While searching for my birthday present, my husband found a great gift online. It was a seven-night Carnival Dream cruise departing October 19, 2013 leaving from nearby Port Canaveral. The attractive itinerary visited the islands of Nassau, San Juan, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Our travel agent booked the reservation.

Platinum Level status in Carnival’s VIFP Club granted us Priority Boarding so we breezed through the embarkation procedure. Within mere minutes, we were on the ship. Another plus was that our stateroom was immediately available (11:30 AM.) After stowing our hand luggage, we enjoyed the full buffet lunch in The Gathering and relaxed at a window table. After lunch, it was time for a swim. The informative safety drill was well organized; passengers were attentive and quiet. There was comfortable seating in the Scarlet Main Dining Room. The Sail Away Deck Party was lively and the staff taught passengers some new line dances. After the ship’s departure from the Port, we unpacked our checked luggage and got ready for dinner.

We had signed up for "Your Time Dining” and it went smoothly every night. Mostly we sat at the same table with the same wait staff in the downstairs level of the lovely Crimson Main Dining Room (MDR.) Reynaldo, Team Headwaiter, Rogelio, Team Waiter and Ronan, Assistant Team Waiter were an attentive team. They worked well together, greeted and addressed us by name and were very professional. They worked hard to please us nightly. Read more