My thoughts on the Carnival Dream 12/4/2016 – 12/11/2016 Sailing

[NightOne]

Thanks for your review.

 

Too bad about the Casino slot games. I found that on the Pride the first time we sailed on it; thankfully by the next time, they had changed out a few machines and had a better selection. Hopefully by next year, they will have made enough changes to the machines that you have a better casino experience.

 

Yeah it is a crap shoot. LOL

 

If they had a bank of Life of Luxury machines they would have had a hard time getting me out of there.

[h_blond2]

I'm glad you enjoyed your first Carnival cruise!

[DOCTOR CRUZE]

Hi, we are going on the Dream in April and... We will be in the same cabin you were in.

Have any specific thoughts or pointers about the room? Did you go to the falls in Jamaica? What did you do on Grand Cayman? We were there twice before and are looking for something to do there.

We too love the Dream and were very disappointed when it left Port Canaveral.

[NightOne]

Hi, we are going on the Dream in April and... We will be in the same cabin you were in.

 

Have any specific thoughts or pointers about the room? Did you go to the falls in Jamaica? What did you do on Grand Cayman? We were there twice before and are looking for something to do there.

 

We too love the Dream and were very disappointed when it left Port Canaveral.

 

 

Room was excellent. My only issue in that regard was it would have been nicer to be closer to the mid-ship elevators. 2315 is 1/2 way in between the front and mid elevators. (Maybe slightly closer to front)

Location would be better for anytime dining in Crimson vs. fixed dining in Scarlett. (Aft)

 

We went tubing in Jamaica. I went to the falls on a previous Jamaica trip.

 

We went to Stingray City with stingraysailing.com in Grand Cayman. The Far Tortuga is an excellent boat and Captain Chip is awesome.

 

Regarding Canaveral: Your loss = Our gain LOL :)

 

 

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[216Cruiser]

I'd love to hear a short rundown of your 3 ports, as we're going on the same exact cruise and itinerary in about 45 days!

[NightOne]

I'd love to hear a short rundown of your 3 ports, as we're going on the same exact cruise and itinerary in about 45 days!

 

 

We did a private tour in Jamaica with knowjamaica.com. This is the 2nd time I have used them. Being that I had did DRF, Blue Hole, and Scotchies on a previous trip we did a bunch of other things including tubing at Calypso Rafting, Fern Gully, Ocho Rios Jerk Centre, Ruins at the Falls, Multiple scenic overlooks, etc. It was just me and my wife. We ported in Ocho Rios so we were minutes away from all the stuff. :)

 

We did Stingrays and Snorkeling with stingraysailing.com in Grand Cayman. There were only 11 of us on the catamaran. Awesome day.

 

We went to http://www.cozumelnachicocom.com in Cozumel. Went swimming at the beach first and then I went parasailing from their dock with Cozumel Parasail. Afterwards swam in the pool, did the hot tub, relaxed, and had a delicious lunch before going back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[maxibluz2]

Thanks for the review! 25 days and I'll be on the Dream! I got a good laugh at you not recommending FTTF so you can always purchase it! I love FTTF!!!

 

So out of Carnival, Royal, and Norwegian... which one would you prefer?

 

My last cruise was in 2009 and I have forgotten a lot, or maybe things have been added since then. What does FTTF mean? Thanks !:confused:

[KPfromCT]

My last cruise was in 2009 and I have forgotten a lot, or maybe things have been added since then. What does FTTF mean? Thanks !:confused:

 

 

 

FTTF stands for Faster To The Fun. You pay $50-70 per cabin to board early, have a dedicated line at Guest Services, and if you have tender ports, you get priority tender spots. We love it so we can go to the room right away and drop off our bags. Well worth the money to us. [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

 

 

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[ABQrobin]

Glad to hear you enjoyed Carnival. We did our first back in 2014 because of recommendations from a friend who has done several other lines multiple times. He said Carnival was for us, and he was right (we are casual people, more into ports and excursions, not gamblers). Never had a bad time on a single cruise, and we are off on our 6th cruise in March. Yeah, we are hooked. Planning 2 more cruise for this year, too.

 

thanks again for your honest review.

[NightOne]

Glad to hear you enjoyed Carnival. We did our first back in 2014 because of recommendations from a friend who has done several other lines multiple times. He said Carnival was for us, and he was right (we are casual people, more into ports and excursions, not gamblers). Never had a bad time on a single cruise, and we are off on our 6th cruise in March. Yeah, we are hooked. Planning 2 more cruise for this year, too.

 

thanks again for your honest review.

 

We've actually booked even another cruise on Carnival because waiting until December 2017 seemed far too long. :)

 

So now we are booked on the Carnival Triumph on May 13th, 2017. :eek:

 

We've never been on a "shorter" cruise and I've read all the stuff about how they can be party cruises but I am going in with an open mind and expect to have fun. After all I didn't expect much from our Dream cruise and it was our favorite one! :)

 

I've been reading your review (and looking at the photos) here: http://www.rnrscuba.net/2016_CarnivalLiberty/LIBERTY_2016.html

 

Thanks for doing it!

 

I love researching the port excursions and activities. :)

[puppypal7]

Same cruise! FTTF also. Bet we chatted at one point or the other. I totally agree with you on the negatives

First, let me say that 95% of the negative stuff I read about Carnival here on Cruise Critic turned out to be absolutely true. About 3% of the passengers on this cruise did not belong on this cruise ship or any other cruise ship as they were of low character / class and conducted themselves poorly. Also, you are probably going to have to go to the Sturgis Bike Rally to see more tattoos. (and that is just the women)

Crowds can be very bad a times and there seems to be lines for absolutely everything. The regular line at guest services was atrocious and people literally had to wait 2 hours on the last sea day. I would say it was 25-30 people deep on the last day. However, there always seemed to be 6-8 people in line all cruise long.

Some of the crew showed signs of being overworked. Some of them appear constantly tired. However, they are all friendly to the passengers and do not complain.

I went into this cruise with the expectation that this was going to be a “Carnival Cruise” … that the price was cheap and I was just going to make the best of it … hopefully it wouldn’t be too bad and I would survive no matter what.

 

It was a different group. Come to find out we heard that an landlord had bought his trailer renters a ticket on this ship which was kind of neat I guess. Was a different group of folks but I as you don't let things like that bother me. Your review is spot on! I was at the meet and greet with dad and my husband. Center middle of photo! LOL Seemed like a huge amount of walking just to say we were there. Food was different believe me. I was on new years eve 2015 and the food has changed. I did not starve by no means it just did not have that POW! it had on the other cruise. Stewards were over worked! The poor bartenders at the casino was really over worked. Samuel and the girl! She was sick God love her still smiled. But since that was the only area where inside smoking was allowed everyone that smoked went there. I understand the non smokers like there air free of smoke but I would think if there was one more inside area the casino wouldn't get so smokey and everyone would be happier...(I Smoke)Great review. Loved Jace! I said BY! I did not get the flyer on rebooking wa! Wa! Wa! But We are on the december 3rd 2017 dream and got a lido deck balcony! and FTTF again just so dad dont have to stand in line. I know but he has a heart condition and too stubborn so get help.Going be a chair hog maybe:) once and finally swim! LOL So much to do so little time

[NightOne]

Same cruise! FTTF also. Bet we chatted at one point or the other. I totally agree with you on the negatives

 

Quite possible. We talked to a lot of Arkansas and Missouri people on the cruise.

 

Wa! But We are on the december 3rd 2017 dream and got a lido deck balcony! and FTTF again just so dad dont have to stand in line. I know but he has a heart condition and too stubborn so get help.Going be a chair hog maybe:) once and finally swim! LOL So much to do so little time

 

That is the week before our next Dream cruise. We went with a cove balcony again. I wish the galley wasn't above the cove balconies near the aft or I would pick a more aft location to save on the walking to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, it seems like the people that did choose that location had more than 2 people in their cabin so not sure if it would even be an option for just 2. Also, the reviews about how noisy they are under the galley are mixed.

[puppypal7]

You are so right. I have recently heard a woman's opinion about the balcony on AFT. Dirty due to engines and noise. his will be our third time on the dream. We have stayed in 8217 which was perfect for hubby and I super quiet and last time room 8363 which I wondered if there were many staying on the floor rarely saw a soul or heard a noise...I understand that the music can be a bit loud right at the lido deck but being dead center next to the elevators and right at the pools is a plus...Hubby and I can go up to eleven to smoke (Bad person that I am) LOL and not worry about dad if he wants a nap. I was running the stairs last time until dad got his directions down back and forth from the casino bar to the room making sure he could find us! LOL Well dad has battled cancer and has a pace maker along with congestive heart failure I am just thankful we are still making memories! He is all I have left. Will this cruise be a bit slower than the first but making memories it what it is all about.

[NightOne]

You are so right. I have recently heard a woman's opinion about the balcony on AFT. Dirty due to engines and noise. his will be our third time on the dream. We have stayed in 8217 which was perfect for hubby and I super quiet and last time room 8363 which I wondered if there were many staying on the floor rarely saw a soul or heard a noise...I understand that the music can be a bit loud right at the lido deck but being dead center next to the elevators and right at the pools is a plus...Hubby and I can go up to eleven to smoke (Bad person that I am) LOL and not worry about dad if he wants a nap. I was running the stairs last time until dad got his directions down back and forth from the casino bar to the room making sure he could find us! LOL Well dad has battled cancer and has a pace maker along with congestive heart failure I am just thankful we are still making memories! He is all I have left. Will this cruise be a bit slower than the first but making memories it what it is all about.

 

Our location was great for popping up to the atrium/guest services area or for going to the shows but was a nice hike to the dining room and we ate a lot more than we went to guest services. LOL

 

We talked to some people that stayed in a cove balcony near the rear elevators and they said it was quiet. However, they stayed out late at night too so who knows. :)

 

I really wanted to book an aft-extended for a future cruise and was looking at cabins on deck 9 below Lido since they have that big overhang above that provides shelter and privacy. However, I was concerned after reading about vibration on those cabins on Dream class ships so I walked back there and went all the way to the railing on deck 10 and lined myself with the cabin I was thinking about and I felt a LOT of vibration at the time. It was enough that it convinced me to not book it and I went cove balcony again.

 

I had heard there was a propulsion issue on the Dream during our sailing and maybe that contributed to it but I don't know the facts or impact.

[CAJUN CRITTER]

Carl thank you so much for your post. I'm planning on booking a cruise on the Carnival Dream probably sometime in December of 2017. I'm just reading different feedback from people who has been on the Dream recently. I've come across a mixture of reactions/comments regarding the Dream. Although after reading your post, I think I made my decision regarding cruising on the Dream. Now, once I determined the ports that I will be heading to, I'll need to do a little research. This will be my third cruise, but the ship. Been on Elation twice. So the only ship I have to compare to is the Elation. :)

[NightOne]

Carl thank you so much for your post. I'm planning on booking a cruise on the Carnival Dream probably sometime in December of 2017. I'm just reading different feedback from people who has been on the Dream recently. I've come across a mixture of reactions/comments regarding the Dream. Although after reading your post, I think I made my decision regarding cruising on the Dream. Now, once I determined the ports that I will be heading to, I'll need to do a little research. This will be my third cruise, but the ship. Been on Elation twice. So the only ship I have to compare to is the Elation. :)

 

 

Glad it helped a little. I have used the forums for many years to do research and try to contribute to that cause when I can. :)

 

 

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[asalligo]

Great review! Thank you.

[MikeMSD]

Thanks for the great review! Looking forward to our cruise on the Dream in July. It looks like it's going into dry dock in February, so looking forward to the new restaurant options.

[jtperry322]

Great review. We will be sailing in a few weeks. We are in an inside state room. We have only booked inside and oceanview rooms. We are never in our room (except to get ready and sleep), so we would rather spend our money in the islands. Excited for this cruise because we have never been to these ports of call.

 

Since we dock in Montego Bay, are there any suggestions for something to do? I am concerned that for the tours to the falls, over half of the time would be spent driving.

 

We have only been on Carnival and Celebrity cruises....Carnival Victory two times, Carnival Sunshine, and Celebrity Summit. Out of the two, we definitely liked Carnival better. We thought the dining room service was much better on Carnival than on Celebrity. In the MDR on Celebrity, there were often times that we had to wait a long time before anyone even came to get our drink orders, much less take our orders. We also thought that the waiters were much more friendly on Carnival. On our first cruise in 2010, our waiter Julian knew exactly what we drank after the first day, and he had the drinks as soon as you sat down. ZX, one of our waiters on Carnival Sunshine, was a hoot. Everyone loved him. As far as our room steward, we have been very pleased on every cruise. We only sailed on Celebrity because we wanted to go to Bermuda last year, and Carnival did not sail from NY to Bermuda.

[NightOne]

 

Since we dock in Montego Bay, are there any suggestions for something to do? I am concerned that for the tours to the falls, over half of the time would be spent driving.

 

 

If you don't want to take the long ride to Ocho Rios and just want to do a beach day then you can go here:

 

http://www.doctorscavebathingclub.com/

 

I haven't personally been but it is a very popular destination for cruisers and has been mentioned here many many times. :)

[Chief Cruiser]

I sailed the Carnival Dream when it was home ported in Port Canaveral. I've cruised Carnival pretty much my entire cruising life and the Carnival Dream was absolutely the best ship I have sailed on! I really enjoyed reading your review and while you pointed out your negatives, we all know nothing is perfect and you are certainly entitled to your opinions based on your cruise experience. But, as they say down at the firehall, a bad day cruising is better than a good day at work!

 

Glad you enjoyed "the dark side" and ultimately saw the light. LOL

 

Happy Sails in the future.

[jtperry322]

If you don't want to take the long ride to Ocho Rios and just want to do a beach day then you can go here:

 

http://www.doctorscavebathingclub.com/

 

I haven't personally been but it is a very popular destination for cruisers and has been mentioned here many many times. :)

 

 

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know if there are shuttle buses that take you and pick you up?

 

 

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[sjn911]

Great coverage on everything..so glad things went well and you have another line to like!!! I love variety!!!

[Mogo0124]

Hi everyone - a few responses:

 

Montego Bay - there is a hop-on-hop-off bus you can buy a ticket to with your sail and sign card. Not sure how much but less than 20 pp. One of the stops is Doctors Cave - it's right near Margaritaville too. We did zip line - what a blast!!!

 

Carl - as far as an aft balcony on deck 9. We had one on the breeze which is basically the same ship. Don't!! While the balcony is good size and the overhang keeps you dry there is no air. It is so hot out there that you can't enjoy it during the day. And you can smell the food from upstairs out there. But the worst is early every morning and every night when they are putting away/taking out the deck chairs - scrape/scrape!!!!

 

Hope this helps some of you. Looking forward to our third cruise on the Dream this August.

[NightOne]

Carl - as far as an aft balcony on deck 9. We had one on the breeze which is basically the same ship. Don't!! While the balcony is good size and the overhang keeps you dry there is no air. It is so hot out there that you can't enjoy it during the day. And you can smell the food from upstairs out there. But the worst is early every morning and every night when they are putting away/taking out the deck chairs - scrape/scrape!!!!

 

Hope this helps some of you. Looking forward to our third cruise on the Dream this August.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

We have a cove balcony again for our upcoming Dream cruise. Although I love the wake view it just seems that there are too many negatives on the Dream class aft-facing balconies for me to pull the trigger. :)