Dream - 27 June to 4 July

[campolady]

Sorry if this is a bit long winded!!!

 

CABIN - 9037. Very spacious and kept spotlessly clean by the wonderful Cabin Stewardess Roxanne who was an absolute gem. Bedroom furnishings in good condition with pristine white bedding, lovely picture window with completely unobstructed view; seemed a little surreal looking at people walking past the window and knowing that they couldn't see us watching them. Super King Sized bed - one of the most comfortable beds we have had in holiday accommodation for a long time. Bathroom was a wetroom adapted for wheelchair users; good size but in need of some TLC décor wise e.g. sink badly chipped; flushing mechanism of toilet a bit hit and miss but always worked eventually. Despite the minibar contents, there was plenty of space in the fridge for our own bottles of water etc. Didn't use the kettle so don't know how effective this was.

 

FOOD - Good on the whole. Apart from two lunchtimes when it was closed, we always ate in the Orion restaurant.

Breakfast options were reduced but standard fine - Porridge got the thumbs up from Hubby!

Lunch was not as good as on any of our previous cruises on the Dream - one lunchtime we both sent our main courses (1 x Thai Burger and 1 x Fish and Chips) back barely touched and the Restaurant Manager came to see us saying that he had noticed many other people had done the same; he recorded our comments and later sent a complimentary plate of Chocolate dipped Strawberries to our cabin with a note saying that he appreciated our remarks - the gesture was not necessary but appreciated all the same.

Dinners were good and we never struggled to find anything to suit. 2 nights we paid the £9.95 supplement for Fillet Steaks and Lamb Chops - these were very heavily promoted! - which were superb and well worth the additional cost. Wine waiters very efficient and helpful.

 

BAR DRINKS - We paid the full price for the Drinks package and, despite drinking mainly soft drinks, we were on board for so much of each day that we more than got our moneys worth. More waiters in each bar and the theatre than there was in November so never waited more than a few minutes for service. There was very heavy promotion of the Wine and Drinks packages on the first 2 days.

 

POOL DECKS - Plenty of sunbeds although still saw people putting towels out as soon as the beds were put out at 6 a.m. Tiling and wood work around both pools in dire need of TLC as looked a real eye sore and didn't tempt us to enter the water. Plenty of waiters around for prompt drinks service.

 

PORTS

Due to Hubbys recent ill health we didn't book any organised tours and just went ashore for an hour or two as early as possible each morning.

PALMA - Despite check in time being official from Noon we were on board/in our cabin by 10.30 and our luggage arrived within 15 minutes. Palma port was very busy with 4 cruise ships in on our arrival day and 7, including a TUI Mein Schiff, in yesterday.

VILLEFRANCHE - Efficient tendering with tickets obtained from the Medusa Lounge where you then waited until your number was called. Villefranche was quite attractive but was mainly used by o9ther passengers as the landing spot for Monaco. We just strolled along the seafront for an hour then had a couple of Coffees and the smallest/nastiest Brandy ever that cost 16 Euros (no menus/price lists on tables)!

LIVORNO - We docked a LONG way out so had to use the port shuttle bus that cost 5 Euros each. We stayed in Livorno and visited the market (excellent) then did the Canal Boat tour buying our tickets at the Tourist Information office where the shuttle bus drops you off. We enjoyed the 40 minute boat trip that cost 12 Euros per person.

SANTA MARGHERITA - We should have anchored off Rapallo but the port was closed for forthcoming Fiesta preparations so we were tendered into neighbouring Santa Margherita instead. Found Santa Margherita to be very pretty and had a short walk round the castle area before taking the ferry on to stunning Portofino (9.50 Euros per person return). Was so glad we visited Portofino as it is truly beautiful and the4 approach by water is spectacular.

TOULON - Our third cruise stop here so we just wandered round the market then strolled the back streets. A lovely, relaxing morning. Later that afternoon we were informed that the ship had some technical problems so our departure would be delayed by a couple of hours - in the end the work took much longer than anticipated and we didn't leave until just before Midnight.

BARCELONA - One of our all time favourite places. Due to the late departure from Toulon we didn't dock until Midday whichy of course is the hottest time of the day so not ideal for walking about! However, we managed to stroll up Las Ramblas to the unmisssable La Boqueria market where we had an excellent (price and quality) lunch of Tapas and Cava at the KitKat bar.

 

BRIDGE TOUR - This free tour was mentioned in a tiny section of Thursday nights Cruise News and numbers are strictly limited to 20 people (which the articled didn't mention) so you need to be at Reception at 8.30 to guarantee a place. The tour was scheduled for 11 a.m. but this was changed mid-morning due to our late arrival at Barcelona and rescheduled for 5 p.m. The tour was given by Second Officer Ola from Sweden and was very interesting so highly recommended to future cruisers; our stay on the Bridge lasted for around half an hour and photos were allowed at the end of the talk.

 

DECOR/CLEANLINESS - Much of the seating in bar areas (especially in Tides), and carpetting in busy areas, is in need of attention but there was a posse of contractors looking at this yesterday so may be part of Novembers planned refurbishment. The ship was very clean in all public areas.

 

CREW - As usual the Crew are the cream of the crop and Thomsons greatest asset. Without exception they were superb. Saw many more Officers walking around than on previous trips and these all made time to talk to passengers.

 

All in all we had a lovely, relaxing holiday and we will definitely return to the Dream.

Edited July 5, 2015 by campolady

[Jakanne1]

Excellent and interesting review, Campolady. Pleased you both enjoyed your cruise, you deserved it.

[Pensioncruiser]

Nice report glad you had a good time, we remember Roxanne she was very good we had cabin 9040☺☺

[so,ton saint]

Excellent and interesting review, Campolady. Pleased you both enjoyed your cruise, you deserved it.

 

super review Campolady we had Roxanne also in the Caribbean super stewerdes cabin 9027 well worth paying the extra for.

[kruzseeka]

Thanks for an interesting and informative review. So pleased you enjoyed your cruise.

[mtt]

My mum has just back off this cruise she said it was brilliant and had a great time, there are 6 of us on in oct back on the dream very looking forward to it

[campolady]

Forgot to mention the Entertainment!

 

Best Entertainment Team we have seen so far - some first class performers.

 

However, we had seen most of the shows several times before - Michael Jackson show and Broadway Blitz for the 4th time - so it would be nice to get some new productions. One show new to us that we enjoyed was 'Styled by Rock' and the last night production of 'The Curse Of Skull Island' was especially good.

[toonhibby]

Forgot to mention the Entertainment!

 

Best Entertainment Team we have seen so far - some first class performers.

 

However, we had seen most of the shows several times before - Michael Jackson show and Broadway Blitz for the 4th time - so it would be nice to get some new productions. One show new to us that we enjoyed was 'Styled by Rock' and the last night production of 'The Curse Of Skull Island' was especially good.

 

Great review Brenda pleased you and Hubby enjoyed yourselves,you both really deserved a good holiday hope your both well.

[happy v]

I'm so glad you both enjoyed it.

 

I hope you have many more to come.