Something I found that worked well on The Dream, was the flow of the public areas on an evening… all together on Deck 8, away from the dining areas.

During the day, you could either sunbathe at the Adult’s Only pool on Deck 11 taking a break for lunch at the Buffet in the Siren’s Restaurant or at the Terrace Grill whilst sipping a drink from the Pool Bar, or you had the option of the main pool on deck 9, where the main buffet can be found again with a pool bar.

For those that enjoy a ‘proper’ coffee The Dream has the Explorers Lounge which serves LaVazza speciality coffees served with a slice of cake or an ice-cream, ideal after a strenuous excursion ashore or when at sea a quiet spot to read a book.

On an evening, Deck 8 comes alive. Once the ship has sailed away from port the shops open and the casino springs to life. Whilst the ladies are browsing the boutiques or the men are chancing their luck there is a bar close by.

Starting at the ‘aft’ of the ship, The Water’s Edge lounge is the place to be if you enjoy dancing the night away or a spin of the Roulette wheel as this is the location for the nightclub and the casino. However, a live band will also have you on your feet or singing along from 7.30pm until 11.30pm before the resident DJ controls the tunes.

Head forward, past the boutiques, the Photo Gallery, the Spa and the Reception Desk and the next bar for you to enjoy is Tides, a more intimate lounge with a duo to entertain you for pre-dinner drinks or for the more romantic dancers on an evening.

Heading forward again, and the larger Medusa lounge can be found. This bar is by far the busiest, with day time activities such as Trivia Quiz and Bingo to evening entertainment of Game Shows and Karaoke. This lounge house the lively band playing tunes from the 60’s to the present day, keeping all entertained.

Your next tipple can be taken in the show lounge whilst the Marella Show Team put on a spectacular display of singing and dancing.

And then when the show is over……just turn around and do it all again in reverse!

Written by Helen Granville for Century Travel