Largest Carnival cruise ship ever on track for September debut

The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream -- the biggest Carnival cruise ship ever built -- successfully completed sea trials this week in preparation for its Sept. 21 debut.

The 3,646-passenger vessel, the first of a new class at the line, is now back at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, near Trieste, for finishing work. 

The Carnival Dream will boast such new-for-Carnival concepts as an indoor/outdoor café and entertainment venue called the Ocean Plaza, and cantilevered whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s sides. The vessel also will have new accommodation categories including "cove balconies" that are closer to the water line and five-berth, two-bathroom cabins aimed at families.

The Dream is about 15% larger than the 113,000-ton, 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor, the largest Carnival ship currently afloat. It's scheduled to enter service in Europe on Sept. 21 operating a series of Mediterranean cruises before repositioning to New York for a pair of eight-day cruises on Nov. 15 and 23. The ship will then head to Port Canaveral, Fla., to sail year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises.

Source: USA Today