Not what I expected

Carnival Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

debbright54

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 8

Helpful Votes: 251

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 29, 2015

Ship: Carnival Dream

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 2330

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Have been on several Carnival cruises, keep thinking I want to try one of the other cruise lines but always come back to Carnival, great value and lots of fun. I have come to the conclusion that I like the smaller ships better than the mega ships like the Dream and Glory. We like to walk after each meal and both these ships have limited outdoor space for this (the Glory is like walking a mouse trap). Disappointed that there was not a adult only swimming pool on the serenity deck, only 2 whirlpools (one was under repair most of our cruise). We are going on another Carnival cruise next year, different ship and locations so we'll see what that ship has to offer.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was great. Main dining room was no problems. Lido deck dining room is poorly laid out, very congested at the drink stations.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Like to watch the different events on the lido deck but you had to be on the deck above and look down on the lido deck to be able to see what was happening since they don't have the raised stage on the Dream like they've had on all the other Carnival ships we've been on.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Have heard better entertainment at high school productions. Comedy club entertainment was good. On the lido deck there wasn't a raised stage as on all the other Carnival ships I've been on and hard to see what was going on.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Ship was very clean as always with any Carnival ship I've been on. The Lido deck layout of the Lido deck and the lido deck dining room is poorly laid out. All the other Carnival ships I've been on have had a raised stage. The dining room on the Lido deck is very congested at the drink stations, has 2 different ice cream stations but both are at the front portion of the dining room. Just didn't care for this ship as well as I have other Carnival ships.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Very nice and roomy

Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

5 out of 5

Montego Bay, Jamaica

5 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Traveler Photos

Stingray City sandbar, had storms night before so water was cloudy :(

23 Comments

LexieBlackley 8 years ago

Don't you hate it when something you like on the ship and its on construction or out of order? it makes me mad

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PFD8reiJBSO3ze5ynqCnaXJVR 8 years ago

Dream was a favorite of mine now I like smaller ships

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LexieBlackley 8 years ago

I am going on the Dream in February, and if it had $740 million dollars invested, i hope nothing is under construction!

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eroseman 8 years ago

And the Disney Dream happens to be larger also.

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eroseman 8 years ago

Can I just say that the Carnival Dream costed $740 million to build not $500 million. Do your homework people! Or just go under ship stats and look before you post.

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Jennaj05 8 years ago

I agree it's totally worth it if you can go on Disney, don't get me wrong. I am a Disney lover at heart and always splurge when I visit Disneyland and stay at the best Disney resorts etc. But I do my research and anyone considering a Disney cruise should be prepared to pay, and it's a LOT more than 25-30% more than a typical cruise line. And yes, I only do balcony.

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PFD8reiJBSO3ze5ynqCnaXJVR 8 years ago

I agree, a balcony is worth it. We let the party animals do their thing, we stay on a quiet balcony for as long as we can

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Mnk 8 years ago

Not 3 times as much. Maybe 25-30%. We always get a balcony. Believe me......worth the extra cash for special occasions.

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Mnk 8 years ago

They are more expensive mainly because they don't have a casino. Rotating dining is great (3 dining rooms and you rotate and staff rotates with you). Ships are a lot nicer ( Carnivals biggest ship the Dream cost 500 million...Disney Fantasy, same size, 900 million). Entertainment voted number 1 of all cruise lines. More family oriented . Carnival is more of a party ship. RCL for the older!

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Jennaj05 8 years ago

Disney cruise line is great, but they cost more than twice, even three times a cruise on any other line.

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LexieBlackley 8 years ago

how is disney cruises? i would love to go on a disney cruise!

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PFD8reiJBSO3ze5ynqCnaXJVR 8 years ago

we've sailed Carnival 14 times and RCCL once on a 4 day Mexican Riviera, we return to Paradise from Tampa at the end of this month, a b2b

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Mnk 8 years ago

Been on 7 Carnival cruises. Tried RCL. Now Disney.....never going back!

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LexieBlackley 8 years ago

Thanks alot, Jennaj05

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Jennaj05 8 years ago

Carnival headquarters is in Miami, Florida.

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LexieBlackley 8 years ago

Thanks Jennaj05, and my other question where is Carnivals headquarters at?

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Jennaj05 8 years ago

Currently the biggest is the Breeze, along with her sister ships the Dream and the Magic. However the largest Carnival ship to be, the Vista, is being built and will sail in April.

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LexieBlackley 8 years ago

What is the biggest ship Carnival owns?

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eroseman 8 years ago

The Glory and Dream aren't mega ships. If you want a mega ship, go on the Royal Caribbean Oasis or Allure of the Seas. Those are mega ships. I was on the New Years sailing on the Breeze last year and there were 4,500+ on it. It never felt crowded. An adult's only swimming pool on the serenity deck isn't practical. The aft pool is supposed to be the 'adult' pool.

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Jennaj05 8 years ago

I have to point out that your note about the limited outdoor space for walking on the Dream is completely wrong. One of the main features of the Dream-class ships is the enormous promenade deck that runs all the way around the ship. The whole point when they built the Dream was to maximize outdoor space. I've been on her sister ship, the Breeze, and the promenade deck it huge. Just saying...

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TitusWoman 8 years ago

agree 100%. can't get a better deal than carnival, never disappointed, prefer smaller ships hands down.

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LexieBlackley 8 years ago

I have also been on Carnival Cruises for a long time, and yes the glory is basically a mouse trap. I liked it though. And don't you hate it when stuff is under construction when you are suppose to have a good time? My question is how was the Dream? im going in February and im very excited!

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PFD8reiJBSO3ze5ynqCnaXJVR 8 years ago

I enjoy Carnival. Many folks will complain but I get the best out of every cruise, ignoring the grumpy complainers. My wife prefers smaller ships too, so this time it's a trip on Paradise for 9 days

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