So, my incredible mother-in-law, Shelia, treated the whole gang to a Christmas cruise. It was a sweet gesture, especially considering we lost my father-in-law, Randy, not too long ago. His benefits covered the tab for this sea-bound adventure. I’ll dish out another story about our time in Galveston and one about our stop in Kemah on the way home. But for now, let’s dive into the cruise. We called the Carnival Dream home sweet home from December 22nd to the 30th.
We kicked it off with a good old’ road trip. Galveston was our destination, just a “short” ten-hour drive from Wichita.
Galveston Port
Galveston was buzzing with activity. We saw the Jubilee, gearing up for its maiden voyage, the majestic Disney Magic, the sleek Norwegian Prima, and Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.
Now, boarding the ship was a breeze. The line zipped along faster than a cheetah on roller skates, and before we knew it, we were on board in a jiffy. A tad too early to cozy up in our rooms, but hey, no biggie. We took turns babysitting the carry-ons while the rest of the crew went on a ship-exploring spree.
The Carnival Dream
I asked ChatGPT to write me a short bio of the Carnival Dream, and to do it in the voice of a sailor. This is what it came up with:
Ahoy there! Let me spin ye a yarn about the grand Carnival Dream, a ship that’s been sailing the seas under the flag of Carnival Cruise Line. She’s the leader of her own merry band, including the likes of Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze. Built by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in northern Italy, she first set sail on October 24, 2008, with the honor of being christened by none other than Marcia Gay Harden herself.
With a hearty crew of 1,367 and the ability to accommodate a whopping 3,646 guests, this ship’s a true titan of the seas. At 1,004 feet in length, she’s quite the sight to behold. And let’s not forget her impressive weight of 128,250 gross tons – she used to hold the title of the largest Carnival Cruise Ship until the Carnival Magic stole her thunder in 2011.
The Carnival Dream and her sisters still hold their own in the grand scheme of things. Featuring a thrilling water park with slides aplenty to an 18-hole miniature golf course, she’s got entertainment fit for sailors of all ages. Plus, there’s even a slice of Hollywood onboard, with about 20 minutes of the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked filmed right here on Carnival Dream’s decks.
So, me hearties, if adventure calls and the sea beckons, look no further than the Carnival Dream for a voyage filled with fun, frolics, and a touch of cinematic magic!
Gift shop
The gift shop was a bit of a letdown, and not just a little bit. It was like searching for buried treasure and coming up empty-handed. I wanted a Carnival Dream shot glass, but no luck. They didn’t even have a plain old Carnival glass. They did have a few generic Caribbean glasses, but we weren’t even sailing in those waters.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom. I did manage to find my ship model. I’ve been collecting them since my very first cruise, and now, with this trip, I’ve got a sweet lineup of five ships and I’m ready for more.
The Food
Guy’s Burger Joint
So, confession time: I didn’t hit up Guy’s Burger Joint. Why? Well, they’re all about burgers and sides, and let’s just say, me and burgers don’t exactly see eye to eye. I mean, unless you know me well, you wouldn’t know that I’m not a fan.
Don’t get me wrong, if someone made or bought me a burger when I was a kid, I’d chow down, or else my mom would probably have my head. But, for those who did swing by, they were singing praises about those burgers.
Dinner in the Main Dining Room
Now, this was the best part of the day! Huge shoutout to our server, Katuk – that dude was a legend. His go-to line was always, “Why not? You’re on vacation!” Can’t argue with that logic.
Katuk was selling shots in Christmas-colored glasses – I couldn’t resist snagging some. I casually mentioned how I wished they had some regular Carnival glasses for sale too, and wouldn’t you know it? When Katuk came back, he had a box of five different colors from their regular cruises! Now that’s customer service.
Seafood Shack
I could’ve lived on the Seafood Shack every day. So many choices – oysters, lobsters, crab, you name it. I gave the oysters a whirl, and while they were good, they weren’t exactly blowing my mind. But the lobster rolls? Oh, yeah so good. They were right up there with the ones I use to find in the food trucks in Los Angeles.
The only downside, you had to fork over some extra cash for the fresh seafood, but trust me, it was worth every penny.
Pizza del Capitano
You know the pizza’s the real deal when there’s a line snaking around the place 24/7. There were five pizzas to choose from. I sampled the Funghi, Quattro Formaggi, and the Prosciutto, and they were all top-notch.
Sure, the crust was a tad dry, but that’s just a minor hiccup. My only gripe? The wait was too long and there’s not much variety in the pizzas.
BlueIguana Cantina
This joint quickly became our go-to spot for grub. No long lines, quick service – it was like the Chipotle of the high seas. You pick your burrito or bowl, and then it’s toppings. They didn’t skimp on the meat either, and the toppings were fresh. Plus, they even dished out breakfast burritos, which was better than the buffet
Steakhouse
Jeremy and I decided to splurge on a fancy dinner at the Steakhouse, and it was worth it. Surprisingly, the place was empty, but that didn’t stop the service and food from being top-notch. It was a bit pricey, but we treated the whole family. Each of us got a Wagyu beef slider to kick things off, and from there, it was a feast fit for a king.
I opted for the Risotto, Surf and Turf, and finished off with an Apple Tarte Tatin – pure bliss. The kids got this chocolate ball dessert that was melted with cream right on their plate.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que
Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to try out Guy’s Bar-B-Que. There was always a line, and the prices seemed a bit steep for what we saw at the outdoor tables. Plus, there’s no indoor dining, so you’re left to fight for a spot on the deck or nearby Ocean Plaza, which always seemed packed to the gills.
Lido Marketplace
As far as buffets go, it was pretty middle-of-the-sea. The food was alright, but nothing to write home about, and it felt like Groundhog Day with the same offerings every day. We gave the late-night snack, breakfast, and lunch a try, but none of them blew us away.
Seaday Brunch
Now, being the brunch-loving gays that we are (stereotype alert), we had high hopes for the Seaday Brunch. Sadly, the options left a lot to be desired. I can’t even remember what I had, so that tells you all you need to know about how memorable it was.
Bonsai Sushi
Ah, now this was a spot we found ourselves returning to time and time again. No long waits and top-notch service – what more could you ask for? Sure, the options were a bit limited, but the Bento Box hit the spot, and I couldn’t get enough of those California Rolls.
Other Dining Options
Some of the dining spots mentioned on the website, like the Mongolian Wok, Pasta Place, and Carnival Deli, were just spots in the buffet on certain days. I did give the pasta a whirl one day, and it was al dente perfection, with big, juicy shrimp stealing the show.
Things to do on the ship
There was plenty to do on the ship. The pools were never crowded because it was too cold. I heard people complaining that kids were swimming in the hot tubs while they were trying to relax.
We spent some time checking out the bars. Great service all around, the drinks were not heavy pours, but they were OK. I started each day off with a banana daiquiri that always seemed to hit the spot.
We went to karaoke one night. The cruise serves families, so there were a lot of kids singing Taylor Swift and parents stuck singing cleaner songs then what you usually get at a bar.
If you want off color, check out the Piano Bar. Our guy, Jaime, was great, the room was full every night. He took requests and did some of his favorites too. He told jokes and talked about his time on Carnival.
We felt guilty about going to the casino so much, but we kept seeing Jeremy’s mom, so we didn’t feel like we were ignoring the family. I did pretty good on the slots. I always heard that gambling on the ships was a scam because the cruise line sets their own payout rate. The first few nights we did well, but the last few nights not so much. Jeremy convinced me to sit at a table and play blackjack. I always avoid the tables, because I thought if you didn’t know what you were doing, people would get mad at you, but everyone seemed cool. One guy was giving me advice, and it was good, because I kept hitting.
Here are some random shots from around the ship.
The Dream was decorated for Christmas too. And also some of the passengers.
We saw two stage shows. One was a Motown review. Due to rough waters, the cast did a version with no sets, just them singing and dancing around stools. The Flix show was kind of hokey. The special effects were cool, lasers, wind tunnels, and sharp graphics, but I am spoiled since I am used to seeing top level stage shows in Wichita.
We went to the LGBTIA meet and greet. Carnival supplied these enamel pins with their logo over a pride background. It was the first night of the cruise and we met several people that we kept running into on the ship. It was nice to see some familiar faces.
Spreading Randy’s ashes
We paused to pay tribute to Randy Grim, my father-in-law, during a solemn moment orchestrated by Shelia. As Randy had served in the Navy, it felt fitting to bid him farewell at sea.
Gathering at the stern of the ship, our guide, Lady Anne, instructed us to keep the ashes low off the rail. With heavy hearts, we each took a moment to reflect on Randy’s life before releasing his ashes into the sea.
Art Auction
So, on my very first cruise, I attended an art auction and had a great time. I managed to convince Jeremy to give it a shot this time around. What I love about these auctions is that they’re not your typical stuffy affairs; Park West knows how to keep things lively.
Here’s how it went down: they give you a quick preview of the auction rules, then you walk around the gallery and mark the pieces you’re interested in seeing and possibly buying. Then, it’s auction time! The auctioneer shares stories about each piece and the artists behind them.
Jeremy and I apparently have expensive taste, as we tagged some pieces that were way out of our budget.
But we had fun, especially when the auctioneer brought out some animation prints. We ended up buying a few at a good price.
Jeremy enjoyed the auction so much that we went to a second one, where I added a couple more pieces to my collection. And honestly, these pictures don’t do them justice.
At the third auction, I bought one more fun piece.
And then something special happened – Jeremy finally bid on a painting of San Francisco, where we honeymooned. It was great to see him excited about art and make a purchase for our future home. Now, we just need to find one!
Courtesy Park West Auctions
Key West
There ended up being a lot of stories to tell in Key West, so I made it into a separate story. You can check it out here. Cruise Trip: Key West, Florida
Freeport, Bahamas
We docked at Freeport on Christmas Day – talk about timing. With most excursions canceled due to the holiday, we found ourselves in Freeport with no plans. But no worries, we’re not ones to stress over a little change of itinerary. (Those of you that know me, know that is a total lie, I am a travel control freak)
Stepping off the ship, we were greeted by a row of gift shops and what can only be described as glorified food trucks. Now, don’t get me wrong, we’re all about food trucks and their delicious offerings, but these huts were straight-up no-frills. Still, they knew how to whip up some tasty grub. I went all out and ordered a fried lobster with fries. Picture this: a lobster tail cut open and deep-fried to crispy perfection—talk about a flavor explosion! Jeremy opted for some seafood concoction (I honestly can’t recall what it was, but he seemed to enjoy it). We picked up a few souvenirs and headed back to the ship.
Not the most exhilarating way to spend Christmas, but hey, we did manage to squeeze in some laundry time onboard.
And you know what? The laundry room turned out to be the unexpected highlight of the day—we met some seriously cool folks waiting around for their machines to finish.
Princess Cays, Bahamas
We docked at Princess Cruises’ private island, Princess Cays, and it was a nice stop. Not too crowded which was a plus. Now, since Jeremy and I aren’t exactly outdoorsy types, we didn’t find a ton of activities on the Cay. Jeremy decided to catch some rays while I went on a little shopping spree. The shops sold stuff like what’s on the ship, but there were way more choices here. In case you didn’t know, this island and its shops are owned by Princess Cruises, which also owns Carnival.
And get this, our awesome server from dinner, Katuk? Yeah, he was there too, decked out in different duds but still delivering top-notch service. You know those guys on the ship must lug ice, booze, food, everything off the ship to the island. Then they must pack it all back up and join us for mealtime in the dining room.
Now, let’s talk about food. The buffet was giving off major tropical vibes, with jerk chicken stealing the show. It was delicious! But, uh, the other options like hot dogs and hamburgers were a bit underwhelming.
And the weather? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly postcard perfect. Clouds and chilly waters greeted us, but did that stop Jeremy and me from taking a quick dip? Nope! We splashed around for a bit, just to say we did it.
Nassau, Bahamas
Arriving in Nassau, we found ourselves during what later turned out to be the busiest day in port history. Seven cruise ships had decided to join the party, turning the island into a bustling sea of tourists.
With no excursions planned, we opted for a stroll, hoping to explore the shops and sample a few drinks at the local bars.
Margaritaville Beach Resort
For me, the main quest was for a shot glass from the Margaritaville Resort. It was a bit of a trek from the ship, made even longer by the sea of people swarming the streets.
We checked out their private beach then went to grab a seat at one of the bars.
While Jeremy battled with phone issues, I took the opportunity to browse the resort, snagging some shot glasses and rum cakes along the way.
By the time I returned, Jeremy’s phone was back in action, and we had just enough time for a quick drink at Margaritaville.
The bartender, bless her soul, poured us doubles but only charged us for singles – now, that’s what I call good service. On our way back to the ship, we stopped at a few shops, but the overwhelming crowds left us feeling like we’ve had our fill of Nassau for the time being.
To read more about the rest of our trip and other trips across the midwest check out these Road Trips.
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