Review: Carnival Dream 12/2013 (better late than never)

[JamesEM]

Thanks for the review and photos, will be on the Dream this Dec.

[JennN]

:D:D:D

 

You all are so sweet! Thank you for reading and to those about to go on the Dream, you will have a blast!

 

Continuing at least one more day now...stay tuned!

[live2cruise2011]

Jenn Thank you so much for the time.

 

just wondering what part of Maine is your MIL from I grew up in Portland and have lived pretty much all over the state lol I went to school in Bangor and Fort Kent I love it up there but alast I married a gov. man and we live as close to Mexico as we can get in Laredo Tx funny never thought I would go from way up north to way down south..

[JennN]

DAY 4

 

 

We woke up in Belize to a beautiful sunrise but super cloudy/rainy weather. This was our second time in Belize and second time it rained. On our last trip our snorkeling excursion got canceled due to bad weather and snorkeling visibility being 0 - this time though the snorkeling wasn't canceled...though we were a bit disappointed because it started POURING and the other 8 people on the trip didn't want to get wet I guess because they cut the excursion short!

 

 

It was sad because we were looking forward to snorkeling a reef but we didn't get one - sadly the boat brought us within eye shot of the Dream so we were disappointed. And then, we were cut short. However, the fish were pretty colorful and despite the bad weather, it was pretty, well, pretty under there!

 

 

ACK! Jellyfish!!!!

 

We got back to the boat and ate lunch and had a lot of time in the spa to ourselves. Wifey and I spent some time in the steam rooms to try to get rid of the congestion. Which didn't happen. We were soooo sick at this point that not only did I nap, but then we went to bed right after dinner, at 8pm. I didn't even take pictures at dinner. So, Mr. WeAren'tSureWhatHeWas greeted us and we barely moved him before conking out for the night!

[JennN]

Jenn Thank you so much for the time.

 

just wondering what part of Maine is your MIL from I grew up in Portland and have lived pretty much all over the state lol I went to school in Bangor and Fort Kent I love it up there but alast I married a gov. man and we live as close to Mexico as we can get in Laredo Tx funny never thought I would go from way up north to way down south..

 

She is from Buxton so while she and my wife insist Portland is 20 minutes away, it's more like 30! LOL. When her pep ere passed away last year, we drove from DC up to Caribou! Pretty, but LONG drive. I love going up there for a visit. But being from New York City, it was a culture shock the first time I visited 9 years ago.

 

TX is a state I've never gotten to visit - I've had 2 trips for work that ended up canceled for one reason or another. Someday...

[tncap]

Thanks for the review. My partner and I will be on board in September.

[JennN]

Awesome! I was away for a wedding but will finish up tonight!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[JennN]

DAY 5 - Isla Roatan

 

We woke up and saw land!

 

 

We were docking in Roatan. DW and I had been here before and weren't impressed with the cabana we rented - wading in the water that was pretty grey so close to the ship didn't appeal to us. Plus, the snorkeling there stunk and we couldn't find an excursion we wanted to do so we got off the ship and walked down to the beach so my MIL could touch the water. We figured that we could ride the tram if we really WANTED to do something, or even hit the beach if she liked the looks of it.

 

It was a rainy, rainy day...pouring at times!

 

 

Only clouds in the sky but it was hot like a mofo out there!

 

 

Still, we put smiles on our faces and, knowing we'd walk some, strapped on our sneakers and headed off the ship and braved the walk up the path, skipping the tram.

 

 

There are some great views this way though, despite sweating to death!

 

 

Surprisingly, the water was bluer than we remembered but my MIL wasn't impressed.

 

 

So, we walked back to port, shopped a bit, dodging the rain and headed back on board for lunch and some spa time. We also hit the gym for 20 minutes on the bikes - that hike was enough!

[JennN]

DAY 4 CONT'D

 

We went to dinner that night, took our evening constitutional and came back to Mr. Platypus.

 

 

DAY 5 - COSTA MAYA

 

Another rainy, nay, POURING day. We were certainly glad we had no excursion plans again! I was unemployed at this time and we couldn't find one we didn't feel like we were "settling" on. So we didn't and, we wound up glad because anything we would have selected would have been dampened by the rain.

 

We walked from the ship to port - which wasn't our favorite as it was crowded and, not sure if it was because of the rain and heat or what but felt dirty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We weren't impressed so we went in search of a t-shirt and magnet and also, some medicine. We were still so sick and wanted to see if it was cheaper in port to buy some Vicks VapoRub and NyQuil (it was - so we bought it!). Then we headed back towards the ship.

[JennN]

DAY 5 CONT'D

 

Wanting to spend a full hour in port, we decided to wait for the free tram to take us back to the ship. Hey, it felt like we were on a ride at an amusement park. Plus, it was FREE (we did tip $1 a person at the end of it though).

 

 

Plus, it kept us dry!

 

We spent the rest of the day walking the ship between raindrops...then DW went to nap and I found a nice spot on the serenity deck under an awning to read, which is what I did for four hours! Then, I hit the waterside while my MIL watched. They should call it a wedgie maker! We also went to the spa, but I only sat in the steam room, trying to get rid of this darn cold!

 

 

 

We went to dinner in the MDR and then hit the hay early, without a constitutional. We had one last day at sea and I wanted to feel semi-human!

 

[JennN]

DAY 6 - LAST DAY AT SEA

 

Feeling like crapola STILL, we kept a very low profile on our last day on The Dream. We hit the shops, walked the ship, hit the spa and gym and ate, ate, ate! Of course, we had a few last banana daiquiris too! Dinner that night was great as usual and we said goodbye to our fabulous wait staff.

 

We came back to our best towel animal to date - a lobster on butter so we took a picture of the whole family!

 

 

The next morning we woke up and met my MIL in the MDR for a final breakfast on board. Luckily, we didn't have to fight over that one piece of iced lemon pound cake as they brought us 3! We didn't have to wait long before Zone 1 was called and we hopped off the ship, got our luggage and make our way to our town car - which turned out to be a crapped out van. My MIL had a 12pm flight while we had a 4pm one so we walked her to her gate at MCO and said goodbye.

 

 

All in all, it was an amazing trip. The itinerary wasn't my ideal so I probably wouldn't do it again. I do love the Dream - not as much as the Breeze, but more than the Valor. It is a pretty ship, great service and hey, how could you not love to be on a cruise!?!?

 

I am happy to answer any questions that you may have and thanks for reading!

[erewhon]

Thanks for your "better late than never " review, and sharing your great photos.

[JamesEM]

You have a photo showing the ship when you were in Roatan with what looks like a chair lift in the foreground, could your provide some detail about the ride.

[JennN]

Thanks for your "better late than never " review, and sharing your great photos.

 

Thanks for the kind words!

[JennN]

You have a photo showing the ship when you were in Roatan with what looks like a chair lift in the foreground, could your provide some detail about the ride.

 

Sure!

 

I believe it costs $12 for an all day pass and you can ride the The Magical Flying Beach Chair, which transports guests from Mahogany Bay's main plaza, through the treetops, across the turtle grass flats and lets you gently off directly on Mahogany Beach. You can also take the shaded walking path that will get you to the beach - this walking path is hilly and on days where the humidity is thick, it can be a difficult walk.

 

Here are a few more pictures:

 

 

You can sort of see from the picture, we're on the ski lift and the walking path takes a turn UPHILL

 

 

The beach itself after leaving the sky lift

 

This is a picture of the snorkeling. The water goes from maybe 2 feet to 5 feet to 2 feet again - not sure that it's a "sandbar" but you have to be careful if you venture out because it's not deep and you can touch the fire coral without realizing it (like I did!)

 

 

 

I hope this helps!

[JennN]

I am happy to answer any questions or give further information about anything!

 

Thanks for reading and let me know you did!

[fergusonvt]

Thanks for the review! I can't wait to try the Dream in 2016 out of NOLA. We've only been on 1 CCL cruise to date and it was on the Valor which we loved. The Western Caribbean is not my favorite itinerary either but we are doing it again on NCL next year. On the Dream out of NOLA it will be Key West which we've never been to and the Bahamas which both DH and I like and we've never been to NOLA so it seemed a good fit.

[JennN]

Thanks for the review! I can't wait to try the Dream in 2016 out of NOLA. We've only been on 1 CCL cruise to date and it was on the Valor which we loved. The Western Caribbean is not my favorite itinerary either but we are doing it again on NCL next year. On the Dream out of NOLA it will be Key West which we've never been to and the Bahamas which both DH and I like and we've never been to NOLA so it seemed a good fit.

 

I loved the ship - the Dream was my first ship and, if they change the itinerary, I'd go on it again!

 

We're due up on the Sunshine this December (waiting a year for a cruise STINKS!) then on the Victory next February for DW's bday! The 151 days can't go fast enough!

[LVDFW]

I've only been on the Valor (Southern route), just wondering what you didn't like about the ship? You mentioned it was one of your least favorite.

[JennN]

I've only been on the Valor (Southern route), just wondering what you didn't like about the ship? You mentioned it was one of your least favorite.

 

The Americana decor, for me, is fine but doesn't scream cruise to me. The hallways are lined with famous people, not all American either, so the decor confuses me. The ship is older, so there are some things that need repair - the staterooms could use a freshen-up, with paint and new nightstands. Carpeting too. And, of course, the 2.0 upgrades - there are some things that haven't made it on the ship yet.

 

That all being said, I loved the cruises I've been on when on the Valor and these things aren't make or break for me. I was on the Dream in 2010 when it was only a year or so old and the newness just added to it. Plus, their spa rocks! The Breeze has the best decor for me - very relaxing and calming. Plus, they had these lunge sections on deck 11 or 12 that we'd sit out on every night after dinner and just talk about the day. No one knew about them so they were always empty. It was like a comfortable living room at sea!

 

Hope that helps! Everyone takes away something different from a cruise - and for me, the ship is less important than the experience.

[LVDFW]

The Americana decor, for me, is fine but doesn't scream cruise to me. The hallways are lined with famous people, not all American either, so the decor confuses me. The ship is older, so there are some things that need repair - the staterooms could use a freshen-up, with paint and new nightstands. Carpeting too. And, of course, the 2.0 upgrades - there are some things that haven't made it on the ship yet.

 

That all being said, I loved the cruises I've been on when on the Valor and these things aren't make or break for me. I was on the Dream in 2010 when it was only a year or so old and the newness just added to it. Plus, their spa rocks! The Breeze has the best decor for me - very relaxing and calming. Plus, they had these lunge sections on deck 11 or 12 that we'd sit out on every night after dinner and just talk about the day. No one knew about them so they were always empty. It was like a comfortable living room at sea!

 

Hope that helps! Everyone takes away something different from a cruise - and for me, the ship is less important than the experience.

 

 

Thanks for the insight! I think our room was recently updated on the Valor as it seemed somewhat new Didn't mind/miss the 2.0 stuff, because it's a very port intensive cruise. I only wish airfare to San Juan was cheaper.

 

Thanks for the tips on the hidden deck on the Dream. I'll be on the Magic in a few months and I imagine it has the same lay out.

[JennN]

Thanks for the insight! I think our room was recently updated on the Valor as it seemed somewhat new Didn't mind/miss the 2.0 stuff, because it's a very port intensive cruise. I only wish airfare to San Juan was cheaper.

 

Thanks for the tips on the hidden deck on the Dream. I'll be on the Magic in a few months and I imagine it has the same lay out.

 

The Breeze had the "hidden" deck lunge area. But, there is the front end hidden deck on 11 on the Dream - people's rooms are there but you can still enjoy the benches and, it's a great view instead of the back lido view - not that either is better or worse.

 

Yeah - that cruise was super port intense but I still want things to be freshened up. Not that it influenced the cruise in any way. In fact, port wise, it was our FAVORITE cruise! We stayed a while in PR - 3 days before and a day after and we're soooo glad! I wrote all about it in my Valor review (see link below). I always like to read others' experiences on the same cruise. Not only for a different perspective but to see what excursions and such other do. So far, not one person has done the same exact cruise so the experiences are all so different and I love it!

[LVDFW]

We basically missed PR. We got married the day before, and caught a very early AM flight. The previous night we got to our hotel by the airport at 230 am, and our flight was at 530. If we ever do the Valor again I would love to check it out some.

 

Barbados was also our favorite Island by far. The only bad thing on the trip (And it was very very minor) was the sea day was a bit rough. The captain was out running a tropical storm, so we took a different route from St. Thomas to Bridgetown, and the captain said he was going as fast as possible.

[JennN]

We basically missed PR. We got married the day before, and caught a very early AM flight. The previous night we got to our hotel by the airport at 230 am, and our flight was at 530. If we ever do the Valor again I would love to check it out some.

 

Barbados was also our favorite Island by far. The only bad thing on the trip (And it was very very minor) was the sea day was a bit rough. The captain was out running a tropical storm, so we took a different route from St. Thomas to Bridgetown, and the captain said he was going as fast as possible.

 

Congrats on your wedding! What a good reason to miss PR! But, if you can get back, I'd recommend it. For the mufungo alone :)

[2manyanimals]

Loved your review. Thank you. Your report makes my wait seem even longer. We are leaving on October 19. Can't wait for that first drink of the day and cheeries jubile.