Carnival Dream will cater to families

The Carnival Dream, Carnival Cruise Line’s 3,646-passenger ship under construction in Italy, will have the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, the line said.

Betting on an influx of families, Carnival said it is building expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park on the Dream, which is slated to debut on Sept. 21, 2009.

Also, the ship will have new cabin categories designed for families. Some cabins will have two bathrooms. The Dream will also feature the Piazza, an indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue. “Scenic whirlpools” will extend over the ship’s beam.

Caribbean ports will be Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles in for eastern Caribbean cruises and Cozumel, Mexico; Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Nassau for western Caribbean cruises.