Carnival Tropicale

The 1981-built Ocean Dream cruise ship (fka Carnival Tropicale, Costa Tropicale, Pacific Star) on January 16, 1982, started Caribbean itineraries (7-day roundtrips from Tampa Florida) as CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines' first newbuild ship - "MS Tropicale". On April 25, 2017, the liner was anchored off Alang India for dismantling, but eventually, Peace Boat continued the bareboat charter.

In early-2020, to the Peace Boat's fleet was added Pullmantur Zenith. In mid-September, the company Japan Grace (Peace Boat's cruise operator) announced the charter of a larger-sized ship (Sun Princess / max passenger capacity 2419) to replace Peace Boat's both current (2020) vessels - Ocean Dream and Zenith. The Sun Princess ship was renamed "Pacific World" and started operations in 2021-Q2.

The 1422-passenger cruise ship Ocean Dream (as Carnival Tropicale) was transferred to Costa Cruises in 2001 and renamed "Costa Tropicale". However, the liner was retired in 2005 and restarted operations (for P&O Australia as "Pacific Star"). In 2008, P&O AU decided to sell it to Pullmantur (subsidiary of RCCL-Royal Caribbean). After an extensive drydock refurbishment, the ship (as "Ocean Dream") started operations under charter for "Peace Boat" (global non-government organization).

MS Ocean Dream's operator/charterer Peace Boat is a Japan-based global NGO aiming at raising awareness and building connections among groups that work for peace, human rights and environmental protection. Bareboat charter/bareboating is the hiring of a marine vessel without crew or provisions included in the agreement.

When operated by Peace Boat, the vessel (IMO number 7915096) was Panama-flagged (MMSI 373297000) and registered in Colon. According to data received from its AIS transponder, in 2020, the ship remained docked at Port Hiroshima between July 7 and October 19. The last AIS data (from November 24) showed it at anchorage off Bayside Beach Saka (Mizushiri).

In September 2020, Peace Boat announced the replacing of its two bareboat charter contracts (for Ocean Dream and Pullmantur Zenith) with a larger vessel charter (Pacific World/ex Sun Princess) which was scheduled to start cruises in 2021-Q1. In October, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) sold Ocean Dream for scrap. On January 1, 2021, the 40-years-old liner was beached at India's Alang Ship Breaking Yard and subsequently scrapped. The vessel's last drydock was in 2017.

Other former Carnival ships that were scrapped through the years include Carnivale (950 berths), Festivale (1146 berths) and Mardi Gras (906 berths). The 1022-berth Tropicale was designed similar to SS Mardi Gras. Its decks were named (in descending order) Promenade, Empress, Upper, Main, Riviera.

Cruise itinerary program

Peace Boat's Ocean Dream itinerary program was based on Around The World cruises departing roundtrip from Port Yokohama Japan.

Cabins and shipboard amenities

The boat had 11 decks, of which 8 passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

Of all the 511 staterooms, 314 are outside (have ocean views via portholes or windows). MS Ocean Dream cabins are air-conditioned, with feature walk-in closets and en-suite bathrooms. Master Suites are larger and with whirlpool spa baths and step-out balconies.

Main meals are served at the ship's 2 restaurants which serve Japanese and international cuisine specilaties.

The array of onboard public spaces aboard Ocean Dream have been adapted to serve as classrooms, workshop rooms, rehearsal areas, lecture halls. Students participating in the programs of "Global University", "Global English/Espanol Training" and "International Student & Study Abroad", use the boat's venues for presentations at sea. The Peace Boat Center (P-Cen) is an office used by both participants and staff to produce posters, edit videos, coordinate onboard events and publish the Peace Boat newspaper which is issued daily. The ship also offers places to relax and exercise, including a gym, sports deck, book corner, jacuzzis, swimming pools, coffee shops, bars, sunbathing deck.

Keeping Carnival's original design, Costa Tropicale ship had 7 passenger-accessible decks (out of 11). Carnival Tropicale was transformed into Costa Tropicale during the extensive drydock refurbishment in 2001 (USD 25 million project) conducted at Fincantieri's shipyard in Genoa Italy. The Carnival Tropicale's max passenger capacity was increased to 1412 (with double occupancy 1022/lower berths).

Costa Tropicale (Ocean Dream) deck plans show a total of 11 decks, of which 8 were passenger-accessible and 5 housed passenger cabins.

The liner had as signature facilities MDR (main dining room restaurant without windows), 2-deck high Atrium, Lobby Hall (Reception Desk, Shore Excursions Desk), The Mall (shops), Beauty Salon, Tropicana Cabaret (theater lounge), children's' sundeck (paddling pool), Kids' Room, Promenade Deck, Photo Gallery and Shop, Internet Coffee Lounge, Cigar Bar, Miami Ball Room (dance bar lounge), Library, Habana Casino (gaming bar lounge), Casablanca Great Bar (disco nightclub), Duke Bar (Duke Ellington-themed lounge with a grand piano), Bahia Club (bar lounge and Churrascaria/Brazilian steakhouse restaurant), Nautica Spa & Fitness (wellness complex with gym, sauna, treatment rooms), Giada Great Buffet (Lido restaurant with indoor-outdoor seating), 2x whirlpools, 3x swimming pools, teak sundecks (sunbathing areas with poolside bars, loungers and deckchairs), Sports Deck (Sports Court, Jogging Track).