Review of our Spring Break cruise on Carnival Dream

[PaulMedik]

Britt relaxing in the late afternoon sun on the water mattress;

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Britt practicing his balance while Bryson rides the twister;

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Yeah I know this bird is ugly, but he landed near me a few hundred times during the day so I had to get a pic of him;

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Karen floating away the afternoon while Britt hangs on;

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Bryson spent so much time in the water that he was able to walk on it by late afternoon;

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Karen posing for Facebook picture;

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[PaulMedik]

We enjoyed a great day at Paradise Beach. We arrived early and stayed late. Yes there was a loud mouthed intrusion on our otherwise peaceful, fun, and relaxing day, but she didn't taint the experience too bad. She did provide an educational opportunity and a demonstration of tolerance on our part along with her demonstration of how not to act in public. All things considered, if I had it to do over I would locate her cab driver before she left the pier that morning and pay him handsomely to drop her off on the far side of the island in the most deserted area he could find. We would then swing by there on our way back to the ship that evening and offer her a ride.....then leave her. I wonder what words we'd hear in the distance?

Our total bill for the day at PB was $150 plus five wrist bands at $12 each for a grand total of $210. Taxi there and back was $15 each way and I tipped the drivers $5 each....even the nascar driver since we did arrive alive.

The shower area of PB;

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Birtt discovered a banana tree beside the showers. He asked if this was where we met Charlie? I reminded him that Charlie Soto was in Costa Rico in 2006. Pretty good memory considering he was just five back then.

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Our taxi ride back was totally different from the ride there. Watch for this guy and ride with him; he's a very good driver;

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Bryson was so tired he was barely able to get out of the taxi;

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The taxi area was way less crowded when we returned;

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Posing for pic with the ship in the background;

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[PaulMedik]

Our Carnival Dream waiting for us;

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Britt getting a picture;

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Spencer had a list of people he needed to buy gifts for so he and Karen did some shopping;
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Bryson and Spencer gave up early and walked back to the ship while Karen and Britt did some more shopping. Here they are walking the pier discussing the day;

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The way the lifeboats from Dream hang over the pier always made me wonder if they would provide good cover in a rain storm;

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[PaulMedik]

The cove balcony cabins above and to the right of the gangway had a great angle for watching pier runners, but the Lanai blocks the view of the gangway from other balcony cabins;

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Once back on board it wasn't long before we were underway steaming toward Isla Roatan Honduras;

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Window reflecting pictures;

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This reflection looks confusting, but the angle is looking straight down into our balcony glass;

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A self portait;

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The Lanai affords an aft view like ours to those who aren't booked in aft cabins;

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[PaulMedik]

This young photog spent several minutes getting whatever angle she was aiming for just right;

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Once out to sea you could still see our wake all the way to the horizon and then turning back to the pier. When you can see your wake that far, you know it's smooth seas;

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Mother Nature provided an awesome spectacle as the sun dipped low near the horizon;

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Reflections in the glass were also exceptional;

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[PaulMedik]

This pic is a little out of sequence. It was taken about an hour and a half before sunset and really captures just how smooth the seas were;

 

 

This one shows where Karen spent the evening after we were back on board;

 

 

I went down on to Lanai and got a pic of the angle the young photog was after earlier;

 

 

Lanai beneath our cabin;

 

 

The door on the left leads to our private stairs to our aft room;

 

 

Private stairs;

 

[PaulMedik]

The door on the left leads to Lanai and is the inside of doors shown earlier from Lanai. I am guessing the doors on the right lead to the aft comedy lounge?;

 

 

Looking down from our deck (deck 6);

 

 

The 'crew only' door on the left leads to the stairs. The crew only sign there is the only one; there's not a 'crew only' sign down stairs on the Lanai. In the crew only area, I never once saw any crew members unlike on other ships where there's always crew members in the stairwell.

 

 

After our day in Cozumel, Karen and I had dinner at the buffet and then hit the casino and left the BlackJack tables with a few black chips in our pockets. Spencer and Britt went to Circle C and Camp Carnival while Bryson lounged in his room.

 

Early the next morning we were vibrated awake by the ship's thrusters during our approach to Mahogany Bay. Dream rattles like an old lawn mower when the thrusters are being used. Essentially the aft become the fore because the ship backs all the way in to the pier. Here's the forward view looking aft;

 

 

We passed Oasis of The Seas on our way in to the pier;

 

 

Way up ahead or behind as the case was since we were backing in was the other end of Oasis protruding from the water;

 

 

What was really amusing during all of this was listening to a Lanaieer going on and on about how crazy it was for Carnival to plant those sunken ships there just for show. He insisted that Carnival had placed the ships there for shock value and that Carnival should have to pay environmental fines for getting rust in the water. I have pics of those very ships taken from shore on previous trips before Mahogany's pier was even built. Humans say the darndest things.

[gail811]

What was really amusing during all of this was listening to a Lanaieer going on and on about how crazy it was for Carnival to plant those sunken ships there just for show. He insisted that Carnival had placed the ships there for shock value and that Carnival should have to pay environmental fines for getting rust in the water. I have pics of those very ships taken from shore on previous trips before Mahogany's pier was even built. Humans say the darndest things.

 

LMAO....that is funny, and not the first time I heard someone make that statement! Do you think people really believe that? :confused:

[Time2CruiseAgain]

I am so excited to see how often the Dream "backs in" to port! YAY!! We are on an Aft Balcony - right near where you were - 6496 - so we should be able to see runners - what ports was the Dream actually backed in?

 

I can't wait to see what you all did in Roatan!!!

 

Thanks, Paul!

[Time2CruiseAgain]

Paul - regarding noise from the Lanai - we like to keep our balcony door open - were you able to do that on the upper deck aft balcony?

[PaulMedik]

What was really amusing during all of this was listening to a Lanaieer going on and on about how crazy it was for Carnival to plant those sunken ships there just for show. He insisted that Carnival had placed the ships there for shock value and that Carnival should have to pay environmental fines for getting rust in the water. I have pics of those very ships taken from shore on previous trips before Mahogany's pier was even built. Humans say the darndest things.

 

LMAO....that is funny, and not the first time I heard someone make that statement! Do you think people really believe that? :confused:

 

 

Gail,

 

Yes, I think people believe that. It took me a little while to get used to the fact that he believed that, but I'm afraid he does. :p

 

I am so excited to see how often the Dream "backs in" to port! YAY!! We are on an Aft Balcony - right near where you were - 6496 - so we should be able to see runners - what ports was the Dream actually backed in?

 

I can't wait to see what you all did in Roatan!!!

 

Thanks, Paul!

 

Time2CruiseAgain,

 

We backed in to Roatan and in to Costa Maya.

 

Paul - regarding noise from the Lanai - we like to keep our balcony door open - were you able to do that on the upper deck aft balcony?

 

Time2CruiseAgain,

 

The noise was never bad on our balcony and never audible from inside the room. Leaving the door open would be no problem in terms of noise, but it might vibrate off the hinges if you left it open while using thrusters; they vibrate a lot!

[TakeMeAway1001]

I actually passed up a burger on the grill and just had DH bring me another beer since I had to catch up on all of your updates since this morning. Great job Paul!

[AndrewD65]

omg your review is like a great book, I just can't put it down..

[JAXCRUISER]

Your reviews are always so enjoyable. Thanks for taking the time!

[Catrin]

Paul,

It is 6am on a Saturday morning and browsing through CC, I see your review..

 

YEAH!! Another Paul Medick Review!

 

I have been reading your reviews for years, and I think I know your family!

I remember the pics of going through the fence at one of the beaches... was it Costa Rica? How long ago was that???

 

Thanks for sharing .... you have a way,not only to share.. but to help us in our future planning!

 

Thanks!

Catrin

[PaulMedik]

Thank you all for your kind comments. They're much appreciated.

 

 

Paul,

It is 6am on a Saturday morning and browsing through CC, I see your review..

 

YEAH!! Another Paul Medick Review!

 

I have been reading your reviews for years, and I think I know your family!

I remember the pics of going through the fence at one of the beaches... was it Costa Rica? How long ago was that???

 

Thanks for sharing .... you have a way,not only to share.. but to help us in our future planning!

 

Thanks!

Catrin

 

 

Catrin,

 

Thank you.

 

I think the last time we went through the hole in the fence was in 2007 on Glory. Before that was in 2006 on Liberty. The hole in the fence is to get to the ChacChi rustic resort at Costa Maya Mexico; later on in this review I'll have pics of what ChacChi looks like now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*******************************************************

[the herd]

I haven't read the message boards for a few days, but have now caught back up with your review. The time and detail you put into this is amazing! As the comments show everyone seems most appreciatve of your efforts! Thank you!

 

The deals you get from Cunard. Is something that anyone can get emailed to them or is it from doing business with them previously?

 

Did you try to bring beer onboard at embarkation?

 

Did you know Tom Sutherland (Men's BB coach WV Tech) when he lived in Montgomery? How about Rusty who was a deputy sheriff in Smithers?

[w8ing2cruz]

Hey Paul - love reading of your adventures!! We were on the April 17th Western Dream sailing and had a BLAST!!!

 

I think I've seen that you have sailed on Liberty. I can't seem to find that review. Is there a link or something?

[Naomi John]

I spent the weekend camping. I love Paul's reviews!! marking a spot.

[w8ing2cruz]

I think I've seen that you have sailed on Liberty. I can't seem to find that review. Is there a link or something?

 

 

I found it!! Great read - looking to book that one next. Thanks again Paul for sharing your voyages with us!

 

PS - so sorry about the obnoxious one in Coz - great that you turned it into a learning experience for your boys though. Simply amazing how inconsiderate people can be!

[mirglip69]

Love the review. Sailing the Dream 5/29. Thanks for all the great pics and info.

[Shelbyjane56]

poptart.

 

I believe you will find Spa Deck 11 to be one of the easiest to navigate on the entire ship. Location, location, location is the mantra of real estate agents everywhere and Spa deck cabins are in the ideal location. You have easy access to outside decks via doors on either side of the glass roof of the Dream Atrium. There are also private exits / entrances for Spa cabins at the end of the aft hallways that are marked for spa cabins only.

 

From Spa deck 11 you have flat walking access all the way back to the aft elevators which leads to the aft dining room and comedy clubs and of course access to the mid ship elevators as well. In addition to easy access to the open decks, you also have a private spa cabin only elevator to access the serenity adults only areas at the front of the ship. I also noticed that Spa Cabin passengers have unique Spa labeled robes as well as matching slippers for when they venture into the spa thermal suites.

 

We love aft wraps, but if we opted for a balcony other than an aft wrap we would DEFINATELY choose a Spa balcony if not for the amenities, then for the location, location, location. I also like the open top of the spa balconies which affords maximum sunshine.

 

Thank you so much for your wonderful review!! Im a happy wife and mom now...son getting married on st thomas, and now to read what you said about the spa cabins!!! We have 11210, we decided we would like not having to deal with smoke..though we have had a balcony on all our cruises with the exception of our first cruise in 77 when we were on our honeymoon..I dont even recall any balcony back in the dark dark ages! We are getting excited now, I love cruises and hubby who travels all over the world lets those who work for him know its our vacation and unless the earth is going to tumble they better not be calling him :) July 17 is right around the corner!! Thanks for all the info you have shared, by far yours has been the best for the Dream!:)

[PaulMedik]

I haven't read the message boards for a few days, but have now caught back up with your review. The time and detail you put into this is amazing! As the comments show everyone seems most appreciatve of your efforts! Thank you!

 

The deals you get from Cunard. Is something that anyone can get emailed to them or is it from doing business with them previously?

 

Did you try to bring beer onboard at embarkation?

 

Did you know Tom Sutherland (Men's BB coach WV Tech) when he lived in Montgomery? How about Rusty who was a deputy sheriff in Smithers?

 

the herd,

 

Thank you.

 

Tom was the BB coach when I went to Tech in the 80s. Great coach. I knew Rusty too; I think he was working at Dunbar after Smithers?

 

Didn't bring any beer on board; just Diet Coke and Sprite.

 

I'm not sure if the Cunard deals come from being a shareholder or from Past Guest through Carnival.

 

 

 

****************************************************

 

 

 

 

We passed by the first sunken ship pretty close;

 

 

 

Closing in on the second sunken ship;

 

 

 

Dock workers were waiting to tie us off;

 

 

As we approached the dock, the thrusters began kicking up silt from the shallow bottom;

 

 

 

The silt spread like a wild being through the clear blue waters;

 

 

 

In no time the clear water was tinted a murky light brown;

 

[falkcor]

As we approached the dock, the thrusters began kicking up silt from the shallow bottom;

 

 

 

The silt spread like a wild being through the clear blue waters;

 

[/url]

In no time the clear water was tinted a murky light brown;

 

 

wow, that looks like it must be very shallow... any idea about the depth? i believe i read that they're still dredging?

 

and, keep going :D

[PaulMedik]

Britt came out to check out the view and was convinced we'd hit bottom;

 

 

Lanaieers checking out the spreading silt plume;

 

 

 

While they were finishing maneurvers into the pier, we ventured up to the buffet and filled our trays and headed up to the Pasta Bar area to eat breakfast;

 

 

As is our custom, we tried a little bit of everything;

 

 

I read countless reviews about Dream before we sailed and a frequent rant was that you couldn't fnd anywhere to sit. We found that we rarely had anyone seated near us;

 

 

 

We enjoyed a nice view of the Mahogany Bay pier area during breakfast;