Carnival Dream Cruise Ship Review

Sailing from New Orleans to the Caribbean, Carnival Dream cruise ship features the Punchliner Comedy Club, evening stage shows, kids clubs (for ages 2 to 17) and an on-board water park. While on-board of the ship, you can solve a murder mystery or compete in the “Lip Sync Battle” (based on the popular TV show). Carnival Dream is one of the biggest ships by Carnival. It carries up to 3,646 passengers with a nearly 4-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio, so public areas can be crowded at times.

What to Expect On-board Carnival Dream Cruise Ship

Lot’s of Entertainment

Every night you will receive a program with all of the activities offered the next day. You can go to an evening show or participate in the Hairy Chest Contest, have dinner at the Dining Room or shake it at the deck dance party, you will have a blast! This ship has activities for everyone from early morning till night. Most of Carnival Dream’s entertainment venues reside on Decks 4 and 5, making the area perfect for bar hopping and strolling. It feels like a shopping mall on a ship.

The Deck 10 pool area is a place for pool parties, cold drinks and fun contests. At the time, kids can enjoy the Dream’s Camp Carnival play area on Deck 11 for ages 2 to 11. Other parts of the ship are made for tweens (ages 12–14) and teens (ages 15–17) with dance floors, Wii video games and more. Other family-friendly entertainment includes movies at the Seaside Theatre and the Suess At Sea program. The daily shows are offered on the giant outdoor movie screen in the Seaside Theatre on Deck 12, where you can also catch films and concerts. Did I mention Carnival Dream has a water park, miniature golf course and a basketball-volleyball court? I loved it!

Traveler’s Tip: Promenade Deck

There’s an entertainment space called the Lanai, which stretches from one side of the ship to the other on the Promenade deck. It has a pair of big ocean-view hot tubs, a café and a bar.

A Place to Relax

If you are tired of all of the noise and would like to relax, you will enjoy the Cloud 9 Spa and the adults-only Serenity Retreat. The Cloud 9 Spa and huge gym take up the forward section of three decks. The Spa treatments are a little pricey, but Serenity Retreat is a large area with comfy recliners and booths for rest.

Traveler’s Tip: Hidden Decks

Carnival Dream is also full of “hidden” decks – two of which offer some of the best views on-board. You can find them at the front of the ship on Decks 6 and 7, through doors at the end of the cabin corridors. Everywhere else throughout the ship, you’ll find more deck space with seating nooks to accommodate large number of passengers on-board. That’s one of the reasons I like larger ships – there are so many places to explore and find new favorite spots.

Related Post: More Carnival Cruise Tips for first-timers

Expect Amazing Food and Service

While on-board Carnival Dream I had some of the best meals in my life. When dining in the dining room, my favorites are cold strawberry soup, salmon fillets, root vegetables in a pie crust and Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake (it’s to die for! Or to go back on the cruise!) They also change up food options for each port of call. For example, when you stop in Jamaica, along with other options your dining room will be serving Jamaican Jerk Chicken for dinner.

In your assigned dining room the waiters know exactly what you like. We ordered tea while we waited for our food on the first day of sailing. After that, we had cups of tea ready for us before we arrived. The waiters were from all over the world and they were so wonderful! When they performed the last song on the last day of the cruise, I almost teared up, knowing I won’t ever see them again! They work crazy hours without rest and probably don’t get paid a lot, but they stay positive and fun! I think that is worth admiring!

Traveler Tip: Filet Mignon for Breakfast

Go to breakfast or brunch in the dining room instead of the buffet upstairs. They serve the best filet mignon, eggs Benedict, and salmon bagels for brunch! All of that is included in the price, but some may not know about it and have breakfast in the crowded buffet upstairs.

Staterooms on Carnival Dream

As aboard Carnival’s other ships, Dream’s cabins are roomy, with standard inside cabins measuring 185 square feet and outsides a generous 220 square feet. In terms of lodging, cruisers can stay in budget-friendly Interior Staterooms (could be as cheap as $500 per person for 7 days) or splurge for more room (up to $1200) with an Ocean View or Balcony stateroom or suite. All cabins have a flat-screen TVs, safes and 24-hour room service. All staterooms have very comfortable beds, plus a minibar and a desk. A range of higher-category cabins and suites offer even more amenities.

Traveler’s Tip: The Fun Hub

The Fun Hub is an on-board social network tool that guests can access on their devices. You can create a personal profile, access information about on-board entertainment, dining and ports and communicate with your fellow shipmates for $5.

Exciting Excursions on Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream goes to exciting destinations: we went to Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel! Cruisers looking for adventure can book some of the ship’s excursions while in port, like snorkeling with dolphins and stingrays in Grand Cayman or competing in “The Amazing Cozumel Race” (participants split into teams, where they use clues to explore the island through a scavenger-hunt.)

Who Carnival Dream is Best For

Carnival Dream Cruise ship is best for Budget-Conscious Cruisers. It’s family-friendly, inexpensive, fun and loud. Passengers that you meet on-board range from students to seniors, including families, couples, and singles of all ages. After all, who doesn’t want to have an all-inclusive vacation to Caribbean?

Carnival Dream Cruise Ship Gratuity

Carnival recommends $12.95 per person, per day, for gratuities ($13.95 per person, per day, for those in suites). This amount is divided between dining room services, cabin services and alternative services, which include kitchen, entertainment, guest services, and other hotel services. The amount is automatically added to your shipboard account, but it can be adjusted at the guest services desk. Visit guest services the last day of sailing and decide what amount of tip you would like to leave. Don’t forget that a 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar bills and spa treatments. Tipping a couple dollars for room service at delivery is appreciated by the service staff.

Carnival Dream Cruise Ship Review

I have loved the service on the Carnival Dream! The crew members seem genuinely happy and interested in making sure passengers have the best experience. Whether it’s having your cup of tea waiting for you at the dining room or solving any problems you have at the guest services desk, they go above and beyond. Between the friendly service and all there is to do (and all there to eat) on-board, Carnival Dream Cruise Ship is the perfect vacation!

Are you planning to go on a cruise soon? Let me know if there are any questions you have below! I would be glad to connect!