How was the Dream THIS week?

[welove2cruise232]

Just curious to know how it went this week on the Dream!

[CruisinMaterial]

What do you want to know? I was on the 5/18 sailing.

 

I submitted my cruise review to CC but it probably will not be posted until mid-week.

[welove2cruise232]

How was the food? Entertainment on board?? Activities? Who is the cruise director? Hotel Director? Concierge? what kind of activities? Do you have dailies that you'd care to scan/share? How did you like being docked in Hamilton? To me it's no biggie, it's not that far from St. George's to Hamilton by ferry/bus.

 

Any evidence of 2.0???

 

Did they have martini clinics/margarita clinics? How is the staff adjusting -- I hear there are a lot of new crew on board. How is the entertainment on the pool deck? Is Pamela Stanley still on board?

 

How difficult is it to get reservations at Le Bistro or the Italian restaurant? I'm guessing it won't be difficult for us since we'll have concierge service.

[welove2cruise232]

What do you want to know? I was on the 5/18 sailing.

 

I submitted my cruise review to CC but it probably will not be posted until mid-week.

 

Any chance you saved it and can post here?? Very anxious to hear how things were!!

[CruisinMaterial]

Wow, you definitely want to know a lot! I'm exhausted from doing laundry so I'll sumarize your questions here:

 

Freestyle 2.0? Nope. The room service menu was updated with the 2.0 enhancements posted by OhioNCLCruiser a week prior to sailing. The menus were identical. Good luck getting room service within an hour though. It's incredibly slow but the ship really isn't designed for that type of room service.

 

Martini Tasting - Once on the sea day on the way down and then again on the full sea day on the way back. Both times it costs $15 and takes a little over an hour. Minimum of 15 pax needed for event though.

 

Food - Subjective opinions. I love NCL's cold soups and this cruise didn't disappoint in that department. None of their meals were bad. They usually never are. I've only once turned back something I didn't like and that was on Princess. The food selection is awesome and presentation is great. You may have to wait a while to get the food though. That's not service problem - it's ship design problem (galley is too small for two dining rooms at once so there's not enough space to put the crew to handle it).

 

Entertainment - Don't know the person you're talking about. Cruise Director is Fith from Canada. He's whacky and silly but good. Check out the crew talent show. Not sure on the other officers as we didn't meet anyone. There was no CC group that was organized on this cruise (average age would explain that).

 

Hamilton was awesome. Would love to dock there again. St Georges appeared to be a town that after sunset shuts down. There might be quaint things to do but then you'd be stuck with nothing left onboard. At least when you've got a sucky disco (such as the Dreams) and you're docked in Hamilton there's two nightclubs just FEET away from the ship. Of course I'm younger (26) so I guess that's all relative. Cafe Cairo is a good club and so isn't Level if that's your sort of thing. :)

 

As for scanning dailies... no can do. Don't have a scanner and mom took them. I usually don't take them home with me. :cool:

 

TTFN. I'm going to bed!

[welove2cruise232]

Thanks so much! Looking forward to reading your full review!

[CruisFran]

Hey Peggy!!! Nice to see you! As you may know, we are sailing with Charlie & Marilyn, on the Dream's last NCL sailing, Oct. 26th., and we'll be interested in your take of the cruise. Ed is also worried that because it will be the last cruise before she's sold, that we may be short-changed, if NCL starts removing crew and inventory (run out of Bud Light :eek: )!!

 

P.S. Ed wants you to check out the TV channels while still in Boston on embarkation day, specifically the Fox network. He's hoping to catch the Pats game that day!! :)

 

Wanna go again 10/26??? The more the merrier! Hi to Joe!!

 

We also thank you, CruisinMaterial!! Looking forward to your review.

[CruisinMaterial]

CruisFran - The new crew that NCL hired for their first contract were being trained by seasoned people who will be leaving the ship in a few weeks to help ready the NCL Sky for her Miami sailings. There's quite a few crew who will be transferred from the Dream to the Sky by July. Two of the waitresses onboard and the cabin stewards are going. Not sure whether that means NCL Dream will have a whole new crew by the time it leaves the fleet or not. Look for Yvette though in the Terraces dining room. She's an awesome assistant waitress and will help pass the time between courses. It's her first contract and she's loving her job. Her contract ends when the ship leaves the fleet.

[CruisinMaterial]

Something I forgot to post about in the review. Terraces is the resort casual restaurant. You cannot wear jeans in that restaurant. If you want to wear jeans or shorts to dinner they will turn you away and send you to Four Seasons which is mid-ship and has much more bland decor. (Was just re-reading my review). :)

[welove2cruise232]

Hi Fran! I actually got an e-mail from Marilyn about the 10/26 cruise, but I told her we couldn't go because I've got a town meeting on the 28th..:cool:

 

We have DEFINITELY got to plan something together soon! How about the Gem on 1/14? Joe always gets to go on a cruise for his birthday, so I think it's my turn! We're debating between that cruise and the Dawn repositioning cruise on 11/2 (or maybe even the Jewel repo on 10/28).

 

I'll be sure to give you an update on this "new" ship (and TV for Ed...:rolleyes: ) when we get home!

[CruisinMaterial]

Just wanted to let you folks know my NCL Dream review is up in the Member Review section. :)

[sunluva7]

Thanks for taking the time to write such an extensive review. We will be on the Dream in August and despite the good, the bad, and the ugly, we are looking forward to the cruise. Did you find that the dining rooms and buffets, especially at lunch and dinner, were less crowded while the ship was docked in Hamilton? I wonder if a good many people dine on shore.

[welove2cruise232]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my (MANY!!) questions and for the great review. We're really looking forward to our annual trip to BDA, and sailing on the Dream!

[amd1234]

Thanks Cruise Material for the informative review. We are anxiously awaiting our family cruise leaving July 6. The only reason we decided to cruise the NCL was the convenience of leaving from Boston. We usually cruise Celebrity and we are hoping for good weather and being with family

:) Also a note for everyone.... My son works for the Port of Boston and has witnessed the embarkcation and advises us not to arrive early. Its totally confusing and informs us if we arrive at 2 o'clock we will walk directly aboard with no lines or problems:p

[CruisinMaterial]

Thanks for taking the time to write such an extensive review. We will be on the Dream in August and despite the good, the bad, and the ugly, we are looking forward to the cruise. Did you find that the dining rooms and buffets, especially at lunch and dinner, were less crowded while the ship was docked in Hamilton? I wonder if a good many people dine on shore.

 

NCL has ceased their Dine Ashore program and so that meant that dinner crowds were still big onboard - although less on days when the weather was good (the last night we were there). I don't know how it will be in St Geroges but the guide they gave out onboard highlighted a lot of eateries in Hamilton. We always were at the Terraces Dining Room at opening or shortly thereafter and that's when the coveted two seat tables go. If you want those get there early or be prepared to share a table.

 

Terraces always had a line after 7PM. It was a popular restaurant - even when she was docked in Hamilton. This has something to do with dinner service being at least an hour in the main dining room. It takes longer to turn over the tables. The buffet I can't speak of because after the embarkation day lunch and the breakfast the following morning I gave up completely on that venue. It's way too small for the peak time. It's like squishing clowns into a clown car... how many will it hold? :eek:

[CruisinMaterial]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my (MANY!!) questions and for the great review. We're really looking forward to our annual trip to BDA, and sailing on the Dream!

 

You are quite welcome! Without everyone helping each other out on here then no one would have anything to look forward to. I'm happy to be the one helping other folks down the road in the Bermuda season. :)

[CruisinMaterial]

:) Also a note for everyone.... My son works for the Port of Boston and has witnessed the embarkcation and advises us not to arrive early. Its totally confusing and informs us if we arrive at 2 o'clock we will walk directly aboard with no lines or problems:p

 

You've given people the best advice! I don't know if it's because the Port folks are still getting accustomed to the unique way this ship has to be provisioned or what but it takes a while to get the shoreside operation going. I couldn't agree more. Arriving at noon you will find lines because they will not embark much before that. I didn't get off until 10:45AM and I was the second color tag called. :eek: There was still at least five other colors they had to call to get off. I wonder if someone from the cruise will post if they had a later luggage tag color.

 

A good thing to note for all US Citizens. If you want to get off the ship in a hurry because sitting around on the last morning depresses you then sign up for the express debarkation where you take your bags off yourself. It goes much quicker since you don't have to wait for shoreside operations to get the bags off. When you sail you'll see them provisioning the ship and such and the method used. The ships area to do is really low or the pier is really high in Boston??

[Band Guy]

Thank you for your terrific review and details. You definitly have a logical approach to analizing the whole experience.

My band will be taking our 10th. Cruise to Bermuda next Sunday, our first on the Dream. We expect to be playing afternoons at the pool. could you tell me

how the pool stage is layed out. We have heard that it's a little more user friendly than the Majesty.

All the best.

[CruisinMaterial]

Thank you for your terrific review and details. You definitly have a logical approach to analizing the whole experience.

My band will be taking our 10th. Cruise to Bermuda next Sunday, our first on the Dream. We expect to be playing afternoons at the pool. could you tell me

how the pool stage is layed out. We have heard that it's a little more user friendly than the Majesty.

All the best.

 

With the weather the way it was for the past two cruises you might luck out as no one was on deck for the first half of the cruise. They might put you in the Observatory Lounge though because that's where the O'Gorman Band was put during the rough sea days.

 

As for the layout of the mainstage it depends on where they stick you. If you're up by the sound equipment facing the sun tanning area then you'll have a small sqaure platform but if you're by the drinking pool (with bar chairs then you'll have a more rectangular area. The band playing up there during our cruise had plenty of space.

 

I wish I could compare the two for you but I've never sailed on the Majesty. Thanks for the compliment on the review. If anything I hope people take out of it that the problems with the ship don't mean you brow beat the people serving you. Best of luck on your sailing. I hope you have good weather! :)

[letsgocruisin]

Hey Band Guy,

Great job at Twin River yesterday enjoyed your show as usual. Talked to a few of the band members while you where there (not sure if you where one of them)....I remember you from the Dame School Days! Enjoy your cruise on the Dream.....Dick will be shining upon you on this trip. I am sure it will be a great time the Dream is not the Majesty but will be fun. We sailed on her for the CTN had alot of issues but we still had a great time....

[edlou]

Sorry, I can't answer all your questions but see that another CC has answered some of them. We, Ed and I , are are a young , 60ish age couple so our perspective will differ from his. Day 1- Sunday- we arrived at the pier about 11:35. After a very short wait, we were on board and registered. Our first order of business was to make reservations at Le Bistro for that night since we had an embarkation -night- only certificate. It was a buy one get one free [ $15 cover charge.] Tip: reserve right away for any day of week, as place is small and not many folks will have the opportunity to enjoy this eloquent restaurant.At registration, we were told that our room was ready so we went for a quick look.It was now 12:20 . Room was immaculate with twin beds pushed together and a frig [ as requested at time of booking] The big picture window was even clean. We went to 4 Seasons for a delicious sit down lunch and then up to the on- deck sail away barbecue/band/booze. Since we had another embarkation -only certificate-buy 2 get 1 free, we availed ourselves of this opportunity. As the sky darkened, we drank, listened to the band and had a bit of the barbecue. It was fun and we met some nice people of all ages. Toward the end of this outing, as we began to sail away from Boston it began to rain. We went to the room and unpacked. There was plenty of shelves,drawers and closet space. Tip: We had in our carry- on bag a six pack of water, a six pack of diet coke [ being dishonest, 1 of the bottles of coke had been dumped out and replaced with rum] and 3 pepsi's for me. Not a word was said when security looked at them ,as we embarked but many people had their alcohol confiscated so be careful. We got cleaned up and put on our fancy duds and went to Le Bistro. It was even better, in every way, than we expected.Next, ED explores and I'm at the casino. Tip: Get a players card right away. Put it on your machine and you'll get free drinks. Everything from soda to hard liquor. Tip: Since The Dream is an old ship. there is no automatic play counter.A lady walks around with a pad and pencil and records your play from the numbered card on your machine. Check in with her when you arrive and check out with her when you leave. That way you'll know that your play has been recorded. I always played the same 2 slots so reminded her where I was playing. The ship was rocking as the waves smashed the ship. It was very windy and nasty. Barf bags were out everywhere and many people were sea sick. Tip: maybe ! We wore Sea Bands and knew to choose a cabin near the middle of the ship.We were not one bit sick. We did not take any of the Dramamime [ sp?] that we had brought Tip:Get free sea sick pills at reception desk. Monday- Many ,many people are sea sick. A lady fell down the stairs and injured herself quite badly. The ship is being battered. The captain came on and said that the winds were too bad for us to go to St. George's and that we were going to Hamilton, instead. This was a big disappointment for us as we love the little, quaint historical town plus snorkeling is very close by. Hamilton is a city but for the young ones that is a plus, as there are way more night clubs etc. Ed went to some lectures/talks and roamed the ship I played the slots almost all day and early evening. Even on vacation, we stick to our normal schedule----up at 5:00AM, down at 9:00 PM so the only night activities were The Newly Wed game and The Latitude party/show. Both were very entertaining and quite good. We called room service a little after 5AM each morning and received 10 minutes later our order of 2 pots of coffee, triple Danish pastry,triple rolls, triple fruit and oj. Tip: We ordered so much because we packed up, in the baggies that we had brought with us, part of the food for snacks later in the day. We went to the scheduled CC M&G but only a few people showed up. This was the first time, of all our cruiuses ,that the roll call was very small. Sad! We ate dinner at The Terraces 5 nights because it is smaller, surrounded by windows and very cozy and we just liked it better.. It and 4 Seasons have the same menu. Tip: Most mornings we had breakfast in The Sports Bar because there one can have a made to order omellete [ sp?] They were delicious and unlike the other breakfast spots, we didn't have to worry about cool food. Tip: Lunches, We usually had one item at The Sports Bar, before our sit down meal at The Terraces, and that item was a made to order Caesar salad. They were so good.Tuesday- It is not quite so rough and windy but cool and overcast. We got to Hamilton only a little late and got off the ship right away. We went to the ferry terminal a couple of blocks away. Tip: Bermuda has a terrific transportation system. We buy the 3 day pass-good on all ferries and buses-- cost $28 each. We headed to Church Bay on the South Shore. We love to snorkle there. We like it better than Elbow Beach and the famous Horseshoe Bay.It is a nice ,scenic, fast ride on the bus. THe water was even rougher than usual and many deadly poisonus Portugese Man of War fish had /were washing ashore. Tip: Only around in April & May--- be very careful of them.Back to the ship for dinner followed by The Latitudes party/show. TRied to get into Italian restaurant but first available time was 8: 30 so back to the Terrace for a delicious meal. Tip: cold milk, capachino [sp?] are free at all meals. Just ask.Wed.-- Had our usual room service breakfast and usual Sports Bar omelette, gathered up our snacks,water, snorkel gear etc., took ferry to The Docvkyards. The Dawn, out of NY was there. We went to Maritime museum, senior rate of, I think, $ 12. It was fascinating and Ed really enjoyed it but I preferred watching the dolphin show. It was great. Snorkeled right there at Snorkel Park Beach. It is the exact opposite of the South Shore beaches -very calm, shallow--many fish.It has a restaurnt, rentals, restrooms, band etc. It is free. Tip: Go out to end of seawall and see the big fish---angel fish, parrot fish etc. Back to ship, cleaned up and got to Italian restaurant right at 6PM. That;s when they give out the daily reservations. We got right in. The meal was good but not great. We were a little disappointed. Tip: go right at 6PM to get a reservation as it's small, free and not too many people get to eat there. Other folks thought it was great so-----. Thursday. Ferry to St George's . A long walk for Ed but I had my scooter to get to Alexander Battery Beach. There one can find tons of the famous Bermuda sea glass. Tip: walk close to the end of sea wall, look for cave. There one will find, especially at low tide, the most sea glass that I've ever seen. Back to town square for the weekly, noon dunking and talk by the " town Crier ". He is fabulous and gives a very interesting history of the town. We took local St. George's bus [ cost $2 ]almost all the way to Tobacco Bay and had some great snorkel time. Walked/scootered back to town. Grabbed salads etc. at the local deli/ grocery store, took food to park [ forget the name of it] to eat. It is beautiful with gorgeous flowers. went around town and ended up at our favorite " watering hole', The White Horse Tavern. Ed had his usual one drink there. It is called " Dark & Stormy" and is ginger beer and Bermuda rum. Tip: Try Bermuda's famous Dark & Stormy or their rum swizzle. Ferry back to Hamilton. Stopped in Internet place to e-mail the kids, cost $5 for 30 minutes or $10 for an hour. Tip: Shop around as prices vary but all cost much less than ship. Don't loose your card as it can be used over and over. Friday--our last day---walked/scootered around Hamilton to see cathedral, government buildings, checked Internet to see if kids had e-mailed. They had so we enjoyed hearing how their week was going. Back on boat a little before the noon deadline and off the ship went at 1PM, heading to Boston. Soon, I was back at my slot machines. Leaving Hamilton harbor was neat but sad as we passed St. George's and saw The Majesty. It now goes out of Charleston and we liked her better than The Dream. Saturday: The seas are calm, almost looks like glass and for the first time all week the sun is fully out and it is warm. WE started packing as the suitcases must be in the hall by midnight except if you are doing Express [ carrying all your bags out yourself] After dinner, we went to casino at 8: 15 as they were tallying up everyone's points. After blowing hundreds on the slots, I was given a $90 credit to oour on board account. Many people were very angry/upset because they did not have enough points [ playing time recorded ]to get any credit. Some of them spend hundreds more than me and some blew thousands. Sunday. Ate leisurly breakfast in4 Seasons, waited in room for them to call our deck. It took forever because there was a problem getting luggage off boat. We were the first deck to leave and it was already 10;30. I heard later that some decks were not called until 11:30 and it was a " zoo" in the terminal because people were arrivinmg for the 5/ 25 cruise. We enjoyed ourself. Go knowing that The Dream is an old ship without all the new 2.0 amenities. Otherwords research so you know what you're getting and are not disappointed. She is a good old ship with none of the glitzy, fanciness of the new ships. Food, crew, captain were all very good. Any questions, e-mail me at CLAUDIALBS @AOL.com and I'll try to answer your questions. Sorry, I should have posted this under reviews. I got carried away.

[cruiserssandr]

Thank you for your terrific review and details. You definitly have a logical approach to analizing the whole experience.

My band will be taking our 10th. Cruise to Bermuda next Sunday, our first on the Dream. We expect to be playing afternoons at the pool. could you tell me

how the pool stage is layed out. We have heard that it's a little more user friendly than the Majesty.

All the best.

This will be our 6th cruise with the Reminisants. Will you we playing out in the square this year. We are friend's of Peter's sister Theresa. Curious as to who is "Band Guy"?

[CruisinMaterial]

Edlou - Glad to see you made it home safely and enjoyed the cruise as well! Didn't know about the motion sickness pills at Guest Reception but I'll keep that in mind for the NCL Sun cruise in January (going to S. America I hope)! :)

 

Terraces is such a good restaurant for decor and an enjoyable meal. I loved that restaurant. I never did try Le Bistro but it was because the dinner menu didn't pique my interest. La Trattoria I didn't get to either.

 

Good to hear you had a good time and yes the debark was very late. We were in the second to next group behind yours! :eek:

[SurftheWave]

Thank you for your terrific review and details. You definitly have a logical approach to analizing the whole experience.

My band will be taking our 10th. Cruise to Bermuda next Sunday, our first on the Dream. We expect to be playing afternoons at the pool. could you tell me

how the pool stage is layed out. We have heard that it's a little more user friendly than the Majesty.

All the best.

 

 

here you go

 

 

http://family.webshots.com/photo/2294646780014714454PBVSMK?vhost=family

 

http://family.webshots.com/photo/2568958500014714454JaizAb?vhost=family

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2100256000032073060fTaKxV?vhost=travel

[Band Guy]

Hi,

The Band Guy is the worlds oldest Reminisants....Dom!

We haven't gotten the official word but there is a very good chance that we will be playing in the square on Tuesday night.