The new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream – the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed, offering a host of on-board innovations and amenities – is slated to debut September 21, 2009, operating a diverse inaugural schedule that features visits to magnificent European and Caribbean destinations.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,646-passenger SuperLiner will be a new class of vessel for the line and usher in a new era of “Fun Ship” cruising. With a new layout, sleek hull and distinctive profile, Carnival Dream is designed as the ultimate vacation experience.

Unique features of the Carnival Dream include a new concept in entertainment called The Piazza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families. Carnival Dream will also offer many other exciting and innovative features that will be announced in the coming months.

Exciting Inaugural Schedule

Carnival Dream is scheduled to enter service September 21, 2009, with an inaugural 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) featuring seven spectacular ports: Naples, Livorno and Venice (two-day call), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina, Sicily; Monaco; and Barcelona, Spain. Two additional 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises will be offered on October 3 and October 15, 2009.

The ship will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 27 and arriving New York Nov. 12, 2009. Featured ports include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, Spain; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; and King’s Wharf, Bermuda (overnight call).

From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009. These voyages include a call at Port Canaveral (in proximity to Orlando-area attractions), followed by a visit to Nassau and Freeport in The Bahamas.

Year-Round Cruising From Port Canaveral

Following its New York departures, Carnival Dream will reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., where it will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises Dec. 5, 2009. On its new Port Canaveral-based program, Carnival Dream will depart every Saturday on alternating weeklong cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Nassau; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles; while exotic Western Caribbean voyages will visit Cozumel; Belize; Costa Maya; and Nassau. Carnival Dream will assume this route from the Carnival Glory, which will be redeployed to Miami to operate year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning October 3, 2009.

Unique Features and Facilities

With a basis-two capacity of 3,646 passengers and spanning 1,004 feet in length, Carnival Dream is the largest and longest “Fun Ship” ever constructed and the line has made maximum use of the vessel’s added size by creating some truly spectacular on-board facilities and features.

Among the ship’s many highlights is a brand new concept in entertainment – The Piazza. Designed as a comfortable oasis during the day and a bustling entertainment complex at night, this breathtaking indoor/outdoor café and live music venue will feature a bandstand where a variety of musical genres will be showcased, along with a large circular dance floor. A massive floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall will separate the room, creating comfortable and spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas offering stunning ocean views. Guests at The Piazza can also enjoy full bar service, along with an espresso bar offering gelato and a variety of decadent baked goods, along with high-speed Internet access.

Carnival Dream will also take the traditional cruise-ship promenade to new heights with a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5. Here, guests can take a stroll while enjoying spectacular ocean vistas, read a book, or just take in the sun from one of the many deck chairs that will line this unique open deck area.

Along the expansive promenade, four “scenic whirlpools” cantilever out over the sea providing magnificent sea views. Higher up, Lido Deck 10 will offer the most elaborate and expansive open-deck area of any Carnival ship with a tropical, resort-style main pool complete with a Seaside Theatre LED screen, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and numerous other features.

A wide variety of lounges, bars and nightspots – including a new dance club concept offering indoor/outdoor access – will be accessible via an 11-deck-high atrium whose ground level will offer a cantilevered bandstand atop a massive dance floor. Other features include an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa – Carnival’s largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date.

Innovative New Staterooms

Particular attention was paid to Carnival Dream’s accommodations, as several innovative new types of staterooms will be introduced. The line’s first-ever “cove” balcony staterooms – located closer to the water line – offer beautiful sea views and exceptional value.

New deluxe ocean view staterooms – featuring a unique, guest-friendly configuration with two bathrooms – will provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience for guests who can enjoy their unique spaciousness, particularly families. In addition to twin beds that convert to a king, ample closet space and elegant décor, 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 – a rarity in new ship construction and also ideal for families. Additionally, there will be a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites from which to choose – all offering the best in scenic cruising. Additionally, adjacent to Carnival Dream’s luxurious Cloud 9 Spa will be 65 spa staterooms and suites which will offer guests a number of exclusive amenities and privileges.

All Carnival Dream staterooms will feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Families Will Live the Dream

Carnival Dream’s numerous family-friendly amenities will include separate, purpose-built facilities for the line’s three distinct children’s programs: “Camp Carnival” for kids ages 2-11, “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year-olds, and “Club O2″ for teens ages 15 to 17, along with a full schedule of morning-til-night activities catering to each age group.

Sure to be a hit with guests of all ages will be Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park offering exhilarating water slides and various water spray apparatus. Carnival Dream will also be the first “Fun Ship” to feature a two-level miniature golf course.

All this, combined with the spacious two-bathroom staterooms and an attractive and convenient Port Canaveral/Central Florida homeport, will make Carnival Dream an exceptional family vacation.