dream review 10.2012

[ediemarie]

on the dream oct 6 - 13. the smell, once.

 

food, best food we had was in the steak house and that was fabulous. lido and MDR, out of 10 meals 4 could be described as warm at best. lido dining, lucky to find a clean table. tried one day around 1pm for lunch, moved dirty dishes to an already dirty table so we could sit down. obvious that several passengers were having to do the same thing. other trips to the lido were made at "odd" times, 2-2:30pm still trouble finding clean tables.

 

comedy club brunch - awful. honestly not one good thing to say about it. amazingly loud. cold food, wrong orders. 1/2 of a persons order coming out at one time with the pancakes, toast etc coming out 20mins later. we had all looked forward to this particular day and not one of us cared to go back again.

 

room service, always on time, always cold.

 

my biggest complaint is what i'm sure some will flame me for. the ship was dirty. i'm not talking about spots on carpet etc. public bathrooms were filthy. tp, paper towels, empty glasses probably 1/2 the time. bathroom outside of the scarlet dining room had water completely covering the floor. after pulling pretty much every muscle in my body trying to keep from falling i went off in search to find someone to tell. things happen, i understand. perhaps this had just happened. found someone to tell, she was on the phone. waited for a second and then over heard her conversation. someone had already told her about the problem. i went on my way. apprx 1 hour later passed by that particular bathroom, stuck my head in and the situation had not changed.

 

the bar outside of the MDR, not sure if anyone was ever wiping off the bar itself. sticky, greasy fingerprints all over the cards, menus describing speciality drinks. if i notice it without touching the staff must notice when they stand the things back up.

 

never had a problem with any service staff at all. always pleasant.

 

none of this spoiled our vacation but it didn't go un-noticed. these may seem like "picky" things to some but i honestly don't feel that we were asking for too much.

 

i realize that the dream is a very large ship with 1000's of people on board. i just wonder if carnival realizes just how large and just how many people are on board.

 

would i sail on the dream again, no. our past cruise experience has been on holland and celebrity. we will stick with these 2 lines.

 

ok - have at me. tell me i was expecting too much, that i'm too picky, that i went into it with a bad attitude.

 

forgive the attitude, i've read too many reviews where people are shredded for giving their opinion.

[kona_wahine]

very honest review in my opinion. Not over the top like some of the drama queens on here. We'll be on the Dream in February, so we are going in with the knowledge that it may not be the nice clean Dream we had a couple years ago.

[workin to cruise]

well I was all excited that as of tomorrow I have only 5 more weeks of waiting to go on my second cruise which is on the Carnival Dream. quite bummed now... :(:confused:

[chipq]

What to flame? You shared your observations and your experiences...thank you.

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

[cruise_pirate]

This is pretty much point on from our Sept. Dream Cruise. Was it horrible?

nope, will I cruise on it again?? Most likely not:o

[ediemarie]

well I was all excited that as of tomorrow I have only 5 more weeks of waiting to go on my second cruise which is on the Carnival Dream. quite bummed now... :(:confused:

 

you never know. you've probably read several good reviews about the dream. personally i will not be sailing carnival again, did we have a bad vacation, not at all.

[DebBrown]

Edie,

 

Don't judge all Carnival ships on this one experience. I was on the Legend in September and everything was top notch. The food was hot, the tables in the Lido were always clean and we never had a problem finding a table to sit at, the bars were always wiped clean and our room service was always prompt and at least warm, if not hot. The ship was very clean and there always seemed to be someone around ready to clean what needed to be cleaned.

 

I love Carnival. Have I had better trips than others? Of course! I have never been on a Carnival ship that I would say was not clean.

[cruise_pirate]

Edie,

 

Don't judge all Carnival ships on this one experience. I was on the Legend in September and everything was top notch. The food was hot, the tables in the Lido were always clean and we never had a problem finding a table to sit at, the bars were always wiped clean and our room service was always prompt and at least warm, if not hot. The ship was very clean and there always seemed to be someone around ready to clean what needed to be cleaned.

 

I love Carnival. Have I had better trips than others? Of course! I have never been on a Carnival ship that I would say was not clean.

 

I agree 100% I have always enjoyed all of our Carnival cruises, this last one did not have the same feeling, but I know one ship does not make up the whole fleet!

[kittycrusin08]

Sailed on the Dream October 13-20 and they either really cleaned the ship up or we simply did not have any of the problems. Food was always hot, tables cleared on Lido at breakfast time, and I felt the public restrooms were always clean and neat. Room service was really quick, coffee hot and presented nicely. We did not eat at the comedy brunch so I cannot comment on that but the dining room food was very good, hot and we were always served the correct order. There were a couple of times we had to wait awhile between the different courses but this was not a big problem. Just did not see the "dirt" and grubbiness mentioned by original poster. In fact the ship was beautiful and we had a great cruise???????? ;)

[ediemarie]

Sailed on the Dream October 13-20 and they either really cleaned the ship up or we simply did not have any of the problems. Food was always hot, tables cleared on Lido at breakfast time, and I felt the public restrooms were always clean and neat. Room service was really quick, coffee hot and presented nicely. We did not eat at the comedy brunch so I cannot comment on that but the dining room food was very good, hot and we were always served the correct order. There were a couple of times we had to wait awhile between the different courses but this was not a big problem. Just did not see the "dirt" and grubbiness mentioned by original poster. In fact the ship was beautiful and we had a great cruise???????? ;)

 

workin to cruise - there you go, you're going to have a great time!

[bobsfamily]

would i sail on the dream again, no. our past cruise experience has been on holland and celebrity. we will stick with these 2 lines.

 

From your post it seems this was your first cruise with Carnival... could I ask why, what I mean was it the price, friends or maybe the ports?

Sorry you "dream" cruise was not up to expectations and you might be right to stay with the other cruises.... have a great time!

[ediemarie]

friends, a 50th BD cruise. several posts saying don't judge carnival by one cruise, one ship, you're right.

[AmberTeka]

I was also on that cruise. I agree with you on some issues..disagree on others..but respect your opinion.

 

Disagree...The restroom by the casino was clean when I used it. I used that RR and the handicapped one right beside it ( I have R.A) I only used those RR as I contacted Norvo on Princess last December..and learned to use My own RR when possible. As we were in the casino a bit..I used that one. Often the service worker was in there..a slight Oriental young woman..scrubbing toilets and such. I did see passengers being pigs..but that is another story. Our Cabin.....R7320 was spotless. Our cabin attendant was so good..we tipped him extra..twice. he read our minds..he knew what we wanted before we called him. And we are not picky. Don't spend that much time in our cabin...but he was a whiz.

 

AGREE....Dining service for us was horrible. We ate ATM the first night ( we were waitlisted for early dining...when we got out..we saw a long angry line..all the way to guest services..so we begged for a change. We got it. We were seated at six..and for four night did not see a scrap of food..other than One roll each until after seven. Then within fifteen minutes everything came. If we asked for coffee..the wait staff was annonyed. The senior lady attendent..glared at us. I suspect we were added to her already too tight schedule...but what a mess. Our table.the table behind us..We were at Table 656 the long table beside us.....no food. others around us...food..coffee ..tea. We sat there. NO ONE EVERY WALKED THAT MDR TO SEE WHO WAS GETTING SERVED AND WHO WAS NOT. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE SOLUTION. ON THE FASCINATION..THE MATRIE D WAS EVERYWHERE. Every notice how happy folks are when reviews on that old ship? We loved it.

 

Activies were great. The Activities made trivia and such great fun. The Production shows were excellent. Very good. The staff was nice....except in MDR and I wonder if they just had too many tables..whatever..that needs to be fixed.

 

There were a lot of people in the Lido Deck. We found that if you come up the last Aft Elevator....come in the back...it is better. it is true that on sea days..it is crowded at lunch..so is it on Princess..and on HAL. On Carnival..they have the Salad Bar with the main line..so ..like really happened to us...one old woman ( and I am an old woman too)...held up the line for a good three minutes..while she picked just the right leaf of lettuce..just the exact number of sliced tomatoes...then a major decision on the right salad dressing..People were actually telling her to move on...A CARNIVAL REP SHOULD MONITOR THAT LINE AT LUNCH..AND FOLKS LIKE GENTLY MOVE ALONG...OR SEPERATE THE SALAD BAR FROM THE MAIN LINE. PLEASE. LIKE THE DESSERT STATION IS SEPERATED. PLEASE.

 

We enjoyed the cruise. Our next cruise is on Princess for New Year's Eve. Then we may do HAL. With HAL..there is nothing to do. Great food. Great ships. Great staff. Great ports. Nothing to do. One game of Trivia a day..if you are lucky. Production shows pretty good. Princess..my favorite..but it is also the one I caught Norvo on....I like it for the Trivia...morning..noon and night. it is a hobby of my husbands..and if he is happy..I am happy..and cruising.

 

The Dream is the third most popular ship in the USA in terms of numbers who sail. If it was that bad..........would that many people be repeat sailers? Grow a brain.

[AmberTeka]

I forgot to mention Room Service. I called almost every morning. I ordered coffee for two every morning we were on the ship..except disembarktation day....and when we were going ashore..I would order coffee, toast, and a roll.

 

The lady on the line. Pleasant. Sweet. by the end of the week she knew me. Always..ALWAYS HAD IT THERE ON TIME..OR BEFORE TIME..HOT. ALWAYS.

 

The staff who delivered...I tipped $3 each morning..they could not have more pleasant...

 

Room Service worked PERFECTLY for Cabin 7320.

 

I keep wondering where the ship could have been dirty. As I said..some of the passengers were pigs. I don't know how to describe them other than that. Rude. Greedy. Line breakers. They were at a minumum..but just a few can do some damage. Other than keep staff in the RR and such..what can Carnival do? Also in many places in C.Amer. and Mex...toilet tissue is not put in the toilet..it is put in a basket. Different way toilets work. In the USA.where no basket..often it goes on the floor. Carnival cannot help that. Some large groups would camp out at a table in the Lido deck..eat..several times..play cards....have group reunions...what can Carnival do? And they are passengers..they are not bothering anyone other than taking up seating space.....

 

We have sailed on a lot of ships...right now I think the Dream is a "B" ship. If they can get the MDR situation worked out...It would be an "A". It is a glittering...pulse pounding ship..full of things to do and see.

Go and have a good time. If you MDR is messed up......the Grill is Awesome. The Buffet..not bad. Hamburgers and hotdogs..pretty good. Pizza ..good If you have the $$$$$$$$ the Steakhouse is one of the best at SEa. Awesome.

Happy sails.

[ediemarie]

I was also on that cruise. I agree with you on some issues..disagree on others..but respect your opinion.

 

Disagree...The restroom by the casino was clean when I used it. I used that RR and the handicapped one right beside it ( I have R.A) I only used those RR as I contacted Norvo on Princess last December..and learned to use My own RR when possible. As we were in the casino a bit..I used that one. Often the service worker was in there..a slight Oriental young woman..scrubbing toilets and such. I did see passengers being pigs..but that is another story. Our Cabin.....R7320 was spotless. Our cabin attendant was so good..we tipped him extra..twice. he read our minds..he knew what we wanted before we called him. And we are not picky. Don't spend that much time in our cabin...but he was a whiz.

 

AGREE....Dining service for us was horrible. We ate ATM the first night ( we were waitlisted for early dining...when we got out..we saw a long angry line..all the way to guest services..so we begged for a change. We got it. We were seated at six..and for four night did not see a scrap of food..other than One roll each until after seven. Then within fifteen minutes everything came. If we asked for coffee..the wait staff was annonyed. The senior lady attendent..glared at us. I suspect we were added to her already too tight schedule...but what a mess. Our table.the table behind us..We were at Table 656 the long table beside us.....no food. others around us...food..coffee ..tea. We sat there. NO ONE EVERY WALKED THAT MDR TO SEE WHO WAS GETTING SERVED AND WHO WAS NOT. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE SOLUTION. ON THE FASCINATION..THE MATRIE D WAS EVERYWHERE. Every notice how happy folks are when reviews on that old ship? We loved it.

 

Activies were great. The Activities made trivia and such great fun. The Production shows were excellent. Very good. The staff was nice....except in MDR and I wonder if they just had too many tables..whatever..that needs to be fixed.

 

There were a lot of people in the Lido Deck. We found that if you come up the last Aft Elevator....come in the back...it is better. it is true that on sea days..it is crowded at lunch..so is it on Princess..and on HAL. On Carnival..they have the Salad Bar with the main line..so ..like really happened to us...one old woman ( and I am an old woman too)...held up the line for a good three minutes..while she picked just the right leaf of lettuce..just the exact number of sliced tomatoes...then a major decision on the right salad dressing..People were actually telling her to move on...A CARNIVAL REP SHOULD MONITOR THAT LINE AT LUNCH..AND FOLKS LIKE GENTLY MOVE ALONG...OR SEPERATE THE SALAD BAR FROM THE MAIN LINE. PLEASE. LIKE THE DESSERT STATION IS SEPERATED. PLEASE.

 

We enjoyed the cruise. Our next cruise is on Princess for New Year's Eve. Then we may do HAL. With HAL..there is nothing to do. Great food. Great ships. Great staff. Great ports. Nothing to do. One game of Trivia a day..if you are lucky. Production shows pretty good. Princess..my favorite..but it is also the one I caught Norvo on....I like it for the Trivia...morning..noon and night. it is a hobby of my husbands..and if he is happy..I am happy..and cruising.

 

The Dream is the third most popular ship in the USA in terms of numbers who sail. If it was that bad..........would that many people be repeat sailers? Grow a brain.

 

thank you.

 

glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[Hogladyrider]

Sorry you did not have a "good" experience on your Dream cruise.

 

We were on the same sailing and had a totally opposite experience.

 

Punchliner Brunch was great, we ate there twice, both times service was good food was hot and yummy. We were not there for the entertainment.

 

Dining room we had ATD and we had a table of 6-10 each night with the same servers and it was wonderful. Service was prompt, food was good and everyone at our table commented on the surrounding tables that all had children seated at them how well behaved all the children were.

 

We did not eat at Lido this cruise, room service for breakfast, Pasta Bar twice for lunch and salad on ocean plaza the other days.

 

We did not attend any shows......been there done that.

 

We did watch the James Bond movie on the big screen one night and we were pleasantly surpised at the attendance. There was a LONG line for the free popcorn and it was lousy, but this coming from a popcorn snob.

 

We ate at the Steak House the last night, party of 6, and it was good, the service was amazing.

 

We did the FUN BEHIND THE SCENES tour the last sea day and it was worth the price, it was very informative and interesting.

 

We used the Serenity area on sea days so we were away from the crowds.

 

Cruising is very individual and person so what works for one may not work for another. I find it very interesting how people who were on the same cruise had completely different experiences.........but hey that's what makes the world go around!

[ediemarie]

i agree with your statement regarding people on the same cruise, different experience. i actually am a relatively positive person, didn't go in with the bad attitude. timing is everything i guess!!! another 30mins here or there and things could have been different.

 

glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[Brenna's Mom1]

I have no doubt that things can be considered dirty or that accidents like standing water on restroom floors does happen or tables go unbussed for hours. I just wish that peeps would document them with some time stamped photos, post on these boards, and email to the complaint department at Carnival. A visual is worth a thousand words especially if these things stop you from using a particular cruise line.

[joeyancho]

I think Carnival stopped caring when they eliminated the comment cards.

[V8cruiser]

each cruise is different, one week is great, the very next week, awful....could be key people went on leave... Not sure why some have a good one and others have a bad....but if i had a super bad one like this, i would avoid the ship for a while also.....to many others to choose from..:d

[workin to cruise]

workin to cruise - there you go, you're going to have a great time!

I'll take it! after posting earlier I realized I was still at work. That alone made me think, man I wish I was on a cruise ship righ now. Haha. No worries. I appreciate your honesty. Hope on the next cruise, it is more in "ship shape" for you and you don't have problems. Wouldn't wish that for anyone! :)

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the review!

[reerun25]

I will be sailing on her at the end of March 2013, and I appreciate all the opinions in this thread.