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Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Dream

Large ship Bliss scored

Carnival Dream was at the forefront of Carnival Dream Class ships. It set the direction for the ships that followed: first Carnival Magic and then Carnival Breeze.

  • 3,646guests
  • 130,000gross tons
  • 10cruises now
  • $388fares from

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Watch films, concerts and sporting events on the giant LED screen overlooking the Waves pool on Carnival Dream.

At a glance

Carnival Dream is a large-size cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, in service since 2008. It carries 3,646 guests and 1,367 crew (2.7 guests per crew member) at 130,000 gross tons. It is the 11th largest of 27 Carnival Cruise Line ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for family friendly (9/10) and lowest for adventure & nature and romantic (2/10). It is rated 4 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 3.5 out of 5 by Berlitz and 4 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 10 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $388 to $5,139. 32 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4 / 5
Berlitz
3.5 / 5
Cruise Critic
4 / 5
Guests
3,646
Crew
1,367
Gross tons
130,000
Decks
15
Length
1,004 ft
Beam
122 ft
Maiden voyage
2008
Launched
2009
Refurbished
2015
Space ratio
2.7
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
2.7
Speed (mph)
26
IMO
9378474

Bliss scores

What Carnival Dream is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

  1. Active 8.0
  2. Adventure and nature 2.0
  3. Cultural 8.0
  4. Dining 5.5
  5. Entertainment 7.7
  6. Family friendly 9.0
  7. Party 8.0
  8. Romantic 2.0
  9. Spa and fitness 8.0
  10. Staterooms 8.0

Our review

Carnival Dream keeps the tempo going

Carnival Dream, the first of Carnival's Dream class ships (followed by Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze), features two dual-level dining rooms, a gourmet steakhouse and the Lido Restaurant. It also features Ocean Plaza, which combines tasty treats with entertainment. Entertainment and activities abound on the ship, as is water-based fun, with everything from the heart-racing waterslide action at WaterWorks to the soothing Thalassotherapy pool at the Cloud 9 Spa.

Where Carnival Dream sails

Carnival Dream currently sails out of Galveston, Texas, on 6- to 14-night itineraries to the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

Read the full review

Top dining options

Steakhouse

The Steakhouse menu features premium cuts of beef cooked to your exact specifications, as well as a selection of seafood, entrées, gourmet appetizers and an extensive wine list.

Plan a quiet, romantic meal at Chef's Art Steakhouse, on deck 12 of Carnival Dream.
Plan a quiet, romantic meal at Chef's Art Steakhouse, on deck 12 of Carnival Dream. Rick Diaz

Chef’s Table

Enjoy a multicourse dinner hosted by one of Carnival’s master chefs. The VIP experience starts with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for a select group of 14, followed by a tour to see the galley in operation and then a full-service dinner of appetizers, entrees and desserts not found on the regular dining menus. The experience is $75 per guest, and reservations are required.

Lido Restaurant

Carnival Breeze's Lido Restaurant is your one-stop destination for casual dining options such as Carnival Deli, Chef’s Choice, Mongolian Wok and Salad Bar. Seating is available indoors and outdoors.

The Taste Bar

Stop by for a taste of the flavors awaiting you at dining venues across the Carnival fleet. The Taste Bar offers complimentary appetizers before dinner for a taste of something different.

Coffee Bar

Take a break and revive in style at the coffee bar, stocked with premium coffees and delicious pastries.

Entertainment & activities

The Punchliner Comedy Club

Carnival teamed up with renowned comedian and TV personality George Lopez, who helped select talent for the fleetwide Punchliner Comedy Clubs. Guests can enjoy an evening laughing along to the comedians’ jokes.

Carnival's Seaside Theatre

Guests can watch a movie on the giant outdoor screen while relaxing in a pool or lounging on a beach chair. 

Casino

Feeling lucky? Head over to the casino to try out a wide selection of poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and more.

DJ IRIE

Carnival's DJs have all been trained by DJ IRIE, the Miami Heat's official DJ, to drop beats that inspire dancing in all areas of the ship, such as the Liquid Nightclub and at deck parties.

Bars & lounges

RedFrog Rum Bar

RedFrog Rum Bar is Carnival's laid-back bar based on the no-worries vibes of the British West Indies and Key West. It is serves up tasty rum drinks and Carnival's house brew, ThirstyFrog Red.p>

BlueIguana Tequila Bar

The menu offers up Mexican favorites, including several brands of tequila and a slew of Mexican brews. There’s a lineup of frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas served by the glass or by the pitcher, and even a special Mexican beer cocktail.

Sports Bar

Order your go-to drink and just kick back as you watch your favorite sports come to life on the bar’s big flat-screen TVs.

Piano Bar

Piano Bar is the swanky, jazzy bar setting designed for laid-back, fun times. The live music may even encourage a sing-along or two.

Staterooms

Particular attention was paid to Carnival Dreams' accommodations, as new types of staterooms were introduced when the ship launched. The line's first-ever "cove" balcony staterooms, located closer to the water line, offer sea views for a good value. The deluxe ocean view staterooms feature a guest-friendly configuration with two bathrooms. In addition to twin beds that convert to a king, ample closet space and elegant decor, the two-bathroom configuration will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom featuring a junior tub with shower and sink. There are even staterooms that can accommodate five guests, which is rare in new ship construction and also ideal for families. 

Family-friendly options

Camp Carnival

Camp Carnival is the place where the youngest cruisers (ages 2 to 11) will experience games, finger painting, story time, movies and more in a supervised environment, while their parents can be off having fun of their own. Carnival's babysitting program also offers, for a fee, a fun late-night option for kids while their parents stay out until as late as 3 am.

Circle 'C'

Youths ages 12 to 14 can enjoy video games, scavenger hunts and dance parties at Circle C, as well as enjoy getting outside with sports, pool parties and special shore excursions. Plus, they can enjoy all of this excitement with kids their own age.

Club O2

Teens 15 to 17 can enjoy the latest music with exclusive dance parties at Club O2, as well as video games and movies from the club's comfy seating and video monitors all over the place. They'll even have fun outside of the club, with pool parties, team sports and special teen-only shore excursions.

Carnival WaterWorks

This onboard water park features two waterslides: Drainpipe and Twister. At the center of Carnival WaterWorks is a giant, 300-gallon dump bucket that combines water and gravity in a way that's sure to soak.

Your take

How about you? Have you sailed on Carnival Conquest? We'd like to hear about your experience! 

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Carnival Dream, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or by calling 1-877-322-3773.

SEE ALL CARNIVAL DREAM SAILINGS

On board highlights

Dining

Where to eat on Carnival Dream

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 2

  • Sail to the beaches of Freeport in the Bahamas on Carnival Cruise Lines.
    Sail to the beaches of Freeport in the Bahamas on Carnival Cruise Lines.
  • Explore the beaches of Freeport, the Bahamas, when you book a cruise on Carnival Cruise Line.
    Explore the beaches of Freeport, the Bahamas, when you book a cruise on Carnival Cruise Line.

Dining 4

  • A lobster tail entrée prepared at Chef's Table during a Carnival cruise.
    A lobster tail entrée prepared at Chef's Table during a Carnival cruise.
  •  Enjoy premium-quality steaks, fresh seafood, salads and gourmet starters at the alternative restaurant Fahrenheit 555 on your Carnival cruise.
    Enjoy premium-quality steaks, fresh seafood, salads and gourmet starters at the alternative restaurant Fahrenheit 555 on your Carnival cruise.
  • For an extra fee, Chef's Table is your chance for a multi-course dinner prepared specially by the executive chef.
    For an extra fee, Chef's Table is your chance for a multi-course dinner prepared specially by the executive chef.
  • Head to Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que, featuring smoked beef, pork, andouille sausage and all the sides, during your Carnival cruise.
    Head to Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que, featuring smoked beef, pork, andouille sausage and all the sides, during your Carnival cruise.

On board 10

  • Head to the BlueIguana Tequila Bar on your Carnival cruise if you like ice-cold cervezas and slushy tequila drinks.
    Head to the BlueIguana Tequila Bar on your Carnival cruise if you like ice-cold cervezas and slushy tequila drinks.
  • Enjoy a night of gaming at the casino during your Carnival cruise.
    Enjoy a night of gaming at the casino during your Carnival cruise.
  • Relax in the Cloud 9 Thermal Lounge, where the temperature is always perfect, during your Carnival getaway.
    Relax in the Cloud 9 Thermal Lounge, where the temperature is always perfect, during your Carnival getaway.
  • Choose your show and laugh out loud at Punchliner Comedy Club, one of the entertainment options during your Carnival sailing.
    Choose your show and laugh out loud at Punchliner Comedy Club, one of the entertainment options during your Carnival sailing.
  • Get rejuvenated in the spa of the Serenity Adult Only Retreat during your Carnival cruise.
    Get rejuvenated in the spa of the Serenity Adult Only Retreat during your Carnival cruise.
  •   Soak in the relaxing vibe of the Serenity Adult Only Retreat with your significant other during your Carnival sailing.
    Soak in the relaxing vibe of the Serenity Adult Only Retreat with your significant other during your Carnival sailing.
  • Frolic in the warm weather at WaterWorks, your Carnival waterpark.
    Frolic in the warm weather at WaterWorks, your Carnival waterpark.
  • Splish-splash the day away at WaterWorks, Carnival's onboard waterpark.
    Splish-splash the day away at WaterWorks, Carnival's onboard waterpark.
  • Have some fun with family members at WaterWorks during your next Carnival cruise.
    Have some fun with family members at WaterWorks during your next Carnival cruise.
  • WaterWorks features the Twister, a huge corkscrew ride, and the enclosed DrainPipe spiral slide on your Carnival cruise.
    WaterWorks features the Twister, a huge corkscrew ride, and the enclosed DrainPipe spiral slide on your Carnival cruise.

More photos 12

  • Watch films, concerts and sporting events on the giant LED screen overlooking the Waves pool on Carnival Dream.
    Watch films, concerts and sporting events on the giant LED screen overlooking the Waves pool on Carnival Dream.
  • A dessert sampler plate at Chef's Table aboard a Carnival cruise.
    A dessert sampler plate at Chef's Table aboard a Carnival cruise.
  • Enjoy an exquisite dining experience at Chefs Table for $75 per person.
    Enjoy an exquisite dining experience at Chefs Table for $75 per person.
  • Revel in a multicourse dinner prepared by the master chefs of Chef's Table during your Carnival cruise.
    Revel in a multicourse dinner prepared by the master chefs of Chef's Table during your Carnival cruise.
  • Carnival Dream's Caribbean cruises include stops in Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
    Carnival Dream's Caribbean cruises include stops in Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
  • Play in the pool, soak in a hot tub or lounge in a deck chair with a cool drink on your Carnival Dream cruise.
    Play in the pool, soak in a hot tub or lounge in a deck chair with a cool drink on your Carnival Dream cruise.
  •  Carnival Dream cruises to Cozumel, Mexico; Belize; Jamaica; the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, among other destinations.
    Carnival Dream cruises to Cozumel, Mexico; Belize; Jamaica; the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, among other destinations.
  • Carnival Dream's open and airy atrium is a kaleidoscope of colors.
    Carnival Dream's open and airy atrium is a kaleidoscope of colors.
  • Book passage to your next Caribbean adventure on Carnival Dream.
    Book passage to your next Caribbean adventure on Carnival Dream.
  • Young teens can hang out and meet new friends at Circle C, Carnival Dream's lounge for 12- to 14-year-olds.
    Young teens can hang out and meet new friends at Circle C, Carnival Dream's lounge for 12- to 14-year-olds.
  • Dine on your choice of six main entrees at the Crimson, one of Carnival Dream's two main dining rooms.
    Dine on your choice of six main entrees at the Crimson, one of Carnival Dream's two main dining rooms.
  • Enjoy the view while unwinding in a whirlpool on Carnival Dream's Lanai promenade.
    Enjoy the view while unwinding in a whirlpool on Carnival Dream's Lanai promenade.

Side by side

Compare Carnival Dream with

Overheard

“Carnival Dream, whose sister ships are Carnival Breeze and Carnival Magic, operates year-round Caribbean cruises from Florida. There are ample facilities for children, who should particularly enjoy the outdoor waterpark and pool facilities. There's also a Serenity adults-only, extra-charge retreat as well as a sports activity area on deck.”

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