Dream in 2 days...is it really that bad????

[sheilb4]

Heck, I paid a fortune for this New Years cruise, yet 90% of reviews seem horrendous....I always think any day on a cruise is better than a day at work etc...as long as the sun is shining, i can tan, relax etc is usually my "dream" but with a forecast of rain every day next week at the ports of call and the bad bad reviews, sewage smells, long lines.....getting a little concerned....do I need to be? pls reassure me ....:confused:

[Snorkel2Much]

Avoid the Lido buffet at peak times whenever you can, most everthing else is subjective opinions. Unless you have a crowd phobia you'll be fine.

[my $.02]

I feel the same way, going 1/16. BUT, you have to make the best of it and roll with it. It is vacation, cant be all that bad!!!

[Guest bahamamama1]

going on a NYE cruise would HAVE to be fun !!! Just try and eat in the MDR all meals possible

[Tar Heels]

Avoid the Lido buffet at peak times whenever you can, most everthing else is subjective opinions. Unless you have a crowd phobia you'll be fine.

 

Correct! We are leaving 2/27. :D I promise you that none of the "negative" reviews will be in my mind as we board the DREAM!! :p

[DqALEX]

I was supposed to be on that cruise. I changed over the summer to the Inspiration for New Years. I rebooked the Dream for Late January. Please write a review when you get back.

[SCUBA Mark]

There must be some people that have never been on the Dream writing all of those bad reviews

 

We were on the 12/3 cruise and had a great time

[Tar Heels]

There must be some people that have never been on the Dream writing all of those bad reviews

 

We were on the 12/3 cruise and had a great time

 

Carefull! You're going to called a "cheerleader"! :D:p:D

[halos]

I'd like to see more reviews of this ship from established CC members. (meaning someone who posted here, even if only a couple times, prior to their cruise) I understand that everyone is 'new' to CC at one point, but my trust factor is dwindling rapidly around here, sadly. The worst reviews are from brand new members, which leads me to believe that it's just an attempt to bash the ship/line.

It's not like I think Carnival is perfect (by any means) and I am not fond at all of their ship design or decor (you would think they'd 'get it' by now in the crowd-control department) but I think the competition between lines here on the boards is ridiculous. And if RCCL has 'Champions' to promote their line, what's to say there aren't people out there to talk trash about other lines in order to steer them away?

 

So, OP, we look forward to your review when you return.

[GlendaleCruiser]

I'd like to see more reviews of this ship from established CC members. (meaning someone who posted here, even if only a couple times, prior to their cruise) I understand that everyone is 'new' to CC at one point, but my trust factor is dwindling rapidly around here, sadly. The worst reviews are from brand new members, which leads me to believe that it's just an attempt to bash the ship/line.

It's not like I think Carnival is perfect (by any means) and I am not fond at all of their ship design or decor (you would think they'd 'get it' by now in the crowd-control department) but I think the competition between lines here on the boards is ridiculous. And if RCCL has 'Champions' to promote their line, what's to say there aren't people out there to talk trash about other lines in order to steer them away?

 

So, OP, we look forward to your review when you return.

 

I wrote a review, and so did Host Mach, along with about a dozen other people.

 

You will have a great cruise.

[mrpayroll]

After having served in the Military, A LITTLE line is not going to dampen my view of our upcoming DREAM cruise on Jan. 23rd...To all those that it does...GET A LIFE...:rolleyes:

[balcony bound]

I'm with you on this cruise:D

 

I checked the weather for all ports - I'm not seeing anything bad??? Coolest day will be Cozumel with high 70's the rest in the low to mid-80's. Yes, a chance of rain, but I have rarely found that a chance of rain will result in an all-day event. I've had rain on probably 90% of my cruises - a half hour and it's done. Besides, here in Florida the storms generally come and go quickly, perhaps that's why it doesn't concern me.

 

I've read the reviews - they don't scare me at all. We're going to have an excellent time, and you will too.

[LHP]

We sailed on 12/3 and found it to be as good or better than any other Carnival cruise we have been on. (lines, food and service)

 

No odors....

 

yes the Promenade can get bottlenecked at the coffee bar when they are taking pictures on formal night....but you have Deck 4 that goes from the Atrium to the Aft and usually has very few folks there. So if you need to get from forward to Aft quickly...deck 4 is your route.

 

I don't know what someone considers " a fortune"????

 

But for the $2,700.00 we paid for the 3 of us in an interior Spa cabin....

I would book it again tomorrow in a heartbeat.

[jkjmt]

I think $2700.00 for three for an inside room is terrible. We just paid $3000.00 for four people for two connecting, extended balcony rooms on the Legend on January 3.....and we didn't even book early-saver. (The only discount we got was past guests.)

[jkjmt]

There must be some people that have never been on the Dream writing all of those bad reviews

 

We were on the 12/3 cruise and had a great time

 

 

 

Hi Mark!!!!

 

We cruised with you back on the 3/16/2008 cruise!!!!

[balcony bound]

I understand the "fortune" thing. New Year's cruises are some of the absolute highest fares. You can generally cruise twice for what you pay for the week that contains NYE. I'm not sure why - I can only imagine that it is supply/demand with most of the country on vacation.

 

This is the second time we've cruised for NYE, and it will probably be the last. We've done it both times just because of the timing. We got lucky with this fare, our aft-wrap cost less than an inside due to some crazy pricing when they opened bookings for the Dream, so no complaints here.

[LHP]

I think $2700.00 for three for an inside room is terrible. We just paid $3000.00 for four people for two connecting, extended balcony rooms on the Legend on January 3.....and we didn't even book early-saver. (The only discount we got was past guests.)

 

That's the price of a brand new ship in a Spa cabin. (the Legend does not have have Spa cabins)

 

Only the Dream and Splendor have the private spa area with the Thalasso pool, saunas, aromatherapy rooms and relaxation room.....

 

Just like the Oasis' cheapest rooms are $1,650.00 per person for a regular interior (7 day) cabin.....you have to pay to play... LOL

 

We sailed on the Miracle (when it was in Tampa)....3 in an interior cabin for $1,095.00 for a 7 day......

[Casino Player]

Heck, I paid a fortune for this New Years cruise, yet 90% of reviews seem horrendous....I always think any day on a cruise is better than a day at work etc...as long as the sun is shining, i can tan, relax etc is usually my "dream" but with a forecast of rain every day next week at the ports of call and the bad bad reviews, sewage smells, long lines.....getting a little concerned....do I need to be? pls reassure me ....:confused:

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO sheilb4: I was on the Dream last month. I did not smell any sewage smells. Pizza was always 5 to 7 minutes even if I had been there several times. The ship does not give a smooth ride, sevice is spotty at times, the ship vibrates while going into ports. My travel agent tells me it is trouble with thrusters which could be fixed. I had my worst casino experience anywhere on the Carnival Dream. Dealers are very rude. Never got hit on my hands by the stickman with the stick before while choosing dice or about to roll them except on the Dream.

Good points: Experienced Captain, food is very good most of the time, some of the workers are always cleaning and working diligently, ship is kept clean, there are many hot tubs so you should find one somewhere. Comedy club was pretty good. Shows are a hit or miss you either like them or not. Many more entertainment venues. Go and make the choice if it was that bad.

[MERIDIAN]

Go make the most of it.If you go in with low expectations,you''ll seldom be disapointed.In the member review section,the reviews are for the most part-scathing and the ship should have had the kinks worked out by now.You already have your tickets so make like you never read them and have a couple of drinks,it's a lot better than shoveling snow!Enjoy!

[LHP]

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO sheilb4: I was on the Dream last month. I did not smell any sewage smells. Pizza was always 5 to 7 minutes even if I had been there several times. The ship does not give a smooth ride, sevice is spotty at times, the ship vibrates while going into ports. My travel agent tells me it is trouble with thrusters which could be fixed. I had my worst casino experience anywhere on the Carnival Dream. Dealers are very rude. Never got hit on my hands by the stickman with the stick before while choosing dice or about to roll them except on the Dream.

Good points: Experienced Captain, food is very good most of the time, some of the workers are always cleaning and working diligently, ship is kept clean, there are many hot tubs so you should find one somewhere. Comedy club was pretty good. Shows are a hit or miss you either like them or not. Many more entertainment venues. Go and make the choice if it was that bad.

 

Karaoke was great...don't forget karaoke!!!! :D

[Cruiser_SG77]

My wife and I had an excellent cruise on the Dream in November, I'm sure you will too.

 

Happy cruising! :)

[LHP]

One other thing that I have noticed on this board specificially.....

 

the threads about the Dream with any negative comments stays on the first or second pages....because people are relating their experiences....

 

while other reviews without all the negative stuff get shuffled back and out of sight.....

 

so there are lots of positive reviews for the Dream out there...they just may not be on page 1 or 2.

 

And unfortunately....folks like myself who cruise a lot...don't write full reviews any more.

 

I should...but I don't.

 

Also, please ignore comments like "lots of people that I talked to felt the same way"..... that is simply someone trying to boaster their "opinion" of the situation. In that situation....folks around them may have been nodding their heads in agreement and at the same thing thinking " I wish this bus rider would shut up and move on."

[UpstateCruizer]

After having served in the Military, A LITTLE line is not going to dampen my view of our upcoming DREAM cruise on Jan. 23rd...To all those that it does...GET A LIFE...:rolleyes:

 

I've read reviews opinions etc and honestly none really stand out in my mind at this point. I do want to shed a little understanding and maybe even some empathy towards this comment about getting a life. While it's very easy to assume those who don't want to wait in line are impatient etc there may be more than that to the worries about lines. There are people who have a hard time standing in long lines for many reasons. Some are physical issues while others may be reasons we can't see but if long lines are an issue for some I certainly don't feel they need to "get a life"

 

To the Op your cruise experience is yours and yours alone. You need to focus on what is important to you in a vacation and what will make this one special for you. If you do that you will have a wonderful time since none of the "other stuff" is going to matter.

 

I've been on one cruise surrounded by unhappy people. That cruise taught me that from now on no matter what happens on a cruise as long as we have our health and nothing earth shattering happens then we are going to enjoy the opportunity to make it as wonderful as possible.

[martinchem]

Remember again some of the opitions and comments come from people who have never been on the ship.

[lettienets]

I was on the transatlantic Dream cruise and had an inside spa room on deck 11. Enjoyed the spa amenities but next time would not stay so high up (lots of movement in wind) and would just buy the amenities daily/ weekly and take a low deck.

Scarlett Dining room food was delicious, lots of choice. Entertainment was wonderful with all the shows, comedians, many varieites of dance music of every kind, country, salsa, calypso, even classical music. Afternoon teas were in the Crimson DR. Fun Deck party, Halloween party and parade. Carnival knows how to decorate and party. Todd Wittmer CD was fabulous and visible around the ship and James his sidekick were fun on the morning Todd and James show on the jumbotron.

 

Yes there were terrible crowds in the Lido, 5-10 min waits for pizza outside but the food was good. Pizza is great, worth the wait! The Lido is dark, ceiling feels low, claustrophobic. Noticed that smell once, I remember now! (thought somebody f****d). Had lunch in the pasta bar one, ok not a big menu.

 

Overall it was a great trip, so much going on here and there. I really loved the piazza ocean plaza area as a meeting point. Karoke was there too. Lots of people playing cards, games, reading etc during the day on sea days.