Documenting the dream western caribbean 01/21-28/2012; the money monkey goes cruising

[radrayjax]

So, Ray, I've had my husband take photos of me reading your review each day and I'm thinking of posting a review of my experience of living YOURS vicariously. My journey has been 4 times as long as your actual cruise thus far and we're just pulling away from Roatan. Talk about making a vacation last! I'm working on a title - maybe "The Money Monkey comes to my living room?;)"

 

Just teasing. I'll be on the Dream on April Fools Day. Folks will think we're seasoned Carnival Dream sailors even though it's our first voyage, all thanks to you and the monkey.

 

Keep it coming, baby.

 

Grace

 

THANKS, GRACE!

I knew it would be big, but I didn't expect to be on this cruise five weeks (or six for that matter) AFTER I got home. I do have a feeling that I will be done by the time you sail. It all depends on how smooth the next DECK goes.

[radrayjax]

DOCUMENTING THE SHIP: CHAPTER 13:

 

 

THE ATLANTIC DECK (4)

 

 

At first glance the Atlantic Deck doesn’t seem to have has many things going for it as the Promenade deck. It is a slightly less complex space, but,

while I was organizing my photos, I found that It had as many divisions as the higher deck; it is just a little more compartmentalized.

 

For ease of discussion, we’ll divide this deck into approximate thirds.

 

THE ATLANTIC DECK PLANS

STARBOARD

PORT

 

The forward third has:

The bow of the ship (Crew-only area)

The Encore Lounge Middle tiers

The forward elevator lobby

The Dream Atrium and Photo Gallery

The Page Turner Library (Starboard)

The Rendezvous Lounge (Port)

STARBOARD

PORT

 

 

The middle third has:

Lower Dream Street Promenade – Along the starboard side from behind the Photo Gallery to the entrance of the Scarlet Restaurant

The Crimson Restaurant upper tier

The amidships Elevator Lobby

The Funhub Internet Station (Starboard)

The Chambers Conference Room

STARBOARD

PORT

 

The aft third has:

The aft section of Lower Dream Street Promenade Aft Area

The Warehouse Video Arcade (Port)

Circle C (Starboard)

Club O2 (Starboard)

The Aft Elevator Lobby

The Scarlet Restaurant

STARBOARD

PORT

 

Flanking the port and starboard sides are 30 life boats. The even numbered boats are on the port side and the odd numbered boats are starboard.

 

The number advance from forward (lowest) to aft (highest). The lifeboat areas are crew-only (except in an emergency).

This is why the muster drill is NOT alongside the lifeboats on this ship.

 

I WILL have exclusive photos of the some of the outer lifeboat areas.

[radrayjax]

THE ATLANTIC DECK FORWARD AREA

 

STARBOARD

PORT

 

THE ENCORE LOUNGE

 

Since I covered the Encore Lounge extensively from the Promenade Deck, I’ll only include a few photos from the Atlantic Deck. The Balcony takes up both decks and there is no real demarcation which seats are associated with which deck. It is only obvious that the highest 2-3 rows are at the Promenade Deck level and the lowest 2-3 rows are at the Atlantic Deck level. Them middle rows are not so obvious.

 

Forward view of starboard hallway leading to the Encore Lounge:

 

Starboard entrance to the Encore Lounge:

 

View to port of crew-only passage way just inside the starboard entrance:

 

Forward view of the port side of the Encore Lounge:

 

Forward view of the (crew-only) exit seen above:

[radrayjax]

THE ENCORE LOUNGE CONTINUED:

 

View to starboard of the engineering panel, balcony center:

 

Forward view of the stage area on the Lobby Deck:

 

Forward view of the port side hallway leading to the Encore Lounge:

 

Forward view of the above from the entrance to the Atrium/Photo Gallery:

[radrayjax]

THE FORWARD ELEVATOR LOBBY

 

I only have a few photos of the forward elevator lobby. There is not much to distinguish it from the lobbies on the decks above.

 

Starboard view of the forward entrance to the forward elevator lobby:

 

Forward view of the staircase in the forward elevator lobby:

 

Aft view of the entrances to the glass elevators:

 

Forward Elevator Lobby, Starboard Elevator Deck Plan Plaque:

 

This Funhub Internet Station is in an alcove to the port of the forward elevator lobby. It is not on the deck plan above:

[radrayjax]

THE DREAM ATRIUM AND PHOTO GALLERY

 

Instead of shops the Atrium on the Atlantic Deck is dominated by the photo gallery and a photo shop (port side aft).

 

We will be circling from starboard to port and on this deck I will alternate views of the inner atrium with the gallery and other aspects on the outer walls.

 

Aft view from the portside hall leading from the Encore Lounge:

 

Aft view at the forward port corner of the Atrium and Gallery:

 

Portside of the Gallery:

 

Aft view towards the Atrium and starboard side of the Gallery:

 

Downward aft view of the Atrium Bar on the Lobby Deck:

 

Moving aft; forward view of the starboard side of the Gallery:

[radrayjax]

The Dream Atrium and Photo Gallery Aft Area:

 

Starboard view of the spiral stairs from the Promenade Deck:

 

Photo store to the aft portside of the Gallery (this is about where the Celebrations store is above):

 

Forward and starboard view form the entrance of the store, the spiral staircase leading to the Lobby Deck:

 

Aft view, center entrance to the Crimson Restaurant, Rendezvous Lounge (port) and Page Turner Library (starboard):

 

Forward view of the landing near the top of the stairs and the bandstand:

 

Moving further starboard, aft view of a table to the left of the entrance above:

[radrayjax]

The Dream Atrium and Photo Gallery Starboard Area:

 

Forward and port view over the “glass rail” towards the portside of the Gallery:

 

Aft view of the Lower Dream Street Promenade:

 

Port view of the Atrium Bandstand:

 

Aft view of the starboard side of the Gallery and Atrium:

 

Forward view of Photo Kiosk at the starboard corner of the Gallery:

 

Forward view Photo Ordering machines to the right and behind the kiosk above. These are opposite the Funhub shown earlier:

[radrayjax]

THE RENDEZVOUS LOUNGE:

 

The Rendezvous Lounge is just forward and to the port side of the Crimson Restaurant upper tier. I has a western theme and is totally dominated by reproductions of Frederick Remington art and sculpture.

 

As far as I could tell the space was very under utilized. I went in during a day at sea and also at night during what should have been prime hours for a lounge. (most of the photos are at night). I never saw it in use.

 

Port view of the entrance to the Rendezvous lounge, just forward of the entrance to the Crimson Restaurant:

 

Port view of the interior of the Rendezvous Lounge:

 

Forward view of the corner bar in the Rendezvous Lounge:

 

Forward wall of the Rendezvous Lounge:

 

Frederick Remington painting on the forward wall (right above):

 

“Cheyenne” bronze sculpture by Frederick Remington:

[radrayjax]

The Rendezvous Lounge Artwork:

 

“Rattlesnake” bronze by FR:

 

Frederick Remington Bronze group sculpture:

 

“Outlaw” Bronze by FR:

 

Starboard view towards the entrance to the Rendezvous Lounge. Note the large work on the ceiling:

 

Artwork on the port wall, facing towards the entrance:

 

Artwork on the aft wall:

[radrayjax]

Concluding the Rendezvous Lounge:

 

Artwork on the aft wall:

 

“Bronco Buster” Bronze by Frederick Remington:

 

Another Frederick Remington Bronze (I can’t read the title):

 

Forward and port view of the Rendezvous Lounge Bar:

 

Artwork on the aft wall by FR:

 

Forward view from the hallway leading to the Rendezvous (Left), Crimson (aft), and Page Turner Library (Right):

[radrayjax]

THE PAGE TURNER LIBRARY

 

The Page Turner Library can be reached the aft central hallway from the Atrium/Gallery, or from an entrance at the forward area of the Lower Dream Street Promenade, just forward of the Crimson Restaurant. This was also an underutilized space; in a key location.

 

It is a beautiful space. Unfortunately, only one of my interior photos was good enough to preserve and post.

 

View to starboard of the portside entrance to the Page Turner Library; the entrance to the Crimson Restaurant is on the right:

 

Forward and port view of the starboard entrance to the Page Turner Library, facing the Lower Dream Street Promenade. The Gallery can be seen on the far right. A side entrance to the Crimson Restaurant is near left:

 

Closer view of the entrance above:

 

Forward and port view of the forward wall of the Page Turner Library:

 

That’s it for tonight.

 

TOMORROW: THE CENTRAL AREA (AT LEAST!) OF THE ATLANTIC DECK.

[radrayjax]

DOCUMENTING THE SHIP: THE ATLANTIC DECK CONTINUED

 

 

THE ATLANTIC DECK AMIDSHIPS AREA

 

The amidships area of the Atlantic Deck consists of

The Crimson Restaurant upper tier

The Lower Dream Street Promenade

The amidships elevator lobby

The Funhub Internet Station (starboard)

The Chambers Conference Room (center and port)

 

THE ATLANTIC DECK MIDDLE AREA DECK PLANS

STARBOARD

PORT

 

THE CRIMSON RESTAURANT UPPER LEVEL

 

We’re continuing the exploration of the Atlantic Deck with the Crimson Restaurant Upper level, just aft of the Atrium and Gallery.

 

The forward entrance is in between the entrances to the Rendezvous Lounge (port) and Page Turner Library (Starboard). The restaurant also has entrances on the starboard side, on the Lower Dream Street Promenade.

Forward entrance to the Crimson Restaurant upper tier:

 

Port view of the reception area in the upper tier; the entrance is to the right:

 

Beverage Prep area to starboard (Right) of the entrance:

 

Aft view of the starboard side of the restaurant:

 

Aft view of the lower tier on the lobby deck from the starboard stair:

 

[radrayjax]

Crimson Restaurant Upper Tier:

 

Aft and port view of the lower tier:

 

Moving towards the aft on the starboard side, we turn forward:

 

Forward view of the two staircases from the starboard side of the upper tier:

 

Moving further aft: Aft view of the entrance to the Galley:

 

Port and slightly port view of the lower tier from the aft starboard area:

 

Forward view of the portside of the upper tier from the aft area:

 

Aft view of the lower tier from the forward portside staircase:

[radrayjax]

The Crimson Restaurant Continued and Lower Dream Street:

 

Starboard view or the aft area of the restaurant from the port side:

 

Aft view of the portside of the upper tier:

The next few shots are taken from the Lower Dream Street Promenade on the starboard side of the ship:

 

Port view form the starboard side entrance in the Lower Dream Street Promenade:

 

Moving further aft: Forward view of the Crimson Restaurant from the Promenade:

 

Aft view down the Dream Street Promenade from near the rear of the restaurant:

[radrayjax]

THE AMIDSHIPS ELEVATOR LOBBY

 

The amidships elevator lobby is just to the aft of the Crimson Restaurant. The rear entrance to/from the restaurant leads to the elevator lobby.

 

Forward view towards the Crimson Restaurant from the promenade just before the forward entrance to the elevator lobby. The Gallery and Atrium are in the far right:

 

Port view of the entrance to the elevator lobby from the Promenade:

 

Port view of the elevators:

 

Starboard view of the amidships elevators:

 

Starboard Elevator Deck Plan Plaque:

 

Forward view of the elevator lobby and aft entrance to the Crimson Restaurant:

[radrayjax]

The Amidships Elevator Lobby and Stairs:

 

Aft entrance to the Crimson Restaurant; Elevators shown in reflections:

 

Starboard view of the stairs at the aft of the elevator lobby:

 

Aft and downward view of the stairs and artwork between the 3rd and 4th decks:

 

View of the whimsical artwork on the mid-deck landing between the 3rd and 4th decks:

[radrayjax]

EXCLUSIVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES AREA

BEHIND THE GALLEY AND THE ELEVATOR LOBBY:

 

 

These shots are from a Crew-Only area through a door just aft of the portside elevators:

 

View to port of the crew-only area just to the aft of the portside elevators:

 

Port view further in the crew-only area:

 

Another view of the crew-only area behind the restaurant:

 

Downward stairs in the crew-only area:

[radrayjax]

THE FUNHUB INTERNET STATION AND LOWER DREAM STREET PROMENADE:

 

Leaving the amidships elevator lobby, we head further aft toward the Funhub Internet Station and the Chambers Conference Room.

 

Forward view from further down the Promenade, past the elevator lobby:

 

Aft view approaching the Internet Hub. It is on the Starboard Wall. The entrance to the Chambers Conference Room is on the right:

 

Close=up view of the Internet Hub:

 

Forward view of the Internet hub and Lower Dream Street Promenade:

 

Aft view further down the Promenade, after the internet hub:

 

[radrayjax]

CONTINUING AFT ALONG THE LOWER DREAM STREET PROMENADE:

 

Port view of the stairs just forward of the Wasabi Sushi Bar. These stairs only go to this deck:

 

Forward view under the stair case above:

 

Further aft along the Promenade, heading toward Circle C and Club O2:

[radrayjax]

THE CHAMBERS CONFERENCE ROOM

 

The Chambers Conference Room is located immediately to port of the Funhub Internet Hub. I didn’t take many pictures in the conference room because is it fairly featureless.

 

Starboard Entrance to the Chambers Conference Room:

 

Port view of the entrance to the Chambers:

 

Port View of the Chambers Conference room, set up with chairs:

 

Starboard view of a muster station located to starboard of the conference room:

 

Side entrance to the chambers, located to the aft of the room:

 

I thought I’d get farther along today. It didn’t happen.

 

TOMORROW: THE AFT THIRD OF THE ATLANTIC DECK.

[Pennyscandy]

More amazing photos and great review. Your documentation and photos of the clubs has made me want to go and see them. Normally, I would not have gone but your photos showed how beautiful the decor is, so now they are on my must see list. Also will seek out other areas we would not have gone to because of your photos and review.

Thanks

[Cruzface]

Bazinga! I can't believe I'm back a week and you still aren't done! I usually do a review, but after yours, I figured "why bother." actually, the only thing I could contribute is pictures of Roatan since we did stop there. Mahogany Bay is awesome. Sorry you missed it. Maybe I'll post some if you don't mind.

[newzandile]

Really enjoying the review/novel about the Dream! I had been put off by some of the other reviews about her because of the crowding issues and if we did go I'd probably want to bring our kids so we would be traveling during peak times and I recognize that OP was not. Either way I am fascinated by ships and the design and engineering that goes into them!

 

 

Someone else mentioned earlier that you should give us some way to pay you, here is what I'd propose. I'd LOVE a review like this of the Elation, even though it is an older and smaller ship. I bet if all of your fans pitched in $25 per assignment we could send you to each ship in the fleet in turn! Don't know what your vacation rules are at your "real" job but if you could get free from time to time you should put your skill set to good use! Anyone agree?

[BeneClone]

I continue to be impressed by your observation skills. Where many would see a space you document intricate detail. Your photos capture the designers' use of light and vertical space which obscures the fact that you're inside. A question - how did you get the views of crew only areas?