Record lows, two teens and 7 nights on the Dream. Jan 9th-16th trip report.

[micro yaya]

years ago cozumel had the same problem, no one to care for the stray dogs. the poor litle things were everywhere. things changed as time went on, and more and more cruise ships came to town. passengers were so outraged, that they started to become very vocal, the cruise line hear, and out of nowhere they had a shelter, now you don't see the poor little things starving in the streets. we need to remember that some of these islands are third world countries, and have no extra money for their (pets), but in time if we as cruisers stay verbal things may change for the better. i know from experience i have a rescue doxie, i am the 5th and final owner of this princess and have had her for 7 years.........i'm the lucky one, not her.

[cruiselover42]

Spa- I didn't have a spa room, but I took the tour and looked at buying a bracelet. I didn't, but by the end of the trip I wished I had. The spa is beautiful! I was worried, though, that I'd get bored without any company ( DH wasn't interested ) AND without a book. ( I brought my Nook, and was afraid of frying it ) On our next cruise, if I can talk my Dsis into going, I'll pay her way, just for the company. :D

Tammy,

How much was the Spa bracelet and what did it include????

[tammymacb]

Spa- I didn't have a spa room, but I took the tour and looked at buying a bracelet. I didn't, but by the end of the trip I wished I had. The spa is beautiful! I was worried, though, that I'd get bored without any company ( DH wasn't interested ) AND without a book. ( I brought my Nook, and was afraid of frying it ) On our next cruise, if I can talk my Dsis into going, I'll pay her way, just for the company. :D

 

Tammy,

How much was the Spa bracelet and what did it include????

 

The bracelet included unlimited use of the heated loungers, the steam rooms, the ( fancy name I can't remember :o ) salt water big hot tub spa thingy, locker rooms and a rain shower.

 

I believe it was $149 for a single pass and $249? for a double.

[ladycaveat]

Do you remember where this table was set up? We're taking an excursion in Belize but hopefully' date=' we'll have some time to look for it.

 

Tammy...I'm sure I'll find Roatan a little sad too, as our pups are spoiled rotten. I'm so sorry about your Keena.[/quote']

 

If I remember correctly . . . it was right across from a bar with high stools. Where the Dream docks . . . if you go to your left . . . it's only a few steps. It's on the right side. Oh, I'm terrible at giving directions but it was before the main shopping area. It was also very close to the walking area (as in, you can see the table without having to go "into" any shopping "mall."

[crewsweeper]

Tammymacb -

 

What sorts of things are near the hotel?? You mention the pizza place - is there anything else within walking distance?

 

We are staying there the night before - and after - our Dream cruise in 2 weeks. Anything you could share would be helpful :)

 

Thanks!!

Hey happy cruzin...There's a Thai restaurant and Zachary's a Greek/american place with good burgers within walking distance. I know the CI&S shuttles will take you up to fishlips and grills not sure if the Radisson will.

 

Tammymac...glad you're back. Nice to meetcha. We had rain on the drive home. Stephen

[happy cruzin]

Hey happy cruzin...There's a Thai restaurant and Zachary's a Greek/american place with good burgers within walking distance. I know the CI&S shuttles will take you up to fishlips and grills not sure if the Radisson will.

 

Tammymac...glad you're back. Nice to meetcha. We had rain on the drive home. Stephen

 

Thanks!! ;)

[navybaby1113]

Great review so far! I'd love to hear more!

[steveaaaaa]

The correct term is "Elegant night" now otherwise we will have someone here with their panties in a knot about it.:D

 

I did not say a thing.:D

 

Steve

[tammymacb]

As I said earlier, this was our first major disappointing day on the cruise. The girls were really bummed not to get to go snorkeling, and I was bummed that it didn't work out for them.

 

So, we tendered back to the ship around 10ish and everyone decided to take a nap. We were all tired and grumpy ( not to mention cold ) and so we just went back to sleep.

 

When we woke up, lo and behold, it was a little warmer! Maybe 70 and breezy but the sun was out. Now, it's still way too cold for a Charleston, SC resident to swim, but DH suggested a hot tub and a little sun. I couldn't have come up with a better plan myself.

 

We chatted with a few people in the hottub ( it was surprisingly rather busy on deck, my guess is that the cold changed many plans ) DH had a couple cocktails and I took the girls for lunch.

 

Again a good early dinner, more lousy cards and it was time to sleep.

[tammymacb]

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day!:D Good gravy, we woke up to mid-70s and sun!

 

I hadn't made any plans for Costa Maya. Mostly because I'd mistaken where exactly it was. :rolleyes: DH and I have stayed at and dove:Tulum, Akumal, Playa, and Cozumel and like I mentioned earlier, I'm Mexico-ed out. However, with nice weather we were going to do something.

 

We got off the ship and headed to the guys selling tickets to Tequila Beach. We paid $30 per person to take the girls snorkeling. Got on the bus and it was a quick ride over.

 

Now, ( if you hadn't figured this out yet ) I'm pretty easygoing. I was less than impressed by Tequila Beach. :rolleyes: But, dang it, we were going to have fun, so I kept my mouth shut. The beach wasn't deep, there was a $5 per person charge for loungers and I didn't find the staff there terribly helpful or friendly. But, we sat out in some much appreciated sunshine waiting for our snorkle trip.

 

Oh, the snorkle trip...:rolleyes:

 

Well, it started off with being given fins and masks, we were told that the snorkles were "on the boat". We boarded an old ( but it appeared well maintained ) flat boat. There were 8 people total on the boat who were snorkeling. We ran a probably 15 minute ride to the "reef" and were told to suit up. Then, we were asked "Where are your snorkles?" :confused: Ummm...we were told they were on the boat? Not so much. So, the crew tore the boat apart looking for extras. There were none. Luckily, a boat that was near us, had extra snorkles and we got those. If not, I'm not sure what would have been done...Very, very disorganized. The snorkeling was ( IMO- but I may have higher expectations in this department ) very unimpressive. Lots of sand and grassy areas. Also, very shallow. You might think shallow is good, but not when you're seeing broken pieces of coral on the sea floor because people are walking/kicking over it. It was also very choppy ( obviously no ones fault ) and not the best conditions. The group was not supervised at all. Now, I'm fine with that, DH and I are very experienced, and DD is an excellent swimmer ( since she was 2 ) who has snorkeled in the open ocean ( if only she'd finish her dive cert :rolleyes:) many times. DH and I kept the girls close, and we felt safe and comfortable. However, if you didn't have this experience, I'd think that this operation was just unsafe. No DM in the water, breaking waves and our little party of 8 just pel-mel all over the place.

 

So...I kept my mouth shut. Got back on the boat to return to the beach and when they started running the boat back....I'm not quite sure what happened. But, I'll tell you what it looked like. The boat appeared to be running with a line still dragging in the water. The boat got yanked back and the aft of the boat flooded. Seriously, water just poured in. Thank God, we'd rented a locker, but another couple was not so lucky. Their bag was ruined including a camcorder and digital camera. When we arrived back at the dock, they asked the crew to sign a statement to what happened so they could turn in a claim to their own ( the guests not the crews ) insurance and the crew refused. I thought that sucked, and stayed behind to give the couple our name, email address and telephone #s so if their insurance adjuster had any questions they could contact someone else on the boat.

 

Basically, I left this excursion with a very bad taste in my mouth and would not recommend it to anyone.

 

Back at the beach, we turned in our key, grabbed the stuff from our locker and headed back to the ship. We left port early at 3 pm.

 

Back on the boat, we played part 2 of Super Trivia, then 80s trivia. Relaxed for a while before dinner. Finally, a day of pleasant weather on this trip.

 

Need I say more? More good food ( this was the second Formal errrr Elegant night ), more bad cards and relaxing in the cabin and bed....

 

Tomorrow is our last sea day, and then we're home. Very sad.

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

Enjoying your review, we will be on the Dream in May (East).

 

I am a local to the area, what are you looking for?

Steve

 

Steve, could you recommend a couple good bookstores. (I like to read while lounging on deck, but have decided not to bring books due to their weight - airline's luggage restrictions - so I want to be able to go somewhere that has their books organized by author, so it won't take me long to find something that interest me.) I have been looking on line and see "Mary Dee's Bookstore" which appears quite handy (on Atlantic Ave.). Are there any good used book stores?

[tammymacb]

With the cold weather, I did a lot of reading on this cruise. I finished 3 novels. Let me tell you, the Nook is the handiest little invention ever. Unless you want to take it to the spa....

[Cathy p]

Tammy, great review and we will be on the Dream 2/20. Hopefully our weather will be warmer.

I totally agree about the dogs. I was so heartbroken to see them all just looking like they were waiting to die. It really took away from our experience on that beautiful Island. Shame on the government for letting that happen.

[crusinpsychRN]

We drove to Port Canaveral on Friday. Picked the girls up at 1200 from school and only stopped for gas. I'd booked the Raddisson Resort at the Port using the military rate. ( $99 ) the price included one ( which was different, I'd always remembered two ) breakfast and parking for the week. When we arrived we found out we'd been "upgraded" from our non sleep number bed room. When I told the check in clerk, I'd requsted that room specifically because the sleep #s kill my back, I was immediately returned to the category I'd booked. We brought in overnight bags, ran next door to the pizza place for dinner and settled in for a cold winters night. We'd been watching the weather reports for this cruise. We knew that it wasn't looking good, but it was cold. 30 year record low cold. I hoped we'd packed enough jeans and sweaters. :(

 

I hate those sleep number beds! Cost me $250 to send it back! Worst mattress EVER!

[crusinpsychRN]

It's a GREAT room, and I'd happily take it for a trip for two. Basically, two bathrooms. Close to the dining room, the casino, and the lobby deck. It was close to the elevators, but still quiet. They'll love it!

 

I just checked the Dream deck plans. 2667 wasn't there. Highest number was 2501. Was it Main deck? Can't find it.

[tammymacb]

I just checked the Dream deck plans. 2667 wasn't there. Highest number was 2501. Was it Main deck? Can't find it.

 

 

OOPS....I am terrible with numbers. Next time I need to check for typos better. We were in 2267.

[crusinpsychRN]

My dad & stepmom have booked that room for our 5/15 cruise and didn't like the small cruise cabins on their last cruise. Glad to hear this one is a little bigger, plus it is just the 2 of them!

 

Please note--it's 2267.

[The Klev]

Tammy:

 

I have to hand it to you. You faced some adversity with grace and dignity. I am sitting here, waiting for you to post that you a) demand compensation, b) call the Dream the "Nightmare," or c) tell us all you're never sailing Carnival again.

 

But you didn't.

 

You are the person I dream of going on vacation with. Your glass is always half-full, and your compassion for things other than for your personal gain is unequalled.

 

We booked a Victor Bodden tour for our 4/10 Dream Cruise and our first stop is going to be at a school or orphanage to drop off much-needed supplies for their children.

 

As they say, "when life throws you lemons, make lemonade." And you did.

 

We sail on the Dream in 3 months and am worried that something may go wrong. But your review just convinced me that nothing can, or will.

 

Best,

 

Alan

[Nickymjw1]

Tammy:

 

 

We booked a Victor Bodden tour for our 4/10 Dream Cruise and our first stop is going to be at a school or orphanage to drop off much-needed supplies for their children.

 

Alan

Hey Alan, we are doing a Victor Bodden tour too. That is a great idea to bring supplies to an orphanage. What kind of things do you take? Since we are not flying this year we can bring an extra box or suitecase along with supplies.

[wldflr]

Tammy,

 

Thanks for your candid review through all the nasty weather.

 

DH and I, along with 1,600+ of our Ohio friends (yes, it's a large group) will be on the Dream on 2/6/10 and right now, my fingers are crossed for decent weather. But as DH says, anything will be better than the weather in Ohio that week!

 

And we were on Holland America last Dec on the Eurodam and we loved, loved, loved the week-long spa package so much with the hot tub and those heavenly thermal chairs, we'll be signing up in the spa on the Dream shortly after boarding.

 

But like you, I will hope for the best and plan for the worst.