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• Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream ®

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It's one thing to be fun, but it's another thing to be first. Carnival Dream was at the forefront of a recent wave of amazingly innovative and fun Carnival ships. As the genesis of the Dream class, Carnival Dream set the direction for the ships that followed in her footsteps — first Carnival Magic and then Carnival Breeze. But back to Carnival Dream: the ship itself is a unique experience with the way-fun RedFrog Rum Bar ® and the very cool BlueIguana Tequila Bar ™ . Get your appetite ready, because you're gonna need it. Carnival Dream features two dual-level dining rooms, a gourmet steakhouse and dedicated sushi spot Bonsai Sushi ™ . It's also got a full menu of our latest and greatest casual spots for a bite: BlueIguana Cantina ™ , Pizzeria del Capitano, Guy's Burger Joint ™ and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse ™ . (That's Guy as in Guy Fieri, by the way — so you know the food's delish.) Carnival Dream also features the borderline-magical Alchemy Bar ® and Ocean Plaza, which combines tasty treats with perhaps even tastier entertainment. Entertainment options are all up and down the ship, and so is soaking-wet fun, from the heart-racing waterslide action at Carnival WaterWorks ™ to the soul-soothing Thalassotherapy pool at the Cloud 9 Spa ™ . Despite its name, Carnival Dream is definitely a reality. Can't believe it? Pinch yourself... and book your dream cruise today.

• 130,000 Gross Tonnage
• 3646 Guest Capacity
• 1004 Length In Feet
• 1367 Onboard Crew

INSIDE THIS SHIP

Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.

YOUR STATEROOM

Cloud 9 spa interior.

Amenities exclusive to Cloud 9 Spa ™ staterooms and suites:

• Unique welcome ritual
• Priority spa reservations
• Unlimited use of Thermal Suites, plus scrub kit
• Unlimited use of Hydrotherapy Pool
• Two complimentary fitness classes (per guest)
• Complimentary body composition analysis
• Exclusive discounts on treatments during port days
• Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes and slippers
• Upgraded ELEMIS in-stateroom toiletries

Plus, every room includes:

• Dedicated stateroom attendant
• Soft, cozy linens
• Plenty of closet and drawer space
• In-room safe for valuables
• Stateroom climate control

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Every room includes:

Interior Upper/Lower (Porthole)

Interior upper/lower, cloud 9 spa ocean view (walkway view).

The best way to enjoy the relaxing, invigorating Cloud 9 Spa while on a cruise is in a spa stateroom, and this one fits the bill, providing comfy accommodations and convenient, priority access to treatments and services at the Cloud 9 Spa. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Deluxe Ocean View

On Carnival Dream, Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are a great choice for families who want to let the sun shine in as they sail. Rooms of this type feature great views, a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom — and while stateroom configurations vary, certain Deluxe Ocean View rooms have space to sleep up to five cruisers.

Deluxe Ocean View (Obstructed View)

On Carnival Dream, Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are great for families. These rooms feature a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom — and while stateroom configurations vary, certain Deluxe Ocean View rooms have space to sleep up to five. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

Premium Vista Balcony

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Dream, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Cloud 9 Spa Balcony

Whether you're warming up for your spa appointment or winding down after your treatment, there's no better place to do it than on your Cloud 9 Spa Balcony. Breathing is important — take the ocean breeze in, then let it out — you're already getting the hang of the whole spa thing!

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space; not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Dream's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony (Large Balcony)

We designed Carnival Dream Balcony staterooms for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, and this stateroom features a balcony that's even wider than our standard balcony. Enjoy the extra outdoor space, along with all the standard Carnival stateroom amenities.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Dream. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Cove Balcony

Love the sea? Carnival Dream's Cove Balcony staterooms are the best way to see the sea — these rooms get you close to the waterline, and feature balconies that let you make the most of your location. Enjoy things from a whole new perspective: one amazing up-close view of the wake and seafoam as the ship cruises along.

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Dream features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Amenities exclusive to suites:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
• Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 Am
• Two large bottles of water
• Pillow-top mattress

Cloud 9 Spa Suite

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There's room for you and your things — with a large room and balcony — and a walk-in closet. The soothing in-room whirlpool tub will help you stay relaxed after your relaxing spa treatment. And like all suites, a Cloud 9 Spa Suite features VIP check-in, which lets you easily get right up to your amazing stateroom.

Plus, all suites include:

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Dream suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

Junior Suite (Obstructed View)

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Dream, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury in a smaller package. Featuring a standard-size balcony, in a Carnival Dream Junior Suite you'll find everything else there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet; and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing. (Note that rooms of this type have obstructed views.)

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Onboard dining, where to for you.

This ship is always visiting great vacation spots. Where will your next vacation take you?

* Taxes and fees are included.

TAG & THEY'RE IT!

Hot Topic: Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas

Honest Alaskan Dream Cruises Review: Adventure on Small Ships

We ventured to Alaska's Inside Passage on Baranof Dream, a 49-passenger ship in Alaskan Dream Cruises’ fleet. It was a terrific way to see the wildlife and scenery of the “Last Frontier” state. But who is an Alaskan Dream Cruises experience for, and what can you expect onboard? Dive in as we share our honest Alaskan Dream Cruises (ADC) review with important things to know before you book. 

Disclosure: We were hosted by Alaskan Dream Cruises. All opinions are our own. Additionally, this page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Sail with Alaskan Dream Cruises?

When you invest in a cruise with Alaskan Dream Cruises, you're investing in:

• Supporting local Alaskan businesses . Not only in the company — because ADC is locally owned and operated — but also in the businesses that ADC supports through its excursions and provisioning.
• A unique small ship experience where you'll be able to get to know the other passengers rather well. With around 50 passengers per ship, it's nice to be able to bond with the other guests in a shared setting that's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people.
• Learning about the native people of Alaska is one of the reasons we were so excited to vacation with them. It's a part of our Alaskan Dream Cruises review we want to highlight because it's essential to recognize that, as travelers, it's vital we support these cultures to keep them alive.

Alaskan Dream Cruises Overview

Who is alaskan dream cruises for.

We'd be remiss if we didn't address this right off the bat because this cruise isn't for everyone.

If you need a cruise with a ton of things to do onboard, internet, television in your room, a fancy bar, and attractive restaurants with artful cuisine to go with it, it's not for you. If you like to get lost in a crowd and be anonymous on a cruise ship, an ADC cruise isn't for you.

If you are game for an adventure with no-frills accommodations but an elevated feel by way of a great crew-to-guest ratio of 1:2 and outstanding excursions, this is the cruise for you.

You are one of a few dozen passengers and get to know the crew and your fellow passengers rather well during the trip. You form bonds and make memories together. There's no escaping interacting with other guests when there aren't many of you. We like that aspect of small ship cruising.

We've stayed in cruise ship staterooms and been on excursions that run the gamut, from a Maine Windjammer cruise where 25 people shared one shower to staying in The Retreat with Celebrity Cruises with our own private lux suite with a lovely bathtub in the shower to tendering to shore with hundreds of other passengers in the Caribbean , to being one of five people on a barge cruise exploring town.

The price point of Alaskan Dream Cruises is more than your average ocean cruise, as it should be. It's a small ship experience that brings you into remote areas of Alaska with an all-American staff because it's an American-owned ship and a US-owned company. It's also Alaska – native owned, which is one of the reasons the cruise line appealed to us. We love supporting native American cultures and US companies — a double-whammy of support.

Notwithstanding is the price tag that comes with a small ship American cruise line experience, whether a river cruise or a small ocean ship. Expect to spend a minimum of $3,495 per person for a cruise with Alaskan Dream Cruises. This excludes getting to and from Alaska for the cruise. Some cruises have a higher price point, depending on the itinerary and ship.

This investment is inclusive of excursions, an onboard naturalist, a glass of beer or wine with dinner, and not feeling like one guest in a sea of thousands as you do on a big ship.

For the investment, you'll experience “true Alaska,” as the brand boasts, with Alaskan-led tours and excursions and discovery in the nooks and crannies of Alaska, where big ships cannot go. Many would argue this kind of vacation is priceless.

Food and Drinks

The food and drinks aren't going to be the reason you cruise with Alaskan Dream Cruises. Though some meals stood out above others, overall, it wasn't memorable cuisine. But we cared less about the protein on our plate and more about things like sailing past glaciers with otters practically waving hello, so close to the water because there were only four decks.

When you're on a big ship with 12 or more decks and don't have a windowfront seat at dinner, it's harder to appreciate nature during all times of the day.

Accommodations

We want to set realistic expectations for you in this Alaskan Dream Cruises review. The ship feels more like an upscale glamping experience rather than a temporary cushy home on the seas with luxurious, beautiful amenities. You'll be a step above a well-setup, modern, top-of-the-line campsite on an Alaskan Dream Cruises ship.

Cruisers go for the destinations and scenery, not the ship itself. Which is precisely why we were there.

Cabins are very modest, with just the necessities. This is not the cruise for those looking to luxuriate. It’s a cruise aimed at people wanting to see wild Alaska, who are interested in supporting an Alaska-owned company.  

Suites are about the size of a small cabin on a mega cruise ship. On Baranof Dream, Decks 3 and 4 have suites. Deck 2 is the level you walk into the ship, which has several small cabins.

Three suites on the top level, on Deck 4. All staterooms have windows. This was a nice advantage when we were cruising and wanted to be inside to take cover from the wind but still wanted to see the beautiful landscape surrounding us. 

Experiences and Excursions

The excursions during our Inside Passage Sojourn itinerary were wonderful. If our naturalist wasn't giving us some information about Alaska and where we were at each location, the cruise line partnered with local businesses and guides, many of whom were Native Americans. This very much enriched our experience.

Additionally, because we were on a small ship we were able to access areas big ships cannot. And this proved to be incredibly beneficial, like when we could get closer to the glaciers in Glacier Bay than the big ships could. Or when we docked in Kasaan, a small native village, or when we ended the trip with a gorgeous evening in Misty Fjords.

Wifi or Internet on Alaskan Dream Cruises

Simply put: there is no wifi on ADC ships. The lack of internet makes you focus on the wilderness and your surroundings, being with others, and enjoying your vacation. 

Alaskan Dream Cruises Ships in the Fleet

There are four overnight cruise ships in the Alaskan Dream Cruises ‘ fleet . Three of the four are named after islands in Alaska. 

The ships are made for expeditions, with a focus on nature, wildlife, and native cultures.

The Only Alaskan-Owned Overnight Cruise Company in Alaska

Alaskan Dream Cruises is Alaskan-owned and operated. In 1967, Bob and Betty Allen founded Allen Marine Company. Betty is a Tlingit native, and she and Bob grew up locally. Allen Marine Company still operates today as it did beginning in 1970, as a tour operator offering guests day trip wildlife experiences in Alaska. We enjoyed a day tour with Allen Marine Company in Ketchikan .

Over the decades, the market for overnight Alaskan cruises grew. So, in 2011, Alaska Dream Cruises was born. Though Bob and Betty have passed on, the company remains in the family in their children's hands. 

The offices of Alaska Dream Cruises are in Sitka, overlooking the shipyard in Jamestown Harbor. The harbor is beautiful, and it's where Bob and Betty started Alaska Dream Cruises (ADC). In fact, you can see their home in the distance overlooking the harbor. There is a Tlingit totem pole in front of the waterfront side of their home, across the bay from the ADC offices.

This state is the only area where Alaskan Dream Cruises sail. They are the Alaska cruise experts! They are also unique because their itineraries go to lesser-visited areas in southern Alaska.

Alaskan Dream Cruises Season

The cruise season with ADC is from May to September. This corresponds to peak season in Alaska when 95% of the cruises take place, and tourists visit by land or sea. This is also when there is more daylight, temperatures are warmest, and wildlife is active. Expect whales who migrate to Alaska for the season to be in residence and the annual wonder of salmon spawning to take place.

Life Aboard Alaskan Dream Cruises' Ship, Baranof Dream

The ship's public spaces are minimal. It's a small cruise ship, after all.

Onboard, you'll find modest cabins, an outdoor deck, an indoor bar and lounge area, and a restaurant. Coffee and tea are available all day, and kitchen-made snacks are put out twice in the afternoon between lunch and dinner, like dips and hot finger foods. If you're noshy between those times, there are individual chip bags in the lounge for guests to eat.  

A naturalist is on board to answer any wildlife questions you may have and to guide excursions. Several maps and identification posters on display showcase the array of wildlife you may see. 

Board games and books are available for guest use in the lounge. If the weather is nice, the crew may put out some games, like cornhole. One afternoon, when we were lucky enough to enjoy some sunshine (our cruise was rather gray and gloomy the majority of the time, which is simply luck of the draw on any vacation), Captain Neil took out games for us to play. It was surreal to play cornhole in such stunning surroundings!

Speaking of the ship's captain, one of the fun things about cruising Alaska on a small ship is that you can go to the bridge and chat with the officers nearly any time of day. We even sat there chatting with them with binoculars in hand one afternoon, trying to spot whales together.

Cabins on Baranof Dream

While the rooms are not the main event on the ship, it is a significant part of any cruise. On an Alaskan Dream Cruise, they're mostly to sleep, wash up, use the toilet, and get ready for the day. Otherwise, most people can be found on deck enjoying the scenery or bonding with fellow passengers and the crew in the lounge or restaurant.

The rooms are rather small, so if you can swing the cost of a suite (which is the category called “Deluxe” and “Deluxe Suite” on ADC) we recommend doing so for a small yet significant amount of extra square footage. Deluxe Suites are 210 square feet compared to an A room, which is 109 square feet. Or an AA room, which is 116 square feet.

An “A” category room, like room 203 in the photo below, contained a small, soft bed next to some drawers against the wall, with one side of the two-person bed against the window.

No matter the category of room, the ceilings in Baranof Dream cabins aren’t more than six and a half feet high. Dan is 6’2” tall, and his head nearly touched the ceiling. If you’re 6’6” or taller, you likely won’t comfortably fit in the cabin, which has low ceilings and queen-size beds. (Tall people problems!) 

There are 25 cabins onboard Baranof Dream. The classes are as follows: A, AA, AAA, Deluxe, and Deluxe Suite.

There are No Locks on the Doors

It's important to note that there aren't locks on the doors of any of the rooms. This didn't bother us because we were used to it from previous cruises, like our yacht cruise in Ecuador on Kontiki Wayra . However, if you're not used to such a thing, it can be shocking! So we want to be sure we frankly share that with you.

Yet it's also important to note that there is a level of mutual trust that you have with people onboard. They all paid to be on the same trip and also potentially have valuable things onboard, like their own binoculars and expensive camera gear.

Chances are, however, that you'll have those things nearby or on you for most of the trip. Spotting wildlife, or taking photos of it, is part of the memory-making of a cruise in Alaska.

Stateroom Bathrooms

Though things vary slightly from ship to ship, Baranof Dream’s bathrooms are very small. A “show-let,” as the Assistant Hotel Manager described it to us while she showed us our room, is what the bathroom consists of. That's a combined toilet and shower in one room, along with a small sink. The door to the bathroom area was a metal-framed frosted piece of plexiglass likened to a vintage shower door.

Shampoo and soaps were from Alaskan vendors, a detail we sincerely appreciated. 

Getting Around the Ship

The ship is small. You could walk the entire ship from top to bottom, bow to stern, in a short amount of time. But a small ship adventure is likely why you're interested in Alaskan Dream Cruises anyway!

If you have mobility issues, it's important to know that the stairs are a little steep between decks. Also keep in mind that the showers and bathrooms are very small, with little to no room to maneuver.

Food on Alaskan Dream Cruises

Breakfast is served in the restaurant around 7:30 am every day, thirty minutes after a wake-up call announcement on the loudspeaker. An early riser’s breakfast is set up at the bar beginning around 6:00 am.

Lunch was around noon, and you ordered what you wanted from a menu that changed daily.

Cookie time was around 4:00 pm each day, which was always a hit. That was followed by a time for hors d’oeuvres, which were served between 5:00 and 5:30 pm in the bar area. Some hors d’oeuvres we had were dip with crackers, bruschetta on crostinis, crab cakes, and stuffed mushrooms. 

Dinner was served at 6:30 pm, and we chose our evening's selections off a menu that changed every day. Our meal was served with an optional small glass of red or white wine or a glass of beer, which is included in the cruise fare.

The restaurant has open seating, with tables for four people or more. On a small Alaskan Dream Cruises ship, you’ll be sure to make friends quickly, especially because you sit together during meals. 

Local purveyors provide the seafood.

The menu for each meal is posted publicly by the bar hours in advance so you can get excited about your next dining experience. 

The food is good — there were some hits and misses, as we find with most cruises.

Drinks on Alaskan Dream Cruises

Aside from the included glass of beer or wine with your dinner each day, drinks can be purchased from the bar. The exception is that onboard alcohol is included for guests of the Deluxe and Deluxe Suite cabins.

You are not permitted to bring your own alcohol onboard. 

Cocktails were $10.50 each, and beer was $7.50 per glass when we sailed. One of the nice things about the beer onboard is it’s from an Alaskan brewery in Sitka called Harbor Mountain Brewing Company. We loved that we were supporting a local business and getting a taste of a local brew when we ordered the Alaskan beer.

There was also local gin onboard from Port Chilkoot Distillery called 50 Fathoms. Because the Alaskan Dream Cruises ships are provisioning in Alaskan ports, you have to imagine they're bringing local products onboard. And we loved that it showed in the bar options.

Other alcohol included Jameson, Tito’s, Bombay Sapphire, Woodford Reserve, and the like. 

One of the most fun things that happened during the cruise was when the ADC crew brought Alaskan ice onboard that they retrieved from the ocean. We got to have a drink with a glacial ice cube!

Wi-Fi and Cell Phone Service on Alaskan Dream Cruises

There is no wifi on the ship. Though Alaska is in the United States, cell service on the water is non-existent. Dan has AT&T, and I have Verizon, and we almost didn't have cell service the entire time while cruising, except for two times while leaving the shore in some areas when Dan had a tiny bit of service until the boat sailed further out on the water.

You don't need an international cell phone plan if you're US-based if, perchance, you do get cell service. Because, remember, though Alaska feels like another world it's an American State. Major cities, including Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka, have cell service, but smaller towns, like Wrangell and Kasaan, are harder to get strong signals in.

Plan to be unplugged and enjoy your surroundings, not being glued to a device. Consider it a bonus if you get service in a port and want to briefly connect with anyone back home during the trip.

In addition to day-to-day excursions in ports or cruising the area, there are noteworthy activities.

The crew will put kayaks and paddleboards in the water when the conditions — weather and geographic area — are right. We loved kayaking in a quiet bay one afternoon and seeing the small jellyfish in the water beneath us. We even spotted whales in the distance!

As we previously mentioned, there were games onboard, too: board games in the lounge, and if the weather was nice, a crew member put out cornhole and a huge Connect 4 game.

We really valued the presentations that Ken, our onboard naturalist, offered a few times throughout the cruise. One was about what winter is like in Alaska, and another was about the salmon in the state. Both were fascinating topics!

What to Pack for an Alaskan Dream Cruise

Water in the rooms is potable/drinkable, so we recommend bringing a reusable water bottle.

Though they provide binoculars per stateroom, we brought our own. If you don’t want to bring your own, use theirs. If you want a premium quality pair of binoculars, bring your own. The binoculars in the room were less magnification than ours and not high quality. 

Leave any formalwear at home; it's unnecessary and a waste to take up space in your luggage with fancy attire for Alaska. You'll want to pack layers, comfy socks, and waterproof or water-resistant gear in case it rains. Pack cozy shirts, both long sleeves and short. In hindsight, slippers to wear in the room would have been a great addition. Pack a scarf, gloves, and a hat as well. Sunscreen and sunglasses are necessary, too.

Though you'll be cruising in Alaska during summer, the high temperatures are usually in the 60s. Sure, there are exceptions when they may have a heatwave. However, remember it's also always colder and windier on the water than on land.

Lastly, as long as you included the request in your pre-cruise “order” with Alaskan Dream Cruises, they provide some rain gear, which I am gleefully modeling in the photo below! The rain pants and hooded raincoat were a welcomed addition to my outfit on rainy days.

Pre and Post Cruise Excursions

Alaskan Dream Cruises is unique in that it includes pre and post-cruise tours the day you embark on the cruise.

The day the cruise started, we checked into Alaskan Dream Cruises’ hospitality suite in Sitka around 12:30 pm. Then, about thirty minutes later, we were on our way to the waterfront Salmon Hatchery at the Sitka Sound Science Center for a tour with fellow passengers.

Afterward, we enjoyed the small aquarium at the science center before heading to the Alaska Raptor Center. (They even had a touch tank! Who doesn't love a touch tank at an aquarium?)

Finally, we went to the Fortress of the Bear — an incredibly popular tourist spot in Sitka — as our last stop before we were driven to the cruise ship. We boarded Baranof Dream in Sitka around 4:30 pm. 

Additionally, ADC helped with transportation assistance in Ketchikan the day we disembarked. We were each given a ferry ticket to use to get from the shore to the airport, which is a 5-minute ferry ride across the water. Otherwise, you have to buy a ferry ticket, so this was a nice thing that the cruise line covered.

Alaskan Dream Cruises Review, All in All

Would we cruise with ADC again? Absolutely.

It helps to know what to expect, having been once, however, which we hope helps you as well. Knowing that the cruise ship isn't luxurious in aesthetics despite the price point but in hindsight, discovering the luxury is in the crew-to-guest ratio of 1:2 and the incredible experiences ADC works hard to curate to give guests “true Alaska” sets the right expectation.

We're so lucky to have learned about Alaska on our first trip there from Native Americans and native Alaskans, to have supported several locally-owned businesses along the way, and to have made fantastic memories with the crew and fellow inspiring guests.

Of any cruise we have ever been on, we still keep in touch with the most fellow passengers from that cruise than any other cruise. We truly cherish those friendships and the genuine connections we made thanks to Alaskan Dream Cruises bringing us all together.

Ready to Book Your Cruise or INquire?

Use our preferred travel advisors, bolds travel, because….

• They take away the hassle of travel planning : time spent on the phone with the cruise line could be time you spend doing other things.
• You don't pay them a dime : their service is free (this is because they get paid by the cruise line or destination).
• Their experience: They have decades of experience and attention to detail.

Read this next:

• Our Experience on Alaskan Dream Cruises Inside Passage Sojourn
• Exploring Ketchikan: Top Activities Revealed with Useful Area Info & Map
• Alaska Bugs in Summer: Avoiding Mosquitoes and What to Know

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I’m glad to read your review. We are doing a cruise on the same ship in August. It’s good to see that we made the right choice. We have an AAA room. Can’t hardly wait to see Alaska. Thank you for the review. I’m sure we’ll have a fantastic time.

So happy to hear your thoughts, Steve, and that you booked an AAA room! Have the best time!

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Experience true alaska, authentic and personal small expedition adventures through alaska’s inside passage.

Our all-inclusive, small expedition itineraries offer a mix of excursions in intriguing towns and Native villages and adventures in raw wilderness bays and glacial fjords. This approach to small vessel expeditions in Alaska offers travelers a comprehensive look at all the Inside Passage has to offer. Every experience is hand-picked for its value in immersing you in True Alaska.

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ALASKA expedition adventures

This is the alaska you’ve always imagined., featured articles, our true alaskan stories, the journey is the destination with these top tours, cruises, and transportation services.

Every year, the Sunset Travel Awards honor the best in travel in the West. This year, there were more than 600 entries across all categories (a record number!). Below are the 2023 winners of the How to Get There: Best Transportation and Tours category.

An “Inside” look at Alaska’s beauty and culture

The phrase “active exploration” can be both exciting and intimidating. Alaska is the Last Frontier, the largest state in the Union, home to many cultures, climates, and wildlife—how can a person experience a meaningful fraction of that during a single trip? How active does a person need to be?

Take the Dream With you

We’ve got beautifully designed logo clothing, mugs, and more items to help you keep dreaming about your Alaska adventure long after you return home. They’re also great conversation starters and gifts for loved ones.

Fantastic Crew

“We finished our cruise on the Alaska Dream a few days ago. It was a wonderful experience, which in no small part, was due to the fantastic crew. Alaska is a majestic place and experiencing it from a small ship staffed with a great crew is a perfect way to truly absorb that majesty. We can’t say enough good things about the crew. Thanks for a great trip.”

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I've been on 6 different cruise lines, here are the pros and cons of each one

C ruising is one of my favorite kinds of family vacations . Whether I’m looking for sun-drenched beaches in the Caribbean , scenic views in Alaska, or city-hopping around the Mediterranean, cruises are a fun and hassle-free way to sample a variety destinations all around the world. Once I decide where I want to go on a cruise vacation, my next step is to pick a cruise line. 

BIG SAVINGS: Kids sail free: 7 cruise lines with kids cruise free deals  

I’ve sailed with most of the major cruise lines for families that depart from the United States and around the globe, and each one has its pros and cons. If you’re thinking about taking a cruise at some point in the next year or so, now’s the time to book for the best prices and availability. But before you do, make sure you’re choosing a cruise line that fits your personality and vacation style.

Table of Contents:

• Disney Cruise Line
• Carnival Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Virgin Voyages
• Princess Cruises

How to choose a cruise line: pros and cons of each one

Here are my recommendations based on my personal cruise experiences with some of the world’s most popular cruise lines.

How we chose these cruise lines:  Read our methodology for selecting family cruise vacations .

1. Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) pioneered the concept of family-friendly cruises. Its sailings give everyone a chance to see beloved Disney characters, watch fun Broadway-caliber shows, and have dedicated spaces and activities for kids and adults.

Pros of Disney Cruise Line

Stateroom design: One of my favorite things about Disney Cruise Line is the stateroom design. Fleet-wide, most of the staterooms have DCL’s signature split bathroom, where one bathroom has a toilet and sink and the other has a tub shower and a sink. Additionally, there’s lots of storage space, a privacy curtain to divide the room into two spaces, and luggage can easily roll under the bed. In some staterooms, there’s additional space for sleeping five people with a pull-down Murphy bed, which is great for larger families.

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Rotational dining: Disney is known for its rotational dining concept , where families will move through three distinct dining rooms at dinner throughout their cruise (and the dining room waitstaff moves with you). Each ship has different dining rooms, but a fan-favorite continues to be Animator’s Palate, which is available on the Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy , Disney Wonder , and Disney Magic . One of my favorite dining rooms is Worlds of Marvel on the Disney Wish (and coming to the Disney Treasure in 2024).

Dedicated spaces for kids and adults: Disney cruises cater to children with dedicated kids spaces, activities, and entertainment, but adults can have just as much fun. On all of Disney’s cruise ships , there are spaces that are exclusive for adults , too, like pools, lounges, bars, and restaurants. No matter your family’s makeup, everyone will have a space they enjoy.

Cons of Disney Cruise Line

Price: One of the biggest cons to a Disney Cruise vacation is the price compared to other family-friendly cruise lines. Disney does offer discounts on cruises throughout the year, but they’re not available to every type of guest or sailing date. 

No drink packages: Another con for some people is that Disney Cruise Line does not offer drink packages, so you’ll be paying for each cocktail, specialty drink, beer, wine, or specialty coffee individually. These charges can add up quickly if you aren’t careful, so be sure to put a spending limit on drinks and check your stateroom folio often to be sure you’re staying within your budget. 

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2. Carnival Cruises

Sailing with Carnival Cruises always feels like a fun party. The cruise line is known for its big ships that are filled with big personalities. I always tell people that Carnival is a great starter cruise line to see if you like cruising, or if you want a cruise where the party never stops. 

Pros of Carnival Cruise Line

Price: One of the biggest pros for Carnival Cruise Line is the affordability factor. Carnival is constantly running deals on cruises, so it’s easy to find a discounted sailing . The price for its smaller, older ships is usually cheaper than the bigger, newer ships, but depending on where you want to go and what season, the cost could vary greatly between cruises. To get the best deal, I recommend calling Carnival to book directly because the booking agent can play with discounts and sometimes combine them to give you a better deal than what you can get by booking online.

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Celebrity chef-backed restaurants: Carnival is noteworthy for its celebrity chef-backed restaurants. Kids and adults love the burgers and BBQ that come straight from Guy Fieri’s Flavortown kitchens, and everyone can get a taste of the Big Easy from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse on Carnival Mardi Gras , Carnival Celebration , and Carnival Jubilee . And don’t forget about everything fried chicken at Big Chicken from Shaquille O’Neal.

Easy loyalty program: Every cruise line has a loyalty program. Carnival’s is called the VIFP Club , and it’s one of the easiest loyalty programs to understand and move up in. After just one cruise you’re enrolled and get members-only offers, and the perks go up from there, including priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day, $25 to use in the casino, and cabin upgrades. 

Cons of Carnival Cruise Line

Older ships feel very dated: Even though Carnival’s newest ships are bright and shiny, its older ships feel very dated. While the brand does put the older ships, like the Carnival Elation from Jacksonville, Florida, through dry dock repairs and upgrades, those upgrades are mostly for cleaning and maintenance and not to make the ships feel newer. 

Food and service can be hit-or-miss: Even though the celebrity chef-backed dining is very good, the rest of the food offerings on Carnival’s ships can be hit-or-miss, even in specialty dining restaurants that cost extra on some cruises. On a recent sailing, I dined in Chibang, which is a mash-up of Mexican and Chinese; the food was just okay and I felt rushed through the entire meal. I was hustled in and out the door for dinner in about 30 minutes. The main dining room can also have a lot of variation where some meal services are perfectly paced and others are rushed or exceptionally slow. 

3. Royal Caribbean

Families looking for another option for a fun cruise that’s not Disney will love Royal Caribbean . In fact, this is my pick for the best cruise for multigenerational travel. 

Pros of Royal Caribbean

Beautiful private island: One of Royal Caribbean’s most exciting offerings is its private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay . The island is home to family beaches, a spacious pool with a swim-up bar, a massive water park, and more. It’s also going to debut a new adults-only area, Hideaway Beach, in early 2024. If you choose to order a drink package it’s valid on the island, and lunch is served at a beachside BBQ so you don’t have to go back to the ship for a meal. 

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Variety of homeports: Royal Caribbean has one of the largest number of home ports around the world. Some of the most exciting home ports outside of the United States include Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; Dubai, UAE; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sydney, Australia; Singapore, Singapore; and Shanghai, China. From North America, there are 14 different home ports, including Miami, Florida; Galveston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Seward, Alaska.  

Over-the-top amenities on each ship: Royal Caribbean has some of the most over-the-top cruise amenities among the lines I’ve sailed with. Many of these amenities and activities are included in the overall cruise fare, which is even better. Kids and adults can enjoy things like water slides and splash pads, a surf simulator, rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice skating, observation pods, bumper cars, laser tag, and more. 

Cons of Royal Caribbean 

Ships can feel crowded: Royal Caribbean ships are some of the biggest in the world, meaning that the larger ships can feel crowded. On Wonder of the Seas , there are 2,876 staterooms that can accommodate up to 7,084 guests; and on Icon of the Seas, the, 2,805 staterooms can accommodate up to 7,600 people. Even though guests are split between more than a dozen decks, it can still get overcrowded at the pool, the buffet, or in theaters for showtime. 

4. Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is ideal for families vacationing with teens or adults looking for a getaway of their own. The newest Norwegian ships are stunning with high-caliber entertainment and fun around every corner.

Pros of Norwegian Cruise Line

Included dining options are great: Norwegian Cruise Line’s included dining options are stellar. After sailing on Norwegian Prima last year, I was blown away at the quality of the main dining room food for breakfast and dinner. At breakfast, I had one of the best iterations of steak and eggs I’ve ever had. I also love Indulge Food Hall, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served and you can pick from a variety of made-to-order dishes ranging in cuisine style from Indian and Mexican to ramen and salads.

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Glamorous staterooms: The staterooms on Norwegian are simple and refined, with plenty of storage, comfortable beds, and a decent-sized bathroom. I like that Norwegian also offers solo accommodations for those traveling alone. The solo staterooms are priced exclusively for solo travelers, and those guests also have access to the private Studio Lounge. 

Fantastic onboard entertainment: Norwegian pulls out all the stops for onboard entertainment. While sailing on Prima , I was able to see a Broadway-caliber show detailing the life of Donna Summer, head into a lounge with live rock-and-roll music every night, enjoy live bands around the ship, and even take in a few comedy shows. There’s no end to the amount of entertainment onboard, and it often goes into the wee hours of the night. 

Cons of Norwegian Cruise Line

Added activities add up quickly: Unlike other cruise lines where most activities are included, Norwegian’s best activities are an added cost per person, which adds up quickly. Things like go-kart racing, an afternoon in the virtual reality Galaxy Pavilion, and mini-golf are all additional costs once you get onto the ship. 

Boring private island: Norwegian’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay , is one of the most boring private islands I’ve been to on a cruise. While the beach is pretty, there are not a lot of included activities, and getting to the island is a challenge since you have to take a tender boat to and from the ship. However, there are some fun excursions you can book on the island, like swimming with pigs, taking a guided kayaking tour, or renting water sports equipment. 

5. Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line that caters to the party lifestyle and makes sure everyone always has a good time. 

Pros of Virgin Voyages

Vast entertainment options: No matter which Virgin ship you end up sailing on , there’s going to be a huge variety of entertainment. When I sailed with Virgin, I loved the live music around the ship and the pop-up entertainment that sometimes just happens in the main atrium area. At night, there are a few places to see shows, including drag and acrobatic performances.

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Richard’s Rooftop: Those staying in a suite are welcome to enjoy Richard’s Rooftop, which is a dedicated area on an open deck for suite guests. This area has a hot tub, plenty of cushy loungers, a dedicated bar and bar team, and great views of the ocean passing by. Every day there’s also a Champagne happy hour, where bartenders will continuously walk around filling up your cup until you tell them to stop. 

Cons of Virgin Voyages

Scarlet Night can be hard to get into: One of the hardest things for me to become involved with was Scarlet Night. This is the premier party of Virgin Voyages where every guest dresses in red and is encouraged to explore the ship for pop-up entertainment before heading to the pool deck for an all-night party.

The overall story of Scarlet Night is hard to follow if you don’t get to the right places at the right times on the ship, and I found that the staff didn’t really care to help people who looked lost and did not know what to do during “free exploration” time. I’ve heard that some of the pinch points of Scarlet Night have been worked out since my sailing, so I would say just go with the flow of the night and try to make friends with other guests to venture around the ship together. 

Cabins aren’t maximized for storage: The biggest con for Virgin Voyages is that the standard cabins feel more like an IKEA showroom than a luxury escape on a brand-new ship. The cabins lack enough storage for longer sailings, and the beds are not tall enough to roll suitcases underneath. 

6. Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises mainly caters to older adults looking for a more chill vacation with elevated service. 

Pros of Princess

The Sanctuary: One of the best things about Princess Cruises is the Sanctuary, which is an adults-only deck space that you can pay to use for a day or for the entire cruise. The Sanctuary comes with a dedicated team that learns your preferences quickly, from where you like to sit to when you enjoy lunch (which can be brought to you). Besides having a serene oasis, the Sanctuary means you’ll always have a comfortable lounge chair to enjoy. When I was on Caribbean Princess over the summer, I was always greeted with a smile when I walked up the Sanctuary and spent most of the day enjoying the breeze and sunshine.

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Onboard staff is fantastic: Princess crew members are among the most dedicated to guest service I’ve seen. Everyone knows your name by day two of the cruise, knows your preferences for things, and can even give you tips about what you may enjoy around the ship or at some ports of call. 

Cons of Princess

Entertainment feels dated: I wanted to like the entertainment, but most of it felt very dated, especially the shows in the main theater. The musical performances were mostly songs from my grandparent’s era, and the acting was just okay. I did enjoy the nightly 18+ entertainment that was hosted by the entertainment staff, but overall the entertainment offerings were weak relative to other cruise lines.

More from FamilyVacationist:

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The post I’ve been on 6 different cruise lines, here are the pros and cons of each one appeared first on FamilyVacationist .

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Disney Dream Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide

Disney Cruise Line

In a cruise industry that loves "newest and biggest" headlines, Disney Cruise Line has been a quieter player with just five ships: the  Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. The Disney Dream debuted in 2011 and features terrific kids programs, teen lounges, Flounder's Reef nursery, top quality live shows, a private Caribbean island, Castaway Cay , a combo of Disney World/ cruise vacations, and, of course, Disney quality and imaginative touches.

If you're planning a trip on the Disney Dream, here are 14 features to discover.

AquaDuck Water Coaster

The most prominent new feature on the Disney Dream is the AquaDuck Water Coaster: an impressive sight on the ship's upper decks. The AquaDuck water coaster has turns, drops, an uphill section, and river rapids: riders zoom along in two-person rubber rafts. The ride extends for 765 feet, starting on Deck 16 with a drop and then a swing-out loop that extends 13 feet beyond the side of the ship, 150 feet above the ocean below. Read details of all the drops, twists, and turns of the AquaDuck water coaster, ending with a splashdown on Deck 12.

Kids must be 48 inches tall to ride the AquaDuck!

Virtual Porthole in Cabins

Neat idea! And an industry "first", on the Disney Dream . The inner cabin pictured above is transformed by a high-tech "Virtual Porthole" that displays a real-time view of the sea outside the ship. High-definition cameras feed live video to each Virtual Porthole. Fancy technology ensures that, for each cabin, that Porthole's view is consistent with the motion felt in that part of the ship. Guests might also see an animated character visit at the window: such as Peach the starfish, above, a character from the "Finding Nemo" movie.

It's a Small World Nursery

Like the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic (which each have a nursery called Flounder's Reef), the Disney Dream cruise ship has a nursery for infants and tots age 3 months to 3 years. Parents can check on their kids through one-way window into the nursery's main play area. The nursery has a naptime area too. As with Flounder's Reef nursery, parents will need to book in advance for the nursery and pay an extra charge. (Other kids programs are all-included in the cruise.) On the plus side, kids under three sail free on Disney cruises.

Oceaneer Club

Kids age 3 to 10 can have fun at the Oceaneer Club, on the Disney Dream . Above is a central hub area with a Peter Pan "Never Land" theme: a place for storytelling, Disney character meet'n'greets, and for performances starring -- the kids themselves. Also in this area is a giant screen, for watching movies and for interacting with Crush the Turtle.

Turtle Talk with Crush

Guests who've been to Disney World may already have met Crush the Turtle... (Hey, remember, dudes? He's the turtle that actually talks, like really talks, to kids, and they talk back - awesome, totally.) Using similar technology, Crush will also make appearances on the giant screen in the Never Land area of the Oceaneer Club, on the Disney Dream ship.

Andy's Room, in the Oceaneer Club

Andy's Room, familiar to kids from the Toy Story movies, offers places to climb; computers integrated into the walls, for games; costumes and props for make-believe.

Pixie Hollow, in the Oceaneer Club

In this themed play area -- depicting the forest home of Tinkerbell and fairy friends-- kids can make crafts or play dress-up. Other play areas in the Oceaneer Club are Explorer Pod , with a submarine surfacing in the center of the room, and computer game stations; and Monster's Academy , with play structure for climbing, computers integrated into the walls for games, and monster costumes and props.

Oceaneer Lab

The Oceaneer Lab is another area on the Disney Dream for kids age three to ten, and it's connected to the Oceaneer Club by two Workshops. The main hall, above, has a celestial map overhead; a stage for kids' performances and storytelling; a screen for watching movies, and for visits by famous animated character Stitch (using the same technology as Turtle Talk with Crush.) The Oceaneer Club also has an Animator's Studio, and a Sound Studio with song-making and recording software. The two Workshops, meanwhile, are used for hands-on fun, such as science labs, art projects, or trying out some culinary skills.

Animator's Studio

In this part of the Oceaneer Lab on the Disney Dream , kids will find everything a creative animator needs: maquettes (3D character models), light box table, drawing tools, computer stations... Kids can create their own art or sketch favorite Disney characters

Vibe Teen Club

On Deck 5 of the Disney Dream , teens age 14 to 17 have 9000 sq. feet of their own indoor and outdoor space. A "teen-only" swipe card gets them into an area with fountain bar, cushy chairs, media room... Kids can try out video editing technology, social media apps, WiFi laptops, and lots more.

Tween Club, Edge

The Vibe teen club -- for ages 14 to 17-- extends to an outdoor area, with lounge chairs, wading pools, water fountains and jets, and games such as foosball and ping-pong. Tween Club - Edge Meanwhile, kids age 11 to 13 can hang out at the Edge lounge, a loft-type space with notebook computers for games and social media; massive video wall for gaming or movies (used as one giant screen, or smaller screens); a lighted dance floor; and view of the AquaDuck water coaster as it passes through the forward funnel of the ship where the Edge is located.

Atrium Lobby

Click the photo above to see a larger image: a 5-foot tall bronze statue of Admiral Donald Duck will survey this three-deck lobby, from the base of the grand staircase.

Enchanted Garden and Other Restaurants

The Enchanted Garden Restaurant , shown above, is styled as an airy conservatory, with a "sky" that transforms from day to sunset to night-time, while guests dine. For other family dining choices: those who've sailed on the Disney Magic or Wonder will be happy to find a recurrence of the Animator's Palate , a signature restaurant decorated with black-and-white sketches that turn into color during the course of the meal. The Royal Palace restaurant, meanwhile, is inspired by classic Disney movies like Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Read more about the restaurants on the Disney Dream.

The District Adults-Only Area

Where will the family sleep, during the cruise? Guests on the Disney Dream have a range of choices, from 898 sq. ft. of space in a "Royal Suite with Verandah", to Standard Inside Staterooms with 169 sq. feet. Remember that these inside staterooms have virtual portholes, which transform the experience of an inside cabin; they can sleep three to four people, with a queen-size bed, a converible sofa, a privacy divider and (in some units) a pull down bed. Several types of cabins on the Disney Dream cruise ship can sleep a family of five. Read about the many cabin options, at this Disney Dream Staterooms Fact Sheet. The District - Adults-Only Area The District, on Deck 4 of the Disney Dream , is a zone for ages 18 and up, with a piano lounge, several bars including the Skyline bar with changing views of famous city skylines; a pub with giant tv; a club for comedy acts, dancing, live performances. Also in The District: Senses Spa & Salon spans two decks, with 17 treatment rooms, steam bath, sauna, rain showers; and -- for that extra pampering-- two spa villas with treatment suite, and private verandah with whirlpool hot tub. The Disney Dream also has a gym with ocean views; the Quiet Cove adult pool, and Cove Cafe (with wiFi); and grownups-only dining at Palo restaurant (the high-end Italian restaurant, familiar from the other two Disney ships.)

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Dream cruises.

Pristine waters, exotic ports of call and unique, once-in-a-lifetime activities await you on Dream Cruises. Sail away with us on state of the art vessels fit for adventure on the seas.

• Navigator of the Seas
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Sail on the Adriatic Sea to the Greek Islands aboard the luxurious MSC Musica -- a ship that boasts multiple decks, intimate cafes, & exciting live shows.

The Mediterranean: Sun-drenched beaches and cities rich with historical influence. See all of this and more as you sail on the MSC Fantasia, one of the most luxurious ships built by a European cruise line.

Discover opulence and splendor on the Magnifica while it sails to Italy, Greece, Israel and other magical locations throughout the Mediterranean. Next stop: Three of the seven wonders of the world await along this journey.

This floating luxury hotel the MSC Orchestra, takes a one week trip across the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe's most fascinating cities.

Explore the western Caribbean aboard the amazing Navigator of the Seas. Passengers discover stunning Caribbean islands on this massive and luxurious ship.

Australia -- idyllic islands, aboriginal tribes, and The Great Barrier Reef await the passengers aboard the luxurious Rhapsody of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas is the largest liner ever built. On this floating city, travel from Florida to Jamaica, across one of the most beautiful seas in the world.

Welcome aboard the Brilliance of the Seas, and sail to the mystical Greek islands, Italy and other ancient locales across the Mediterranean.

Cape Liberty is the perfect port of embarkation for the Explorer of the Seas. Pamper yourself with wine, fine restaurants, and Caribbean destinations on this magical trip.

The unexpected wonders of China come to life on this liner, The Legend of the Seas. Travel through Shanghai and take exciting side trips through China's neighboring countries.

Eccentricity is a way of life in these small, charming islands and unspoiled beaches of Brazil. Set sail to its surrounding cities on this beautiful voyage across the Vision of the Seas.

Explore wonders off the Adriatic Sea. The Voyager of the Seas has sailed practically every ocean in the world, and now it's set its course for the coast of Italy.

Cross the Atlantic and explore the Spanish coast aboard the luxury liner Silver Wind. Stops including the gorgeous St. Lucia and exciting Antigua.

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Travel aboard the Silver Spirit, a small liner with an intimate cruising experience. Dive into restaurants, boutiques, and five-star service along the ports of Grenada, St. Lucia and the Virgin Islands.

Welcome aboard the Zenith, as we set sail on the Adriatic and Aegean Seas! After visiting the castles of Bologna and the enchanting canals of Venice, we will follow the coastline of the Adriatic Sea.

It is a board Silversea's Silvershadow that we sail the coastline of one of the world’s most fascinating regions. Over the course of our trip, we will visit the acclaimed sites of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore.

This long river flowing from its source in Spain comes alive on the coasts of Portugal. Centuries of agriculture are visible on the mountain sides as we witness its imposing wealth and prestigious universal heritage.

Medieval castles, landscapes rich in history, customs several centuries old, and stunning architecture, are witnesses to the splendor of bygone eras. This is a taste of the adventure that lies ahead as we sail the Danube, Europe’s majestic river.

This Christmas Time Dream Cruises follows the passengers of the riverboat Amaprima, as it winds its way through the heart of Europe in the days preceding Christmas.

The Mississippi: a legendary river that crosses the US. The boat is a beautiful replica of the famous steam boats that sailed the river during the 19th century. On the agenda: jazz and blues, famous plantations, and historical sites.

Welcome to the province of Assam in northeastern India. We'll be cruising down the Brahmaputra River, through some of the most beautiful terrain on the planet.

For this dream cruise, we set off on the Caribbean Sea! It is aboard the Costa Luminosa that we will discover the Pearl of the West Indies, a territory coveted by travelers from all over the world.

Dream Cruises invites you to travel the waters of the Guadalquivir and the Guadiana to discover this celebrated part of Spain. Starting in Seville, we will sail the waters of these exotic European ports of call, aboard the luxurious Belle de Cadix.

Built essentially to sail on the Adriatic Sea and along the Dalmatian coast, this intimate yet beautifully appointed ship can dock in most ports large and small.

Dream Cruise welcomes you aboard the MS Botticelli for a cruise on one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe, the Seine! On this intimate cruise on the Seine, we will visit some of the country’s most beautiful cities including Paris.

On this unique cruise on the Cyrano de Bergerac, we will be sailing the region of Bordeaux, known for its amazing wines but also for its many historical sites.

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Dream Cruises invites you to sail the Rhine on board CroisiEurope’s MS Europe - A 100-metre 4-star ship accommodating up to 120 passengers. Our route will take us to the city of Rudehsheim, the romantic part of the Rhine with its many castles.

On this cruise, we will drift on this mythical river which runs 4500 km long. We will start our visit on the Tonle Lake where we will discover the magnificent remains of the majestic temples of Angkor.

It is considered the most beautiful city on Earth, the most romantic, the most mysterious. Dream Cruises invites you on board the Michelangelo to visit the most romantic city in the world: Venice.

Welcome on the Volga, Europe’s longest river. Almost 3700 km long, it flows through extraordinary landscapes and tells the amazing history from Moscow to Saint Petersburg.

Take a delightful trip up the historic Rhone River in France, from Martiques on the Mediterranean, to Chalon sur Saone on board the fabulous river boat Van Gogh. We'll be stopping along the way to visit beautiful towns along the ports.

Dream cruise invites you on board the luxurious MS Vivaldi of the CroisiEurope Line to sail the waters of the Danube. The cruise will depart from the city of Passau in Germany and sail down the river to Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

It is aboard the Austral, a gigantic 149 meter yacht that we will journey through Antarctica in the presence of penguins, whales, seals, dauphins, carnivorous birds and powerful killer whales!

Dream Cruises invites you to discover the beauties of the Indian Summer along the majestic Saint- Lawrence River on board the Boreal.

On board this themed cruise, we will visit the most stunning golf courses the Mediterranean has to offer, as well as visit dream destinations for any enthusiast of the Great Blue Sea, all aboard one of the most luxurious sailboats in the world.

The Celtic Empire once stretched far and wide over what is now Western Europe. We'll embark on a fantastic 12-day cruise from Lisbon to Reykjavik that will trace some of the roots of these gorgeous and historic parts of the world.

Cruise in the luxurious riverboat Aqua for an intimate encounter with the Peruvian Amazon. Daily excursions deep into the rainforest awaits you!

Welcome on board the MSC LIRICA, where we will discover some of the most beautiful islands of the West Indies. During this cruise we will visit the exotic islands of the Dominican Republic.

Live the life of the rich and famous aboard the Poesia. A luxury liner sponsored by the glamorous Sophia Loren, this vessel takes a seven-day voyage across the Caribbean Sea.

Season four.

Dream Cruise invites you to sail the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and part of the famous Riviera.During our cruise we will stop in Barcelona, La Goulette, Rome, Florence and as well as in Montecarlo.

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Carnival Dream

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• Galveston (Texas)

Carnival Dream current position

Carnival Dream current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 18.63616 N / -86.67717 W) cruising at speed of 20 kn (37 km/h | 23 mph) en route to HN RTB> MX CZM. The AIS position was reported 16 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream current cruise is 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean . The itinerary starts on 01 Sep, 2024 and ends on 07 Sep, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Dream

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Carnival Dream Itineraries

Carnival dream review, review of carnival dream.

The 2009-built Carnival Dream cruise ship is one of the Carnival fleet's largest and the first Dream-class vessel, together with Breeze and Magic  as well as Costa Diadema .

The vessel (IMO number 9378474) is currently Panama- flagged (MMSI 370490000) and registered in Colon .

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3646-passenger ship Carnival Dream was floated out on October 24, 2008. When first launched, Carnival Dream was the biggest ship operated by Carnival, though she was later surpassed by Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze, which were delivered in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The liner features facilities similarly designed on the previous CCL ships while presenting some new features. Significant alterations were made to Deck 5's public areas and the exterior promenade running the boat's entire perimeter. A comedy club and a couple of themed bars were added during the 2012 drydock refurbishment . An interesting fact is that around 20 minutes of the "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" movie was filmed on Carnival Dream.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Dream staterooms (1823 total) include 56 Suites, 841 Balcony, 221 Oceanview and 719 Inside, including 254 connecting, 35 wheelchair-accessible, 61 Spa and 193 Family cabins, in all 34 grades. On Carnival Dream were introduced the fleet's new categories "Deluxe Oceanview", "Cove Balcony" and "Cloud 9 Spa" cabins.

Most staterooms are sized 170-185 ft2 / 16-17 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 35-45 ft2 / 3-4 m2. Deluxe Oceanviews are with two separate washrooms and advertised as "Family cabins" having max capacity 5 passengers. Cove Balcony (located beneath the lifeboats on Deck 2) have partially enclosed verandas.

The boat has 14 passenger decks of which 9 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The two formal dining rooms on Carnival Dream are Scarlet (1122 seats) and Crimson (744 seats). Both restaurants are the focal point of dining onboard and feature red decors with Murano glass chandeliers. For those who like laughter with their food, is the Punchliner Comedy Brunch, taking place in the MDR (main dining room) only on sea days. The real foodies who are curious about how the galley feeds so many people, have to check out Chef's Table. For US$75 per person, you'll be able to meet the head chef and tour the galley, as well as dine on a multi-course meal at a private table, while watching the chefs at work.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Dream restaurants and food bars.

• Crimson Restaurant (744-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and “Anytime Dining”)
• Scarlet Restaurant (1122-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, open seating breakfast and lunch; "Seuss At Sea"-themed breakfasts for $5 cover charge)
• Wasabi Bar (sushi bar, complimentary; serves as salad bar during the day)
• The Gathering Lido buffet restaurant (825-seat self-service restaurant with various complimentary takeaway food stations)
• The Chef's Art Steakhouse (108-seat, reservation-only specialty restaurant, serving seafood and prime beef).
• Seafood Shack (added in 2018; open only for lunch and dinner at an additional cost; offers New England clam chowder in a bread bowl, fried buffalo shrimp, steamed lobster, and other options; prices range from around US$5-$12 and orders can be made at the counter).
• Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (added in 2017) is an open-air complimentary BBQ restaurant on Promenade Deck.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Lanai's outdoor seating areas are one of the best features aboard Carnival Dream. Ocean Plaza is another important venue and meet-and-greet hub, often missing on smaller Carnival ships. It offers a little something for everyone with a specialty coffee bar, dance floor, and bars offering drinks-of-the-day. In 2012 two new bars were added as part of Carnival's Fun Ship 2.0 refurbishment program. BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar offer tequila and rum-based cocktails, as well as the signature ThirstyFrog Red beer of Carnival.

Carnival Dream is the first Carnival ship to boast (as a newbuild) a water park with multiple slides. Dream also features a wide outdoor promenade with an outdoor cafe and whirlpools in four different places along the outside edge of the deck.

The following official YouTube video reviews Carnival's Dream-class vessels (Breeze, Dream, and Magic) as facilities and onboard amenities.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Dream lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Encore! Theatre (1400-seat show lounge for a live show and music productions; features the “Playlist Productions” live musical mixes and “Hasbro Game Shows")
• Dream Atrium (11-deck high midship open floor area, featuring Dream Lobby Bar with piano and dance floor)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop; offers branded gear, special occasions gifts, tuxedo rentals)
• Rendezvous Lounge (a 23-seat club with bar)
• FunHub (24-hour Internet computers room; free Intranet offered for information on onboard programs, menus and scheduled events)
• Circle C (complimentary kids' club and lounge area with video games, parties, movies, planned activities)
• Club O2 (teens only lounge with movies, karaoke, video games, themed parties); Warehouse Video Video Games Arcade
• Jackpot Casino (484-seat, with slot machines and gaming tables; features gambling tournaments and complimentary classes)
• FunHub (with Internet/Intranet computers)
• The Lanai (60-seat promenade with Lanai Bar-BQ Bar and four cantilevered Whirlpools; Power Walking/Jogging Track)
• Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge with Plaza Cafe)
• Caliente Disco and Nightclub; Sam’s Bar; Burgundy Lounge (hosts the Punchliners Comedy Club); Song Lounge and Bar
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (for Mexican drinks)
• RedFrog Pub (120-seat, with indoor and outdoor seating, games, live music, international beers selection and Thirstyfrog/RedFrog beer)
• Sunset Pool area; Waves Pool area
• Camp Carnival (complimentary kids play area)
• Cloud 9 Spa (Thermal Suite, Oriental Steam Bath, Aroma Steam Bath, Steam Rooms, Sauna, Lacanium, Thalassotherapy pool)
• Carnival WaterWorks (kids pool play area with Twister water-slide and AquaPark)
• Seaside Theatre (with a huge LED screen for movies, sports events, concerts, with a stage for live performances)
• City Sports Park (featuring outdoor relaxation area, 18-hole mini golf course, Ping-Pong Tables, multisport court and Sports Bar)
• Serenity (adults only relaxation area and Serenity Bar).

Itineraries

Carnival Dream cruise itinerary program is based on departures from New Orleans LA to Eastern and Western Caribbean. Feature port destinations include Cozumel Mexico, Nassau Bahamas, Belize , Jamaica, Roatan , Grand Cayman (George Town) .

Photos of Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream ship related cruise news

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Other Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Carnival Dream Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Carnival Dream was one of the biggest stars in the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked" (2011). Dream is Carnival's first vessel of the DREAM-class, and at the time the biggest-ever built in Italy (until 2016 when was launched Carnival Vista ). Sisterships from this series are Breeze and Magic , and also Costa Diadema .

Carnival Dream drydock 2021

In 2021 (July-August) Carnival Dream was drydocked at Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNdM Shipyard in Marseille France ) for mainly general maintenance works.

During the drydock, the liner's old hull design (white hull, with a red line running its entire length) was replaced with the new trademarked livery (red-white-blue) introduced on Mardi Gras.

Carnival Dream refurbishment 2017 review

The list of deckplan changes after the 2017 drydock refurbishment (January 30 - February 11) in Freeport Bahamas included:

(Promenade Deck 5) "Guy's Pig & Anchor Barbeque Smokehouse" is a complimentary, open-air complimentary restaurant located on the Lanai Promenade. The Smokehouse is designed by Guy Fieri (Food Network). Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse's menu features BBQ favorites, like pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, smoked Andouille sausage, Guy Fieri's traditional sides and gourmet burgers, a variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends.

(Lido Deck 10 / portside, replacing the "Pizzeria" poolside bar) BlueIguana Cantina is a complimentary poolside Mexican cuisine eatery. Among the specialties are fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, salsa bar, a huge selection of toppings.

(Lido Deck 10 / starboard, replacing the "Grille" poolside bar) Guy's Burger Joint is a complimentary poolside premium burger bar.

(Promenade Deck 5) Alchemy Bar is the Carnival's "cocktail pharmacy"-themed lounge with professional mixologists (dressed in lab coats) "prescribing" traditional and exotic (moniker) concoctions from a variety of liquors and ingredients.

(Promenade Deck 5) Bonsai Sushi is a premium sushi restaurant offering sushi, sashimi, bento "ships", plus popular Japanese beers, sakes, cocktails.

(Lido Deck 10) Pizzeria del Capitano offers 5 different varieties of hand-tossed pizzas - Margherita, Quattro Formaggio, mushroom, prosciutto, pepperoni. It is complimentary, and open 24 hours a day. All pizzas are traditionally oven-baked.

The ship's drydock in June 2021 (at Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard in Marseille France ) included mainly general maintenance works as well as repainting of the hull.

More From Forbes

The world’s best luxury cruise lines, according to globe travel awards.

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Seabourn Sojourn

From poolside mini-massages to Picasso artworks, personal butlers, private access to historic sites and grand 4,443 square-foot suites, here are five of the world’s best luxury cruise lines shortlisted in the 2024 Globe Travel Awards .

1. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

Often dubbed the world’s most luxurious fleet, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers stylish, ultra-luxury cruising, with complimentary shore excursions in over 550 destinations from Arabia to the South Pacific , carrying fewer than 750 guests on its six sumptuous ships, adorned with Picasso artworks, 40-foot tapestries, and bronze Bonsai Cherry Trees .

Onboard its newest ship , Regent Seven Seas Grandeur , you’ll find a $6 million art collection (including the first Fabergé egg at sea), 503 crystal chandeliers, unlimited high-speed WiFi, gourmet dining from modern French to Pan-Asian (serving more than 130 new dishes), specialist lectures from war history to winemaking and ancestry; a state-of-the-art cooking school, the Culinary Arts Kitchen; and a high-tech spa boasting a zero-gravity wellness massage on quartz crystal bed.

Its palatial $11,000-a-night Regent Suite is set across 4,443 square feet, overlooking the bow of the ship, with two lavish bedrooms (one with a four-poster bed), a marble-wrapped bathroom, a full-size dining room and living room with a personalized bar, three walk-in wardrobes, and a sweeping wraparound balcony with a heated whirlpool.

You’ll also receive daily canapés, access to The Study, a private dining room for up to 12 guests; a personal butler, and a personal car and guide to explore ashore.

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, 2. seabourn cruise line.

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn is a leader in small-ship ultra-luxury cruising, boasting an elegant fleet of six ships designed for suave travelers who demand the very best–bearing a private yacht-like atmosphere onboard with all ocean-front suites.

Service is at the heart of Seabourn with complimentary fine wines and premium spirits, mini-massages at the poolside, wine tastings, and fine dining from lobster to quail. While its shore excursions often include private access to historic sites when they’re closed to the general public, as well as sailings into secluded coves and champagne and caviar beach picnics.

The newest of Seabourn’s two purpose-built expedition ships– Seabourn Pursuit , was designed to reach some of the most coveted, remote destinations in the world, carrying just 264 guests with two custom-built submarines, 24 zodiacs, kayaks, and a 24-person expedition team.

Onboard, you can whiz up and down its ten passenger decks boasting an Expedition Lounge , eight dining venues, an infinity pool, and a Discovery Center hosting enthralling lectures–or retire to your Owner’s Suite, set across 1,023 square feet, with a private veranda, sweeping walk-in wardrobe, and a lavish bathroom with a deep soaking tub and plush robes.

At sunset, sip a glass of Montaudon or order gourmet in-room dining, served course by course.

3. Silversea Cruises

A pioneer in ultra-luxury cruising since 1994, Silversea Cruises offers exceptional service standards across its 12 a ll-suite ships, with 24-hour butler service, a Venetian Society loyalty program (earning complimentary 14-day sailings), and some of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea.

Launched in 2024, its newest ship– Silver Ray –sails with 728 passengers, swanning across its 11 decks with a two-story Venetian Lounge hosting musical performances, film screenings, and guest lectures; a cozy 32-guest cocktail bar, The Shelter ; a sexy cigar lounge, The Connoisseur’s Corner, with floor-to-ceiling windows and Chesterfield armchairs; a panoramic 270-degree observation lounge, The Panorama Lounge; a culinary test kitchen S.A.L.T. Lab, and the Otium Spa inspired by Ancient Roman baths.

Guests staying in the one-bedroom Otium Suite will have 1,324 square feet of space to spread out across with a commodious living room, dining area, a decadent bathroom with its own whirlpool bath, walk-in wardrobes, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a vast veranda with a private hot tub.

4. Explora Journeys

Private veranda.

A passion project by the Aponte family, Explora Journeys launched its first ship, EXPLORA I , in August 2023, offering 461 ‘ Homes at Sea.’ At the top of the tree, its Owner’s Residence is set across 3,000 square feet, bearing a private steam room and panoramic ocean-front terrace with a swirling whirlpool where your butler will service you a chilled glass of Dom Pérignon .

Onboard restaurants range from Mediterranean to Pan-Asian , plus a fine-dining restaurant , Anthology , curated by Franck Garanger , serving fine Italian regional dishes like Mediterranean seabass with Arabica coffee and scallop cannelloni with black truffle.

You’ll also find four heated swimming pools, a spacious thermal area, 64 private cabanas, two VIP double spa suites, a Technogym fitness area, Luminaries –hosting expert-led talks, and the first Rolex at Sea boutique.

Sustainability is a focus area for Explora Journeys , and from EXPLORA III onwards, it will use LNG fuel, allowing engines to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25%.

5. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

Scenic Eclipse

With a focus on exclusive experiences from private concerts to gourmet feasts and after-hours access to historical sites, Scenic offers six-star cruising using ground-breaking technology to access some of the most remote environments in the world, from Vanuatu to Snow Hill Island –while protecting the wildlife’s natural habitat and sensitive underwater ecosystems

While cruising with Scenic , you can make use of state-of-the-art helicopters, next-generation submersibles for eight passengers (diving up to 200 meters below sea level), and 20-member expedition teams made up of naturalists, marine biologists, and glaciologists.

Its ultra-luxury yacht Scenic Eclipse II launched in 2023 with a maximum of just 228 guests–bearing 114 luxury suites, a Senses Spa , and a Sky Deck boasting a Vitality pool, private cabanas, and a Sky Bar .

Stay in its Owner’s Penthouse Suite stretching across 1,990 square feet with a sweeping 110 square foot terrace, adorned with sun loungers and a private Jacuzzi; a therapeutic spa bath, dual steam showers, a personalized mini-bar, and a Spa Day Bed transforming for in-suite spa treatments where you can indulge in hot stone massages and eye lift facials as you sail by Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands .

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Disney Dream Staterooms

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Another Icon-of-the-Seas-Style Megaship? Make That 3 More.

Royal Caribbean and other companies are aggressively building over-the-top ships. “Today’s cruisezillas make the Titanic look like a small fishing boat,” noted one sustainability specialist.

By Ceylan Yeğinsu

The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, drew as much criticism as excitement when Royal Caribbean launched it earlier this year, but the ship has been a hit among cruise goers. Now the cruise line is adding to its fleet of megaships.

The company already has two Icon Class ships on order — Star of the Seas, which will be launched in 2025, and a third ship that has not yet been named but will be delivered in 2026. It now has plans to order a fourth ship, set for a 2027 launch, with options for a fifth and sixth. The new ships build on the market response to Icon of the Seas, said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group, announcing the agreement to build the new ships.

“Since its debut, Icon has exceeded our expectations in both guest satisfaction and financial performance,” Mr. Liberty said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 250,800-ton ship, which can carry nearly 8,000 people, has eight “neighborhoods” packed with amenities that include a 55-foot waterfall, six water slides and more than 40 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

Royal Caribbean’s announcement comes as the cruise industry reports record demand, attracting new customers with attractively priced packages that often include food, beverages and activities. In 2023, cruise travel exceeded 2019’s 29.7 million passengers by some two million, with 31.7 million passengers. This year, that number is expected to reach 34.7 million, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s trade group.

Responding to the demand, Royal Caribbean launched four new ships this year and has seven more on order. Other major cruise lines, like Carnival, Norwegian and MSC, are also launching next-generation vessels through 2027. The trend has drawn criticism from environmental groups, who warn that the number and scale of the ships undermine the industry’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

The world’s largest cruise ships are now twice as big as they were in 2000, according to a report by Transport and Environment , a Brussels-based advocacy group for clean transport and energy. If vessels continue to grow at their current rate, the biggest ships in 2050 will be eight times larger than the Titanic, with a capacity to carry nearly 11,000 passengers, the report found.

“Today’s cruisezillas make the Titanic look like a small fishing boat. How much bigger can these giants get?” said Inesa Ulichina, the sustainable shipping officer at Transport and Environment. “The cruise business is the fastest growing tourism sector and its emissions are quickly getting out of control.”

Based on the current fleets of its member lines, CLIA said, there is a strong balance of cruise ship sizes. Many cruise lines argue that their larger vessels are being built more efficiently in line with their sustainability goals, with features to make them compatible with cleaner fuel sources like methanol.

The Icon of the Seas has several features designed to minimize the ship’s carbon footprint, including a waste management system that converts onboard waste into energy and an advanced purification system that is designed to treat all wastewater onboard.

“Achieving net zero is not something any one company can do alone,” Mr. Liberty said, speaking last month at a Decarbonization Summit hosted by Royal Caribbean Group and the not-for-profit Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. “It requires collective problem solving, creative thinking, and a willingness to have tough conversations.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article misstated how soon the biggest cruise ships could be eight times larger than the Titanic, if they continue to grow at their current rate. It is 2050, not 2025.

How we handle corrections

Ceylan Yeğinsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

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Disney Cruise Line ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

What's the newest Disney Cruise Line ship? It's something you'll want to know if you're in the market for a Disney cruise.

The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is typically also the Disney Cruise Line ship with the most bells and whistles and the most up-to-date cabins, restaurants, bars and attractions. It's what you want if you want the very latest and greatest in a vessel for your Disney cruise vacation.

Right now, the newest Disney cruise ship is the 1-year-old Disney Wish . It just debuted in July 2022. However, Disney Wish won't be the newest Disney Cruise Line ship for long. It'll soon be supplanted as the newest Disney cruise vessel by the currently-under-construction Disney Treasure — a sister ship being built to the same basic design. Disney Treasure is scheduled to begin sailing in 2024.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Two other relatively new Disney cruise ships are Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. Both began sailing about a decade ago.

In all, Disney operates just five cruise vessels — far fewer than such cruise brands as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line . Founded in 1998, the line has gone long periods without adding a single new vessel, with occasional bursts of expansion, including one taking place right now.

The line has never retired a vessel since its debut in 1998. The oldest Disney cruise ship, Disney Magic, is 25 years old.

In general, Disney's newest ships are bigger and more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave the most possible activities in a Disney cruise vacation, you'll want to stick to the line's three most recently built vessels.

Related: The 3 types of Disney Cruise Line ships, explained

Disney's two oldest cruise ships — those built in the 1990s — are about 40% smaller than the line's newest vessels and have fewer venues on board. Still, even these smaller ships offer a lot of attractions as compared to many vessels at competing lines.

Here, every Disney ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. Disney Wish

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 144,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,508

2. Disney Fantasy

Maiden voyage: 2012 Size: 125,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,500

3. Disney Dream

Maiden voyage: 2011 Size: 125,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,500

4. Disney Wonder

Maiden voyage: 1999 Size: 85,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,750

5. Disney Magic

Maiden voyage: 1998 Size: 83,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,750

What is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship?

The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is Disney Wish. As noted above, it debuted in July 2022. Measuring 144,000 gross tons, it's also the biggest Disney cruise ship and has more amenities than the line's older vessels.

TPG has had staffers on Disney Wish three times over the past year to experience and review the vessel. For more on the ship and its new features, see the following guides and reviews:

• Exclusive first look: Peek inside the new Disney Wish
• 7 things about Disney Wish that surprised us
• 9 things to know about Disney Wish
• Yes, there's a $5,000 drink on Disney Wish — but it's more than a drink
• Why Disney Wish isn't just for kids
• Why Disney Wish may win over non-cruisers
• Is a concierge suite on Disney Wish worth it? We tried one to find out
• Review: The new Enchante restaurant on Disney Wish
• Review: The new Worlds of Marvel restaurant on Disney Wish

What is the oldest Disney Cruise Line ship?

The oldest Disney Cruise Line ship is Disney Magic. Unveiled way back in 1998, it was the very first Disney cruise ship ever built, and its arrival in 1998 marked the beginning of the line.

Disney Magic isn't just the oldest Disney cruise ship but also the smallest Disney cruise ship. Measuring just 83,000 gross tons, it's about 40% smaller than the new Disney Wish. As a result, it has fewer venues than Disney Wish but also a more intimate feel.

Because it offers fewer and smaller attractions than the new Disney Wish and other newer Disney ships, Disney Cruise Line typically uses Disney Magic and its slightly younger sister ship Disney Wonder for its more destination-intensive itineraries — trips where you're going to spend much of your time off the ship and onboard amenities are less important.

Disney Magic, for instance, is the ship that Disney sends to Europe every summer for itineraries that are all about exploring cities such as Barcelona and Rome (reached via the port of Civitavecchia, Italy).

What new Disney Cruise Line ships are coming?

Disney Cruise Line currently has two new cruise ships on order. The first to arrive will be Disney Treasure in 2024. As noted above, it's a sister ship to Disney Wish, and it'll have many of the same features as that vessel.

Another vessel in the same series, known as the Triton class of ships, is on order for delivery in 2025.

The Triton-class vessels are being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, which also built Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

In addition, Disney Cruise Line recently bought a massive, partly finished cruise ship that was originally ordered for Asia-based Dream Cruises. The unfinished ship became available for purchase after Dream Cruises went out of business.

Disney plans to finish construction on the vessel and operate it out of Singapore starting in 2025. The ship will sail Southeast Asia voyages aimed at the Asia cruise market.

What is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship available for booking?

Disney Wish is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship you can book right now. The line's next new ship, Disney Treasure, is not yet available to book.

What is the newest class of Disney Cruise Line ships?

The Triton class is the newest class of Disney Cruise Line ships. It'll be made up of at least three vessels, the first of which (Disney Wish) has already debuted.

The Triton class is the shiny new thing at Disney Cruise Line. The first of the vessels, Disney Wish, debuted with a whole new array of Disney "wow" on board, from the "Star Wars"-themed Hyperspace Lounge that offers a "window" view of passing starships to Marvel- and "Frozen"-themed restaurants.

First look: Disney Wish's new 'Frozen' dinner show

In addition, cabins on Disney Wish include seven ocean-view rooms located over the bridge, a first for Disney Cruise Line. The rooms have extended living areas with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bow and out across the ocean. If that isn't enough, there also are four Royal Suites with a "Sleeping Beauty" theme, two of which feature a two-story floor plan.

What's the difference between newer and older Disney cruise ships?

The three newest Disney Cruise Line ships are notably bigger than the two oldest Disney Cruise Line ships. As a result, they have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the older vessels.

On all three of the newer vessels (Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream), you'll find large water coasters careening around the top deck — a level of attraction you won't find on the older Disney ships.

The newer Disney cruise ships also are home to kiddie waterslides, decktop kiddie play areas and several pools apiece. The ships' insides are loaded with huge children's play areas, family entertainment and even adults-only venues.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line

Disney's two oldest ships are about 40% smaller than its newest ships and have fewer such features. They have a notably more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships. They also hold fewer people. While Disney's newest ships are designed to hold around 4,000 passengers with every berth full, the line's two oldest vessels (known as the Magic class) are only designed to carry about 2,500 passengers with every berth filled.

That makes the two oldest Disney ships a good choice for someone who wants to try a Disney cruise but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the Disney fleet thus appeal to a subset of Disney fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also sometimes less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Disney loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the oldest ships at Disney are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Disney Wish.

Note that all Disney ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Disney cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise