Carnival Cruise Lines' new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream -- the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed -- is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009 with an array of innovations. The vessel will operate an inaugural schedule in Europe and the Caribbean. Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,646-passenger ship will be a new class of vessel for the line. Unique features of the Carnival Dream include The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; elaborate children's facilities, including expansive play areas and a Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; scenic whirlpools that extend over the ship's beam; and new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families. "We've taken everything we've learned about shipbuilding and incorporated it into the magnificent Carnival Dream," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.
Carnival Dream's inaugural voyage is a 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) visiting 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 Oct. 3 and Oct. 15, 2009. The ship will then operate a 16-day transatlantic crossing departing Civitavecchia Oct. 27 and arriving New York Nov. 12, 2009. Ports of call 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 Nov. 23, 2009. These voyages include a call at Port Canaveral, followed by visits to Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas.
Following its New York departures, Carnival Dream will reposition to Port Canaveral Dec. 5, 2009 for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises. 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, and St. Maarten. Western Caribbean voyages will visit Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Nassau. Carnival Dream will assume this route from the Carnival Glory, which will redeploy to Miami to operate year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Oct. 3, 2009.
One of the ship's innovations is called the Piazza, which is designed to be a comfortable oasis during the day and a bustling entertainment complex at night. It will feature a bandstand and a large circular dance floor. A floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall will separate the indoor and outdoor seating areas. Guests at The Piazza can also enjoy full bar service, along with an espresso bar offering gelato and baked goods, along with high-speed Internet access. Carnival Dream will also have a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5. Along the promenade, four scenic whirlpools cantilever out over the sea. Higher up, Lido Deck 10 will offer a tropical, resort-style main pool complete with a Seaside Theatre LED screen and a Serenity adults-only retreat.
A variety of lounges, bars and nightspots -- including 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 dance floor. Other features include a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, Carnival's largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date. Several new types of staterooms will be introduced. The line's first "cove" balcony staterooms -- located closer to the water line -- will offer sea views at a value price. New deluxe ocean-view staterooms will feature two bathrooms. In addition to twin beds that convert to a king, the two-bathroom configuration will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom featuring a junior tub with shower and sink.
Some staterooms will accommodate five guests, making them ideal for families. Additionally, there will be a selection of balcony staterooms and suites. Additionally, adjacent to the Cloud 9 Spa will be 65 spa staterooms and suites which will offer exclusive amenities and privileges. All Carnival Dream staterooms will feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, duvets and high-quality linens and pillows. Carnival Dream's family-friendly amenities will include separate, purpose-built facilities for the line's three 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-until-night activities catering to each age group. Also fun for children will be Carnival WaterWorks, an aqua park offering water slides and water spray apparatus, and a two-level miniature golf course. Reservations will be accepted for all Carnival Dream's cruises starting July 1.
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