Considering Carnival Dream

[peteukmcr]

Hi all

 

I'm only used to RCI but are considering sailing on the Dream in 2010 but as I know very little about Carnival I have a few questions I hope you helpful folks on this board could help with.

1. Balcony cabins, which ones are like the D1 category of RCI Freedom class (214 sq ft, 68 sq ft balcony)
   
2. Smoking - what is Carnival's policy (I can't find it in their FAQ's)?
   
3. Formal Nights - do they have them onboard Carnival?
   

Thanks in advance

[Lejardin]

Hi all

 

I'm only used to RCI but are considering sailing on the Dream in 2010 but as I know very little about Carnival I have a few questions I hope you helpful folks on this board could help with.

1. Balcony cabins, which ones are like the D1 category of RCI Freedom class (214 sq ft, 68 sq ft balcony)
   
2. Smoking - what is Carnival's policy (I can't find it in their FAQ's)?
   
3. Formal Nights - do they have them onboard Carnival?
   

Thanks in advance

 

You should check out John Heald's blog http://johnhealdsblog.com/. Tons of information about the Dream. The balcony specs can be found online, but maybe someone who has sailed the Dream recently can give a definitive answer tho the cabin question. As far as the 2. smoking question above OMGosh :eek: there has been quite a lot of back and forth on that subject on recent threads..... John's blog discusses some of that too. Lots of non-smoking places, and some smoking as well. They are trying to pacify both groups. Okay folks, let's all be civil in our answers. :)

[Lady_Jag]

Hi all

 

 

I'm only used to RCI but are considering sailing on the Dream in 2010 but as I know very little about Carnival I have a few questions I hope you helpful folks on this board could help with.

1. Balcony cabins, which ones are like the D1 category of RCI Freedom class (214 sq ft, 68 sq ft balcony)
   
2. Smoking - what is Carnival's policy (I can't find it in their FAQ's)?
   
3. Formal Nights - do they have them onboard Carnival?
   

Thanks in advance

 

1. There are various balcony configurations - Standard balcony, Extended balcony, and the new cove balcony (Square footage: 185 sq ft

Balcony square footage: 35-75 sq ft). There are also suites (Square footage: 275 sq ft Balcony square footage: 65 sq ft ).

 

2. Smoking is permitted in cabins, except Spa cabins (http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Spa_Cabins.aspx). It is also permitted in specific areas of the ship, and the smoking section in the casino. It is not permitted in the main dining room or lounges (or at least the main theater).

 

3. Yes. The number of "Elegant Evenings" are based on the length of your cruise. On a 7-day cruise, you will have 2.

[peteukmcr]

Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated. However, as it costs a far bit for us to travel to the US to join a caribbean cruise, it all depends on the deal we can get with our TA. This time Radiance has won, so no trip on Dream for us yet.

[jules815]

Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated. However, as it costs a far bit for us to travel to the US to join a caribbean cruise, it all depends on the deal we can get with our TA. This time Radiance has won, so no trip on Dream for us yet.

 

Enjoy your cruise. I don't think I've ever read a negative review about Radiance; seems to be a favorite over on the RC board.

[js]

Hi all

 

I'm only used to RCI but are considering sailing on the Dream in 2010 but as I know very little about Carnival I have a few questions I hope you helpful folks on this board could help with.

1. Balcony cabins, which ones are like the D1 category of RCI Freedom class (214 sq ft, 68 sq ft balcony)
   
2. Smoking - what is Carnival's policy (I can't find it in their FAQ's)?
   
3. Formal Nights - do they have them onboard Carnival?
   

Thanks in advance

 

Hi. My family has sailed other cruise lines but over the last 15 years, really only sail RCCL. We have two children (almost 16 and 11) and they love RCCL. We were booked on Oasis for my dd's Sweet 16 and it was very, very expensive. I priced the Dream and saved thousands. Even then, my dh didn't want to jump ship but the kids will have a great time and my dd is brining friends, so it was the right thing to do at the time.

 

That being said, I havn't sailed CCL but booked on the Dream for next summer.

We usually get a D1 on RCCL. I booked 8Cs on Deck 8 on CCL and 4Es on Deck 8.

I like being in the back of the ship and was able to do this. We usually take cabins on Deck 9 on RCCL but on Dream, Deck 10 has pool, etc (things other than cabins) and I like to have us sandwiched between cabins on top/bottom.

 

From all my reading, they have formal nights on CCL, they are called Elegant Night. It seems you can get dressed/not so dressed. I am not having my dh pack a suit for Elegant Nights on CCL but he will still have dress pants/shirt.

 

Not a smoker so don't know too much about that but I know John Herald just had a big thing about lack of smoking places on the Dream, but I can be mistaken.

 

I very want to book on Oasis for 2012 but for now the Dream is what we will be sailing. I do hope that we LOVE CCL. It saved us tons of money and would love to sail out of NY like I do on RCCL from Bayonne.

Good luck with your decision.

[firefly333]

I very want to book on Oasis for 2012 but for now the Dream is what we will be sailing. I do hope that we LOVE CCL. It saved us tons of money and would love to sail out of NY like I do on RCCL from Bayonne.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Go with a open mind and embrace the things Carnival is better at and prepare for a few changes. We sat with folks at dinner who told us every night how much better they remembered the food being on RCL ... even though they hadnt been on RCL for 5 - 7 years. There is a saying comparisons are odious, just enjoy what Carnival does have to offer. I love the ribs on Carnival, but there might be a dish on RCL you loved too.