to Dream or not to Dream

[spintowin]

Can anyone give any input on the Carnival Dream? My brother and sister-in-law want my husband and I to sail with them on the Dream in March. We have sailed RCI for a total of 8 cruises (including 1 trans Atlantic) We have always been loyal to Royal, having never cruised with another cruise line. Am I being silly for not wanting to go on Carnival? Should I experience it for myself or save the money and go on our own again with RCI? Thanks

[nyyhoneybee]

Other people will tell you otherwise but I had an awful time on Carnival and wohldn't sail them again.

[LittleMissMagic]

I sailed on the Carnival Dream last year over Christmas, and I wasn't very impressed.

 

Physically, the ship is about the same size as the Voyager-class ships. However, they packed in many more staterooms without adding public space to accommodate the additional guests.

 

I didn't care for the two separate dining rooms - Scarlet and Crimson. They were very neon and we sat in a booth - felt very boxed in and didn't have a good view of the dining room. It felt more like eating at a Chili's than eating on a cruise ship. I also absolutely despised the layout of the buffet area - not good for crowd control. However, they did have some unique dining options for lunch, such as a burrito station and made-to-order pasta. I thought that was really cool.

 

I also wasn't a big fan of the main theater because it was very "flat" and difficult to see from the back. Also, instead of individual seats, they have long, cushioned benches on the main floor - which lets people take up more than their fair shair of space.

 

What I did really like about the Dream was the ridiculous amount of hot tubs - I think they had nine total. There were four on the same deck as the casino (kind of weird walking through the casino in swimwear...) that cantilevered over the side of the ship - a great place to soak when watching the ship leave port.

 

The dream also has a version of the solarium for adults only. There are cushioned loungers and a hot tub, but no pool for adults only. It's also oddly right by the water park.

 

We didn't get to use the water park because it was never opened while we were at sea due to high winds during our sailing. However, it was open at select times on port days - they had some cool slides.

 

I really don't have any desire to cruise the Dream, again. I much prefer Royal Caribbean. However, I don't think that Carnival is the trash bucket that some people make it out to be - it's just a very different atmosphere (not my preference).

[CedarburgCruiser]

Personally have been on the Carnival Dream three times and have not had a bad time yet, otherwise would not have gone back.

 

We did anytime dining and enjoyed it. The booths on Carnival are not the greatest idea, in my opinion, because my wife and daughter had a tough time getting in and out of the booth on formal nights.

 

Entertainment was great. Had a band that played almost every night.

 

Would go back and sail on the Dream again.:D

[NeuroQueen]

We were on the Dream over Thanksgiving and loved it. Yes, the layout is different than most RCI ships, and the buffet was a bit crowded, but the service was awesome and so was the food. We had cruised on the Oasis in May and I was preparing myself for the worst, but I have to admit, the food was definitely better, the service outstanding and the crowds were not wild. I sailed with carnival in the beginning of my cruising years and then switched to RCI so I'm usually a RCI cheerleader, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Their Steakhouse blew Chops out of the water.

[Ocean Boy]

When we sailed Oasis last year the Dream was with us all week. Looking over at the ship I just did not see anything that made me want to give the ship a try. There was nothing that made me even the slightest bit curious about the ship.

[Tyler80]

When we sailed Oasis last year the Dream was with us all week. Looking over at the ship I just did not see anything that made me want to give the ship a try. There was nothing that made me even the slightest bit curious about the ship.

 

I would have to agree 100%.

[Emeripsni]

If you haven't already, suggest posting this question on the Carnival forum - probably more folks there that are familiar with the Dream.

[bigeagle12]

The Dream is on my bucket list. We were in port in St. Maarten next to her a couple years ago and met the crusie director while shopping in port. Had a really great conversation with him and was also really impressed with the what we could see of the ship.

 

As I have stated before .. I am not loyal to any one cruise line (although RCI is our favorite) .. will pick cruises based on itinerary, ship and price :D

[VacationsRme]

We were on Dream in August. What will make your cruise is being with your Brother and his wife. I prefer RC but Dream is a nice ship too.

[spintowin]

Thanks to all your comments. I agree, the thing that will make the cruise is being with family we don't see very often. They live in Williamsburg, VA and we are in So Cal. I know one thing for sure, I would never go on that slide!

[mjldvlks]

We have cruised with Royal with the exception of one Celebrity cruise and we are happy witht eh result. However, I am certainly curious about other lines and my main priorities are (1) who we are going with, and (2) where we are going. If there was a cruise on another line that our friends invited us to come along, I would try to give it a shot. Great company can cure a multitude of cruise line sins. And how are you going to know why you are being loyal without some comparison.

 

Edited to add: oh come on, try the slide.

[bajathree]

When we sailed Oasis last year the Dream was with us all week. Looking over at the ship I just did not see anything that made me want to give the ship a try. There was nothing that made me even the slightest bit curious about the ship.

 

I would have to agree 100%.

 

That makes 3 of us.

[kmm59us]

I have only cruised on Carnival: 3 on Glory and 1 on Dream.

 

The ship is fine for the most part.

 

The biggest thing I DID NOT LIKE was, we had a deck 6 cabin with balcony. When we looked out there was a hot tub on deck 5. I DID NOT LIKE THIS. When I have a balcony, I want to look down at the sea, not a hot tub. And not, my hubby did not look at the deck maps before he booked. Next time I'll make sure he does.

 

We are going on FOS in April and I'm looking forward to a change.

 

Karen

[LittleMissMagic]

The Dream is on my bucket list. We were in port in St. Maarten next to her a couple years ago and met the crusie director while shopping in port. Had a really great conversation with him and was also really impressed with the what we could see of the ship.

 

Did that happen to be Butch? I loved him!!! (Though everyone on my roll call had a big problem with him...)

[bigeagle12]

Did that happen to be Butch? I loved him!!! (Though everyone on my roll call had a big problem with him...)

 

Do not remember his name .. it was 2010 .. he was young and very energetic.

[Cruisin824]

I have only cruised on Carnival: 3 on Glory and 1 on Dream.

 

The ship is fine for the most part.

 

The biggest thing I DID NOT LIKE was, we had a deck 6 cabin with balcony. When we looked out there was a hot tub on deck 5. I DID NOT LIKE THIS. When I have a balcony, I want to look down at the sea, not a hot tub. And not, my hubby did not look at the deck maps before he booked. Next time I'll make sure he does.

 

We are going on FOS in April and I'm looking forward to a change.

 

Karen

 

Having been on both you will love FOS. We did FOS before Carnival and I really missed the Royal Promenade. Something about the way RCCL moves people around ships is amazing. You are onboard with thousands of people and it never feels that way. Carnival packs people in for sure and it is more difficult to navigate. I would do either again because I had a great time on both lines but I would always choose RCCL over Carnival if they had the same itinerary.

[Cruisin824]

Did that happen to be Butch? I loved him!!! (Though everyone on my roll call had a big problem with him...)

 

 

We had Butch on CCL Liberty for a Christmas/NYE cruise 2009/2010. Butch was a great CD, very energetic and always around.

[genegri]

IMHO Dream really is not of the same caliber as Oasis and Allure. The prices reflect it too.

 

What I like about Dream is its Western Caribbean itinerary. if you decide to go for Dream I highly recommend the Western.

 

My biggest complaint about Dream is somewhat strange. Dream's promenade deck (the big wrap around deck 5) looks nice; HOWEVER, it has very high railings with flexiglass, not the usual open railing promenade on smaller ships. Unless you are 7 foot tall you can't see over the glass. This may not be an issue for many (indeed I haven't seen anyone else mentioning it) but I really don't like it. It is just not open enough and gives the otherwise very nice promenade a closed-in feel.

[bigeagle12]

IMHO Dream really is not of the same caliber as Oasis and Allure.

 

No other ships are .. so what :rolleyes:

 

Not everyone wants to cruise solely on the Oasis and Allure.

 

Some of us are more adventurous and enjoy a variety o cruising experiences.

[Cruzaholic41]

Can anyone give any input on the Carnival Dream? My brother and sister-in-law want my husband and I to sail with them on the Dream in March. We have sailed RCI for a total of 8 cruises (including 1 trans Atlantic) We have always been loyal to Royal, having never cruised with another cruise line. Am I being silly for not wanting to go on Carnival? Should I experience it for myself or save the money and go on our own again with RCI? Thanks

 

Don't waste your time, money, or vacation days. I have cruised Dream and it is one of very few ships I have sworn to never sail again. In fact, I have sworn off that entire class of ships. It was the most crowded cruise ship I have ever been on. Picture this - same number of passengers as Freedom of the Seas on a ship the size of Voyager of the Seas - and one tiny, cramped pool on the main lido deck. Imagine 30 minute waits just to get food from the buffet on a sea day. Your "personal space" better not exceed 1 foot. This is not a hypothethical. It is the Dream.

 

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't cruise other lines. I'm just saying don't cruise Dream.

[bryndlwulf]

We were on the Dream in September and had a great time. The ship is very pretty. The split dining room is a strange idea but nothing more. I find the biggest difference between the two lines to be the behavior of the guests onboard...people seem rowdier (drunker?) on Carnival. That said I find that weird because there are so many of us on here who do cross over both lines frequently. I dunno, maybe it was just the Carnival cruises I was one were rowdy ones...not bad at all...fun, loud, and rowdy. I love both lines but I am partial to RCI. But it is definately worth it to book the Dream in my opinion.

[bigeagle12]

Don't waste your time, money, or vacation days. I have cruised Dream and it is one of very few ships I have sworn to never sail again. In fact, I have sworn off that entire class of ships. It was the most crowded cruise ship I have ever been on. Picture this - same number of passengers as Freedom of the Seas on a ship the size of Voyager of the Seas - and one tiny, cramped pool on the main lido deck. Imagine 30 minute waits just to get food from the buffet on a sea day. Your "personal space" better not exceed 1 foot. This is not a hypothethical. It is the Dream.

 

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't cruise other lines. I'm just saying don't cruise Dream.

 

I have heard this too .. but we cruise in the winter months with very few kids onboard .. so do not anticipate the large crowds.

[time4u2go]

When we sailed Oasis last year the Dream was with us all week. Looking over at the ship I just did not see anything that made me want to give the ship a try. There was nothing that made me even the slightest bit curious about the ship.

 

The Dream is on my bucket list. We were in port in St. Maarten next to her a couple years ago and met the crusie director while shopping in port. Had a really great conversation with him and was also really impressed with the what we could see of the ship.

 

As I have stated before .. I am not loyal to any one cruise line (although RCI is our favorite) .. will pick cruises based on itinerary, ship and price :D

 

Hmmmm..... :D

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

Other people will tell you otherwise but I had an awful time on Carnival and wohldn't sail them again.

 

Same here, and I actually gave them THREE chances, on 3 different ships, including one that was brand new.

 

There won't be a 4th try, 3 strikes and you're out!:eek::D