Dream Dec 16th - 23rd Rooftop Parking / Mystery Door

[winchesterdog]

Hi Carnival Cruisers,

 

We just returned home from a wonderful cruise on the Dream December 16th to 23rd. Ports of call were Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel. Previous reviews have been spot on with this ship well deserving its reputation of the best customer satisfaction rates in the fleets. I have a few notes I would like to offer for folks planning on cruising the Dream in the near future.

 

Rooftop Parking - This is my 3rd time using the Fulton rooftop parking. The first 2 times was great but this time it was absolutely terrible. There is road construction around the parking deck  which makes getting into the deck almost impossible. The gridlock is unbelievable and we spent over an hour in the que just to get parked - anyway made me end up in the (too early & too late) line. I will offer that since the seasonal rates at rooftop are now $15 per day - terminal parking is now not such a bad option. If you feel lucky and still want to do Fulton Rooftop don't forget to sign up at Airport Parking and get the $5 coupon. It's also a great idea to pull into the terminal and drop off your bags with a porter before heading over to rooftop that way you don't have to maneuver your bags down the elevator to the shuttle buses. I always pull into the terminal like Im dropping off someone the hand off my bags with a small tip to the porters - works great.

 

Terminal - observed something that surprised me. In the Line into the terminal there is a ATM machine next to the escalator. Crammed behind the ATM was what looked like a purse and something wrapped in a shopping bag. Now probably this was a purse that someone dropped or found and stuck someplace elevated so it would be seen but you know the saying "see something / say something" so I reported it to a terminal worker sitting at the base of the escalator. Tall kid with a blank expression... he shook his head up and down a few times then never moved. I assumed he didn't hear me so I reported it to a carnival worker at the top of the escalator. This gentleman thanked me and told he would take care of it. We matriculated down the line a bit and as we came back even with the carnival employee we witnessed a surprising interaction. There was a young terminal worker (obviously security) staying in the doorway. The Carnival worker says " A customer reported a suspicious package behind the ATM and its my job to report it to you and now its your job to investigate it." The terminal security seemed very hostile and rude and actually turned her back and walked away. Anyway we didn't blow up and I can confirm the package wasn't there 7 days later but after thinking about it a bit I would have like to see a little better response to suspicious packages placed in crowded terminals.

 

Carnival Terminal - New procedure this time. They use your passport picture for your sail and sign card. This made the process very fast. Sail and Sign card was in an envelope placed outside our state-room.

 

Stateroom 2366 - Great room with a cove balcony. The Sea door was closed and secured during our port call at Cozumel and for the night after due to rougher seas. We have always stayed in interior staterooms before but from now on I will choose the cove balcony upgrade - just having the natural light waking you in the morning made it worth it. 

 

Value Internet Plan - It worked ok but you do have to keep checking to make sure your logged in in order to receive your messages. WiFi was by no means fast.

 

Alchemy Bar - best cocktails on the ship - they alone have the ability to really go off script and concoct creative drinks. They are very aware of recent reviews of their drinks. They seemed actually a bit put out because they like making the menu drinks and think people should start there. When in Rome and all that - so I ordered from the menu and found that I love the Basil Drop the best.

 

Thalassopy Spa - They turn on the steam room at 0730 and it takes an hour to get to temperature. I kept a shower bag full of my toiletries and razor in the lockers for my entire week. It was always locked in the morning when I arrived for my morning ritual shower-shave-etc. in the large spacious facility.

 

Mystery Spa Door - Here's a tip that I haven't seen before. I also didn't realize this facility existed on the Dream. I suspect some of you knew it was there and have been shamefully keeping it quiet. When you are at the Spa reception desk turn around. You will notice a ladies bathroom door. Next to it (left) is another door and it is UNMARKED. Go through it and you will be in a corridor which leads to a large COED WOOD DRY SAUNA with lockers that is available to all guest for free. 

 

Belize Starfish Island Snorkel - My second trip. Great operation! Great reef. Their gear is national geographic and maintained in great condition. They separate the guest into expert, intermediate, and beginners. Lots of staff keeping a great eye on everyone. Kayaks quickly pulling people out who get tired or in trouble. Best spot on boat - The bow ( nice breeze ). Great Steps to get in and out - easy for every body type. When you get back on from your snorkel - they start serving rum punch PARTAKE FREELY. Great drink! Starfish Island. You have to endure about 2 hours on this sand spit with trees and bar - pro-tip get off the boat and head straight ahead to far side of island and grab a shady spot - its hot. I hope you brought a speaker so you can pas the time with some tunes and beer from the bar.

 

Roataan - We negotiated a tour with a cab - took us all over the island from Spanish town (abject poverty) to West End (resorts). Sopped by a seafood restaurant that blew us away! Gio's - conch fritters that were out of this world! Great service - and basically on a pristine beach. We also went to this butterfly sanctuary thing - I  know - your thinking "meh" well you pay 10 bucks to get in and you get your own guide. These kids speak great english and are very knowledgeable. They are monkeys and lots of other animals basically running free. The guides work real hard to make the short tour great. I tipped the kid $15 and considered it a great value.

 

Cozumel - Covi is cheapest place to buy liquor. Bought my Don Julio anjeo for $34 US. Best deal duty free was 2 for $85

 

Disembarkation - They don't put your luggage tags in your stateroom basket anymore - pick your low numbers up on deck 5 around the computers during your cruise - if you wait you will be stuck with high numbers and you have to go to guest services t get it.

 

Serenity just got an update with new chairs and cushions.

 

Great Cruise! 

 

Kevin

[Athankfulheart]

Thanks for the review. I would also have been concerned about the lack of attention to a lone bag or package. I'd be concerned that while not likely, this could be someones test run. The fact that they didnt deal with it doesnt bode well in that case. Id venture to say that odds of someone just leaving their purse behind are low. 

 

Its good to hear about the serenity refresher. We havent sailed on the dream since 2014 so Im looking fwd to seeing her in Feb !

[bury me at sea]

I appreciate your thoughtful and thorough review.  I've sailed the Dream's two sister ships and am eager to try the Dream when she moves to Galveston.

[GMRPHRN]

Thanks for the review and comments on the terminal issue.

[Saint Greg]

Thanks for the review

[Saint Greg]

13 hours ago, winchesterdog said:

 

 

Alchemy Bar - best cocktails on the ship - they alone have the ability to really go off script and concoct creative drinks. They are very aware of recent reviews of their drinks. They seemed actually a bit put out because they like making the menu drinks and think people should start there. When in Rome and all that - so I ordered from the menu and found that I love the Basil Drop the best.

 

 

I find this part interesting. I assume you're talking about my two Dream reviews with the many Alchemy cocktails. I never got any indication of that attitude. When I came back the second time Maria was excited and said she needed to practice some new drinks. Suri was always eager for me to try his custom drinks. There was a group of about six of us that closed down the alchemy every night and none of us drank off of the menu.

Edited December 24, 2018 by Saint Greg

[winchesterdog]

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

 

I find this part interesting. I assume you're talking about my two Dream reviews with the many Alchemy cocktails. I never got any indication of that attitude. When I came back the second time Maria was excited and said she needed to practice some new drinks. Suri was always eager for me to try his custom drinks. There was a group of about six of us that closed down the alchemy every night and none of us drank off of the menu.

Saint Greg - Allow me to be more clear. I didn't include your name in my post because I couldn't find your handle last night when I wrote it so I chose to be vague. First off your review of the Dream cruise was simply the best I have ever read and was very very helpful. Let me explain and clarify my first trip to the Alchemy Bar @ 12/16/2018. So I walked up to the bar and the tall guy from Bulgaria and his significant other from Mexico greeted me. I asked for the Pineapple Christmas (I think that was the name - the yellow drink with green sprig on top - from your review) . I immediately received an annoyed look and they said "Oh you must read cruise critic". I replied in the affirmative and asked if that was a problem. They did make my drink and it was delicious. Basically Bulgaria went on to explain that their menu drinks were very well thought out and were delicious. They also enjoyed making other drinks but that many people were requesting the reviews drinks and since they were off menu they were "superfluous" (his words). A lot of it didn't make sense and I probably missed a lot from the accent but I want to stress they were never mean about it. I really think what had happened was after your review - tons of people started requested the drinks in your post and maybe "stole their thunder" a little bit. Simply put they were victims of the popularity of your post. Anyway though not being mean I did feel the sting of the rebuke and from then on chose to order from the menu. As per normal - it is the alchemy - they often created or customized a drink and asked me to try it. It is obvious that they are very proud of their skill and their position as the top-tier bar on the ship.

note: There was a new guy that was behind the bar a few nights. He was being directly and closely supervised by Bulgarias significant other from Mexico (Maria maybe her name). Anyway...talk about stern bosses! Poor guy is going to have to earn his spot that is for sure! He dropped a drink on Tuesday and Wednesday he was waiting tables out on the floor. (Don't know if the 2 incidents were related lol). 

Again St. Greg yours was an awesome review and spot on in every way.. especially your preference to Alchemy. I certainly don't think they were angry at you or your post. I think they just want to captain that particular part of the ship and make the drink suggestions...  anyway my note was simply a heads up that maybe its not a good idea to walk in and asking for the blackberry drink from cruise critic lol.

 

Cruise on!

 

Kevin

Edited December 24, 2018 by winchesterdog

[Saint Greg]

1 hour ago, winchesterdog said:

Saint Greg - Allow me to be more clear. I didn't include your name in my post because I couldn't find your handle last night when I wrote it so I chose to be vague. First off your review of the Dream cruise was simply the best I have ever read and was very very helpful. Let me explain and clarify my first trip to the Alchemy Bar @ 12/16/2018. So I walked up to the bar and the tall guy from Bulgaria and his significant other from Mexico greeted me. I asked for the Pineapple Christmas (I think that was the name - the yellow drink with green sprig on top - from your review) . I immediately received an annoyed look and they said "Oh you must read cruise critic". I replied in the affirmative and asked if that was a problem. They did make my drink and it was delicious. Basically Bulgaria went on to explain that their menu drinks were very well thought out and were delicious. They also enjoyed making other drinks but that many people were requesting the reviews drinks and since they were off menu they were "superfluous" (his words). A lot of it didn't make sense and I probably missed a lot from the accent but I want to stress they were never mean about it. I really think what had happened was after your review - tons of people started requested the drinks in your post and maybe "stole their thunder" a little bit. Simply put they were victims of the popularity of your post. Anyway though not being mean I did feel the sting of the rebuke and from then on chose to order from the menu. As per normal - it is the alchemy - they often created or customized a drink and asked me to try it. It is obvious that they are very proud of their skill and their position as the top-tier bar on the ship.

note: There was a new guy that was behind the bar a few nights. He was being directly and closely supervised by Bulgarias significant other from Mexico (Maria maybe her name). Anyway...talk about stern bosses! Poor guy is going to have to earn his spot that is for sure! He dropped a drink on Tuesday and Wednesday he was waiting tables out on the floor. (Don't know if the 2 incidents were related lol). 

Again St. Greg yours was an awesome review and spot on in every way.. especially your preference to Alchemy. I certainly don't think they were angry at you or your post. I think they just want to captain that particular part of the ship and make the drink suggestions...  anyway my note was simply a heads up that maybe its not a good idea to walk in and asking for the blackberry drink from cruise critic lol.

 

Cruise on!

 

Kevin

 

Manol (Bulgaria) didn’t make the best custom drinks. I could see him having an attitude because people are wanting drinks he doesn’t know how to make. Maria and Suri are the superstars there. The fourth was Viktor I believe...he was probably the new one you were referring to. He mostly did the grunt work and only made me one drink he called the Jack Sparrow.

[winchesterdog]

Exactly! That Suri guy is the one that always made my Basil Drop! Delicious! Victor was the poor guy under Maria's heavy thumb! Glad you remember their names - I can use them in the survey. Manol did tell me that their bar is the only one on ship that can go off script. He said they are also the only bar with fresh fruit juices and ingredients which gives them an advantage over the others. He said it is a big no no to deviate off menu at any other ship bars.

 

Personally I think the Alchemy Bar is one of Carnivals best thought out ideas. If only I had one in my hometown... LOL

 

 

 

 

 

[shaneandpamela]

Dream in 6 days.  Makes me feel better about it.  Thanks.

[bellebaby]

2 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Manol (Bulgaria) didn’t make the best custom drinks. I could see him having an attitude because people are wanting drinks he doesn’t know how to make. Maria and Suri are the superstars there. The fourth was Viktor I believe...he was probably the new one you were referring to. He mostly did the grunt work and only made me one drink he called the Jack Sparrow.

 

We were also on this sailing.  Maria and Suri were always very accommodating and made some very good drinks... both on and off the menu.  Manol made a snarky comment to my husband who made one to him in return... Yikes!  Not exactly sure what transpired.  Maria waited on us most of the time throughout the cruise.  

 

The best drinks we had were in the steakhouse.  I really enjoyed the Belvedere Watermelon Martini. My husband liked the Hendrick's Cucumber Gin and Tonic.

 

However, we found the bartenders at the Casino Bar (no, we don't smoke) very cordial and creative with the ingredients they had to work with.  We liked going there to watch sporting events.

 

We had the Cheers package and I have no idea if we broke even or not.   But, we had a great time trying new things.  We'll do it again in the future, but maybe not on every cruise.

 

We live in Houston and The Dream is moving to Galveston.  It's a good alternative to the Vista if the price is right!!

 

Have a Merry Christmas!

 

[CatCruising]

I just got back from being on the Victory (my 27th cruise) and I have to beg to differ with you all about Manol. Maybe he was having a bad  week when you were on your ship. It was my sisters birthday and he made her a very special drink. He then made me one that had roses in it. He and Santiago did this all cruise long. We found them wonderful. I guess he has come a long way.

Edited August 16, 2019 by CatCruising

[Saint Greg]

5 minutes ago, CatCruising said:

I just got back from being on the Victory (my 27th cruise) and I have to beg to differ with you all about Manol. Maybe he was having a bad  week when you were on your ship. It was my sisters birthday and he made her a very special drink. He then made me one that had roses in it. He and Santiago did this all cruise long. We found them wonderful. I guess he has come a long way.

 

 

Two weeks for me.