Day 1 – Embarkation & First Impressions 🚢

Embarkation onto the Carnival Dream was smooth and quick! We arrived at EZ Cruise Parking around 12:30 PM and took the shuttle to the port. Since we brought our passports, the check-in process was fast and easy.

Walking onto the Dream’s stunning atrium, lit up in red and gold, we felt the excitement of the trip kicking in. After taking some pictures, we headed to our cabin to drop off our bags and explore the ship.

For the first time, we booked an inside cabin, which had a smaller door and closet space compared to the balcony rooms we usually get. We were also on Deck 1 (AFT), which made it super convenient for dining—just a short elevator ride to the buffet and main dining rooms. However, shopping and entertainment were located at the front of the ship, meaning a lot of walking.

The best part of embarkation day? The Sail Away Party! It was the perfect way to kick off our cruise! 🎉

Day 2 – Fun Day at Sea & Exploring the Ship 🌊

The first sea day meant one thing—brunch! We enjoyed a Seaday Brunch at the Scarlet Dining Room (which is also where we had our late dining dinner service).

This ship offers a ton of food options, including:

🍔 Guy’s Burger Joint – A must-try!

🌮 Blue Iguana Cantina – Fresh tacos & burritos

🍝 Cucina del Capitano – Italian pasta & entrees

🍣 Bonsai Sushi – For sushi lovers

🔥 Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse – BBQ at sea

Beyond the food, we checked out the Encore Main Show Lounge, the hidden Rendezvous Club Lounge, and even the Non-Smoking Jackpot Casino.

For relaxation, I spent time at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat—peaceful, kid-free, and perfect for unwinding. This was also the first of two elegant nights, so we took full advantage of the professional photo sessions onboard.

Day 3 – Costa Maya: Exploring the Port 🏝️

This was our first time in Costa Maya, and instead of booking an excursion, we decided to explore the port itself. The entrance looked like a fortress, adding to the charm of the area.

🍽️ Food & Drinks Highlights:

The Great Nut Experience – Picked up some tasty, fresh nuts at a great deal!

La Tortillería – Some of the best street tacos I’ve had in a long time. 🌮

Mojito Bar – A great place for strong drinks and a fun atmosphere. 🍹

🎟️ Other Things to Do:

Saltwater Pool – A huge pool in the center of the port, open to all visitors.

Aviarius Tropical Bird Aviary – A treetop walk-through with exotic birds. 🦜

Dolphin Discovery – A close-up dolphin encounter and learning experience.

Costa Maya was a fun and easygoing port, and I’d love to come back and explore more!

Day 4 – Belize: A Relaxed Port Day 🏝️

Unlike most ports, Belize doesn’t have a dock, so we had to take a water shuttle (tender boat) to shore. This was our second time in Belize—on our last visit, we took an excursion to Lamanai, exploring Mayan ruins, which was incredible.

This time, we stayed in port, checked out local shops, and grabbed a meal at The Wet Lizard. The drinks were strong, and we ordered the local food sampler, which gave us a real taste of Belizean flavors.

🔹 What to Know About This Port:

The port area is small, so if you’re not doing an excursion, there’s not much to do beyond eating and shopping.

The food & drinks are great if you find the right spot!

If it’s your first time here, an excursion is definitely worth it.

Day 5 – Cozumel: Island Beach Club Vibes 🍹

For Cozumel, we booked an excursion to Island Beach Club. After a 20-minute bus ride, we arrived at a nearly packed beach club. Luckily, we found loungers near the water and started enjoying the day.

💦 Beach & Water Experience:

The ocean was rough and choppy, so we had to be careful getting in.

The water was freezing at first but refreshing once we adjusted.

A school of fish swam around us—scary but cool at the same time! 🐠

A second entrance with a resort-style slope made getting in and out easier.

Seaweed was an issue, but once past it, the water was beautiful.

🍹 Food & Drinks:

Open bar & lunch were included in our excursion.

Drinks kept coming—perfect for a relaxing beach day.

The food was amazing! Way better than expected, even compared to some spots back home.

Before heading back, we did a free tequila tasting and picked up some bottles to take home. That night, we had our second elegant night onboard and took more professional photos.

Day 6 – Another Fun Day at Sea 🌊

Our final sea day was all about relaxing and resetting.

🔹 We did laundry onboard (so we didn’t have to when we got home).

🔹 Finally tried Cucina del Capitano for pasta, salad, and bread—delicious!

🔹 Spent the rest of the day just enjoying the ship and taking it easy.

Sometimes, the best part of a cruise is just doing nothing at all!

Day 7 – Back to Reality & Final Thoughts 😭

Debarkation morning came fast. Carnival now uses a digital check-in process for debarking, which lets you pick your exit time in advance. The system is good, but a few tweaks could make it smoother.

🎖️ Highlights from This Cruise:

✅ Reached GOLD status! Extra perks = always a plus.

✅ Got to see a new port (Costa Maya)—definitely want to go back!

✅ Tried new food, drinks, and experiences on and off the ship.

✅ Enjoyed the ship’s entertainment, relaxation areas, and elegant nights.

The only downside? Having to check in for breakfast reminded me of pandemic protocols—it wasn’t terrible, just unexpected.

Overall, this cruise was amazing, and I already can’t wait for the next one! 🚢✨

Final Thoughts & Travel Tips

💡 Thinking about booking the Carnival Dream? Here are my quick takeaways:

✔️ Great food & dining variety 🍽️

✔️ Tons of onboard activities & relaxation options 🎭🎉

✔️ Ports were fun, but some were better with excursions 🏝️

✔️ Inside cabins are cozy, but balcony rooms are still my favorite 🌊

Planning your next cruise? Let’s book it! 📩

📧 Tony@durhamgetaways.org | 📞 346-497-5908 | 🌐 www.durhamgetaways.org

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jerome was very professional and extremely helpful when helping me plan my getaways. He has helped me with multiple cruises and small getaways. - Elaine