Semi-Live on the Carnival Dream May 27 - June 3

For my next cruise I thought I’d try something a little bit different and write the review as I go. I’ve done a few post-trip reviews with pictures but despite my best intentions after my last few cruises I just never could find the time to get it done. So let’s give this a go. Granted the actual posting (and especially posting of pictures) while we’re sailing will be highly dependent on the speed and reliability of Carnival’s ship wifi (which based on past experience is neither speedy nor reliable), but at the very least phone signal in port should allow me some time to catch up.

The Cruisers

I’m Scott, I’m 44 and work as an oncology nurse. I live in New York but am originally from Chicago. This trip I’m traveling with my mom who still lives in the Chicago area. Mom and I have cruised together several times, the first time back in 2014 and most recently just this past February on the Carnival Valor. Mom has some health issues that limit the amount of walking she can do so for traveling she uses a portable wheelchair. She’s still able to move around but just can’t go long distances. This will be our third cruise since she’s been using the wheelchair and I have to say we’ve had no issues at all.

The Cruise

We’ll be on the Carnival Dream out of New Orleans and visiting Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Cozumel. This will be a cruise of several firsts for me: first time cruising out of New Orleans (though I’ve visited the city many times back when I lived in Memphis), first time to Jamaica and Grand Cayman, and first time on a Dream-class ship.

Itinerary

Sunday, May 27 - New Orleans (Depart 4 p.m.)

Monday, May 28 - At Sea

Tuesday, May 29 - At Sea

Wednesday, May 30 - Montego Bay (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Thursday, May 31 - Grand Cayman (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Friday, June 1 - Cozumel, Mexico (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Saturday, June 2 - At Sea

Sunday, June 3 - New Orleans (Arrive 8 a.m.)

There wasn’t any one reason we chose this particular cruise other than the timing of it fit well with when I could take off work, the new class of ship and ports were of interest, and the embarkation point was relatively easy for us to travel to. Since I’m in New York and mom isn’t super mobile on her own when traveling, it’s easier for me to fly to Chicago first, pick her up and then travel with her to wherever we leave from. We did this back in February when we cruise on the Valor and it worked out well. Then we do the same thing, just in reverse for the trip back home.

The Cabin

Another first - first time in a cove balcony. I’ve almost always cruised in a cabin with a balcony (except for my two solo cruises) and mom always prefers a balcony cabin. Since this would be a new ship class for us and I’ve always been curious about these cabins I figured it was a good time to give it a shot. When we first booked we were in 2252, pretty close to the front of the ship. After doing a bit of research on the cove balcony cabins I realized that the cabins closer to the front had a higher likelihood of catching spray as the ship sailed. A couple months ago I called and was able to move us back a bit to 2276, and for whatever reason at that time the price of the cruise decreased by $41 each so we ended up with some OBC. Can’t argue with that!

The Journey to New Orleans

As I mentioned before, I’ll be heading to Chicago first and then we’ll fly down to New Orleans together. I depart LaGuardia in New York bright and early Saturday morning and then will head to mom’s to help wrap up her preparations before heading to Midway for our early evening flight to New Orleans. Since we get in somewhat late I decided on a hotel near the airport - the Hilton to be specific. Since I knew we wouldn’t be doing any sight seeing in the city that late I figured it would make it easier on both of us after a day of traveling. Not to mention the rates were much cheaper at airport hotels.

Please feel free to ask any questions you have as we move along and I’ll do my best to answer. If you're on the Dream in a few months and are dying to know something, let me know and I’ll investigate and report as best I can. Thanks for following along!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We just returned from our cruise on the Dream (May 13-20), and I miss our alchemy bartenders so much.

I hope you have an awesome time! :)

I hope you & your Mom have a fabulous time! Could you please post menus & fun times? TIA. Btw, when you lived in Memphis did you work at St. Jude?

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

I’m on this one also,in a cove balcony for the first time. we usually do suites, but I don’t like the view of deck 5. (Went on dream last year)

I can't wait to know more about your cruise. I'm going on the same cruise in July. First time on Carnival and on a a cove balcony. My room will be 2256. I would like to know if there is discount for the thermal suites on the boat or if I can buy a pass for the day.

If you can, please post the menu for the Chef's Table.

We just returned from our cruise on the Dream (May 13-20), and I miss our alchemy bartenders so much.

I hope you have an awesome time! :)

Thanks so much! Definitely plan to spend lots of time at Alchemy. :)

I hope you & your Mom have a fabulous time! Could you please post menus & fun times? TIA. Btw, when you lived in Memphis did you work at St. Jude?

Thank you! Will definitely post the Fun Times - hopefully as we go but if not definitely once I'm back and with better internet.

When I lived in Memphis I was in a different field altogether but I had a friend who was a nurse at St. Jude.

I’m on this one also,in a cove balcony for the first time. we usually do suites, but I don’t like the view of deck 5. (Went on dream last year)

Perhaps we will run in to each other. Greatly appreciate your weather-related posts - followed them during Harvey last year. Good to see you made it to NOLA; here's hoping our flight tomorrow evening doesn't have any issues.

I can't wait to know more about your cruise. I'm going on the same cruise in July. First time on Carnival and on a a cove balcony. My room will be 2256. I would like to know if there is discount for the thermal suites on the boat or if I can buy a pass for the day.

Just down the hall from us! I'll snap a pic of your cabin door. :) Will also investigate the thermal suite pricing and day pass situation.

If you can, please post the menu for the Chef's Table.

Will do!

I am mostly packed (except for the one or two things I always forget - but not my passport this time!) and have the car to the airport reserved for a bright-and-early pick-up of 5:15 a.m. Keeping an eye on that jacka$$ Alberto who may or may not make things more interesting for us. Based on what I've seen I think we should be okay flying into NOLA tomorrow evening but I'm a little less sure about the plan for Sunday. I guess we will just have to take it as it comes. My initial thought is that we might have a itinerary reversal just to head west first instead of east, but what the heck do I know. As long as we're on board and the bars and casino are open we will be good. I'm packing extra Dramamine, just in case. ;p

I am mostly packed (except for the one or two things I always forget - but not my passport this time!) and have the car to the airport reserved for a bright-and-early pick-up of 5:15 a.m. Keeping an eye on that jacka$$ Alberto who may or may not make things more interesting for us. Based on what I've seen I think we should be okay flying into NOLA tomorrow evening but I'm a little less sure about the plan for Sunday. I guess we will just have to take it as it comes. My initial thought is that we might have a itinerary reversal just to head west first instead of east, but what the heck do I know. As long as we're on board and the bars and casino are open we will be good. I'm packing extra Dramamine, just in case. ;p

It seems Alberto is stalling a bit, so your flight should be ok. I think we may be stalled getting out of the river. It’s a little boring when that happens because the shops etc don’t open, but it all comes to pass eventually.

Plus, the one time it happened to us, we got to see the mouth of the river during daylight hours, so that was kinda cool.

We're doing the same itinerary June 24. Deck 9 balcony. Having never left from NOLA, I'm curious to hear about the embarkation process. We have a 12:30 arrival time

Looking forward to your review! I was on the Dream last month, great ship, and a nice ride down the Miss [emoji41] Have a great time.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Safe travels! Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. I love the Dream.

Thankfully no alarm was needed this morning since one of the dogs had me up since 3 am [emoji849]

Even in the light of a beautiful sunrise LaGuardia is still a dump.

Flight for Chicago is on time for a 7:30 departure. Hoping for a little nap on board.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We're doing the same itinerary June 24. Deck 9 balcony. Having never left from NOLA, I'm curious to hear about the embarkation process. We have a 12:30 arrival time

We also have a 12:30 arrival so I’ll be sure to report on how it goes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My ride to Chicago:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Following this! Doing this itinerary in October on the Dream. I hope the weather cooperates for y’all!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Goodbye, New York

Hello, Chicago!

Talk about a quick and painless flight. We’re nearly a half-hour early getting in.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good thing we landed early; it seems we’re taxiing from somewhere in Wisconsin.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ah, home.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great! It always cracks me up how small NYC looks from a plane, geographically speaking.

We're doing the same itinerary June 24. Deck 9 balcony. Having never left from NOLA, I'm curious to hear about the embarkation process. We have a 12:30 arrival time

I always sail from New Orleans and find embarkation painless.