This was a group cruise planned for 2 yrs with close to 30 people traveling together. I have been on multiple cruise lines and am a repeat cruiser to Carnival. This was my first time leaving out of New Orleans. The luggage drop off at the parking garage was so smooth. The waiting area for your wait for your specified embarkation time was somewhat crowded but tolerable, the boarding and embarkation was highly organized and hassle-free. Once aboard the food was abundant on the Lido Deck, the staff was excellent from our Cabin Steward to our Wait Staff in the Scarlet Restaurant, Budi from Indonesia was most excellent as was Drazenka.

Several issues make this ship and cruise AVERAGE to less than average experience. If you are a late diner 8:15pm you are out of luck if you are looking for after dinner activities. There are no shows in the main theater as was enjoyed on past cruises with Carnival. Comedy shows start anywhere from 9:45p to midnight, all adult versions, disappointing. The programming and activities, especially having 3 entire 'fun' days at sea were ENTIRELY lacking. We have always chosen a late dinner time so as not to be rushed as we return to the ship after a day in port to get ready for dinner and later activities, bad choice apparently this time around. All major shows were at 7p or 830p. which are not convenient for the late dinner time choice. The activity planning leaves MUCH to be desired on the Dream. The Casino did have a lot of activities but that was the only plus side. The jewelry specials or activities were so overcrowded and cramped i would call them LESS than enjoyable or fun.

We saw a couple of broken or cracked windows and glass on board, in the Lido restaurant and the Atrium. The Pasta Bella restaurant above the Lido restaurant was so packed on the last day at sea they had to form a line and hold off customers due to only 3 cooks----recommend expanding that area and the # of cooks as the food was AWESOME!!! The lines for the Pizza Pirate were ALWAYS long during the day as only 2 cooks were making pizzas at any given time. Read more