Dream - never again!

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, Dadofsix said:

I saw your posts about your trip and looks like they worked the kinks out. We were on the second sailing of the Ecstasy when they reopened Mobile and while the crew appeared short staffed we didn't have near the troubles the O.P. is reporting on the Dream. No bourbon of any brand? or Pepsi to be had? I just can't see that being 100% accurate.

I know there was no shortage of Woodford Reserve on Ecstasy. Who knows. Maybe the Dream cruise had a SWAT team vacationing.

[1kaper]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

I know there was no shortage of Woodford Reserve on Ecstasy. Who knows. Maybe the Dream cruise had a SWAT team vacationing.

That’s what we were drinking. 
 

Former patrol and K9 though. No SWAT here. 

[Eli_6]

I went on the Dream for 4 days pre-Covid (so different crew), but it was my least favorite CCL cruise and I felt like the ship was very dirty and not well kept up. Also, could never get a drink.  I would not count out Carnival, but maybe just that sailing. I think sometimes the "B crew" (so to speak) gets put on the shorter cruises as they are the "party" cruises and a lot of the people just stay drunk. I also think that they probably ramped up to full capacity before they had the crew to support full capacity. 

Edited May 2, 2022 by Eli_6

[WhiteOptima]

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I just read another never do carnival again out of NOLA. They claim people were arrested and someone died in a cabin. Idk. They are debarking late due to all the excitement. 

 

Sometimes you do have a bad cruise. I had one when Ike hit Galveston and swore off carnival..I have dream booked for 14 days Jan  2024. Hope it's a one off. 

OMG!  Was this on Conquest?  My son was working as entertainment technician on that cruise and quit Carnival after that cruise.

[mondello]

4 minutes ago, WhiteOptima said:

OMG!  Was this on Conquest?  My son was working as entertainment technician on that cruise and quit Carnival after that cruise.

Post said cruise from NOLA; Conquest sails from Miami. So, no that would not be Conquest she was referring to.

[WhiteOptima]

1 minute ago, mondello said:

Post said cruise from NOLA; Conquest sails from Miami. So, no that would not be Conquest she was referring to.

Post also mentioned Ike and Galveston and that was where Conquest was but thank you for policing to ensure we are all correct.  And this is why I rarely post on CC😡

[cruisingguy007]

8 minutes ago, WhiteOptima said:

Post also mentioned Ike and Galveston and that was where Conquest was but thank you for policing to ensure we are all correct.  And this is why I rarely post on CC😡

 

Maybe grab a snickers bar, the diva is showing 😁. She's (firefly333) from TX and sails out of Galveston and was talking about a different cruise than the first one she mentioned out of NOLA. I hope she comes back and updates us. Inquiring minds want to know the 411! Sounds juicy! Meanwhile, maybe you could fill us in on what happened with your son's ship!

Edited May 2, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[nlktx49]

4 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Looking forward to our upcoming cruise on Dream and I doubt we will experience many issues.

Be sure to sign up for Assigned Dining, that will help. Good luck on the rest of the cruise. After the third night of 1 hour plus waiting for a table, and a trip to Guest Services after each, we finally had a person who apologized for the long waits and offered to change us to assigned time dining. Done and no more issues, so why such long waits for Anytime dining?

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by nlktx49
Add to reply

[ray985]

2 hours ago, jrtmouse said:

 

I understand the supply chain and staffing issues.  With that said, Carnival probably shouldn't fill their ships to capacity until these issues have been taken care of.  While our MDR and Cabin staff provided excellent service on the Panorama a few weeks back, there were definite shortages elsewhere.  You can't provide mediocre food and service to a ship of 4600 passengers.  I'm willing to give them time to transition back into full service sailing if they'll reasonably consider prices and accommodations.  

This is what annoys me. I understand the ships are short staffed, and it's a visa problem to get more staff according to John Heald, so it's out of their control. But then why are they pushing to sail at 100%? I mean, they can't cancel booked rooms, but they're still offering dirt cheap, last minute rates trying to fill these ships completely. While seasoned cruisers may be willing to let things slide, knowing it's a temporary problem (hopefully), new cruisers won't be so forgiving.  

[firefly333]

44 minutes ago, WhiteOptima said:

OMG!  Was this on Conquest?  My son was working as entertainment technician on that cruise and quit Carnival after that cruise.

It was conquest. They wouldnt let us online. They said only 5 telephone lines out we had to stand in line at customer service and got 1 call. My issue was my sister is mentally and physically hc and brought her hc friend. I stood in line alone. I needed a bigger rental car because of the walker her friend had. Stood in line for literally hours. First car rental I called no mid sized rentals.  

 

They took us to new orleans and we had to get off to go thru customs. I had no sleep. So hard to drive 10 hours home with no help and no sleep. Her friend didnt help my reaction. Carnival wouldnt give us a dime of obc. They said had I gotten back on the ship, 4 days later it went into houston, the new port. How would I have guessed? They said therefore the completed a closed loop cruise, no obc. 

 

People wanted to cancel and carnival said sorry, cant cancel or you lose all your money. They were terrible. Not known for handling issues. Fine if things go right.  

 

I'm not sure I'd do conquest again. I dont blame your son. Carnival handled things poorly and I'm being  nice. 

[BlerkOne]

21 minutes ago, nlktx49 said:

Be sure to sign up for Assigned Dining, that will help. Good luck on the rest of the cruise. After the third night of 1 hour plus waiting for a table, and a trip to Guest Services after each, we finally had a person who apologized for the long waits and offered to change us to assigned time dining. Done and no more issues, so why such long waits for Anytime dining?

 

Uh, everyone deciding to dine at the same time and you were last in line? Did you pick the same time every night to try to be seated? I don't care for anytime dining, but did try last cruise again and never over a 5 minute wait. Of course, it was later in the evening and I was almost always the last one in the dining room, but they never turned on the lights or tried to rush me out. My main objection is not getting the same table and staff every night.

[canes20]

7 hours ago, nlktx49 said:

I have two more cruises this year, booked and paid for, both on the Dream. No way would I ever set foot on this ship again. 

I guess I got deleted for my giphe, but still wondering if you are cruising or not.

[brownc424]

3 hours ago, starstruck05 said:

it was actually the PASSENGERS faults. Tons of people were treating the Dining rooms like land based restaurants, so holding up tables and turning brunch and dinner that would be maybe and hour or less into 2 or 3 hours.

I say this from seeing it several times so do not flame me. There were people who would sit at the table, around the same time as us, order a round of drinks from the server. Sit and talk, tell the staff they aren't ready to order and as we are leaving the Dining room for our dinner are FINALLY actually placing an order for food. 

I wouldn't have thought much about it but I happened more than once and both and dinner and brunch and very different groups of people. This cruise also had a good bit of first timers as well or people who hadn't cruise in years (pre-pandemic).

 

Seriously? You're complaining that people sat and enjoyed their meals? Can you imagine the audacity of someone spending a week on vacation and wanting to enjoy it? Are you the reason that we felt so rushed at every meal? Did you ever think that maybe other people prefer to sit around the table and talk about their day? Catch up with friends and family that were doing other activities? Will you forgive me for waiting to order dessert, until after dinner? Is it a horrible sin that I *gasp* ordered tea with my dessert? Was the five minutes that it took to steep the reason that your cruise was horrible?

[csoud68]

29 minutes ago, brownc424 said:

Seriously? You're complaining that people sat and enjoyed their meals? Can you imagine the audacity of someone spending a week on vacation and wanting to enjoy it? Are you the reason that we felt so rushed at every meal? Did you ever think that maybe other people prefer to sit around the table and talk about their day? Catch up with friends and family that were doing other activities? Will you forgive me for waiting to order dessert, until after dinner? Is it a horrible sin that I *gasp* ordered tea with my dessert? Was the five minutes that it took to steep the reason that your cruise was horrible?

Relax..there is a point where you are epected to actually be done with dinner.. 1.5 hrs is plenty of time to relax and get in all the convo..

 

There are thousands on these ships.

[starstruck05]

46 minutes ago, brownc424 said:

Seriously? You're complaining that people sat and enjoyed their meals? Can you imagine the audacity of someone spending a week on vacation and wanting to enjoy it? Are you the reason that we felt so rushed at every meal? Did you ever think that maybe other people prefer to sit around the table and talk about their day? Catch up with friends and family that were doing other activities? Will you forgive me for waiting to order dessert, until after dinner? Is it a horrible sin that I *gasp* ordered tea with my dessert? Was the five minutes that it took to steep the reason that your cruise was horrible?

Where was I complaining.  I stated my observation as to what happened on this particular cruise that was part of the cause of the long wait time. If you want to take 5 hours to have dinner please by all means do whatever you want to do BUT also remember there are also other people waiting to have dinner and brunch as well. I'm on vacation. As you can see from my post, wefound alternative options if the wait was too long. We closed down the dining room one night. It is what is is but I want the OP to know what I saw because we were on the same cruise. Please calm down. 

[mz-s]

3 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

Where was I complaining.  I stated my observation as to what happened on this particular cruise that was part of the cause of the long wait time. If you want to take 5 hours to have dinner please by all means do whatever you want to do BUT also remember there are also other people waiting to have dinner and brunch as well. I'm on vacation. As you can see from my post, wefound alternative options if the wait was too long. We closed down the dining room one night. It is what is is but I want the OP to know what I saw because we were on the same cruise. Please calm down. 

 

I get where you're coming from - much over 1.5 hours is excessive especially if there is a long wait for tables.

 

I was just on the Sunshine and there was a group of people who brought on laminated placards that said something like "JR's Game Tables" to reserve Lido tables. I thought how selfish. There are countless areas on the ship to sit and play cards other than the busy Lido buffet. So I see where you're coming from.

[Colorado Cruzer]

They had Dr Pepper? Is this port specific because I have neer been able to get a Dr Pepper on a carnival ship?

 

I didn't really enjoy our last cruise in March on Panorama due to staffing issues I think. The wait for a bar drink was at least 20 minutes or more whethere at the bar or ordering through a server on lido. Service was very slow in the dining room for brunch so we didnt even attempt it for dinner - had specialty dining for 3 nights and just did buffet or pizzza/deli the other nights.  The tepanyaki was the most disappointing because I expected for it to be very flavorful but it was just soy sauce and garlic...lol, not doing that every again!  Anyways, it just wasn't all that great on the Panorama. We have he Miracle booked for DEC so if its still short staffed and not very good food, we will go to resorts instead.  

[icft]

6 hours ago, Dadofsix said:

I saw your posts about your trip and looks like they worked the kinks out. We were on the second sailing of the Ecstasy when they reopened Mobile and while the crew appeared short staffed we didn't have near the troubles the O.P. is reporting on the Dream. No bourbon of any brand? or Pepsi to be had? I just can't see that being 100% accurate.

I would find it hard to believe also if I had not had a similarly unlikely experience myself a few months back. I like Gentleman Jack and Coke (but have to settle for Pepsi on Carnival) and one night in the casino they told me they were out of Gentleman Jack! I asked what bourbon they had and they only had one and I had never heard of it. So I ended up drinking what I could get. The next day they had Gentleman Jack in the casino, but were out of it at Alchemy. I guess they had a bit and moved it to where folks were asking for it. It was the first time I have ever come across a booze shortage on a cruise.

 

We have sailed the Glory five times since reopening and got to know some of the crew. Apparently almost all the crew was the same from reopening until our last cruise at the beginning of April. And the contracts of all those folks were ending in late April/early May. I suspect what the OP encountered was an entirely new crew trying to figure up from down. 

[BlerkOne]

38 minutes ago, Colorado Cruzer said:

They had Dr Pepper? Is this port specific because I have neer been able to get a Dr Pepper on a carnival ship?

 

New Orleans and Galveston

[2wheelin]

6 hours ago, Schlinger said:

Hi, that's interesting, I never knew that, having only cruised 3 times so far. How long do I have to eat and leave? I don't think I have ever seen that mentioned anywhere that there was a time limit on my meals.

No posted time limit but common courtesy tells you not to dilly dally when people are waiting. For those who responded that in the old days it may have lasted two hours are talking about the set dining times. Because every table was seated at one time, it naturally took longer and that was planned for. Now, with YTD it is more important, and easier, to keep people moving. If you want to sit around and drink before ordering, do it at the bar.

[BlerkOne]

32 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

No posted time limit but common courtesy tells you not to dilly dally when people are waiting. For those who responded that in the old days it may have lasted two hours are talking about the set dining times. Because every table was seated at one time, it naturally took longer and that was planned for. Now, with YTD it is more important, and easier, to keep people moving. If you want to sit around and drink before ordering, do it at the bar.

There's always Lido for those who want to eat and run. YTD is about eating when you want for as long as you want. The table is yours for as long as you want it, or the lights come in 

[icft]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

There's always Lido for those who want to eat and run. YTD is about eating when you want for as long as you want. The table is yours for as long as you want it, or the lights come in 

Thanks! We were just talking with our friends about where we could meet to play bridge and eat.

[Illbcruzn4life]

11 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

The overall lack of crew personnel across the fleet is hurting Carnival.  They've not been able to staff up because of delays in the visa from the US Gov't, to the point where the always-open 24 hr Pizza joint had to close for a few hours overnight on a recent sailing (saw that on John Heald's FB page).

 

Now that they have all their ships sailing, and sailing at very high passenger capacity, the lack of personnel is just too thin in some areas, and I would imagine they are ensuring the newer ships get "at least enough crew", which will leave some ships "slightly understaffed".

 

I imagine that is what happened on the Dream.  Hopefully this will be rectified soon, but since it involves US Immigration...I would not bet on it.

 

last week on Horizon the pizza place was closed from 3am to 8am. 

[Illbcruzn4life]

13 hours ago, nlktx49 said:

Returned Sunday, May 1, from an 8 day cruise on the Dream. From waiting over an hour and a half every night for a table at Anytime Dining, to a message at 5 am from the Art Auction to not miss the Lightning Auction at 1 pm - which when I complained to guest services and the person asked to see my phone, said he saw no evidence of this post on it, basically calling me a liar! -  to no bourbon, no Pepsi, no Dr Pepper by day 3, to rudeness from crew to other passengers, to a dirty cabin - the list goes on and on. This was my 25th cruise, supposed to be my milestone, but may be my last. I've never experienced any issues like this on any other Carnival ship and have had four cruises since the restart. My complaints were totally dismissed by the hostess in the dining room, the assistant Maitre de, guest services - I posted my complaints on John Heald's Face Book page and got a kind and concerned response, with a promise to follow up.

 

Is Dream the stepchild ship of Carnival?

 

I have two more cruises this year, booked and paid for, both on the Dream. No way would I ever set foot on this ship again. 

if the art auction post was on your phone how could they call you a liar and say they see no evidence of it?

[mondello]

10 hours ago, WhiteOptima said:

Post also mentioned Ike and Galveston and that was where Conquest was but thank you for policing to ensure we are all correct.  And this is why I rarely post on CC😡

Sincere apologies! I should have known better. I almost didn't post it but couldn't see why you were asking if it was Conquest. Pretty obvious you'd know where the homeport was if your son was working it. It just seemed you were asking about the current reference and not the cruise from 2008.