Phil Reimer aboard the Carnival Dream -- I should mention before I get started on the kids section of the Carnival Dream, we are cruising out in the Atlantic off N.Y. It is windy, wet and cool and we did not get the chance to try any of the outdoor activities on the ship. I was hoping at least for the water slide.
When it gets into its year-round mode in December, this ship will be based at Port Canaveral (Orlando) where it will battle it out with Disney and Royal Caribbean for the family market. 30 - 40% of cruisers are taking a cruise for the first time. Lots are younger adults and many are bringing along kids, so you can see why cruise lines salivate when you talk family. They are more to a cabin and they do have some large two bathroom family cabins on-board. Kids also know how to spend money just as easily as adults.
The children’s groups are separated by age and all have their own area. 20,000 square feet—that’s a lot space—has been allocated to kids, tweens and teens aboard the Carnival Dream. Camp Carnival is 2-11, which is broken down into narrower age groups. Don’t worry, the 2 year olds aren’t hanging out with the tweens. Circle C is 12-14 and Club 02 is 15-17. All of the groups operate a schedule of morning to night activities.
Carnival likes to brag about the kids. They board something like 600,000 a year, but then they do have the biggest fleet.
The four deck high, 303-foot Twister water slide is going to be popular. There are other smaller slides in what is known as the Water Works part of the ship. Also located up top is a miniature golf course, and combined basketball and volleyball courts.
Both Circle C and Club 02 have their own nightclubs—no adults allowed. Located next to those is the Warehouse with a room full of NASCAR and other driving experiences, along with other electronic goodies.
With no children accompanying me on this trip, I have to count on those with children to offer an opinion—most have been positive.
All for now.