Marella Dream Review
Rating by category
Additional details
I read some bad reviews about this cruise after I had already booked and was nervous about actually going on this vacation. There were 9 of us travelling together ages 5 to 63 years old and I really wanted everyone to have a good time. I was pleasantly surprised that I experienced none of the problems that some of the past guests had with plumbing, flooding etc. We travelled on the Cuban Fusion April 2015 Cruise.
Transfers: Upon arrival in Montego Bay airport on a Tuesday noonhour, we found our way to customs easily, which took about 30 minutes to get through due to long line ups and very few officers. Luggage retrieval was easy at the airport. After leaving the baggage claim area, there were easily identifiable travel representatives who directed us to our air conditioned transfer bus, which was already waiting for us to board. There were several buses, so as soon as one filled up, they would send it off to the ship. The port is about 10-15 minutes’ drive away from the airport. The airport is not too large and easy to get around.
Embarking and Disembarking: The cruise terminal is very small at Montego Bay and easy to get around. The Thomson Dream was the only ship there, so there was no confusion as to where to go. Upon arrival at the terminal, a Thomson representative boarded the bus and instructed us on exactly what to do to embark. There were plenty of representatives inside the terminal and therefore hardly any wait time to get checked in and on the ship. Everything was very organized and envelopes were already prepared upon our arrival with our ship cards and luggage tags. By the time we found our way to our rooms, which was about 10- 15 minutes after arrival at the port, our luggage was already there. I have no idea how that's even possible! Disembarking was just as smooth and easy. When we left the boat, our bags were already waiting for us in the terminal and there were Thomson representatives directing us where to go.
Cabin Review
Rooms: We found the room to be extremely clean, modern, and quite spacious for a standard inside cabin. It fit my husband, son and I comfortably. The 2 bottom beds pushed together to make a king size bed and there was a top bunk bed for my 5 year old son. We all ended up sleeping in the kingsize bed, but my son loved climbing up the ladder and jumping off onto the bed below. Our room steward (Idris) was always helpful and cleaned the room at least twice a day. He really paid attention to our schedule and slipped in and out, unnoticed whenever we were away from our room. We always returned to a nice, clean room with chocolates on our pillows at night. There were no shampoo, conditioner, or lotions provided in the rooms. Just body soap, liquid hand soap and a sewing kit. There was a kettle for complimentary coffee and tea with creamers and sugar in the room. There is water and snacks on the table, but these are part of the mini-bar. There was only one occasion when the toilet did not flush, but someone came to our room almost immediately and fixed the problem. We never had problems after that. The shower is small, but water pressure is strong and there is plenty of hot water. The pillows were plush and the room and beach towels were large and new. The bedding is a white covered duvet, which is so much cleaner that those awful comforters that never get cleaned in most typical cruise ships and hotels. Being a total germophobe, I found such comfort in knowing that my room was clean and sanitary.