Carnival Dream Gets New Food & Drink Venues

Cruising from New Orleans? You’re in luck…twice! Carnival Dream, cruising year-round from New Orleans, now has many of the same dining and bar venues found on other Carnival ships. After an extensive refurbishment in the Bahamas, the 3,636 passenger Carnival Dream returned to New Orleans this week and resumed its western Caribbean cruises.

Wonder what was added?

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Barbeque Smokehouse

Another Guy Fieri restaurant for Carnival, this outdoor, complimentary venue is strictly BBQ, as the name implies. Carnivores can choose from a variety of BBQ dishes including Championship Pork Butt, Blue Ribbon Chicken, smoked Andouille sausage and Sliced Smoked Round of Beef. Even if you don’t eat meat, you’ll find a good selection of traditional outdoor barbeque side dishes. Don’t worry, your Guy’s Burger Joint is there, too.

BlueIguana Cantina

A complimentary Mexican eatery located on the Lido deck, serving freshly-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas. There’s also a huge selection of toppings and hot sauces at the adjacent salsa bar.

Alchemy Bar

A “cocktail pharmacy”-themed lounge where mixologists dress in lab coats and concoct “curative” beverages. Drinks have unique and descriptive names, like Forty is the New Twenty and The Restorative Basil Drop.

Pizzeria del Capitano

Serving five varieties of hand-tossed pizza, including Margherita, quattro formaggio, mushroom, prosciutto and pepperoni. All complimentary and open 24 hours a day. Be sure and try their Caesar salad, too. Anchovies optional.

Bonsai Sushi

My personal favorite. This full-service sushi restaurant offers sushi, sashimi, dinners served in bento boxes or “ships” for two or more. Be sure to order their green tea cupcakes for dessert.
Carnival Dream already has their massive WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity – an adults-only retreat, the Cloud 9 Spa with a thalassotherapy pool and thermal suite, and Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor live music and entertainment venue.

Parents traveling with kids will be happy to know Carnival Dream also offers Seuss at Sea, and play spaces for kids in three age groups.

Carnival Dream cruises year-round seven-day cruises from New Orleans with three distinctly different itineraries:

• Western Caribbean cruises visiting Montego Bay, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman
• Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Belize and Cozumel
• Bahamas/Florida route calling at Key West, Freeport and Nassau