Rough ride on this boat

Item: Carnival Dream
Rating: 2
Author: denisebarrera

Carnival Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

denisebarrera

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 31

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 26, 2017

Ship: Carnival Dream

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 1437

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

This boat was nice and clean. The staff are always cleaning and come to your room 2 times daily. All of the staff are nice and friendly. The cons of the trip are that the excursions onboard are extremely expensive and many hidden costs once you are on board the ship. You have to monitor your bill to ensure that you are billed correctly. The food on board ship is less than impressive. The options included are buffet and 1 dining restaurant. There is free pizza and other choices, however, they close at 2pm which makes it difficult when you have kids. The boat is very unsteady in windy conditions. I was staying on the 1st deck and heard the engine and felt the vibrations from the engine 24 hours a day. The rooms are tiny and not worth the $$ spent for an economy room. The entertainment onboard was not well put together and set dining times made for difficult attendance to any of the shows with the exception of 10pm shows which kids are sleeping at that time

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

I was staying on the 1st deck and heard the engine and felt the vibrations from the engine 24 hours a day. The rooms are tiny and not worth the $$ spent for an economy room.

Ship tip

Get a balcony room so you can actually spend time in your room otherwise you are in a cave that is tiny and not desireable

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

3 out of 5

Montego Bay, Jamaica

1 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

24 Comments

sfcvan 7 years ago

Ladykimba every cruise line have the so call hidden price. They are there we just don't like them, but you are on vacation and you make your vacation. The carnival is more of a party cruise and very family friendly. I don't drink and my wife met a couple who party every night and showed us the best vacation we have ever had the 40 years we have been together. The Dream have something for everyone, you just have to find it. You are on a cruise and should spend less time in your tiny room, unless you are on your honeymoon.

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ladykimba 7 years ago

Having been in several other cruise lines, I agree there was a lot of extra expenses for things often included in other ships. Personally, I hated the layout of this particular ship. I will cruise again, but probably not with Carnival.

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awaywego 7 years ago

Just for the record (not that it will be well received) it's so annoying to see people hate on every single "not positive" review ... if you only have 100% positive cruise reviews then this is the place for you! Apparently it's not appreciated to be honest ... you'll be a "troll"

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sunshinel9ver 7 years ago

Troll just wanted how much they could stir us up!!!

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Babygirl94 7 years ago

Next time stay home, make your own bed, cook your food and go to work. Maybe you'll be happier.

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amsred 7 years ago

I wondet if this was their first cruise and they didnt really research it. The first cruise i went on, a lot of those things shocked me...like how small the rooms are. I know now that carnival has some of the largest inside rooms.

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bcgahill 7 years ago

I don't have a problem with honest negative reviews on something.. I think they're very helpful. but there is no way someone can have this bad of a time, and find something negative about every area of the cruise. i'd say this review is either a troll, or the problem may be you!

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kvance4802 7 years ago

Simple solution. Use a travel agent. It does not cost you a penny more than booking yourself. Your agent can help you and give you lots of useful information.

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cganesh 7 years ago

and don't forget there's the Tandoor Grill that has excellent Indian food that's open until 2:30 pm. deli is also open almost all the time.

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petalpusher60 7 years ago

Wow!!! Believe me I have done my research for our cruise. A lot has changed in 32 years...lol my 1st and only cruise was that long ago. I have looked at everything over and over again and read tons of cruise hacks... I'm ecstatic to finally cruise again.. got all my ducks in a row so to speak!!

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hlucas45 7 years ago

What hidden costs? There is more than 1 show nightly. one for. early dining and one for late dining. Research is your best friend. You can book excursions with private vendors. Maybe an all inclusive resort is more suited for you.

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exnasm68 7 years ago

If you are bothered by the engine vibrations and the movement, then a hotel on shore may be better suited for you. Do you also complain that airplanes are noisy and that your flight can be bumpy?

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vicky8480 7 years ago

Room service is limited menu but very good

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WatermelonQueen 7 years ago

There's also the Lido buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also sea day brunch in the dining room, as well as open seating for breakfast on port days. The deli is open till 10 or 11 PM. There's also 24 hour ice cream on Lido, and 24 hour room service. You won't go hungry. Lol

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vanessabutler 7 years ago

Yes room service is 24/7.

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anance27 7 years ago

Pizza is 24 hours

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JewelsBaser 7 years ago

And, isn't room service 24/7?

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camps25e 7 years ago

Sounds like a little more research could have changed your experience. Carnival's website has all the information you needed on what's included and your dining options. If you cruise again download the Hub app. so you will know what time each restaurant is open. Also you will know next time to book a room higher up to avoid the engine noise and to pick your time dining. The excursions are optional and if you research the ports ahead of going you can plan your own or just enjoy the Port. As a Mom I always appreciate that someone else is doing the cleaning and cooking and I get to relax.

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RissLaNae 7 years ago

Was scaring me too! Our party was really looking forward to pizza 24 hours per day! Cruised the Magic in 2015 so the bar is set pretty high and was about to have a meltdown.

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Katievp 7 years ago

They gave us the option of once or twice.

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sunshine50 7 years ago

Did they clean your room twice daily? We was on the Dream last year and they only had cleared once a day. We had the choice of morning or evening. Let me know if that has changed. Thanks

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Katievp 7 years ago

Pizza is 24 hours. The deli is also open longer hours. There is a specialty restaurant as well as the free dining room. We had no trouble what so ever making the 8:45 show every single night. We had no billing issues. We actually received a credit for reduced port taxes at2 of our 3 ports. Our balcony stateroom on the lido deck had plenty of room. The person who wrote this review went out of their way to be unhappy.

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bettyboop22351 7 years ago

wow. this was scaring me. i was afraid after the upgrade they closed everything. lol

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gamer1 7 years ago

Lol you must have missed half the ship!!! There is much more food than that also Pizza is 24hrs!!!!

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