Awesome Ship, Production team, and Entertainment Team

Carnival Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

astria1

Contributor Level: Cruise Director

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 74

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 05, 2017

Ship: Carnival Dream

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 2259

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The housekeeping staff did not seem to pay the attention I thought they should have to our rooms. I didn't like the fact of them only coming once a day; all of the staff are friendly they make it a point to know your name and to call you by your name for the most part. But I did have some places where they waiter would address everyone at the table by name and he did not speak to me personally. Now all of that aside the ship is amazing. There are so many places to just chill out an enjoy yourself. The entertainment staff and the Production Team did an amazing time each time. The ship is very clean, and the common areas are glamorous. The ship is really awesome. I would ride the ship again just for the cruise director Chris the Flying Scottsman. He was awesome he and the fun squad. They made every event a party and they gave everything in them each time. I never had unpleasant encounter with any of the fun squad, DJ Verso, or the production team. Melissa from the fun squad is really amazing as well. If you are looking for a super fun time this is the ship for you.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

The dining service was slow every night and I wished Carnival would do like Royal and allow you to make reservations for dinner. But they do 1st come 1st serve for anytime dining. The housekeeping staff were not as attentive as I would have wanted them to be.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We had a deluxe oeanview room which comes with two bedrooms, and is wonderful for 3 women who are traveling together. We were able to shower as needed, and it was a ton of space for all of our things to fit in the room. We each had our own bed with plenty of drawers and closets. I think there were about 4 or 5 closets in the room. I was able to sit in the window and watch the waves truly a great time.

Ship tip

At debarkation do the carry your own luggage. We were off the ship and through U.S. Customs in about 30 minutes. Follow the instructions of the Cruise Director and you will be in great hands. And try your best to do everything on the fun schedule.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

2 out of 5

Plan for delays and breakdowns. The gangway was broken on our way coming in and it also broke down on our way leaving out. So be prepared to wait, and to be inconvenienced. But make fun of it by dancing in the line and getting to know some of the people who will be on the ship with you.

Thumbs Up 11

Montego Bay, Jamaica

2 out of 5

Take a tour and stay close to the tour guide try not to interact with the locals who are selling merchandise because they will do whatever to do their best to try to get money from you any way they can. the country is not the nicest, but it is beautiful in some areas. Do a beach getaway here that includes seeing the city and shows the history of the city.

Thumbs Up 8

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5

George Town was the best it was very clean, and we had to be tendered in. You should leave your room 30 minutes before your excursion time, because you will have to get on a tender ship to get to the actual dock. For us we left from New Orleans which we were an hour behind in George Town. They do not have daylight savings time so now they are on the same time as central.

Thumbs Up 13

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

You have to walk through the shops to get to the taxi and do your excursions. Just try to remain focused because there are going to be a ton of people trying to sell you things. There are several wifi places in Cozumel and some of the excursion locations offer free wifi when you are there as well as pay for your taxi ride back to the port.

Thumbs Up 22

Traveler Photos

9 Comments

MKator 7 years ago

I guess my last cruise was at the end of 2015 (just about 1 1/2 years ago), but they always just took good care of the rooms with multiple services. The thing I have learned is the very first friend I make on the cruise is my steward! I travel with my girls a lot (now 15 and 16) and always tell them times are hit and miss with my girls. They always take the time to keep up with my family as we go our different ways and always take good care of my room - normally outside of an AM/PM schedule. I always take a little extra and put it off to the side at the end of the cruise for my steward to tell them how they make my cruise very special around my families time!!!

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lmg1976 7 years ago

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allthat815 7 years ago

Was on the Dream last year and Conquest this year. Both times we were asked if we wanted the room cleaned morning, evening or both. Filled out a !little card each time after we got to our room when we met the steward

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dkf97 7 years ago

Getnsalty, the answer to that is because you're on vacation and having your room tidied twice a day was just one more nice way to feel "pampered". While it was nice and you can still request it be done twice, we are ok with just evening service. Mornings are iffy for us so even when they automatically did it twice there was usually a few days we missed morning service anyway.

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Toothgirl 7 years ago

our room steward was awesome. Told him once that we would like ice in our room and the bucket was full 24/7. Never had to ask twice. When he asked us about a.m or p.m. housekeeping before we could answer he say he would be glad to do it twice a day. I agree with some of the others, it's nice to have service twice a day !! Cruise director is great!!!! Enjoy

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tgaildean 7 years ago

Just this last year I think Carnval had housekeeping start asking if you wanted morning or event housekeeping. In prior years when we sailed our cabin was cleaned in the morning then you had turn down and your towel animal at night. Basically your room was straightened/cleaned twice a day. You can still request morning and turn down if you want. You do have to ask though.

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astria1 7 years ago

@GetnSalty when you are on the ship you are in & out of the room all day & when u port you will want to take multiple showers. with the amount of space of some of the rooms it would be nice to have someone checking in more than once a day to do your turndown service and replacing towels removing any room service food that may be in room. So if u get something the night before and you have it in your room it will b there all day until they come to clean the room. If you are not a morning person I suggest taken the evening turndown service because that gives you time to stay in & relax. After being on the ship for a few days you will see the benefits of having your room cleaned more than once a day.

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GetnSalty 7 years ago

I've read several posts about rooms only being cleaned once a day. Why would you want/need more than once daily? I go on my first cruise in June, so just curious :)

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msnika38 7 years ago

We are cruising on the Dream in September, thanks for the info . I'm looking forward to our trip

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