We sailed aboard the Carnival Dream 5 months after an absolutely phenomenal cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. After that "once in a lifetime" type of experience, we wondered if we would be able to enjoy a Carnival cruise again. We would soon find out....

For this vacation, we decided to bring our mother in law along (in her own cabin, of course). We started our vacation by driving 7 hours the day before the cruise to Cocoa Beach, FL, where we spent the night at the Doubletree Oceanfront. It's a nice property located right on the beach, and only about 15 minutes from Port Canaveral. The following morning, we parked our car at the Park N' Cruise facility. With reservations, they charge $6.99 per day (much cheaper than the $15 per day charged at the cruise terminal). Their personnel is courteous and service is prompt.

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