cajunpowercruiser

spa balcony nice and cool air temp last July

Just got off the Dream Sunday the 17th. Cabin 11214 was very cool/cold.;) Cabin 11216 used a fan to maintain comfort. We made all ports without issue and were in Cozumel from 0800 to 1800. Maximum ship speed that I observed on the TV ship info was was 20.5 knts. We made all ports without issue. We even turned around on our first full day at sea after leaving our last port Mahogany Bay to drop off a passenger needing medical attention in Cozumel. We did not witness dark continuous black smoke coming from the funnel or anywhere else at anytime. Some items on the menu are certainly better than others. All in my group found Little French Key to be the paradise we were looking for in Roatan.

Our family will board the DREAM this Sunday and your review helped to get me in the positive mood. Thank You. I believe a cruise is what you choose to make it. Thanks for the info on the Pasta Bella. You also said you had breakfast there in the upstairs restaurant, does that include the brunch?

We definitely understood that we would check-in and wait to board. We just hoped we'd board by noonish. We did that Summer of 2014 in NOLA and it went really smoothly. But that was before staggered check-in.

 

Honestly, my husband is so cheap that he insists on not missing that meal on the cruise. :)

The term we use in our family is "THRIFTY" ...LMAO:cool:

The Palace Café and Deanie's. I'm jealous. Two of my favorites. I am loving your review. Also, experienced a similar FTTF experience. Decided to forgo FTTF for our up coming cruise on the Dream. Wonder if ill notice a difference? Looking forward to he rest of your review. Next time you're in NOLA try Jaque Imo's in the garden district.

Let's look at a July months average precipitation for the Isle of Roatan. The monthly average rainfall in the month of July is 8 inches. The average number of days that rainfall usually occurs in the month of July is 20. That can be inferred to mean that most days of rainfall encountered is less than a half inch of precipitation...a drizzle, a light shower. So in the southern Caribbean you are likely to encounter a storm or two especially when traveling a considerable distance, however most encounters should be brief. On the other hand it is the tropical storm season and any one area may be inundated with rainfall and subject to rough seas for a considerable amount of time. I choose to sail on and take what comes and hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

I have calculated the Dream itinerary for July 10th cruise

1. New Orleans to Cozumel approx. 776 nautical miles at 20 knots takes 1.6 days

2. Cozumel to Belize approx. 346 nautical miles at 20 knots takes 0.7 day

3. Belize to Coxen Hole( Mahogany Bay) approx 110 nautical miles takes 0.2 day

4. Coxen Hole to New Orleans approx 1070 nautical miles takes 2.2 days

I expect no shortened port times as we should easily make the schedule as long as we leave New Orleans on schedule. For those of you that wish to calculate expected time from port to port go to:

ports.com sea route and distance will do this for you

How was staggered check in and how does it affect embarkation? Did you enjoy the American Table Menu? Did you have YTD and if so was there any significant wait? How many in your party? What ports did you sail into and what order?

While I have no other cruising experience to compare Carnival with I must say that I enjoyed our very first cruise so much that we're booked for cruise number two in 34 days. I found that ALL of the Carnival staff was friendly and attentive. We had FTTF yet our cabin was not ready when we boarded. Rather than huff and puff I just went to the service desk and inquired if I misunderstood the FTTF offerings. A quick check of our purchase and we received immediate credit. Then upon returning to our cabin we were greeted by our steward and his boss with the most sincere apologies. I told them I understand that there are times when things happen. Later in the evening I pulled our cabin steward aside to tell him I appreciate his work and handed him a $20. He conveyed that he had received a phone call from home and his mom was not doing well. I really began to understand just how much these individuals sacrifice to do their job. Needless to say he tended our cabin especially well, ice bucket filled every day. Always fresh towels, etc. As far as the food, I was pleasantly surprised at the offerings, not to say that there weren't occasions of tough beef or a miscue on the food temperature, but I all one need do is order something else, it's not like you'll be billed extra. All I can say is you reap what you sow. If you are kind and generous with the staff the same shall be returned. Act like an arse...well . I look forward to our second Carnival cruise and know that I'll be pleasantly surprised at the value I get for my money. Sorry this was so long but I just wanted to share that even when things do not go as expected, that's all the more reason to smile, be polite and embrace the moment with happiness.

We book the spa stateroom. Use the robes to head to and from the spa. Otherwise, we do NOT don robes in any other area of the ship. If anyone out there wants to become a post on facebook, go on and wear your robe in a place not intended for a robe. I'll be glad to post you as a cheese monkey.

We were on the Dream last week. We weren't late for any port, nor did we leave early from any port. Our itinerary was Key West, Freeport and Nassau. In Freeport, we were scheduled to leave at 4 or 5, but didn't leave until after 7 or 8 (ship's time). They admitted it was due to some maintenance being performed. Freeport is one of the best places for them to do maintenance or emergency repairs since that is where drydocks usually happen and they have the personnel in this port that normally work on the repairs. Whatever this maintenance was, it didn't affect our cruise at all!

You have me doing my happy dance

So the question that newbie cruisers like myself have are "what is the probability that this will in no way affect my July 10th cruise itinerary as scheduled?" as far as how well I will enjoy this cruise, I anticipate it to be as wonderful as my one and only cruise on the Magic.:)

I had the lamb on the Magic last February....a little more chew than I prefer.:(

Once I'm on the ship it's Carnival take me away. Rest and take in the beautiful water, the wonderful scenery, the fantastic people, both cruisers and crew. Enjoy an adult beverage, or two, or three... Lay in the sun, not a care in the world. Visit a place I've never been. Experience a new culture. It's the biggest chill I've had. This was my first experience and I know the second will be even better. 60 days till the next adventure....I'm ready.

I understand that it was implemented on the current cruise.

The wife and I are early birds. We order FREE room service coffee and fruit and pastries and enjoy the sunrise on the balcony. Since we have port side we should see sunrise 4 mornings in a row. Then for the ret of the cruise, sea days, in the evening we enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sinks in the sky before dinner. We have YTD and usually go late.

Flying in. New Orleans has recently expanded the streetcar system compared to years ago making getting around without a car or hiring a taxi is a bit easier. You can also purchase multi-day streetcar passes allowing you to board and ride as often as you need. Go to norta.com. to view maps and pricing.

Hotels. It seems that most hotels near the port will shuttle you for embarkation/debarkation from and to the hotel. There are numerous hotels nearby, some offer a cooked breakfast (Embassy Suites, etc).

My favorite, reasonably priced places to eat. Deannie's, Jaques-Imo's Cafe, The Ruby Slipper, Palace Cafe ($$$). Don't forget beignets at Cafe du Monde.

Enjoy your cruise and NOLA too.

I was spoiled on my first cruise with a spa balcony. It's a refreshing and relaxing experience in the spa. Also, morning coffee and a simple quick breakfast on the BALCONY, courtesy of room service, is a wonderful sunrise experience. The balcony also makes for great sail away from port in the evening, enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine before heading out to YTD. I will always look for the a spa balcony room and my last booking they had a special on the DREAM where the spa balconies were priced lower than the regular balconies. Ah, cruising is such sweet bliss.

Brilliant! What a wonderful talent of comedic expression. I bet you're not hard to pick out in a crowd. Joie de vivre.

You have a nice talent for sharing your cruise experiences. Thank you. I really enjoy being able to "take" more cruises than I can afford.:)

MD = Mad Dog=bad head

I find the spa a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Especially welcomed on sea days.

If you choose a hotel hear the port there is a trolley that will take you to the French Quarter

Signing on...will be on the Dream in July. Thanks for sharing.

I felt as if I were right along beside you the whole time. Your writing is captivating. Thanks for sharing. Will be taking the family on the Dream in July. Spa rooms are a must as we quickly spoiled ourselves on our very first cruise last February on the Magic.:)