Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream is one of the latest of the Carnival Cruise Lines (NYSE: [http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=CCL CCL] ) ships to enter the fleet; entering on September 21, 2009. At 130,000 tons, she will represent a new class of ships for the line; the biggest the line has ever built. Her sister ship, the Carnival Magic is expected to enter service in June 2011.

Highlights

According to Carnival's press release [ [http://carnival.com/CMS/Articles/dream_magic.aspx Carnival Cruise Lines - News Release ] ] , the ship and her sister, the Carnival Magic expected to have the widest variety of activity, dining, and entertainment options of the entire fleet. The Carnival Dream will start her service with three Europe cruises from Rome, Italy followed by a Transatlantic voyage to New York. In December 2009 its home port will be Port Canaveral, Florida. [ [http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Articles/dream_portcanaveral.aspx Carnival Cruise Lines - News Release ] ] [ [http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_dream/default.aspx?shipCode=DR Carnival Dream CCL Page ] ]

Cabins

The ship will have an array of cabins to choose from. The cabins will range from interior to suites.In addition, the ship will introduce newer forms of cabins. One new type of cabin will be a deluxe ocean view stateroom. The deluxe ocean view stateroom will have two separate washroom facilities. Another new cabin will be the cove balcony stateroom. The cove balcony stateroom will have a partially enclosed veranda. The ship will also feature special spa staterooms that are currently available on the Carnival Splendor. [http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_dream/default.aspx?shipCode=DR Carnival Dream - Carnival Cruise Lines ] ]

Facilities

The Carnival Dream will be the first Carnival ship to feature a water park with multiple slides as a newbuild. The ship will use a larger variation of the water park that was recently added to the Fantasy class ships. The ship will feature a 2-deck miniature golf course. The ship will also feature a wide outdoor promenade deck that will feature an outdoor cafe and a whirlpool jacuzzi in four places along the outside edge of the deck.

Design

Comparisons to Other Cruise Ships

While the largest cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Lines, the ship will not be the largest in the world, being surpassed by Royal Caribbean International's Freedom Class and Oasis Class of ships as well as Cunard Line's RMS Queen Mary 2. By comparison, the Carnival Dream is roughly equal (The Carnival Dream is ~17ft. shorter) to Royal Caribbean International's Voyager class.

Exterior

The Carnival Dream is an all new class of ships for Carnival Cruise Lines. She will feature facilities similarly designed and used on the previous generations of Carnival ships.

Interior

The exact details of her interiors have not been fully released.

Decks and Facilities

Decks and facilities are based on the basic layout elements of the Destiny class and the Carnival Splendor, with newer elements.
1. Riviera - Passenger staterooms
2. Main - Passenger staterooms
3. Lobby - Restaurants, main lounge
4. Atlantic - Restaurant upper levels, main lounge upper deck, photo gallery, lifeboat deck
5. Promenade - Outdoor promenade, cafe, main lounge top deck,casino, nightclub, aft lounge
6. Upper - Passenger staterooms
7. Empress - Passenger staterooms
8. Verandah - Passenger staterooms
9. Vista - Passenger staterooms
10. Lido - Passenger staterooms, pool, lido buffet restaurant
11. Panorama - Passenger staterooms, spa staterooms, childrens facilities,lido restaurant
12. Spa - Spa staterooms, spa, waterpark, mini golf course, reservations-only restaurant
14. Sun - Spa upper deck, basketball court ("no deck 13")
15. Sky - Spa top deck, slide entrance

Branding Controversy

Since the ship's announcement, there has been some debate in cruising circles as to whether or not the phrase "the Largest 'Fun Ship' " is misleading. It has been cited by some familiar with the industry as possibly creating confusion with Royal Caribbean International's larger ships. However "Fun Ships" is a Carnival trademark and the Carnival Dream is the company's largest ship, and will be the first of the Dream Class of ships. It is expected to be 1,004 feet in length and displace 130,000 tons, according to a Carnival spokesman. The Carnival Dream has 1823 cabins, the company said.

References

External links

* [http://carnival.com/CMS/Articles/dream_magic.aspx CCL Press Release]
* [http://carnival.com Official Carnival Website]
* [http://www.cruisemates.com/imgship/carnival/dreamrendering.jpgImage rendering of the Carnival Dream]