Day 1 - Embarkation, Port Canaveral
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
We flew down to Orlando (from Minneapolis) late Friday night. We got in around midnight, and stayed at the Hampton Inn, near MCO. I had pre-arranged a shuttle service to pick us up at 10:00 am and transport us to Port Canaveral - about 45 minutes away. At about 9:50 am I got a call on my cell phone that the driver was running about 20 minutes late. No problem! How impressive that the company calls to tell me that!
GETTING TO THE PORT & EMBARKATION
We were picked up at about 10:30, stopped at one other hotel, and headed toward Port Canaveral - normally this would take less than an hour, but with picking up more people and sitting through one amazingly long stoplight, it was a little more than that. Our shuttle was shared with two other parties - one couple was on our same ship and the other two ladies were going on Disney Fantasy, Disney's newest and undoubtedly amazing, ship.
Once we got to the pier, we turned over our two big bags to the porter, and assumed our position at the end of the line. By this time it was almost 11:45 and we heard a PA announcement that embarkation was about to begin. "Phase one" standing outside (in the shade) was maybe 20 minutes. Phase 2, "Security" was quick - about 5 minutes. Escalators then took us up to the huge room I guess they might call the Embarkation Room. I looked and looked for signs indicating shorter lines for anyone that is Diamond on Royal Caribbean, but alas that seems to get you nothing on Carnival! Seriously though, the crowd was managed efficiently by dividing us according to our Deck number. We lined up for Deck 8 and within 5 minutes we were checking in and receiving our Key Cards, and took our seats to wait for our zone to be called. Phase 3 complete! Within about 30 minutes we made it through Phase 4, having security & "Embarkation" photos taken, and we were aboard the Carnival Dream!
We embarked onto Deck 3, the ground floor of the Atrium. The Atrium is very flashy - lots of glitz & glamor - with steps up to Decks 4 & 5 and railings and seating for the upper levels to overlook the activities of the Atrium below. There is an elevated stage for live singers & musicians, who perform frequently. The focal point of the Atrium is the striking wall of glass elevators, elegantly sliding up and down. But it cannot compare to the Royal Promenade on the Voyager and Freedom class ships at RCCL. Forgive me for frequent comparisons, but it's my trip and I'm comparing! After being a loyal RCCL guest for so many years, it's a big deal for me to venture out!
We checked out our Cabin (8223) to see if it was ready. Since it wasn't 1:30 yet (the rumored time of availability) we didn't expect to be able to get to it, but unlike RCCL the hallways were not blocked off. So we found our room and met Jose', our cabin steward. The room looked ready however he said it wouldn't be available until 1:30, but he did invite us to store our carry-on bags (a small roller bag and a backpack) so we could have more hands free to load up on food at the buffet. That was very appreciated because of course, that's all we were really looking for at this point!
LUNCH
The crowds at lunch were almost unmanageable. Elevators were slow and packed, so much so that you had to let them go without you. We were heading to Deck 10 - luckily hoofing it up two flights is no big deal. I figured that by just doing that we burned enough calories to load up on several main courses and a couple desserts! (Don't burst my bubble.) The Lido Buffet area is called "The Gathering" which I guess is meant to indicate it's more than just the buffet. "The Grill" (hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, etc.) is located off the pool deck - actually you could say it is ON the pool deck. So if you want to be able to eat lunch in your wet swimsuit, this is for you. If you proceed through the doors into The Gathering, you will find many choices. Besides typical buffet fare, there is a Burrito Bar, a Deli (several hot & cold sandwich offerings), a Pasta Bar (cooked to your specifications in front of you), and a Mongolian Stir Fry station (also to order), and a Pizza Bar. Keep walking toward the aft if you do not see all the options, in fact to reach the Pizza Bar and the Deli, you actually must exit the aft side of The Gathering as they are situated right next to the Sunset Pool (the aft pool), so this is another area where you can eat in a wet swimsuit, if you don't want to bother drying off and covering up after spending time in the water.
COMPARING THE GATHERING TO THE WINDJAMMER
The Windjammer is what Royal Caribbean calls its buffet. I always thought it was nice. Good variety, always a few things I could not pronounce or never heard of, so it's not fair to say the offerings were ordinary, but after a few cruises, it began to feel that way. But I never complained! I have no trouble finding something to eat! If the hot entrees didn't interest me there was always some little sandwiches, soup, and salads. But wow - it cannot compare to The Gathering - the buffet line (I guess that's the part you would call the Lido Buffet) is very similar to the Windjammer, but when you throw in the other options, like the Burritos etc., Carnival wins hands down. Royal Caribbean always offers hamburgers but they are sitting out in a heated buffet pan, whereas Carnival serves them right off the grill and onto your plate (The Grill, poolside). There was just no denying that Carnival gets the points on this one. Both lines' desserts were incredible.
Since the lines were so long at the Burrito Bar and the other "special" options, we settled for some rather ordinary buffet fare, however it was very tasty. After filling our plates, we undertook the challenge of locating a table. I do like the layout of the seating in that tables flank both sides of the ship, for quite a distance along both sides (serving stations and the kitchen are in the middle rather than against a wall) HOWEVER the crowds were so insane that we literally checked out every table and found NONE open. Tom finally had to ask people if we could sit at empty chairs at their table. When they were done eating we paid it forward and flagged down a frustrated couple to join us. The crowds were so unbelievable and we assumed at this point that it was due to everyone being on the same schedule on Day 1: You get on the ship, and you can't get in your room, and you go to the Buffet to eat lunch. Luckily for future meals this wasn't such an issue!!!
After lunch we explored the ship a bit. Rather than include all my impressions of the ship on Day 1 of my Blog, I will spread them out throughout the week.
Since we just booked this cruise about 3 weeks prior, we were unable to reserve the Your Time Dining, so we were put on the waiting list. I really do like traditional dining, with the same waiter every night, and I don't mind the random table-mates routine, but Tom is not crazy about the table-mates scene and I do get that. We have always eaten at first seating in the past - and that was also full - so we had been assigned late seating at 8:15. We are from the midwest! We do not eat dinner at 8:15! Especially when you consider that it takes 1 1/2 hours to eat dinner in the Dining Room - it's almost 10:00 pm when dinner is over! I guess my biggest fear is that I would be eating something at the "normal time" as well, resulting in eating two dinners! Anyway, we went to the dining room to submit our request for a change, and we were told that we would find out by tomorrow at 3:00 pm. So for tonight it stands as late seating.
MUSTER DRILL
The Muster Drill was scheduled for 3:25, only they don't call it a Muster Drill - it's a "Safety Briefing". This was actually really weird because all the muster stations are in lounges or theaters. We were assigned ground floor (Deck 3) in the Encore Theater (the main show theater). While we appreciated the air conditioned comfort and the cushy seating, it seemed a bit odd that in an emergency we would go to the theater instead of to the lifeboats. I was not able to exactly understand how we would get on life boats, they said that we would be escorted there from the theater. Hmmm... on RCCL you gather on the promenade deck inches away from your designated life boat. Later in the week we figured out how the lifeboats are accessed - there are panels on Deck 4 that open like big windows and the lifeboats hang just on the other side, so you would actually climb into them from the inside of the ship, not from an outside deck. (I think I have this right). The drill - er I mean briefing - was quick, thanks in part I'm sure to the fact that no attendance is taken. (Yes, you heard me!)
SAILAWAY
We camped out on Deck 5 (The Promenade Deck) for Sailaway. This deck is very different than its counterpart on RCCL ships. More specifics on that later in the week! This was our last chance to have cell phone service and the reality of being without Words with Friends, or Hanging with Friends, for a whole week was setting in. We gave it one last shot, trying to get as many turns in as possible before we sailed out of cell phone range. We were also taking some photos and texting them to family. It's so fun to rub it in! We are here and you are not! As we sailed out of the Port Canaveral channel we ceremoniously set our phones to Airplane Mode for the week! It was such a great feeling!!
Our luggage was delivered to our cabin by about 6, so we promptly went about unpacking. There seemed to be plenty of space to store our belongings. More specific observations of the room later in the week.
DINNER
For dinner we decided to go to the Buffet instead of eating in the Dining Room! That is a first! 15 cruises and this is the first dinner EVER that we did not eat in the dining room! Earlier, we had checked out the menu in the dining room and now while at the buffet, I couldn't help noticing that almost all of Dining Room entrees were present at the Lido Buffet. But the best part of eating dinner at the buffet, was that there were plenty of tables and it was nice and quiet! We were able to secure a nice booth with a view of the sunset. Perfect! Interestingly, the pasta bar, burrito bar, and the other special choices, are only open for lunch - all except the Pizza Bar.
NIGHT LIFE
There was only one show tonight and it was not until 10:15!! We listened to some Karaoke (some great talent!) until it was time for the show. It was a typical Welcome Aboard show, with some singing, dancing, comedy, and some information about the ship and the coming week was shared. The Director, Steve, seems very good. The performers were talented and I am looking forward to the shows all week.
[ More Photos ]
GETTING TO THE PORT & EMBARKATION
We were picked up at about 10:30, stopped at one other hotel, and headed toward Port Canaveral - normally this would take less than an hour, but with picking up more people and sitting through one amazingly long stoplight, it was a little more than that. Our shuttle was shared with two other parties - one couple was on our same ship and the other two ladies were going on Disney Fantasy, Disney's newest and undoubtedly amazing, ship.
We embarked onto Deck 3, the ground floor of the Atrium. The Atrium is very flashy - lots of glitz & glamor - with steps up to Decks 4 & 5 and railings and seating for the upper levels to overlook the activities of the Atrium below. There is an elevated stage for live singers & musicians, who perform frequently. The focal point of the Atrium is the striking wall of glass elevators, elegantly sliding up and down. But it cannot compare to the Royal Promenade on the Voyager and Freedom class ships at RCCL. Forgive me for frequent comparisons, but it's my trip and I'm comparing! After being a loyal RCCL guest for so many years, it's a big deal for me to venture out!
We checked out our Cabin (8223) to see if it was ready. Since it wasn't 1:30 yet (the rumored time of availability) we didn't expect to be able to get to it, but unlike RCCL the hallways were not blocked off. So we found our room and met Jose', our cabin steward. The room looked ready however he said it wouldn't be available until 1:30, but he did invite us to store our carry-on bags (a small roller bag and a backpack) so we could have more hands free to load up on food at the buffet. That was very appreciated because of course, that's all we were really looking for at this point!
LUNCH
The crowds at lunch were almost unmanageable. Elevators were slow and packed, so much so that you had to let them go without you. We were heading to Deck 10 - luckily hoofing it up two flights is no big deal. I figured that by just doing that we burned enough calories to load up on several main courses and a couple desserts! (Don't burst my bubble.) The Lido Buffet area is called "The Gathering" which I guess is meant to indicate it's more than just the buffet. "The Grill" (hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, etc.) is located off the pool deck - actually you could say it is ON the pool deck. So if you want to be able to eat lunch in your wet swimsuit, this is for you. If you proceed through the doors into The Gathering, you will find many choices. Besides typical buffet fare, there is a Burrito Bar, a Deli (several hot & cold sandwich offerings), a Pasta Bar (cooked to your specifications in front of you), and a Mongolian Stir Fry station (also to order), and a Pizza Bar. Keep walking toward the aft if you do not see all the options, in fact to reach the Pizza Bar and the Deli, you actually must exit the aft side of The Gathering as they are situated right next to the Sunset Pool (the aft pool), so this is another area where you can eat in a wet swimsuit, if you don't want to bother drying off and covering up after spending time in the water.
COMPARING THE GATHERING TO THE WINDJAMMER
The Windjammer is what Royal Caribbean calls its buffet. I always thought it was nice. Good variety, always a few things I could not pronounce or never heard of, so it's not fair to say the offerings were ordinary, but after a few cruises, it began to feel that way. But I never complained! I have no trouble finding something to eat! If the hot entrees didn't interest me there was always some little sandwiches, soup, and salads. But wow - it cannot compare to The Gathering - the buffet line (I guess that's the part you would call the Lido Buffet) is very similar to the Windjammer, but when you throw in the other options, like the Burritos etc., Carnival wins hands down. Royal Caribbean always offers hamburgers but they are sitting out in a heated buffet pan, whereas Carnival serves them right off the grill and onto your plate (The Grill, poolside). There was just no denying that Carnival gets the points on this one. Both lines' desserts were incredible.
Since the lines were so long at the Burrito Bar and the other "special" options, we settled for some rather ordinary buffet fare, however it was very tasty. After filling our plates, we undertook the challenge of locating a table. I do like the layout of the seating in that tables flank both sides of the ship, for quite a distance along both sides (serving stations and the kitchen are in the middle rather than against a wall) HOWEVER the crowds were so insane that we literally checked out every table and found NONE open. Tom finally had to ask people if we could sit at empty chairs at their table. When they were done eating we paid it forward and flagged down a frustrated couple to join us. The crowds were so unbelievable and we assumed at this point that it was due to everyone being on the same schedule on Day 1: You get on the ship, and you can't get in your room, and you go to the Buffet to eat lunch. Luckily for future meals this wasn't such an issue!!!
After lunch we explored the ship a bit. Rather than include all my impressions of the ship on Day 1 of my Blog, I will spread them out throughout the week.
Since we just booked this cruise about 3 weeks prior, we were unable to reserve the Your Time Dining, so we were put on the waiting list. I really do like traditional dining, with the same waiter every night, and I don't mind the random table-mates routine, but Tom is not crazy about the table-mates scene and I do get that. We have always eaten at first seating in the past - and that was also full - so we had been assigned late seating at 8:15. We are from the midwest! We do not eat dinner at 8:15! Especially when you consider that it takes 1 1/2 hours to eat dinner in the Dining Room - it's almost 10:00 pm when dinner is over! I guess my biggest fear is that I would be eating something at the "normal time" as well, resulting in eating two dinners! Anyway, we went to the dining room to submit our request for a change, and we were told that we would find out by tomorrow at 3:00 pm. So for tonight it stands as late seating.
MUSTER DRILL
The Muster Drill was scheduled for 3:25, only they don't call it a Muster Drill - it's a "Safety Briefing". This was actually really weird because all the muster stations are in lounges or theaters. We were assigned ground floor (Deck 3) in the Encore Theater (the main show theater). While we appreciated the air conditioned comfort and the cushy seating, it seemed a bit odd that in an emergency we would go to the theater instead of to the lifeboats. I was not able to exactly understand how we would get on life boats, they said that we would be escorted there from the theater. Hmmm... on RCCL you gather on the promenade deck inches away from your designated life boat. Later in the week we figured out how the lifeboats are accessed - there are panels on Deck 4 that open like big windows and the lifeboats hang just on the other side, so you would actually climb into them from the inside of the ship, not from an outside deck. (I think I have this right). The drill - er I mean briefing - was quick, thanks in part I'm sure to the fact that no attendance is taken. (Yes, you heard me!)
SAILAWAY
We camped out on Deck 5 (The Promenade Deck) for Sailaway. This deck is very different than its counterpart on RCCL ships. More specifics on that later in the week! This was our last chance to have cell phone service and the reality of being without Words with Friends, or Hanging with Friends, for a whole week was setting in. We gave it one last shot, trying to get as many turns in as possible before we sailed out of cell phone range. We were also taking some photos and texting them to family. It's so fun to rub it in! We are here and you are not! As we sailed out of the Port Canaveral channel we ceremoniously set our phones to Airplane Mode for the week! It was such a great feeling!!
Our luggage was delivered to our cabin by about 6, so we promptly went about unpacking. There seemed to be plenty of space to store our belongings. More specific observations of the room later in the week.
For dinner we decided to go to the Buffet instead of eating in the Dining Room! That is a first! 15 cruises and this is the first dinner EVER that we did not eat in the dining room! Earlier, we had checked out the menu in the dining room and now while at the buffet, I couldn't help noticing that almost all of Dining Room entrees were present at the Lido Buffet. But the best part of eating dinner at the buffet, was that there were plenty of tables and it was nice and quiet! We were able to secure a nice booth with a view of the sunset. Perfect! Interestingly, the pasta bar, burrito bar, and the other special choices, are only open for lunch - all except the Pizza Bar.
NIGHT LIFE
There was only one show tonight and it was not until 10:15!! We listened to some Karaoke (some great talent!) until it was time for the show. It was a typical Welcome Aboard show, with some singing, dancing, comedy, and some information about the ship and the coming week was shared. The Director, Steve, seems very good. The performers were talented and I am looking forward to the shows all week.
[ More Photos ]
