Carnival Dream *FABULOUSE* Transatlantic Crossing – Review

[roxysdg]

My posting is late since I came home and got the flu from my kids. Hopefully the late posting does not dampen my message of what a great ship I think the Carnival Dream is. The entire staff on this Ship could not have been friendlier. Everywhere I went people were smiling and saying hello and many times saying hello to me by my first name. It was a great atmosphere for couples or families.

 

Dream Transatlantic Crossing – Review

 

 

Cruise Director – Todd Whittmer – What to say about Todd? Hmmmm AWSOME!

 

Cruise Director Staff- Morning Show with Todd and James 9:30 am on sea days is great I watched every time it was on. Morning show is broadcasted in your cabin or over the big screen on Lido. If you cruise on the Dream make sure you call in and give a shout out to anyone on the crew you thinks deserves extra praise.

 

We were on this cruise with many older cruisers that did not require always requiring the amount of energy that the Dreams Caribbean itinerary will require. Todd and his staff provided an energy level that kept things moving and fun, and look out when they get to the Caribbean, it will be a PARTY for sure for young and old. They had many activities Halloween party, multiple trivia contests; deck party with the laser light show, drawing with Eli (one of my favorites), ping-pong and beanbag toss tournaments, Bingo. If you had nothing to do on this cruise it was your choice.

 

Entertainment

 

Encore Lounge –

Larry Burrows and the Band – This band is the best I have heard on a cruise ship.

Production Shows- Singers –

Lawrence Neal’s and Heather Wagner * I must note in my past 5 cruises I did not go to many shows because I did not enjoy them on the first couple cruises I was on* THE SHOWS ON THE DREAM HAVE CHANGED ME FOREVER!

 

 

Country Show- I like country music so for me this was a great first show to grab me with if you are not a country music fan you may not want to go but I found it to be very good.

Get Ready – This is a Motown Show and I love Motown. The show is a tribute to the everyday worker that keeps the world moving.. I made sure to have a seat down front, I sang, clapped and danced in my seat to every song. The energy of the singers and dancers truly makes the show more than enjoyable.

 

*ALL NEW * Dancing In The Streets- With great anticipation I left dinner early so I could get a seat right in front center. WOW what a show this is truly something you have never seen on any other cruise ship. There is a raw energy that cannot be explained. The songs are more recent in time frame many of them from the 80’s witch are right up my alley. The new addition to this show is Fun Force -Break Dancing Team and 2 Acrobats. I do not want to give anything away that would ruin the experience but I was again singing, clapping dancing in my seat. I loved the show so much I stayed to see it a second time.

 

Sam’s Piano Bar –

Damian Brill - We had the great fortune having Damian with us for 14 days. He is fantastic I cannot say enough about his passion for his craft and what he does. I spent the majority of my nights in the piano bar. Even after going to the comedy shows or the large production shows I always knew where my night was going to end. Fabulous music and tons of fun, Damian Brill is an artist Carnival is fortunate to have.

Vince Strong – Joined us for the last two days of the Cruise. Vince is your classic piano bar musician who brings the energy of a dueling piano bar to this piano bar with only one piano. Vince is from my home state of Wisconsin and I look forward to seeing him in Milwaukee at Lucile’s Piano bar Downtown.

 

Burgundy Lounge/ Comedy Club – Carnival is trying something new once this ship gets into its regular itinerary. They will have the comedians in the smaller lounge in the back of the ship and they will be issuing tickets so people can be guaranteed a seat for at least one of the shows. I am not sure how this will work but it will be interesting to see.

 

Michael Macy – Family Show and Adult Show- I saw both of these shows both nights and loved them. Mr. Macy is fantastic and had our entire group laughing non stop. His family show is fun but kids look out if you sit up front, you may be a target for the comedian that likes to pick you out of the group if you are not laughing. The adult show was without a doubt the best, and no matter who you are you will laugh from start to finish.

 

Eddie Capone - Family Show and Adult Show I saw both of these shows both nights and Eddie is a very funny comedian his Family Show was good and the Adult Show even better. Even Older Cruisers liked Eddies Raw side in his late night show.

 

Jeff - “The Fun Dude” is the featured the MC for the Comedy Club and well my mother always said (and she was with me) “if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.” I will let all of you determine how funny you think the “The Fun Dude” is.

 

Caliente Night Club- Loved the Nightclub and D.J. Shannon. Unfortunately with the older crowd on this cruise many nights we did not have enough people on the ship to keep the club open after the piano bar closed. I do not think his will be a problem on the Caribbean itinerary.

 

The Song Jazz Lounge – Mouna Does a great job with karaoke bar and this is where you need to be if you want to be picking for the Carnival Legends show. On our crossing it was also the place to see a very good Salsa Band.

 

Casino – I normally spend a couple hours a night in the casino when I am on a 7 day cruise. This cruise I did not spend as much time in the casino. The casino on the Dream is great and very beautiful, I was just fearful of having 16 days to gamble.

 

Casino Bar Area- This area is now used as the sports bar and it works well for this purpose. There is also a small stage and sitting area for entertainers to play music.

 

Ocean Plaza –A very nice area that is used for trivia and activities during the day and at night used for karaoke, small bands, and as a general gathering area.

 

Water Slides - The best at sea and they are freshwater J

 

 

Dinning Staff

Ken Byrne-Sr. Maitre D

I have cruised with Ken before on the Carnival Splendor and as always his staff is great. The wait staff goes above and beyond all expectations. Our waiter Jerry and his assistant Tin were excellent. Ken sang a song before the waiters performed and all the dance numbers were full of smiles energy and fun.

 

Chef –

The chef did a great job with offering selections that always had something for everyone. I was wondering how they would keep it interesting for 16 days but they pulled it off and the food was always spectacular.

 

Buffet and counter service – Pizza, grill, deli, stir fry

All very good and sometimes the lines were long but that being said the ship was fully booked and weather played a big part of how busy it was on certain days. I never found the lines so long that I could not wait maybe 5 to 10 min for and sandwich. My personnel favorites at the deli turkey on a country roll for lunch and to close the late nights on Lido Deck a Napoletata at the 24 hour Pizza Parlor 10 minute wait max late at night.

 

Cabin – We has a spa cabin on Deck 12. I was on the trip with my parents so we had three people in this cabin. The space was adequate for what we needed and having access to all the spa amenities was great.

 

Cabin Staff – Our Cabin Stewart and her assistant went above and beyond everything we asked of them. Having never been on this long of a cruise we did not know what to expect but service from beginning to end was exceptional.

 

Lido Bar Open Late- I have to give a shout out to Tan and the staff at the Lido Deck Bar. They were open late every night waiting for us to come up for pizza and drinks.

If you are looking for a late night/early morning bar that is open Lido deck is where you will want to be.

 

Club O2- My kids were not with me but I have had kids on cruise ships before and Club O2 on this ship is huge, my kids would love to be on this ship.

 

I cannot wait to figure out a way to get back on this ship!

Roxysdg

[mississauga]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write your review....especially after coming home to sick kids and getting sick yourself.

 

Looking forward to experiencing the Carnival Dream in 9 days!:D Hope to enjoy it as much as you did!

[Steelermoose]

great review Roxysdg!! I absolutely cant wait to get on this ship, January 9th cant come soon enough. i just wish some people knew how to relax and unwind (which is what vacation is for!) so that they would enjoy what is truly a blessing....Cruising!!!!

[Byn]

Roxy... so glad you enjoyed the Dream and gave such a positive review. I'm excited to see the ship next week. The Dream really does have the best crew onboard.

Damian BRELL will be returning for our Dec. 3 sailing --- then it's on to bigger things for his future. He really is a mega-talent! :)

[Byn]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write your review....especially after coming home to sick kids and getting sick yourself.

 

Looking forward to experiencing the Carnival Dream in 9 days!:D Hope to enjoy it as much as you did!

 

You will be onboard with us.... see you in the Piano Bar!!! :D

[rkeate0804]

Thank you for taking the time to post such a detailed review of the shows. and ship ...It was fun to read...glad you are all well...kathie

[carncovecruiser]

Thank you or a detailed and HONEST review. I was on the TA cruise as well, and it was GREAT!

[aubreysmom]

Thank you so much for posting this review. It is good to read a positive review of the Dream. Like many things - the "negatives" are often the first and "loudest." Thank heavens for you and Mach :)

[jmcancruise]

Question? Anywhere on the ship for slow dancing. DH and I had such a great time in the atrium with "Summer Dream" on our last Glory cruise.

[Byn]

Question? Anywhere on the ship for slow dancing. DH and I had such a great time in the atrium with "Summer Dream" on our last Glory cruise.

 

We always make our own dance floor.... where there is music - dance. Others will follow. (promise)

We once started a dance floor on the Promenade deck - just outside the casino. It was GREAT!