We just returned from our second trip on the Carnival Dream (the first time out of New Orleans). This was my 8th Carnival cruise but 12th cruise overall. I was traveling alone with my two sons who are 10 and 12 (turning 13 on debarkation day). Overall, it was a suburb holiday!
Sailing out of New Orleans was fascinating. We spent one day prior and two days following the cruise to enjoy the city. We enjoyed the French Quarter, the streetcars, fabulous food and shopping. We stayed both times at the Hilton Riverside Hotel which is connected to the Riverwalk Outlet Collection mall. It is nice to have the shops and restaurants so close to us. In the morning before my sons got dressed, I could slip down and get a Café du Monde café au lait to start my day. To arrive at the ship, we took a cab there which cost $21. The price was maddening because they said it was $7 per person so if it were just me it would have only been $7??? After the cruise, we walked back to the hotel. It was a bit of a walk but we pulled our luggage. Also, the taxi line up was extremely long.
Embarkation was as smooth as silk. We had Faster to the Fun which I think is worth every penny. We just kept passing all of the long lines and were on the ship in 15 minutes. This is the second time we have had FTTF and I would be sad if we had to board without it.
This was a great location. 2 down from the Lido and 3 up from the Plaza on the Promenade deck. I try to take stairs the whole time so I would stay on deck 8 again. It was very quiet as we did not hear our neighbours at all. Sometimes some hallway noise but that is to be expected.