The ultimate guide to the Carnival Dream. Everything you need to know about the Dream cruise ship, from staterooms to restaurants to activities.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at not extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information see the Disclosure page.
We sailed on the Dream when our kids were 12 & 14 years old. We had a fantastic time and loved this ship.
Related post – Faster to the Fun Perks {Worth it?}
Carnival Dream is one of 3 ships in Carnival’s Dream class of ships.
How big is Carnival Dream?
The Carnival Dream is 130,000 gross tonnes, 1,004 feet long and can carry 3,646 passengers in addition to 1,367 crew members.
For reference, Carnival Celebration which is scheduled to debut in 2022 is 180,000 gross tonnes, 1,130 feet long and can carry 5,374 passengers plus 1,735 crew.
Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Sensation (two of Carnival’s older ships) are 70,367 gross tonnes, 855 feet long and can carry 2,056 passengers as well as 920 crew members.
CARNIVAL DREAM HIGHLIGHTS
Water park area with twister and drain pipe waterslide
The Carnival Dream Waterworks area is fun for everyone. In addition to the 2 large waterslides, there are two smaller side-by-side racing water slides.
Serenity deck
On Carnival, the Serenity Deck is the adult only area with plush lounge chairs, some clam shell double loungers. Carnival Dream has 2 whirlpools in the Serenity area. Many people call them hot tubs, Carnival uses the term whirlpools, probably because they are never very hot.
Adults 21+ can access this quieter area free of charge.
Cloud 9 Spa with thalassotherapy pool and thermal suites
There is a charge to use the spa. The standard spa treatments such as massages and facials are offered. There is also a nice relaxation area with tile loungers and a thalassotherapy pool (like a hot tub or whirlpool).
The relaxation areas also have a charge unless you are staying in one of the spa rooms (more on those below). Weekly and day passes are often available but are limited.
Guy’s Burger Joint
Guy’s burgers serves delicious poolside burgers (my family’s favorite). They are open for lunch and an early dinner. There is no cost to eat here.
Blue Iguana Cantina
Blue Iguana Cantina features yummy breakfast and lunch burritos as well as tacos. This is also another popular poolside food venue that is included in your cruise fare.
Carnival Dream has many more great features, these were just some of what I consider to be highlights.
CARNIVAL DREAM ROOM TYPES
Rooms on a cruise ship are more commonly known as staterooms or cabins.
There are several room types within each category (full details can be found on Carnival Cruise Line’s site), but here are the main stateroom categories on the Dream.
CARNIVAL DREAM INSIDE (INTERIOR) STATEROOMS
Inside staterooms (also referred to as interior cabins or staterooms) are the least expensive rooms on a cruise ship.
They are located in the interior of the cruise ship and don’t have a window or a balcony. There are a select few inside cabins that have a small round porthole window or obstructed view, but for the most part if you are booking an inside cabin expect no window.
How big are inside cabins on Carnival Dream?
Most inside cabins (staterooms) on the Dream are 185 square feet, there are a few at 220 square feet.
Interior staterooms sleep 2-4 people depending on the exact category. See the deck plan for exact information.
CARVIAL DREAM SPA INTERIOR STATEROOMS
The spa interior cabins on the Dream are the same size as the standard interior cabins (185 square feet) and are a little more expensive. They do however come with the added benefits of private spa access, priority spa reservations, free select fitness classes, unlimited access to the thermal suites and thalassotherapy pool, the use of a bathrobe and slippers for the duration of your cruise as well as upgraded toiletries.
CARNIVAL DREAM OCEAN VIEW ROOMS
Ocean view staterooms have a window looking out at the ocean. These windows don’t open. Some categories are “obstructed views”. These have windows but the view will be blocked by a lifeboat or other object.
Cloud 9 Spa ocean view rooms all have an obstructed view.
How big are Carival Dream ocean view rooms?
Ocean view staterooms (cabins) on the Dream are 220-230 square feet depending on the exact category.
The standard ocean view staterooms sleep a maximum of 3 quests while the deluxe ocean view rooms sleep a maximum of 5 people.
What is a picture window on Carnival cruise?
A picture window on Carnival cruise ships are windows looking out at the ocean but they do not open. Picture windows are found in ocean view rooms.
CARNIVAL DREAM COVE BALCONY ROOMS
Cove balcony staterooms are located lower down on the cruise ship, closer to the water. The balcony enclosure is made of metal rather than glass like the standard balcony cabins.
How big are cove balcony rooms on Carnival Dream?
Cove balcony cabins on the Dream are 185 square feet of inside space plus a 45 foot balcony for a total of 230 square feet. Cove balcony staterooms can sleep up to 4 people.
CARNIVAL DREAM BALCONY STATEROOMS
Balcony staterooms on Carnival Dream are 185 square feet of inside space with balconies ranging from 35-75 square feet.
The standard balcony rooms have the 35 square foot balconies. These rooms sleep 2-4 people.
Some Dream balcony cabins are aft-view (back of the ship) with a 60 square foot balcony. The larger balcony cabins sleep 3 people maximum.
The Premium Vista balcony cabins on the Dream have a 75 square foot balcony and sleep just two guests.
CARNIVAL DREAM CLOUD 9 SPA BALCONY CABINS
The spa balcony staterooms are the same size as the standard balcony staterooms. The inside space is 185 square feet plus a 35 sq foot balcony. The Dream spa stateroom have the perks listed above under Cloud 9 Spa interior staterooms. These rooms sleep up to 4 people.
CARNIVAL DREAM SUITES
All suites on Carnival Cruise come with the added perks of priority check-in, priority dinner reservations, two complimentary large bottles of water, and the use of bathrobes for the duration of the cruise.
CARNIVAL DREAM JUNIOR SUITES
Junior suites on the Dream sleep up to 3 people. They have a whirlpool tub and a walk-in closet.
How big are Carnival Dream Junior Suites?
Junior suites on Carnival’s Dream are 275 square feet inside plus a 35 sqaure foot balcony. The balconies in the junior suites are the same size as the standard balconies.
CARNIVAL DREAM OCEAN SUITE
The ocean suites on Carnival Dream are 275 square feet inside plus a 65 square foot balcony for a total of 340 square feet.
Dream ocean view suites sleep up to 4 people, have a whirlpool tub, and a walk-in closet.
CARNIVAL DREAM CLOUD 9 SPA SUITES
The Cloud 9 Spa suites on the Dream are the same size as the ocean view suites, at 185 square feet of inside space plus a 65 square foot balcony for a total of 340 square feet.
The Dream Cloud 9 Spa suites have private access to the Cloud 9 Spa, priority spa treatment reservations, free select fitness classes, unlimited access to the thermal suites and thalassotherapy pool, upgraded toiletries, a whirlpool tub, a walk-in closet and VIP check in.
Carnival Dream spa suites sleep up to 3 people.
CARNIVAL DREAM GRAND SUITE
The grand suite on the Dream cruise ship offers 345 square feet of inside space plus an 85 square foot balcony. The grand suite sleeps up to 4 people and of course offers all the perks listed above.
Be sure to check deck plans and specifics as there are some staterooms in each category with variations.
CARNIVAL DREAM – 13 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
6 WAYS TO CARRY YOUR CRUISE CARD
FASTER TO THE FUN PERKS – WORTH IT?
WHAT IS INCLUDED ON A CARNIVAL CRUISE – AND WHAT’S NOT
CARNIVAL DREAM RESTAURANTS
There are an amazing selection of restaurants and a variety of food options on the Carnival Dream cruise ship. Many restaurants are included in your cruise fare and have no additional charge, while some of the specialty restaurants do have an additional charge.
CARNIVAL DREAM RESTAURANTS – INCLUDED (NO EXTRA CHARGE)
There are fabulous restaurants on board that are included in your cruise fare – there is no extra charge to eat there. Woohoo!
You could spend your whole cruise vacation eating at just the included restaurants and be more than happy.
GUY’S BURGER JOINT (INCLUDED)
Guy’s Burger Joint is located poolside and is open for lunch. As the name suggests, they serve burgers and fries. They also have veggie burgers, although they aren’t on the menu. You just have to ask for them.
The burgers and veggie burgers are delicious!! This was my family’s favorite Carnival Dream restaurant. Actually, the first thing they ask when we talk about booking another cruise is – “is there Guy’s Burgers?”
You can’t cruise on the Dream without trying Guy’s Burgers – so so good!
Photo by Carnival Cruise Line
BLUE IGUANA CANTINA (INCLUDED)
The Blue Iguana Cantina is open for breakfast and lunch. It is located poolside beside Guy’s Burger Joint. The Blue Iguana Cantina is another must try restaurant on the Carnival Dream cruise ship. Be sure to try both the breakfast and lunch burritos.
GUY’S PIG & ANCHOR BAR-B-QUE (INCLUDED)
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que is included in your cruise fare and is open for lunch. It is located on deck 5, mid deck. Here you will find cruise food such as smoked beef, sausage, chicken, and mac and cheese.
Check out the Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que menu here.
MONGOLIAN WOK (INCLUDED)
Mongolian Wok is included in your cruise fare, therefore there is no additional charge to eat here. It is open for lunch. You will find the Mongolian Wok mid ship on deck 10. Here you can create your own delicious noodle bowls.
CARNIVAL DELI (INCLUDED)
The Carnival Deli serves up sandwiches for both lunch and dinner at no extra charge. It is located on deck 10 in the Lido Marketplace.
PIZZERIA DEL CAPITANO (INCLUDED)
Pizzeria Del Capitano serves delicious pizzas 24 hours a day for no extra charge. This is the perfect spot for a late night snack. You will find the Pizzeria aft (back) of the Lido deck (deck 10) near the sunset pool.
LIDO MARKETPLACE (INCLUDED)
The Lido Marketplace is the big buffet restaurant you’d expect to find on a cruise ship. The Lido Marketplace serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is included in your cruise fare.
SCARET & CRIMSON RESTAURANTS (INCLUDED)
Scarlet and Crimson are the two main dining rooms on the Carnival Dream cruise ship. You will be assigned to one of them. Both restaurants offer the same menu and the menus change nightly. There is no charge to eat in Carnival Cruise Line’s main dining rooms.
When booking your cruise, you will be asked if you prefer early dining, late dining or “your time dining”. The time you select is just a request, however Carnival does do their best to honor it.
Early dining is at 6 p.m., late dining is at 8:15 p.m. and “your time dining” is any time between 5:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
SWIRLS (INCLUDED)
Swirls is a soft serve ice cream station located just outside the Lido Marketplace buffet near the pool. While this isn’t a restaurant, it is till worth noting. There is no extra charge for the soft serve ice cream and it is available 24 hours a day.
CARVIVAL DREAM RESTAURANTS – EXTRA CHARGE
The additional charge restaurants are often referred to as specialty restaurants or specialty dining.
CARNIVAL DREAM SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS
CARNIVAL DREAM STEAKHOUSE (EXTRA CHARGE)
The Steakhouse is a popular specialty restaurant on Carnival’s ships. The cost of Carnival Cruise’s Steakhouse (at the time of writing) is $38 USD per adult and $12 for kids 12 years old and younger. The price includes an appetizer, salad, entrée, side, and a dessert.
Reservations are highly recommended. You can make a reservation for the Steakhouse online once you have booked your cruise.
Carnival’s Steakhouse menu can be found here.
CARNIVAL DREAM BONSAI SUSHI (EXTRA CHARGE)
Bonsai Sushi offers a selection of sushi, sashimi, rolls, soups and sides. It is open for both lunch and dinner. You do have to pay to eat here, prices are per item.
See Carnival’s Bonsai Sushi menu and price list here.
CARNIVAL DREAM SEAFOOD SHACK (EXTRA CHARGE)
The Seafood Shack on the Dream is located by the sunset pool, aft (rear of) deck 10. This replaces the Tandori Grill that was there when we sailed in 2017. Seafood Shack is open for lunch and dinner and does have an additional charge.
You can see Carnival’s Seafood Shack menu and price list here.
CARNIVAL DREAM COFFEE BAR
Carnival Cruises’ Coffee Bar serves specialty coffees and teas, as well as delicious cakes and pastries for an additional charge. The Coffee Bar on the Dream is conveniently located on deck 5, the Promenade deck. Grab your morning specialty coffee and step outside for a stroll around the the Promenade deck. This was one of our favorite morning activities.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Coffee Bar drink menu can be found here.
CARNIVAL DREAM ACTIVITIES
There are so many fun things to do on a Carnival cruise, something for everyone. Here are just some of the activities on the Dream. Don’t forget also that your cruise vacation will include stops in multiple destinations for you to explore.
CARNIVAL DREAM DAYTIME ACTIVITIES
* Waterworks waterslides
* Mini golf
* Relax by the pools
* Partake in poolside games
* Trivia
* Bingo (additional cost)
* View art exhibit or take in an art seminar
* Play volleyball or basketball
* Go to the fitness gym
* Take a fitness class (additional cost)
* Play ping pong
* Mixology competition (select day and time)
* Browse the onboard shops
* Casino (additional cost)
* Enjoy a Cloud 9 Spa treatment (additional cost)
* Relax in the Cloud 9 Spa thalassotherapy pool or termal suites (additinal cost)
CARNIVAL DREAM GYM
The Carnival Dream gym is free to use and is located on deck 14. You will find a selection of cardio machines and weights. Fitness classes are available but there is a charge for most of these. Carnival Dream has a jogging track that is free to use 24 hours a day.
CARNIVAL DREAM EVENING ACTIVITIES
* Enjoy live music (there are several options nightly)
* Deck party – the evening deck parties are a lot of fun and not to be missed.
* Dive-in Movies – lounge poolside watching a movie on the big sreen, complete with blankets and popcorn.
* Karaoke
* Comedy Club
* Take in a musical production show
* Casino (additional charge)
* Piano bar
* Night club – The Carnival Dream night club is called Caliente and is open to those 18+ years old.
CARNIVAL DREAM ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS
* Waterslides
* Basketball
* Volleyball
* Mini golf
* Pools
* Dive-in Movies
* Ping pong
* Arcade (extra cost)
* Build a Bear Workshop (extra cost)
* ZSpa teen spa treatments (extra cost) – see menu and price list here.
* Carnival Cruise Club O2 teen club for ages 15-17 year olds
* Carnival Circle C kids club for ages 12-14 year olds – see link to detailed post below
Carnival Cruise Line’s Circle “C” Program 12-14 year olds
The above are just some of the things to do on the Dream for teens.
CARNIVAL DREAM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Fun things to do on Carnival Cruise’s Carnival Dream for kids
* Seuss-A-Palooza story time
* Carnival Camp Ocean kids club for ages 2-11
* Waterslides and water park
* “Zumbini” a program for kids 2-5 to get them moving
* Build-A-Bear Workshop (extra cost)
* Green Eggs & Ham breakfast (extra $)
* Mini Golf
* Pools
* Ping pong
Activities can change and some aren’t offered everyday. This is meant only to give you an idea of what types of things there are to do on a cruise.
The Dream is a fun ship with something for everyone.
Carnival Dream – 13 Things to Know Before Sailing
6 Ways to Carry Your Cruise Card
