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Carnival Dream 2014 7-Day Bahamas Cruise Review
Day 2            June 16, 2014               Fun Day At Sea                   
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Enjoy Day 2's Review!   If you missed Day 1:   Click Here For Day 1 Part 1    and   Click Here For Day 1 Part 2 

Breakfast in The Gathering:
       Today was my first breakfast onboard the Carnival Dream.  Breakfast was scheduled to start in The Gathering (lido buffet) at 7:30am. Continental breakfast (pastries, juices, and fruits) opened at 6:30am.  The breakfast buffet lines opened earlier than their scheduled times.  One of my favorite dishes to eat at breakfast on a cruise ship is an omelet. Most other Carnival ships have omelet stations that are a part of the breakfast buffet lines, but the Carnival Dream had omelet stations that were separate from the breakfast buffet lines.  There are omelet stations where the Burrito Bar and  Mongolian Wok are located.  The breakfast buffet lines moved very quickly, even though the lines appeared long.  The crew members were very good about restocking food that was running low.  The bacon was served from behind the buffet counter in order to prevent food waste.  The server will give you as much bacon as you would like, but they start by giving you two pieces and you must then request more. After eating my food from the general breakfast buffet line, I got into the omelet station line.  This was about a 15-20 minute wait, but it was worth it for an omelet.  The omelet was very good and had all of the toppings available on it.  Overall, the food at breakfast was very good and a great way to start the day.
Carnival Dream Breakfast Bacon, Eggs, and Sausage
Sausage, Eggs, and Bacon At Breakfast
Fruit, Cheese, & Ham at Carnival Dream Breakfast
Fruit, Cheese, and Ham Served At Breakfast
Carnival Dream Omelet & Pastry
Omelet & Apple Pastry
         Brunch was also being served in the Scarlett Dining Room from 8:30am - 1:00pm.  I never attended the brunch and therefore I cannot review this aspect of the cruise.  After breakfast, I walked around the ship to look at the very blue water.  The water is colored very different when compared to the Mississippi River or any Texas beaches.
Carnival Dream AFT Pool
Carnival Dream Aft Pool
Carnival Dream AFT Pool
AFT Pool & Waves From The Back of The Ship
Carnival Dream Jogging Track
Deck 12 Jogging Track & Looking Below
Carnival Dream Lido Deck Pool
Looking Below At The Lido Deck Pool
Carnival Dream Seaside Theatre & Jogging Track
SeaSide Theatre & Jogging Track
Carnival Dream Lido Pool
Main Lido Pool
       The Carnival Dream's WaterWorks did not open until 9:00am on this day, but the crew members were preparing to open the slides. I did not try the water-slides until the very last day of the cruise and I will review the slides in a later day's review.  When I walked by the water-slides at this time they were still closed, but getting chlorinated.  There were very few people in this area and I was able to get some good pictures of the Waterworks.
Carnival Dream
Looking Towards The Back of The Ship
Carnival Dream WaterWorks
WaterWorks - Not Yet Open For The Day
Racing Slides
Racing Slides At the WaterWorks - Not Yet Open
Carnival Dream Waterworks Sitting Area
Area Right By The WaterWorks
WaterWorks on Carnival DReam
WaterWorks
Carnival Dream Deck Chairs on the SPA Deck
Deck Chairs on the SPA Deck
On Deck 12 Looking Back
On Deck 12 - Looking Back
Carnival Dream WaterWorks Slides
Looking At The WaterWorks
Carnival Dream Racing Slide Entrance
WaterWorks Racing Slide Entrance
        The next six pictures are of the Carnival Dream's Serenity Adults Only Retreat.  This is an area where adults that are 21 and older can go.  There are some hot tubs and deck chairs in this area. The Serenity is on two different decks and there are multiple entrances. You can find the Serenity on Decks 14 and 15 at the front of the ship. I noticed that there were some crew members keeping an eye on the entrance of the Serenity.  I guess this was to help enforce the age restrictions as this is a place where adults can get away from children.
Carnival Dream Entrance to Serenity
Entrance to the Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Chairs on the Carnival Dream's Serenity Deck
Serenity Deck Chairs
Serenity Deck on the Carnival Dream
Serenity Deck On the Carnival Dream
Serenity Deck Entrance
Another Serenity Deck Entrance
Carnival Dream Deck Chairs
Deck Chairs in the Serenity
Looking Below At Serenity
Looking Below At the Serenity's Lower Level
The next picture on the row below is of the stairwell that leads up to the Drainpipe and Twister water-slide.  When cruisers get to the top they can choose which of the two they prefer to go down.  When I was in this area the water-slides were still closed. The other two pictures on the row below are of the WaterWorks.
Entrance to Carnival Dream's Waterslides
Entrance to the Twister & Drainpipe Waterslides
Looking Towards The Back of the Carnival Dream
Looking Towards The Back of The Ship
Curve on Carnival Dream's Twister Waterslide
Curve on The Twister Waterslide
      The Carnival Dream's atrium was not busy in the morning.  The atrium has many different tables to sit at.   Also in the atrium there is a bar that guests can pay for drinks.   Guest Services and the Shore Excursions Desk are located in the atrium on the Deck 3 (Lobby) level.  The layout of the Dream's atrium bottom was very similar to the Spirit Class vessels with a few features from the Conquest Class.  
Carnival Dream Atrium Bar
The Atrium Bar
Carnival Dream Atrium Elevators
Atrium Elevators - There were 4 total.
Carnival Dream Atrium Bottom
The very bottom of the atrium by the bar.
          The next three pictures you will see are some that I took while I was on my way to Sam's Piano Bar for activities.  These pictures are of the Ocean Plaza area.  The Ocean Plaza had many different activities going on throughout the day also.  I cut across the Ocean Plaza on Deck 5 and continued to the back area of Deck 5 to get to Sam's Piano Bar.
Carnival Dream Ocean Plaza Seating
Tables and Chairs at the Ocean Plaza
Carnival Dream Ocean Plaza Booths
Booths & Tables at the Ocean Plaza
Carnival Dream Ocean Plaza Walkway
Walkway in Carnival Dream's Ocean Plaza
Carnival Dream Old Sushi Bar and Stairwell Area To Deck 4
Old Sushi Bar & Stairwell Area Down to Deck 4
Carnival Dream Promenade Seating
Promenade Seating Near the Back
Carnival Dream Art Gallery Entrance
Art Gallery (The Collection) Entrance
       Sam's Piano Bar is located on Deck 5 near the back.  You will find Sam's Piano Bar right next to the Burgundy Lounge.  You can also find the Future Cruise Desk & Destination Shopping Desk right next to Sam's Piano Bar.   Here are some pictures of Sam's Piano Bar:
Carnival Dream Future Cruise Desk & Shopping Desk
Future Cruise Desk & Shopping Desk Outside of Sam's Piano Bar
Carnival Dream Sam's Piano Bar
Sam's Piano Bar
Bar Area of Carnival Dream's Sam's Piano Bar
Bar Area at Sam's Piano Bar
Carnival Dream Sam's Piano BarSam's Piano Bar
Morning Activities at Sam's Piano Bar:
     At 9:30am was an activity called "Win, Lose, or Draw". This game was a team game where a team's person would go up and get a card with something written on it.  Then the person would have to draw pictures that would help their team guess what the word(s) on their card are.  The team of the person would only have a limited amount of seconds to guess.  If that team didn't get the correct answer the other team would get a chance to steal. This game was a lot of fun, but some of the words to draw can be hard.
     After "Win, Lose, or Draw" was Charades at Sam's Piano Bar. This took place at 10:00am.This game was also a team game where a team's player would be given a card and they would have to act out their card to their team.  Their team would have to guess what was on their card.  If they didn't get it, the other teams would have a chance to steal for the points. 

      Charades ended around 10:30am and I had some time to look around the Promenade Deck a little more.  The three pictures you will find below were taken on Deck 5 (Promenade) near Sam's Piano Bar in the middle of the Promenade walkway.
Outside of Carnival Dream's Art Gallery
Deck 5 Promenade - Looking Towards Art Gallery
Carnival Dream Back of the Promenade
Looking Towards the Back of the Promenade
Carnival Dream Promenade Food Station
This old sushi bar served some salads and turkey wraps on sea days.
         The Lanai is also on Deck 5 and I wanted to go outside and get another look at the very blue ocean.  Here are some pictures I took while walking around the Lanai:
Waves at the Back of the Carnival Dream
Waves At the Back of The Ship
Carnival Dream Deck 5 AFT
Lanai at the Back of the Ship
Carnival Dream AFT Balconies
AFT Balconies - View from the Lanai
Gulf of Mexico Blue Water
View of the blue water
Lanai on Carnival Dream
Water in Gulf & Lanai
Waves At the Back of The Ship
Different view of the ship's waves at the back
Carnival Dream Lanai Deck Chairs
Deck Chairs on the Lanai
Chairs on the Lanai
Comfortable Chairs on the Lanai - Near the Back
Carnival Dream Front Area of the Lanai Near the Bridge
Front of the Lanai - Bridge is Up Above
      I really like being at the front of the ship because of the view.  There are some stairs at the front on each deck that give passengers an opportunity to walk upstairs to the next deck.  Here are some pictures I took on Decks 5, 6, and 7 at the very front of the ship:
Front of the Carnival Dream & Blue Waters Ahead
Front of the Ship & Blue Water
Carnival Dream - Looking Up Towards The Navigational Bridge
Looking Up Towards the Navigational Bridge
Carnival Dream Outside Stairwell From Deck 5 to 6
Stairwell From Deck 5's Front to Deck 6's front area
Deck 6 Front Area on the Carnival Dream
Deck 6 Front Area
Deck 7 Front Area on the Carnival Dream
Deck 7 Front Area
Looking At The Front Area of the Ship From Deck 7
Looking From Deck 7 To the Front of the Ship
         I also wanted to walk upstairs to the Vista Deck (Deck 9) to go to the observation deck above the navigational bridge.  The front area of Deck 8 is not accessible to passengers because this is a secure area where the navigational bridge is.  However, Deck 9 is above the bridge and offers a great view of the front and the sides of the ship.  Here are some pictures I took while on Deck 9:
Port Side of the Carnival Dream
View From Deck 9 On the Port Side of the Ship
Carnival Dream Front View From Deck 9
Front of the Ship - View From Deck 9
Side View of the Carnival Dream
View From Deck 9 of the Starboard Side of the Ship
Carnival Dream LAnai BBQ Menu BBQ on the Lanai Menu - Click to Make Bigger
 BBQ On The Lanai:
       Before the cruise started I learned that BBQ is served on the Dream's Lanai on sea-days. The BBQ line will open on a sea-day if the weather is nice.  This buffet line is completely outside and can be found on Deck 5 at the back on the starboard side of the ship. When the buffet line is closed the line is removed to keep the deck space open.  
       There are a variety of different choices that were served at the Lanai BBQ.  You can find tacos, quesadillas, sliders (mini-hamburgers), and chips & salsa on the Lanai BBQ.  
        The line for the Lanai BBQ was very long.  All of the grilling for the Lanai BBQ is done outside and the smoke typically blew towards the back of the ship.  My clothes smelt like BBQ after I waited in line because the smoke was blowing directly on me and everybody else that was waiting.
          I have a photo of my food plate posted later in today's review, but I wanted to share pictures of all of the selections that could be found on this day at the Lanai BBQ.  I really enjoyed the sliders as the meat patty was very tasty.

Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Serving Station
Lanai BBQ Serving Station
Lanai BBQ Plates & Napkins
Lanai BBQ Plates & Napkins
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Sliders
Lanai BBQ - Sliders & Toppings
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Slider Toppings
Lanai BBQ - Toppings For the Sliders
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Quesadillas & Tacos
Quesadillas & Tacos
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Salsas
Salsa Station By The Lanai BBQ
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Salsa Station
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Salsa Station
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Salsa Station
Lanai BBQ Salsa Station And Chips
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Condiments
Outside Condiment Station
         I brought my food from the Lanai BBQ to The Gathering to eat there.  The first picture on the next row is of my plate from the Lanai BBQ.  
Lunch in The Gathering (Lido Buffet): 
         Today was the 2nd time lunch was served in The Gathering to the people on my cruise.  Today's Taste of the Nations buffet line served American food.  Most of the lunch buffet lines opened around 12:00pm.  Here are some various lunch food photos that I took:
Carnival Dream Lanai BBQ Plate of Food
My Plate of Lanai BBQ - Chips, Slider, & Quesadilla
Carnival Dream American Food
American Food From Buffet Lines
Carnival Dream Salad Bar Plate
Salad From The Gathering's Salad Bar
Carnival Dream Salad Plate
Another Salad From The Salad Bar
Carnival Dream Pizzeria Pizza
Pizza from the Pizzeria
Carnival Dream Key Lime Pie & Sugar Cookies
Key Lime Pie (My Favorite Lido Dessert) & Cookies
         After lunch I walked around a little, but spent most of the afternoon indoors playing different trivia games.  I do not have very many pictures from this afternoon.  The three photos you will see below are all of my afternoon pictures that I will be sharing.
Lanai BBQ Serving Station
Transport Materials For Lanai BBQ
Carnival Dream Lanai
Carnival Dream Lanai
Carnival Dream Bell At the FRont of the Ship
Bell at the Front of the Ship
 Formal Night & Captain's Celebration:
           Tonight was formal night and the Captain's Celebration.  The Captain's Celebration took place at the Ocean Plaza from 5:00pm - 8:00pm and the senior officers would be present at select times in the evening. The photo gallery staff had many different photo backgrounds set up and the bar staff were serving discounted cocktails.  
Water Served at the Ocean Plaza
Water and cups at the Taste Bar in the Ocean Plaza
Carnival Dream food Station
Closed Food Station Where Salad Was Served Earlier
Formal Night Dinner: 
           The line for the dining room was much longer tonight.  Dinner started prompty at 5:45pm and we requested the same waitstaff from the night before.  We had Kanya, Luisito, and I Ketut at table 218 again. They remembered our drink preferences and names from the night before.  Tonight was lobster night (one my favorite dining room nights).  The dining room got crowded very early in the evening and there were very few empty tables.
The menu for tonight can be found below, but it may be a little hard to read.  There were many people crowded around the menu and I am lucky I got the pictures that I could.
Day 2 Dinner Menu
Day 2 Dessert Menu
Everyday Dining Menu
Carnival Dream Dining Room Plate
Plate and Napkin
Carnival Dream Dinner Bread Basket
Bread Basket
Alligator Fritters
Appetizer - "Didja Ever..." Alligator Fritters
Shrimp Cocktail
Appetizer - Shrimp Cocktail
Strawberry Bisque
Appetizer - Strawberry Bisque Before Sauce
Strawberry Bisque
Appetizer - Strawberry Bisque After Sauce
Appetizer - Caesar Salad
Appetizer - Caesar Salad
Lobster, Potatos, and Shrimp
Main Course - Lobster
Baked Potato
Side Dish - Baked Potato
         I was asked if I wanted another plate of lobster and I asked if I could only have shrimp.   The first picture on the row below is of the plate of shrimp that I got brought.  The 2nd picture on the row below is of a Banana Split.  This menu item is not on the regular dessert menu, but is on the children's menu.  Anybody in the dining room can order this any night of the cruise, regardless of age.  It was very tasty. 
Shrimp
Extra Plate of Jumbo Grilled Shrimp
Banana Split
Banana Split From The Children's Menu
Butter Pecan
Dessert - Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Dessert - Chocolate Ice Cream
Dessert - Chocolate Ice Cream
Cherries Jubilee
Dessert - Cherries Jubilee
Stateroom Nightly Turn-down:
           After arriving back from dinner my room was cleaned for the night and a new towel animal was left.  The steward never introduced himself and I never saw him today.  
            On my table in the room was a ship on a stick and plate of chocolate covered strawberries compliments of Mr. John Heald (Senior Cruise Director & Brand Ambassador) and Mr. Troy Linton (Carnival Dream's Cruise Director).  This was a pleasant surprise and made the evening even more enjoyable.
Ship on A Stick and Strawberries
Ship on A Stick & Chocolate Strawberries
Towel Animal Elephant
Towel Animal Elephant
Stateroom Beds on the Carnival Dream
Beds Turned Down For the Night
Revue Show:  " 8 More Seconds" 
        Tonight's production show in the Encore Theater was a show called "8 More Seconds".  This show featured country music, fiddle playing, and was a very good show. However, this show is exactly identical to Carnival's old show that was called "X-treme Country".  Before this cruise I thought that "X-treme Country" was no longer offered on any ships, but now I know that it has just been renamed to "8 More Seconds".  The show was great and brought back many previous cruise memories from the Carnival Ecstasy.
         The show was offered at 7:00pm for Late Seating Dinner and at 8:45pm for Early Seating Dinner.  I recommend this show, especially if you enjoy country music.

After the show it was time to walk around on the Lanai after dark to burn dinner off.  Here are a few photos:
Carnival Dream Lanai at Night
Carnival Dream Lanai At Night
Lanai Area Outside of the Ocean Plaza At Night on Carnival Dream
Area on Lanai Outside Of The Ocean Plaza
Tables and Chairs On the Lanai
Tables and Chairs on the Lanai
Carnival Dream Lanai at Night
Lanai At Night - Walking Towards the Back of the Ship
Carnival Dream Lanai
Carnival Dream Lanai
Closed Entrance
Entrance Closed
Carnival Dream Lanai Front At Night
Area On Lanai - Near The Front of the Ship
Front of the Ship After Dark
Front of the Ship After Dark
Carnival Dream Lanai
After walking around some I was thirsty for some water & hot chocolate and I went up to The Gathering for a drink.  Here are some pictures that I took while in The Gathering.  There were no buffet lines open at this time, but the Pizzeria and Deli were still open. 
Carnival Dream Back of the Ship
Standing Near AFT Pool - Looking Up
Carnival Dream Buffet
Buffet is Closed And Empty
Carnival Dream Buffet Closed
Buffet Closed
Carnival Dream Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate
Carnival Dream Empty Buffet
Buffet Has Nobody In It
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Continue to Day 3: Key West, Florida!
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