Just Back From the Dream (April 10, 2010)

[LindaJSteele]

I agree mostly with the previous posters. We felt the motion more than on any other ship and couldn't really figure out why. We thought it was because the ship was so big, but the crew members said it was because of the high winds we had. I agree that the winds were unusually high, but since the motion has been mentioned before, I doubt that the winds were that high every week. I keep a supply of ginger pills and took one on the sea days, so the motion didn't really bother me. We stayed on deck 7 (aft) and didn't notice the smell at all. My DH didn't like this ship as much as some others; we really prefer the Spirit class and the Conquest class ships. We never found the lines to be too long, and we were so busy doing everything that we didn't look for chairs in the middle of the day; we didn't have a problem finding one when we wanted one. Dancin' in the Street was the best show; the other ones were okay, but we've seen better. One of our group was in the Legends show, so needless to say we enjoyed that one. Would we cruise her again? Probably not; we're booked on the Freedom in July.

 

Overall we had a great time; here are some kudos and some considerations (just our opinion):

Kudos:

*Casino dealers were the friendliest we've had in a LONG time - since before they started using the shuffle machines. They made playing blackjack fun!

*Overall a very friendly crew - always smiled and spoke.

*All food we had was good - all dinners and almost all breakfasts in the dining room.

*Lots to do - impossible to do everything.

*Wedding photographer was wonderful!!!!!! He took great shots, and the pics are fabulous!

Considerations:

*Our cabin was NOT a good choice - we were in 7461. I would avoid it if possible. When we booked last year we had that one and 7467 (DD's) - both for the same price. There is a huge difference in these 2 cabins. Ours was considerably smaller than 7467 - it's next to the wrap-around, and we had one funny closet, no couch, and less room overall. Imagine what it was like with 6 women in there getting ready for the wedding - WOW! It wasn't a deal-breaker, but we feel like we didn't get what we paid for. To top it off, somehow our cabin didn't get the OBC we were supposed to get for our group amenity; our TA was furious and has fired off a letter to Carnival. (BTW, Scott and Marion - we DID get the one you provided. It was greatly appreciated since with the cost for the pictures from the wedding and no group OBC, we really needed it!)

*Our assistant waiter was by far the worst one we've ever had. Our waiter was great, but our poor assistant just couldn't get anything right. Someone in our group even spoke to the maitre 'd, but nothing changed. He was a really nice guy and he tried, so it didn't ruin our cruise by any means, but we're just used to so much better service. Our waiter had to constantly come behind him to fix the mistakes; we all felt sorry for him.

*Fitness center was small, as was the casino - both smaller than we expected for a ship of this size. I went to the fitness center twice and was able to work out with few problems, but a couple of other times when I went, there was not one machine or piece of cardio equipment that wasn't being used. It just depended on the time you went, I guess. Casino had only 2 $5 regular blackjack tables - one smoking and one non-smoking. Many times it was difficult to get a seat.

*It was difficult to get good seats for the late seating show. I'm guessing that's because people on anytime dining probably went to that show, and so did some people that had early dining. Twice I got there 45-50 minutes before showtime, and I was in a row under the balcony. I like to sit in the middle; if I had wanted to be on the side, I probably could have been about halfway back.

 

Overall, we had a wonderful time!!!!! I could probably answer some questions as well. We had no children with us, so we know nothing about Camp Carnival.

[rstout]

Can you tell me any more about Cabin #7242? We will be in that cabin the week of May 15 with our 5 and 6 year old boys. We are used to balcony rooms, but wanted the extra room of a suite this time around...Thanks!

[jaixrx]

Can you tell me any more about Cabin #7242? We will be in that cabin the week of May 15 with our 5 and 6 year old boys. We are used to balcony rooms, but wanted the extra room of a suite this time around...Thanks!

 

There was plenty of room for all 4 of us. The couch opened up to a double bed which fit the boys just fine. Our room steward Marius and his assistant Didi did a good job but we really didn't see them much. They always transitioned the bed back to a couch in the mornings. We didn't request this but liked it as it allowed room to move around.

 

The infamous shudder that everyone mentions was noted in that room. Did not bother me but DH didnt' like it...felt he didn't get sound sleep as in previous cruises. The boys slept through it (and I did too) just fine.

 

I'm at work right now but I'll see if I can download some pictures when I get home tonight. Overall we were pleased with the room. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[rstout]

Thanks! Is the balcony small? Are there any issues with the lower/upper decks and the balcony? I had our room moved from a mid-ship suite because of the location over the hot tubs.

[jaixrx]

Thanks! Is the balcony small? Are there any issues with the lower/upper decks and the balcony? I had our room moved from a mid-ship suite because of the location over the hot tubs.

 

Nice size balcony...can sit without knees hitting railing. No issue whatsoever with noise above, below or next to us....I didn't see or hear our neighbors all week!

 

The hot tubs were well away from the room. That is the reason we chose this location too! I was happy with the location overall. I really didn't feel like I ever had to walk very far even though we were in the front of the ship.

[Suntanz]

I will be bringing my 8 & 9 year olds on the ship as well. I plan on bringing them to Camp Carnival though. Can you tell me if they enjoyed the cruise?

[jaixrx]

I will be bringing my 8 & 9 year olds on the ship as well. I plan on bringing them to Camp Carnival though. Can you tell me if they enjoyed the cruise?

 

 

They had a blast....can't tell you about camp but the pools, slides, golf and basketball kept them occupied (as well as us!) all day. They also enjoyed the shows especially Dancing in the Streets.

[jaixrx]

Can you tell me any more about Cabin #7242? We will be in that cabin the week of May 15 with our 5 and 6 year old boys. We are used to balcony rooms, but wanted the extra room of a suite this time around...Thanks!

 

 

Here are some pics of 7242...not computer savvy...can't make them bigger:o

[rstout]

Thanks so much for the information and pictures!

[robvan]

We were in 9235 (balcony) and our boys in 9245 (inside). We felt the shudder quite frequently and honestly it woke me up at times. The boys felt nothing. I noticed the smell frequently but then I do have a keen sense of smell but it wasn't a lingering odour.

 

Our YTD wait staff were excellent, remembering our preferences every night.

 

It was difficult to get seats for the early seating as well, 30 minutes before the show was too late!

 

We didn't worry about the chair hogs around the pool. The chairs were packed like sardines and you could barely get between them. We chose the less windy area near the lanai hot tubs.

 

We had dinner and breakfast in the dining room every day, after all, no lines, and heck, I was on vacation. I can line up for food any other day of the week. It is much more pleasurable to have some one serve me for a change.

 

There were a lot of kids and at times the hot tubs were packed with kids.

 

The serenity deck had more chair hogs. I never saw empty or un-saved chairs so I just avoided it. If it got too crowded or noisy I just camped out on my balcony.

 

It was great meeting everyone from roll call. And again I want to thank Tanya and Cathy from room 7448 & 7444 for saving my video camera!

 

The Dream was an experience for sure, however I do prefer the Legend or the Liberty.

 

To the rest of you going on the Dream soon, you will have the time of your lives. Enjoy!

 

Our view from the Lanai hot tub

 

[jaixrx]

Robvan made me remember a big complaint we had...the lounge chairs are literally right next to one another. She is not exaggerating about being packed in like sardines. There was really no room to get between them to get on/off the chair...we usually had to crawl onto them which was at times difficult for my parents. A little too close for comfort IMO.

[DanBoy]

Noticed in one of the pics that the bathroom had double sinks!??....Going on the dream may 1, Spa cabin 11222...Does the double sink apply to all balcony cabins??

[LindaJSteele]

No, all balcony cabins don't have double sinks, but...our friends had an oceanview cabin with 2 bathrooms! I didn't believe it until I saw it; they had booked very late and got a decent rate at that.

[robvan]

Robvan made me remember a big complaint we had...the lounge chairs are literally right next to one another. She is not exaggerating about being packed in like sardines. There was really no room to get between them to get on/off the chair...we usually had to crawl onto them which was at times difficult for my parents. A little too close for comfort IMO.

 

Much better along the Lanai deck but anywhere else, actually almost a safety hazard, don't you think

[robvan]

Noticed in one of the pics that the bathroom had double sinks!??....Going on the dream may 1, Spa cabin 11222...Does the double sink apply to all balcony cabins??

 

Not in the regular balcony cabins, the suites did tho.

[kermit 38]

We will do this same cruise on May 8 and was wanting to know what time the stores and the straw market opens on Sunday. We are only there for a few hours, so I wasn't sure if they open before lunch. Thanks!

[jaixrx]

We will do this same cruise on May 8 and was wanting to know what time the stores and the straw market opens on Sunday. We are only there for a few hours, so I wasn't sure if they open before lunch. Thanks!

 

 

Sorry I can't help on what time they open...but they were open on our way back to the ship which was around 11:00. Not all the vendors were open since it was a Sunday, but to me each stand seemed to have the same stuff. Someone on the Bahamas board might have the actual opening time.