NCL Dream a nightmare???
 

We have just booked a Baltique cruise on NCL Dream in June 2007...I was so excited and I trust my travel agent who has done more than his share of cruises.
Now he was honnest with me in saying that,on the same route, Princess is of higher quality but since we needed connected rooms (we are traveling with 3 kids)he recommanded NCL which does have connecting rooms.
He said he would have no problem sailing with NCL (he has done so numerous times) and since this is a European cruise we are actually choosing the ports more than the ship.
That being said, I have looked at a number of reviews about this ship and cruise line and people seem to be very disapointed with the quality of the ship and the food in general. Has any of you been on this ship and route, what were your toughts?

We sailed the Dream for an 11 night cruise to Alaska Sept 05. As you probably know it is a smaller, older ship. We went with reservations as well but wanted the itinerary. The food was Ok...not gourmet but certainly edible. We always stay away from the buffets so can not comment on the food there.We ate in the dining rooms every night. We enjoyed the freestyle dining and were promptly seated every night. We ate between 6 and 7. The staff was WONDERFUL...very accommodating and helpful.We had room service for breakfast several morning..always deliverd promptly. We wouldn't hesitate to sail the Dream again.

I think some people have a thing about older smaller ships.DOn't let the reviews put you off. My husband started reading the reviews about the NCL SUN [our first cruise experience] a few days before we sailed and nearly had a heart attack! Remember people are more likely to complain than praise.

On cruisecritic the overall rating (based on passenger reviews) is OK but the most recent, say the last 20 or so are pretty good actually.

By the way, I think many of the negative reviews might have been due to the engine problem last summer. The itinerary changed due to the slower speed. Sitka was dropped, disappointig many.Some people really were in an uproar about the changes and tended to find fault with every little thing.

The two people I personally know who have sailed on the Dream LOVE her.. one woman has sailed on her several times, but I haven't had the opportunity to yet. Yes, it is a smaller ship and has a dedicated staff like all of NCL ships (the smaller ones anyhow) and I too would stay away from the buffets.

I'm wondering why two posters said they stay away from the buffets. Can you elaborate?

We don't usually eat at buffets anywhere...land or sea. Why stand in line, carry a tray, and eat food that people have mucked around in at a buffet when one can be served in the dining room and have a nice relaxing meal?
Having said that, we have grabbed a quick bite at the buffet when we returned from an excursion and were starving . The food was OK but nothing to rave about. We much preferred the pizza or hamburg stations if we needed quick meal.
We really just don't like the whole "buffet" atmosphere type of dining.

I prefer smaller ships but was really disappointed in the Dream. I was aboard 2 years and honestly cannot recommend the ship.

I found it to be poorly maintained and the staff to be mediocre. The food was really not good. I am not a fan of Freestyle in general.

Some folks are all about the ports but for me the overall quality of the ship is important as well.

It is all a matter of taste and preference but it would not be my choice.

Excuse me but these posts cannot be edited once posted.

It was 2 years ago and not worthy of your "curt" comment, pun intended.

And rude was your word, not mine.

Why don't you post when you have something useful to contribute, should that actually occur.

We have not found the buffets whether it's breakfast or lunch (exceptions are the waffle/pancake stand) decent.. We eat all our meals in the dining room .>EXCEPT when they have a barbecue on deck..and of course the chocolate buffet.. Besides, we aren't fans of buffet on any ship