It was ok

Carnival Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

preacherdude24

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 14

Overall rating:

3.2 out of 5

Verified Review

8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 07, 2023

Ship: Carnival Dream

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 1447

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 months ago

Review summary

I like to sit on the ship in the shade and look at the ocean to read, nap and listen to music while looking at the ocean. This shop has very little space for this activity. Maybe more umbrellas?? The excursions were a waste except for at least now we know the island layout a bit. Sure cost a lot for such a tour. The food on Carnival is much improved and great! The staff were excellent except there were very few drink runners. Not like usual which looks like being understaffed. The boat needs someplace other than just the bathrooms to sanitize the hands before touching anything in the dining areas or buffet. I don’t know if it was the cruise or not, but both my wife and I got some kind of respiratory cold just after the cruise (last night and the last Sunday night for me). We would wash our hands before meals too. Where is the hand gel dispenser girls to catch everyone or a sink for wash up? We have taken 6 cruises now, (3 with carnival and three with Royal). This was our least favorite. Room view obstruction, bad excursions, and lack of shade for adults, and an illness to boot. We usually are very generous with our ratings too. Oh well, I guess we all have one of those cruises. Again, the staff, band, entertainment was great… so don’t blame them.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

I give three stars. They were late but this was due to a medical emergency on the preceding cruise which delayed its arrival. Still, it would seem that this would be prepared for and the line could be moved indoors quicker. Also, by accident one of our party found that our groip was ready to move in to the security area so we could skip lines waiting for later (we had an 815) board time. Otherwise, we would have been stuck in line. We could not see a sign or direction.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Food was much improved.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

The band was great s d Callente club was fun. The shows were improved.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Did great

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone did great but we can tell the ship is understaffed.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Good. But we need places to wash or gel at the front of the dining areas and shade for adults to lounge in.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

It would be nice to know that my view in 1447 was obstructed by some ladder or lift.

Ship tip

Could you please make an adult area where you can sit in a lounge chair, in the shade and look at the ocean? Most all lingers face the ocean except the panoramic deck and it is in the sun most of the day

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

3 out of 5

We did excursions at all ports

Thumbs Up 0

Key West, Florida

4 out of 5

It was fine. We got our own trolley tickets

Thumbs Up 0

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

2 out of 5

The excursion was basically a drive around the island and a tour of someone’s back yard with some shops. For the money, no. The only thing that made this excursion any good was the tour guides who did their best and now we know what Freeport looks like… we never have to get off here again.

Thumbs Up 0

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

1 out of 5

Half of our snorkel gear did not work.

Thumbs Up 0

Nassau, Bahamas

1 out of 5

This excursion was basically a tourist trap to stop at specific shops so you could buy rum cake, chocolate and other goods. We never saw the fort, lighthouse, etc. 3 hours of sweating in a van and except for the freelance guide at the Queens steps we would have learned very little. Our friends on the walking tour got to see more cool stuff for a whole lot less money. This is a tourist trap and I wish I could give 0 stars.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Bout as good as could be done!

8 Comments

Other reviews of this sailing

4 ports of call, nice agenda for an 8 night cruise

Anniversary/Caribbean cruise

Food is as good as ever. Lack of entertainment for upper age folks. TV reception is intermittent. Prices are sky high. Very friendly host.