Carnival Dream 2020 4-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 2 January 3, 2020 First Sea Day
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Day 2 January 3, 2020 First Sea Day
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First Morning Walk Of The Cruise:
Each cruise I will typically take a morning walk around the ship prior to eating breakfast. During my morning walk I will usually look inside the ship's public spaces and take pictures for this review. Before going to bed on the first night I set my alarm for 5:45am. However, my alarm malfunctioned and did not go off until nearly 6:00am. After getting out of bed I got ready for the day and left my stateroom by 6:20am. I started my morning walk on Deck 3 at the front of the ship in the Carnival Dream's Encore Theater. The Encore Theater is the same venue where the first night's Welcome Aboard Show and 80s Pop to the Max Production Show took place on the first night. Today, the Encore Theater was going to be used for a variety of events including the Morning Show, bingo, Fun Ashore Presentation, the Fun Finds Shopping Show, and the production show known as Flick. Since it was very early in the morning, the lounge was empty and most of the lights were off. Here are some pictures of the Encore Theater's Deck 3 level:
Each cruise I will typically take a morning walk around the ship prior to eating breakfast. During my morning walk I will usually look inside the ship's public spaces and take pictures for this review. Before going to bed on the first night I set my alarm for 5:45am. However, my alarm malfunctioned and did not go off until nearly 6:00am. After getting out of bed I got ready for the day and left my stateroom by 6:20am. I started my morning walk on Deck 3 at the front of the ship in the Carnival Dream's Encore Theater. The Encore Theater is the same venue where the first night's Welcome Aboard Show and 80s Pop to the Max Production Show took place on the first night. Today, the Encore Theater was going to be used for a variety of events including the Morning Show, bingo, Fun Ashore Presentation, the Fun Finds Shopping Show, and the production show known as Flick. Since it was very early in the morning, the lounge was empty and most of the lights were off. Here are some pictures of the Encore Theater's Deck 3 level:
Encore Theater (Deck 3 Level)
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Seats On The Side Of The Encore Theater
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View From The Very Back Of The Encore
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After walking out of the Encore Theater, I went into the Carnival Dream's atrium. The ship's atrium has four glass elevators that go up to Deck 12. Although the atrium's lobby is on Deck 3, the glass elevators go down to Deck 2 despite that deck not being a part of the atrium. In the center of the atrium is the atrium bar and a spiral staircase that goes up to decks 4 & 5. On of the sides of the atrium, there are several areas to sit and mini-Fun Hub internet cafe stations.
The Guest Services and Shore Excursions decks can be found on Deck 3 on the sides of the atrium. The Guest Services desk is on one side of the Carnival Dream's atrium while the Shore Excursions desk is on the opposite side of the atrium. At this time of the morning, the Shore Excursions Desk was closed. Shore Excursions can be booked through stateroom TV's, on the Carnival Hub App, and at Guest Services when the Shore Excursions Desk is closed.
The Guest Services and Shore Excursions decks can be found on Deck 3 on the sides of the atrium. The Guest Services desk is on one side of the Carnival Dream's atrium while the Shore Excursions desk is on the opposite side of the atrium. At this time of the morning, the Shore Excursions Desk was closed. Shore Excursions can be booked through stateroom TV's, on the Carnival Hub App, and at Guest Services when the Shore Excursions Desk is closed.
Seating Area In The Atrium Lobby On Deck 3
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Atrium Bar & Spiral Stairwell
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Shore Excursions Desk
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The Crimson Dining Room has an entrance located on Deck 3 of the Carnival Dream's atrium. This entrance is used in the evening for guests assigned to Your-Time Dining and is the same place I waited for dinner on the first night. I walked inside the dining room and noticed several of the tables were already being setup for the formal night dinner. This dining room was not being used for brunch or any other dining related events prior to dinner. Inside the dining room there are two stairwells that go up to the deck 4 level of the Crimson Dining Room. I walked up one these stairwells to Deck 4. It is my understanding the people on this deck had assigned seating at either 6:00pm or 8:15pm.
Crimson Dining Room - Deck 3 Level
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Booth Tables In The Crimson Dining Room
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Looking Down At The Deck 3 Level of the Crimson Dining Room From Deck 4
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After walking out of the Crimson Dining Room's deck 4 level, I was back in the Carnival Dream's atrium. The deck 4 area of the atrium is home to the Pixels Photo Gallery. During the day, photos are posted on the walls of the photo gallery for guests to purchase. The Carnival Dream still has the old fashioned Pixels photo process which consists of the ship printing all pictures and hanging them on the little wall shelves. (Note: Some of Carnival's newest ships have gone to an all digital photo gallery system, but the Carnival Dream does not have this yet). Within the photo gallery, the ship had long cushioned benches that guests could sit on and look down at the Deck 3 area of the atrium. There was lots of good seating in the Carnival Dream's atrium!
Atrium - View From Deck 4
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Long Seats On Deck 4 Along the Atrium Edge
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Deck 4 Lower Promenade - Glass Windows By Crimson Dining Room
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After walking through the photo gallery in the ship's deck 4 level of the atrium, I began to walk towards the back of the ship. There is a long hallway that connects the front of deck 4 to the back. This area is referred to on the ship's deck plan as "Lower Dream Street Promenade". Along this area guests can find entrances to the Paige Turner Library, Circle C, Club 02, the ship's Chambers Conference Center, and one of the ship's many Fun Hub Internet Cafe stations.
I saw the entrance to the Paige Turner Library and stepped inside. This library had a few tables and several shelves. The shelves had some books and board games. There were two computers in the library that could be used for internet access. Later in the day, I happened to walk back by the library and saw every table occupied with guests playing board games. During my morning walk the library was still empty.
I saw the entrance to the Paige Turner Library and stepped inside. This library had a few tables and several shelves. The shelves had some books and board games. There were two computers in the library that could be used for internet access. Later in the day, I happened to walk back by the library and saw every table occupied with guests playing board games. During my morning walk the library was still empty.
Paige Turner Library
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Paige Turner Library - Two Fun Hub Computer Stations
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One Of The Library's Shelves - Had Board Games
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After leaving the ship's library, I walked to the back of deck 4 and then went up to deck 5. At the very back of deck 5 is the Burgundy Lounge. The Carnival Dream's Burgundy Lounge is considered the ship's aft lounge and hosts a variety of events. At night, the Punchliner Comedy Club uses this lounge for the comedy shows.
Burgundy Lounge - View From The Very Back
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Stage & Mini Dance Floor At Front of the Lounge
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Burgundy Lounge Bar Area
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As I walked around deck 5 I walked by Bonsai Sushi. This venue was added to the Carnival Dream during a 2017 dry-dock and replaced the old Taste Bar area. Bonsai Sushi is open at lunch and dinner on sea-days or if it is a port of call day is only open at dinner. Guests wishing to eat at this venue have to pay extra.
Bonsai Sushi Counter
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Bonsai Sushi Tables Along the Promenade Walkway
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Christmas Village Made Of Food At The Ocean Plaza
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In the middle of the interior areas of the Promenade Deck is a venue called Ocean Plaza. The Carnival Dream was the first Carnival ship built with an Ocean Plaza. This area has a small stage that is used to host live music and entertainment at night. During the day, the Ocean Plaza is used for various activities and trivia. This area has plenty of seats and small tables, but could get crowded during the sea days. At the back of the Ocean Plaza guests can access a full bar that serves regular bar menu items and next to this bar guests can find the Alchemy Bar. The Alchemy Bar has a pharmacy theme and serves a variety of cocktails. The Alchemy Bar feature was also added during the Carnival Dream's 2017 dry-dock.
Ocean Plaza - View From The Promenade Walkway
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Ocean Plaza Small Stage & Dance Floor
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Ocean Plaza Bar
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Alchemy Bar - Located At The Ocean Plaza
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Seats Around The Alchemy Bar
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Ocean Plaza Area - Promenade Walkway
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After walking through the Promenade Deck (5) I decided to head up to the Lido Deck (10). I started at the very back of the Lido Deck. At the back of the Lido Deck is the ship's aft pool. This pool has two hottubs and is surrounded by several deck chairs. The Carnival Dream's Pizzeria Del Capitano is located outside. The pizzeria is complimentary and is open 24 hours. The Seafood Shack is also located outside near the aft pool, but this feature is not complimentary.
Lido Deck AFT Pool
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Tables Out By The AFT Pool
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Pizzeria Del Capitano Counter - Near the Lido AFT Pool
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After walking around the Lido Deck, I headed up to Deck 11 for a quick walk around the outside decks before breakfast. I wanted to get a glimpse at the sunrise before going inside the buffet for breakfast.
Bar Area By The AFT Lido Pool
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Deck 11 - Deck Chairs Lining The Ship
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View Of The Lido Main Pool & Ship's WaterWorks
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Looking Towards The Lido Main Pool & Seaside Theater
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Sunrise
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Guy's Burger Joint
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First Breakfast On The Carnival Dream:
The Carnival Dream offers cruisers multiple breakfast options to choose from. On the Lido Buffet, several buffet lines were open for breakfast. A continental breakfast buffet line that served pastries, cereal, and yogurt opened at 6:30am and closed at 10:30am. The main Lido buffet lines served breakfast from 7:30am until 10:30am. For cruisers wanting to eat breakfast tacos and burritos, the Blue Iguana Cantina served breakfast from 7:30am until 10:30am. One breakfast buffet line remained open until 12:00pm for late risers, but after 10:30am the rest of the lines closed to start preparing for lunch. Cruisers that did not want to eat in the buffet could eat at the Sea Day Brunch in the Scarlet Dining Room (aft dining room on Deck 3). The Sea Day Brunch was open from 8:30am until 1:00pm. Here are some of my pictures from today's breakfast:
The Carnival Dream offers cruisers multiple breakfast options to choose from. On the Lido Buffet, several buffet lines were open for breakfast. A continental breakfast buffet line that served pastries, cereal, and yogurt opened at 6:30am and closed at 10:30am. The main Lido buffet lines served breakfast from 7:30am until 10:30am. For cruisers wanting to eat breakfast tacos and burritos, the Blue Iguana Cantina served breakfast from 7:30am until 10:30am. One breakfast buffet line remained open until 12:00pm for late risers, but after 10:30am the rest of the lines closed to start preparing for lunch. Cruisers that did not want to eat in the buffet could eat at the Sea Day Brunch in the Scarlet Dining Room (aft dining room on Deck 3). The Sea Day Brunch was open from 8:30am until 1:00pm. Here are some of my pictures from today's breakfast:
Breakfast: Yogurt & Milk
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Variety of Yogurt Flavors Available
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Main Lido Buffet Line: Fruit
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Main Lido Buffet Line: Fruit
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Main Lido Buffet Line: Fruit
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Main Lido Buffet Line: Scrambled Eggs
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Main Lido Buffet: Potatoes & Sausages
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Main Lido Buffet: French Toast & Pancakes
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Main Lido Buffet: Ham & Hard Boiled Eggs
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Main Lido Buffet: Bread, Bagel, & Waffles
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Cereal Dispensers
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Continental Breakfast Buffet
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Continental Breakfast Buffet
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Continental Breakfast Buffet
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Continental Breakfast Buffet
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Continental Breakfast Buffet
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Continental Breakfast Buffet
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Continental Breakfast Buffet
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Live Morning Show:
Our cruise director Gary hosted a live morning show in the Encore Theater at 9:30am. This event consisted of some information about what was happening around the ship for the day. The morning show was informational and entertaining. Besides being in the studio audience, guests could watch the morning show on their stateroom TV or on the ship's SeaSide Theater on the Lido Deck. The morning show lasted a little less than 30 minutes because the next event in the Encore, which was Bingo, was happening at 10:00am.
After the morning show, we went up to Deck 5 to go to the Lanai. The Lanai was closed due to high winds. I tried to go outside on several of the ship's front decks and saw a sign posted on the doors that said closed due to high wind. After realizing most of the decks were closed, I went up to Deck 12 and went to the jogging track area.
Our cruise director Gary hosted a live morning show in the Encore Theater at 9:30am. This event consisted of some information about what was happening around the ship for the day. The morning show was informational and entertaining. Besides being in the studio audience, guests could watch the morning show on their stateroom TV or on the ship's SeaSide Theater on the Lido Deck. The morning show lasted a little less than 30 minutes because the next event in the Encore, which was Bingo, was happening at 10:00am.
After the morning show, we went up to Deck 5 to go to the Lanai. The Lanai was closed due to high winds. I tried to go outside on several of the ship's front decks and saw a sign posted on the doors that said closed due to high wind. After realizing most of the decks were closed, I went up to Deck 12 and went to the jogging track area.
Door On The Lanai Indicating The Outside Deck Was Closed
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View Of The Water From The Jogging Track
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Walking Towards the Back of the Jogging Track
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The morning passed by quickly and on my way to lunch I stopped back in the Burgundy Lounge (aft-lounge) again. Since it was no longer early in the morning, the lounge had lights on so I was able to take some better pictures.
Burgundy Lounge
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Burgundy Lounge - These masks illuminated at night
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Burgundy Lounge
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Second Lunch On The Carnival Dream:
Around 12:00pm, I headed up to the Lido buffet for lunch. My first stop was the Blue Iguana Cantina for some more tacos. Since this was a sea day, the buffet lines were long at times. Luckily, my wait at the Blue Iguana Cantina was no more than 5 minutes.
Here are all of the lunch options available on the ship for this sea-day:
Here are some various pictures of food items and desserts from today's Lido buffet lunch:
Around 12:00pm, I headed up to the Lido buffet for lunch. My first stop was the Blue Iguana Cantina for some more tacos. Since this was a sea day, the buffet lines were long at times. Luckily, my wait at the Blue Iguana Cantina was no more than 5 minutes.
Here are all of the lunch options available on the ship for this sea-day:
- Seafood Shack - The Seafood Shack is located at the back of the lido buffet by the aft pool. This venue costs extra and was open from 12:00pm until 5:30pm for lunch and was also open for dinner from 5:30pm until 10:00pm.
- Blue Iguana Cantina - 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Bonsai Sushi - This dining option is located on Deck 5 and costs extra. Bonsai Sushi serves a variety of different sushi related dishes. For lunch, this venue was open from 12:00pm until 2:30pm.
- Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse (BBQ) - This dining venue is located on the Lanai on Deck 5 and is complimentary. BBQ is served here. The Carnival Dream's BBQ line was open from 12:00pm until 2:30pm.
- Mongolian Wok - The Carnival Dream's Mongolian Wok is located in the lido buffet near the front area of the interior space. This venue was open from 12:00pm until 2:30pm.
- Pasta Bar - The pasta bar offers guests the ability to create a customized bowl of pasta. Essentially, guests fill out a paper form that gives options of what can be put in a pasta bowl. The form is turned into a hostess and a crew member makes the bowl of pasta. Caesar salads and garlic bread are also available. This venue was open from 12:00pm until 2:30pm.
- Guy's Burger Joint - 12:00pm - 6:00pm
- The deli was open for lunch, but was also available for dinner (it closed at 11pm).
Here are some various pictures of food items and desserts from today's Lido buffet lunch:
Main Lido Buffet Food Line
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Main Lido Buffet Food Line
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Main Lido Buffet Food Line
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Main Lido Buffet Food Line
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Main Lido Buffet Food Line
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Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Dessert: Sugar Cookies
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Dessert: Jello
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Dessert: Jello
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Dessert: Strawberry Mille Feuille
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Dessert Cake (I did not get the name)
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Dessert: Green Tea Checkers Cake
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Dessert Cake (I did not get the name)
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Dessert: German Chocolate Cake
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Dessert: Lemon Meringue Cake
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Relaxing Afternoon On The Carnival Dream:
After lunch I went back to Deck 5 to see if the Lanai ever opened. Luckily, most of the Lanai was open because the wind was no longer as strong as it was in the morning. I walked around for a while. Throughout the afternoon I was all over the ship and did not take pictures of all the places I visited. Here are a few pictures of my afternoon walk around the ship:
After lunch I went back to Deck 5 to see if the Lanai ever opened. Luckily, most of the Lanai was open because the wind was no longer as strong as it was in the morning. I walked around for a while. Throughout the afternoon I was all over the ship and did not take pictures of all the places I visited. Here are a few pictures of my afternoon walk around the ship:
Deck 5 Lanai
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View Of The Ship's Wave Trail From The Back Of Deck 5
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Deck 5 Lanai
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Deck 5 Lanai
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Front Area Of The Deck 5 Lanai
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Deck 5 Lanai
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Table Setting For Dinner
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Formal Night Dinner In The Main Dining Room:
Tonight was the cruise's first and only elegant evening. This meant the dining room had a dress code that was supposed to be followed. The Crimson Dining Room for Your-Time dining guests opened at 5:45pm again. Tonight a long line formed early and extended from the dining room to the front elevator area. Due to the long line, I was a little surprised the dining room did not open a few minutes early. I was one of the first people in the dining room after lining up at about 5:00pm. Once inside the dining room, we checked in with the hostess station and asked to have the same waitstaff as the prior night. Our requested was approved and we were seated within minutes. Since this was formal night and the dining experience was "American Feast" our tables had tablecloths. Our service was good and the food was very good! |
Note: Lobster was NOT complimentary on this cruise. Carnival's shorter cruises no longer serve lobster complimentary on formal night.
Below you will find a copy of the menus from tonight's dinner. I took a screenshot of these menus through Carnival's Hub App. Click any photo to make it larger!
Below you will find a copy of the menus from tonight's dinner. I took a screenshot of these menus through Carnival's Hub App. Click any photo to make it larger!
Cocktail Menu - Bar Prices Applied
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Appetizers & Main Course Menu
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Dessert Menu
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Here are my food pictures from tonight's dinner:
Bread Basket
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Appetizer: Chesapeake Crab Cake
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Appetizer: Stuffed Mushrooms
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Appetizer: Shrimp Cocktail
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Appetizer: Romaine Caesar Salad
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Appetizer: Four Season Salad
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Main Course: Slow Cooked Prime Rib
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Main Course: Teriyaki Salmon Fillet
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Main Course: Flat Iron Steak With A Side Baked Potato
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Dessert: Vanilla Creme Brulee
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Dessert: Banana Split (From Kid's Menu)
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Playlist Productions Show: "Flick"
Tonight's Playlist Productions show was "Flick". This show had a variety of songs and soundtracks from movies. The effects in this show are very neat and the dancers & singers did a great job! The show took place twice in the Encore Theater. One of the showtimes was 7:45pm and the other was 9:45pm. However, seating in the lounge filled up quickly and only obstructed view seats were available on the Deck 3 level as the show got close to starting. If you are cruising on the Carnival Dream I highly recommend you get to the show early to get a good seat.
Evening Walk Around The Lanai:
I walked around the Deck 5 Lanai area prior to going to sleep. The wind was still a little strong, but the entire deck was open for guests to walk around. At the very front of the ship, the Lanai had no lighting because lights could interfere with the ship's navigation and the officers' ability to see from the bridge. If you are on the Carnival Dream, I do not recommend walking the front area of the Lanai alone at night because it can feel a little creepy being in total darkness! The wind was hitting the front of the ship so walking at the front of the Lanai was a little hard.
Tonight's Playlist Productions show was "Flick". This show had a variety of songs and soundtracks from movies. The effects in this show are very neat and the dancers & singers did a great job! The show took place twice in the Encore Theater. One of the showtimes was 7:45pm and the other was 9:45pm. However, seating in the lounge filled up quickly and only obstructed view seats were available on the Deck 3 level as the show got close to starting. If you are cruising on the Carnival Dream I highly recommend you get to the show early to get a good seat.
Evening Walk Around The Lanai:
I walked around the Deck 5 Lanai area prior to going to sleep. The wind was still a little strong, but the entire deck was open for guests to walk around. At the very front of the ship, the Lanai had no lighting because lights could interfere with the ship's navigation and the officers' ability to see from the bridge. If you are on the Carnival Dream, I do not recommend walking the front area of the Lanai alone at night because it can feel a little creepy being in total darkness! The wind was hitting the front of the ship so walking at the front of the Lanai was a little hard.
Deck 5 Lanai - At Night
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Deck 5 Lanai - At Night
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Deck 5 Lanai - At Night
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When I got back to my stateroom, I saw our stateroom steward left us another towel animal. Tonight's towel animal was a frog. Our stateroom steward also delivered our VIFP Platinum gift, which was a luggage tag. A copy of the next day's Fun-Times activity newsletter was left on the stateroom bed for us to read.
Towel Animal Frog
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Beds Turned Down
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VIFP Platinum & Diamond Gift - Luggage Tag
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