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.

                The initial stages of a cruise ship’s construction take place in a dry dock facility.  Once 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.

                Carnival Dream will usher in an exciting new era in cruising, offering a host of innovative facilities and features. These will include a new concept in entertainment called the Ocean Plaza; the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; “scenic whirlpools” that extend out over the ship’s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories that should hold particular appeal to families. 

                Other features include an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa – Carnival’s largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date – along with expansive open deck areas that will house a tropical, resort-style main pool with a Seaside Theatre LED screen, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and numerous other features.

                Carnival Dream is scheduled to enter service Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia) followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Civitavecchia to New York Oct. 27 – Nov. 12, 2009.  The ship will then operate two eight-day voyages from New York before repositioning to Port Canaveral, Fla., to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 5, 2009.

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