Pirate’s DREAMy Dysfunctional Family Vacation Review...April 21-28, 2019

[pirate4me2]

Hello, Cruise Critic family and fellow cruise addicts!

 

It is time for another post-cruise blues therapy session, aka reliving my cruise thru writing a review. This was a new kind of experience for me, as I was cruising not just with my husband or my mother, but with both of them, my father, AND my two newly single uncles. This promised to be an interesting trip, especially considering that we were leaving out of New Orleans!

 

Chris and I had cruised last April on the Dream from NOLA and loved it, so when my dad started showing interest in trying out a cruise we decided to book a cruise from there again. My Dad was nervous about “not seeing land for days on end” so we chose the 7 day with 4 port stops….just 2 sea days for him to deal with. About a month or so after my parents booked, my 2 newly single uncles decided they wanted in on the action and booked as well.

 

We all decided to head south on Friday, April 19, to spend some pre-cruise time in New Orleans, so at 6 a.m. that morning Chris and I drove over to my parents’ place to carpool down with them. It was pouring rain, which killed our travel time, but once we got past Atlanta things got better…or so we thought.

 

Anyone that has read any of my reviews knows that I have crazy luck either leading up to the cruise, or if I am traveling with my mother, DURING the cruise. Leading up to the cruise my Dad had some pretty big health issues the 2 weeks before, but luckily his doctor cleared him to travel, so I thought the “bad luck” was out of the way. However, as we were barreling down I-85, a frigging VULTURE comes flying down from the sky and slams into the windshield. My mom squeaks, my father says a string of dirty words, and I pee myself a little. What the heck, is this bird on a suicide mission? Then we see the damage…he cracked the windshield! Fudge! We are driving thru rain storms, is it gong to leak now? What if we hit hail, will it bust open?

 

We pulled over at the next exit and my father and Chris inspect the windshield and come to the conclusion that it is safe to continue on, and it doesn’t appear to be leaking. Whew. The crazy bird also left a good dent in the windshield.  RIP Vulture. We all gather our wits about us and continue on. 

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by pirate4me2

[pirate4me2]

 Luckily the rest of the trip to NOLA was uneventful. We got to the Holiday Inn Superdome around 7 and checked on the other 2 members of our group. One of my uncles had decided to pull off in Montgomery, AL at a hotel for the night, and the other decided to camp out somewhere in Alabama near a wildlife preserve. He said he got a little wigged out when he saw signs saying not to feed the alligators and decided to go stay in a WalMart parking lot instead. Ok fine, we will get this party started without y’all!

 

I didn’t get any pics of our hotel, but I will say that it was nice and clean and the beds were AWESOME. I never felt Chris toss or turn like I do on our bed back home, and I slept like a baby. Based on the snoring my parents did (they stayed in the same room) they got good sleep as well. The location of the hotel was good, we were able to walk to the French Quarter, but Chris and I agreed that when we cruise from NOLA in the future we will stay back at the Wyndham French Quarter as the location was better. 

 

The four of us decided that after our long journey down we needed to stretch our legs, so we walked to Bourbon Street for dinner after dropping our bags at the hotel. It was insane, as always, and Dad and Mom were not crazy about how crowded it was, but we made our way to Pat O’Briens for dinner and drinks. I got a hurricane to start off with, and it was fantastic. Chris and my Dad also got one, and when we decided to order food I was feeling brave and went with the shrimp & grits. THEY WERE FANTASTIC, I highly recommend them! Mom got some crawfish entrée that was yummy when I tried a bite of it, and Chris went with the Shepard’s Pie. Dad, being adventurous as ever, got a burger, which he said was good. To finish dinner off, I ordered another drink, the Skylab, which was pretty good but I think the hurricane is the way to go.

 

With full bellies and slightly buzzed heads we headed back to the Holiday Inn to call it a day. I took a shower and crawled into bed about 11:30. We had made it to NOLA safely, and tomorrow the rest of the crew would arrive!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by pirate4me2

[deedle7544]

Can't wait for more!

[pirate4me2]

We all slept in a bit today, somewhat from being tired from the long travel day yesterday and somewhat from being super relaxed from our drinks the night before. When we finally got rolling it was around 9:30, and we were all HUNGRY. We set out in search of grub and ended up on Canal Street.

Unfortunately, by this time most of the yummy breakfast places had crazy lines and wait times, and when my Dad gets hungry he is like a bear. We finally ended up just getting biscuits from McDonald’s to tide us over until lunchtime. It wasn’t the delicious, New Orleans breakfast I was wanting (crabcakes benedict, anyone?) but it filled my belly. We ate the biscuits and then headed on with our adventure. We walked the stores on Canal Street and I ended up buying a nice jacket, and we headed back to the hotel about noon to meet up with the rest of the crew.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by pirate4me2

[pirate4me2]

Once both uncles were accounted for we all took off to explore NOLA some more. My one uncle (let’s call him the crazy one from now on) wanted to go to some place called the Monkey Board that was close by. It was actually on the 17^th floor of a hotel right across the street, so up we went. Basically, it is a rooftop bar. I ended up getting a drink, I do not remember what it was, but it was ok. I do not think I would go back. We spent maybe 30 minutes there, then moved on to Bourbon Street again. We really just barhopped there….we got hurricanes at Pat O’s, a hand grenade drink from Tropical Isle (it was really good!), a Bahama Mama made with banana rum from Slush (it was amazing), and Chris and I did a shot of Fireball at another place near the end of Bourbon, but I cannot remember the name of it. When we finally decided to eat lunch we all agreed we wanted Po Boys, so we stopped at a place called Tavern Po Boys. Big mistake….they were NASTY. All 6 of us agreed. The sauce they put on the shrimp po’ boy was disgusting, 3 of us had that and agreed. The other 3 had other variations of po’ boys and agreed that lunch was a fail. Darn it! We must do better for dinner!

 

As we worked our way back down Bourbon Street we somehow lost one of my uncles, the tame one.  I think it was when my Dad, Crazy Uncle, and Chris all stopped to look at some old cars that were parked. When we finally started to move again we were all looking around trying to find him….where did he go? We called him, and he said he was just down the road from us. Where? We can’t see you! He said he was headed back to the hotel. Say what? No! You are NOT calling it a day at 3:00 in the afternoon, we are in NEW ORLEANS. Stand still and we will find you! When we finally found him, he was standing outside a club he said we needed to go in. Um….Uncle…we a’int going in that club. Do you not realize what kind of club it is? How can you not, with the guy standing outside in a BRIGHT YELLOW set of TIGHT boxers? 

 

Once we made it off Bourbon, we decided it was time to find some dinner. After our lame breakfast and nasty lunch, we all wanted GOOD food. Seafood. We were wandering around for a bit and finally someone recommended Acme House Oysters. Tame Uncle said he couldn’t walk anymore, could we just call an Uber? Sure thing.  I pulled up the app and got us a ride for $5, and when the car arrived Tame Uncle announced he was just going to go back to the hotel, he wasn’t hungry. WHAT???!! I called this dang Uber JUST FOR YOU. Whatever, you turd. The rest of us piled in and left him on the street corner.

Once we got to the restaurant we got into line and were told the wait would be 15-20 minutes. Awesome, better than we expected! We were standing there patiently when all of a sudden Dad started to freak out. Calm yourself down, father, what is wrong? Use your words! Turns out his phone had fallen out of his pocket in the Uber. Oh, fudge! I had never experienced losing an item in an Uber before and had no idea what to do, and no idea if he would get it back. I pulled up the app and figured out how to submit a lost item claim. Turns out if you lose an item you can fill this claim out, and if the driver returns the item you are charged a $15 fee. I submitted the request and told Pops that if the driver contacted us to return the phone, he was buying my dinner. Chris’s too, come to think of it! We were sat at a table and everyone anxiously stared at my phone screen, praying it would light up with a call from the driver. Crazy Uncle ordered some charbroiled oysters for the table, which I was hesitant to try. I HATE oysters! However, after Chris tried them and raved about how good they were, and Dad did the same, I decided to be brave. I figured if it was too bad I could spit it out and sanitize my mouth with some kind of beverage. However, to my surprise, I actually LIKED them. Like…I REALLY liked them, they were YUMMY! Oh my gosh, I could have eaten a whole plate of them and called that my dinner! However, I had ordered the fried shrimp platter, and I had to settle for that. I say settled, but it really was yummy, just not as yummy as the oysters.

 

Right as we were finishing dinner my phone lit up. Yes! It’s a number I do not recognize, from Louisiana, it must be the Uber driver! I picked up, and she said she was just a few minutes away and had Dad’s phone. THANK YOU!!!!! We raced outside to meet her, and she got a VERY generous tip for reuniting Pops with the phone. Whew, we can all rest easy tonight!

 

After all the craziness and drama of the day, everyone decided to call it a night fairly early. We wandered back to the hotel about 9 and made plans to meet up for breakfast early in the morning, about 7 a.m. We wanted to be ready to board the Dream as soon as we could! 

 

[trish4801]

Loving your review. Traveling with family has it's moments can't wait to read more.

[deedle7544]

Looking forward to more!  I really like your style! I typically cruise with family, including 80 year old parents - funt times!

[CruisinMama2003]

I can tell this is going to be one HILARIOUS review! 

[mdsgu]

Keep going, please!  I love the Dream and have taken "family" cruises on it a couple of times.  Never a dull moment!

[Dvelocity]

Great intro - I am so excited to read more!  This is going to be FUN!

[JaniceB]

Enjoying your review.  If you are ever in New Orleans again right across the street from Acme is Felix's Oyster Bar and usually you don't have to wait and they serve food that I think is just as good as Acme.  Also Dragos in the Hilton has the best charbroiled oysters and if you sit at the oyster bar you can see them being prepared, yummy.

[pirate4me2]

12 hours ago, deedle7544 said:

Can't wait for more!

 

I will post some more tonight!

 

10 hours ago, trish4801 said:

Loving your review. Traveling with family has it's moments can't wait to read more.

 

It sure does! Oh my.

 

2 hours ago, deedle7544 said:

Looking forward to more!  I really like your style! I typically cruise with family, including 80 year old parents - funt times!

 

Thanks for following along!

 

2 hours ago, CruisinMama2003 said:

I can tell this is going to be one HILARIOUS review! 

 

It will have it's moments, my Uncles sure made some memories!

 

1 hour ago, mdsgu said:

Keep going, please!  I love the Dream and have taken "family" cruises on it a couple of times.  Never a dull moment!

 

More to come tonight when I get home, I promise! We love the Dream too, I am sad it's moving to TX!

 

1 hour ago, Dvelocity said:

Great intro - I am so excited to read more!  This is going to be FUN!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

50 minutes ago, JaniceB said:

Enjoying your review.  If you are ever in New Orleans again right across the street from Acme is Felix's Oyster Bar and usually you don't have to wait and they serve food that I think is just as good as Acme.  Also Dragos in the Hilton has the best charbroiled oysters and if you sit at the oyster bar you can see them being prepared, yummy.

 

Oh thanks for that info, we actually will be back in NOLA in November for a cruise on the Glory. I saw Felix's but wasn't sure if they were good or not, and after our blah breakfast and epic fail with the Po' Boys at lunch we really wanted good food! I will make sure to try Felix's next time.

[JaniceB]

Mother's has great Po'Boys, there is always a line.  We had breakfast at a place called Daisy Dukes in the quarter, unlimited bloody mary's and they also serve lunch and dinner.  It was fantastic.  I love Muffalettos from Central grocery, no tables to sit at just a piece of wood like a picnic table with stools, very good.  Enjoy your trip back.

[mdsgu]

8 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

 

I saw Felix's but wasn't sure if they were good or not, and after our blah breakfast and epic fail with the Po' Boys at lunch we really wanted good food! I will make sure to try Felix's next time.

Felix's is very good!

[crewsweeper]

Following.  Wondering how your dad handled missing Roatan.  Oops, SPOILER ALERT

Edited May 1, 2019 by crewsweeper

[LBumb]

Really great job

[JerseyGirlJen]

Great start so far, I'm looking forward to reading more 😄

[Dvelocity]

2 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

 

Oh thanks for that info, we actually will be back in NOLA in November for a cruise on the Glory. I saw Felix's but wasn't sure if they were good or not, and after our blah breakfast and epic fail with the Po' Boys at lunch we really wanted good food! I will make sure to try Felix's next time.

 

Wondering which Itinerary  in November I sail on the Glory in June of 2020 Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel.  

[pirate4me2]

2 hours ago, JaniceB said:

Mother's has great Po'Boys, there is always a line.  We had breakfast at a place called Daisy Dukes in the quarter, unlimited bloody mary's and they also serve lunch and dinner.  It was fantastic.  I love Muffalettos from Central grocery, no tables to sit at just a piece of wood like a picnic table with stools, very good.  Enjoy your trip back.

 

We almost ate at Daisy Duke's, and I wish we had! The menu looked good to me, but a certain picky eater wasn't thrilled with it.

 

1 hour ago, crewsweeper said:

Following.  Wondering how your dad handled missing Roatan.  Oops, SPOILER ALERT

 

HAHAHA you predicted right! Did your wife and daughter have a good time?

 

52 minutes ago, LBumb said:

Really great job

 

Thank you!

 

28 minutes ago, JerseyGirlJen said:

Great start so far, I'm looking forward to reading more 😄

 

I have the first day all typed up and will hopefully get sea day 1 typed up to post when I get home tonight!

 

24 minutes ago, Dvelocity said:

 

Wondering which Itinerary  in November I sail on the Glory in June of 2020 Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel.  

 

Key West, Freeport and Nassau

[deedle7544]

Totally looking forward to tonight now!!!

[crewsweeper]

54 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

 

 

 

 

HAHAHA you predicted right! Did your wife and daughter have a good time?

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 Wife and her friend.  (We have no daughters, just 3 sons)  Yes, They had their ventures too.  Locked out of hotel in NOLA, along with all the other guests, missed their sharks and rays excursion in Belize, but her friend won in the casino and DW took her to the spa area for her first spa treatments. 

[MzShae]

Enjoying your review so far! The Dream is one of my favorite ships!

[pirate4me2]

14 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

 Wife and her friend.  (We have no daughters, just 3 sons)  Yes, They had their ventures too.  Locked out of hotel in NOLA, along with all the other guests, missed their sharks and rays excursion in Belize, but her friend won in the casino and DW took her to the spa area for her first spa treatments. 

 

Oh my! That's terrible about the hotel and excursion! I'm glad they had a good cruise.

 

12 minutes ago, MzShae said:

Enjoying your review so far! The Dream is one of my favorite ships!

 

I love the Dream, I really wish they were not moving her to TX to do short cruises!

[christyran1228]

16 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

I love the Dream, I really wish they were not moving her to TX to do short cruises!

 

Have to say that I'm glad, since we will get to sail on her in November  🙂

 

Thank you for taking the time to post a review, really enjoying it so far!

[Can'tWait2SetSail]

Your family sounds like mine. LOL. Looking forward to the rest of your review. Going on the Dream out of Galveston in a few weeks!