Dream Cruise June 8-15

[KellyJ]

We loaded our 218 bags and watched as the porters loaded them on the wagons. We got to security around 11:25 and were on the ship at 11:45. It would have been sooner if we didn't have to stop to get our picture made so many times.

 

 

At 1:30 we went to our friend's room to collect our carryons. We went to our room, 9401 (balcony), and all 638 bags were there waiting for us. We went in and unpacked everything. Fortunately, there is room under the bed for empty luggage.

 

I know...I just hate it when your luggage multiplies before your eyes. The amount that it multiplies is directly proportional to how far you have to walk with it.

[k2excursion]

I'm enjoying your review. Thanks for posting the pic of Mr Sanchos water toys. I haven't searched extensively for a pic of their water toys, but I still have never seen one before. I always wondered what theirs were like. Belize can be a hit or miss port. If cave tubing doesn't sound like fun, there are only a few good excursions there. It's a very unpopular port, so you did good to keep it cheap there.

 

I'm not a party animal either, but we all enjoy different things about cruising. It's always interesting to see it from other people's perspective, and this review will always be like a journal of your cruise for you.

[billys5764]

Day 5

 

Roatan

 

It's staring to sound like a broken record (for you youngsters, that's what we had before CDs). We got up at 6:30, I went to the Lido deck for coffee and then proceeded to Deck 11 for "our" spot. DW went to coffee bar at 7 and then joined me.

 

I'm looking forward to this port. I'm doing the snorkeling excursion with Jeff and Linda.

 

View of Roatan as we are getting near.

 

I was glad to see the water was back to its old blue self!

 

DW trying to wake up.

 

Another early morning view

 

Another Carnival ship. I don't know which one it is. The Conquest was already at the port when arrived.

 

 

The sun getting ready to come up over the clouds

 

 

The Conquest already in port.

[billys5764]

Day 5 Part 2

 

More pix arriving in Roatan

 

 

The sky is starting to clear!

 

 

The aft

 

Closeup of the "statue"

 

And, we're here!

[billys5764]

Day 5 Part 3

 

In Roatan there are the usual shops, but there is also a nice beach area. You can easily walk to it or pay and ride the chair lift. I'm not sure how much it was to ride, but the walk was not far.

 

Beach Area

 

Chair lift to beach

 

We boarded our boat for our snorkeling tour. We took Just Escape Catamaran. It was booked through Carnival. It was $49. They provided mask, snorkel, and fins. They gave us a cup of fruit punch. Everything else was extra. I didn't bring any money with me so I did without. There were several guides on board. They did a great job explaining everything and were very friendly. They got in the water with us and made sure we were OK at all times. One of the guides asked me if I wanted him to go down and take pictures with my underwater camera. Since I was not diving, I gave it to him. He took the whole roll of film! I can't wait to get them developed. BTW, where does one get "film" developed now?

 

Our ship from the Just Escape

 

Looking toward the beach area from the Just Escape

 

Looking towards sea. This place is SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!

 

The colors are breathtaking!

[billys5764]

Day 5 Part 4

 

More Roatan pictures

 

Linda on the Just Escape

 

A resort area on the way to snorkeling

 

Not everyone that lives here has good housing. Actually this is better than some of the ones we saw along the coast.

 

The guide that took my camera and took deep pictures for me.

 

This is our divemaster. He was very good and loved his job and living in Roatan. I believe he was born here. He told us about how friendly the people are and the crime rate is very low. He said there were lots or resorts and place to come to stay. He told us if you came and stayed a month and ate fish every night at dinner, you could eat and not have the same type of fish twice. He pointed out a Red Lobster processing plant and some lobster boats that go out for 9 months at a time. A service boat comes to them once a month to bring supplies and bring back the caught lobsters.

[billys5764]

Day 5 Part 5

 

We snorkeled in two different places. The first place was OK. Not very colorful nor a lot of fish, but it was fun anyway. The crew all got in the water with us and made sure we were doing OK. The second place we snorkeled was at the dropoff. It was unbelievable. The sun's rays streaming through the blue water to depths beyond my sight was surreal. Here we saw more colorful fish and some large ones too.

 

In case you didn't know, blue is my favorite color!

 

We headed back to the ship. I tipped our crew and walked back to the Dream. No shopping. It's pretty much the same stores at every port. Besides my deck chair was calling my name. I went to Deck 11 and DW was there (she didn't get off the ship) with my saved chair. Yes, I know you are not supposed to save chairs, but there were plenty of empty chairs.

 

Here are some shots from Deck 11

 

 

 

 

 

Like clockwork, at 4:30 I headed to the Spa to shower for dinner. I got to our cabin and took these pictures from our balcony.

 

 

[billys5764]

Day 5 Part 6

 

We went to dinner and was good. I had fried shrimp and the potato soup for appetizer(s) and a ceasar salad. I snorkeled all day, I was hungry! For my entree I had beef stroganoff. It was very good. Dessert was warm chocolate melting cake with two ice creams (they are small scoops).

 

DW, Linda, and Diane had the cold soups each night. They loved them. They said they tasted like melted ice cream. There was mango, cherry, gazpacho, and peach.

 

After dinner the guys (me, DS, Jeff, and Don) went to get our traditional picture made in our Hawaiian shirts (I haven't scanned it yet). DS was worried his friends would see us getting our picture. Fortunately, no teen passed by so he was safe. DS left us ASAP and we "old" folks went and looked at the shops and pictures. Afterward we decided to park ourselves in the atrium to people watch for a while.

 

 

 

 

DS came by and told us a break dance show was going to be starting in the Atrium. OH NO! I wanted to leave, but the others wanted to stay. I was so glad I stayed. These four young men did a great job. They are very athletic. There was as much gymnastics as it was dancing. They involved the audience and were quite amusing and entertaining. So I guess we did go to a show after all!

 

I entered the blackjack tournament. At the end of the prelims, I was in 5th place so I got a seat in the finals! I came in 3rd in the finals. 1st place got $500, a ship on a stick, and a spot in the big tournament in November. 2nd place got a spot in the big tournament. 3rd place (me) got a t-shirt. I'll cherish it forever!

 

I did stop to use the internet on the ship tonight. Either the Dream uses dial up or the computers are slower than snails. They probably do it this way so they can make more money. I used the per minute rate. It took 12 minutes to do what I could do in 3 at home.

 

I headed to bed to get ready for the next day.

[TandKMom]

Thank you for your great review! I would be interested in your views on your room location, as we will be in the stateroom next door, in a couple of weeks. Was there noise from the Lido deck? Or from the Promenade with the hot tubs? Thanks! :)

[billys5764]

Thank you for your great review! I would be interested in your views on your room location, as we will be in the stateroom next door, in a couple of weeks. Was there noise from the Lido deck? Or from the Promenade with the hot tubs? Thanks! :)

 

 

We heard more noise from our neighbors on their balcony than the other decks. Of course, during the day when people are outside there will be more noise, but it was never bad. We could hear some noise above us coming through the ceiling. But is was just things being moved around. It sounded like distant thunder, nothing offensive.

 

We loved the room and being on Deck 9. It was only one deck up for food!

[billys5764]

Thank you for your great review! I would be interested in your views on your room location, as we will be in the stateroom next door, in a couple of weeks. Was there noise from the Lido deck? Or from the Promenade with the hot tubs? Thanks! :)

 

The moving noises from the Lido Deck were not constant, only very occasionally.

[billys5764]

Day 6 Costa Maya

 

Being a creature of habit, I was up by 6:30 and headed to the Lido Deck for coffee and a croissant and then to Deck 11 for "my" spot. By the time I got up there, we were already docked at Costa Maya. For today, everyone but DS, Diane, and me were going on a Carnival excursion to see the Mayan ruins. DS was not the least bit interested in going, Diane was having some feet issues and didn't want to risk it, and me -- well, when they said to bring water and bug repellant, that turned me off. Spending the day in extreme heat, fighting off tropical bugs, and walking God knows how far was not my idea of fun. So, guess what? I spent the day in "my" spot on Deck 11!

 

Early morning in Costa Maya. I took this one from my chair. Too lazy to stand up!

 

 

We were cleared by the Mexican officials pretty quickly and people were leaving the ship by 7:30.

 

We ate breakfast in the buffet on the Lido deck. Once again, it was very good. I ALWAYS get my eggs from the omelet station. And I always insist on multiple servings of bacon. I NEVER waste bacon!

 

More Costa Maya from the ship.

 

View of the shopping area. Notice the tram that runs along the pier. It is free, but you can leave a tip. It beats walking that long way.

 

DW waiting to go to breakfast.

 

 

 

Getting off the ship was no problem. Many had already left by the time we did. We all took the train to the end of the pier. We saw the line for the excursion, then all but Don said "I have to go to the bathroom." I asked the excursion guy (works for Carnival) where the bathrooms were. He pointed the direction and said, "HURRY." As soon and they were in the bathroom the line starts leaving to head to the busses. I ran to the bathroom and told them they were getting left. I watched to see where Don and the line went so I could take DW et al there. They got to the bus barely in time. Take care of nature's calling BEFORE you get off the ship.

 

I walked around the shopping area for a brief time and went back to the ship. Diane wanted to do shopping for her grandkids. There was nothing at the port that I just had to have.

 

Senor Frogs (I think that is the name) looking toward the ship. I don't know if the pool and chairs were free or not.

 

 

More of the shopping area.

[billys5764]

Day 6 Part 2

 

More pix from the port at Costa Maya

 

I love these bar stools!!!

 

 

I walked back to the ship and got dressed for my deck time. The rest of my group got back around 15 minutes before we sailed. Fortunately it was a Carnival excursion so we would have waited on them. The all enjoyed the excursion, especially the guide, Daniel. They got to see monkeys, iguanas, and tons of plant life. The ruins were very interesting and the guide really made it good for them. The cost was $84+/- plus tip. DW joined me on deck for sunning.

 

While she was gone on the excursion, I had interesting conversations with people around me. I like meeting new people and finding out about them so I'm not shy. I met many people on deck as well as several crew members and passengers in the steam room. Yeah, I know that may freak some people out being talked to by a perfect stranger when you are wearing nothing but a towel (and some not even that in the steam room), but I do it anyway. Today, in the steam room, I struck up a conversation with a guy that was obviously a crew member. I asked him what he did and he told me to guess. He sounded European so I said casino worker, No. Dancer, No (he was built like a dancer). Bridge crew, No. Finally he told me he was one of the two ship physicians. This got into a long conversation about shipboard sickness and the like. It was very interesting. See, if I hadn't struck up a conversation, I would have never found out all this info!

 

I go back to our cabin to get ready for our second elegant night. Well, this was late in the cruise. I pulled out the tux and it was so uncomfortably tight, that I said forget it. I wore linen pants with a polo shirt. That was the best I could do. At least I didn't wear shorts.

 

Jeff and Linda dressed up

 

Diane and Don dressed up

 

DW and DS dressed up

 

 

And then there was me

 

 

After dinner it was off the casino. I entered the second blackjack tournament. I did not make it to the finals this time. Just as well, if I had won a spot in the big tournament in November, I would still have had to paid to take the cruise to play in the big tournament. But the $500 would have been nice.

 

Don and Diane went to the comedy shows this evening and enjoyed them.

 

Diane was really having back and foot pain on this trip. She went to the acupuncture demo in the spa. She booked an appointment for this afternoon. When she came to dinner, she said she felt so much better. So much that she booked another appointment for the next day. I think the first appt. was $150 and the second was $100. I know alot of people swear by acupuncture. I've never had it done. Diane said it really helped, so she was going to find one back in our town. (We're having them over for dinner tonight, I'll ask her. I'm making margarita shrimp tacos and making four different kinds of margaritas!)

 

Off to bed to get ready for our last full day of cruising. YUK!

[billys5764]

Day 7 Sea Day (Last Day)

 

You know the morning routine -- up at 6:30, coffee and croissants from Lido Deck, Deck 11 chaise lounge.

 

It was interesting to see that at 6:30 chairs were already being reserved. Not wanting to miss out on "our" spot, after DW came up, I went down to our cabin to get our stuff to reserve "our" chairs. Yes, I know you are not supposed to do that, but I could not miss out on "our" spot on the last day.

 

We met at 9am in the Scarlet Dining Room for the comedy brunch. Once again, the food was good and the coffee was great. We all ate entirely too much -- eggs benedict, ceasar salad, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, etc. We left as the comedy was starting. From what I could hear it was really an advertisment for the evening shows, not much comedy.

 

This is where it gets really boring. DW and I spent the entire day in "our" spots. She would go in from time to time but not me. I was going to soak up all the sun I could.

 

We were very fortunate. The only time it rained the entire cruise was during the night a couple of times. Our weather was perfect. This was my 5th cruise and I've only had one rainy day (knock on wood).

 

At 4:30 I left "my" spot, saying goodbye to it (mentally, not out loud), and went to the spa for the last time to steam and shower for dinner.

 

When I got to the cabin, we starting packing:( and getting ready to depart the next day. We pulled out our 1028 suitcases to fill up. Our cabin steward had put out the luggage protector on the bed already.

 

We went to dinner. I had prime rib. It was better this time. I forgot to say that on elegant night I had the chateaubriand. It was excellent and cooked perfectly.

 

We said goodbye to our wait staff and Shane, the Maitre D'. We had pix made with them (not my camera, so I can't share). Time to do the final packing. :( We filled all 1698 suitcases and put them outside our cabin. Then it was off to the casino.

 

I did better tonight. So much better that I got free drinks while I played. The casino manager came up to me, called me by name (impressive), and presented me with an envelope that contained a 20% discount on my next cruise and $50 casino money. Not bad for just one week of playing. My goal is to lose so much money that I get a free cruise! By the end of the week I had close to 100 points in the Players Club. I NEVER play slots, so these are all table points.

 

Our last night was coming to an end.:mad: I got back to the room (DW was asleep and DS was nowhere to be found) and went and sat on the balcony for almost 2 hours. All good things must come to an end.:mad:

[billys5764]

Debarkation Day:(

 

Up at the usual time. I looked out on the balcony and saw that we were in Port Canaveral. We were all going to meet for breakfast in the dining room one last time at 7:30. We were all driving back so there was no big hurry to get off.

 

Port Canaveral

 

 

We did notice the night before that our return shuttle ticket said their pickup times were 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30. We had been given zone 30 which debarks at 10:15. That would not work. I went to guest services and showed them the shuttle ticket and they gave me a zone 8 debarkation. Jeff and Linda had to change theirs also. Don and Diane had FTTF so they could get off in zone 1.

 

We went to the Scarlet Dining room with our carry on luggage. We left our luggage in the foyer of the restaurant with all the others that were there. Breakfast was good as always. In the past, we have found that many of the crew were not very friendly on the last day. I guess they had gotten their tips and didn't have to be. This was not the case this cruise. They were all very friendly to us and joked around with us.

 

We ate and retrieved our carry ons and proceeded to Deck 3 to leave the ship:(:(. There was no line. We headed down the "gangplank" in to the customs area. We found our all 6498 pieces of luggage. A porter asked if we needed help. I gave him an immediate "YES." I was not schleping all 7248 pieces to the shuttle. We got in a very short line, gave the customs agent our sheet and he said have a nice day. We were outside in less than 10 minutes total.

 

We found our shuttle. I tipped the porter and we got in the van.

 

The Dream from our departing shuttle. Goodbye.

 

 

The driver took us straight back to the La Quinta. He even drove around to where our cars were parked. He unloaded everything and we packed our cars. We all hugged and said our goodbyes. We see Don and Diane often (they live in our town), but we won't see Jeff and Linda until after Christmas when we meet in Daytona. Well, DW, DS, and DD will see them. I'LL BE IN LONDON!!!!!!

 

We drove off toward the Daytona Beach International Airport to pick up DD. She was flying down to meet us there for 5 days. DD is autistic and is in a school for autistic kids and adults in the mountains of NC. She flew by herself. She was so excited. She even managed the ATL airport with very little help. We were so proud of her. Having another 5 days at the beach helped ease the pain of leaving the ship.

 

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

 

SHIP -- The ship was very nice. It is glitzy, but not gaudy. I like the layout of the ship (except that you can't get through because of the galley on certain floors). It can get crowded at times, but it never felt overwhelming. Everyone was very nice, except some unruly kids and a lady that was yelling at the Maitre D' because she couldn't get the exact table she wanted. Security had to come and escort her out!

 

CREW -- The crew was always very helpful and friendly. They have been trained well. They say "good morning" to you in the halls, deck, everywhere. That might be all the English some of them know. We did not see our cabin steward often, but we surely did see the evidence of her being in our room. Our room was always spotless and straightened up whenever we would come in. She kept our ice bucket full all day and, of course, made wonderful towel animals. The wait staff in the Scarlet Dining Room was superb. Our 3 waiters were very attentive to our needs and knew our names the second day. They knew who wanted coffee with dessert and always remembered "two ice creams." The casino dealers were very friendly and talkative (but not too much). Some even would call me by name when I would sit at there table.

 

FOOD -- The food was very good. With the exception of the prime rib the second night, everything was hot and prepared correctly. The food in the buffet was better than I remembered last year. Don and DW ate at the Tandoor a few times and said it was good. DS had burgers and pizza and said they were good. I never got the scrambled "eggs" on the line. I always got mine from the omelet station. The soft serve ice cream was very good too. Last year on the Valor it was sort of icy. This time it was smooth and creamy!

 

PORTS -- We loved Mr. Sanchos!!!!!! Belize was a bust. Roatan was beautiful. I would like to go back there. Costa Maya was a ship day for me. I did hear others say they took a taxi to a beach and it was nice. I love my sea days! I would love a cruise that just circled around in the Caribbean for a week with no ports.

 

EMBARKATION/DEBARKATION -- Very smooth. Almost no waiting for either. Go early for embarkation. Ignore the emails about coming later.

 

 

I'll be glad to answer any questions you have about the Dream and our cruise. It was a great time. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We are going on the Freedom next summer for DS high school graduation. We are bringing his best friend with us. After that DW and I would like to try an "adult" ship. Perhaps Holland America.

 

Thanks for reading!

[KPfromCT]

Thank you for the funny review!! I love your writing style and you have a beautiful family. I am looking at the Dream repositioning cruise in April next year. Did you LOVE the ship? Thank you, again!!!!:D:D:D

[Bookbug53]

Day 4 Belize

 

6:30am came around, so we got up and went up to Deck 11. DW, of course, had to wait until 7am when the coffee bar opened. When I got up on deck we were coming in to Belize. I was surprised at the color of the water. It had been a beautiful blue in Cozumel and before, but now it was a green color. It was still pretty, but a surprise. We "parked" out in the water pretty far from shore. The "port" is too shallow. I'm surprised Carnival et al don't dredge a port.

 

Loved your review and pictures. Your sense of humor really comes through. We are doing Dream in April '14.

 

I don't think Carnival or anyone will be dredging anytime soon. It is the coral reef that keeps the ships off shore. :)

[billys5764]

Loved your review and pictures. Your sense of humor really comes through. We are doing Dream in April '14.

 

I don't think Carnival or anyone will be dredging anytime soon. It is the coral reef that keeps the ships off shore. :)

 

Thanks for your kind remarks. We really enjoyed our time on the Dream.

 

You never know about the dredging. If enough money is involved the coral reef is history.

[billys5764]

Something I forgot to mention -- After we left Costa Maya, DW and I were in our spot on Deck 11. I stood up and noticed a "military" type boat speeding toward us. It caught up with us, we slowed down, and the police or military boarded the Dream. Diane told me she saw them walking around with a picture of someone. We thought someone was in trouble with the law. I found out after we got back that they thought this person was missing in Costa Maya. It turns out he was on the ship. The card reader did not register his name when he got back on board.

[boaterette]

You have written a really great review. I have enjoyed reading it very much. It is a good thing that you drove though. Can you imagine the baggage fees for your 10,219 pieces of luggage?:D

[billys5764]

You have written a really great review. I have enjoyed reading it very much. It is a good thing that you drove though. Can you imagine the baggage fees for your 10,219 pieces of luggage?:D

 

 

Tell me about it!!!!

[S.C.]

Really enjoyed your review! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.

[billys5764]

Really enjoyed your review! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.

 

My pleasure. It helps keep the cruise in the front of my mind.

[billys5764]

One thing I forgot to add: There didn't seem to be as much pressure from the photographers this year as last year. Last year when you would walk through the public areas after dinner it was almost like being on the midway at the fair. The photographers were very pushy.

 

This year you almost had to ask them to take your picture. I liked this alot more.

[billys5764]

We (DW, DS, Don, and Diane) recreated our day at Cozumel this past Friday. I made Margarita Shrimp Tacos (marinated in a tequila concoction), a mango salsa (with tequila), and 3 different kinds of margaritas (with tequila) served in the pretty shot glasses we got on the Dream. After a tasting of each kind, then they could choose to have more in bigger glasses! For dessert I made a Strawberry Margarita Pie. (Are you picking up on the theme?)

 

We had a great time remembering the cruise and planning next year's cruise on the Freedom.