Lived up to it's disappointing expectation..

Carnival Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

kp0310

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 10

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 07, 2016

Ship: Carnival Dream

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9334

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

People warned me not to go on a Carnival cruise..but my husband and I failed to listen. We figured "how bad can it be?", "is it really as bad as people say?" ... For how much money we spent the food was horrible (we got cheesecake that tasted like warm rubber, cold french fires with our steak at our sit down dinner), most of the staff was rude and clueless, the boat rocked almost the whole time, kids were running around everyone without their parents, the glamorous put-put golf course advertised was extremely run down, and all throughout the night the buffet room made noise dragging chairs across the floor all night long.

There were some good things about this cruise.. I want to be fair. The shows and actors were great! The cleaning staff/waiters were all really nice and remembered our names the whole trip, the Super Bowl playing outside on the big screen was a great idea (until the screen kept freezing up).

So all in all, I do not think I will ever be going on a Carnival cruise again. I have heard too many stories and confirmed it for myself. If I ever DO go on another cruise.. I will have to go with someone else.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Extremely noisy! Chairs scrapped across floor above us all night long. But loved our balcony!

Ship tip

Try the Greek food bar and the BBQ buffet. Don't waste time on the crowded, slow, greasy pizza line.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

5 out of 5

Montego Bay, Jamaica

5 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

66 Comments

scbennett 8 years ago

Carnival is the only way to go!! It's the best ever!! The food is great!! Maybe not all of it but the food I had was!! And the staff are wonderful and always busy working there butts off!! People like you don't know how to have fun!!

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karenmichael 8 years ago

We are going on our 4th cruise in May and I can not wait. I would not go with anyone but Carnival. What an absolutely great bunch of people that love their job. In my opinion you would not be happy anywhere. Perhaps if you don't like other people or children or a boat that rocks stay home.

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terry5668 8 years ago

This was not a true review.. hope people realized this.. Been on 5 carnival cruises and for the value.. none.. I repeat none of the other cruise lines even come close to carnival

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scbennett 8 years ago

Love Carnival never had a bad experience!! The food was great!! And the staff work hard and they have always been nice and went out of there way to make sure we were happy!! Never will sail on nothing but the Carnival!!

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loriwardjones 8 years ago

Relax. Key word.

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frankskevin20 8 years ago

cruiser46- You have the same attitude as we do when it comes to cruising. We go with an open mind and we make the best of everything on our cruises and end up having a great time!! Have a great time on your cruise!! 😎

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cruiser46 8 years ago

Can't wait until October 30th!!!! Don't step on our happy!!! Carnival's crew have always done their best to ensure the best experience. Everyone has the choice to understand people sometimes have bad days and move on...or to dwell on a minor deal. Sounds like you wouldn't be happy with any cruise line because life happens every day regardless of cruise line. Good luck finding perfection.

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loriwardjones 8 years ago

This will be my third all on carnival the only complaint I have ever had was I wanted it be longer.

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frankskevin20 8 years ago

annette39- You will have a great time aboard the Dream!! Ive been on the Dream before and we're booked to go again on it next year May. The Dream and its staff are Great!! Every cruise has its highs and lows, so your next cruise aboard the Dream will be as great as you make it!! So have fun and enjoy!!!! 😎🍹🌴

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annette39 8 years ago

Going on the Dream in October with a big crew. Can't wait. Never been on the Dream yet. We love Carnival . This will be our 4th criuse.

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waheedasd 8 years ago

Wow I had my first cruise, with carnival dream, and my husband and I had an amazing time, can't wait to go back with this same ship❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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CAT132713 8 years ago

17 cruises with Carnival. My husband and I haves enjoyed every minute. We have encountered a few bumps along the way but Carnival did everything they could to make things right for us. We have two more cruises already booked. One on the Dream in January and one on the Vista January 2018. Already planning our 5th Alaska cruise for 2018. Wait staff & cabin stewards are always amazing.

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MrBill 8 years ago

If you BELIEVE the cruise line will be bad....we can guarandamntootin' assure you it will be miserable. Maybe an auto trip would be a better choice for you and your family.

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duffer1 8 years ago

I could not disagree more. Maybe your friends swayed your opinion, or your expectations were too high. I totally love Carnival, and will only sail with them...and do every year. Next cruise in 7 weeks!!!

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rodneysblue 8 years ago

Been on this ship 3 times. Great time every time! The food was always excellent, entertainment was always fun and enjoyable and the staff were always helpful and friendly.

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JerryCurt 8 years ago

My Brother and I will be on the Dream in November and can't wait. We love Carnival. It will be our 23rd and of course, Carnival must be doing something right for us. But we love cruising and having the carefree fun. Overall these were Great, the crew and staff fantastic and the ports are always fun. Yes we have our favorite ports., but we try to enjoy each port. Enjoy Carnival! Fun Ships! Yay! 🛳

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ciette 8 years ago

Gosh, you would think you would enjoy just a vacation in general and at least like seeing a beach or two instead of being stuck at home!!

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tazgeersdee 8 years ago

I see all the negative posts... most are nonsense... a bad day on a cruise in the Caribbean beats a good day at work or in school..anytime... just saying

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allenandkaren 8 years ago

Most of my girlfriends family is very jealous of her going on a cruise keep telling them the price is good and the time you have on the ship is great and if it sucks it's because you made it such

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dvogel 8 years ago

You sure you were on the Dream? We love it. Staff fantastic. If food wasn't cooked right they corrected. For what you pay-- it is a number 1 Best Buy

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pam11160 8 years ago

Hi @cruisin67 don't worry. You get on that ship with an attitude of fun and happiness. You will not have any problems. You make it what you want it to be. I have been on different cruiselines and none of them are perfect. But all were a fantastic experience. This is your vacation have a blast! No worries!

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granite73 8 years ago

Ask wait staff for new fries, more than happy to help you, ho when schools in session, never had a rude or ugly carnival team member. Don't dog carnival, just try another cruise line.

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bobbie112870 8 years ago

Warm Rubber?? Try a Saga Cruise..

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Anthony40 8 years ago

Felix77sparks yes you can. Just don't leave your cabin that way and all is good. It would be nice if the had a clothing optional area just like they have a smoking area. But they don't.

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felix77sparks 8 years ago

Can you go nude on Carnival?😜

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missny 8 years ago

This cruise is from 7 months ago. Why post now?

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allenandkaren 8 years ago

Just realised I forgot who even played in the super bowl so I do hope they play it on our cruise in Oct

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janmoore475 8 years ago

I think carnival is more geared to the young to middle aged people. It's very affordable too!! Love cruising!!

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hawgfan2013 8 years ago

My cruise in 19 days will be my first cruise outside of carnival excited to see the difference

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janmoore475 8 years ago

I have to agree that yes I think I will always sail carnival!!

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andreaknox 8 years ago

Carnival is so wonderful I will never cruise with anyone else My bartenders from my last cruise emailed me to say hi #loyalcarnival cruiser

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janmoore475 8 years ago

Me too love carnival. My 8th cruise with them in January of 2017!!!

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

Me too. I feel pampered the whole time.

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loriwardjones 8 years ago

I love carnival. This will be my third.

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terry5668 8 years ago

Don't know what ship you were on but dream is my favorite.. never had bad cruise on carnival.. for price they can't be beat

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

Ha ha haaaa. Ha

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joeglo67 8 years ago

Your blaming Carnival because the boat rocked almost the whole time?

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

Hats off to all the smiling crew who tolerate idiot passenger's like the one above. Don't worry, real people appreciate you and tip well at end of cruise....love...

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

Lol

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

In the same way I shut down abusive table games players " you do not have to be a certain age to have manners, however, you must be 21, and you must respect those patrons around you. Otherwise........security. here they come... bye bye now.

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

Putt putt? Lol

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janmoore475 8 years ago

Lol

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Cruiseaddicted9 8 years ago

I'm not going to listen to anyone that can't spell putt putt

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janmoore475 8 years ago

Dislike!!!

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georgialacy 8 years ago

Just thinking about how many people in the world dream of going on a cruise vacation and will never be able to...and then there are people like this

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

Ya this will be my husband's first cruise he will be shocked that he does not have to do a 12 he watch or scrub pans in the mess kitchen ha haaaa.

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litd 8 years ago

I agree totally 😊ant day out in the big beautiful ocean instead of home working is a pluss in my book ..

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mrspierce60 8 years ago

My 1 cruise so far on carnival was awsome. Going again next year with carnival. Had great time, excellent room, food, crew etc. I liked my experience , so as they say"if it ain't broken, don't fix it".lol Anyway, how different can cruise lines be anyway . Seriously. As a 18 year table games casino worker, all casinos are the same. Or as we say (1toilet bowel is just like the next. Gold or porcelain it still stinks) ha ha haaaa. So ya. A ship is a ship is a ship Thousands of people to feed.etc. Kinda like my husbands navy life on a carrier . But, we have more fun, and can drink swim and relax. All I need. Lol enjoy!!!!

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BigEasyCC 8 years ago

Jack2507 a cruise is definitely what you make of it. There are good and bad on all cruise lines. It's still a wonderful vacation in my book. I don't have to cook or clean, entertainment every night, beautiful new places to visit. I can do as much or as little as I choose. New people, new places. Good enough for me and my family.

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stevenstair 8 years ago

Jack2507, you might be on to something, competitors posting👌

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jack2507 8 years ago

We love Carnival.. I think some of the reviews are from competitors...A cruise is what you make of it, I've been on a few and honestly somethings are not exactly perfect, but the crew on everyone of them have tried to make things right! My opinion is carnival's better than Norwegian any day (read food) and on comparable price cruises they out-perform RoyalCarribean!

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litd 8 years ago

A cruise is what you make it just like anything else 😊go with an open mind and just enjoy every day make the most of it .your on a cruise and don't have to worry about anything expect what you want to do enjoy hope it is the best 😊

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BigEasyCC 8 years ago

So you cruised last February and just posted your review in September?

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cruisin67 8 years ago

Wow...I can not believe some of the comments left on this post. I am a first time cruiser going in December. I really hope my fellow cruisers have some compassion and help us out on board if we have any questions. Some of these comments that people leave when someone else posts something are just plain rude. Just sayin .

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stevenstair 8 years ago

Been on 13 Carnivals an next in Feb, never had a problem or a complaint, there no. One in our book!!

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litd 8 years ago

Been on 2 with carnival great but the Norwegian is a little better but coast more good luck on your next cruise on what ever one you go on.😊

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SilverSky 8 years ago

"The boat rocked almost the whole time". You're on a cruise. Sometimes that happens. Its called weather. Carnival does not control weather.

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smccmx 8 years ago

If you cruised during Super Bowl, 7 months ago, why did you wait to review your cruise?? This review seems fishy. Carnival is great. Always had great service, food etc & why would you book a cabin below dining area. We all know thats a big mistake.

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frankskevin20 8 years ago

haters will haters no matter what!! If Carnival aint your thing, well thats just too bad, more room for someone else that'll appreciate what Carnival has to offer. Every cruise has its highs and lows, and if your expectations are higher than the clouds, somewhere along the line you will be disappointed with something. Make the best of your cruise, have fun, its better than being stuck at home!!!

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kerebesa 8 years ago

Carnival is the FUN SHIPS!!! clearly u on the wrong boat! !!

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mel54321 8 years ago

This guy just had a bad experience its not going to stop me from cruising

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rjdurgin 8 years ago

Man you must be a joy to be with buffet chairs noise. Who gets fries with a steak? Really you booked a cruise because of a put put golf course. Hard to put up with kids having fun. Like to see your husband bar tab must be a doozy to be in a cabin for 7 days with such a positive person. Staff rude and clueless, screen froze was the TP too rough?

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goincoastal 8 years ago

I will not cruise with anyone else

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kerebesa 8 years ago

I love carnival! !! I can say the opposite to every negative thing u said!!!

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banaford 8 years ago

This is a review for a Feb cruise? I believe you already reviewed months ago?

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jjd1975 8 years ago

Ive been on 5 cruises with carnival and loved everyone...maybe carnivals just not your thing

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Other reviews of this sailing

It was fun, but not real fun.

Not pleased