Well this is our 4th cruise with Carnival. We have been on the Glory, Valor, and the Liberty. Of all the ships this one had the most issues and was the newest of the fleet we have been on. Let me say right away that none of it would stop me from booking the Dream again if we wanted to do the itinerary, but otherwise I would not intentionally go.
We boarded around 11:30 on Saturday and it was an easy painless process. We sailed in three cabins on three decks with 2 in each cabin, deck 1,8 and 11. Ouside cabin 1308 had two bathrooms and would be great for a family of 4 with small children. Nice and roomy. DH and I had a balcony on 8 and our parents were in a balcony on 11. We did have a problem with our room charges between my DS and my cabin that took three trips to straighten out with the pursers desk but eventually they got it right.
The ship is beautiful as has been reported and we loved the roominess. The biggest crowds were around the dinner hour going in to the dining room but otherwise it was just fine. The buffets were all exactly as they have been on every other cruise we have been on. Not a long wait and plenty of tables. The waitstaff on this ship are just amazing! So friendly and helpful and always smiling. I thought they did a fantastic job. In MHO the food was really really good. We did the Steakhouse and loved the meal just be prepared for it to take 3 hours to eat. Got in at 7:00 and out at 9:45.
1308 really roomy and had two bathrooms. This is a catagory 6M
8301 Catagory 8M standard balcony nice location.
11225 Catagory 8M very nice location also