Dream family of 5 review

[RENMama]

We sailed Carnival Dream 12/12/09 with our 3 kids 8,4,2. Total group of 15, 9 adults 6 kids.

Had a great time. Thought the ship was very nice. Pretty holiday decorations. Honestly didnt have much issues with waiting lines at all for food. Our kids dined with us most of the time. Highly recommend the steakhouse for an adult only meal. Camp Carnival was nice, we got a cell phone and they did use it. My 8yo didnt want to go to camp as much this time even though he had friends there that travelled with us which was odd. Hes our adhd kid and I think the 4 back to back port days had him exhausted and in need of some quiet time.

We tried sending our 2yo to dinner with Camp and that didnt work. She got angry and was crying. I think she didnt want to stop playing. Luckily for us grandparents were with us and they happily took her to dinner to give us some alone time. The holiday show with the kids was really cute.

The girls in the group loved taking a pic with the dancers.

 

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/cruisema294.jpg

 

Loved the family oceanview rooms that slept 5. Link to the photo thread from the Carnival board here....

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=22554158&posted=1#post22554158

 

Camp Carnival was huge and seperated into 2 rooms.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/cruise09010.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/cruise09012.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/cruise09012.jpg

 

Cozumel- Easily found a cab that took 4 adults and 5 kids to Paradise Beach ($30 round trip total I think). $12 per person now at PB. Bought a fruity drink and quesadillas and chips salsa. Great salsa and guac. We got there early and they had lifevests but Im glad I brought my own as they didnt have a ton and if you get there later they may be out of the size you need. Yes the water is deep and the kids need a lifevest even if great swimmers. All it takes is one person going down the slide to knock down a hidden swimmer. We were out there acting like kids helping our little ones up on stuff.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/Carnival%20Dream/cruise09091.jpg

 

Roatan-Awesome tour with all 15 of us thru Rony. Drove around. Stopped at a cute open air place for lunch. Saw Victors monkeys. But hands down kids favorite was the glass bottom boat. I dont think my oldest shut up the entire time. Poor tour guide was nervous as it was his first day but I think my kid put him at ease. It was fun. Maybe not for claustrophobic folks though. :)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/cruisema186.jpg

 

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/cruise09058.jpg

 

Belize-Windy rainy day. :( We signed up for a manatee,beach, snorkeling day thru Coral Breeze but there was no manatee watch due to the weather. The kids stayed back with grandparents at Bannister Island and got to get in a little play time before the rain hit. There was plenty of space under the covered bar to stay dry. Hubby and I went snorkeling and it was the best ever even after it started raining. Weve been snorkeling several times before but everything was so close and tons of fish and corals to see.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/ERmama/cruise09008.jpg

 

Costa Maya-Chacchoben Mayan ruins thru native choice. Nice bus. Very knowledgeable tour guide. Sure he talked ALOT but us adults learned alot.

Our kids had fun climbing the ruins and exploring while he lectured. Since our daughter is of Mayan descent it was important to us to go to the ruins otherwise I could see how little kids would get bored and you would maybe want to choose somewhere else. My 8 yo thought it was cool to see some dead mayan royalty's tomb and my 4yo just ran around but nobody cared.

 

 

Any specific questions you can email me at ermamaa@aol.com

[RENMama]

of course you have to do a family photo on board. we only bought one.

 

[Ellanora]

Thanks for posting your review. My son, who is almost 13, and I really, really want to sail the Dream on our next cruise, so I've been scouring for information.

 

Lovely picture too! :)

[gijanemom]

of course you have to do a family photo on board. we only bought one.

 

 

My, What a beautiful family!

[calikak]

How was the native choice tour for your 2-year-old? We're on a cruise with a big group and I'm debating whether we should stay with the beach-goers or go with the ruins-visitors. We may split up, with DH going to the ruins and me going to the beach with our 2-year-old.

[Julienatul]

Great pictures!! We are considering the dream for next new years.