More of My DREAMy Christmas Cruise

[maldenmusic]

Part 1 was posted elsewhere so I'll try to continue with more of our cruise from Dec. 18-26.

After exploring the ship in search of Christmas decorations we returned to our cabin to finish unpacking. We met our steward, Gusti, who asked if we wanted morning or evening service. We opted for morning but we also told him that we would just ask for service when we needed it. If our cruisin' sign was on the door we wanted service and if the snoozin' sign was up we didn't. This worked out well for everyone because my husband and I don't usually make a mess and are capable of turning our bed down.....and making our bed in the morning.

The muster drill was scheduled for 3:30 and that's where we ran into our first little snag. We followed the signs according to our assigned station and found about 100 other people waiting outside what we though was the designated area for us. After standing there a while, an employee came by and told all 100 of us we were in the wrong place. We were supposed to be in one of the dining rooms (I really don't remember which one) so off we went to find it almost empty. Apparently they were holding a muster drill and forgot to tell everyone where. It got started as the people were walking in and it was the easiest one ever-about 15 minutes of showing us how to put on a life vest and that was it! No going outside to stand by the boats. I don't know if the fact that it was now storming with a lot of lightning had any bearing on that but it was appreciated. The Fun Times said we would sail at 4PM and that the Sail-Away party was moved into the Atrium due to the weather. We went there long enough for the tree lighting and to sing a few Christmas carols (they passed out song books) then back to our cabin to sit on our starboard balcony which faced the cruise terminal. Due to the lifeboats being right above us we were sheltered and really didn't get wet....ot struck by lightning. 4:20PM came and went, then 4:30, then 4:50 then......we saw a van pull into the terminal really fast and several people getting out and put in wheelchairs accompanied by a few other people. My husband said we were probably waiting for them and he was correct. A couple of minutes later we saw them coming through the glass enclosed gangway (?) and into the ship. Then we got to watch them retract the gangway which was a first for us. 2 minutes after that the workers untied the ropes, the whistle blew and we were off. I really wanted to go out on the deck as we cruised by Jackson Square (in search of Christmas lights because it was now nearly dark) so we went on deck 5 by the hot tubs but the lightning was getting scary so back to our cabin.

 

 

 

 

We were so full from the lunch and all the champagne that I don't think we even got anything else to eat that evening....maybe an ice cream or two. We put up a strand of Christmas lights in our cabin (brand new, still in box-lol) and settled in for a cold winter's night.

 

 

Still wanting this to be a festive evening I bundled up (the temps were in the low 40s), took my Christmas music and headphones and headed out to sit on the balcony. By the time we got near the Gulf, I had some towels wrapped around me as well. I was out there when the pilot boat approached our starboard side and got pictures.

 

 

I always hold my breath when I see the pilot go from his boat to the ship and vice-versa. After reaching the Gulf it was off to bed for this weary traveler. More to come so stay tuned.

[maldenmusic]

Day 2 started off cloudy with a little rain and very choppy seas. The cpatian announced waves were 6-8 feet and we could definitely feel it. Our balcony was pretty wet when we went out first thing that morning. We grabbed breakfast on Lido at the Omelet Station where we ate every morning. (I know) We found that the used to be mini-bar now refrigerator in our cabin worked super well and it kept our canned sodas very cold as well as some fudge and cookies we bought with us. I went up on Deck 11 aft to work on my tan but there wasn't much sun. I hung in there for about an hour then back to the cabin. While on my way there I saw the Grinch walking around the ship. We went to the casino a little later and of course ran through $20 very quickly and I think that was the one and only time we were in there. We ate lunch in the buffet, probably another salad. By the afternoon the sun was starting to come out so we sat on our balcony and saw lots of flying fish and waves. Seas still choppy and we got a little wet on the balcony but oh well. We had YTD and by the time we were ready to eat, hubby began getting just a little nauseous so we decided to wait it out. To make a long story short, we never did make it there and i think we just grabbed some pizza later. We did make it to the show in the Encore Main show lounge-supposed to be some kind of Motown show but it wasn't very Motowny. (I'm a musician/music teacher) It was okay but about 10 minutes in to the show it all went dark and they announced that there was a medical emergency with a guest so they restarted the show. We didn't see anything going on in the lounge so we don't know what happened. We stayed for the entire show then strolled around the ship more before returning to our cabin for more balcony time.

 

Day 2 seas

 

 

Lido

 

 

Atrium Christmas tree

 

 

Encore Lounge

 

Atrium elevators

 

[maldenmusic]

Wow-I'm overwhelmed by all the responses my post and pictures have received......sarcasm. No one has commented however I will continue and I'm not sure why.

 

Day 3 had calmer seas and a lot more sun-my kind of weather. So after an omelet at breakfast I headed up to Deck 11 again to stake out my chair and get some sun. The chairs were never a problem to find.

 

 

 

 

The Dream had these showers all over the back of the ship. They were handy for rinsing off or cooling off.

 

[pcvtmom]

I'm enjoying your review and pictures! Please continue...

 

By the way...free champagne? Was it because you were on a Christmas sailing? In 23 cruises, I've never been offered free champagne (except at the past guest party or art auction!)

[surfone]

We are enjoying your pictures and review. We sail on our first Dream cruise January 15th. Our 1st time out of New Orleans. Thank you.

[mbrownferrier]

Thank you for taking the time to post. Love the pics.

 

 

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[grandmarnnurse]

I'm following! Love it so far!! [emoji4]

 

 

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[blainesterrr]

I'm enjoying your review and pictures! Please continue...

 

By the way...free champagne? Was it because you were on a Christmas sailing? In 23 cruises, I've never been offered free champagne (except at the past guest party or art auction!)

 

 

Yes please continue! I'll be on the Dream on Sunday! I will thrive off of your review to pass the time and calm my nerves!

 

I'm curious about the free champagne too!!

 

 

 

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[grandmarnnurse]

pcvtmom--I've had free champagne on both of the RCCL ships I've sailed. I don't remember any on any of my Carnival cruises, though.

 

 

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[loweral_dawn]

Thanks for all your pictures - we were just on the Dream Thanksgiving week and they were putting up the tree as we were leaving. We also had a cove balcony and enjoyed it very much. Its fun to read someone else's take on the ship after I've been and now when I see the pictures it really brings back great memories!

[mpdog42]

Being a Native Missourian, I wasn't sure I had heard of Maldin, so I looked it up. You are the Gateway to the Boot Hill....Cool!!...I haven't seen any negative or Critical post about your Review???? Did they get deleated by CC:confused:

 

 

All The Best

Michael

[Cthinva]

NICE! My family was on this cruise and you're exactly correct! Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

[mexicobob]

We go on The Dream February 19, so are enjoying your review and pictures.

[Bren2i&B]

We go on The Dream February 19, so are enjoying your review and pictures.

 

 

We'll be getting off the Dream as you board! Can't wait to see new changes coming off the dry Dock!

 

 

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