Questions about the Dream

[cmhatter]

I've only been on Royal Caribbean cruises and was planning on doing the Oasis in May. I have since decided to post-pone the Oasis until 2011. We have decided we will switch it up and give Carnival a chance.

 

I typically book interior rooms as I find anything else unnecessary. I do not plan on being in my stateroom very much during the cruise.

 

Question 1:

What is the ideal deck to stay on?

 

I'm looking for the easiest access to the best areas (dining, casino, etc.)

 

Question 2:

Are Spa staterooms worth it? What do they offer?

 

Question 3:

Are there any specialty restaurants that are a MUST?

 

Finally, if there is anyone who can compare the Dream to RCCL's Freedom class that would be great.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Essiesmom]

There is no ideal deck, just book near an elevator or stairs. Inside staterooms are all the same, unless you book a 1A with a bunk bed. Spa cabins are the same size, just different decor, and for the higher price you get passes to the spa. There is only one specialty restaurant on Carnival ships, and it is the Steakhouse. I understand the food is wonderful, but I can't justify paying $30 for far more food than I can eat, when I have already paid for my dining room meal. EM

[cmhatter]

thank you for your quick response...

 

any others?

[kf657]

We also put off the Oasis in favor of the Dream, we have cruised on Carnival several times before....This ship will be a different experience I think. There are many, many Dream reviews on the boards just search an you will find what you need I think...Have fun..but remember that all reviews are just one persons opinion...

[cmhatter]

I wouldn't say im doing it in FAVOR of the Dream but I'm still very excited.

 

I posted this here because I hope to get more specific responses than the answers I would find in the reviews.

[msmith28]

We just got off the Dream last week. We stayed on deck 7 next to the elevator. This worked well as we spent the majority of our time on decks 4,5 and 10. Regardless of which deck you decide, I think you will find the ship easy to navigate.

[hkbragg]

We are going on the Dream in Feb and we chose deck 8. We have to have a balcony and since this ship has an extended deck 5 - we wanted to be far enough away to not hear so much of the noise. We are also near the front of the ship (don't remember what that's called) b/c mid-ship and the back of the ship have spas and bars that, while we enjoy, do not want to be right on top of when we head out on the balcony. If you only want an interior cabin, i don't think any of these issues would be a problem.

 

We have cruised the Mariner of the Seas (not sure what class that is) and we have cruised on Carnival's Miracle. We thought both ships were comparable - so since the Dream is supposed to be even better, I assume it will be just as nice or better then the Miracle.

 

As for food - we did eat at both the specialty dining options on the Mariner (loved the steakhouse, not so much at the Italian place). We have reservations on Carnival's specialty steakhouse (the only specialty dining on the ship) for this upcoming sailing, but have not tried it before. I hear it is good though.

 

I really thought the food, service, rooms, decor, shows - all of it was basically the same on both lines. We go for the relaxation though - we are happy to sit with our wine on the balcony or just lounge at the pool.

 

I really wanted to do the Oasis simply for the spectacle of it - it looks awesome - but the price was more and it was a further port for us (which meant airfare as well). But I am very excited about the Dream - I mean it's a cruise - how could you not be happy:)

[The Grumpus]

I've only been on Royal Caribbean cruises and was planning on doing the Oasis in May. I have since decided to post-pone the Oasis until 2011. We have decided we will switch it up and give Carnival a chance.

 

I typically book interior rooms as I find anything else unnecessary. I do not plan on being in my stateroom very much during the cruise.

 

Question 1:

What is the ideal deck to stay on?

 

I'm looking for the easiest access to the best areas (dining, casino, etc.)

 

Question 2:

Are Spa staterooms worth it? What do they offer?

 

Question 3:

Are there any specialty restaurants that are a MUST?

 

Finally, if there is anyone who can compare the Dream to RCCL's Freedom class that would be great.

 

Thanks in advance.

On Dream we stayed on deck 7 in an aft cabin and I thought it was a good location on this ship. Most everything to do at night is on deck 5 and most of that is aft deck 5 to mid-ship so walking to the aft stairs from your cabin, down two flights of stairs is not a big deal. Once on 5, everything starts right there and works its way forward. We were also assigned the Scarlet (aft) dining room which was very convenient from the aft cabins and easy to get to. The casino is just forward of mid-ship and the main theater is all the way forward so those areas would be the furthest to walk to but it doesn't really feel that like that much of a walk once on deck 5.

 

Not sure if the spa cabins are worth the extra $$$. We had cabin aft cabin 7462 and I loved it. The only down side was I felt the aft of Dream shakes way too much. It reminds me of an older ship in that regard. Ships with azipods don't seem to have that problem which is more of what I'm used to, but it is quiet back there and the balconies are larger - probably twice the size as side balconies. Also, 7462 is a couple feet deeper than side cabins due to being aft. It is stretched for some reason.

 

If you like fine dining, I think the specialty restaurant on Dream is a must. I felt the service is a little stiff however everyone relaxed as the night went on and we enjoyed the experience very much and I think it is at least on par with chops in RCCL ships. It my have been that we had a 6, 8 & 12 yr old with us. FYI - taking them there was probably a mistake, they would have enjoyed the kids club much more.

 

As far as comparing Dream with a Freedom class ship, I've been on Freedom and Liberty of the Seas three times and IMO I don't think there is a comparison, Freedom class wins hands down. There simply is much more to do on Freedom class and Voyager class as well for that matter. It's not to say we didn't have a good time on Dream because we did, just if you are asking which ship I would prefer, I would pick Freedom Class over Dream any day.

[cmhatter]

On Dream we stayed on deck 7 in an aft cabin and I thought it was a good location on this ship. Most everything to do at night is on deck 5 and most of that is aft deck 5 to mid-ship so walking to the aft stairs from your cabin, down two flights of stairs is not a big deal. Once on 5, everything starts right there and works its way forward. We were also assigned the Scarlet (aft) dining room which was very convenient from the aft cabins and easy to get to. The casino is just forward of mid-ship and the main theater is all the way forward so those areas would be the furthest to walk to but it doesn't really feel that like that much of a walk once on deck 5.

 

Not sure if the spa cabins are worth the extra $$$. We had cabin aft cabin 7462 and I loved it. The only down side was I felt the aft of Dream shakes way too much. It reminds me of an older ship in that regard. Ships with azipods don't seem to have that problem which is more of what I'm used to, but it is quiet back there and the balconies are larger - probably twice the size as side balconies. Also, 7462 is a couple feet deeper than side cabins due to being aft. It is stretched for some reason.

 

If you like fine dining, I think the specialty restaurant on Dream is a must. I felt the service is a little stiff however everyone relaxed as the night went on and we enjoyed the experience very much and I think it is at least on par with chops in RCCL ships. It my have been that we had a 6, 8 & 12 yr old with us. FYI - taking them there was probably a mistake, they would have enjoyed the kids club much more.

 

As far as comparing Dream with a Freedom class ship, I've been on Freedom and Liberty of the Seas three times and IMO I don't think there is a comparison, Freedom class wins hands down. There simply is much more to do on Freedom class and Voyager class as well for that matter. It's not to say we didn't have a good time on Dream because we did, just if you are asking which ship I would prefer, I would pick Freedom Class over Dream any day.

 

Precisely what I was looking for. I would go Oasis but I couldn't go with the entire family. We want to do the Oasis when we can all do it together.

 

I don't want to go Freedom/Liberty again because I've been there done that.

 

I am likely booking the Dream this year and we are booking our 2011 on Oasis tomorrow.

[The Grumpus]

Precisely what I was looking for. I would go Oasis but I couldn't go with the entire family. We want to do the Oasis when we can all do it together.

 

I don't want to go Freedom/Liberty again because I've been there done that.

 

I am likely booking the Dream this year and we are booking our 2011 on Oasis tomorrow.

I can give you another comparison which includes Oasis in September.;) There were 8 of us on Dream (5 adult & 3 kids) and I think the kids loved every minute of the cruise... the Dream staff did a great job with their kids programs. You'll have a good time too, I'm not sure what your interests are aboard ships but the casino is fine; it's mostly non-smoking. I found the deck space & loungers around the pool areas to be a bit inadequate during sea days - they should address that but otherwise there's nothing wrong with sailing on the Dream. There's a great selection of food throughout the ship during the day and evenings so there no problem at all there either. Sound like your reason for choosing the Dream is the same reason we chose the Dream... something different and new.

[cmhatter]

I can give you another comparison which includes Oasis in September.;) There were 8 of us on Dream (5 adult & 3 kids) and I think the kids loved every minute of the cruise... the Dream staff did a great job with their kids programs. You'll have a good time too, I'm not sure what your interests are aboard ships but the casino is fine; it's mostly non-smoking. I found the deck space & loungers around the pool areas to be a bit inadequate during sea days - they should address that but otherwise there's nothing wrong with sailing on the Dream. There's a great selection of food throughout the ship during the day and evenings so there no problem at all there either. Sound like your reason for choosing the Dream is the same reason we chose the Dream... something different and new.

 

im 21 and graduating from college so my interests will be food, drinks, entertainment, gambling, etc.

 

im sure i will have a great time, going with my longtime girlfriend, sister and her boyfriend

[The Grumpus]

im 21 and graduating from college so my interests will be food, drinks, entertainment, gambling, etc.

 

im sure i will have a great time, going with my longtime girlfriend, sister and her boyfriend

You should have no problem having a good time then. There's a piano bar... I know, sounds lame but it is fun and the piano guy plays requests and knows a lot of good tunes. The dance club is big and has a good size dance floor; seems like there was a comedian almost every night and there are a few shows in the main theater throughout the cruise. We were on the NYE cruise so there was a huge party up on the pool deck on NYE but I'm sure they do some kind of party up there on every cruise. The laser show was just okay for me; didn't really knock my socks off. They played Pink Floyd, Rush & Boston during the laser show. There is karaoke most nights too and there are a few more laid back lounges with a more mellow sound if you feel like on occasion. Uh... that's all I can think of at the moment.

[cmhatter]

thank you for your insight

[The Grumpus]

thank you for your insight

Yo ugot it, have a great cruise! One other thing, if you all like watching sports, they play whatever big sporting event going on at the time of your cruise on the big screen above the main pool so long as something else isn't planned up there at the time. We watched Sunday Night football and the Penn State - LSU game... I didn't think I'd like the big TV up there but it was pretty cool. They also show'd concerts on it during the day.

[LHP]

Do NOT do the Interior Spa cabins until they get the "echo" thing figured out.

 

I LOVE the new Spa area (and I am not a Spa person at all).

 

We had a Spa Interior in Deck 11....and while I think the Spa amenities are definately worth it..... IF the seas are not calm and IF the ship is doing 20 knots or more....there is a gong echo that can result.

 

I have contacted Corporate, since it is probably a fairly simple fix of more insulation on the interior hull....BUT until I know for certain that this issue has been addressed...I can not in good conscience recommend a Spa Interior Cabin.

 

The Spa Balcony cabins did not have this problem. And it was only for 18 hours out of a 9 day cruise....so it certainly did not ruin our cruise in any way.

 

I just want folks to have all the information possible to make an informed decision.

 

If I did an interior cabin...I would make it mid ship or aft (not forward)....and if it is aft...I would make sure it is on one of the MID decks...not 1 or 2.

 

I say "not forward" because, I do not know for certain that other interior cabins on the decks below 11 heard this....but I am "assuming" they did since we heard it.

 

 

And again, this issue may have already been resolved...we were on the Dec 3rd sailing....

[LynnTTT]

We were on the transatlantic crossing and had a great time. The only problem on an interior cabin is that it's a little disorienting to wake up at 9:00 am and the room is pitch dark. Great sleeping tho and a very comfortable bed. We booked cabin 9470 (I think). It's the last room aft on the 9 th deck. Very convenient to walk one deck up to the Lido dining and the aft adult pool. No noise overhead at all. I think the only special restaurant is the steakhouse and we didn't go. Make sure you try the Indian food at the tandoori bar. That special food bar had great chicken every day and especially good indian "naan" bread. and the grill sre at the adult pool area.

[ladycaveat]

There is no ideal deck, just book near an elevator or stairs. Inside staterooms are all the same, unless you book a 1A with a bunk bed. Spa cabins are the same size, just different decor, and for the higher price you get passes to the spa. There is only one specialty restaurant on Carnival ships, and it is the Steakhouse. I understand the food is wonderful, but I can't justify paying $30 for far more food than I can eat, when I have already paid for my dining room meal. EM

 

Whatever you do . . . do not stay on Deck 1 forward! I swear there were cannons going off when we hit rough water and the sound of the engins at pulling into every port was crazy . . . and it made my entire cabin shutter. By the way, I was in 1204. Loved my cruise (returned today) but the sounds and shutter was something I've never experienced on any other cruise (and I always stay in the lower deck forward because I cruise alone).

[RARcruise]

On Dream we stayed on deck 7 in an aft cabin and I thought it was a good location on this ship. Most everything to do at night is on deck 5 and most of that is aft deck 5 to mid-ship so walking to the aft stairs from your cabin, down two flights of stairs is not a big deal. Once on 5, everything starts right there and works its way forward. We were also assigned the Scarlet (aft) dining room which was very convenient from the aft cabins and easy to get to. The casino is just forward of mid-ship and the main theater is all the way forward so those areas would be the furthest to walk to but it doesn't really feel that like that much of a walk once on deck 5.

 

Not sure if the spa cabins are worth the extra $$$. We had cabin aft cabin 7462 and I loved it. The only down side was I felt the aft of Dream shakes way too much. It reminds me of an older ship in that regard. Ships with azipods don't seem to have that problem which is more of what I'm used to, but it is quiet back there and the balconies are larger - probably twice the size as side balconies. Also, 7462 is a couple feet deeper than side cabins due to being aft. It is stretched for some reason.

 

If you like fine dining, I think the specialty restaurant on Dream is a must. I felt the service is a little stiff however everyone relaxed as the night went on and we enjoyed the experience very much and I think it is at least on par with chops in RCCL ships. It my have been that we had a 6, 8 & 12 yr old with us. FYI - taking them there was probably a mistake, they would have enjoyed the kids club much more.

 

As far as comparing Dream with a Freedom class ship, I've been on Freedom and Liberty of the Seas three times and IMO I don't think there is a comparison, Freedom class wins hands down. There simply is much more to do on Freedom class and Voyager class as well for that matter. It's not to say we didn't have a good time on Dream because we did, just if you are asking which ship I would prefer, I would pick Freedom Class over Dream any day.

 

 

Hope its okay to ask my own questions on someone's board but I think I have found the perfect person to ask a few questions. DH and I were on RCCL Liberty of the Seas in Dec for our 1st cruise. I had a balcony room on the 10th floor. I LOVED IT!! I want to go on a cruise in 2011 or 2012 in Dec again since its close to our anniversary. We would like to take all our kids ages now are 14, 8, 6, and 3 as well as my parents since we will require 2 rooms anyway. I have looked in to Carnival Dream because it saves us $2500. I have been reading reviews and started 2nd guessing myself. 1st I could not imagine not having the balcony I am a very laid back person and read 5 novels on my trip (its hard to read at home with all those kids lol) I woke up before sunrise every morning to watch the sun come up and have my room service. The balcony was honestly the greatest part of my cruise. Sad I know for some but it works for me. SOme of the reviews talked about crowded dining or long wait in the main dining room (as well as cold food). Is the set up of the dining that much different from Liberty's. We only had trouble 1 time waiting for a table. Our food and wait staff was great in the main dining room as well. I liked the layout of the Liberty I could find calm places or you could go to the areas where everyone was at if you wanted to. Ok I think this is my last question are the rooms as nice on the dream. I like the RCCL website because it gives you the sgft of the rooms and a better visual then what I am finding on Carnival's about the dream.

 

Thanks so much for any tips you can give me. I am an awful overthinker when it comes to these things but I just want to be sure that my family will be able to enjoy the cruise as much as we did our first.

 

PS if you have any ideas on which has the better kids clubs that would be great as well.

[scperk]

I think the best rooms are the ones around mid-ship, and I like rooms on the floors between two other passenger decks...I would never get a room just below the Lido deck..I've heard that their is a shudder/vibration in the aft rooms when they are pulling into the ports.....Dennis