So, you've just boarded the Dream...

[CLQ]

...what would you do first? In fact, what might be the first couple of things you would do? If you've already been on the Dream, what did you do when you boarded?

 

(:cool:Now, now...we all know it's "our" vacation. So, please-- no posts suggesting that some are too organized, too planned, thought out, busy etc. Just enjoy the thread.:D)

[dbrucern]

...what would you do first? In fact, what might be the first couple of things you would do?

 

(:cool:Now, now...we all know it's "our" vacation. So, please-- no posts suggesting that some are too organized, too planned, thought out, busy etc. Just enjoy the thread.:D)

 

As we were one of the first on board we went directly to the Lido deck, my husband grabbed a table and drinks while I went to the deli for sandwiches. Missed all the lines before the lunch crowd and just enjoyed watching everyone else board.

[medianeh]

Board EARLY and grab a table on the Lido deck QUICKLY. When we went, we got on the ship about 12:30ish, and could not find one table available to sit and eat. There were people sitting around playing cards at their table waiting to get into their rooms, all the while we walked around with our trays TRYING to find a seat. Very aggrevating to say the least.

 

That said, you will love the dream. It's been my favorite so far!!!

[kicia]

If you like the Mongolian Grill, go there first. The lines will be long all week and the first day not many people know about it so the lines are the shortest. Grab a table and have lunch. If you don't have many bags then you can just walk around the ship and find out where everything is before all the rest of the people get there.

 

Say Hi to Butch Begovich, the cruise director. He is one of the best CDs Carnival has.

 

The most important thing - HAVE FUN!

[WIFamily]

We boarded about noon or so, and figured the Lido deck was full, so we hung a right in the atrium and ate lunch in the Crimson restaurant. We actually sat two tables away from our assigned table, so we got a good feel for where we were going to be each night.

 

After eating, we wandered the Lido and upper decks. Our room was on deck 12, so we started mapping out the quickest routes to the Buffet, Camp Carnival, Elevators, Serenity Deck, Pools, all the common areas. Then we toured the Kids areas. Our room was ready after that, so we checked out our rooms, met our room steward, and had our balcony divider opened.

 

Tips for our next cruise include...

Bringing some insulated water bottles or cups to fill up with coffee or juice.

Planning more Spa time... we got in there only three times even though we had a spa cabin.

Get out of the port areas if you want to experience the culture of the countries you'll visit.

Check the customer service desk on Deck 10 to get an idea of how many mini-golfers there are, rather than walking up to Deck 12 to see. You can easily see how full or empty the rack of balls is.

Do use one of the buffet bowls for Soft Serve ice cream.

[itsalljimmysfault]

Head to the Lido deck for a bucket of beer, something to eat and some people watching!!:p

[serene56]

There isnt much to do when you first board.

Cabins are not ready until 1:30 and you will be carrying your carry ons.

 

Head directly to the lido buffet and get your first cruise food.

People watch- after the cabins open--unpack and get your cabin organized.

Then head out and check around the ship. We head to the dining room and check out our dining table to see if it acceptable. If it is not we go and wait online to see the Marte de. (only once in 15 cruises was it not acceptable- that table was located by the kitchen where the waiters come and go- figure it would be tooo busy there.)

 

We go to the spa and take the tour- enter the contests. (last cruise I won a sea weed wrap and a 70 minute head to toe well being massage-it was fabulous)

then we go to the muster drill , then go get ready for dinner.

Nothing else is planned for after except to go see the welcome onboard show at 10:30- Only one show so we gotta go early to get seats. The rocking motion of the ship will tell you its almost time for bed.

[deborahjo]

We went to the Lido and got a table. found something to eat while taking it all in.

[navybaby1113]

We went straight to the pasta bar so we could try it out before anyone else got there. Then we wandered around, took pictures, and people watched for a little while until our rooms opened up. That is usually the most boring part for me. Love to get on early to eat, but hate waiting around so we can put up our luggage.

[Rena921]

Go meet and talk to the casino host and then go check out our table in the MDR. Head up top after that for a DOD and watching all of the newbies walk around with a dazed, yet excited look on their faces. By then it is usually time to head to our cabin and and meet our steward. Just a little tip...always go out of you way to meet and introduce yourself to your room steward. They will be taking very good care of you over the next week.:)

[klc1923]

1. one person in line at the excursion desk to book the behind sceene tour (or cabana rental) or anything else that may be "time sensitive"

2. head to pasta restaurant to order. Loved the ceasar salad and variety of pasta combinations

3. tour spa facilities (but wait for the daily specials to be announced before booking to get better value)

4. If you want a drink of the day card or soda card, you are usually better NOT getting it up on Lido deck since that is where most of the lines are

 

Start enjoying your wonderful vacation!

[N2DFIRE]

Order a round of virgin Kiss on the Lips drinks for the whole family. Then head to the pasta bar. It always takes people a couple of days to find it, so its not crowded at all. That's what we do, when first boarding.:D

[BigNLiddle]

The first thing my little brother and I did was wander the ship. Had to find out where all the "fun places" were before the week started! Theeeeeeeeeen we went to get a late lunch. The later the afternoon, the better. No lines OR wait for tables.

[flatpik6]

Well we THOUGHT we had a plan but based on this thread it may have changed. One poster said they went to the Crimson Dining Room for lunch rather than the Lido deck. I olove this idea but didn't realize the MDR would be open for lunch on day 1. Can anyone else verify this?

 

After eating we go on an exploratory adventure and scope out all areas of interest: spa, Club O2 for the kids, fun areas like the water slide and mini golf, shops ect...

 

69 days and we can't stinkin' wait!

[h0mbr3]

We went straight to the pasta bar so we could try it out before anyone else got there. Then we wandered around, took pictures, and people watched for a little while until our rooms opened up. That is usually the most boring part for me. Love to get on early to eat, but hate waiting around so we can put up our luggage.

 

Ditto on the pasta bar. We hit it on the first day.....cause after that, it was hard to get an order in!!!

[iceleven]

definitely find the Pasta bar just upstairs from the Lido buffet. The lasagna is huge (could share it with your mate).

 

Because we had jet-lag we had absolutely no interest in doing anything but resting and we found a great place to nap and watch people on the Serenity deck until the ship set sail.

[Gma&Gpa]

We carry on as little as possible - because we hate having to lug things around for a couple of hours. Head up to the lido deck for a drink and some lunch. Then we wander the ship - it's a great time to take pictures in all the venues - when they aren't crowded with people. We always check out the dining room - just so we don't feel lost when it's time to go eat. This next time, we've signed up for Anytime dining - so that will be a little different.

[bjd2]

We brought our 2 teenagers on our cruise on the Dream and went right up to Lido. It was crazy swarming with people. We all got in a food line and I really thought we were all together but it turned out that the kids were right behind me and when my husband turned around we were gone. He tried for a few minutes to find us but gave up and sat and ate his first meal on our Dream vacation alone. I felt terrible. I also looked for him but it wasn't until we were all done eating that we got back together.

 

The rest of the cruise was wonderful and we never "lost" each other again.

[CLQ]

So, can anyone who has cruised the Dream look at your schedule and tell us what dining venues are open right as we board on embarkation day? We are normally lunch-first on that day.

 

I have heard Lido, Crimson Dining Room, Mongolian Grill and Pasta bar so far. Are these last 2 simply specialty stations within the Lido buffet area, or are they seperate restaurants altogether?

[tinaky1114]

Lunch at the Tandoor - Aft Sunset Lido

Had most of my lunches there or the burrito bar because it was so good. No lines at Tandoor either.

[5waldos]

Put my hand out for a Fun Ship drink. This is the first thing I do when boarding- a welcome aboard drink whatever time it is that we board. Then, and only then, do we head up to get something to eat. Drink in hand. This sense of being welcomed aboard was what I missed most about our Princess cruise- they shuffle you off immediately to the elevators since the rooms are ready and they assume you want to drop everything. No waiters wandering around with trays of drinks. It did not feel welcoming.

[capndinghy]

We always heard up to deck 9 and get our Foo Foo Drink of the Day with an Umbrella in it!

DSCN2278 by capndinghy, on Flickr

[CLQ]

So, where are you located on the ship at the moment you step on board? (In other words-- where is the entry on Embarkation day?)

[pe4all]

1. Went to Guest Relations to put some cash on sign and sail.

2. Booked "Behind the Scenes" tour at Excursions Desk.

3. Checked out table in dining room

4. Went to pasta bar - was deserted! Plenty of tables up there, also!

5. Sat at aft Lido area enjoying the sun!

[Forchunut1]

So, where are you located on the ship at the moment you step on board? (In other words-- where is the entry on Embarkation day?)

 

You are on Deck 3 in the lobby when you get on the ship. We headed up to the Lido deck for lunch and the first DOD. We were on the ship by 11:15 so there weren't any lines yet. Awesome!!