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Just off the Dream and a few observations

Cushing985

By Cushing985,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Cushing985

Cushing985

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Just got off the Dream yesterday. I admit I was a bit nervous because of all the talk about having just one cabin servicing per day, tablecloths in the MDR, etc.

 

Boarding in New Orleans was pretty painless except for getting to the area where the taxi drops you off. Huge wait because the self-parking lane and taxi and shuttles use the same lane. Just a zoo! Once in the terminal it was quick with no problems. We checked in just after 11:30AM with a stated boarding window between 11:00 - 11:30.

 

The mini-fridge was empty in our Cove Balcony cabin. The A/C worked great throughout the cruise. We even had to turn the control up a few notches as it got too cold. Cabin was sterile and organized. The steward came around before dinner and presented the card designed to enable you to customize what service we wanted. The new cards are onboard now and you can choose morning only, evening only or both.

 

In the MDR they had tablecloths only on the "Elegant" nights. Otherwise, no cloths on the casual nights. On "Elegant" nights I would say about 60% of the passengers dressed in suits and ties (nice dresses for the ladies) and the rest had on "Business casual" (Dockers and collared shirts). I did see two guys wearing tuxes.

 

Something I did find out...both my wife and me had GI issues (she had it first and then I caught it from her). If you have a GI problem medical won't charge you for treatment but they require (because the CDC requires it) you to stay in your cabin for 24 hours. During that period you can watch on-demand movies for free and Carnival will also credit $100.00 toward your next cruise. So, because both of us were in jail we each got the $100. The doctor will also put you on a bland diet and room service knows that and will only deliver items considered bland. Trust me...you wouldn't want anything else!

 

Service was great as usual. I consider this Carnival's strong suit. You just can't ask for a more friendly and helpful group of people!

 

The one thing that dragged us down were the lines on the Lido deck. No matter what time you went you could count on long lines. On some days I would give up and hit room service. This was the first time we've had this problem. There seemed to be an over-abundance of weight challenged passengers on this ship so perhaps they were going for seconds or thirds. We normally cruise in late April but this was our first 7-day cruise in awhile. We might go with another cruise line (Celebrity) for the shorter cruises and go with Carnival for the longer ones (Journey cruises).

 

No problems with smokers and I really wasn't expecting any. When people write they can't use their balconies because they're surrounded by smokers I have to wonder if they are being truthful. The casino was the exception though...I would just quickly move through the place because the smoke was so heavy. Carnival needs to get state of the art ventilation systems installed so everyone can be comfortable. There did seem to be large areas set aside outside for people who choose to smoke.

 

So, just a quick snapshot of our cruise. Bottom line...service was great (as usual), lines were horrendous, Dream is in great shape and we had a great time. We're looking at the Magic early next year just to find out if the line situation is Dream specific or is a class problem.

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Sitzmark

Sitzmark

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Boarding in New Orleans was pretty painless except for getting to the area where the taxi drops you off. Huge wait because the self-parking lane and taxi and shuttles use the same lane. Just a zoo! Once in the terminal it was quick with no problems. We checked in just after 11:30AM with a stated boarding window between 11:00 - 11:30.

 

The one thing that dragged us down were the lines on the Lido deck. (Journey cruises).

 

 

A couple of questions, Does the riverwalk mall connect to the port so that if you were in the hotel there you could walk through and into the port avoid the traffic confusion and issues?

 

When you say the lines on the Lido deck, are you referring to the buffet restaurant?

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WendyVF

WendyVF

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We sailed over New Year's with a packed ship and don't recall the buffet lines being too crazy. Many times we just bypassed the midship buffet and headed to the back. We also know to avoid the buffets during peak times!

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Cushing985

Cushing985

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A couple of questions, Does the riverwalk mall connect to the port so that if you were in the hotel there you could walk through and into the port avoid the traffic confusion and issues?

 

When you say the lines on the Lido deck, are you referring to the buffet restaurant?

 

We actually stayed in a hotel out of town and took their shuttle to the port so unsure about the Riverwalk method of getting into the terminal.

 

All the lines were bad in addition to the buffet. The Grill, Deli and the Tandoor (sp?) were worse because the meals are made individually. Like I said, this is the first time I ever experienced lines like this on Carnival. Not sure what caused it. The doctor onboard mentioned they had 4000 guests onboard but Carnival's ships normally sail full. What surprised me though was Guest Services never had crazy lines when we had to go there or on the way to the restaurant. Speaking of the restaurant...we had ATD and always asked for a private table with the same staff and never waited. Dinner typically lasted just over a hour on most nights.

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Cushing985

Cushing985

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We sailed over New Year's with a packed ship and don't recall the buffet lines being too crazy. Many times we just bypassed the midship buffet and headed to the back. We also know to avoid the buffets during peak times!

 

We're very flexible eaters...I can live off my love handles for days! So, we tried many different times and had the same results.

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Cushing985

Cushing985

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Interesting observations- funny, the Dream is the only ship on which we had a problem with long lines on Lido too. We did a lot of pizza and sea day lunch in the MDR.

 

Other than the lines we both enjoyed the Dream and hope to schedule a Magic trip early next year. I especially liked the Cove balcony as my wife tends to get a bit seasick on the higher decks for a balcony. Being on Deck 2 was good for her.

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Cushing985

Cushing985

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Thanks for the review. We will be on the Dream next week.

 

Last time on the ship a few years ago didnt find lines so bad so we shall see.

 

The outdoor grill, though it also had long lines, it seemed to move fairly quickly. Of course, that's only on sea days.

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My6Dogs

My6Dogs

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A couple of questions, Does the riverwalk mall connect to the port so that if you were in the hotel there you could walk through and into the port avoid the traffic confusion and issues?

 

When you say the lines on the Lido deck, are you referring to the buffet restaurant?

 

Not to but in... :) but my understanding is yes the riverwalk mall will take you right to the port.

We are staying at the hyatt riverwalk, and planning on just walking over.

 

Mike

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Podna's

Podna's

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Not to but in... :) but my understanding is yes the riverwalk mall will take you right to the port.

We are staying at the hyatt riverwalk, and planning on just walking over.

 

Mike

 

 

You are correct and the Riverwalk takes you straight to the port. The hotel that connects to the Riverwalk is the Hilton Riverwalk.

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darktone

darktone

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I have been on the Dream three times. Twice out of Port Canaveral and once out of NOLA. I experienced longer buffet lines out of the New Orleans cruise and I hope I don't offend anyone but I have never seen so many very large people on one ship before. I am guessing there are many large people in this part of the country?

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spyingeyes

spyingeyes

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Carnival needs a sign in the buffet area, "Take what you like, but eat what you take" I find it disgusting the large plates of food left on the tables that could feed a small country.

 

 

Oh, a sign won't fix that problem. Much like a sign in any other buffet anywhere doesn't deter those who have no sense and insist on "getting their money's worth" in food. But I'm right there with you, it's sickening and wasteful.

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riclop

riclop

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Just got off the Dream yesterday. I admit I was a bit nervous because of all the talk about having just one cabin servicing per day, tablecloths in the MDR, etc.

 

Boarding in New Orleans was pretty painless except for getting to the area where the taxi drops you off. Huge wait because the self-parking lane and taxi and shuttles use the same lane. Just a zoo! Once in the terminal it was quick with no problems. We checked in just after 11:30AM with a stated boarding window between 11:00 - 11:30.

 

The mini-fridge was empty in our Cove Balcony cabin. The A/C worked great throughout the cruise. We even had to turn the control up a few notches as it got too cold. Cabin was sterile and organized. The steward came around before dinner and presented the card designed to enable you to customize what service we wanted. The new cards are onboard now and you can choose morning only, evening only or both.

 

In the MDR they had tablecloths only on the "Elegant" nights. Otherwise, no cloths on the casual nights. On "Elegant" nights I would say about 60% of the passengers dressed in suits and ties (nice dresses for the ladies) and the rest had on "Business casual" (Dockers and collared shirts). I did see two guys wearing tuxes.

 

Something I did find out...both my wife and me had GI issues (she had it first and then I caught it from her). If you have a GI problem medical won't charge you for treatment but they require (because the CDC requires it) you to stay in your cabin for 24 hours. During that period you can watch on-demand movies for free and Carnival will also credit $100.00 toward your next cruise. So, because both of us were in jail we each got the $100. The doctor will also put you on a bland diet and room service knows that and will only deliver items considered bland. Trust me...you wouldn't want anything else!

 

Service was great as usual. I consider this Carnival's strong suit. You just can't ask for a more friendly and helpful group of people!

 

The one thing that dragged us down were the lines on the Lido deck. No matter what time you went you could count on long lines. On some days I would give up and hit room service. This was the first time we've had this problem. There seemed to be an over-abundance of weight challenged passengers on this ship so perhaps they were going for seconds or thirds. We normally cruise in late April but this was our first 7-day cruise in awhile. We might go with another cruise line (Celebrity) for the shorter cruises and go with Carnival for the longer ones (Journey cruises).

 

No problems with smokers and I really wasn't expecting any. When people write they can't use their balconies because they're surrounded by smokers I have to wonder if they are being truthful. The casino was the exception though...I would just quickly move through the place because the smoke was so heavy. Carnival needs to get state of the art ventilation systems installed so everyone can be comfortable. There did seem to be large areas set aside outside for people who choose to smoke.

 

So, just a quick snapshot of our cruise. Bottom line...service was great (as usual), lines were horrendous, Dream is in great shape and we had a great time. We're looking at the Magic early next year just to find out if the line situation is Dream specific or is a class problem.

 

Thanks for the review.

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Warm Breezes

Warm Breezes

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Carnival needs a sign in the buffet area, "Take what you like, but eat what you take" I find it disgusting the large plates of food left on the tables that could feed a small country.

 

Judgmental much?? I usually walk away with a full plate of small servings so I can try a variety of foods in hopes of finding something I would like. Many I do not eat because it turns out it looked better than it tasted. No way am I going to eat something I don't like. If you want to eat it for me go right ahead :rolleyes:. Whether it ends up in my stomach or in the trash, I paid for it. If you find it disgusting then that is your problem, not mine or anyone else who doesn't finish the food on their plate.

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My6Dogs

My6Dogs

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You are correct and the Riverwalk takes you straight to the port. The hotel that connects to the Riverwalk is the Hilton Riverwalk.

 

That's right, my son made the reservation and I erred...☺

At least it started with H!

 

Mike

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SadieN

SadieN

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Carnival needs a sign in the buffet area, "Take what you like, but eat what you take" I find it disgusting the large plates of food left on the tables that could feed a small country.

 

 

Funny story, on my first Princess cruise I was taking puny portions from the buffet. The chef asked me what I was doing. When I told him I was trying things out he just shook his head and muttered that, 'no one does that'. When the lines are long people will take note so they won't have to fight the line again.

The hold up at the Tandoor is the wait for the naan.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

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