Newbies to Cruising - Dream Questions

[Davey-D-99]

Hey there,

 

I just booked our very first cruise for my family of 4.

April 2013 on Carnival Dream.

Needless to say ...we are super excited:D

 

My first of many questions to come I'm sure...

I booked a balcony room over the phone.

The lady convinced me to book on Deck #11 because of location. After checking over the website I see that the same size balcony room on Deck #7 is almost $200 cheaper?

 

Is there a $200 advantage to Deck #11 over Deck #7? Just curious..thanks.

[SkyMaster]

To me, there wouldn't be enough difference to pay that much extra, but having said that many, many people LOVE the higher decks, and especially the staterooms on Deck 11. As you've no doubt noticed, your stateroom on deck 11 will be very close to all the action on Lido Deck (10), and the Spa. You're also close to the Serenity Deck, and the cabins are very limited on Deck 11, so you're getting something that lots of folks covet! :D On the down side, (to me at least) you're a long long way to the dining room,,,,,especially if you happen to be assigned the aft dining room. There is good and bad in that. You will get to walk off that extra chocolate melting cake that you had for desert. ;) I'd probably be inclined to keep the cabin on Deck 11, and enjoy it.

Have a GREAT cruise, aboard one of my favorite ships.

 

"SKY"

[Scott34787]

Found this... may prove helpful to you:

 

 

Deck 11 -- Panorama Deck

 

Cabins on the Carnival Dream's Panorama Deck are the first floor of Cloud Spa Accommodations and as such, you have private access and amenities, and also receive priority Spa reservations. There are no public areas below these cabins, but some noise may filter through from the spa facilities immediately above the most forward cabins.

• On Deck 11 of the Dream, cabins 11278 and 11277 have balconies with partially obstructed views and may be a bit noisier due to their proximity to the bandstand.
  
• Suites 11215 and 11221 starboard are larger and do have over-sized balconies on the Dream's Panorama Deck.
  
• Forward on Deck 11 of the Dream, cabins 11204 and 11203 are spacious.
  
• "Spa Cabins" are strictly non-smoking and there is a $250 cleaning fee assessed if cabin staff notice the smell of smoking in your room.
  

Deck 7 -- Empress Deck

 

Highly rated by our cruise experts!

The Empress deck is without question the high-rent district of the ship. This is where all the suites and penthouse category cabins are located. There is also at least one deck of buffer both above and below this deck, so noise tends not to be an issue from common areas. Given that this is where the high-dollar cabins are, this is also where the best cabin stewards are usually assigned. So, if your budget only affords you an inside cabin, reserving one right across from a penthouse might be a very wise investment! Some of the best cabins on the Carnival Dream are on the Empress Deck!

• On the Dream's Empress Deck, balcony category cabins in the rear of the ship 7456-7467 have extended balconies and the highly sought-after rear-facing views (where you typically don't have to worry about the balcony being too windy).
  
• Cabins 7426, 7344, and 7349 are next to elevators and are likely noisier on Deck 7 of the Dream.
  

[Davey-D-99]

Wow...Great info. Thanks.

 

I don't see us taking advantage of the spa that much so I really think I might ask for a change to "Empress" Deck #7

 

Does anyone how the beds are configured for 2 adults and 2 children (13, 11) in the cabin?

[CruisinTormos]

Wow...Great info. Thanks.

 

I don't see us taking advantage of the spa that much so I really think I might ask for a change to "Empress" Deck #7

 

Does anyone how the beds are configured for 2 adults and 2 children (13, 11) in the cabin?

 

Generally speaking, you'll have two twins that you can have pushed together to make a king (you can do this under Manage My Cruise on Carnival.com). There will also likely be a bunk that folds down from the ceiling and a twin that doubles as your couch.

 

I say this without actually knowing the cabin number, but more than likely that is what you will be looking at :)

 

 

PS. We loved the Dream. You will have a brilliant time!

[suezyq50]

Dream is a great ship. Going on it a second time in Nov. For me, a balcony is a balcony no matter what deck. The thing I would look at what is above and below you. It can effect your sleeping due to noise.

[katiel53]

First of all, not all balcony cabins on Deck 11 have spa access. Unless your cabin is designated a spa cabin, you aren't in one. We have stayed in a spa balcony and they are very forward and a long walk to the other end of the ship.

 

I think it depends on how you booked, ie ESA, past guest etc. whether you can "downgrade" to a lower floor balcony. We love being on deck 8 as it gives a bit of privacy and we go midship, so we are able to go up or down and not have long walks from forward to aft, but that's our choice.

 

Look at the deck plans, see where you would like to be and then call to make a change is possible. Good luck to you and enjoy Dream. We love the ship!

[RWolver672]

We love the Panorama Deck. Especially on Sea Days. So close to everything and if you need to run back to your cabin for something (like using your own bathroom) it's just a few steps away. We usually pick a cabin just inside the doors to the pool area. No noise from that area at all. To us, the extra $200 is well worth it.

[stargate fan]

Hey there,

 

I just booked our very first cruise for my family of 4.

April 2013 on Carnival Dream.

Needless to say ...we are super excited:D

 

My first of many questions to come I'm sure...

I booked a balcony room over the phone.

The lady convinced me to book on Deck #11 because of location. After checking over the website I see that the same size balcony room on Deck #7 is almost $200 cheaper?

 

Is there a $200 advantage to Deck #11 over Deck #7? Just curious..thanks.

 

We sailed Dream this past April. Great ship!

 

Here are some things to consider-

1) Check deck plans. If there is something other than a cabin over your cabin, get out.

2) Dream has a Promenade deck that goes around most of the ship on both sides. I've read that people walking the Promenade are able to look into Deck 6 and 7 balconies. In fact, we found that true ourselves-looking up while walking the Promenade gave us great views into people's cabins.

 

We had a cabin on Lido Deck, deck 10. It was high enough that no one could look in, there was a cabin over us, and we were on the same deck as the pool and buffet, so running back to the cabin for something was a quick trip.

 

Someone mentioned being far away from the main dining room. Unless you plan to eat there all three meals a day every day, that is a non-issue. Since we make full use of the pool and the buffet for breakfast and lunch, the Lido Deck is the best place for us.

 

Hope this info helps.

[SkyMaster]

We sailed Dream this past April. Great ship!

 

 

 

Someone mentioned being far away from the main dining room. Unless you plan to eat there all three meals a day every day, that is a non-issue. Since we make full use of the pool and the buffet for breakfast and lunch, the Lido Deck is the best place for us.

 

Hope this info helps.

 

HA. As a matter of fact, the lovely Mrs. Jones and I DO eat in the dining room every time it's open, and available. (Every meal during sea days, and of course, every evening. I guess if you plan on eating at the buffet on Lido, then you're correct, that the location of the dining room, in relation to your cabin, is indeed a non issue. ;)

 

"SKY"

[vacation_junkie]

Hey there,

 

I just booked our very first cruise for my family of 4.

April 2013 on Carnival Dream.

Needless to say ...we are super excited:D

 

My first of many questions to come I'm sure...

I booked a balcony room over the phone.

The lady convinced me to book on Deck #11 because of location. After checking over the website I see that the same size balcony room on Deck #7 is almost $200 cheaper?

 

Is there a $200 advantage to Deck #11 over Deck #7? Just curious..thanks.

 

We loved Deck 11...you will find it SO convenient. We usually book 11 or 12 because of it! Just walk out the door and you are right out on the lido deck...down a few stairs and you are in the middle of all the action!! We were Deck 11 on the Dream.

 

This cruise we booked an Aft Extended Balcony on 7...and are leery about it!

[Melismass]

Hi! Congrats on your first cruise! There is nothing more exciting than your first, unless its your 2nd because then you know what your in for! Anyway, I would not pay 2 cents more for a higher deck. I actually prefer deck 6. Aft is my preference. You will not know what deck your on anyway when your inside the cabin and walking from place to place on the ship is all part of the fun. Save that $200 to do a nice excursion with the family. Have a great trip! Im so excited for you!

[coevan]

You might have to walk a little further to dinner. (-:

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

For us it is Carnivals best ship ..

[KrystalWaters]

Just got off the Dream on Saturday. We were in a cove deck 2, room 2349. Loved the location, loved the balcony. Cove balconies are 45sqft were the other balconies (except aft wrap and suites) are 35sqft. I found that i spent most of my time on decks 3(MDR and Encore Theatre) and 5(Burgundy Lounge, Trivia, Casino, and Shops). The Lido deck is where the buffet, Red Frog, and Blue Iguana Bars are located but it's soo super noisy. This past cruise was unbearably HUMID. I would run up there for grab some food and run down to whatever activity i was doing. Personally if you are deciding between deck 11 or deck 7. Choose deck 7. Unless of course you are wanting a SPA cabin.:)

 

Good Luck!

[katiel53]

Hi! Congrats on your first cruise! There is nothing more exciting than your first, unless its your 2nd because then you know what your in for! Anyway, I would not pay 2 cents more for a higher deck. I actually prefer deck 6. Aft is my preference. You will not know what deck your on anyway when your inside the cabin and walking from place to place on the ship is all part of the fun. Save that $200 to do a nice excursion with the family. Have a great trip! Im so excited for you!

 

 

I think on ships other than Dream class, a balcony on deck 6 might be good, but on Dream anyone/everyone walking, sitting, standing etc. on the Promenade can look right up and onto your balcony and also see into the cabin if the lights are on.

 

I wouldn't book lower than deck 8 on Dream. If the Lido is where you hang out, then deck 11 is great, but you have to like being pretty forward on the ship.

 

I do have to say the views looking from deck 11 are great in that you don't see the promenade, but if it meant going to deck 7, I'd stay where I am. I don't do anything on my balcony that others couldn't see, but I still want some privacy and I don't think that deck 6 or 7 afford that. JMO.

[Davey-D-99]

Thanks for all the help... It's all totally new to me.

We really have no idea what to expect...Kids are starting to get excited watching YouTube videos of the Dream.

 

I called today to try and move from deck 11 to deck 8 but they no longer have the promotion running with $300 credit on board.

 

I would have to cancel and book again and it would only be $100 different.

 

She said they can't offer me the cheaper "Early Saver" rate on the website because I'm booking from Canada? Seems strange but we have decided to stop worrying and start planning:D

 

I will let you know in 7 months if we enjoyed the Panorama deck. Although, from the deck plans I just looked at, it looks like our cabin is right under the water park! :eek: