Carnival Dream

The 2009-built Carnival Dream cruise ship is one of the largest vessels in the Carnival fleet and the first of the Dream-class, alongside Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic, and Costa Diadema.

The vessel (IMO number 9378474) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 370490000) and registered in Colon.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US-based cruise brand and a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (the shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924–1999), co-founder of Norwegian Cruise Line.

CCL operates the Corporation’s largest fleet by number of vessels and total GT tonnage (ship size and passenger capacity). As of 2023, CCL accounted for ~9% of cruise industry revenue and ~19% of all cruise passengers. In 2024, Carnival Corporation held an estimated 51% market share in the global cruise industry (valued at over US$64 billion).

The 3646-passenger Carnival Dream was floated out on October 24, 2008. Upon launch, she was the largest ship ever operated by Carnival, later surpassed by Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze, delivered in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The ship introduced several new features compared to previous Carnival vessels, including major modifications to Deck 5's public areas and a full exterior promenade. During her 2012 refurbishment, a comedy club and themed bars were added. Notably, approximately 20 minutes of the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" was filmed onboard Carnival Dream.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Dream staterooms (1823 total) include 56 Suites, 841 Balcony, 221 Oceanview, and 719 Inside cabins. The ship has 254 connecting rooms, 35 wheelchair-accessible staterooms, 61 Cloud 9 Spa cabins, and 193 Family cabins across 34 categories. Dream introduced new cabin types for the fleet: "Deluxe Oceanview," "Cove Balcony," and "Cloud 9 Spa."

Most cabins are sized between 170–185 ft² / 16–17 m², with balconies around 35–45 ft² / 3–4 m². Deluxe Oceanview staterooms feature two separate washrooms and accommodate up to 5 guests, marketed as “Family cabins.” Cove Balcony cabins, located on Deck 2 beneath the lifeboats, have partially enclosed verandas.

The ship has 14 passenger decks, 9 of which contain staterooms.

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

The main dining rooms onboard are Scarlet (1122 seats) and Crimson (744 seats), both featuring elegant red décor and Murano glass chandeliers. The Punchliner Comedy Brunch, held in the MDR on sea days, combines comedy with brunch service. Food enthusiasts can book the Chef’s Table experience for US$75 per person, which includes a galley tour and a multi-course dinner hosted by the executive chef.

Full list of Carnival Dream restaurants and food bars:

• Crimson Restaurant (744-seat forward MDR with fixed seating and “Anytime Dining” options)
• Scarlet Restaurant (1122-seat aft MDR with fixed seating for dinner, open seating for breakfast/lunch; $5 “Seuss at Sea” themed breakfast)
• Wasabi Bar (complimentary sushi bar that serves as a salad bar during the day)
• The Gathering (825-seat Lido buffet with multiple self-service stations)
• The Chef’s Art Steakhouse (108-seat, reservations-only, offering premium seafood and steak)
• Seafood Shack (added in 2018; lunch and dinner only; à la carte pricing ~$5–12)
• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (added in 2017; complimentary outdoor BBQ venue on Promenade Deck)

Shipboard Entertainment Options – Fun and Sport

Carnival Dream’s Lanai outdoor promenade offers expansive seating areas with ocean views, while Ocean Plaza serves as a lively hub featuring a coffee bar, dance floor, and drink specials. As part of the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades in 2012, BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar were added, offering signature cocktails and Carnival’s ThirstyFrog Red beer.

Carnival Dream was the first Carnival ship built with an integrated water park, including multiple slides and a kids' aqua zone. She also features a full wraparound promenade deck with an outdoor café and whirlpools located along the deck’s edge.

Full list of Carnival Dream lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues:

• Encore! Theatre (1400-seat venue for live productions including Playlist Productions and Hasbro Game Shows)
• Dream Atrium (11-deck-high midship space with piano bar and dance floor)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop with branded merchandise and gift items)
• Rendezvous Lounge (23-seat bar and lounge)
• FunHub (24-hour Internet lounge with free Intranet for onboard programs and schedules)
• Circle C (kids’ club with games, movies, and themed activities)
• Club O2 (teens’ lounge with karaoke, video games, and parties); Warehouse Arcade
• Jackpot Casino (484-seat with gaming tables and slot machines, tournaments, and classes)
• The Lanai (60-seat outdoor promenade with BBQ bar and four cantilevered whirlpools)
• Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge with café and dance space)
• Caliente Nightclub; Sam’s Bar; Burgundy Lounge (Punchliner Comedy Club); Song Lounge and Bar
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Mexican-inspired cocktails)
• RedFrog Pub (120-seat with indoor/outdoor seating, games, live music, international beers)
• Sunset and Waves Pool areas
• Camp Carnival (children’s activity center)
• Cloud 9 Spa (with Thermal Suite, steam baths, sauna, thalassotherapy pool)
• Carnival WaterWorks (outdoor aqua park with slides and splash zones)
• Seaside Theatre (LED screen for movies, concerts, and sports; also a stage for live events)
• City Sports Park (18-hole mini-golf, Ping-Pong tables, sports court, and Sports Bar)
• Serenity (adults-only retreat with bar and lounge areas)

Itineraries

Starting 2027, Carnival Dream operates year-round Caribbean cruises leaving roundtrip from Port NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana). In 2025-2027, the ship is homeported in Galveston TX and operates longer itineraries (6-7-8 days, also 14-day B2Bs) to destinations in the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas.

The Fincantieri Monfalcone-built Carnival Dream was one of the featured vessels in the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" (2011). Dream is Carnival’s first DREAM-class vessel and, at the time of her launch, the largest ship ever built in Italy—until surpassed in 2016 by Carnival Vista. Her sisterships include Carnival Breeze, Carnival Magic, and Costa Diadema.

Carnival Dream Drydock 2021

In July–August 2021, Carnival Dream underwent drydock at Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNdM Shipyard in Marseille, France) for general maintenance. During this refurbishment, the vessel received Carnival’s new red-white-blue hull livery, originally introduced with Mardi Gras, replacing the previous all-white design with a red stripe.

Carnival Dream Refurbishment 2017 Review

The following deck plan changes were made during the January 30–February 11, 2017 drydock at Freeport, Bahamas:

• Promenade Deck 5:Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse was added—a complimentary, open-air restaurant on the Lanai Promenade designed by Food Network’s Guy Fieri. The menu features BBQ staples such as pork butt, sliced smoked beef, smoked Andouille sausage, blue ribbon chicken, and gourmet burgers. Side dishes include Mac Daddy Mac’n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, and Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends.
• Lido Deck 10 (portside):BlueIguana Cantina replaced the former poolside pizzeria. This complimentary Mexican eatery serves freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, with a wide variety of toppings and salsa bar options.
• Lido Deck 10 (starboard):Guy's Burger Joint replaced the poolside grill. This complimentary premium burger venue is also created in partnership with Guy Fieri.
• Promenade Deck 5:Alchemy Bar was introduced—Carnival’s signature cocktail lounge with a “cocktail pharmacy” theme. Professional mixologists in lab coats craft unique cocktails using a range of spirits and ingredients.
• Promenade Deck 5:Bonsai Sushi debuted as a premium Japanese dining venue, offering sushi, sashimi, bento “ships,” and a selection of Japanese beers, sake, and cocktails.
• Lido Deck 10:Pizzeria del Capitano was added, serving five varieties of hand-tossed, oven-baked pizzas (Margherita, Quattro Formaggio, mushroom, prosciutto, and pepperoni). This venue is complimentary and open 24 hours a day.

The June 2021 drydock at the Marseille shipyard primarily involved general maintenance and the application of Carnival’s updated hull livery.