In the world of cruising, Carnival Cruise Lines is known as the “Fun Ships”. So it was no surprise that Carnival’s newest ship, Carnival Dream, was christened last week in New York City amid much lighthearted fun.
The party got started when the godmother, Academy Award and Tony-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden swung a baseball bat signed by Yankees’ star Alex Rodriguez against a 5-foot-tall ceremonial bottle of champagne.
At 3,646 passengers (maximum 4,631 passenger capacity including upper berths) and 130,000-tons, Dream is Carnival’s biggest vessel to date and introduces a number of new features for Carnival.
What’s new
As the first of two Dream-class ships (Carnival Magic is scheduled to launch in June 2011), the biggest change is Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue and the Lanai, an outdoor area featuring a wrap-around promenade and four cantilevered whirlpools suspended over the ship’s side. There’s also a “FunHub” area, which Carnival dubs the first social network area at sea. Guests can use one of 36 onboard computers to post or look for like-minded guests wanting to play backgammon, cards, or simply get together over Pina Coladas.
There’s also Carnival’s first-ever comedy club venue offering multiple nightly shows with top-notch comedians. Dream offers the first outdoor laser light show at sea at the top-deck Seaside Theater – lasers project patterns onto the night sky, accompanied by rock music by the world’s most famous acts. New accommodations include two-bath, five-berth staterooms designed to appeal to families, and “cove” balcony cabins located close to the waterline.
The Cloud 9 Spa has been expanded to 23,750-square feet over two decks in the front of the ship and offers an Asian-inspired ambiance. You can relax in the huge thalassotherapy pool or the thermal suite based on a Turkish bath experience. Before and after treatments, guests are encouraged to relax with a cup of tea in a relaxation area with comfy loungers and canopied beds with sea views and soothing music. For fitness buffs the spa’s large fitness center offers users state-of-the-art Lifecycle machinery along with daily fitness classes with personal trainers. There are also 65 spa staterooms that offer direct access to the spa through a private elevator. Each stateroom has special décor and amenities that make for the ultimate seagoing spa and wellness vacation that’s only steps away from the stateroom.
Carnival will carry an estimated 625,000 children this year, roughly half the total number of kids carried by the entire North American cruise industry. So, it’s no surprise that Dream offers 19,000 total square feet of space catering to kids of all ages. Dream’s youth activities areas are expansive, the largest is the 5,000-square-foot Camp Carnival (ages 2-11) located on Deck 11 that is divided into age-appropriate areas. Located on Deck 4, is the 1,075-square-foot Circle C (ages 12-14) and adjacent is the 2,740-square-foot Club O2 (ages 15-17) that boasts a dance floor, soda bar, game area and more.
Located on Deck 12 is the largest water park at sea, WaterWorks, with various water-spray apparatus, but the highlight is the 303-foot-long, four decks high “Twister Waterslide”, the longest at sea. The water park complements Dream’s three swimming pools and seven whirlpools.
A kinder, gentler décor
Carnival ships are known to have an outlandish décor, but Dream has been toned down to a more moderate fun level. One of the most relaxing places on the ship is the adults-only Serenity area that operates across two levels and can hold up to 200 people seeking a respite from high-octane activities. There’s luxurious seating, including hammocks, a bar, and whirlpools.
Among the ship’s amenities are: three swimming pools, a giant movie screen; seven Jacuzzis. As on other Carnival ships, you’ll find a towering atrium and show theater with amazing entertainers, Internet café and library, shopping promenade, and dozens of bars and lounges that are always thronged with guests.
Accommodations include 1,823 well-appointed staterooms, including 12 penthouse suites, 58 suites and the 65 aforementioned spa cabins. The new deluxe ocean view staterooms feature a configuration with two bathrooms and five berths. Of the ship’s 1,823 staterooms, over 250 will be interconnecting with more than 400 accommodating up to three, four, and four guests – perfect for families.
One thing to keep in mind when choosing a stateroom on a Carnival ship is the location. Passengers take the fun ship motto literally — especially late at night. Therefore, if you want peace and quiet pick rooms that are not near high-traffic elevators – mainly the ones with access to the ship’s atrium area. Still even away from high-traffic areas the Dream’s staterooms appear to have a problem with noise – sadly I could hear the televisions in the rooms next to me and pretty much every conversation, cough, and sneeze. Thankfully, I had my iTouch white noise application to block out noise at bedtime.
Carnival cuisine
Carnival offers by far the best dining value at sea with a vast array of perfectly prepared dishes. The dinner menus are full of fine dining staples Carnival is renowned for. The majority of meals are served in the ship’s two main dining rooms, Scarlett Restaurant and Crimson Restaurant that offer dinners in the traditional manner, with assigned times and assigned tables (breakfasts and lunches are open seating), and the line’s newly rolled out “Your Choice” open seat dining that allows guests to eat when they want.
Main restaurants aside, Dream offers abundant round-the-clock dining options. The Gathering on Lido Deck, is the ship’s casual buffet restaurant, is arranged into several serving stations. Two areas that are particularly popular leading to long lines are the burrito Bar and pasta bar. Both areas allow guests to pick what’s in their burrito or choice of pastas, sauces, and meats. Also available is Indian Tandoori, Mongolian wok, a 24-hour pizzeria, deli, hamburger and hot dog grill, and ice-cream machines. Chef Art’s Steakhouse is Dream’s supper club restaurant, where for $30 per person you’ll get a magnificent six course gourmet meal. Another dining option is the Wasabi sushi bar on Promenade Deck and of course there’s always 24-hour room service.
It’s clear: Carnival Dream is one big “Fun Ship” full of innovations that can make for a great family vacation.
If you go:
On Dec. 12, the Dream will begin alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruises from Port Canaveral. Prices start at $479 for the Western Caribbean cruises and $629 for the Eastern Caribbean. Visit Carnival’s Website for more details.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow you really gave that a glowing report. You mean you could find nothing that might need improvement.Iam a slightly skeptical about your food experiences. perfect?What about their smoking policy ?As i do smoke can you elaborate on that as well as for non smokers thanks.
I’ve viewed “Consumer Traveler” as a generally unbiased view of travel items and issues; news and events. On occasion, you have a slant one way or another. However, this obvious “ad” for Carnival has let me down. When you post an obvious advertisement, you should clearly mark it as such.
Disappointed in this post…
Just the info about being able to hear the next cabin is enough to keep me away. When retiring to my cabin I sure don’t want to hear the neighbors.
Paul very well phrased. Her comments on the Fortuna were very provincial because of a language problem. There were other issues also- smoking which factored in her very negative review. I would never judge cruise by any of her reviews.
Good report Anita. Glad to know the decor is toned down.
If you are worried about smoking, then the Dream isn’t for you Barbara. Not sure what would suit you since you are less than positive on any post so far.
Hello Barbara & Paul,
I think you should re-read the story — it’s far from glowing. You’ll realize that I spelled out the truth from my two-day sailing on Carnival Dream that the staterooms and noise issue and the long lines at the buffet were a problem. The story is basically a “hardware” overview of the ship . It’s virtually impossible to write an in-depth review of a cruise ship in two days. I am currently on Oasis of the Seas — another quick sailing to check out the new ‘hardware’.
Regards,
Anita
Bodega, if you read my comment on her review of Fortuna you will see my drift.
barbara,
I’ve never been on the Costa Fortuna. I am assuming you mean the MSC Fantasia – as that is the only ship I’ve had an issue with smokers onboard. Personally, I think smoking is a horrible addiction and I think non-smokers should not be subjected to second-hand smoke. I admit I am biased, but I have good reason. My mother, a huge chain smoker, died of emphysema at the age of 62 some 12 years ago.
Best,
Anita
Anita your experience is very common.However perhaps when you did the review you could have stated that it was not advisable for people who have serious issues with smoking. You could have stated that it was a ship in which a majority of the passengers are European. Also was there any acceptable food. It was a very biased review soley on your issue with smoking. There was a cruise ship like that at one time. I believe it was a flop. Also you going to have to come to terms with the fact that many Chinese will be cruising as their economy is very strong. They are heavy smokers.along with Russians who are traveling more and more. Israelis also tend to smoke heavily. You have a very provincial attitude-not good for a cruise critic.
Anita i did read some of the reviews on FANTASIA on Cruise Critic.I focused on the most negative one first-the maiden voyage. Smoking was not even listed. The review stated that the food was excellent. After reading more of the negative review although smoking was sometimes listed it was not the number one complaint.I am taking the Cruise Critic with a grain of salt. You cannot be a cruise critic and get overly emotional. It is not fair to the consumer or the company. Please either be more subjective or consider another field in the travel industry to write about.Smoking is a dead issue. Excuse the pun.
Had you not jumped ship perhaps you could have done a better review.But then again were you a paying passengeror a feebie.
barbara,
Clearly you don’t read my columns or a lot of the others on here for that matter. In all of your comments you are quick to jump to conclusions even before finishing the articles.
I suggest you finish an article before commenting on it. That way you’ll know the name of the ship I was on, how long I was on the ship, and what my thoughts are on that ship.
Lastly, the smoking “dead issue” comment was in extremely poor taste and tacky. But many of us on here are not surprised.
Anita
Anita, I would enjoy reading your cruise articles. If you have a chance would you please email me the sites where I can read them. Many families in the states including myself have lost a loved one due to smoking.What I mean by dead issue is no one can dispute that smoking isnot a very healthy habit;and in general most areas in the States including other countries such as India and even Kenya have banned it in public place. Iknowthe ship you reviewed was the Fantasia,and I know that I posted and you never replied. The Fantasia is now clamping down on smoking violations. However when I read seventeen Cruise Critic mostly the negative ones, the worst did not even mention smoking. They did state the food was excellent. What Iam really trying to say is you edtoralize to much instead of being subjective. You tend to use hyperboles,or exaggerate as in the latest review everything was mostly glowing. You jumped ship after 2 days because of the smoking. Of course if you are not paying big deal . Sorry if I am incorrect about that. Also your critism of me was quite personnel. You are not a subjective reporter in my opinion.
Hello barbara,
All the reviews are here on Consumer Traveler – you can do a search of them or go to the columnist area and look for all my columns.
You clearly did not read my Fantasia article, I did not jump off the ship early, I was onboard for the two-day christening event in Naples. I went through with the entire event; however, I opted to be one of the first ones off the ship because there were so many smokers onboard – it was a miserable experience. It’s too bad because the ship is lovely.
As for the “dead issue” comment you made – you knew exactly what you were writing because you put (pardon the pun) afterwards.
As for you comment on my reporting skills – well that’s subjective. If you don’t like my columns simply don’t read them.
Anita
The Dream’s moment of fame is already fleeting. Its 4600 passenger capacity is now dwarfed by Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas which holds 6000 and has a Central Park-size park with hundreds of real trees and a hand-carved carousel; it has a golf course (not just mini-golf or a virtual golf game), an ice rink and a huge rock-climbing wall, a water show including synchronized swimmers as well as sea animals, a zip line, several swimming pools (7, I think), multiple dining options, etc., etc., etc. Of course, if you’ve read my posts before, you know that I am no longer a fan of Carnival, so I am not too sad to know that its newest member of the family is already passe compared to other new ships on the seas.