Record lows, two teens and 7 nights on the Dream. Jan 9th-16th trip report.

[tammymacb]

Well, it's over. Can't believe it. We've been planning this trip for quite a while. I've asked my questions on cruisecritic, I've read ( then avoided ) the bad reviews and now I'm home after a rainey 7 hour drive from Port Canaveral.

 

"We" are myself, DH, DD ( 13 ) DDs friend ( also 13 ) This is our family's 9th cruise. We aren't Carnival cheerleaders though we've sailed both the Pride and the Legend before. We've also sailed Disney, RCCL, Celebrity and Norwegian. DH and I are also scuba divers and often spend several days on island for dive trips. We recently spent 11 days on Cozumel. I often joke that there are more islands in the Caribbean I've been to than not.

 

So, this is my first trip report. Bear with me, as I didn't write anything down but I hope to cover enough to make this imformative.

 

First of all, I'll say, regardless of the horrible weather. We had a GREAT time, and would do it again in a second. :D

[tammymacb]

We drove to Port Canaveral on Friday. Picked the girls up at 1200 from school and only stopped for gas. I'd booked the Raddisson Resort at the Port using the military rate. ( $99 ) the price included one ( which was different, I'd always remembered two ) breakfast and parking for the week. When we arrived we found out we'd been "upgraded" from our non sleep number bed room. When I told the check in clerk, I'd requsted that room specifically because the sleep #s kill my back, I was immediately returned to the category I'd booked. We brought in overnight bags, ran next door to the pizza place for dinner and settled in for a cold winters night. We'd been watching the weather reports for this cruise. We knew that it wasn't looking good, but it was cold. 30 year record low cold. I hoped we'd packed enough jeans and sweaters. :(

[happy cruzin]

Tammymacb -

What sorts of things are near the hotel?? You mention the pizza place - is there anything else within walking distance?

We are staying there the night before - and after - our Dream cruise in 2 weeks. Anything you could share would be helpful :)

Thanks!!

[tammymacb]

We'd scheduled an 11 o'clock shuttle time with "ROP", so when we woke up, DH and the girls ran to target, we had breakfast and headed off to the lobby. Let me tell you, it was a zoo! I've stayed at that Radisson several times, and I've never seen the lobby with so many people in it! However, they got us quickly on the shuttle and to the port. After a small glitch ( DH left his hanging bag in the car and had to take the shuttle back to the Radisson to get it and then returned to meet us before we could check in :rolleyes:) we got in line and it moved quickly. My family has passports, DDs friend did not. Her parents ordered one but it didn't arrive in time....It didn't cause any delay and I was surprised that I was not asked for the permission letter to take her on the cruise. ( Of course we had one, so make sure you take it anyway ) Quick paperwork check and we were on. Quick and painless and our trip was on the way!

 

First impression of the ship, is that it's lovely. Squeaky clean and new. We explored the various decks, clubs and "hang out spots" and took the girls to Circle C to check out their club where they would spend most of the next week.

 

We didn't eat on the Lido deck on Day 1. Basically for two reasons. First was we weren't terribly hungry after breakfast. Second, because it was soooooooo cold, I knew everyone would be staying inside, and I knew that the covered food areas would be jammed. I didn't want to start the cruise being frusterated, so I stayed away.

 

Finally we got to check out our room! Let me say, I was a bit worried about the room. We usually book a balcony on a higher deck. This time, I booked an outside on the second deck. I chose the room based on traveling with 2 teen girls and having the larger living space and the split bathroom. It was the best decision I could have made. We all LOVED our room. :D I'd stay there again no question. We were in room 2667. Very close to the midship elevators. The room was in new shape ( of course ) with a bed for DH and I and an upper/lower for the girls. We had enough room to put away all of our clothes, suitcases, etc and keep it basically neat. The split bath was great. One room had a tub/shower/sink. The second had a shower, toilet and sink. Before getting in the room, I hadn't realized there were two showers and for a family of four, that is a score. :D

 

We cleaned up, but couldn't change as our luggage hadn't arrived yet. So, dressed in jeans, long sleeve shirts and sweaters we were off to dinner. Can I tell you, dinner was wonderful. And, I admit, I was surprised by how good it was! I didn't keep track of everyone's menu, but I can tell you I had the chicken strips, flat iron steak ( which at least to me tastes MUCH better than it sounds- I didn't know what to expect with the flat iron steak ) and creme brulee...

 

After dinner, we walked around the shops, the girls headed off to Circle C, and DH and I hit the casino for my first of 7 days of miserable blackjack luck..:rolleyes: After losing "enough" I headed off to bed. I was tired and it had been a long day. But, I was sure glad to be on board.

[tammymacb]

Tammymacb -

 

What sorts of things are near the hotel?? You mention the pizza place - is there anything else within walking distance?

 

We are staying there the night before - and after - our Dream cruise in 2 weeks. Anything you could share would be helpful :)

 

Thanks!!

 

I wish I could be more helpful with your question. Unfortunatly, I probably won't be. We've stayed there several times, driving in on the day before, and we always just walk next door to the pizza place, it's close, inexpensive and we don't have to get back in the car. I know there are several "cheap" beach like shops, and there's a Target and Walmart in the area...beyond that, I've just never explored.

[steveaaaaa]

Tammymacb -

 

What sorts of things are near the hotel?? You mention the pizza place - is there anything else within walking distance?

 

We are staying there the night before - and after - our Dream cruise in 2 weeks. Anything you could share would be helpful :)

 

Thanks!!

 

I am a local to the area, what are you looking for?

 

Steve

[happy cruzin]

I am a local to the area, what are you looking for?

 

Steve

 

Nothing in particular.....just wondered what might be in walking distance so we would not have to deal with hotel shuttles or cabs :rolleyes:.

[tammymacb]

Spa- I didn't have a spa room, but I took the tour and looked at buying a bracelet. I didn't, but by the end of the trip I wished I had. The spa is beautiful! I was worried, though, that I'd get bored without any company ( DH wasn't interested ) AND without a book. ( I brought my Nook, and was afraid of frying it ) On our next cruise, if I can talk my Dsis into going, I'll pay her way, just for the company. :D

 

Smells- I'd read ( and stessed over ) the reports of horrible sewage smells. I brought Fabreeze with me for the room if needed, but didn't make a big deal about it to my DH. I was afraid if I did, we'd be "looking" for it. Well, I can say, that I did notice the "smell" a couple times. Never overwhelming, but there. Mild but noticable. The smells I noticed were between rooms 2340-2350....not all the time, but a few times during the trip.

[Starfire_rules]

I'm set to be on the Dream by the end of the week.:D:D

I'm glad to see you had a blast. I'm wondering when formal nights were.

[Disneycruisers]

Great review so far. We will be on the Dream in July 2010.

 

Rob

[tammymacb]

I'm set to be on the Dream by the end of the week.:D:D

I'm glad to see you had a blast. I'm wondering when formal nights were.

 

Our formal nights were Sunday and Thursday.

[happy cruzin]

Our formal nights were Sunday and Thursday.

 

Wow...good to know!!

I was NOT expecting the first formal night to be the day we are in Nassu. I am used to them being on Sea days - but I guess they have decided to shake things up a bit ;)

[tammymacb]

Woke up to an expected cold, windy sea day. I don't know if it got above 50 and everyone basically hunkered down.

 

I did go to the Lido for breakfast. As expected, it was busy, seating was scarce ( as there was noone sitting outside ) and lines were long ( ish ) I never felt like the lines were *too* long, but they weren't short either. Breakfast was OK. Neither terrible, nor fantastic. A basic buffet breakfast. From reading previous reviews, I do think the way the buffet lines are currently set up are a design flaw. You can enter the buffet from either end of the line and the servings are identical, until you get to the middle. There, bacon and grits ( things we ordered so I know for sure, there may be other things ) were served to you by the staff. So, two lines were dumping into the "bacon" area. Add in folks jumping in to grab something, and the number of people trying to stay out of the cold and it definately slowed up the line, and backed people up. Again, not the biggest issue in the world, but it seems easily fixed.

 

After breakfast, we wandered around looking for indoor activities and I can't remember much of the day except for part one of "Super Trivia" which we enjoyed, blackjack, where I again bombed, and lots of reading and watching in room movies. It was really too cold to do much else, but the girls were having fun at Circle C and DH and I were relaxing, so no complaints here.

 

This was the first of two formal nights, so we dressed up and went to dinner. ( Crimson dining room table 104- near the window and just for our party of 4 ) DH had lobster, I had prime rib, I tried the Chocholate melting cake, which was good ( though later in the trip, I noticed an inconsistancy in the amount it was cooked ) I continued to be very impressed with the food. I continued to be murdered by the blackjack table, and I went to bed.

 

A second cold day, but we still enjoyed it very much...

 

Tomorrow- Cozumel. Oh, and more cold. :rolleyes:

[tammymacb]

I told you all, I wasn't a review pro. But, I thought I'd share what I know about the Lido deck food options.

 

We ate breakfast there every day. My opinion stuck for the whole cruise. OK. Not bad, not great, but easily OK, with enough options for everyone. Omlettes, pancakes, waffels ( though in my experience, the waffels and bagels were not kept hot under the heat lamp, merely lukewarm ) eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, potatos, cereal...yadda yadda...there is something for everyone.

 

Lunch- We used the pizza ( good ) burger place ( hot dogs, burgers, fries, homemade "tortilla" chips that weren't tortilla, they were more like thick chow mein noodles ) good. Pasta ( better ) mark what you want and the staff custom makes it. We ( luckily ) eat during off hours, and I can imagine this place building up some lines, but none for us. My girls loved the fettucini and shrimp. Deli- good. I'm not a deli girl, but DH ate lunch there often. I didn't visit the carving station, nor did I have any desserts on the Lido deck, with the exception of ice cream. ( They have frozen yogert, too ;) )

 

I would venture that there is something for everyone on the Lido deck for lunch. :D

[Nickymjw1]

bathroom. It was the best decision I could have made. We all LOVED our room. :D I'd stay there again no question. We were in room 2667. Very close to the midship elevators. The room was in new shape ( of course ) with a bed for DH and I and an upper/lower for the girls. We had enough room to put away all of our clothes, suitcases, etc and keep it basically neat. The split bath was great. One room had a tub/shower/sink. The second had a shower, toilet and sink. Before getting in the room, I hadn't realized there were two showers and for a family of four, that is a score. :D

 

.

My dad & stepmom have booked that room for our 5/15 cruise and didn't like the small cruise cabins on their last cruise. Glad to hear this one is a little bigger, plus it is just the 2 of them!

[tammymacb]

Woke up to a chilly morning in Cozumel. Mexico.

 

As I'd stated earlier, DH and I just spent 11 days there to dive this year. So, IMO, I'm already Cozumel'ed out. :rolleyes: We couldn't dive at all on this trip as we had the girls with us, ( and my guess is the current would have been down right dangerous- IF you could find a dive op to take you out )so we'd made no solid plans in the port. As we tried to figure out the day, our options were completely limited beach- out - too cold- snorkeling- the same...no horseriding, ( not in Mexico - the too thin horses are heartbreaking ) In the end, we decided to take a cab from the port to downtown. We were dropped next to Jimmy Buffetts place and stopped in a small, local place next door to see if Luis, a local bartender we became friendly with on our last trip, was in. He didn't get in till later in the day, so we took care of the other errand at hand. Cyd ( dd's friend ) had woken up with an itchy rash on her face that morning. So, off to Mega for benadryl and cortosone cream. For those of you who don't know about Mega, it's Mexico's SuperWalmart. They've got everything and it's set up for locals, so the prices are good. You can get anything from medicine, to flip flops, to candy to electronics. DD had forgotten her conditioner, and we got Herbal Essence at Mega, too.

 

After Mega, we walked around downtown a little bit and became bored pretty quickly. We stopped looking for Louis once more before grabbing a cab and heading back to the port ( US $7 each way for the family of four )

 

We got back onboard, had a nice lunch ( this was the day I tried the pasta place ) We watched the onboard movie in our room- They were showing movies on the big screen, and there were a few brave souls out there, all wrapped in red plad blankets provided by the same guy who ususally is passing out beach towels.

 

Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for formal night. Entree's at my table consisted of lobster for DH ( he got 2 tails ) prime rib for me, and the girls ordered the steak again. Everyone had a great meal. Our server was Catherine. She was sweet, very pleasant and tried very hard to be helpful. She did a great job and the entire family enjoyed her.

 

So, that's about it for Cozumel, except of course, for my daily grind down at the casino, where an unlimited number of 14, 15, and 16 just waited my arrival...:rolleyes:

 

Then off to bed as Roatan is scheduled for tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to Roatan. :D

[tammymacb]

My dad & stepmom have booked that room for our 5/15 cruise and didn't like the small cruise cabins on their last cruise. Glad to hear this one is a little bigger, plus it is just the 2 of them!

 

It's a GREAT room, and I'd happily take it for a trip for two. Basically, two bathrooms. Close to the dining room, the casino, and the lobby deck. It was close to the elevators, but still quiet. They'll love it!

[KroozFoolz]

[quote name=tammymacb;22714475

This was the first of two formal nights' date=' so we dressed up and went to dinner. ( Crimson dining room table 104- near the window and just for our party of 4 ) DH had lobster, I had prime rib, I tried the Chocholate melting cake, which was good ( though later in the trip, I noticed an inconsistancy in the amount it was cooked ) I continued to be very impressed with the food. I continued to be murdered by the blackjack table, and I went to bed.

 

A second cold day, but we still enjoyed it very much...

 

Tomorrow- Cozumel. Oh, and more cold. :rolleyes:[/quote]

 

Woke up to a chilly morning in Cozumel. Mexico.

 

 

We got back onboard, had a nice lunch ( this was the day I tried the pasta place )

 

Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for formal night. Entree's at my table consisted of lobster for DH ( he got 2 tails ) prime rib for me, and the girls ordered the steak again. Everyone had a great meal. Our server was Catherine. She was sweet, very pleasant and tried very hard to be helpful. She did a great job and the entire family enjoyed her.

 

So, that's about it for Cozumel, except of course, for my daily grind down at the casino, where an unlimited number of 14, 15, and 16 just waited my arrival...:rolleyes:

 

Then off to bed as Roatan is scheduled for tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to Roatan. :D

:confused::confused::confused:

Formal nights were back to back? Same menu?

[tammymacb]

OOPS- that was a total mistake. You can tell I was tired. Formal night was on Sunday ( the sea day )

 

After Cozumel, we had dinner at the pay restaruant. Chefs Art? US $30 per person ( which I think is a tad high, but it was very good ) We all had beef ( filet mignon, NY strip )

 

One odd thing about the pay restaurant. Babies were allowed. There was a less than one year old being carried around by the hostess, so its mother could eat. Luckily, she wasn't crying, as I'd have been annoyed to spend $120 extra on dinner and have to listen to a crying baby.

 

This is a major difference with Disney cruise line. They strictly enforce the no children areas ( much more than Carnival ) and the pay restaurant, Paulo is included in that. It was nice on Carnival, because the girls could eat in the restaurant with us, on Disney, they would have had to been 18.

[happy cruzin]

OOPS- that was a total mistake. You can tell I was tired. Formal night was on Sunday ( the sea day )

 

After Cozumel, we had dinner at the pay restaruant. Chefs Art? US $30 per person ( which I think is a tad high, but it was very good ) We all had beef ( filet mignon, NY strip )

 

One odd thing about the pay restaurant. Babies were allowed. There was a less than one year old being carried around by the hostess, so its mother could eat. Luckily, she wasn't crying, as I'd have been annoyed to spend $120 extra on dinner and have to listen to a crying baby.

 

This is a major difference with Disney cruise line. They strictly enforce the no children areas ( much more than Carnival ) and the pay restaurant, Paulo is included in that. It was nice on Carnival, because the girls could eat in the restaurant with us, on Disney, they would have had to been 18.

 

Maybe your itinerary was different :confused:.

 

Our is:

 

Saturday - embark @ Canaveral

Sunday - Nassau

Monday - Sea Day

Tuesday - St. Thomas

Wednesday - St. Maarten

Thursday - Sea Day

Friday - Sea Day

Saturday - disembark @ Canaveral

 

I am REALLY hoping that the first elegant night is NOT on Sunday ;)

[Jsme]

Does Carnival have an age frame for their supper clubs?

[holdon216]

Disney, we will be along for the ride on July 24th....counting the months....

[avp1234]

We are leaving in less than two weeks,(on the Dream), from what I've read the 1st formal night is Sunday, our day in Nassau. Maybe others can confirm. Doesn't matter to us because we aren't that impressed with Nassau.

[CCLgoddess]

We are leaving in less than two weeks,(on the Dream), from what I've read the 1st formal night is Sunday, our day in Nassau. Maybe others can confirm. Doesn't matter to us because we aren't that impressed with Nassau.

 

yup the first formal night in in nassau and the other one is the second to last fun day on thursday.

[nybumpkin]

We are leaving in less than two weeks,(on the Dream), from what I've read the 1st formal night is Sunday, our day in Nassau. Maybe others can confirm. Doesn't matter to us because we aren't that impressed with Nassau.

We did this same itinerary on Glory before Dream replaced her out of PC. Yes, first formal night was Nassau. Since the ship sails at 2, if wasn't a problem for us. Our day in Nassau consisted of walking over to Pirates of Nassau for a tour, then up the hill to St. Francis Cathedral for Sunday Mass. We were back on board by 1.