Carnival Dream Oct 22-29 Short Review

[Schoifmom]

Hi, all. I am going to try to make this short, but cover things that I think everyone would want to know. If I miss something that you are wondering about, just ask :)

 

New Orleans: We stayed at the Hilton Riverside pre and post cruise. This is a very convenient location. Yes, you can walk through the mall to the cruise port, but once you get there you have to get yourself and your luggage down a very long flight of stairs. We didn't know this and DH had to turn around on his scooter and attempt to find an accessible route.

 

The Ship: We did like the Dream much better than the Sunshine (not that we hated the Sunshine). We had a spa cabin on deck 11 and enjoyed all of the spa amenities. Having never been to the spa, I now completely understand what everyone was saying about the pushy sales tactics. It is highly annoying. We had a sideways accessible cabin and I hated it. We only had 2 closets and was forced to leave the scooter in the hallway until I could get the luggage unpacked and stowed away. After that, it was ok as far as space, I just missed the other closet and the desk drawers.

 

The casino was very small and packed all of the time. I expected it to be packed because of the huge slot tournament. That ended up saving me a little money, because I didn't go through the trouble of waiting for a slot machine to open up. Like on most Carnival ships, there are very few non-smoking machines. The smoke was heavy, probably having to do with the number of people smoking indoors because of the high winds.

 

FTTF Fail: I always purchase FTTF and for this cruise it was an almost total fail. We purchase it primarily for the early access to our stateroom. When we arrived at our stateroom, our steward arrived at the doorway to tell us "room not ready, come back in 10 minutes." HUMPH. We didn't board until around noon, so it's not like we were even the first on board. They were boarding zones 6 & 7 when we walked on. I went to GS and they were very understanding about it. By the time I finished with them, the room was ready (and I got 4 free drinks). They told me at GS to call if I didn't receive my luggage by 1:30. I didn't, so I called. I received a call the next day from the GS Supervisor who refunded the cost of my FTTF.

 

Dining Room: We had YTD and enjoy eating in the MDR all we can (breakfast, brunch, dinner). The staff was marvelous. The hostesses were attentive, the chef came out and spoke with us. We had the same wait staff all week and very much enjoyed them. Dress code? Not enforced. We saw t-shirts and shorts on elegant night, basketball shorts and baseball caps on other nights (and I wore my flip flops ... shhhh). This really doesn't effect our enjoyment of the dining room, but I might have said something about wife-beaters had I seen any.

 

Weather Problems: We were apparently in the middle of a tropical depression. The boat was seriously rocking for about 2 days of the cruise. When we arrived at Roatan, it was raining so hard that we elected to stay on board and not risk damage to DH's scooter. Later that day we heard through the grapevine that they were changing the rest of the itinerary. Checked the HUB app and, yup, Cozumel was moved up a day (instead of Belize) and they added Progreso. They didn't make the announcement until hours after this. Belize was the only port where we had planned an excursion and we received a prompt refund. I'm not a fan of Progreso and would have preferred any other port or even another sea day, so we purchased an excursion there.

 

Excursion: We did the Mayan Ruins (Dzibilchaltun) with Mexican Fiesta and Traditional Lunch excursion at Progreso. It was VERY hot while we were there, but the ruins were great and a good number of people went swimming in the cenote. The lunch and fiesta at Tierra Bonita were great fun (or maybe it was the open bar that made it so :) )

 

I can't think of anything to add right now, but please feel free to ask whatever you want to know!

Edited October 31, 2017 by Schoifmom

[Schoifmom]

I forgot! Chris the Flying Scotsman! I have never had a Cruise Director that I felt had a big impact on whether we enjoyed the cruise or not until now! He is absolutely amazing. If you go on the Dream, do NOT miss his show in the theater.

[JaniceB]

Thanks for the report and it sounds like you scored with FTTF even though it was a fail. You got the early boarding, drinks and a refund.

[winddawn]

Glad you had a good time in spite of the weather and itinerary changes. Sounds like FTTF did not go well, but glad they tried to make it right with the drinks and refund.

[bury me at sea]

Enjoyed your report. I don't know about the Dream, but on both the Magic and the Breeze the only covered outdoor smoking area was eliminated. It certainly pushed me into the casino to smoke.

 

I was interested in your comment on your spa cabin. I have a spa interior booked for our next cruise on the Breeze. It will be my first time not to have a balcony. I hope I won't regret it.

[winddawn]

To the OP: Was Guy's BBQ place open on embarkation day? TIA.

[Schoifmom]

Enjoyed your report. I don't know about the Dream, but on both the Magic and the Breeze the only covered outdoor smoking area was eliminated. It certainly pushed me into the casino to smoke.

 

I was interested in your comment on your spa cabin. I have a spa interior booked for our next cruise on the Breeze. It will be my first time not to have a balcony. I hope I won't regret it.

 

We had a modified accessible interior spa cabin. I believe that the rest of the interior spa cabins are in the standard configuration.

 

To the OP: Was Guy's BBQ place open on embarkation day? TIA.

 

I expected it to be, but was disappointed. Make sure you get some, though, it was fabulous.

[Lizzanna]

We had a modified accessible interior spa cabin. I believe that the rest of the interior spa cabins are in the standard configuration.

 

 

 

I expected it to be, but was disappointed. Make sure you get some, though, it was fabulous.

We were on the Dream the week before you, also had FTTF, and it was a failure for us also. Our room wasn't ready when we boarded, I went to guest services, lugging my heavy backpack and explained to them the only reason I had purchased FTTF was for the early access to our room. They refunded the cost right there. It seems they may be selling too many FTTF, the stewards can't keep up.

Chris Williams, the CD, was amazing. His one man show is the best show I have seen on a Carnival ship.

 

 

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[Schoifmom]

Enjoyed your report. I don't know about the Dream, but on both the Magic and the Breeze the only covered outdoor smoking area was eliminated. It certainly pushed me into the casino to smoke.

 

There was a covered outdoor area on 11, but it was VERY windy for a lot of the cruise, making it difficult to smoke outside (DH smokes a pipe, which made it almost impossible for him to smoke at all, since they cannot be smoked indoors).

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback. Nice of Carnival to make things right and refund the FTTF cost.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for your thorough review.

Keith

[Baatman]

Thanks for the report and it sounds like you scored with FTTF even though it was a fail. You got the early boarding, drinks and a refund.

 

Still, not bad... I would take it. :D

[rachella]

Chris Williams, the CD, was amazing. His one man show is the best show I have seen on a Carnival ship.

 

 

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Don't get me wrong, I liked most all of the shows (I'm easy to please), but I agree, his one man show is the best EVER!!! Very funny, VERY talented man!!

 

 

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[rachella]

I forgot! Chris the Flying Scotsman! I have never had a Cruise Director that I felt had a big impact on whether we enjoyed the cruise or not until now! He is absolutely amazing. If you go on the Dream, do NOT miss his show in the theater.

 

 

I can't recall a single cruise director from any ship, from what their name was, to what they looked like, or if I even liked them or not until I sailed with Chris the Flying Scotsman. He was FANTASTIC!!! And he was everywhere!! I planned my meals and everything around him. I loved watching his actions in the atrium before/after a show every evening!! BEST. CRUISE. DIRECTOR. EVER!!!

 

 

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[bobbismith]

We were on the Dream the week before you, also had FTTF, and it was a failure for us also. Our room wasn't ready when we boarded, I went to guest services, lugging my heavy backpack and explained to them the only reason I had purchased FTTF was for the early access to our room. They refunded the cost right there. It seems they may be selling too many FTTF, the stewards can't keep up.

Chris Williams, the CD, was amazing. His one man show is the best show I have seen on a Carnival ship.

 

 

Sent from my SM-T800 using Forums mobile app

 

We are taking golf clubs and my PVP told me to take them straight to my cabin. I have not been able to purchase FTTF. I have been trying several times a day for months. Anyway, our PVP told us we need to take our clubs straight to the cabin and put them in the closet then go to the Lido. So I am amazed that you can't put your luggage down.

Thanks for the review and info everyone.

Bobbi

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[coevan]

Bobbismith, I am an avid golfer and depending where you plan on playing, you might want to consider. The courses in the Caribbean are not near the condition of U.S courses. We stopped bringing our clubs, even for land based trips. The greens might be a 2 on the stemp meter, they are definitely not rolled and water is scarce. We were just in St.Lucia at Sandals (free golf), yeh right. We did not play but caught a couple of guys in the lobby and they were demanding their money back. The free golf was about $75. You must have a cart and caddie. Honestly, giving you a heads up, the courses in St.Martin and St. Thomas, even before the hurricane, were cow pastures. JMHO and many others.

[nwo4life]

We are taking golf clubs and my PVP told me to take them straight to my cabin. I have not been able to purchase FTTF. I have been trying several times a day for months. Anyway, our PVP told us we need to take our clubs straight to the cabin and put them in the closet then go to the Lido. So I am amazed that you can't put your luggage down.

 

Thanks for the review and info everyone.

 

Bobbi

 

 

 

On ships with the new procedure of S&S cards being in your mailbox, you will not be able to access your cabin before 1:30 without VIP status or FTTF.

 

 

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[Schoifmom]

We are taking golf clubs and my PVP told me to take them straight to my cabin. I have not been able to purchase FTTF. I have been trying several times a day for months. Anyway, our PVP told us we need to take our clubs straight to the cabin and put them in the closet then go to the Lido. So I am amazed that you can't put your luggage down.

 

Thanks for the review and info everyone.

 

Bobbi

 

 

In this case, your PVP gave you bad information. Unless you have priority access (diamond/platinum/FTTF) you are not permitted to enter your stateroom until they are opened around 1:30 on most ships. Your steward will not tell you "no" in fear that you will not tip well, but anything you leave is really in their way.

 

 

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[cruzzza]

Excursion: We did the Mayan Ruins (Dzibilchaltun) with Mexican Fiesta and Traditional Lunch excursion at Progreso. It was VERY hot while we were there, but the ruins were great and a good number of people went swimming in the cenote. The lunch and fiesta at Tierra Bonita were great fun (or maybe it was the open bar that made it so :) )

 

I can't think of anything to add right now, but please feel free to ask whatever you want to know!

 

On the excursion page, they say that you are only permitted to bring a camera and water into the ruins and all personal belongings must be left on the bus. I do not want to leave my money and ID on the bus, can I not bring a small cross body bag or purse into the ruins?

[grantbob]

On the excursion page, they say that you are only permitted to bring a camera and water into the ruins and all personal belongings must be left on the bus. I do not want to leave my money and ID on the bus, can I not bring a small cross body bag or purse into the ruins?

 

We have been twice and both times were able to bring a small bag (drawstring type pack). They have a bag check service (free) for large bags. It's a very interesting site and the cenote is refreshing.

[Schoifmom]

We have been twice and both times were able to bring a small bag (drawstring type pack). They have a bag check service (free) for large bags. It's a very interesting site and the cenote is refreshing.

 

Yes. I carried a crossbody bag in. It's the larger bags that they are concerned about.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Thanks for your review.  I'm getting anxious for our Dream Cruise in Feb.

[latisha1903]

Nov 17 will be my first cruise ever...and it's on the Carnival Dream.

Thanks for the review, though I have nothing to compare it to. I'm excited!

[Schoifmom]

17 hours ago, latisha1903 said:

Nov 17 will be my first cruise ever...and it's on the Carnival Dream.

Thanks for the review, though I have nothing to compare it to. I'm excited!

 

Have a blast!