Quick Questions - New Carnival Dream Passenger

[Librarian365]

Hi

We have cruised several times with our kids before at all ages and stages (now they are LATE teens), but this is our first time on a Carnival Cruise.

 

- On other cruises we punched our room key/ID and wore it on a lanyard - is Carnival like this? If not, what is the easiest way you have found to carry around your room key/credentials?

 

- Now that our daughter is 18, she can't do the kids clubs. How are the days activities for younger adults? (we are going in June from NOLA)

 

- Any tips for port times in Jamaica, Cayman and Cozumel? What to do if the excursions don't last the entire time in port...that would be great.

 

- How is the safety on the ship? Cleanliness? I suspect my kids will be alone on the ship at some point for whatever reason.

 

- Any tips in general for travelling with teens?

 

Thanks!

[Ready 2 Go]

Hi

We have cruised several times with our kids before at all ages and stages (now they are LATE teens), but this is our first time on a Carnival Cruise.

 

- On other cruises we punched our room key/ID and wore it on a lanyard - is Carnival like this? If not, what is the easiest way you have found to carry around your room key/credentials?

 

- Now that our daughter is 18, she can't do the kids clubs. How are the days activities for younger adults? (we are going in June from NOLA)

 

- Any tips for port times in Jamaica, Cayman and Cozumel? What to do if the excursions don't last the entire time in port...that would be great.

 

- How is the safety on the ship? Cleanliness? I suspect my kids will be alone on the ship at some point for whatever reason.

 

- Any tips in general for travelling with teens?

 

Thanks!

Hi Librarian365, we cruised the Dream a few years back. It's a very nice ship in my opinion. If I'm not mistaken I think I read in another post that a new 18-20 year old club may be available. I'm not sure so maybe someone else can comment on that. They did not have one as late as last July when we cruised the Breeze. However, my 18 year old at the time made tons of friends and was back and forth in the club for older teens. At one point he was even in the adult club .....still not sure how he pulled that off. We didn't do much when we did this sailing in terms of the excursions. We got off walked around and explored then back to the ship. In Grand Cayman we did a local tour that took us to the turtle farm, Hell, the rum factory and back to the ship. It was like 10 dollars per adult our teens were 5 each and he let our then 5 and 10 year old ride for free. There were quite a few passengers on this tour. You will find lots of excursion offerings right at the port when you debark. Looks for those individuals that are licensed. It's always 6 of us so we try to stay economical but safe at the same time. I would just recommend you go with an open mind and have fun...you're on a cruise[emoji6] [emoji6] have a fabulous time!!

 

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[Colorado Beach Bum]

Hi

We have cruised several times with our kids before at all ages and stages (now they are LATE teens), but this is our first time on a Carnival Cruise.

 

- On other cruises we punched our room key/ID and wore it on a lanyard - is Carnival like this? If not, what is the easiest way you have found to carry around your room key/credentials?

 

- Now that our daughter is 18, she can't do the kids clubs. How are the days activities for younger adults? (we are going in June from NOLA)

 

- Any tips for port times in Jamaica, Cayman and Cozumel? What to do if the excursions don't last the entire time in port...that would be great.

 

- How is the safety on the ship? Cleanliness? I suspect my kids will be alone on the ship at some point for whatever reason.

 

- Any tips in general for travelling with teens?

 

Thanks!

 

You can have your rooms key punched either at guest services or the Casino and attach to lanyards.

Once our boys turned 18 they were with us in the Casino.

The Dream is safe and clean. I don't think you will have any issues.

We like Mr. Sanchos or Paradise beach in Cozumel. Fun time for all. We went to Montego Bay in Jamaica and the kids had a ball.

Tips for traveling with teens? Patience and Margaritas:)

[momonthego17]

My family DH, my mom and DDs (13 & 15) just cruised over Thanksgiving on Conquest with the same itinerary. My review link is in my signature.

Have a great cruise!

[Nashmom2]

We did that itinerary on the Dream in July. Montego Bay you would definitely want to book an excursion. We got off the ship walked into a couple of shops, bought our magnet and got back on the ship about 30 minutes later. We enjoyed an afternoon on a near empty ship. Grand Cayman is fabulous. You can take a taxi to seven mile beach for a cheap beach day. We took the kids to the Turtle Farm and they loved it. Cozumel is great for shopping. We went snorkeling with the sting rays. We have been to two beaches there on two different cruises and both were rocky and we needed beach shoes. When we boarded this last time our sign and sail card was already hole punched. We got a free lanyard that first day when we bought our embarkation photo and my daughter brought her own. I don't know much about the teen activities since my kids are younger but we love the Dream. Been on it twice and going again in March.

[Singer4Him]

We sailed on the Dream in November and had a blast. Our Sail & Sign cards already had the hole punched in them when we received them so there was no need to try to go to guest services to have it done.

 

Since it was two empty nester couples sailing, I can't speak for the club for your older teens, however, in Grand Cayman, there's a great place to snorkel that's within walking distance of the pier. I believe the cost is $14 per person for as long as you'd like to snorkel. Our friend did this and we just met up with him back at port later that afternoon. This might be a fun option for you there.

 

[Raxter54]

In George Town, we just shopped. If you turn right as you come out of the port, about 1/2 mile down the road is Paradise Seaside Grill. They have an area to snorkel from their patio, mask/snorkel/fins/vest $18 for all day. Good food, too. There was also a flea market across the street. They had some hens with baby chicks walking around, so of course DW had to go over and see them. Picked up some souvenirs, wife got a couple sun dresses.

 

At Cozumel, we usually go to Nachi Cocom, next door to Mr Sanchos. Great beach, great food. We like it due to being low-key, and they limit attendance to 100 people per day. If you have kids, Mr. Sanchos would be better, due to more things for them to do. Either way, Cozumel is a great port.

[Librarian365]

These are all great answers!

 

I don't want to book any excursions that keep us out all day. We are hoping to have the chance to eat some local food and maybe have an adult beverage. We also like the idea of souvenir shopping just a touch.

 

I think we might have to split up which is also ok. Do you find that the excursions don't give you much time to do anything else? We are thinking of Ziplining one day, snorkeling or swimming with the stingrays...not sure what else but something different from the other two.

[pops72106]

Mr Sanchos is fantastic and ur 18 year old can join u with an adult beverage

[puppypal7]

We did the catamaran and snorkel in jamacia finished in a couple hours. Then the stingrays in grand cayman couple hours long and caab? Beach in cozemul all day thing, all through carnival all great

[Athankfulheart]

The Dream is probably our favorite Carnival ship. There are lots of things to do for all ages, most of the day and into the night. I have sailed the Dream with "kids" who were aged out of camp and they had a great time. I would highly recommend spa passes for the week on this ship.

 

As far as those ports go, these have been our favorites:

 

Coz - beach day at an all inclusive such as Mr Sanchos or Nachi Cocum but there are lots of fun things to do in Cozumel.

 

Jamaica - If you are stopping in MoBay then I hate to say it, but it's like the cesspool of ports. For this reason we plan a charter that picks us up at the port right next to the ship. Everything else we would love to do is just too much of a drive from MoBay. I highly recommend the catamaran "Freestyle" and you can join a small group or charter it privately for the day, which is what we did. We were back in time for a late lunch. The shopping at this port is almost non existent so you wouldn't be missing much. If you google Freestyle Jamaica catamaran you will find info. They are also well represented on Trip Advisor. This is a sailing and snorkeling day.

 

Grand Cayman - I think anyone who isn't afraid of water should visit stingray sandbar at least once in their lives. It really is a fabulous experience, especially if you are hooked up with the right tour companies. I highly recommend Stingray Sailing. These people are top notch when it comes to how they treat their guests and the stingrays. Again, this company can be found at TA and at their website. Their groups are small and they feed the rays real fish and not junk. There were so many boats and people at the sand bar while we were there, but we had most of the rays. They come to know the tour boats and operators and know who treats them the best ! This tour left us time for shopping both before and afterwards.

Edited February 8, 2016 by Athankfulheart

[RaiderFaninNM]

Just off the Dream 2 weeks ago and the ship is a beauty!

 

Loved every second of it, Atrium bar is out fav place to chill and have a drink, people watch. Good food, good service, great ship have fun!

 

Jamaica, LOVED Montego Bay, so much better then Falmouth, that is a total dump! Dr Cove is a lovely beach, Margaritaville, shops right by, no problem mon just situations! Not sure what previous posters were at LOVED IT, go and RELAX as you are on vacation!

 

Have fun!!!

[Raxter54]

Just back from our 7 day Dream Cruise. Great ship, our wait staff in the Crimson Dining room was top notch, Subata took excellent care of our room. If you go to Roatan and like to snorkel, you have to go to Tabyana Beach. The coral reef is just yards from shoreline, saw many schools of different fish, squids, parrot fish, you name it. Would go back in a flash [emoji3]

[CrazyPartyOf4]

Are the lanyards provided or should we bring them? We are also sailing the Dream In August [emoji3]

[RaiderFaninNM]

Are the lanyards provided or should we bring them? We are also sailing the Dream In August [emoji3]

 

Did not really look for them but the gift shops has plenty......

[Librarian365]

I've heard from other threads that the casino has some they give out if you get there early.

But that is hear-say I guess!