Carnival Dream newbie questions

[Pattywac]

Hiya! I’m attempting to put together our very first cruise and need to choose between 2 different lines. It’s a 7 day, western Caribbean, trip. We are a party of 4 (me, husband, adult daughter, and our 4 yr old grandson).

 

Has anyone stayed in cabin 7242 (deck 7/empress, port side, jr suite)? Any noise issues?

 

Has anyone used the children’s program for a preschooler and were you happy with it? Also are there enough children’s activites to keep a preschooler busy?

 

Lastly, I smoke (I know, bad :(). The agent I spoke with was a little vague about smoking areas. She said smoking was permitted on deck 11. How much of a journey is it to get there from 7, and is there a covered area incase of rain? She also suggested the casino or bar, but since I don’t gamble or drink would I still be permitted in there to smoke?

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

[firefly333]

If the 2 lines are rcl and carnival id say they are about equally against smoking and its going to be hard unless you get a cabin say on the pool deck or in this case the level above the pool deck which is where they are saying you can smoke.

 

RCL also has long since not allowed smoking on balconies, though you would think the wind would pull away the smoke. There used to be a cigar lounge on one of the two lines, now its used for games.

 

Be prepared to walk a bit to smoke on any cruiseline is my advice unless you pick a cabin near a smoking area, such as above the pool where carnival is telling you you can smoke. I do think that area is open above the pool deck as I remember, just lounge chairs, but people go up there to get a clearer view of the ocean.

 

The childrens activities seem about equally rated on both lines. I dont think one would be better than the other, just depends on the week and how many kids aboard your kids age.

 

The casino smoking, maybe its on RCL I get them confused, you can only smoke there if you are gambling at the time. you cant just go in there and stand and smoke, you have to be feeding the machine and pulling the lever.

[Purvis1231]

I sailed on the Dream a few months ago and had a great time. I trust you will also. The kids programs are very active and the staff is friendly and hard working. I cannot really speak to the specifics of your room but all the fine are fine. I do not smoke but observed the smoking areas. The is a bar outside the casino, that many people visited who did not drink booze.

[Pattywac]

You guessed both lines correctly! Since I’ve never cruised I had no idea on the distance between the decks.

 

We went to Disney World, and Hiked there also but the smoking areas were evenly spaced and werent more than 5 to 10 minutes away from each other. I had hoped to get upper deck but all suites were sold out. The carnival agent thought I could go into the casino on deck 5, but I read somewhere (and can’t recall which line it was) that in order to be in there one has to play. I just need somewhere to chill with my morning coffee before I crank up my engine and start my day :)

[RWolver672]

 

Lastly, I smoke (I know, bad :(). The agent I spoke with was a little vague about smoking areas. She said smoking was permitted on deck 11. How much of a journey is it to get there from 7, and is there a covered area incase of rain? She also suggested the casino or bar, but since I don’t gamble or drink would I still be permitted in there to smoke?

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

 

The smoking areas are quite nice on the upper deck. They are partially covered. They have quite a few cushioned wicker sofas and chairs with tables in between them. The tables have small ash trays on them.

 

In the casino, I have seen many people smoking that weren't gambling. It gets so crowded in there at night that it's hard for them to monitor who's gambling or not. You said you don't drink but you could always get a soda and have your cigarette without guilt.

 

If I remember correctly, you can also smoke on one side of the ship off of the atrium. I think it's the starboard side.

[wms99]

I always book a room on the Empress deck. Nothing but rooms above and below. Very quiet. We will be on the dream again in Dec. Love that ship.

As for smoking, there is also the smoking area on deck 5. For the Dream, deck 5 is like the main place to be, and smokers have there place too.

 

Are you a balcony smoker? I don't much care for that.

[carribbeanmic]

On the Dream they have a smoking area on their promenade deck in addition to the pool deck.

[Saint Greg]

Dream Class is one of the best for smoking with the promenade outdoor smoking area.

 

 

Carnival Dream

Cigarette smoking (including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers) are permitted in the following areas:

• Jackpot Casino: Smoking is permitted while playing at designated slot machines and table games.
  
• Jackpot Casino Bar: Smoking is permitted in designated area.
  
• Caliente Nightclub: Smoking is permitted but not on the dance floor.
  
• Outdoors: Smoking is permitted in designated areas on Deck 5 (port side) and Deck 11 (starboard side, midship and aft). For cruise departures starting 2/11/17, smoking will be permitted in designated areas on Deck 5 (port side, aft, outside the Nightclub) and Deck 11 (starboard side).
  
• Note: Cigar and tobacco pipes are only permitted in the designated outdoor smoking area on Deck 5 and Deck 11.
  

[Sigforty]

I got off the Dream September 9th. The smoking areas are Deck 11 starboard side (midship and aft), Casino and Deck 5 port side aft by the night club.

[pshhi2016]

Hiya! I’m attempting to put together our very first cruise and need to choose between 2 different lines. It’s a 7 day, western Caribbean, trip. We are a party of 4 (me, husband, adult daughter, and our 4 yr old grandson).

 

Has anyone stayed in cabin 7242 (deck 7/empress, port side, jr suite)? Any noise issues?

 

Has anyone used the children’s program for a preschooler and were you happy with it? Also are there enough children’s activites to keep a preschooler busy?

 

Lastly, I smoke (I know, bad :(). The agent I spoke with was a little vague about smoking areas. She said smoking was permitted on deck 11. How much of a journey is it to get there from 7, and is there a covered area incase of rain? She also suggested the casino or bar, but since I don’t gamble or drink would I still be permitted in there to smoke?

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

 

Sailed the Dream and loved the ship. Looking at your staterooms position you should be fine with the noise issues.

 

Click link for "Camp Carnival" info .https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/list/st/3/kw/camp%20carnival/page/1

 

Cruising since 1980 and can honestly tell you that smoking is thankfully (sorry:(:() becoming very restrictive on cruise ships. None in stateroom nor on your balcony. $250 cleaning/refreshing fee if caught. Below info should help. You do not have to drink to smoke in the bar.

 

Carnival Dream

Cigarette smoking (including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers) are permitted in the following areas:

• Jackpot Casino: Smoking is permitted while playing at designated slot machines and table games.
  
• Jackpot Casino Bar: Smoking is permitted in designated area.
  
• Caliente Nightclub: Smoking is permitted but not on the dance floor.
  
• Outdoors: Smoking is permitted in designated areas on Deck 5 (port side) and Deck 11 (starboard side, midship and aft). For cruise departures starting 2/11/17, smoking will be permitted in designated areas on Deck 5 (port side, aft, outside the Nightclub) and Deck 11 (starboard side).
  

[Anyislandwilldo]

The only place you will be able to smoke on embarkation day is the casino because they will be fueling the ship that day.

[pshhi2016]

FYI to all smokers DO NOT toss your cigarette butts overboard for 2 very important reasons reasons.

#1 it can be blown back onto a balcony and cause a fire. Happened on a Princess ship several years ago where a beach towel lying on a chair caught fire.

#2 as a diver I can tell you that cigarette filters expand and blossom out when wet. Sea turtles love jelly fish and have been known to grab these for "lunch". Also it is considered littering by the cruise lines.

http://seasickfish.com/news/cigarettes-filters-and-tobacco/

[lostsoulcruiser]

We were on the Dream twice and my wife smokes, don't worry these sections will have people to speak with. If you are on deck 7, take the rear elevators to deck 11.  Go outside, to the left and you are at that smoking area. For the deck 5 area, take the elevators to deck 5, go outside on the opposite side of Guy's BBQ place towards the ships rear (this was my wife's preferred spot, a little more quiet).  The deck 5 spot was hard to get service for a drink.

 

Never had a noise issue on the Dream.

 

Bon voyage. 

 

[serene56]

for a first cruise a regular cabin may be just as good as that suite      The difference is a convertible sofa and an upper bed  (which my grand kids LOVED)

camps is for 2-5 and are not opened all day long.   Actually it is not opened the first night.   but orientation is that first night around 7:30   and usually have a family dance party.   Camp is opened on sea days at 10:00    close for lunch about noon opens back up at 2    closes at 5 and reopens at 7   becomes paid at 10     Their activities are 30 min increments so it does keep the kids focused.  You get an activity paper at orientation for the week.  you pick and chose what activities you want the kids to go to.   You have to drop them off and pick them up.   Have your sign and sail card AND a photo ID.   Make sure your daughter puts you on the list to be able to pick up the kids.    The first day I will drop them off and go back in one hour to see.   Only once did i take them back out.   There were too many kids and not enough counselors.    one little baby was standing crying and crying the entire 20 minutes i was there pickingup our kids and not one person paid attention to her.     We did not go back after that

[RWolver672]

On 11/15/2018 at 10:12 AM, Anyislandwilldo said:

The only place you will be able to smoke on embarkation day is the casino because they will be fueling the ship that day.

Once they finish refueling on embarkation day, they will allow smoking in the designated areas again.  They will go around and remove the no smoking signs from the smoking areas.

[Pattywac]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, since I’ve never cruised before it’s helped me so much. We booked the Dream for late April.  Looking forward to spring, which will help me to get thru those cold winter ho hum months!