All things Dream!

[bobsfamily]

Hi Bob - I haven't had a chance to read the hundreds of posting on this thread and not sure if I really want to (LOL)... :p. Could you elaborate on the trouble you had with ATD? I used ATD a few months ago on the Pride and loved it. I was wondering if the ATD is more of an issue on the Dream due to her size?

Thanks in advance....

Well we thought we (wife and I) would give it a try and changed from late seating to ATD. The first night we did the steakhouse so never saw the line. The next night was "elegant" night and we came down about 6ish to have dinner and saw this long line. On the Dream the bottom of one dining room is the only seating for ATD... this dining room opens onto the main floor of the atrium with the bar area. The line winds around the area and past the entrances to 4 glass elevators. We saw the line at 6, figured everyone had gone at once and decided to wander around a bit, let the crowd die down... what a mistake! We went back at around 7ish an it was worse - waited almost 35 minutes to get to the front and be handed a beeper... goodness what a mess. We ended up going back about 15 minutes later (no beeper noise, just ticked). I ended up talking to the head guy, told him we would like to change back to late dining and he escorted us upstairs to a wonderful team of servers. Every night we would see long lines down at the bottom of the atrium and were thankful we had changed, hope this helps. Have a wonderful cruise.

[Athankfulheart]

Thanks for the sum up. Just booked the Dream on Friday for March and can't wait!! Our kids are growing up so this will likely be our last family vacation.

 

Can't wait!

 

 

This is exactly why we are taking our kids Jan 2014. Beyond that, there are no guarantees that everyone's schedule will work out for a family cruise. We loved the Dream this year and can't wait to bring the kids.

[smc1313s]

Just my 2 cents, but we were on the Dream sailing 11/24. We had ATD. Our group ranged from 4-7 people. Most nights 4 people. There was only one night that we had an extended wait, but that was because we requested to be sat with Joseph, who is the most amazing waiter ever!!! The reason for the wait was that all of his tables had just gotten sat. So they gave us the pager and said let us work something out. Within 20 minutes the pager was going off and we were sat at a table near Joseph's section. They set us up at another servers section but made sure Joseph served us. I felt that ATD was very smooth, no matter what size our group was. We always went between 6-730. Our food was always hot, and we always got everything we asked for. That could have been partly because of the amazing waiter though. I am a total fan of ATD. This was our second experience with it, the first was on Conquest. I think some people just aren't fans. I personally don't mind waiting a bit to be seated, I usually have to at home when we go out to dinner. You are on vacation...relax, have a pre-dinner cocktail, and enjoy!:D

[retiring soon]

HI all!

 

a3593 ~ thanks so much for starting this very helpful thread!:D I'm taking my 1st Carnival cruise on the Dream in April so have a lot to learn.

 

Love that the ship leaves from Port Canaveral & goes to the exotic western Caribbean.

 

Thanks to all who've contributed info.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[sweettara]

me and my fiancee and four year old are leaving on the dream dec 29 oh i cant wait lookin forward to it

[rockyman935]

If they have a "Mardi Gras" themed deck party, stay alert! Those beads can be hard to see at night amidst the flashing big screen and fog machines, and they hurt like ____ if they hit you in the face!

 

On my Dream crusie (2/5-2/12/11) the Mardis Gras party was in the atrium immediately following the production show.

 

Keep your eye on the assistant cruise director baby butch/george.

 

Another passenger and I watched him as he threw the beads at people who weren't looking with a nasty smirk on his face.

 

All the other staff were gently tossing them underhand at people who were waving at them.

 

Baby Butch/George would bunch them up in a little ball, look for people looking in a different direction and throw them hard with a quick overhand motion.

 

Another passenger noticed this along with me and we were a little shocked at him as he sneered while looking like Malfoy from the Harry Potter films.

 

I mentioned this in my online survey I took a few days after the cruise and have not heard back, this was over 3 weeks ago.

I hate to inform you of this they wont if you give a bad review they just quit calling you to book a cruise !! I had something like what you did with no responce I finally called nothing done !!!! But Im back for another cruise with them 1 more time and dang excited to go to just cant beat there price ! I do promise you this If he throws beads at me It would be a very bad mistake !!!( I was a minor L b ball pitcher even today I throw low 90s!! )

Edited December 20, 2012 by rockyman935
need to add info

[rockyman935]

Oh wow--this is great info. Thanks a million to all of you "Dream experts" out there. :p

 

Hi Hawaii697 from the great MD county of Charles!

 

And PictureChris, I am so angry FOR you:

 

 

"Baby Butch/George would bunch them up in a little ball, look for people looking in a different direction and throw them hard with a quick overhand motion. Another passenger noticed this along with me and we were a little shocked at him as he sneered while looking like Malfoy from the Harry Potter films."

 

 

What is his problem?! I really hope he is repremanded in some way--that is totally foul!! UGH! :mad: But, Malfoy?? LOL!!!

 

Here are a few cool pics I found:

 

One of the neat whirlpools that extend over the beam of the ship.

 

 

You all may have seen this, but I thought this was a nice photo of the atrium:

 

Please guys dont take me wrong im not a hostile person I flight befor fight But in late 90s I pitched minor leauge base ball . I may just skip this cause if I seen him do this to someone I dont think I could pass the chance to beam him back!!!!! I really dont want to go to jail LOL!! Just playing I would'nt do it but this sounds like a recipe for a well intoxicated man or woman to kick his butt!!!

[bguppies]

FYI

 

The Cruise director of the Dream is a girl named Jaime and her asst. cruise director was named Marcello.

Marcello is leaving the Dream in two weeks to take over as CD on the Imagination or Inspiration. (can't remember which he said)

 

Then Jaime has a guy she worked with before, nicknamed "Gumby" who she had worked with before, taking over as asst. CD when Marcello leaves.

 

Bill

[emelvee]

We had Jaime as asst. CD on Pride...really liked her.

[sweettara]

we will be on the dream this sat in four days i heard its sold out ww. anyways i recieved an emil from carnival sayin boarding time isnt til one its one til three wow how can everyone have time to board in just 2 hrs is this always the boarding time or is it just since its soldout and on holiday

[k2excursion]

we will be on the dream this sat in four days i heard its sold out ww. anyways i recieved an emil from carnival sayin boarding time isnt til one its one til three wow how can everyone have time to board in just 2 hrs is this always the boarding time or is it just since its soldout and on holiday

 

They send that email or pre-recorded message to many guests of each sailing on all ships, just hoping to spread out the crowd, so that everyone doesn't come all at once. I don't think it accomplishes the intent. It just confuses people, and perhaps causes a worse crowd at certain times. If the ship is on time returning to port, they will be ready to start boarding at around 11:00am. Show up whenever you want.

Edited December 25, 2012 by k2excursion

[enjoymylife1]

we will be on the 1/12/13 sailing on the dream! cant wait, the roll call seems very quiet for being such a big ship and so close to sailing....

Merry Christmas!!!

[sweettara]

our roll call is kinda quiet too and we leav this sat and noone has setup a meet n greet i even posted abt meeting some of them and only one person responded but its ok i will still hav fun and most likely meet others

[dshefter]

Recently sailed on the Dream. Good place for a Meet and Greet is the Burgundy Lounge (aft Deck 5). There was nothing scheduled in the morning of the first sea day.

 

You can begin boarding before 1 p.m. We purchased Faster to the Fun, but there were plenty of other people boarding prior to Noon. FTTF is great as it will get through the entire process in about 10 minutes.

 

Pasta Bar also was not that crowded for lunch on embarkation day.

 

Enjoy the Dream.

[Sharra]

our roll call is kinda quiet too and we leav this sat and noone has setup a meet n greet i even posted abt meeting some of them and only one person responded but its ok i will still hav fun and most likely meet others

 

Hey sweettara our role call for this ship is super quiet as well, january 12 sail date and were having issues scraping together the 20 people to secure a meet & greet with bar service.

not sure what is up with that.

[sweettara]

our cruise this sat on the dream i was told is sold out wow i hav never been on a cruise that was soldout

[MrsKC08]

our cruise this sat on the dream i was told is sold out wow i hav never been on a cruise that was soldout

 

 

Uh oh. I kinda am glad I'm not on your cruise. We were on the Dream in March of 2011 and they actually OVER BOOKED the cruise by several hundred people and it was a nightmare. Crowds everywhere and not enough going on to entertain that many people. BUT...I do hope that you have a wonderful time. We are sailing on her again in May!

[uffdafla]

FYI

 

The Cruise director of the Dream is a girl named Jaime and her asst. cruise director was named Marcello.

Marcello is leaving the Dream in two weeks to take over as CD on the Imagination or Inspiration. (can't remember which he said)

 

Then Jaime has a guy she worked with before, nicknamed "Gumby" who she had worked with before, taking over as asst. CD when Marcello leaves.

 

Bill

Does Jaime do a themed deck party? Marti Gras or deck / color competion

[45014]

Does anyone know the time of the shows in the evening? Is there a show before/after each dinner seating? I have searched the boards and have not found any information about the timing of the shows.

[wrcjr98]

Does anyone know the time of the shows in the evening? Is there a show before/after each dinner seating? I have searched the boards and have not found any information about the timing of the shows.

 

I was on the Dream last week, and the shows were normally at 8:30 and 10:30 - one after each dinner seating - except for one night, there was only one show at like 10:15, and it was in the Atrium, not in the Encore Showroom - Hope this helps!

[wrcjr98]

Here are a few cool pics I found:

 

One of the neat whirlpools that extend over the beam of the ship.

 

Only thing wrong with this picture, is that the whirlpools are always full of kids. Always. I was really dissappointed to not be able to enjoy one while I was on my trip last week!

[k2excursion]

FYI

 

The Cruise director of the Dream is a girl named Jaime and her asst. cruise director was named Marcello.

Marcello is leaving the Dream in two weeks to take over as CD on the Imagination or Inspiration. (can't remember which he said)

 

Then Jaime has a guy she worked with before, nicknamed "Gumby" who she had worked with before, taking over as asst. CD when Marcello leaves.

 

Bill

 

Jaime is a great CD! She was thrown into the position as an emergency, last-second fill-in on my Nov 2011 cruise on the Dream. Gumby was thrown into the position as assistant CD last-second as well. They both did an amazing job! I'm sure they were both getting plenty of praise from the guests for the few weeks that they had stepped in, and now they have been rewarded with the promotions. That is good to hear, because they both certainly deserve it! I hope Jaime will still be on there when I return to the Dream in a year.

Edited December 28, 2012 by k2excursion

[Athankfulheart]

Did you check the serenity deck tubs ? We noticed that they rarely had people in them and this was during spring break :confused:. Im not a hot tub lover, but if we wanted to get the hot tub free of rambuncious kids ( the nice ones are fine with us) we would get creative.

 

 

 

Here are a few cool pics I found:

 

One of the neat whirlpools that extend over the beam of the ship.

 

Only thing wrong with this picture, is that the whirlpools are always full of kids. Always. I was really dissappointed to not be able to enjoy one while I was on my trip last week!

[bguppies]

Does Jaime do a themed deck party? Marti Gras or deck / color competion

 

Thank God none of that color competition hoohaa...(glad I haven't seen any in the last 3 or 4 cruises.)

 

Dream - Dec. 15-22nd Eastern Caribbean

 

Entertainers....

CD- Jaime Dee (awesome CD - Carnival needs more CDs like her)

Asst. CD - Marcelo

Big D, DJ Bassix, Tom, Travis, Take Two, Mike (Karaoke), Dimas, Black Jack Band, Piano Bar Bob,

Show Singers - Ryan Walton and Joann Coleman

Comedians - DS Sanders, Chas Elstner, Russ Naget, Bobby Miyamoto,

 

Saturday - Embarkation -

Welcome Aboard show 10:15 one show only

Cruise Critic meet and greet 2PM and 5PM

Seaside Theater - Katy Perry - Part of Me 11AM

Madagascar 2 - 8PM

Tangled - 10PM

 

Sunday - Nassau

8 More Seconds - 8:30 and 10:30 shows

NFL on Big Screen from 4-midnite

50 First Dates - midnite

Meet the Captain and Senior Officers - 7:15

 

Monday - Sea Day

Sugar, Sweet, Classics with Las Vegas headliner Jerome Dabny -7PM and 8:45PM

Red Frog's Caribbean Beach Party 9:30 PM

Cooking Demo Steakhouse 10AM

Seaside Theater - Pirates of the Caribbean:Curse of the Black Pearl -midnite

 

Tuesday - St. Thomas

Dancin' In The Street 8:30 and 10:30PM

Mardi Gras Party 9:30 PM Atrium

Seaside Theater - Happy Feet - 1PM

Die Another Day - 8PM

Dr. No - 10PM

 

Wednesday - St. Maarten

Fun Force Interactive Atrium Shows - 7:15 and 9:15PM

Jaime's Game Show Mania - 8:15PM

Blue Iguana's End of the World Mexican Fiesta (Dec. 19th) - 9:30PM

Seaside Theater - Alicia Keys Live - 11:15AM

Katy Perry Part of Me- 1PM

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- 6PM

Captain America- 7:45PM

 

Thursday - Sea Day

Get Ready - 8:30 and 10:30PM

Jaime's Love and Marriage show- 2:30PM

Fun Force Adult Hip Hop Class- 5PM

Seaside Theater- MOnsters Inc -midnite

 

Friday - Sea Day

Carnival Legends - 10:30PM

Holiday Show - 4:30PM

A Ship's Life Q & A with Jaime and Marcelo (CD and asst CD)-11:15AM

they would answer any question about ship's life, except about wages.

Best hour of the cruise, entertainment-wise.

Incredibly informative.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow - 7:45PM - Atrium (fun watching the kids chase fake snow)

Seaside Theater- Dear John - 8PM

Jersey Girl - 10PM

 

Movie wise, on the big screen, I felt like I was cruising 5 years ago. (except Capt. America from last year)

The free movies in the cabin were even worse. A few that were playing our last cruise and one that was playing a year ago on the Legend.

(I'm guessing Carnival's way of forcing you to buy a PPV movie if you're bored)

 

The TV stations ABC, CBS and NBC were from Miami. Fox was from Pittsburgh. (seriously)

 

If you like trivia, this was by far the best ship for trivia.

It started every day around 9AM and alternated with other games at the Ocean Plaza until 4PM ish.

Never been on a ship with 5+ trivia games every day, including days in port.

The entertainment staff that conducted them were also great.

Ben from England was the funniest.

Charlotte from England was also very good.

 

Hope that helps...

Sorry I don't have a photo site to upload pictures to.

(and with trying to catch up after coming home 2 days before Christmas, I don't have time to set one up right now.)

 

Oh and Formal Nights were Nassau night and 2nd Sea Day after St. Maarten.

 

Bill

Edited December 28, 2012 by bguppies

[wrcjr98]

Did you check the serenity deck tubs ? We noticed that they rarely had people in them and this was during spring break :confused:. Im not a hot tub lover, but if we wanted to get the hot tub free of rambuncious kids ( the nice ones are fine with us) we would get creative.

j

 

No, honestly I never even found the Serenity Deck!! Wish I would have looked harder now!!