Marella Dream Review

4.0 / 5.0
0 reviews

Don't believe the bad stuff!

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Marella Dream
User Avatar
Cate
10+ Cruises • Age 20s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Feb 2011

We did the Cuban Adventure tour from Jamaica through to Barbados and I have to say the ship was brilliant! Yes it did have a slight lean to starboard but it all added to the character of the Dream. Yes character! It's not a floating shopping mall full of Americans searching for their next shopping bargain, the Dream is a proper cruise ship with lovely lounge areas, a beautiful main restaurant, fabulous food and staff that just can't do enough for you! No there isn't an atrium (but who cares) there aren't any glass lifts (who needs them) but there is a warm friendly atmosphere and great entertainment. Thomson seem to have hit the nail on the head with everything you would want on your cruise. We have cruised before with P&O (they shut the ship at 10.00pm and expect you to go to bed with a cup of hot chocolate) and with other lines like RCCI which are just massive shopping malls with no where to sit and a constant nagging for you to buy onboard purchases. The Dream was really well planned and even offered reliable WIFI which being self employed was one of the reasons we booked (we couldn't have gone if this facility wasn't available)!

The itinerary we did was great especially with 2 nights in Havana, glad we booked it as 2012 this itinerary will be no more. There were a few things that did get on our nerves,such as the bar prices which were pretty steep, in the brochure Thomson likened them to pub prices in the UK, I can't recall ever spending £4.00 on a vodka or over £3.50 for a bottle of lager. The main thing we found the most irritating was the Captain on our second week, although I wouldn't have told him this whilst we were on considering our life was in his hands. He was a German gentleman who thought everyone was interested in his seafaring stories which he selfishly piped through to the cabins (just around nap time). I think he must have found his stories about pirates, cherries (don't ask!) and potatoes rather interesting. We didn't. He seemed to have had a lot of disasters at sea which combined with a ship with a slight list did not bode well! So beware, if this Captain is on the bridge during your cruise you will be subjected to rather tedious stories! Balancing the Captains nostalgic rants with the good things on the ship it was worth putting up with though.

I think every review has sung the praises of the staff and they deserve it. All the bar, dining staff and the guys behind the scenes are a credit to Thomson.

Cabin Review

Cabin OU

Our cabin was great, plenty of storage, well equipped shower room (great shower)Hair dryer which worked. Plenty of space and comfortable bed with nice linen.

previous reviewnext review

Find a cruise

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.