Carnival Dream

The Dream is Becoming a Reality

sunny — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:56:00 GMT

We can't wait to welcome you aboard. Construction on the Carnival Dream is moving right along and she'll be sailing the high seas soon. Until then, check out these pics of the inside of this grand ship.

Construction is well underway on The Dream Lobby and Atrium Bar.

Check out the suspended bandstand, it's above The Dream Lobby and Atrium Bar.

You'll pass through this space plenty of times. It's the Ocean Plaza area on the Promenade deck.

Plan on chatting it up with family and friends in this section of the Ocean Plaza.

The Gathering, Carnival Dream's Lido Restaurant, is under construction now, but soon it will be an excellent place to meet and eat.

Plan on getting your fish-fix here, the Washabi Sushi Bar.

Carnival Dreamin'

sunny — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:21:00 GMT

We're just as excited as you are. So much so we can hardly wait...It's a good thing it won't be long. The Carnival Dream is coming along, and coming together nicely Here are some more photos for you to feast your eyes on. Take a look.

She's gorgeous and it even looks like she could be smiling - just kidding. But we know you are as you make plans to board her for your dream vacation.

Here's a side view. This is where the Lanai will be. It features vista-friendly whirlpools you just have to take a dip in.

It's the beginnings of the Carnival Seaside Theatre. Catch a movie on this jumbo screen while relaxing under the stars.

We're really into drama and it looks like her showroom is well underway. So, plan on checking out one of our spectacular stage shows while on board. You won't regret it.

Our Twister Waterslide is definitely one big twister...and so much fun. As you make your way through, the Carnival funnel is in plain view.

Catchin' up with CARNIVAL DREAM (Part II)

sunny — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:15:00 GMT

The excitement continues to grow here at Carnival as our newest and largest ship takes shape. She's just about ready and before long she'll be a major part of your DREAM vacation. Here are a few more images we'd like to share. See for yourself how she's coming along and let us know what you think.

Her name says it all and she sets sail this October. So your DREAM vacation is closer than you think.

Check it out. They're painting the Carnival Dream sign. Can't help but notice the trademark symbol of a Carnival ship...her funnel.

She's still under construction. But the Lido deck, hosting The Lanai and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat area on this beautiful ship, is definitely taking shape.

She's anchored and almost ready. Are you? The bridge is complete and ready to navigate her course. It won't be long now before she's good-to-go and welcoming you aboard.

Here's a peek inside of this fabulous ship - Her lobby is all part of a dream come true. It's a grand and breathtaking space to mix and mingle with friends old and new.

All hands on deck - The top deck of the Carnival Dream that is. While on board make sure you check out Carnival WaterWorks with a Twister Waterslide and Splash Park, as well as the view.

Catchin' up with CARNIVAL DREAM

Andrew — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:38:00 GMT

We're super excited because we just got the latest round of photos detailing the construction of the brand new Carnival Dream. She's really coming together now and looking like what will be the most spectacular ship we've ever built. We couldn't wait to share them with you, so here you go. See for yourself and let us know what you think.

Just in case you weren't sure what you were looking at, you can see our signature funnel and Carnival Dream lettering.

A look at the stern (back) of Carnival Dream. She looks as good going as she does coming.

This shot should give you a good idea of just how big this beautiful ship is.

Remember we talked about the DREAM's stern, well this is her bow (front).

This is CARNIVAL DREAM's bridge, the command center of the ship.

Our funnel makes another appearance in a shot of what will be the Lido Deck.

We're taking shipboard water slides to a whole new twisting, turning level on this ship.

We'll be publishing more images of CARNIVAL DREAM's construction real soon, so keep coming back for more updates.

Here's a DREAM your whole family can get on board with

Andrew — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:32:00 GMT

What exactly do we mean when we say the Carnival Dream will be the perfect ship for a fun-filled vacation for the whole family? Well, with more than 19,000 total square feet of space catering to children, 'tweens and teens, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is designed as the ideal family vacation. From indoor spaces and outdoor waterslide races, to kid-friendly staterooms and kid-approved dining, CARNIVAL DREAM is the ultimate family vacation destination.

Let’s start with the expansive indoor and outdoor play areas dedicated space to the supervised programs for three age groups -- Camp Carnival (ages 2-11), Circle "C" (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17) -- each offering a full schedule of morning-til-night activities organized by highly trained staff.

This is an artist's rendering of Carnival Dream's Camp Carnival

The focal point of Carnival Dream's children's activities will be an expansive play area encompassing 5,000 square feet of space and offering magnificent ocean views. Located on Deck 11, Camp Carnival will be divided into three distinct sections, each catering to a different age group and featuring everything from an arts and crafts center to video game consoles such as PlayStation2 and Wii, a karaoke machine, air hockey and foosball tables. And, like all "Fun Ships," Carnival Dream will offer a wide variety of activities specifically geared toward children, including the WaterColors art program; ExerSeas, emphasizing physical fitness, SeaNotes, with fun music-oriented games and activities; and EduCruise, designed to educate kids on the ship's diverse European and Caribbean itineraries.

If your kids designed their dream room, this would be it.

Camp Carnival will also serve as the site for Carnival’s babysitting services, which are available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. nightly and cost $6 per hour for the first child and $4 per hour for each additional child in the same family. A reception desk will provide parents with a convenient and inviting venue to check their kids in and out of the program.

Their New Circle of Friends
Located on Deck 4, the 1,075-square-foot Circle "C" center gives 12- to 14-year olds a place to call their own, with a dance floor, DJ, a video jukebox and Internet workstations, providing the perfect place to just kick back and relax.

Something your young teen actually enjoys? You bet.

The Coolest Club at Sea
Next to Circle "C" is Club O2, a 2,740-square-foot teen club where older kids can make new friends, and dance to the latest hits cranked out by a high-energy DJ. Designed as the ultimate "chill" space, this expansive room also includes a soda bar, music-listening stations and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Both the Circle "C" and Club O2 programs have a dedicated director who oversees a host of fun activities, including late-night movies, video game contests and pool parties.

This cool club is the hot spot for your 15-17 year olds.

Right next to the teen club is The Warehouse, an expansive game room featuring the latest video and arcade games. Our teen cruisers can even enjoy Carnival’s popular Y-Spa youth spa program offering a variety of soothing treatments.

The Greatest Outdoors
As the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed, we've made the most of the Carnival Dream's massive open decks by creating a variety of fun features, including Carnival WaterWorks -- the largest and most elaborate water park at sea, a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high corkscrew water slide and another awesome 104-foot-long spiral water slide that leads into a giant funnel.WaterWorks also includes twin double-lane 80-foot-long racing slides and various squirting fountains, splash zones, "dump buckets" and more.

This will be the most awesome waterslide at sea.

Carnival Dream's other open-deck activities include the line’s first 18-hole miniature golf course, as well as basketball and volleyball courts with stadium-style seating.

Extra Spacious Staterooms
Carnival Dream's family friendly features even extend to the ship’s accommodations, which include spacious deluxe ocean view staterooms featuring In addition to twin beds that convert to a king and ample closet space, the extra-roomy cabins will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom with a junior tub, shower and sink.In addition to dozens of inter-connecting staterooms, many of the Carnival Dream's accommodations can hold up to five guests - a rarity in new ship construction and also ideal for families.

This is the new "Deluxe Oceanview" stateroom featuring two bathrooms.

Kid-Friendly Dining
With dining such an important part of any cruise, Carnival Dream will also offer the widest variety of kid-friendly culinary choices at sea. In addition to a grille serving hamburgers and hot dogs, The Gathering casual poolside restaurant offers 24-hour pizza and ice cream while extensive children's menus, with a daily junior special promising something new each day, are available in the main dining rooms. And with Carnival’s "dining under the stars" program, kids can also enjoy a meal with the youth staff in the Lido restaurant allowing parents to have a night to themselves.

Carnival Dream will also offer our Fountain Fun Card program which, for a one-time fee, offers unlimited soft drinks throughout your cruise. And greeting guests each night as they return to their staterooms are Carnival’s wildly popular "towel animals" – in the shape of a swan, monkey, pig or dozens of other creatures – custom-designed by our talented stateroom stewards.

O Captain! DREAM Captain!

Andrew — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:06:00 GMT

Captain Carlo Queirolo

Senior cruise director, and all-around Carnival historian, John Heald takes a cruise down memory lane with Captain Carlo Queirolo. John and the man who will be at the helm of the brand new CARNIVAL DREAM talk about the past, present and what the future holds aboard this phenomenal floating resort. Enjoy.

Captain. Very soon you will be the master of our largest vessel. What a wonderful journey you must have been on to get this far.....so, I wonder if you can tell us about your life at sea? I graduated from Camogli Nautical Institute "Cristoforo Colombo" in 1977 and spent a few years on a cargo ship as deck officer. In 1985, I started as junior officer on the former Carnival ship, the TSS Festivale. Then my career moved quite fast with this great company. I was promoted staff captain in 1991 on the Jubilee, since retired. In 1994, I was the staff captain and helped launch the Fascination in Helsinki. In 1996, I was promoted captain on the Ecstasy and in 1997 I commanded the world’s first Azipod-equipped cruise ship, the Elation. As captain, I was also in charge of the Paradise and Carnival Glory. Therefore, this magnificent ship, the Carnival Dream will be my fourth newbuilding for Carnival.

Captain Carlo Queirolo (circa 1985) as seen in his credentials from the TSS Festivale.

You and I have been friends for a long time and together we have seen many changes. Can you tell us what it was like to be a young deck officer and some of the duties and experiences you remember? When I step on board the TSS Festivale, I was assigned right away on duty at the gangway in Miami during embarkation. And with my poor English at that time, what I learned right away was the words "pursers’ office,” which was my answer to almost all answers from the passengers. I had many different experiences, I’ve worked hard but I have also a lot of fun.

And so on to today. Can you tell us where you are currently serving as captain and the ports you visit? I heard cruise with some bad weather and a missed port......can you share with us what happened and what decisions you had to make. Right now I'm the captain of the Carnival Freedom, and her itinerary is simple beautiful. I love the eight-day eastern Caribbean run from Port Everglades to San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola, and Nassau. The six-day western Caribbean run includes Key West, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. Then we do an eight-day exotic western Caribbean run featuring Cozumel, Limon (Costa Rica) and Colon, Panama. Yes, sometimes during hurricane season we have to change the itinerary or skip a port for the safety of our passengers, crew and ship. It is not an easy decision for a captain, because we always try to give the best to our guests. But I can tell you by experience that when I take this type of decision with professionalism. I always take some of my time to personally explain it to our guests, they are always are understanding and they support it, because their safety is my number one priority.

Once again congratulations on being chosen to be the master of the Carnival Dream. .......so, a simple question........how do you feel? I'm simply proud to be the first captain of the largest ship of our Carnival fleet. There are still many dreams which I want to fulfill, but for sure the Carnival Dream is one of those.

From what you have seen about the ship what are you most excited about from a Captain's perspective? The whirlpools on deck 5 -- just kidding. There are many features which I like about this ship. The Carnival Dream has a beautiful stern, the size and the dimension of the ship are a nice challenge, but with the new power plant, thrusters and new steering system I cannot wait to park this magnificent ship in some beautiful port.

You will soon be heading to the shipyard and therefore I thought it would be great for the bloggers to read about what a captain's involvement is during the ship's construction? The captain is fully involved with the last stage of construction. We have newbuilding team working on site all the time, but already captain and chief engineer (my friend Stefano Gazzolo) are reviewing ship's plans. A few months before the delivery of the ship, the captain and chief engineer move near the shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy with their team and start to follow the last inspections of the ship and prepare the ship for our guests and crew. Furthermore during the construction our team goes through many different training classes to familiarize themselves to the latest technology on board.

In April the ship will start her sea trials. Can you explain what this involves and what your involvement will be? The sea trials are the most interest side for me of the entire new building process. Why? Because it is the only time you can test everything of the ship, and test each equipment at the extreme condition. As a sample, the Crash Stop, which means we run the ship at maximum speed ahead and then stop to check to see how much time and distance we need to stop the ship. Our team is also checking all of the different equipments on the bridge, fire suppression system, life saving equipment, etc.

This may sound a silly question but I am sure its one that many of us don't know the answer to. What are the challenges to navigating and docking a 130,000-ton ship like the Carnival Dream compared say to a Spirit class or Fantasy class ship. It is only a matter of experience. For sure, the first few maneuver I'll be little bit more slower than normal, because I have to learn and memorize the size of the new ship and the response of the new power plant.

And now............as is tradition here on the blog thingy, it is time for you to choose your ultimate Captain’s Table. Let’s start with the menu using your favorite items from our brilliant dining experience.

APPETIZER: Shrimp salad

CHOICE OF two MAIN COURSES: Surf and Turf - Lobster

DESERT: Tiramisu

THEN YOUR TABLE

Someone from the cruise industry: Micky Arison

Someone to make you laugh: John Heald

Your favorite actress: the one who John always promised to me as godmother in the past: Sharon Stone

Your favorite actor: Richard Gere

A musical guest: Madonna

Someone from history you wished you had met: Pope John Paul II

Thanks Captain.

With a lot of hard work, DREAMs can come true!

Andrew — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:12:00 GMT

The Carnival Dream is almost complete and we're ready to share her with you. Here are some exclusive images to give you a great look at how things are coming along.

The Carnival Dream calls Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy home. But go ahead and book your "Fun Ship" vacation because it won't be long before she sets sail.

The Carnival Dream...She is an engineering wonder all her own.

Never stop dreaming. We haven't and look what has happened. She will be the largest ship in our fleet set to take guests on their dream vacations.

The Carnival Dream is in "ship shape" and just about ready for her maiden voyage.

Recognize this? It's the Carnival funnel atop of our dream ship. It symbolizes, "Fun for All. All for Fun."

We're lovin' the Lido deck for the Carnival Dream. Check it out. It will host lots and lots and lots of Carnival guests and parties as it sails the seas.

This is an outside view of the staterooms that are currently under construction, showcasing the private balconies attached to each one.

Talk about fun in the sun! This is the beginnings of Carnival’s trademark Twister Waterslide.

Renditions of a DREAM V -- Relax. You're on Cloud 9.

Andrew — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:11:00 GMT

The whole point of a vacation is to forget about everyday life for a while and simply enjoy yourself. In other words, relax. Once complete, CARNIVAL DREAM will be the second ship in our fleet of "Fun Ships" to feature the Cloud 9 spa. With state-of-the-art relaxation facilities, including: a thalassotherapy pool, thermal suite and VIP treatment suite; this is one spa you'll be dying to tell all of your friends about. Just don't be alarmed if your vocabulary is reduced to oohs and aahs.

Cloud9 Spa: Two spectacular levels of pure bliss featuring the newest health and beauty therapies, as well as a complete fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and classes such as yoga and Pilates.

THALASSOTHERAPY POOL: Invigorate your body with massaging jets of ionized seawater.

THERMAL SUITE: Features four oh-so-soothing heat chambers for your rejuvenation – Laconium, Tepidarium, Oriental Steam Bath and Aroma Steam Bath.

VIP TREATMENT SUITE: Enjoy a soothing massage together in one of the VIP treatment suites exclusively for couples.

Renditions of a DREAM IV -- Youthful Exuberance

Andrew — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:41:00 GMT

Our cruises are designed for people who can appreciate the value of fun. And who appreciates a good time more than kids? That's why we make sure that from toddlers to teens, all of our youngest cruisers have plenty of fun-filled things to do on their cruise. Here's an exclusive look at the spaces aboard CARNIVAL DREAM that will be designed with their happiness in mind. Don't forget the video camera, because your family vacation on this "Fun Ship" will make the highlight reel.

CAMP CARNIVAL: From finger painting to cartoon time, the little ones will also have a blast at this supervised camp for kids 2-11.

CIRCLE "C": Young teens 12-14 can chill and connect with fun activities just for them in a space all their own.

CLUB O2: The place to be for teens 15-17. They can enjoy their own cool parties, movies and shore excursions.

John Heald interviews the DREAMWEAVER himself: Joe Farcus

Andrew — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:02:00 GMT

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your questions concerning the Carnival Dream. It always gives me a great deal of pleasure to talk about our ships and even more so to give our guests some inside information about her. Creating a ship like this, especially in the difficult economic environment we are all facing, has been a real challenge. The overall idea being to create a better vessel in a manner that makes her more attractive to our guests so that their holidays aboard will have the potential to be the best ever. This not only applies to the architecture and hardware, but also as they affect the creation of better and more attractive software that equally enhances one’s experience aboard. We wanted to create the best ship yet, while remaining affordable and being the great value Carnival has always been for her guests.
-- Joe Farcus

Now on to your questions.

1. How long ago did you start preparing your designs for the Carnival Dream?
We have been working on her for about two years now. The first step was to design the changes we wanted to incorporate into what will be Carnival’s largest ship ever. The idea, of course, was not just to make the ship larger, but to add features which our other ships did not have so that she would could continue the evolutionary progression that Carnival has adopted over the years. For example, we know that our guests like to lay out on deck during the day. Making the ship larger does not proportionately increase the area of open deck traditionally located at the top of the ship. This was addressed cleverly by The Lanai, which is the addition of two lower sun decks at the sides of deck 5, off of the main public room deck of the ship, configured as overhanging extensions to the ship’s beam or width. I see these decks as being very popular, being used more by adults I think, who would like the much closer communion with the sea. We have added four half overhanging spa pools on this deck so that guests can lounge in them with spectacular and thrilling views of the sea. You’ll be able to hear the ship moving through the water at this location, which to those who appreciate it will be a very pleasant experience indeed. More about added features on a later question below.

2. I was on the ship recently and was amazed at the wide open spaces. Before we discuss specific areas, can you tell us what your overall theme and vision is for the vessel? Normally, I have begun the design process by envisioning what I have called a Central Idea from which the ship designs evolve. These ideas have mainly been a concrete specific characteristic, such as ‘The Impressionist Artists’ or ‘Colors.’ I’ve tried to do this a little differently for this ship, making the ‘Central Idea’ much more abstract. I knew the name of the vessel was going to be Carnival Dream and with that in mind I began my thought process. The word ‘Dream’ began to take on an importance, which led me to think about a ‘Dream Cruise.’ That was it for me and my inspiration. My idea was to put this ideal into my creative thought process so that it would be the inspiration for each design. So when I began to create each public room I thought of how each function could be realized as an integral part of the ‘Dream Cruise.’ It was a frame of mind really using all of my experience in creating successful ships and applying it to take the next step in the design process by consciously using this abstract concept of a ship where all of the designs stem from this ideal dream. Certainly the new spaces and areas of this vessel added to this concept, but even more so was my desire to create something extra special for her guests.

Ocean Plaza

3. One of the new areas is called the Ocean Plaza. Can you tell us about what you forsee happening here and what designs you have planned here? Ocean Plaza is a new space on the main guest deck 5, which was added as a result of this ship’s increased length over our most recent ship, Carnival Splendor. When the Carnival Dream was lengthened in the planning stages creating a new space to be defined and The Lanai open decks added there as well, it was clear to me that this new space was needed to connect these decks and to create a new nerve center for the ship. I believed that The Lanai decks were going to be very popular by day and also by night to a lesser extent. This area is for those who love the sea and want that added communion with it by virtue of its proximity. With all of this in mind and, working with Carnival’s management, the concept was created and originally generically named The Piazza after the traditional Italian town center square where the people congregate to meet, talk, eat, and enjoy. Such is what we can offer in Ocean Plaza and the adjacent Lanai. There are bars, a cafe, and entertainment to keep this town center active day and night. There is also a large Internet facility here too. “Meet me in the Ocean Plaza,” will be a logical and pleasant expression on Carnival Dream and a new concept for Carnival guests. The décor is clean and modern featuring special blue and gray tinted wood walls punctuated with a dark blue mirror fashioned as a horizontal wavy sea horizon. Beautiful orange handmade glass mosaics, mirror-like stainless steel pillar coves, and Venetian Murrina circular lamps finish the décor. The Lanai has also been widened at the Ocean Plaza on either side to create large under cover seating areas for those who want to be in the shade to watch the sea go by on a beautiful day while they… enjoy a dream cruise!

4. As always, I am interested in the main theatre. What can you tell us about it? Well, John, we couldn’t make a cruise ship for a dream cruise without making our great theaters even greater. Such is the case for the Encore! In the first place, it is larger and obviously has a larger seating capacity. We worked closely with Carnival’s entertainment department to add the features, which would also increase the production capabilities. That would be better access to and from the stage, as well as more backstage facilities for more elaborate sets, costumes, and general operating space for the entertainers and technicians. So the groundwork for even better shows is an integral part of the Carnival Dream. From the audience point of view, the auditorium portion of the room is improved. The lower deck or main floor if you will now goes beam to beam, which is considerably wider than the previous theaters. This has allowed me to add additional side tiers to the seating arrangement ensuring better sight lines to the stage for the audience. The addition of these areas has allowed the for the reduction in the side depth or projection of the balcony over the main floor. This result is a bigger ‘hole’ as it were in the balcony giving everyone in the audience a much larger sense of space in this theater. What had been a grand theater on the previous ships will be even grander aboard Dream. The décor is contemporary and features walls of a handmade finish consisting of a textured spatula-applied reddish iridescent paint broken up into stone-like panels with joints of gold leaf. Flanking the stage are massive marble columns and the walls and ceiling are accented with Macassar Ebony wood columns and beams. The overall color scheme of the upholstery and carpets features mainly gold with dark red accents. The ceiling over the main part of the auditorium is a starlit sky creating an even more soaring effect to this theatre of the Dream.

Encore main show lounge.

5. The public entertainment areas look wonderful. Can you take us on a journey through the vessel? This is tough question that the answer could take pages and pages of description. However here’s my best shot. An experienced guest will find something new as soon as they enter the ship. The Dream is the name of the atrium and is the gateway to what I hope will be the dream cruise. The feeling here is a sophisticated modern Deco look. The main features are reddish Italian marble frames surrounding polished copper and white glass lamps or luminous mirror panels. The lamps can change colors creating a virtual light show and the mirror is normal silver mirror interspersed with yellow translucent flecks all over which are illuminated by concealed back lighting for a new and striking effect. The bar and other counter tops are made of the same mirror material for an even more striking effect giving life to bar glasses sitting on them. The dome at the top of the atrium also utilizes this type of luminous mirror, however, here the lighting is by color changing LEDs continuing the light show effect. However apart from the décor the arrangement and indeed the function of the atrium itself has evolved. Carnival entertainment has increasing utilized the atriums for entertainment and on Dream this will be taken again to the next level. I have modified the layout of the space to make the entire atrium a three-deck-high show facility (and arguably more since the upper decks in the atrium can see the stage). First you will see that a stage has been created ‘flying’ over the bar placing it above the atrium floor and spatially in the middle of the three-deck-high atrium. This, combined with additional seating, makes a stage view very easy from each deck of the atrium allowing for great audience connection and maybe participation in the atrium shows. It should be fun and just another venue for our guests to enjoy the varied and great entertainment options aboard. One moves forward from the Dream Bar and atrium lobby to the Encore! Theater. Moving aft one comes to the one of two main dining rooms. The prevalent color used throughout the room is crimson which is primary hue used in colored glass lamps and chandeliers, mosaic tiles, ceiling coves, and the glass balustrades and privacy screens used throughout. All of these features are framed by beautiful light wood paneling evoking a warm and sophisticated, yet comfortable look. The layout of the room itself has been changed as well as being made larger. Our two level previous design has been kept, but reconfigured to give a more open and formal entrance. Additionally the upper level has changed by virtue of a new circulation space added to the Dream, which is a lower promenade on the starboard side called Lower Dream Street. Just forward of the main dining room are two adjacent dining venues, which are breakout rooms used as additional main restaurant seating, private party rooms, and card or game rooms. In these rooms the décor is overall lilac colored created by beautiful glass mosaics with elaborate multi-colored medallions, iridescent painted contoured wall panels and fiddle back Movingue wood wainscoting.

DREAM Atrium Bar

Going back to the Dream atrium and up one deck from the lobby itself we come to the additional atrium show seating mentioned above, plus the expanded photo shop and facilities, which have become more interactive with facilities for guests to ‘work’ with their photos in addition to selecting them. Of course forward of the atrium is the theater and moving aft one comes into Lower Dream Street. This street does not exist on any other Carnival ship and allows for fore to aft circulation without going through the restaurant itself. The first room encountered here is the Page Turner Library with beautiful fabric wall covering with wood bookcases and trim. Opposite the library on the port side is a lounge called Rendezvous created with a Western theme of saddle leather walls and furniture, Frederick Remington bronze sculptures and Western paintings. Enjoy a brandy here on the Dream. Lower Dream Street then continues on past the main dining room to our greatly expanded conference center, The Chambers. This space can be configured as our largest conference room ever or 3 separate breakout rooms, all with direct food and drink service. In Lower Dream Street outside the Chambers is one of our several new Internet areas. Moving more aft we come along the street to our younger cruisers area containing Circle C Club, Club O2, and The Warehouse, our surreal brick and blue mirror-like stainless steel décor garage-like video game room. This collection of spaces will be a dream for our younger cruisers, as Carnival has never devoted so much space to this important segment of our market.

Circle "C"

Lower Dream Street then ends at the aft dining room on Deck 4 . Moving up the Dream atrium again we come to deck 5, where the Ocean Plaza and Lanai open decks are located. There are several entrances to the Lanai’s all along deck 5 for easy access and convenient use. Our shopping center is located here as in the past, with more shops and a completely new layout and décor. Rich woods of various colors are used throughout giving a completely new and contemporary feeling for shopping. Coming out of the Dream Atrium on the starboard side we come into Upper Dream Street, which in this area is combined with the Jackpot Casino. The casino is larger and follows the model successfully arranged aboard the Carnival Spirit-class ships, where one walks through it moving forward and aft on the ship. The décor here is dream-like, wild with copper frames holding huge lenses, which gives one a different view of the world (you have to be on board to fully understand) combined with black and white striped woodwork, and multi-colored handmade art glass wall panels. Running throughout are beams of light points creating an ever-changing color symphony replicating the action of this gaming spot. Located at the aft corner is the bar, lounge area, and bandstand. The bar features large video monitors for sports and other event showings culminating this action center. Continuing on Upper Dream Street we come to Ocean Plaza at the midship position and described above, with the exception that a stage is located here, as well, fulfilling the entertainment function mentioned above. Continuing through Ocean Plaza we come to a large seating area in Upper Dream Street, where the walkup Wasabi sushi bar is located in Japanese décor.

Wasabi Sushi Bar

Then we come to the entrance to the Collection art gallery, which is our largest yet designed as a museum with many contemporary designed alcoves to effectively display the art for sale onboard. Just aft of this entrance is the Caliente dance club. Here we have gone with the South Beach model of upscale and very now in way of décor. Sofa seating encircled by diaphanous gold curtains form the main seating groups, along with many high tables encouraging meeting and having fun in this state of the art equipped dance club. The large dance floor is made ip of graphic LED displays with other LED graphic panels over it in a kind of cone-like shape. We even have an outdoor section on the port side of The Lanai, where groups can gather in the outdoors on beautiful nights with the feeling of being in a top spot club. The remaining walls and ceiling coves are painted with bi-color changing wall finishes and the pleated chrome ceiling is painted on one side black to give a “now it’s here, now it’s not” feeling. At the end of Upper Dream Street we come into the open piano bar, Sam’s. The homage to pianos is carried out through simulated ivory moldings and our traditional oversized piano keyboard bar where guest can imagine (or dream) they are talented piano players while enjoying the music. Rich woodwork is used for the walls and furniture accented with string-like red strip lights weaving through the room. Our traditional piano on a turntable will still be here and located in a much larger bar than previous ships with a large convex mirror above it giving those seated there an extraordinary view of the performer.

Sam's Piano Bar

When you move through Sam’s you come to the aft atrium, which serves as not only the entrance to the aft lounge, but also to The Song jazz/ karaoke bar. The Song’s architectural style is lyrical as the music played there. The columns are tapered wave-like flutes finished in a heavy textured copper color with royal purple velour curtains festooned in the windows. The ceiling undulates with the music so to speak and the floors and bar area is finished with a mosaic made up of broken pieces of five different fancy marbles. The translucent dome over the dance floor has a similar finish replicated on glass and backlit giving a Tiffany glass effect. The lounge follows the new layout first used aboard Carnival Splendor, where the stage is located completely aft with a very large dance floor in front of it and tiered seating all around. This new layout is very conducive to performances, but also for conference seating making the aft show lounge a great venue for meetings, cocktail parties, and the like. Here is also the most themed room on the Dream, taking its inspiration from Carnivale in Venice. This is sort of my dream of remembrance as the Carnivale was the first ship I worked on for Carnival Cruise Lines. The walls are a Venetian design fabric wall covering above a quilted maple wood wainscot with gold leafed quatrefoil appliqués. In front of the wall covering are Venetian Carnivale masks back lit with color changing lights creating a multi-color glow on the walls. Large versions of the masks are used behind the bar and in gold leafed domes in the ceiling. The main domes also have handmade Venetian glass chandeliers adding to the Venetian theme.

The Promenade

Moving to the top of the ship we have the Gathering lido restaurant complete with the international food bars consisting of the Mongolian Wok, The Deli, the Tandoori, the Pizzeria, the Grille, and the daily specials, not to mention the elaborate dessert and coffee bars. Here the walls have been covered with glass mosaic tile with real platinum tiles interspersed throughout the mosaic. These walls will be broken up by large angular forms on the walls and ceiling whose pyramid-like elements are polished stainless steel on one face and wood veneer on the opposite side. They form really interesting geometric shapes half of which reflect angled views of the rooms creating an eye catching perspective from anywhere in the room. The ceilings are dark metallic lacquer panels alternated with bright red feature strips. Throughout are white wall and ceiling lamps with amber colored glass ‘buttons’ fused on creating a clean sparkling effect. The floor and walls in the serving lines are triangular tiles of pink and dark red granite. The banquets are trimmed in mirror stainless steel with the wall mosaic tile and orange tinted glass privacy panels. It’s a warm and pleasant environment with some visual reflective excitement for our informal dining experience. Moving up two decks, we come to our best restaurant onboard, The Chef’s Art. Our reservations-only supper club. Here the décor is rich and beautiful. The main feature of the room is an almost full ceiling chandelier made up of hand-blown violet glass sphere elements fixed on a black chrome background with small clear bulbs placed in between the spheres. The effect should be a dreamy evening sky when the lights are dimmed. The walls are mainly lavender tinted frosted and textured glass back lit panels framed with light wood frames accented with dark wood corners and pink and gray marble circular inserts. The remaining ceiling is copper-colored cassettes with a brushed in design framed with wood and marble strips as the walls. I think when a couple is dancing under the evening inspired chandelier a sense of relaxed style and satisfaction will be the effect. Our public room tour will end in the Cloud 9 Spa. The décor will be Asian-inspired as our new upgraded spa facilities on the Carnival Splendor, however everything will be larger. More treatment rooms, Asian themed cabins just below and associated with the spa, bigger gym, and special glass elevator strictly for the spa which goes from the spa cabins up two decks to the Serenity retreat above for adult guests. It is surely our most comprehensive spa in our fleet. The facilities, services, and equipment are second to none and for those who book a spa cabin, a spa experience equal to the finest ashore.

Caliente Dance Club

6. What about the open decks, what do you have in store for us there? Well, John, as you may have guessed, they are bigger and better, as well. I have already gone into some detail about the deck 5 Lanai decks which forms a continuous connection around the sides and aft section of the ship. Additionally we have the Waves lido with the Seaside Theatre, which is the two-deck-high main Lido area featuring our mega-sized video wall for all sorts of performances, day or night. In fact this space with the video and bandstand make this the largest ‘public room’ on the ship. So we have our normal swimming pool here, plus bars and food venues. A great place to have fun in the sun or party down in the night. The aft deck is a cruiser’s dream Lido called Sunset. We also have two whirlpools here and the Sunset Bar. A magnificent view aft is the main feature here forming a perfect spot for lounging to watch the mesmerizing wake of the ship float on. Above this deck we have a basketball court and games deck. Carnival’s mini-golf is located in this area providing an interesting course at sea. Above and forward of the Wave lido is Carnival WaterWorks, which is a great aqua park for all ages. Slides of different types and water jets and sprays are there for splashing fun in a self-contained area. Above and forward of the WaterWorks is Serenity, our adults only resort-type retreat. Upscale loungers, special whirlpools, cabanas, and sunshades complete this exclusive area located just above the Cloud 9 Spa.

DREAM Lido Deck

The Wave and Sunset lidos are decorated in a yacht club style complete with sailboat masts complete with rigging, special lights, and signal flags. Large dishes of bougainvillea will adorn each mast as well. Garland light lines will also connect the masts giving a festive feeling at night. The walls around the bars will be a beautiful white ceramic tile with colorful confetti flecks on them. Beautiful bronze sculptures will be placed in both lidos with the one at the Sunset as part of waterfall feature that one can walk through. Surrounding the pools will be a wading pools fitted with amorphic shaped benches to lounge on in the shallow water.

7. When I saw the ship, none of the public areas had really been started. Can you tell us what happens between now and September? We finish! We were recently onboard just after you were. There is, of course, a lot to do, but all seems on schedule. Almost all of the finished material is prefabricated in the workshops of the various subcontractors, so the finishing occurs more or less in a rapid fashion. From our end, we have approved all of the mockups, drawings, samples, etc. As I said, things seem to be on track. Carnival’s representatives who are in the yard on a daily basis also reassure me this is correct. So for us it is monitoring the situation and dealing with unforeseen issues that always come up.

8. How often will you have to go back to the vessel to make sure your work is carried out properly. And can you tell us where some of your design features are constructed? We were onboard just before Christmas and will return in February. Probably will be there just about every other month until she is finished. It is an ongoing, hands-on process. It is never just design it and hand it over and hope it will be built correctly. There are usually issues right up to the delivery, which I’m sure is normal for such a complex project. Basically all of the architecture is manufactured in Italy. We have sub-contractors in or around Milan, Monfalcone, Trieste, and Venice.

WaterWorks

9. You have been working with Carnival for many years. With regard to what you do, what has been the single biggest change in the world of ship's architecture? My first work for Carnival was on the Carnivale, Carnival’s second ship, in 1975 while I was working for the architect Morris Lapidus. The next project, which was under my name this time, was the conversion of the T.S.S. Festivale in 1977. This was a seminal ship in my view as it formed the beginning of the concept of “entertainment architecture” and was the first ship where the concept of the ship being the destination occurred. In other words, she was the ship where this concept began and the precursor of what all major cruise ships have become over the years. Basically, this is the biggest change, as it has become an ongoing change that has not stopped. Of course, the ships are bigger and the facilities onboard greater still, which all plays to the overall sophistication which has occurred in the market over these 30-plus years. As cruising’s popularity has grown and, even more importantly, the experience of the guests has broadened substantially, the ships’ designs have had to evolve as well. I feel very proud that I have had a big role in this development. It all goes back to my statement about this ship in the beginning of my answers: the people who are booking a cruise on this ship are buying a dream. I will do my best to deliver that to them, especially since the ship’s name is Carnival Dream.

10. We would like to congratulate you on a very special award, can you tell us about it? Thanks very much John. I was actually stunned when I was approached for this Distinguished Alumnus Award. The University of Florida, where I studied and earned my architectural degree, honors graduates from time to time who have either done something exemplary for the university or who excelled in the field for which they received their degree. In my case, it’s the latter. There were two other honorees, one of which was a US Senator. My family and I had dinner at the university president’s house followed the next day by a commencement ceremony where the award was officially presented. It was quite emotional, I can tell you. I even was able to find two professors I had while a student and had wonderful conversations with both. I graduated in 1967. Talk about closure. Many thanks Joe. As always, I appreciate it very much.

Renditions of a DREAM III -- Endless Entertainment Options

Andrew — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:14:00 GMT

What's the common denominator between all of our guests? They love to have fun. That's why we're building CARNIVAL DREAM with a huge variety of entertainment venues designed to accommodate each and every one of you...no matter what your idea of a good time might be. So here’s a first look at some of CARNIVAL DREAM'S future hot spots. Because when the sun goes down, the fun gets turned up a notch.

CALIENTE – DANCE CLUB: Put on your dancing shoes because this club is always hot.

THE DREAM LOBBY: Marvel at this spectacular atrium that will delight any dreamer.

DREAM BAR -- ATRIUM BAR: People-watch at the bar or watch the piano man tickle the ivories, whatever you fancy.

ENCORE -- MAIN SHOW LOUNGE: Sit back and enjoy the performance, where every night is an extravaganza.

JACKPOT CASINO: Is there a more exciting sound than the ka-ching of the casino…Turns out, Lady Luck likes to cruise as well.

JACKPOT CASINO BAR: Celebrate your winnings, cheer your home team to victory or enjoy the live music.

RENDEZVOUS -- CLUB LOUNGE: Slip off to this intimate, cozy lounge for a nightcap.

SAM'S -- PIANO BAR: Join in around the piano bar and sing along to a familiar tune.

BURGUNDY LOUNGE -- AFT LOUNGE: Be courageous with karaoke or just be entertained by the hilarious comedians.

THE SONG -- JAZZ BAR: Sway along to the cool jazz tunes.

UPPER DREAM STREET -- INTERIOR PROMENADE: Watch the world go by or re-group with the family at this social hub.

Renditions of a DREAM II -- A feast for your eyes

Andrew — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:54:00 GMT

Here is the second in the series of digital renderings of the currently-under-construction CARNIVAL DREAM. In this post, three of this beautiful ship's dining destinations are highlighted. So sit back, entertain your taste buds and give in to those goose bumps.

THE CRIMSON – FORWARD DINING ROOM: Feast on culinary pleasures and choose to your heart’s delight, as well as your palate’s.

CRIMSON LOUNGE - RESTAURANT ANNEX: Traveling in a group? Reserve this space as your own private dining room.

WASABI - SUSHI BAR: Practice using those chopsticks and explore this culinary heaven.

Renditions of a DREAM

Andrew — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

At long last, the first in a series of digital renderings of the currently-under-construction CARNIVAL DREAM are here. We've decided to post these now so that you can see just how special this upcoming addition to the "Fun Ship" fleet will be.

Here are some of the first things you'll see as you approach and eventually come aboard this, the largest and most innovative ship we've ever built.

Carnival WaterWorks: Our largest water park ever, bringing you more ways to get soaked! Amazing waterslides, kid’s splash park - laughter included.

Fabulous New Staterooms: More stateroom options than ever before...our new Cove Balcony staterooms offer the closest balconies to the waterline.

Fabulous New Staterooms: The Deluxe Ocean View staterooms feature a full bathroom plus washroom.

Ocean Plaza: A comfortable oasis during the day, lively entertainment at night.

Ocean Plaza: This incredible indoor/outdoor area is seperated by a clear glass wall.

The Lanai: Wraparound outdoor area featuring vista-friendly whirlpools

Cloud 9 Spa: Let yourself be pampered at our largest spa ever.

Seaside Theater: Huge open-air screen entertains day & night.

Our Senior Cruise Director John Heald visits Fincantieri shipyard -- tours the CARNIVAL DREAM construction site -- and dispenses the unique and hilarious insight that only he can. Click on the links to see him in front of the ship, touring the waterslide and checking out the Cloud9 Spa. For an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the spectacular new “Fun Ship,” including additional photos and videos please visit John Heald's Blog.

Remember, this is just the first in a series of amazing images to come. For more exciting updates, be sure to check back each Monday for:

Dining: December 29th
Entertainment: January 5th
Youth Programs: January 12th
Spa: January 19th

This just in! Carnival Dream "Floats Out."

sunny — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:24:00 GMT

The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream achieved a significant construction milestone when it was “floated out” from its outfitting quay at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The 3,646-passenger SuperLiner – the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed – is set to debut in September 2009. Here are a few of the latest and greatest images of this magnificent ship under construction.

CARNIVAL DREAM prepares to float out for the first time.

Success! CARNIVAL DREAM proves to be sea worthy.

CARNIVAL DREAM moves further away from the pier.

As you can see from the scaffolding CARNIVAL DREAM still has a way to go,
but this is a big step.

CARNIVAL DREAM is coming!

Just look at the tugs along side of her for some perspective on
CARNIVAL DREAM's size.

The intial stage of a ship's construction takes place in a dry dock facility called the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

The intial construction is complete. Now preparations for her "float out" to a wet dock facility is in the works.

The ship's propellers are complete and ready for the "floating out" process.

Once the exterior outfitting is completed, the dry dock is filled with water and the ship is "floated out" and moved to a wet dock facility where construction continues.

She has arrived at the wet dock facility where the final stages of her construction are underway.

Living the DREAM...and blogging about it.

Andrew — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:26:00 GMT

This week, Senior Cruise Director John Heald, writes about his visit to CARNIVAL DREAM'S construction site in Italy. As only he can, John gives us a hilarious, behind the scenes look at the what will become our most visionary ship yet. Complete with pictures, this is a must-read post for anyone interested in the future of cruising. Here is the post:

"You won't really get a sense of scale from the pictures or the videos— and nor will you get the full impression of just how beautiful she is.

It’s a Carnival ship, there’s no doubt about that, but, unlike any other Carnival ship from the past 36 years, this one looks like it might sail right over you........just for the fun of it.

She is extraordinary. Usually, when one of our chaps wants something new and groovy on a ship, the engineers complain to the accountants and the idea is quietly shot in the face. But on this ship, it seems the stylists were allowed free rein -- and to hell with the cost.

The result is quite astonishing...............the result is the Carnival Dream.

I arrived at the Fincantieri shipyard and was met by a team of Carnival and shipyard employees all of whom treated me as if I was someone important.....it was very flattering -- especially so since they had given up their Sunday morning to show me around.

Our first stop was the boardroom......the inner sanctum............the place where Mr. Micky Arison sits around the table talking to men with beards about design, cost and where to have dinner that night. I felt scruffy, dressed as I was, I felt overawed and, most of all, I felt beyond privileged at sitting where I was.

I was shown renderings of the ship's lounges, public areas and open decks. These themselves are simply stunning and, whether created by man or machine, they should be sold as pieces of art. As my art teacher Mr. Whitmore-Smith would have told you, whatever I was asked to design or draw .............it would always end up looking like a dog.......with three legs. I wonder what they do with these after the ships have been built.

They really should sell them...........I mean, people buy original cells of Daffy Dog and Donald Pig from Hanna Barthingy and Walt Disney...........so I think we should sell these ......I can think of many a Carnival fan that would want to buy them........like me ............. and you.

You can see many of these renderings on www.carnival.com/dream and we will be chatting about them again in a minute.

Before we went to the ship we went to a building that everyone who has that built in passion and love for all things that sail on the sea should see........the Fincantieri Museum.

This has been built to celebrate 100 years of shipbuilding. It has been built to celebrate the good times of the past and the sad times as the yard experienced in both world wars.

It is there to celebrate the building of not just ships but planes, sea planes, oil platforms, trucks and so much more.................I had no idea of the rich and diverse past of this great company which by the way also built Italy's aircraft carriers and submarines.

Mostly, though, it is a place that celebrates the building of the ships that you and your parents discovered their love of cruise vacations.

From the early years of Home Lines to the mighty ships of today and tomorrow, the most famous badges in the industry.......Cunard, Holland America, Princess, P&O, Costa, and of course, Carnival Cruise Lines all have had and continue to have a togetherness with Fincantieri which is shown here at this quite superb museum.

I hope that the crew of the Carnival Dream are allowed to visit and if you are ever in Monfalcone, Italy..........knock on the main gates.................mention my name and ........... well...........you will be told to bugger off by a man in a blue suit wearing brown shoes ...........so, mention Gerry Cahill’s name and go see this unmissable shrine to the industry we all love.

And so on to the ship itself. The last time I was in this yard was for the delivery of the Carnival Liberty and I remember a Princess ship being built at the same time............I think it was the Caribbean Princess...............I may be wrong but I can tell you that as we drove to the ship there all shiny and new and ready for her big coming out party was the Ruby Princess. My cruise director friend James Lay is already onboard and, from what I saw, he has a wonderful new ship to enjoy. I hope to visit for a day in Florida before the end of the year.

And then, suddenly, there she was...................I need music at this point............what shall we use to describe how I felt?..............something awesome, something that makes the hairs on the back of your bottom stand up straighter than a dress marine guarding the White House........I know............that 2001 Space Odyssey theme......Alzo Sprach thingy .......if you don't have this piece to play ............humm it........while you read the following.

I stood before her, all huge and brilliant, I’m afraid I started to dribble.

The Carnival Dream looks as fresh and as futuristic as tomorrow morning’s papers. She's big. Sumo-wrestler big.............and she still has the forward block to be added yet........oh, forward block, by the way, means the two level Spa and Serenity deck. The first thing you notice are the 1950's screen siren curves both forward and aft.....even the bridge.

These curves are very sexy and very different to anything we have had before........in fact.......I kept looking up to the smoke stack just to make sure it was indeed...........a Carnival ship. ...........oh, as you will see shortly the smoke stack is missing her wings ....... they will be flown in at the end of the month.

Being a Sunday, the ship was deserted and, apart from maybe two or three workers, we had the ship to ourselves. This was perfect as it gave me a chance to picture the amazing renderings I had just seen actually come to life. Let me describe just a few of the areas that will make your Dreams come true.

The cabins are very, very special. Before walking onboard I had been privileged to be taken to see the mock-ups of the some of the cabins. The new family cabins have been well heralded and with just cause. The space provided is quite extraordinary and that’s with a family of five sleeping and living there. There are two bunk beds for kids one and two, a huge sofa bed for kid three, and two single beds which at night convert to a double bed so Mum and Dad can have a bit of rumpy pumpy......which, of course, in reality will be impossible with kids one, two and three there.........and some may say that with three kids already Mum and Dad may want to stay out of bed and get some rest.

One thing that will please all the ladies is the fact that these cabins and others have two bathrooms.

That's one with a larger than normal shower and a toilet......and a separate room with a bath and shower for the kids.......brilliant. This is family cruising at its very, very best.

On every other ship, there is this status symbol thingy that the higher up the ship your cabin is the more money you have and the better the cabin.

Well, that may have been true back when the safety officer stood in crows nest with a torch, but not on modern ships.

Penthouses and suites are for example on Deck 7 on the Carnival Splendor and we have balcony cabins as you know on Decks 6 and upwards on all our Spirit-, Destiny-, Conquest-and Splendor-class ships.

However, it would be unusual to say that some of the best cabins on a ship were on Deck 2.......well............not anymore. Honestly, I was flabbergasted at just how super a concept this is. If you want a view that will be incomparable...........if you like your sea and ocean........up close and personal.............then call now and book a Deck 2 balcony cabin.

The mock up showed just how awesome it will be to sit on your balcony and watch the Mediterranean, the Atlantic or the Caribbean as never seen before. If the Atlantic gets all moody and nasty then the crew will come over and close a specially constructed weather door which will cover the glass and protect the balcony area and cabin.............I doubt these will see much action though and you will be able to sit on your balcony and feel like you can just about dip your toes in the water...............how long do you think it will be before a stateroom Steward finds a guest fishing from their balcony? It's no surprise that these cabins are the hot property at the moment.........they are truly brilliant.

Of course there are many other cabins, some with adjoining rooms and the usual mix of balcony, suite and spa suite cabins...............really, there is something for everyone.

Then we have an area which will be the place to be seen and something that I personally wanted to see on all of our new vessels.............The Ocean Plaza. Obviously, when I was there, it was just a huge empty space. The renderings I had just seen, however, had my mind swimming with ideas about what we could do there.

There will be coffee shops and a bar and huge glass doors which will open up providing the inside/outside entertainment areas that regulars on this blog will know I love. And there extending out over the sea will be two giant whirlpools ..............wow.

The renderings had shown lots of people sitting at the tables drinking coffee and sipping on strawberry daiquiris while many enjoy the whirlpools on both port and starboard sides. Well, I bet if you hold that rendering up on the inaugural cruise it will be exactly what you will be seeing in real life..............and I could also see myself sitting there using the Wi-Fi service and blogging .......saying........I told you so.

The Ocean Plaza is, without doubt, going to be a major talking point and something the travel writers are going to say grand and illustrious things about.

The view from Deck 5 aft today was beautiful and it always will be. That is because on the Carnival Dream you can walk around the entire ship without stopping ............. although you will ..............to enjoy those breathtaking views and to hold the hand of the one you love and realize what lucky people you are to have each other and to be able to enjoy this leviathan of ships.

The show lounge is even bigger than the one here on the Splendor, the casino has a new configuration with a great new bar area for celebrating your winnings at. The old favorites are there of course ...the piano bar and other entertainment areas -- and the luckiest kids in the world will be able to enjoy the coolest clubs in the world.....Camp Carnival, Circle C and Club O2................Carnival has..........and I mean this most sincerely.......invested lots of money and time in making sure your kids have the safest and most fun environment possible ........extraordinary.

Talking of fun the water park is going to be fun with a huge capital F. There are three twister slides which throw you down tubes and other...ummm....thingies into the pool many feet below. Similar to the Fantasy-class’ Evolutions of Fun, this is going to be another great place for young and old to be reminded .........just in case they had forgotten ..........that Carnival really does have the fun.

I have seen the renderings for many other areas of the ship but I can't talk about them just yet.....we are keeping a few things up our sleeve. But, I can tell you without fear and trepidation that the decor oozes nothing but relaxation, fun and class....the perfect mixture.

The Carnival Dream is one year or so away from delivery and, as you will see from the photos and the videos, the huge propellers and rudders sill have to be connected to the shaft. This is one of the most important moments of any newbuilding, as even if they are a millimeter out of line there will be problems of a massive nature. Slightly simpler is the way the cabins are slotted into space. This practice continues to amaze me and on the pier today were all the Deck 6 cabins waiting for Tuesday morning when they will be slotted home...........incredible.

Ahhh, there is so much more I could write but I want to save some surprises for my next visit. I hope to return in April so I can see the ship a few months before delivery and then, of course, I have already invited myself for the inaugural cruise.

How does Carnival advertise this ship?.....That's a tough one. Do we concentrate on her size?....her new concepts mixed with the favorites that keep Carnival at the top?.....the ports of call?....a mixture of everything?.......mmmm.....that is indeed going to be difficult.

My favorite commercial TV showed a pair of headlights picking their way through a blizzard and arriving at a big wooden hut. The doors opened and out came a snow plough. “Have you ever wondered,” asked the voiceover, “how the man who drives the snow plough drives to the snow plough?”

And we were left with a picture of a Range Rover........simple................maybe we should just have a voiceover (a British one .....hint ) that says .......Have you ever wondered what fun looks like?...........and then just show a shot of the ship .......... nothing else ............just the ship.........from what I have seen today and even in her unfinished state........that will be more than enough.

Whatever Carnival does with its advertisements for the ship will be brilliant I am sure .........but one thing I felt to day was that the Carnival Dream has been built ...................... to show you and the world that you have arrived onboard the grandest ship in Carnival's history.........so far.

You know one of the many aspects I appreciate about the American way of life is that you do seem to have this dreadful business of bitterness under control. When Americans see a man drive by in a Bentley Continental GTC, they say: “One day, I’ll have one of those.” When someone from the UK sees someone drive by, we say: “I hope he loses all his money and ends up with only a bicycle.”

The only proper drawback to the Carnival Dream is the loathing from other companies who will wish that the Dream was theirs. But you know what. That’s their problem, because style, beauty and fun are not deadly sins. Envy, on the other hand . ............"

Click here to see pictures from John's visit.

Here are some videos taken while John was visiting the Fincantieri shipyard.

John at the Fincantieri shipyard.

CARNIVAL DREAM and CARNIVAL MAGIC mockups.

Sneak peak of CARNIVAL DREAM...she's huge!