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Updated May 08, 2016 .
The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream was the largest Carnival ship ever constructed when she was launched in 2009. Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,646-passenger, 1,004-foot cruise ship was a new class of vessel for Carnival Cruises. A sister ship to the Carnival Dream, the Carnival Magic. joined the fleet in May 2011, and a third ship in the class, the Carnival Breeze. was launched in June 2012.
Carnival Dream New Features and Facilities
New features of the Carnival Dream include Ocean Plaza. an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; enhanced children's facilities with 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.
Ocean Plaza is designed to be a comfortable oasis during the day and a bustling entertainment complex at night. This indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue features a bandstand where a variety of musical genres are showcased, along with a large circular dance floor. A floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall separates the room, creating indoor and outdoor lanai seating areas offering stunning ocean views. Guests at Ocean Plaza can also enjoy full bar service, along with an espresso bar offering gelato and a variety of baked goods, and Internet access.
Carnival Dream also has enhanced the traditional cruise-ship promenade with The Lanai. a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5.
Here, guests can take a stroll while enjoying spectacular ocean vistas, read a book, or just take in the sun from one of the many deck chairs that will line this open deck area.
Along The Lanai. four "scenic whirlpools" cantilever out over the sea providing magnificent sea views. Higher up, Lido Deck 10 offers the most expansive open-deck area of any Carnival ship with a tropical, resort-style Waves Pool complete with a Seaside Theatre LED screen, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and numerous other features.
A wide variety of lounges, bars and nightspots – including a new dance club concept offering indoor/outdoor access – is accessible via an 11-deck-high atrium whose ground level offers a cantilevered bandstand atop a massive dance floor. Other features include a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa.
Carnival Dream Staterooms
The Carnival Dream includes several new types of staterooms. Some of the most interesting are the line's first-ever "cove" balcony staterooms. which are located closer to the water line on deck 2 and offer beautiful sea views and exceptional value. The balconies on the cove cabins have a smaller opening and can be closed if the weather is very rough.
Carnival Dream has new deluxe ocean view staterooms geared towards families. These feature two bathrooms! In addition to twin beds that convert to a king, ample closet space and elegant decor, the two-bathroom configuration will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom featuring a junior tub with shower and sink. These staterooms can accommodate five persons - ideal for families.
Additionally, there are a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites from which to choose. Finally, adjacent to Carnival Dream's Cloud 9 Spa are 65 spa staterooms and suites which offer guests a number of exclusive amenities and privileges.
All Carnival Dream staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Children's Amenities on the Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream's numerous family-friendly amenities 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. A big hit with guests of all ages is the Carnival WaterWorks. a huge aqua park offering water slides and various water spray apparatus. In addition, the Carnival Dream is the first "Fun Ship" to feature a two-level miniature golf course.
Year-Round Cruising From New Orleans on the Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream sails the Caribbean year-round from New Orleans. The ship departs every Sunday on 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean.