homemade coconut chicken curry lunch (which was fantastic!), cookies, canapes, and OPEN BAR. It is limited to about 20 people per sailing, so it is a very laid back trip. We made stops at 2 different coves/bays for swimming and snorkeling and tarzan swinging off the ship. (so, enough of the background).

 

We had to take a pontoon dinghy out to the boat. That was interesting, trying to get into the dinghy from a dock, with no ladder, and carrying huge back packs, but we did it! I took a non-drowsy dramamine when we got there, and that did me no good, so I took a regular one... a little better, but not great, so I took another, and then one more on the way back. I was still sick…so much dramamine, no free rum punch for me. I sipped on water the whole time. But it was a FANTASTIC trip. The ocean is so beautiful. We docked in 2 different coves to swim and you could see clear to the bottom, at least 15 feet. The Captain, Trevor, saw a star fish at the sea floor and dove down to get it for us to see!

 

Captain Trevor at the helm

Our hostess, Diane, was wonderful. She lives on the sailboat with her 2 children and was just an incredible host welcoming us to her home. All the beer, soda, water, rum punch that you wanted. She also cooked a killer coconut curry chicken and rice dish for lunch with fried plantains, salad and bread. Then cookies, and then some canapes on the way back.

I almost dove off the bow of the boat, but I was too scared to climb on the railing because we were rocking so much.

Hello there!

When we got back to the ship, we both took showers and a nap. I was so doped up on dramamine that I didn't hear my alarm on my watch and dawn woke me up at 7:50 (dinner is at 8:15!). I got dressed quickly and dawn decided she wasn't hungry and stayed and slept.

After dinner I took a walk up at the top deck and lounged in a chair in the breeze for a while. Then they had the deck party. They have 3 'teams' on the ship - Red, Blue, White - and each deck is assigned a team. We're on the blue team. There are different events throughout the week to earn points for your team. Tonight was the team party. I didn't get down to the pre-party but i ran down to the lido (pool) deck and joined them (in my blue shirt) in dancing, and conga lining, and singing. It was a lot of fun.

 

Then I hit the midnight mexican buffet for some nachos before heading to the fun hub to send a message home via funville (note-funville forums can be accessed FREE on board).

I’m actually copying and pasting a lot of my funville forum updates… I’m a cheater.

UP NEXT: Sea days!!!

[katiel53]

I think your day in St Maarten sounds wonderful. Do you mind telling the price of it? I love snorkeling, but DH can't swim, but I think he would enjoy the boat part. I am thinking that perhaps some of our roll call might be interested. Is there a website?

 

I am loving your review. Thanks.

[Coolcruise02]

Great review. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us!

[melli_fera]

I think your day in St Maarten sounds wonderful. Do you mind telling the price of it? I love snorkeling, but DH can't swim, but I think he would enjoy the boat part. I am thinking that perhaps some of our roll call might be interested. Is there a website?

 

I am loving your review. Thanks.

 

Katie, the website is w w w dot randomwind dot com

 

It was $95 per person, and we had to take a taxi to get there (about $8 pp). THey're running a special right now for $10 off. You can book for just a $20 deposit via paypal and pay the balance the day of the tour.

 

It was really a great trip and would have been much better had I not been seasick.

[Hogladyrider]

Oh my gosh what a small world, you went on Random Wind, that is the same charter we did in 2010 on our Dream cruise. We booked the entire boat plus a 2nd boat and Diane was so fabulous to work with. We even had to change our port day as the capt reversed our stops due to dodging a storm and I e-mailed Di via the ship and she was able to accommodate us.

 

It was a hugely memorable day with her. I will say the snorkeling, in this area is a "not much to See" thing, but the swimming and water is amazing. Not to mention the tarzan swing, the food she prepares is incredible, it is definitely a great value for the price.

 

There are some great reviews on Trip Advisor. I actually found Random Wind via a recommendation from another excursion company because we sailed the end of Sept and most boats were out of the water for repairs.

 

I am REALLY enjoying your review, I look forward to your new posts each day, great pictures as well.

 

Sorry to read you got sea sick, if you are open to alternative meds, try taking ginger pills, available over the counter at Walmart, start a week prior to cruising, and keep up daily, they also help with digestion for different foods as well. No "dopey" feeling either.

 

We want more review!

Susan