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Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian Dream Cruise Review
Western Caribbean

Bob Erickson
Age: 65
Occupation: Retired
Number of Cruises: 15
Sailing Date: January 13th, 2007

Upon arriving at the Hobby Airport in Houston at 10:30 AM, we found out that the NCL Dream hadn’t arrived at the terminal yet. Due to fog the night before, the Dream wasn’t allowed to come up the channel. We were told the ship wouldn’t be in port until at least before 2 or 3 o’clock (it did get in around 1:00 pm). Our bus made it to the terminal thru a massive traffic jam only to find out we wouldn’t be allowed to get off the bus. NCL recommended that we all go to the Kemah Boardwalk for the afternoon. Here we found a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Lots of great restaurants (we ate at the Saltgrass Steakhouse), rides, nice people and a great place just to walk around.

NCL put together a shuttle system to get people out to the boardwalk and then back to the ship. We arrived back at the terminal around 4:00 pm and stood in line for another hour before getting a chance to sit down inside. NCL did a great job of unloading the ship and getting us on board without much wear and tear on us. Juice and sandwiches were passed out and it actually turned into a social event. One by one, we were processed and on the ship. The ship pulled out around 8:00 PM and the cruise really started.

I really felt sorry for the people that were getting off the ship, besides having a rainy week, they then had the misfortune of missing flights home.

My wife and I have been on most of the NCL ships, but this was our first time on the Dream. Next year the ship will be down in South America so won’t be going out of Houston after this season.

Our room was on the 4th level but had twin portholes and was bigger than most rooms we’ve had before. Plus we had a very stable ride and the engine noise put us to sleep every night.

The food in the main dining room was as good or better than most of the other ships we’ve been on. The service was slow at times because the ship wasn’t set up for Freestyle Cruising, which is the reason we like Norwegian. The crew went overboard on just being NICE. They were helpful, courteous and didn’t hesitate in bursting out in a song every now and then.

The ship did show wear and tear, but was kept clean and shiny by the staff. Captain Lars, gave humorous announcements and wasn’t beyond telling jokes…no stuffed shirt here.

The ship did feel crowed at times while we were just cruising.

The buffet in the Sports Bar was very small, but did have a very nice buffet…just not a lot of room to sit down to eat….

The Stardust Lounge always seemed crowded because of an over abundance of little barreled shaped chairs that were jammed into the space and many couldn’t be used because of the tight quarters. The Jean Ryan Dancers were a very talented group that did a wonderful job on a rather small stage.

The only real downside of the cruise was that it only tasks in 3 ports, but cruising for three days is a great way to relax. This ship isn’t for everyone, but I would go on her again…..

The Dream is an older ship without some of the glitz and glamour of the newer, bigger ones but is a great value for the dollar.

Happy Cruising.


 

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