Review of our Spring Break cruise on Carnival Dream

[PaulMedik]

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

 

 

 

Mark,

 

Dunno how deep it is, but do know they're still dredging because they dredged all day while we were there. They announed our stay was being extended by a few hours that morning before we got off the ship. My guess was it was to allow more time for dredging, but it turned into an overnight visit after the winds kicked up.

 

The dredging was taking place at the far end of the channel into the cove;

 

 

 

 

After breakfast was finished we headed back toward our room, but we were sidetracked by water rescue practice taking place on Lido aft;

 

 

 

Each crew member took a turn flipping the raft back over then they practiced pulling unconscious people from the water into the raft;

 

 

 

 

The ship's officers observed the crew througout the practice;

 

[PaulMedik]

Once we were tied up, we gathered our backpacks and our boys and headed down the hall;

 

 

I expected to run into a few people at the elevators, but none were there;

 

 

When we arrived on deck 0 there was a line, but not crowded yet;

 

 

As we walked down the gangway and met the Carnival photog, we realized that Spencer and Britt had forgotten their sunglasses;

 

 

As it turned out they hadn't forgotten them, but had instead packed them in their backpacks (Check out the crowd of people exiting the ship behind us. Glad we didn't end up behind them);

 

 

As we headed up the hill from the dock area, we noticed that not too many people where ahead of us;

 

 

[PaulMedik]

We had Clip N Zip on our minds and weren't familiar with the new port so we looked around briefly just to make sure we were heading the right direction;

 

 

The new port is beautiful and layed out perfectly.

 

 

As we exited the rear of the port area, we could see the yellow Clip N Zip sign beckoning us to come over;

 

 

 

 

 

As we arrived at Clip N Zip there was several employees directing us where we needed to sign in and instructing us on what we needed to do;

 

 

We were each handed a clipboard with standard forms to read, fill out, and sign;

 

[PaulMedik]

After signing all the forms we also rented a lock for a locker to place items we wished to be more secure. They stored our backpacks inside which was great because not much fits in the locked lockers. The lock are $3.

 

Cost for each of us was $40. After the $$ exchanged hands the staff began outfitting us all with harnesses, gloves, and helmets;

 

 

Zip lining is a sport that is more safe for females than males given the location of key safety equipment;

 

 

 

Bryson didn't care for the way his harness fit him, but I assure him his feeling was normal and just to walk bowlegged and he'd be fine;

 

 

 

After we were all geared up, we were led out back to a Dodge pickup waiting to drive us up the hill;

 

 

 

Bryson complained loudly as he stepped over the tailgate into the back of the truck;

 

 

 

The ride up the hill was just what you'd expect from a Dodge; rough, bumpy, and lots of spinning. Lucky for me the back was full so I rode in the truck cab;

 

[PaulMedik]

If you look outside the truck while going up the hill you can see some huge trees along the way. Here's the trunk of one tree we passed;

 

 

When we arrived near the top we stopped and began the hiking part. There's a huge tree there with a hollowed out area that this picture doesn't do justice;

 

 

 

After the truck ride we assumed we were near the top.....it turned out we had a little way to go;

 

 

The hill was either much bigger than it looked from the ship, or the Dodge didn't get us anywhere near the top;

 

 

More huge trees along the trail;

 

 

When we arrived at the top we were pleased to find a water cache. It wasn't cold or even cool, but it did taste good after the hill we'd climbed;

 

[PaulMedik]

Climbing up to our first zip;

 

 

 

Bryson hooked up and ready to go;

 

 

Clip N Zip has you hold the lower line with your dominant hand to use as a brake;

 

 

 

Britt was so light that he frequently didn't make it all the way in to the landing area;

 

 

Karen zipping in;

 

 

 

Spencer zipping out over the forest;

 

[PaulMedik]

Britt stopped about fifty feet short and the landing guide had to ascend out and help him in;

 

 

 

Just as the guide got Britt onto the platform, Karen came zipping in. We could hear her coming down the line the whole time the guide was out bringing Britt in;

 

 

In case anyone's wondering, yes the cables are tied off very well and yes they use multiple cables;

 

 

Another guide bringing Britt in. He did great considering he didn't have to brake any at all. His weight just wasn't enough to get his speed up fast enough to make it to the landings;

 

 

Spencer begining his zip across the river;

 

 

Karen, Britt, and Spencer waiting for our launch guide on the stairs;

 

[PaulMedik]

They have zip lining in our home county here in WV in the New River Gorge and we have NEVER done it as a family. I did rescue as a Paramedic and rappeled all over the gorge and ziplined off the New River Gorge Bridge several times so that may be why I've never taken the boys zip lining at home. I guess when you've picked up a few hundred parachutists after they jump from the bridge, you kind of block it out of your head that you should bring your family there. Maybe I'll take them this summer, or maybe I'll just keep it a Caribbean activity.

 

Clip N Zip is a very safe, fun, and very affordable excursion. They are very insistant that you keep your hands where they tell you so it's not very picture friendly. I did video a few times, but since I couldn't hold on to the camera it tended to flip around quite a bit. Along the way there are awesome views of the ship as you cross the valley and river below.

 

Near the end you can see the port area more clearly. Bryson ended up with the group ahead of us so we didn't see him until the end;

 

 

Bryson said his harness nearly neutered him and he was very releived to have it off;

 

 

There was a long line checking in for Clip N Zip when we finished. I'd highly recommend anyone who wishes to zip line with Clip N Zip to get there early and avoid the crowds;

 

 

After I retrieved my locked items I passed my lock on to a Princess cruiser and asked that he either pass it on when he was done or turn it back in. Even though it was just $3, it seemed like a lot to pay for something you didn't need to keep.

 

Our total time from start to finish at Clip N Zip was one hour and twenty minutes. They say it takes about two hours normally.

 

After zipping we were hot and very thirsty so we headed for the Magical Chairs;

 

 

As you can see from the line, it was not a good time to head for the Magical chairs. We considered walking and though I knew it wasn't far I wanted to try the chairs out so we waited in line.

 

I rode with Bryson and Spencer while Karen and Britt brought up the rear. Here's Karen and Britt waiting for their chair;

 

 

The Magical Chairs are just like the ski lift chairs that we have here in WV so the boys were used to them, but not used to riding them without skis or in hot Caribbean climates;

 

[falkcor]

Mark,

 

Dunno how deep it is, but do know they're still dredging because they dredged all day while we were there. They announed our stay was being extended by a few hours that morning before we got off the ship. My guess was it was to allow more time for dredging, but it turned into an overnight visit after the winds kicked up.

 

The dredging was taking place at the far end of the channel into the cove;

 

 

that's what i thought - thanks for the confirmation...

 

i think it's hilarious that bryson is now complaining about... what you have in the past, re: the zips.... lol...

 

i suppose it's a 'coming of age', eh? ;)

 

and, i bet britt was like, *****... i hope he makes it all the way next time lol...

 

thanks as always for your great review....

[PaulMedik]

The Magical Chair ride is $8 per person.....I think so don't quote me. The ride is worth eight dollars ONE time, but we'll be walking next time we visit Roatan;

 

 

 

The bridge that we'd later go Kayaking under;

 

 

 

Karen and Britt;

 

 

The chairs do afford a great view of the harbor;

 

 

 

Coming in for a landing;

 

[PaulMedik]

that's what i thought - thanks for the confirmation...

 

i think it's hilarious that bryson is now complaining about... what you have in the past, re: the zips.... lol...

 

i suppose it's a 'coming of age', eh?

 

and, i bet britt was like, *****... i hope he makes it all the way next time lol...

 

thanks as always for your great review....

 

 

Mark,

 

Thank you.

 

I definately had sympathy for Bryson! Been there done that and don't wanna feel it again. My harness was much better than the one I had last year.

 

Britt was hilarious especially considering that he's afraid of heights! Each time the landing guides would yell at him Don't brake, Don't brake! He would shrug his shoulders and hold his hands out showing that he wasn't braking. It was really funny the time he was stoped way out on the line and Karen was coming down the line. We could hear her coming, but couldn't see her until right at the end as the guide brought Britt into the landing. The lines are long.......I wish I could remember the lengths, but suffices to say that the ends are not all in sight of each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen and Britt exited the chair with me yelling Tips up. Tips up!

 

 

 

Mahogany Beach was a sea of people when we arrived;

 

 

We located empty chairs a little over half way down and five rows back;

 

 

The water felt GREAT after the zip line workout. While Karen and the boys played in the water;

 

 

I was content to kick back, relax, and float away at Mahogany Bay;

 

 

Karen won the dunking contest with the boys, so I had to lift her up in celebration as queen dunker;

 

[PaulMedik]

Every queen needs a King, So I dunked her because I can;

 

 

 

Dunking Britt;

 

 

 

Spencer provided more resistance so I gave him a spin dunk

 

 

 

After cooling off, we had some drinks from the bar and relaxed in the sun for a few hours;

 

 

Britt found a bucket and made trips back forth for water to form a sand castle in his clamshell;

 

 

Bryson found a lounger in the shade and was asleep. The lady beside him said he talked for a while then fell asleep;

 

[gail811]

So excited to see you back Paul....after checking for price drops every morning, I check your review!

Quick question about the Clip and Zip. Have you done Victor Bodden's in the past? I have reserved transportation with him for his zipline in June, but now I am wondering how it compares to the one offered at the port.

[paper1122]

Did you have to pay to use the loungers at the beach in MB? Great review BTW!

[MorCruisn]

Yes, the blue stuff was free pouring. They poured a lot of blue and gold down the gullet of the loud mouth in front of us in an apparent effort to shut her up...... The should have just used the cork instead. I am well practiced at CPR, but I don't know that I would have cleared her airway...

 

. . . . . So who is it that voted you in as the "High Almighty" vacation authority? It seems that you have nothing better to do with your vacation than examine the actions of other people for the purpose of criticism. There must be a need to be just like you. However, your vacation looks like nothing more than boring family photos (to the rest of the world) with your head stuck in a computer all week. The ones that go on vacation to enjoy vacation seem to have a much better time without having to photograph a left over banana. I think it is you with a screw loose and in need of help.

[MorCruisn]

I must have missed the election for "High Allmighty" but it seems that you have appointed youself the authority and how people should vacation. It would be a pretty boring vacation if all we had to look forward to was posting boring photos (of everything) to the world and spending all of our time sticking unwanted comments into a computer. Maybe yo should try enjoying a vacation, rather that criticising everyone else. I think you are the one with the screw loose and in need of help.

[tiggerman101]

Looks like the lady in front of you at Paradise Beach found Cruise Critic.....:rolleyes:

[gail811]

Looks like the lady in front of you at Paradise Beach found Cruise Critic.....:rolleyes:

 

LOL...I was thinking the same thing! And obviously a lurker for quite a while too!

[amcjeep4life]

Looks like the lady in front of you at Paradise Beach found Cruise Critic.....:rolleyes:

 

Hey David, great minds think alike! Have fun in Alaska!

[PaulMedik]

So excited to see you back Paul....after checking for price drops every morning, I check your review!

Quick question about the Clip and Zip. Have you done Victor Bodden's in the past? I have reserved transportation with him for his zipline in June, but now I am wondering how it compares to the one offered at the port.

 

Gail,

 

Yes, we did Victor Bodden's tour last year on Legend. Victor's zipline was with one guide zipping with us, whereas Clip & Zip had guides on each platform. Both were equally enjoyable.

 

Did you have to pay to use the loungers at the beach in MB? Great review BTW!

 

paper1122,

 

No. Loungers are free.

 

Looks like the lady in front of you at Paradise Beach found Cruise Critic.....:rolleyes:

 

 

tiggerman101,

 

Sure looks like it. I'm not sure it's her though since she didn't type F___ F___ F___ every other word. :D

 

I uploaded pics from Britt's camera this past weekend and noticed he captured about five minutes of her ranting, cussing, lunatic behavior on HD video.

 

I just stuck my head in my computer recycle bin and recovered the video. Amazing behavior for someone who calls herself a President's assistant!

 

I do not stand in judgement of her actions, but her choice of location for her actions is questionable. I'm sure her Father the Preacher would be proud of his four decade old daughter acting out in public.

 

She is correct though that there's nothing in my pictures except boring family vacation images. I delete the images that depict anything else, but I'm thinking youtube might be the best place for Britt's video. :eek:

[Luanne21]

Maybe she has worn out her F key.:)

[Hogladyrider]

Paul, I for ONE of I am sure MANY truly enjoy your reviews and it isn't often in this crazy world of ours today that I witness a true family spirit, which is the vibe that comes across from your vacations.

 

I know if I had been the one witnessing the behavior you did, I might not have been as polite, but then I realize individuals who have to drink to have a good time, vacation or not, live differenly than I.

 

I will look for the Youtube video, actions speak louder than words.

 

Since I have nothing kind to say about the "attacker" I will just sign off!

Susan

[Blissed Out]

Great review!! I could hardly wait for you to get home and get started on it.

 

Do you know what I love about having older kids? Is when an adult is acting in a way that makes one or all of my boys stop in their tracks, and bug their eyes out at me..and give me the "What the flip?? Look". It makes me think, "oh...maybe I'm doing something right after all if my 3 teenage sons can spot the problem here."

I hang on to that moment, because soon enough they do something that makes me doubt that they aren't being raised properly. Life is kinda funny that way.

 

Keep it comin! We did zip lining on our cruise in February. Had a blast. OH and I see you are hitting our very cruise up next spring break, check out Sonny Liston tours.

[Blissed Out]

And of course I'll be looking for that video on youtube to share with my husband and kids...will you bleep out the bad words? ;)

[snookymom]

I have learned so much from CC & Paul your pictures make me feel like we are there all over again. There were a few comments on here that must have been made by the "green eyed monster".