Carnival Dream, LIVE 10/8/22-10/16/22

[MeganGC1983]

It’s cruise week, and once again, I’ll be your host taking you on a whirlwind, 8 night sailing on the Carnival Dream. From transportation to debarkation, Fall break is gonna be a blast from your computer or mobile device.
 As always, I’ll be bringing you all the action, food, and drinks… yes, there will definitely be drinks! So hit that subscribe button, car leaves Friday; ship leaves Saturday. Let’s go cruising! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[MeganGC1983]

This cruise was booked a long time ago, in a land far, far away, pre-Covid (2020). It was originally scheduled for last fall break (Oct. 2021), but with all the restrictions (Camp Ocean- non-exsistant, Bahamas- crazy testing protocols, etc), I decided to reschedule this kid cruise for 2022. The Covid OBC of $600 is ready to rock for gratuities, and we are in a deluxe OV with the “fancy” extra half bath. Even with that “extra” space, I’m 99% sure this will be the last family cruise with just 1 cabin, my suitcase needs more room. 😉 

This will be the kids’ 2nd cruise of 2022, and my 7th, and have I mentioned, I’m finally PLATINUM?! Bring on the chocolate dipped strawberries and the koozie… I’ve finally arrived! 😆

[MeganGC1983]

This is the first Bahamas stint for the kids. Hopefully the beaches impress versus Cozumel and Progreso 😆 I’m excited to see Half Moon Cay for the first time, but other than that, I feel like I’ve spent most of 2022 in the Bahamas. Definitely missing iguanas in other ports. 

[CruisinMama2003]

Lets Go!! Yay another Megan Live 🙌

 

We did this ship/itinerary 4 mos ago, loved it! You will LOVE HMC 😍

 

Have the best time! Cheers! 🍹

[pe4all]

Make sure you take advantage of the platinum perk of priority tendering over to HMC - will save you a lot of time!

[MeganGC1983]

5 minutes ago, CruisinMama2003 said:

Lets Go!! Yay another Megan Live 🙌

 

We did this ship/itinerary 4 mos ago, loved it! You will LOVE HMC 😍

 

Have the best time! Cheers! 🍹

Thanks! I’m hoping it’s amazing as the build up. We sailed on the Dream from NOLA in 2019. Love the ship. Glad you had a great cruise! 

[MeganGC1983]

Just now, pe4all said:

Make sure you take advantage of the platinum perk of priority tendering over to HMC - will save you a lot of time!

YES! On it! 

[jcgld62]

It will be fun reading your take of a cruise that I am on also.

I've read all your reviews, hope to see you on the ship!

I will also be on that priority tender at HMC. Last time I was there it rained ALL DAY,  fingers crossed for a bright sunny day.

[MeganGC1983]

Just now, jcgld62 said:

It will be fun reading your take of a cruise that I am on also.

I've read all your reviews, hope to see you on the ship!

I will also be on that priority tender at HMC. Last time I was there it rained ALL DAY,  fingers crossed for a bright sunny day.

Awesome! Hopefully we have good weather. Every day has a chance of rain, but I’m sure you know, that’s the Caribbean. Find me and say hi! 

[TravelGirlinDallas]

I'm here for this!!

[MeganGC1983]

6 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

I'm here for this!!

Whoop! Whoop! I’m ready. 

[jbhcw]

Following!   Have a great time and congrats on reaching Platinum!  HMC....my favorite place ever!  

[MeganGC1983]

With less than 72 hours until departure, things are falling in line. My daughters are packed. Mail hold is scheduled. I have a few phone calls to make today for work and 2 webinars. DH is home from work and sleeping. I’ll try to sneak in a pedicure tomorrow and finish packing my son and myself. Documents are printed. Verifly gave us the green light. We may even get in a National Taco Day celebration this evening. That may call for a margarita. 

[MeganGC1983]

2 minutes ago, jbhcw said:

Following!   Have a great time and congrats on reaching Platinum!  HMC....my favorite place ever!  

Thanks! Can’t wait. HMC is scheduled for a week from tomorrow. 

[MeganGC1983]

This will also be our first “Halloween” sailing. Pre-Covid, we normally sailed in September and in the spring. After Covid, we sailed in November, January, April, June and July. 😬 We have kid costumes packed… because who doesn’t need something extra to take. They are excited to trick or treat and see all of the Halloween decor. I’m simple… I’m just excited for Cheers! 😉

[Jamman54]

You know that we'll be following along! Have a great cruise and be sure to say hello to "Patch" for us! 😁

[MeganGC1983]

Pre-cruise accommodations: 

I had a hard time with this. Originally, we were going to stay closer to the port, but hotel rooms for 5 are not very plentiful. I’m usually a Bonvoy girl, but after we discussed what we wanted to do in Galveston the night before the cruise, I landed on Clarion Suites Seawall. We have a reservation at Fish Tales for 5:30… early enough to sneak in happy hour, and then we can walk along the beach and maybe check out Pleasure Pier. 
Parking- I had originally decided to park at 81st Dolphin parking, but the website wasn’t working. After some research, I found out they have closed down. Now, we are parking at the new location of Discount Cruise Parking on 33rd st. I’ve heard some complaints about the shuttle taking too long, so we will drop off most everything and one adult will go drop the car. I looked at the new location and worse comes to worst, I can definitely walk from there to the port. Here’s hoping it goes smoothly. 

[MeganGC1983]

5 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

You know that we'll be following along! Have a great cruise and be sure to say hello to "Patch" for us! 😁

Thanks!! Definitely will do!

[cruisin from vegas]

Yeah your back!!!   When I heard about the flaming tomato soup being back…. I immediately thought of you!!  Lol.  Can’t wait to follow along and hear especially about HMC..   I’m next just doing a 3 day out of Long Beach (closest port) Thanksgiving weekend.  But still excited. Have a great time!!

[MeganGC1983]

49 minutes ago, cruisin from vegas said:

Yeah your back!!!   When I heard about the flaming tomato soup being back…. I immediately thought of you!!  Lol.  Can’t wait to follow along and hear especially about HMC..   I’m next just doing a 3 day out of Long Beach (closest port) Thanksgiving weekend.  But still excited. Have a great time!!

That will be a fun 3 day. We are sailing the Panorama in Dec. so you’ll have to get them warmed up for us. 
I cannot wait for Flaming Tomato Soup. I actually had a dream last night, that it was the last sea day and I hadn’t been to brunch and the kids were making me go to Dr. Seuss breakfast instead. What a nightmare!?! 😆

[Saint Greg]

6 minutes ago, MeganGC1983 said:

That will be a fun 3 day. We are sailing the Panorama in Dec. so you’ll have to get them warmed up for us. 
I cannot wait for Flaming Tomato Soup. I actually had a dream last night, that it was the last sea day and I hadn’t been to brunch and the kids were making me go to Dr. Seuss breakfast instead. What a nightmare!?! 😆

 

I had a dream where I was cruising in a sea of flaming tomato soup. 

[MeganGC1983]

Just now, Saint Greg said:

 

I had a dream where I was cruising in a sea of flaming tomato soup. 

Dig it! 

[keels81]

5 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

This is the first Bahamas stint for the kids. Hopefully the beaches impress versus Cozumel and Progreso 😆 I’m excited to see Half Moon Cay for the first time, but other than that, I feel like I’ve spent most of 2022 in the Bahamas. Definitely missing iguanas in other ports. 

 

The only beach I think is currently better than HMC is Bimini, but that's only honestly because Bimini doesn't require a tender. 

[ChuckF]

Leaving on the Dream 10-22.  Latest Deck Plans show that there is no longer a Red Frog Pub.  Would be interested to find out what, if anything, is happening in the new Song Lounge.  Also a bit concerned about the loss of TVs in the RFP for watching sports.  Assume they still have some in casino bar.  Any insights you can provide on those issues would be greatly appreciated. 

[WEJEEP4FUN]

Megan we are in that same room type I believe on the Dream leaving on the 16th, It will be my wife and 3 kids. Looking forward to your live updates of the ship and how that room is! Please post about the room and your thoughts. 

Thanks

Corey