Carnival Dream built 2009, last refurbished in 2017) is one of the largest and newest Carnival cruise ships and first among all three Carnival Dream-class ships – together with Breeze and Magic, and the new Carnival Vista (2016) and Carnival Horizon (2018). To the same class belongs also Costa Diadema.

Carnival Dream cruise ship deck plan has a total of 1823 staterooms for 3646 passengers (max capacity is 4633 guests), served by 1367 crew/staff. The ship has 13 passenger decks, 22 lounges and bars, 3 swimming pools (one with retractable roof), 9 jacuzzies (6 of which cantilevered), 18 elevators.

Carnival Dream decks with passenger cabins have a total of 70 Suites, 817 Balconies, 258 Oceanviews, 678 Inside cabins, Self Service Laundromats (passenger use launderettes). Laundry facilities are at extra-charge – $3,25 (per washer or dryer load) and $1,5 per box (detergent/water softener, dispensed from the vending machine in the room). Launderettes (open between 6:30 am – 12 midnight) are located on all cabin decks. Each laundry room is equipped with 2-3 washers, 2-3 dryers, 1 ironing board/iron. All laundry machines are coinless (can be operated using S&S cards only). While the ship is in port, washing machines are closed (only dryers and irons can be used). Valet laundry service is handled through the cabin steward. Prices are per item – wash-and-press ($2 – $7,50) and dry-cleaning ($3 – $10,50).

Carnival Dream deck plan changes 2017 refurbishment review

The list of deck plan changes after the 2017 drydock refurbishment (January 30 - February 11) in in Freeport Bahamas included:

• (Promenade Deck 5) "Guy’s Pig & Anchor Barbeque Smokehouse" is a complimentary, open-air complimentary restaurant located on the Lanai Promenade. The Smokehouse is designed by Guy Fieri (Food Network). Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse' s menu features BBQ favorites, like pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, smoked Andouille sausage, Guy Fieri's traditional sides and gourmet burgers, variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends.
• (Lido Deck 10 / portside, replacing the "Pizzeria" poolside bar) BlueIguana Cantina is a complimentary poolside Mexican-cuisine eatery. Among the specialties are fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, salsa bar, a huge selection of toppings.
• (Lido Deck 10 / starboard, replacing the "Grille" poolside bar) Guy's Burger Joint is a complimentary poolside premium burger bar.
• (Promenade Deck 5) Alchemy Bar is the Carnival's "cocktail pharmacy"-themed lounge with professional mixologists (dressed in lab coats) "prescribing" traditional and exotic (moniker) concoctions from a variety of liquors and ingredients.
• (Promenade Deck 5) Bonsai Sushi is a premium sushi restaurant offering sushi, sashimi, bento “ships”, plus popular japanese beers, sakes, cocktails.
• (Lido Deck 10) Pizzeria del Capitano offers 5 different varieties of hand-tossed pizzas - Margherita, quattro formaggio, mushroom, prosciutto, pepperoni. It is complimentary and open 24 hours a day. All pizzas are traditionally oven-baked.

Carnival Corporation's "Ocean Medallions"

Carnival Cruise Line's "Ocean Medallion" is a new generation wearable technology allowing passengers access to "virtual concierge" services and amenities. The new technology will be implemented on all Carnival Corporation ships in the period 2017-2018.

The medallion is a small disk-shaped device (weight 51 grams, size of an US quarter dollar) that can be sent (for free) to every customer of the company. The medallion stores all the information provided by its owner - online uploaded, as well as real-time uploaded (during the cruise or whenever). It can be weared around the wrist, around the neck or loosely. No matter where it is, the medallion is always on and working.

• When you do cruise booking, you establish online your basic vacation profile (likes, dislikes, onboard and ashore preferences - such as interactive gaming, gambling, culinary, recreational, entertainment, etc). Then Carnival Cruise Line mails you the medallion engraved with your name on it. The device is equipped with Bluetooth and NFC (near-field communication) technology.
• One of the medallions' best features is that they allow streamline embarkation/debarkation in each of the ports along the cruise itinerary, also cruise ship and airport transfers (meet & greet), quick luggage identification and delivery straight to the stateroom. This avoids all the hassles usually encountered at cruise terminals. You simply board the ship, with the Ocean Medallion having all the needed information about you and your booking.
• Other services provided via the Ocean Medallion are all kinds of onboard purchases (shops, bars and specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi Internet and beverage packages, photos, beauty salon and spa treatments), making reservations (dining, spa, etc), also booking shore excursions and tours.
• The Ocean Medallion also allows checking out onboard restaurant and bar menus, but additionally allows placing orders for delivery to any place on the ship (stateroom, open decks, casino, theater, lounges, etc).
• Beside serving as a "cruise ticket", the medallion also doubles as cabin key (keycard) as it opens cabin doors.
• Ocean Medallions have no on/off buttons or navigation menus, and don't require charging. The medallion additionally gives access to the Ocean Compass ("virtual concierge") via mobile electronic devices (phone, tablet, laptop). Ocean Compass is also accessible through the in-cabin infotainment system (interactive TV), via onboard and cruise terminal located digital kiosks, and via the interactive LED screens throughout the ship.
• Ocean Medallions are part of a local (shipboard) system, thus no extra fees are charged for using these devices.
• For implementing this wireless technology, all Carnival Corporation ships are scheduled to undergo revamping for installing the required network of sensors and computing devices. The company's Bahamian private island cruise ports (Princess Cays, and Half Moon Cay) are also wired to serve the medallions, plus some of the largest US cruise port terminals and airports.
• The first cruise ship serving the Ocean Medallions will be Regal Princess (November 2017). Beside Carnival ships, the new technology also serves customers on vessels of Costa, Cunard, Holland America, P&O (UK and Australia fleets), and Seabourn.