Formerly a low budget product, Carnival has evolved as a major player in the past decade or so with major upgrades to its fleet that included much need improvement in food and accommodations--entertainment has always been tops on these ships. Anyhow the new liner will be introducing a concept called The Piazza--an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; elaborate children’s facilites, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families. 
A pith quote from cruise line's latest press release states: “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about shipbuilding and incorporated it into the magnificent Carnival Dream. By offering the widest variety of all-inclusive facilities and features at sea, we will create fun, memorable vacations for our guests, all at an incredible value,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “From a bold new entertainment concept called The Piazza to innovative new larger stateroom categories and the most elaborate children’s facilities ever featured on any Carnival ‘Fun Ship’ – all of which are included in the initial cruise fare and accessible to everyone on board. – Carnival Dream was specifically designed with our valued guests in mind,” he added.
Carnival Dream is scheduled to do a l 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) featuring seven spectacular ports: Naples, Livorno and Venice (two-day call), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina,Sicily; Monaco; and Barcelona, Spain. Two additional 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises will be offered on October 3 and October 15, 2009.
The ship will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 27 and arriving New York Nov. 12, 2009. Featured ports include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, Spain; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; and King’s Wharf, Bermuda (overnight call).
From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009. These voyages include a call at Port Canaveral (in proximity to Orlando-area attractions), followed by a visit to Nassau and Freeport in The Bahamas.
Following its New York departures, Carnival Dream will reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., where it will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises Dec. 5, 2009. On its new Port Canaveral-based program, Carnival Dream will depart every Saturday on alternating weeklong cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Nassau; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles; while exotic Western Caribbean voyages will visit Cozumel; Belize; Costa Maya; and Nassau. Carnival Dream will assume this route from the Carnival Glory, which will be redeployed to Miami to operate year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning October 3, 2009.
Ships stats: at 1,004 feet in length Carnival Dream is the largest and longest “Fun Ship” ever constructed and the line has made maximum use of the vessel’s added size by creating some truly spectacular on-board facilities and features.
There's also a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5. four “scenic whirlpools” cantilever out over the sea providing magnificent sea views. Higher up, Lido Deck 10 will offer the most elaborate and expansive open-deck area of any Carnival ship with a tropical, resort-style main pool complete with a Seaside Theatre LED screen, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and numerous other features.
Lots of lounges, bars and nightspots – a new dance club concept offering indoor/outdoor access – will be accessible via an 11-deck-high atrium whose ground level will offer a cantilevered bandstand atop a massive dance floor. Other features include an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa – Carnival’s largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date.
Stateroom comfort--we like big and balconies and the new ship will offer both when Carnival premiers its "cove" balcony staterooms – located closer to the water line. Deluxe ocean view staterooms – they say offer a guest-friendly configuration with two bathrooms – and provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience for guests who can enjoy their unique spaciousness, particularly families. In addition to twin beds that convert to a king, ample closet space and elegant décor, the two-bathroom configuration will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom featuring a junior tub with shower and sink.
There are even staterooms that can accommodate five guests – a rarity in new ship construction and also ideal for families. Additionally, there will be a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites from which to choose – all offering the best in scenic cruising. Additionally, adjacent to Carnival Dream’s luxurious Cloud 9 Spa will be 65 spa staterooms and suites which will offer guests a number of exclusive amenities and privileges.
All Carnival Dream staterooms will feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Family-friendly amenities will include separate, purpose-built facilities for the line’s three distinct children’s programs: “Camp Carnival” for kids ages 2-11, “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year-olds, and “Club O2” for teens ages 15 to 17, along with a full schedule of morning-til-night activities catering to each age group.
Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park offering exhilarating water slides and various water spray apparatus. Carnival Dream will also be the first “Fun Ship” to feature a two-level miniature golf course.
All this, combined with the spacious two-bathroom staterooms and an attractive and convenient Port Canaveral/Central Florida homeport, will make Carnival Dream an exceptional family vacation.
Reservations will be accepted for all of Carnival Dream’s cruises starting July 1, 2008. A special online preview of the Carnival Dream is available now at carnival.com/dream. The site showcases a variety of the exciting features and amenities of this spectacular new ship.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
