Carnival Dream
There is a casual vibe on the 3,646-guest Carnival Dream, where highlights include two pools, the casino, live shows, and Dive-In Movies on the jumbo screen on the pool deck. The ship, which debuted in 2009 as the first vessel in Carnival’s three-ship Dream class (followed by Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze), has 10 restaurants ranging from a 24-hour pizzeria and Guy’s Burger Joint to an excellent steakhouse. A 2017 refurbishment added Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Alchemy Bar, Pizzeria del Capitano, and Bonsai Sushi. One caveat: Carnival may have packed a lot of dining venues and activities into the ship's 1,000-foot length, but standard cabins aren’t especially large, especially the bathrooms.
What We Love
Adults-Only Areas: The Serenity Lounge is a bi-level outdoor haven for quiet-craving adults over 21. Balinese-style daybeds, comfy round couches, and a bar lend to the laid-back ambiance. Once the sun sets, it transforms into Serenity Nights, a South Beach-style club where the daytime quiet is replaced with popular music spun by a DJ.
Great Steak: Yes, there’s a surcharge to dine at The Chef’s Art Steakhouse, but it’s a splurge-worthy experience. The four-course dinner begins with classic appetizers like New England crab cakes followed by a juicy filet mignon (save room for dessert — silky chocolate banana panna cotta is worth every calorie).
Salsa and Suds: Breakfast burritos and lunchtime tacos (with a hearty selection of salsas) are complimentary at the BlueIguana Cantina. And it's worth the fee to get a pint of Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red beer at the Caribbean-style RedFrog Rum Bar on the Lido Deck.