Review of our Spring Break cruise on Carnival Dream

[fern1226]

I LOVE the pictures you've posted. It's making me wish I didn't have to wait so long.

The boys sure are growing up.

Would love to be on a cruise and watch a sporting event on the big screen.

Thanks for taking the time to post your review

[tiggerman101]

I have always enjoyed your reviews Paul. Thanks for taking the time to do them.

[JohnsPrincess]

I'm loving your review!

 

I have one question...what was "wrong" with the art on the Legend that made you not be able to post it?? We're cruising with Carnival for the first time on the Legend this summer...wondering what I have to look forward to!

[PaulMedik]

...........

 

HAHA I so hope that was sarcasm because the other team was "DUKE". Im mad they didnt show any basketball games for us on the lido, they just kept it on that weird background with the mountains, etc. EVERY year I try to get them to put sports on and they wont! How do you guys think I should go about getting them to agree before we even board, bc they are always like you can ask on board and then NOTHING.

 

 

sag1804,

 

Yeah the other team was the current NCAA National Champions. AKA Duke. :D

 

Which ship were you on that didn't show the NCAA Final Four? It has always been playing on the big screen on ships we've been on.

 

In our case, it was listed in the capers as scheduled for the Lido big screen. If it hadn't been, I would have located our Cruise Director soon after boarding and explained the popularity of the game and requested it. If that failed, remember that shot of the back of the big screen? Wires can be tampered with from there....:p

 

I'm loving your review!

 

I have one question...what was "wrong" with the art on the Legend that made you not be able to post it?? We're cruising with Carnival for the first time on the Legend this summer...wondering what I have to look forward to!

 

JohnsPrincess,

 

You have a great cruise on a beautiful ship to look forward to!

 

IMO there is nothing even slightly wrong with the art on Legend, but some here are offended by nudity even if it is artistic, so I opted to not share any. Reading that you may expect Legend is rampant with porn, but the fact is that some of the hallway art has depictions of bare breasts and humans in various stages of undress. The majority of the hallway art on Legend does not contain any hint of nudity though.

 

Once you are on Legend this summer you will likely notice the hallway art and wonder yourself how it could offend anyone, but trust me on this; you never know what will offend someone. I have read threads here on Cruise Critic about Legend's art and mainly about Carnival Prides' (I think it was Pride) art and I was surprised at the number of people who had negative feelings about the displays. Perhaps it's the fact that the humans depicted are all for the most part proportionate and not shapely like some of us?

 

What I recall prior to sailing Legend was that I hoped I wouldn't have to explain why the pictures were there to my sons. As it turned out, they had no issues at all even though they did notice them. Many people claim they don't like them because children are exposed to them, but the fact is that children accept it as artistic without even realizing that art is involved.

[poptart]

Paul,

I am so enjoying your review! Since I have 6 months until my cruise. It is great for cruise Dreaming.

 

Due to your review of the spa amenites package for $249 per couple. I upgraded to a spa cabin last week :D We booked earlier saver and had a price drop so instead of taking that I paid for an upgrade...only $50 TOTAL for both us. What a deal! :D

 

Anyhow a quick question...we are on deck 11 can we walk straight outside from the cabin area there to the outside deck or do we have to go down to lido to get outside? I can't tell from the deck plans.

 

now on with the review!!!

 

Thanks!

[TheTravelista]

This review is helping me get excited for our Dream cruise in July. I can just picture myself in one of those clamshells in Serenity with a DOD in my hand!!

[JohnsPrincess]

sag1804,

 

Yeah the other team was the current NCAA National Champions. AKA Duke. :D

 

Which ship were you on that didn't show the NCAA Final Four? It has always been playing on the big screen on ships we've been on.

 

In our case, it was listed in the capers as scheduled for the Lido big screen. If it hadn't been, I would have located our Cruise Director soon after boarding and explained the popularity of the game and requested it. If that failed, remember that shot of the back of the big screen? Wires can be tampered with from there....:p

 

 

 

JohnsPrincess,

 

You have a great cruise on a beautiful ship to look forward to!

 

IMO there is nothing even slightly wrong with the art on Legend, but some here are offended by nudity even if it is artistic, so I opted to not share any. Reading that you may expect Legend is rampant with porn, but the fact is that some of the hallway art has depictions of bare breasts and humans in various stages of undress. The majority of the hallway art on Legend does not contain any hint of nudity though.

 

Once you are on Legend this summer you will likely notice the hallway art and wonder yourself how it could offend anyone, but trust me on this; you never know what will offend someone. I have read threads here on Cruise Critic about Legend's art and mainly about Carnival Prides' (I think it was Pride) art and I was surprised at the number of people who had negative feelings about the displays. Perhaps it's the fact that the humans depicted are all for the most part proportionate and not shapely like some of us?

 

What I recall prior to sailing Legend was that I hoped I wouldn't have to explain why the pictures were there to my sons. As it turned out, they had no issues at all even though they did notice them. Many people claim they don't like them because children are exposed to them, but the fact is that children accept it as artistic without even realizing that art is involved.

 

Thank you for your quick reply! I don't think any of us will have a problem with that at all...especially since probably half my family is in the medical field some way or another. Lol. I feel much better!! And I'm soooooo excited!

[PaulMedik]

.................we are on deck 11 can we walk straight outside from the cabin area there to the outside deck or do we have to go down to lido to get outside? I can't tell from the deck plans.

....................

 

 

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.

[PaulMedik]

..................especially since probably half my family is in the medical field some way or another..........!

 

 

JohnsPrincess,

 

Speaking from experience, I promise that those of your family that are in the medical field will enjoy the hallway art especially since they are much better presented than the ones we have to look at while working. :D They will actually feel like saying Oh thats pretty, instead of oh my Lord how will my eyes ever recover? Why did you feel I needed to see that?

[Lady_Jag]

Thank you very much for posting this review. I set sail on the Dream next month and can't wait! We have an OV spa cabin and plan to make full use of the thelosso pool! :D

[snookymom]

Paul I'm enjoying your pictures. I was so excited to be on the beautiful ship I didn't take too many. :eek: We would definitely love to sail on this ship again, maybe Eastern Caribbean, but not quite ready to plan yet.:D

[PaulMedik]

Thank you very much for posting this review. I set sail on the Dream next month and can't wait! We have an OV spa cabin and plan to make full use of the thelosso pool! :D

 

Lady_Jag,

 

I must warn you that the pool is addicting. :)

 

Paul I'm enjoying your pictures. I was so excited to be on the beautiful ship I didn't take too many. :eek: We would definitely love to sail on this ship again, maybe Eastern Caribbean, but not quite ready to plan yet.:D

 

Snookymom,

 

I think Eastern suits Dream better; more ports = less sea day chair hogs. :cool:

We were looking at cruises for next Spring Break last night and we're leaning toward Fascination out of Jacksonville with Half Moon Cay being the main draw. We'd love to try Magic out, but she won't be finished by then. :( Dream is doing Western and we've done the same Western itinerary several times in a row now.

[poptart]

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.

 

.

 

Thanks! You just made my day! We are going to love it. The Carnival agent who handled my upgrade told me about the robes and slippers.

 

I'm more excited than ever!

 

Keep the pictures and review coming!

[jdawsonrn]

Loving your review :) The pics are great. Even watching WVU on your TV in your room is MUCH better than watching it on ESPN 360 at the Nurses desk :rolleyes: while checking the webcam on the dream LOL :o

[sag1804]

Hey Paul, our cruise next year is during the conference tournaments. Normally they won't even have these on in the sports bars....what can we do to get them on? This year we were there for the beg of the ncaa tourney, years before the conference tourneys... just let me know.

[bubbles1209]

Hey stranger! Great to see ya, I haven't been on in a while :) Thanks for the review and the pics, the kids have grown so much, but you guys haven't changed a bit.........ya'll look great! We're heading to Alaska next month, can't wait to go! :D Just wanted to say hello, I know you guys had a great time!

[beach410]

 

For those of you who might be curious, no Bryson did not bring the guitar. It belongs to a friend of his.

 

 

Hi Paul, enjoying your review, you actually make we want to sail the Dream when after hearing so many negative reviews I didnt have any interest. I love your pix and always enjoy your review, thanks for taking the time to share it with us.

 

Quick question for you, how did your sons friend get the guitar on board? My son plays and normally takes it on vacations, but when I researched if he could bring it on our last cruise, it was not allowed?

[momof3wildboys]

Hi, enjoying your review and all the pictures. I have a question about just cruises in general--how did your oldest enjoy himself? I have 3 boys also, (not really wild) 9,12, and 15. The oldest does not make friends easily and I'm concerned that he would just sit in the arcade spending all of his, and then our money. He likes to swim, but not by himself, and he rolls his eyes at spending time with his brothers. Any thoughts? Did the oldest do any of the organized activities or just hang out? Thanks!

[Lady_Jag]

Hi, enjoying your review and all the pictures. I have a question about just cruises in general--how did your oldest enjoy himself? I have 3 boys also, (not really wild) 9,12, and 15. The oldest does not make friends easily and I'm concerned that he would just sit in the arcade spending all of his, and then our money. He likes to swim, but not by himself, and he rolls his eyes at spending time with his brothers. Any thoughts? Did the oldest do any of the organized activities or just hang out? Thanks!

 

Hi!

Hope you don't mind me butting in, but the Camp Carnival, Circle C, and Club O2 programs on Carnival are fantastic! I just returned from cruising on the Carnival Inspiration, and our group had kids in each of the programs.

 

The Club O2 program and their organized activities will give your oldest an opportunity to make friends without going outside his own comfort levels to put himself "out there." Just talk him into attending the party the first night, and he'll find plenty of kids his age to hang out with and swim with the rest of the cruise.

[tampabrat22]

Loving the review & pics so far...cant wait to read more!

[crewsweeper]

Thanks! You just made my day! We are going to love it. The Carnival agent who handled my upgrade told me about the robes and slippers.

DW loves those...spent 80% of her ship time wearing the robe and slippers:D:D. Mention "spa" when speaking of our upcoming cruise and she swoons over "robes and slippers" :eek:

[gail811]

My sons were asking if Camp Carnival is open the first night. They both have children they want to sign up, as do friends traveling with us. Any info you can provide would be appreciated!

[gail811]

Hi, enjoying your review and all the pictures. I have a question about just cruises in general--how did your oldest enjoy himself? I have 3 boys also, (not really wild) 9,12, and 15. The oldest does not make friends easily and I'm concerned that he would just sit in the arcade spending all of his, and then our money. He likes to swim, but not by himself, and he rolls his eyes at spending time with his brothers. Any thoughts? Did the oldest do any of the organized activities or just hang out? Thanks!

 

As a mom of 5 boys (last one in college now!) I can tell you that when they were younger they had no problem meeting kids their age to hang out with. They tend to gravitate towards each other rather quickly on a ship and find places to "hang out". My sons were too old for Camp Carnival when we started cruising.

[ydra]

Paul, did you get a chance to use the laundry rooms? How are they?

Thanks!

[travelbug15]

Silly question ... how did you laminate the tags?

 

Hi--i always print my tags on heavy duty photo paper! They won't tear!