Okay, I will try a go at this trip report or review. Call it like you see it. It's probably more of a review.... I recently took my mother (72) and my dear husband (55) on a 7 day cruise to the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Jamaica on the Carnival Dream Sept 21st 2014. This is my DH and myself 4th cruise but this is my mom's first cruise. I am so excited that I could take her on such a wonderful adventure! We stayed on the LIDO deck in room 10242, port side, interior. This is our first time staying in an interior room and I must say that I liked it. However, I wish I would have brought an alarm clock because I am an early riser and the room stays so dark that I missed most every sunrise. O Well. The beds were cozy, the pillows were just right ( I always miss my pillow from home) and the room was big enough for all three of us. The bathroom is a lot bigger that on the Fantasy class ships! So is the closet space. Our room was always clean and the temperature was cool too. < I had read on here somewhere that someone had said the Dream was hot> Well, I am here to tell you that I have night sweats and was very worried that I would be uncomfortable on this cruise but to my relief I was just right. I was also a little worried about LIDO deck noise and such but we slept like babies every night.

Embarking was your average deal. not too fast and not too slow. The port loaned my mom a wheelchair just to board the gangway because she can't walk or stand for long periods. And the cruise line took her name and room number so that when we come back to debark they would again assist her. I tipped the attendant that pushed mom's chair $5 each time. I don't think they were used to getting tips because he looked surprised when I handed it to him. We were all on board about noon and we ate in the LIDO restaurant and of course had the "drink of the day". The luggage wasn't in our room until just before the muster drill at 4. no biggie.

That night we had dinner reservations at the steak house (free bottle of wine if you book a dinner on the first night). My mom and I went because my DH didn't pack any long pants. I see now what he intends to do on his vacation. :)) That is something I really like about cruise ship vacations, each one of us can "do our own thing" to personalize our own vacation yet still enjoy family time. The meal at the steak house was good but I did not feel that it was great. Service was exceptional though as well as the ambience. We went to bed early. Read more