Questions about Carnival Dream from a Royal Caribbean refugee

[bcarney]

We are refugees from Royal Caribbean due to the outrageously high drink prices and overall lowering of service quality. We’re looking at cruising Carnival Dream out of New Orleans in November, and have a few questions – I’ve only sailed on Carnival once, our first cruise, so many years ago that I don't remember much of it (other than lots of neon).

 

I read on the Carnival website that there is an Indian place that serves lunch on the Dream, but I’ve also read elsewhere that they are being replaced with a burger joint (seriously? I can get a burger anywhere). Are there any plans to ditch the Indian place before November? I don't know where to look for Carnival's refurbishment schedule.

 

Drink prices. On our last cruise in April on Jewel of the Seas a pina colada was a whopping $14.16 when the tip was included! FOURTEEN DOLLARS for basically a Slurpee with a shot of rum? No thanks. Generally speaking, what are the drink prices on Carnival?

 

Bar staff near the pool area: Speaking of drinks, RCL vas virtually eliminated any servers near the pool area. Almost no one walking around trying to entice me into a drink – if I wanted one, I’d have to go to the bar myself. Do you feel there is sufficient bar staff near the pool areas?

 

Kids club: If you have an 8 and 6 year old, how did they enjoy the kids club?

 

Thanks for any insights you can provide, particularly if you have also previously taken cruises on Royal Caribbean ships.

Edited May 19, 2015 by bcarney

[pirate4me2]

I have not cruised on Dream, but on our Sunshine cruise in late Feb./Early March there were servers by the pool that would come by every 15 to 20 minutes to check on me.

My drinks I drink (BlueMoon Cosmo, Bahama Mama, Chioptle Pineapple Martini) were all under $10.

[falkcor]

the indian station you're referring to is the tandoor. they are not being replaced with guys burger joints, the existing 'off the grill' stations are, which also offer the non-branded burgers, fries, etc.

 

the dream is not currently scheduled for drydock as far as i know. it's last drydock was in 2012 so i would expect the next one to be some time in 2017 or so.

 

WOW $14 for a pina colada?! frozen drinks like that are 7.25 plus 15% tip = $8.34. it's hard to list ALL drink prices but say a house wine is 5-6, a rum shot or mixed drink would be 5-6, domestic beer 16oz are 5-6, and specialty mixed drinks like a long island ice tea (these are larger than the single shot mixed drinks) are 8.75.

 

there have always been plenty of bar servers on deck in my experience. some even complain there are too many lol.

 

i don't have kids but those i've traveled with have always loved camp.

[Tapi]

We are refugees from Royal Caribbean due to the outrageously high drink prices and overall lowering of service quality.

 

 

 

Thanks for any insights you can provide, particularly if you have also previously taken cruises on Royal Caribbean ships.

 

 

Wait. You're escaping RCI's "overall lowering of service quality" by sailing on Carnival?![emoji47]

 

While I had a great time on the Dream, you need to sail on Carnival with realistic expectations if you want to enjoy it. You won't get more by paying less. Carnival is a great cruise line, but it delivers a budget product at a budget fare.

 

The main ways that Carnival can charge lower fares are by increased onboard revenue and a more tightly packed ship, so expect lots of loudspeaker messages to spend, spend and spend (more messages than on Royal). Yes, you'll see waiters around the pool deck (many a bit pushy), but with that many people to be served, you may be better off getting up and ordering the drinks yourself from the bar.

 

Once again, adjust expectations accordingly and you'll enjoy Carnival.

Edited May 19, 2015 by Tapi

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I too am a RCCL ex-pat. (15+ Royal cruises, 4 Carnival). Went on Breeze last August, sailing on Dream outa NOLA right before you in Sept. The ships are actually as nice or nicer than Royal. Some of the passengers are a different story, but what can you do?:p

 

Breeze had Guy's Burgers AND Tandoor. I ate both, both are great. But Dream actually has a Pasta Bar that Breeze did not have, which my son is very excited about (kids love pasta). He also really likes the Mongolian Grill which is also on Dream.

 

While Guy's is good, I agree that you can get a burger anywhere, plus my son is a vegetarian so he's better off with pasta and Indian Food, which is mainly veggie!!

 

Lemme know if you have any other RCCL/Carnival questions. I had them too before I went on Breeze.

[mamajules]

Not been on Dream yet (this October), but 9 other Carnival cruises.

 

Here is a link to Zydeco Cruiser's page that has a Carnival drink menu with prices which I believe is pretty current. Both Red Frog Rum Bar and Blue Iguana Tequila Bar have their own specialty drink menus, but I believe prices are still comparable.

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/Carnival-Bar-Menu/CarnivalCruiseBarMenu.htm

 

I always saw servers circulating around the pool area, and serenity area too.

 

My son (now 21) was 7 his first cruise and absolutely loved Camp Carnival.

[chewie8008]

Just off the Dream April 26th, from New Orleans. It was the Cozumel, Belize, Roatan itinerary. I thought the ship was very nice, in every way. Plenty to do and very clean. My one and only complaint was the food. Not even really the quality, but the availability. The open/close times on the better food never made sense. Never ate at the Tandoor or the Burrito Bar. Bc we could never catch them open. I think on port days they were open 12-330, and we were gone until ship departure time. So right as we were boarding, they were closing. Then on sea days they would close at 230. Needless to say, except for the MDR, we basically ate hamburgers/hotdogs and razor thin pizza the entire trip. But that was my only problem with the ship. Our room was amazing, upgraded from interior to deluxe ocean view. Drinks were mostly $10.95 for fruity drinks(Bahama mama etc), with a few exceptions. Things like Rum and coke were $7.95. Those prices were with the auto 15% grat.

 

I plan to do a short review with some pictures soon, just haven't had time.

 

Btw, we have been on two other cruises, both RCCL but they were older ships, Sovereign of the Seas and Monarch. So I don't have a lot to compare it to. The Dream was better than both of those ships, for obvious reasons.

[KCruizer]

We've been on the Dream twice out of NOLA and have a 3rd one booked. Its our favorite ship. I drink margaritas, mostly, and they are just over $10 with tip. Our bar service was always great, the servers seemed to somehow know when we were ready for another and were never pushy. Pasta Bella was our favorite lunch spot. My kids aren't that young but they have always enjoyed the preteen club and the teen club.

[YubaSutter]

We are refugees from Royal Caribbean due to the outrageously high drink prices and overall lowering of service quality. We’re looking at cruising Carnival Dream out of New Orleans in November, and have a few questions – I’ve only sailed on Carnival once, our first cruise, so many years ago that I don't remember much of it (other than lots of neon).

 

I read on the Carnival website that there is an Indian place that serves lunch on the Dream, but I’ve also read elsewhere that they are being replaced with a burger joint (seriously? I can get a burger anywhere). Are there any plans to ditch the Indian place before November? I don't know where to look for Carnival's refurbishment schedule.

 

Drink prices. On our last cruise in April on Jewel of the Seas a pina colada was a whopping $14.16 when the tip was included! FOURTEEN DOLLARS for basically a Slurpee with a shot of rum? No thanks. Generally speaking, what are the drink prices on Carnival?

 

Bar staff near the pool area: Speaking of drinks, RCL vas virtually eliminated any servers near the pool area. Almost no one walking around trying to entice me into a drink – if I wanted one, I’d have to go to the bar myself. Do you feel there is sufficient bar staff near the pool areas?

 

Kids club: If you have an 8 and 6 year old, how did they enjoy the kids club?

 

Thanks for any insights you can provide, particularly if you have also previously taken cruises on Royal Caribbean ships.

 

The Tandoor is located at the back of the ship. The food is mediocre Indian food. I live in a city with more Indian restaurants than burger joints. I can get far better Indian food at home than on a ship.

[Sthrncrusr]

Hi! We too are ex Royal passengers on most of their mid to larger ships (Adventurer,Navigator and Oasis). After a random family Thanksgiving cruise on one of Carnival's oldest and smallest ships (The Ecstasy), we decided to make the switch. While our previous Royal ships blow Ecstasy away in their size and layout, we realized that Carnival still gave us everything we needed while cruising with our young children. The price was so cheap that we upgraded to a Suite. On carnival, you can bring on non alcoholic beverages for all passengers in the cabin plus a bottle of wine/champagne for each adult. Just pick up a cheap corkscrew at cvs or ikea and walk it all on board. We saved a ton of money this way with the kids for juice& soda. And having the milk boxes was great for our youngest when she woke up at the crack of dawn and we weren't ready to run to the dining room to get milk or if we forgot to ask our room steward to put some on ice for us the night before. (Milk is free but my kids love the milk juice style boxes when we are just hanging out or on excursions and I hate hassling with sippee cups on cruises) . Plus, pouring glasses of wine was easy in the room and felt since we could pre drink a little the cocktails at the bar were totally affordable. And the other posters are correct with pricing. The bar drinks are definitely cheaper on Carnival. We sail the Dream in August which from what I hear is leaps and bounds more updated and larger than the Ecstasy. However, we really enjoyed the Ecstasy despite its size and lacking the Royal promenade we had gotten so used to. Great mini golf and water works for the kids. Arcade, gym, spa, etc. it was very clean, had lots of fun stuff going on all the time, small but fun casino, and really just as good as Royal. Food was good. Not amazing but totally fine. Nobody likes buffet eggs but carnival has great made to order omelet stations, Mongolian wok and deli. Seek all the food places out. We found the "off the grill" spots to have great burgers, etc. I like that Carnival doesn't have all the extra "pay" restaurants, like the Oasis of the seas did. Even on the Carnival ships with the steakhouse, there may be one or two more spots with a very minimal 'pay' restaurant everything else really is included which is nice so we don't have to go to battle with our kids and where to eat that night. I felt that we paid the cruise and then anything extra was what we expected to spend money on: casino, spa stuff, excursions, kids club extra build a bear activity, and photos.

My kids LOVED the kids club and we love that it is complimentary starting at age 2. I was so relieved bc my kids are too young to be out in the sun all day. They begged to go to camp. Even on this smaller ship, the kids club had all the stuff the Royal tots program had. Ship deck phones, build a bear type activity, St Jude fundraiser dance party, and real activities. Not just a TV to watch. I hear on Dream there is the Dr. Seuss breakfast which is probably very similar to the Dreamworks version they have on Royal. Along with a character parade which they have on Royal too.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, we love Royal's newer ships but factoring in the cost of making it a family vacation, it's too hard to pass up Carnival's newer ships for the price. I think Breeze and Sunshine Rival Royal more when it comes to sports stuff, restaurants and kid activities but I hear Dream is a close second with great shows, 18 hole mini golf, waterworks and movies outside on the big screen. For young kids (and probably older ones), I think it will be a perfect and affordable trip!

[chewie8008]

If you forget a corkscrew, you can call and Carnival will give you one!

[bell777]

After cruising with RCL for years and having over 10 plus cruises we tried Carnival and have not been back to RCL.

 

If you compare Freedom Class you will miss the ice ring and Promenade terribly but thats it. As for Jewel or Monarch class Carnival Dream beats them hands down specially if traveling with kids.

 

I think the food is not much better on RCL then Carnival and some things like the pizza is better. Selection I think on Carnival is better then RCL when it comes to basic foods pizza,burgers and deli.

 

The entertainment is better only on the Freedom Class because of the ice ring but Carnival has better comedy.

 

Carnival has much much better prices and reward the casino players which is a plus for me. You can usually get two rooms for the same price of one RCL>

 

Drinks and other misc stuff is cheaper at Carnival.

 

RCL is more laid back and Carnival is more of a party ship but who wants to me laid back all the time. Carnival does have some quiet areas as well.

 

I was on the Dream and it was a nice ship we had lots of fun and did not break the bank so try it and enjoy yourself.

 

All that being said I personally like Carnival Breeze and Dream which I have been on. I am now taking a Conquest trip which is a bit smaller but not much. I do not think i would be happy with anything smaller then the Conquest on Carnival as the ships tends to have or at least feel a bit more crowded then RCL ships.

[bcarney]

Thanks to everyone for their comments, I greatly appreciate them.

[bcarney]

Wait. You're escaping RCI's "overall lowering of service quality" by sailing on Carnival?![emoji47]

 

 

 

While I had a great time on the Dream, you need to sail on Carnival with realistic expectations if you want to enjoy it. You won't get more by paying less. Carnival is a great cruise line, but it delivers a budget product at a budget fare.

 

 

 

The main ways that Carnival can charge lower fares are by increased onboard revenue and a more tightly packed ship, so expect lots of loudspeaker messages to spend, spend and spend (more messages than on Royal). Yes, you'll see waiters around the pool deck (many a bit pushy), but with that many people to be served, you may be better off getting up and ordering the drinks yourself from the bar.

 

 

 

Once again, adjust expectations accordingly and you'll enjoy Carnival.

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I'm leaving RC and considering Carnival. I realize there is a different level of service between the two, but then again I also have to consider price. Comparing Carnival and Royal for the same week and similarly sized ships, RC comes in at $700 more for a similar cruise. In the past I felt that the additional cost was worthwhile to me. Now, I no longer feel that way, particularly with the slap in the face of those high drink prices. It's time for my family to try other lines.

[BigB0882]

I am in the opposite camp as you, have only sailed Carnival but will be on RC for the first time next year on a Baltic cruise. I went with them because so far they are the best price. I have been alarmed by their drink prices but I may drink 1 drink a day. So I will just deal with the $15 drink price or whatever it will be by then. If I was a big drinker then it would be a big deal.

 

You will enjoy the Dream if you go in with the right expectations.

 

By the way, the tandoor station is my FAVORITE! A well kept secret and there is never a line.

 

I do agree with the poster who complained about the time food is available. There are dead times when your only choice is pizza or burger and that is a shame. The evening is the worst, if you eat late it is either the MDR or pizza or only pizza depending how late. There is free room service though, no charge after midnight like on RC.

[jimbo5544]

Wait. You're escaping RCI's "overall lowering of service quality" by sailing on Carnival?![emoji47]

 

Yes, you'll see waiters around the pool deck (many a bit pushy), but with that many people to be served, you may be better off getting up and ordering the drinks yourself from the bar.

 

Once again, adjust expectations accordingly and you'll enjoy Carnival.

Hardly, in all my cruises, I have never been hounded (gently asked yes, but never hounded). Likewise, I have never had an issue getting a drink and getting it quickly.

 

I think the better question to ask is who in their right mind would pay $14 for a pina colada...... the vaulted RCCL better tread lightly, they are pricing themselves right out of the middle market.;)

 

I agree on the expectations being set correctly. Op, if you want a FUN crusie without feeling nickeled and dimed and a totally enjoyable cruise (on the Dream and the rest of the fleet as well), you chose wisely.:)

[jimbo5544]

Yeah, I'm leaving RC and considering Carnival. I realize there is a different level of service between the two, but then again I also have to consider price. Comparing Carnival and Royal for the same week and similarly sized ships, RC comes in at $700 more for a similar cruise. In the past I felt that the additional cost was worthwhile to me. Now, I no longer feel that way, particularly with the slap in the face of those high drink prices. It's time for my family to try other lines.

 

You will be fine, make sure you let us know your thoughts when you return.

[AmberTeka]

Talk about perfect timing to read a thread. I just left that great big TA on the web that has three initials to get a basic price check for a cruise during Florida's Spring break for public school teachers. We take our daughter and family on a cruise then, or somewhere. it is a combination of birthdays.

 

Sunshine. Valor. NCL Spirit. about the same price as RCI for an oceanview.

 

We are Platinum on Princess. 3 on HAL. 1 on Celebrity and about 15 on Carnival.

NEVER been on RCI.

 

 

Ships are huge Biggest Worry..

 

&.Do they play Trivia games? 2 0r 3 a day? My family is addicted to Trivia. it is something we can do together as a family, and we are good at it. As are most people who like to play. Very competitive. And it is where we meet the people whom we remember for the rest of our lives.

 

So.........does RCI.......Freedom of the Seas..............what are their activities like?

PRINCESS has cut back on staff I think. Now Trivia is often a televised live game show. Boring beyond belief. Also food........bad. Princess used to be my favorite but they have a New President......and wow. she is turning that line upside down and not for the good, I think.

 

So. RCI. close to us in P.C. what about activities?

 

And I think you will like Carnival. Stay off of the smaller ships during Holidays and College and school breaks. And I say that even though we cruised on the Fascination during the last week of May. Graduation time for Florida Georgia Alabama. .N Carolina and other Southern State schools and colleges. I never had so many doors held open for my in my life. I never heard so many Yes. Mam's in my life. Never saw a single drunk. Granted I went to bed with DH before eleven but still. Lots of young men in the Casino. Enthralled by "The Vault" One High School grad played Trivia with us and then brought his folks over to meet us. Another Young lady.....ditto.

Actually , the young people on that cruise......white, black, Asian, Indian, female, male.(.maybe some in betweens).........Gave me hope for humanity. If they are typical of our Young People............wow. Lucky us. Some great parenting going on somewhere. My husband said it was just because it was the South. I don't know about that.

 

 

 

On Carnival Bigger ships...longer cruises.....best bang for the buck out there. And Carnival is CLEAN. they get Norvo some. BUT not like the other lines.

 

SUNSHINE.........just got a 100% clean and safe rating from the Govt. board which rates those things. We sail in four weeks. on the Sunshine.

Edited May 27, 2015 by AmberTeka

[RaMar]

You will have no problems with drinks or servers on Carnival. I was on the Dream a couple of years ago and loved the ship. One reason that I've stopped cruising with RCL is their overall high rates for everything. I also believe that the food is much better on Carnival, but that's a very subjective topic. Enjoy your cruise!

[JinxyB]

I was blown away by the Allure in March 2014, so much so that I convinced my family to cruise on the Oasis March 2015. In between that, I cruised on Freedom of the Seas and was terribly disappointed. The Oasis itself is an engineering marvel and a beautiful ship, but it was so crowded, service was terrible, long lines for everything and poor service in dining room, and the worst room steward we have ever had (we were actually scared of him). Drink prices were ridiculous as mentioned above-around $15 for a frozen drink. No pool servers. No food or snacks by the pool-you had to go inside to Windjammer for food and if it is closed you are SOL. No drink stations by pools, no 24 hour ice-cream machines. Long lines to even play mini-golf. Awful frozen tasting pizza. There were plenty of announcements to spend, spend, spend, and plenty of nickel and diming, although this is common on most cruise lines. After that experience, I will no longer sail RCI, unless the deal is spectacular.

 

OP, I don't think you will be disappointed in the Dream-I sailed her twice and was very happy. There is a great waterpark your kids will love. Kids clubs are great. Carnival ships are not as aesthetically pleasing as RCI ships, but that's OK. I'm not a Carnival cheerleader, but have been mostly happy with their product at the prices they charge. Regarding the Indian station, it is by the aft pool-I don't like Indian food so I never tried it.

[Kawana]

We cruised the Dream last year during Spring Break.

 

My son was 8 at the time, and he absolutely loved the Kids Club. The Fun Force Break dancers taught the kids some moves, and they put on a performance for us on the last day!

 

There were plenty of servers walking around the pool, and even in the kids waterworks area.

[xeroxme]

Definitely plenty of bars servers and they will keep them coming if they know you want them. Carnival is really good about that.

Carnival's drink prices are clearly better than that but it all depends on what you like to drink. You will be happy there.

I have only cruised on the Allure on RCCL. It was my least favorite cruise. The food quality was good but I felt service was actually lower than my experiences on Princess and Carnival. But I must say it is a beautiful ship.

I have been looking at RCCL and Norwegian lately for a change but I might hold off hearing what you have to say. I have no problem paying for drinks and I know they get a good penny for them, but come on over $14 for a basic drink that's ridiculous and makes you feel you are a hostage on Board!! Lol.

Hope you have a great cruise on the Dream!

[Laurin612]

I have not sailed on the Dream, but I have sailed on the Magic and it is our favorite Carnival ship so far (and Dream's twin).

 

I posted a comparison of my experiences on Adventure of the Sea this past spring break vs. previous Carnival cruises here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2191052&highlight=carnival+royal

 

The drink prices on RCI were so ridiculous I did not buy any alcoholic beverages at all. I had the Royal Replenish package so I had soda, non-alcoholic pina coladas, fancy coffee drinks, bottled water, fresh squeezed OJ, etc. That was fine and I didn't miss the alcohol. Much. LOL

 

Overall, we find Carnival to be a much more fun experience. And we prefer the food on Carnival, also.

[Bamagirl_gina]

Well, add one more Loyal Royal that is jumping to Carnival--booked Dream for 2/21/16, after cruising exclusively for a while on RCI. Last Carnival cruise for me was 20+ years ago, but after last month on RCI, going to try the Dream. Drink prices were ridiculous plus 18% gratuity on top, service last month was mediocre at best (other than our room steward who was wonderful) and the entertainment was pretty lame. Yes, I may miss those delicious little kummelweck/roast beef sammies at the Park Café, but that's about it. The only down side to Carnival is having to book the drink package for the entire cabin. Looking forward to trying out the cove balcony, too!

[mitsugirly]

I am normally a NCL cruiser that came to Carnival to sail the Dream as my first cruise and absolutely loved it! I loved the ship, I loved the partys they had on the deck and we had a blast.

 

We went back to NCL for several cruises and decided it was time to give Carnival another try. (We went on the Pride last month and once again love it).

 

We have always seen plenty of servers out by the pool...and in the casino and everywhere else they serve drinks.

 

I have a complete review of our Dream cruise in my signature line (that did a lot of comparisons between Carnival and NCL) with tons of pictures if you are interested.

 

Now we did NOT have a good experience with the kids club that time due to 2 of their employees that just should NOT have been people watching kids. However, I really do feel that it was an isolated incident that time and does not reflect the overall experience with Carnival. We had a great experience the next time on the Pride...like it should be.:)