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Can I bring an iron onboard?

For our guest’s safety we do not allows irons in staterooms. However, each ship has a laundry service onboard. Laundry bags are available in your stateroom. Simply contact your Stateroom Attendant.  On select ships, there is also the option to do it yourself in our self-service laundromat: Carnival Splendor - Self-service launderettes are located on the stateroom decks. There are two or three washers and dryers, and one iron and ironing board in each launderette. The cost is $3.50 per washer load and $3.50 per dryer load. Vending machines dispense small boxes of detergent and water softener at $2.00 per box. Note: Due to local environmental requirements, the washing machines in the guest launderette will be closed in port, per each ports specific requirements; the dryers and irons will be available for guest use. Carnival Luminosa - Unfortunately self-service laundromat is currently not available. 

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Iron on a Cruise: all the new rules (2024)

July 10, 2024

Many people who know me, and who know that I write about cruises, often ask me questions when they meet me .

Which ship can I choose to go to that place? How can I save money to go on a cruise more often? Which cruise line do you prefer?

These are all questions I get asked and am happy to answer (as you can imagine, I always like to talk about cruises).

However, there is another very popular question that I have been asked for years:

Can I bring my iron on a cruise?

In this article, we are going to see once and for all what the updated rules are for this item and on which cruise lines you can bring it .

Table of Contents

Everyone wants to bring an iron

I am always surprised by the large number of people who want to bring an iron on a cruise .

I guess it’s because onboard there are different themed and formal nights , and most people want to be at their best.

Also consider that, on cruise ships, there are many fancy restaurants and there is always a good opportunity to take a souvenir photo , even with the ship’s captain.

You don’t really want to take a picture with the captain in a wrinkled dress, do you?

Don’t worry though, if your cruise line does not allow you to bring an iron with you, there are still some great alternatives to be perfect (just keep reading the article to find them out.)

Cruise Line Policies

Below I have made a list of the policies for the major cruise lines . They are updated to 2024 .

Royal Caribbean

Irons and clothes steamers are strictly prohibited . If found, they will be confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise.

Self-service laundry facilities are not provided (Royal Caribbean says as a matter of safety.)

Carnival Cruise Line

Personal irons and clothes steamers are not allowed . Carnival provides laundry rooms with ironing facilities on all ships except Carnival Firenze, Carnival Luminosa, and Carnival Venezia.

As you have probably noticed, these are ships that were part of Costa Cruises and therefore did not offer this type of service.

If you’re a bit confused about all the ships, check the list of all the carnival ships ranked from best to worst .

Norwegian Cruise Line

Irons and clothes steamers are prohibited . However, passengers can request an iron and ironing board from guest services.

The number is obviously limited, so they can only be requested for a few hours a day, and you cannot keep them with you for the whole cruise.

Princess Cruises

Irons are not allowed in staterooms . However, laundry rooms with irons and ironing boards are available.

Disney Cruise Line

Personal irons are not permitted , but the ship provides self-service laundry rooms equipped with irons and ironing boards.

Celebrity Cruises

Irons and clothes steamers are prohibited . There are no self-service laundry facilities with ironing equipment.

Holland America Line

Irons are not allowed in staterooms . Some ships have self-service laundry rooms with irons and ironing boards.

Potential Penalties

I have already explained this to you in the article of the items that are always confiscated when boarding a cruise , if you bring an iron or steamer to embarkation it will be confiscated and returned to you at the end of the cruise .

In addition, be especially careful if you still manage to bring them on board .

If you use them despite the prohibitions, you risk a hefty fine or a ban from the cruise .

Remember that the cabin stewards’ duties include checking for possible dangerous objects in the cabin , so if they see an iron, they might alert security.

Perfect clothes without iron

I also want to give you some alternatives that I always use and am very happy with . They are all perfect for keeping your clothes wrinkle-free during your vacation .

Wrinkle Remover Spray

One thing that is very convenient to take on the go, and very easy to use, is a crease removal spray .

I didn’t know about it until a few years ago, and I must say it was really a breakthrough .

You just have to hang or lay the garment, use the spray until slightly damp, and pull out wrinkles by stretching the edge .

Here are the before and after pics . I think it works quite well, let me know what you guys think.

Packing techniques

Another thing that really changed my way of traveling is to follow some packing rules .

When I started rolling clothes instead of folding them , I noticed much less creases.

It’s a method that works perfectly well for t-shirts, casual shirts, pants, and casual dresses. Just try it and let me know what you think, you will probably not even need an iron anymore .

Use the laundry service

As we saw previously in the policy section, many cruise ships have launderettes that you can use .

They are usually located on the cabin decks, but if you cannot find them, ask a cabin steward or the front desk .

If your ship does not have them, you can still use the laundry service ; usually, you can even have garments ironed without washing them.

Can I bring a travel iron?

No, you can’t even bring a travel iron.

They’re usually smaller but can reach high temperatures like normal ones, and that is precisely why these items are banned.

On my last cruise, a lady who was in front of me at the security checkpoint was carrying a very small travel iron that was still sealed in its original packaging .

Despite her pleas, the security officer still seized it.

What happens if I get caught with an iron?

Nothing much happens. If you want to get on the ship, you have to hand over your iron to security .

They will hold it for the entire cruise, and you can take it back when you disembark .

It is a different matter if you try to disguise it, if you sneak it on board and you try to use it, or if you don’t want to leave it.

In that case, you could be denied boarding or, in more serious cases, you could be banned from the cruise ship .

Are there any exceptions to the rules?

There is no exception that I am aware of.

Consider that exceptions are made only for serious health problems or extreme necessity .

Since the iron is not an indispensable device, it is difficult, if not impossible, for you to be granted an exception.

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Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Picking a cabin on a Carnival Cruise Line ship isn't nearly as complicated as picking a cabin on, say, a Royal Caribbean or a Celebrity Cruises ship.

Unlike some of its biggest competitors, Carnival isn't known for a huge range of cabin categories on its vessels.

That means that when you're trying to find the best Carnival cruise ship cabin for you, you'll have an easier time than you will when booking with some other lines.

The vast majority of the accommodations on Carnival ships fall into one of three broad buckets: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins and balcony cabins.

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

You'll find relatively few suites on Carnival ships. Each of the vessels in Carnival's recent Vista-class series, for instance, offer fewer than 75 suites. Each of the line's earlier Conquest-class ships have around 50 suites. The oldest Fantasy-class vessels have 28 suites and 26 junior suites.

This is in part due to Carnival's focus on offering an affordable product. The typical Carnival customer isn't in the market for a super fancy, high-priced suite.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

That said, Carnival has seen the success that some of its competitors have had with a bigger range of upscale accommodations, and it's eyeing more suites for future vessels. The line's two newest ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , each have 180 suites — more than twice the number found on the vessels Carnival was unveiling a few years ago.

Note that Carnival's two oldest ships — those that are part of the 1990s-built Fantasy Class — have relatively few balcony cabins by today's standards. (After retrofitting, they have around 150 balcony cabins, out of a total of more than 1,000 cabins in all.) In part because of this, Carnival has been phasing Fantasy-class ships out of its fleet in recent years.

A Carnival Cruise Line cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Carnival vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

On newer Carnival ships, a significant portion of cabins are balcony cabins — the rooms everyone wants these days. But the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins on Carnival's newer ships isn't nearly as high as on the newer ships of some rival lines such as Royal Caribbean.

About 44% of the 2,004 cabins on Carnival's Carnival Panorama (launched in 2019) are balcony cabins, for instance. Compare that to the 65% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas (launched in 2018) that are balcony cabins.

As noted above, Carnival ships also have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships of some of its rival lines. By contrast, the line's newer ships have a higher percentage of inside cabins than you'll find on the newer ships of some rival lines.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Carnival Panorama, which is typical of the line's newer ships:

Inside cabins: 789 (39%) Oceanview cabins: 254 (13%) Balcony cabins: 891 (44%) Suites: 70 (3%)

On older Carnival ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are far fewer balcony cabins. Fewer than 10% of cabins on the line's two oldest vessels, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, are balcony cabins. The two ships date to 1998.

On both Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins make up the majority (nearly 90%) of accommodations, and suites account for fewer than 10% of rooms. Here is the breakdown for Carnival Paradise:

Inside cabins: 420 (40%) Oceanview cabins: 466 (44%) Balcony cabins: 98 (9%) Suites: 78 (7%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have a tougher time locking down a balcony cabin on an older Carnival ship than on a newer vessel. If you're planning a cruise on one of the line's older vessels and a balcony cabin is a must, you'll want to book early to make sure you get one.

You'll also want to book early if you're aiming for a suite — particularly if you want one of the best suites on a Carnival ship. An old saw in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The "middle" sells last.

Design-wise, Carnival's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish. Cabins on recently unveiled or overhauled vessels mostly have a soothing palette of creams and blues. Cabinetry in these rooms is a crisp and clean faux wood. Cabin bathrooms are neutral.

One exception is the new Carnival Venezia , which has a darker (faux) wood finish to furniture in cabins that ties into the ship's Italy theme.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival ship

Inside cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Inside cabins are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Carnival ship, they almost always are the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin, and you often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

On many cruise ships, inside cabins are smaller than oceanview and balcony cabins. But on Carnival ships, that's not always the case. On Carnival Panorama, for instance, most inside cabins measure 185 square feet. That's the same size as the interior area of some oceanview and most balcony cabins on the ship (not including the extra square footage from the balcony).

Related: Why inside cabins aren't as bad as you think

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's new Wonder of the Seas , by contrast, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Carnival Panorama.

Note that, in a quirk of the cabin categorization system at Carnival, there are a few inside cabins on some Carnival ships that do, indeed, have a view to the outside world. These cabins either have an obstructed view (often due to lifeboats) or a porthole, such that the view isn't all that great. For that reason, the line classifies them as inside cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

With an oceanview cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Carnival's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as generally cabins that face outwards now are built with balconies. But older Carnival ships are loaded with oceanview cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships can sometimes be bigger than inside cabins and even bigger than balcony cabins (when comparing their interior space). On Carnival Panorama, some oceanview cabins measure 185 square feet — the same as inside cabins. But there also are bigger "standard" oceanview cabins that measure 220 square feet and "deluxe" oceanview cabins that measure 230 square feet.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

Balcony cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Carnival is building its newest ships with far more of them than in the past. As noted above, about 44% of the cabins Carnival Panorama are balcony cabins. But that percentage jumped to 56% on the newer Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. It will be the same on Carnival Jubilee, a sister vessel to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration coming out in December 2023.

The typical Carnival balcony cabin has a contemporary look, with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. It typically features twin beds that can be converted into a king bed, a built-in desk area and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed. Some rooms have pull-down bunks to create more sleeping spaces. Balcony cabins typically measure around 185 square feet, not including the veranda area, which often measures 35 square feet.

Note that on some Carnival ships, specific categories of balcony cabins have larger balconies than most. These are wonderful for sitting out and watching the waves. Often these rooms are at the back of the ships overlooking the wake.

Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise

For instance, Carnival Panorama has "Family Harbor" and "Havana" balcony cabins with 60-square-foot balconies overlooking the wake. That's 71% more balcony space than the typical balcony cabin on the ship.

Carnival Panorama also has "Havana Cabana" balcony cabins with even bigger, 100-square-foot balconies.

Suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

As noted above, Carnival ships generally don't offer a lot of suites. For the most part, the suites they have are relatively modest in size and amenities compared to the suites at some of the line's rivals.

The biggest suites on Carnival Panorama, the ship's eight Grand Suites, have 345 square feet of interior space, plus an 85-square-foot balcony. Contrast that to the biggest suites on Royal Caribbean ships, which can measure more than 1,500 square feet.

Suites on Carnival ships also haven't traditionally come with butlers and access to private concierge lounges like the suites on many other vessels.

Related: This amazing new cruise ship suite measures more than 4,000 square feet

Still, some of that has begun to change with the debut of Carnival's new Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Carnival went big with the suites on the groundbreaking, 5,282-passenger vessels — the biggest Carnival ships ever.

Unveiled in 2021 and 2022, respectively, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration each feature two sprawling Presidential Suites that measure 1,120 square feet — bigger than any other accommodations in the line's fleet.

Located at the top of each ship on Deck 17, the complexes have separate living and sleeping areas and the most expansive balconies in the Carnival fleet — all unusual-for-Carnival features. Measuring more than 600 square feet, the balconies also offer a lounging area with a large sunbed and a private outdoor hot tub and shower.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise ship

The Presidential Suites are among 180 suites you will find on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the most ever for a Carnival ship.

The two ships have 11 different categories of suites in all, four of which are part of a new premium "Excel" category of suites with extra amenities and access to a new-for-the-line, resort-style enclave at the top of the ships called Loft 19.

In addition to the two Presidential Suites, the Excel suites include a dozen 861-square-foot Excel Aft Suites that overlook the back of each ship and boast separate living rooms and bedrooms and large wraparound balconies with hot tubs.

Slightly smaller are a dozen 710-square-foot Excel Corner Suites offering separate sleeping and lounging areas and wraparound balconies. A step down are six smaller Excel Suites that measure 614 square feet.

Every one of the suites in those categories is bigger than any suite found on Carnival Panorama.

Passengers staying in all four categories of Excel suites on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration have access to a dedicated concierge phone line and guaranteed dining times at the extra-charge specialty restaurants found on the ships (except for Japanese eatery Bonsai Teppanyaki and the Chef's Table). Other upgraded amenities for Excel suite passengers include complimentary Bottomless Bubbles soda packages, room service and laundry service, sparkling wine upon arrival and upgraded bathroom toiletries.

The new Loft 19 enclave found on both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration offers full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and cabanas available for rent.

Related: A guide to Carnival's VIFP loyalty program

Bottom Line

Fun-focused Carnival offers a solid mix of cabins on its vessels for a range of price points. If you're looking for an inexpensive vacation option, the inside cabins on Carnival ships are more spacious than the inside cabins you'll find on the ships of some rival lines. Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships also can be larger than normal for the category. Balcony cabins on Carnival ships hold their own in size against most competitors. Just don't expect a huge number of suites when sailing with Carnival.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

• CruiseMapper

Carnival Dream cabins and suites

Carnival dream staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Carnival Dream cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Carnival Cruise Line en-suite amenities and services.

The Carnival Dream cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Grand Suite

Layout (floor plan), ocean suite, aft extended balcony cabin, premium vista balcony cabin, balcony cabin, cove balcony cabin, deluxe oceanview family cabin, oceanview cabin, porthole cabin, interior cabin, small interior single cabin, cloud 9 spa staterooms, carnival dream cabins review.

The Carnival cruise ship Dream has a total of 35 wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) and 61 Cloud 9 Spa cabins (of them 20 Inside, 4 Oceanview, 35 Balcony, 4 Suite). The number of all cabin categories is 34.

Connecting rooms ("family cabins") are located on decks 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. The list of connecting cabins grades includes 2 beds (4E, 8P), 3 beds (PT, 6L), 3 beds (6A), 2-3 beds (8B, 8E, 8D), 2-4 beds (8A, 8F), and 2-3-4 beds (6M, 7C). Handicap staterooms (35 total) are in categories OS-Ocean Suie (1), Balcony (2), Oceanview (13), Interior (15) and Small Interior (4).

Follows the review of Carnival Dream staterooms as amenities, furniture, and complimentary services:

Carnival Dream Suites (Grand, Ocean, Cloud 9 Spa) have 2 twin beds (convertible to king), dressing area (walk-in closet, vanity table, chair), private bathroom (WC, shower, bathtub, bidet, double sinks). Some GS-OS suites have a single/double sofa bed for 3rd/4th person. All balcony accommodations feature a private balcony with sliding glass doors (table, patio chairs, rail with clear glass panel).

All Carnival Cloud 9 Spa cabins have exclusive access to the Spa facilities on Panorama Deck 11. Their grades are Spa Suite (SS), Spa Balcony (8S, 8P), Spa Oceanview (6S) and Spa Inside (4S). Carnival Cloud 9 Spa rooms have the following complimentary amenities, services and perks (applicable for two guests per stateroom only): Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool (complimentary, unlimited access), 2 fitness classes (complimentary, Yoga or Pilates), 2 metabolism tests (complimentary), 1 Scrub Kit (complimentary, for the Thermal Suite), bathrobes, slippers, deluxe in-room bath amenities (by Elemis – shampoo, conditioner, sharp shower gel, vitamin-rich body lotion, 1 hand and 1 body soap disks), priority Spa reservations (must be made by 6 pm on embarkation day). Passengers booked in Cloud 9 Spa cabins also enjoy Spa treatment discounts while the ship is docked in ports of call – 20% off (1st), 30% off (2nd) and 40% off (3rd treatment).

Premium Vista Balcony cabins are located around the ship’s aft corners and have same suite amenities (incl a wrap-around balcony). Extended Balcony cabins are in 2 grades – 8N and 8M (both with aft ship location). These staterooms have 50% larger balconies, 3 closets (in all grades balcony rooms), full bathroom (shower). Cove Balcony cabins feature floor-ceiling window doors leading to a private cove (partially enclosed) veranda.

Oceanview cabins have a picture window and twin beds don’t convert to king when both upper beds are in use. Some have a sofa and/or upper beds (Pullman) for 3rd/4th person. Spa Oceanview rooms are with obstructed views, and some are with upper bed (Pullman) for 4th person.

Inside cabins with windows have either Porthole Window (PT, on decks 1 and 2) or Picture Window (4J, on decks 6, 7, 9 and 10-Lido). Some Porthole cabins have a sofa bed for a 3rd person, some Picture Window rooms have a sofa and/or upper bed (Pullman) for 3rd/4th person. Small Inside cabins have bunk beds (upper/lower Pullman beds), living area (vanity, chair), bathroom (shower).

All Carnival Dream staterooms offer as standard/complimentary amenities a living area (vanity, seating), smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies, bookings-reservations, Room Service ordering), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, shower, single sink-vanity, bathrobes, bathroom amenity basket/replenished upon request), custom-made beds (Carnival Comfort Bed System), beach towels, mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, complimentary 24-hour room service. Bibles (Gideon version) are provided upon request.

The Carnival’s Sail & Sign card (cashless onboard credit account) doubles as stateroom key. The S&S credit program allows charges on purchases and tips/gratuities directly to a personal account throughout the Carnival cruise. The card has a designated owner and must be utilized for all money transactions on the ship as cash is accepted as a form of payment only at the casino. These cards are provided to all passengers (incl minors) immediately upon boarding the ship. Balance updates are provided at Guest Services desk (at any time). They can also be checked via the smart TV in each stateroom.

Depending on satellite reception (Carnival Dream location at sea), the complimentary in-cabin TV programming includes the following channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN (Domestic, International, Espanol), TCM (classic movies), cartoons (Boomerang, CN), TNT, TBS. There are 2 complimentary movie channels showing a film every 3 hours (both starting at 12 noon). One shows all-time favorites (PG -13 rated) and the other shows all-time family favorites (G / PG-rated). The following TV channels are Carnival-themed and also complimentary: Fun Finds TV, Cruise Director, Fun Aboard, Park West Art, Shore Tours, Ship Position, live cam views (webcams positioned forward and on lido deck), Audible Funtimes, Photo, Music. Sporting events (ESPN, ESPN 2) are shown only on big screens – at the ship’s Sports Bar and Seaside Theatre (not in cabins/suites). All the TV’s connection ports are intentionally disabled, which makes it impossible to connect it with personal devices (cameras, DVDs, USBs, iPods, gaming consoles, etc).

Bathroom amenities vary each time, so it’s advisable you bring your own. Samples may include toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, body lotion, razor, antiacids. There is a wall-mounted dispenser in the shower stall (for liquid soap and shampoo). Electric power outlets are located in the desk/vanity area – one 110 V outlet (3-pronged, USA grounded) and one 220 V outlet (European standard). The bathroom’s 2-pin plug can be used only for electric razors.

The new Carnival beds are Europe-manufactured exclusively for the company. The ensemble includes custom pillows (trademarked “New Generation Pillows”, 100% cotton), duvet (100% hypoallergenic, ultra-fine, satin-striped), cover, deluxe sheets (high-quality cotton), pillowcases (ultra-fine, satin-striped), 8-inch / 20 cm spring mattresses (trademarked “Carnival Comfort”). Alternative (non-allergenic) bedding is also available. It includes 100% polyester blankets, sheets and pillowcases (60/40 cotton-polyester) and New Generation Pillows (100% cotton). Note: Trundle beds don’t have Carnival Comfort mattresses.

Carnival-logoed Beach Towels are provided in each cruise accommodation for passengers to take ashore. Beach towels are also available for purchasing (at $22). Bathrobes (2) are provided in all cruise suites and also in “Cloud 9 Spa” cabins/suites. Additional bathrobes are provided upon request. For all other cruise accommodations, bathrobes are provided (upon request) during the turndown service on the first evening. Bathrobes can be purchased at $49 (adult size) and $24 (children sizes /2-4 yo and 6-8 yo).

Life jackets are used in cases of emergency only (not at the ship pools). Lifejackets are located within passenger/crew cabins (in the closet). They are available in 3 sizes - adult, child, and infant. Each of the cabins has a safe (located in the closet) with approx dimensions (inches/centimeters) – width (10/25), height (9/23) and depth (8/20). Cabin safes can be accessed by any magnetic strip card. It is advisable not to use a valid credit card (or driver’s license), but an old expired card (or some rewards card) instead. Some safes are with a keypad (personal code). Safes can be opened also by the ship’s security.

All cabin and suite mini-bars are stocked with premium liquors ($6-9,25), beer ($6,25), energy drinks ($5), soft soda/beverages ($2), bottled water ($3,75). In-cabin babysitting is not available (read more at Camp Ocean below). Cribs in cruise cabins are provided complimentary (upon request). In Main Dining Rooms are provided complimentary high chairs and booster seats.

Laundry facilities are at extra-charge – $3,25 (per washer or dryer load) and $1,5 per box (detergent/water softener, dispensed from the vending machine in the room). Launderettes (open between 6:30 am – 12 midnight) are located on all cabin decks. Each laundry room is equipped with 2-3 washers, 2-3 dryers, 1 ironing board/iron. All laundry machines are coinless (can be operated using S&S cards only). While the ship is in port, washing machines are closed (only dryers and irons can be used). Valet laundry service is handled through the cabin steward. Prices are per item – wash-and-press ($2 – $7,50) and dry-cleaning ($3 – $10,50).

Smoking in cabins/suites and on their balconies is prohibited. On Carnival Dream, smoking allowed areas (cigarettes /incl electronic cigarettes) are Caliente Nightclub (disco /not allowed on the dance floor), Casino (designated areas), Casino Bar. Smoking (incl of cigars and tobacco pipes) is allowed on designated outdoor areas on Deck 5 portside (forward/midship/aft) and on Deck 11 starboard (midship/aft).

Funville@Sea is free of charge Intranet service providing information on onboard activities and events schedule, bar and restaurant menus, deck maps, Fun Times (newspaper), FunAshore (tour guides), Carnival cruise news, itinerary-related weather reports, onboard social network (tracking/messaging other passengers). The complimentary service is available via the Infotainment system (in all cabins) and also at the FunHub stations around the ship.

Current Carnival Dream gratuities (per day per person) are USD 12,95 (for standard cabin passengers) and USD 13,95 for suite passengers. The list of perks for all suites includes: priority embarkation/debarkation/tendering (all ports), priority main dining room reservations, complimentary bottled water in cabins, a complimentary bag of laundry (one per cruise), enhanced turndown service.

Since 2017, Carnival Cruise Line offers a new program allowing ship passengers to customize their steward service by choosing to have the cabin serviced in the morning, at night or both (twice a day). All guests can choose from a list of additional cabin amenities, among which are bathrobes, extra pillows, blankets, closet hangers. All guests can also specify how often the bed linens to be changed during the cruise. Your personal preferences can be selected from a services menu card left in each of the ship’s staterooms. By default, if you make no selections on the card, your room service steward will service the accommodation twice daily.

Cruise Ship Room Service

In 2016, Carnival Cruise Lines rolled out fleetwide for-fee (chargeable) room service menu, which items can be ordered 24/7. The new menu still has free of charge items – hot and cold sandwiches, salads, desserts, beverages, Continental Breakfast selections. At extra cost (ranging between USD 1,50 and 6) are items that include shrimp, also sushi, pizza, quesadillas, cheesesteaks, chicken wings/tenders, fries. Bar drinks orders through room service are at regular bar menu prices (no extra fee added).

Complimentary room service menu

• Continental Breakfast (upon request)
• Sandwiches are served with potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips/pretzels, bread (white, whole wheat, rye, gluten-free). The list of sandwiches includes Tuna Salad, Roast Turkey, Ham & Cheese, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Bacon-Lettuce-Tomato, Grilled Cheese, Grilled Reuben (corned beef, Swiss cheese).
• Salads – Garden, Caesar, Vegetable Platter (with dips)
• Desserts – cheesecake, cookies, chocolate cake
• Beverages – juices (tomato, orange, apple, grapefruit), tea (hot, iced), hot chocolate, milk, soft drinks (club soda, ginger ale, tonic water, coke, and sprite /also diet)
• Beers – domestic (Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Samuel Adams), imported (Heineken, Corona, Stella Artois), also available are beer buckets and wines by the bottle.

For-fee room service menu

The following items are available for ordering 24 hours but are at an additional charge.

• Chicken Wings ($5) – choice of Honey BBQ, Teriyaki, Garlic Parmesan, Buffalo Sauce, Caribbean Jerk
• Chicken Tenders ($5) – choice of sauce (BBQ or Honey Mustard)
• Firecracker Shrimp ($6) – fried with chili ginger, served with fries
• Chicken Quesadilla ($5)
• Philly Cheesesteak ($5) – served with fries
• Pan Pizza ($5) – handmade and baked-to-order (Cheese, Pepperoni, Ham, and Pineapple)
• French Fries ($1,50), Sweet Potato Fries ($2), Banana Split ($4).

Continental Breakfast room service menu

The following items are available for ordering free of charge.

• Cereals and Fruits –  Banana, Melon, Frosted Flakes, Special K, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Fruit Loops, Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch
• Bakery –  toasts (white, wheat, gluten-free), danish pastries, muffins, croissants, bagels
• Yogurt – plain, strawberry, peach, raspberry
• Drinks – juices (orange, apple, tomato, grapefruit), hot tea, milk (also skim and chocolate), fresh coffee (regular and decaf)
• Half-and-half (milk-cream), butter, margarine, cream cheese, jelly (grape, diet, strawberry, guava), honey, orange marmalade.

Carnival Dream cabin and suite plans are property of Carnival Cruise Line . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

I've stayed in 3 types of rooms on cruises, and the cheapest was never worth it. Here's what to book instead.

• I'm a frequent cruise traveler who's stayed in a variety of onboard accommodations.
• The least expensive rooms have no view and are usually cramped, especially if shared by a family.
• Splurging on a higher-category cabin on my last cruise was the best decision I made.

Automatically booking the cheapest room on a cruise ship without doing proper research first can ruin a trip. 

As someone who's been going on cruises for over 10 years, I've learned that the price tag for these vacations can vary based on a number of factors — from cruise line to trip duration to room category.

Staying in the most standard-level cabin seems like an obvious way to keep costs down. But after trying out three different room categories, both with and without my kids, I've found that a ship's least expensive option is almost never worth it.

Based on my experience in three different cruise-room categories, here are the ones I recommend skipping and the ones I recommend splurging on.

Interior staterooms are limited in space and privacy

The standard (and least expensive) room on any cruise ship is typically called an inside or interior stateroom.

These cabins often sleep three to four people and are located in the middle of the ship, with no exterior view of the vessel's surroundings. 

I've stayed in interior staterooms on a Carnival Cruise Line ship and a Disney Cruise Line ship . Aside from different decor styles and a few small touches, this room category is fairly standard across the board. 

When I'm on a cruise, I like to wake up and open my curtains to look at the ocean or the port where the ship is docked , which isn't an option in these inward-looking cabins.

Apart from having no view, interior staterooms are very small. The exact square footage varies but, for reference, the Disn ey Fantasy cruise ship's interior stateroom is 169 square feet and a Royal Caribbean ship's version is around the same size at 164 square feet .

To put those numbers into perspective, standard hotel rooms in the US are, on average, around 330 square feet , almost double the size of the entry-level cruise accommodation.

I want to be able to maneuver around without tripping over luggage, accent furniture, or my own family members. And because of the lack of space in interior staterooms, that's a challenge.

This category is definitely the most economical option, making it ideal for travelers on a budget .

However, if families, especially ones traveling with teens, can swing an alternative, they should steer clear of cramming into an interior stateroom and opt for a category with more space and privacy.

Ocean-view staterooms provide slightly more space but can still feel cramped

The next category up is usually an ocean-view stateroom.

With an outward-facing window, ocean-view staterooms are a solid mid-tier option for travelers who want more space than an interior stateroom offers but don't want to spend extra for a balcony room.

Their exact size and capacity range from ship to ship, but Disney Fantasy's ocean-view staterooms are 204 square feet , and Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas' version is 179 square feet .

Many of these accommodations fit up to five people. If you have more than four family members (yes, infants who are six months and older are part of the headcount), making the jump from an interior stateroom to an ocean-view stateroom is absolutely worth the extra money.

Some cruise lines sell ocean-view rooms as the entry-level category for families of five or more travelers , simply because many interior staterooms can only accommodate a maximum of four guests.

My top pick is balcony staterooms, which offer privacy and plenty of space 

Balcony staterooms, also known as veranda staterooms, are usually the largest accommodation option you can get without concierge service or extras.

I recommend this category to all travelers setting sail in the future for one reason: the private balcony.

You can open your curtains and enjoy the sights outside, similar to the experience of staying in an ocean-view stateroom. But in this room type, you can step out onto a balcony and take in the sounds and smells, too. 

The rooms' sizes and capacities depend on the ship, but balcony staterooms are usually larger than ocean-view staterooms and tend to sleep up to five guests . Even if the rooms' living spaces aren't substantially bigger, they have the added space of the veranda. 

Including the terrace, balcony staterooms on the Disney Fantasy are 246 square feet and are between 214 square feet to 279 square feet on Princess Cruises' fleet.

When my family stayed in a balcony stateroom on a seven-night cruise, we made great use of the outdoor space. On a shorter cruise, where the balcony itself might not get as much use, I would still book this category for my family.

The upgrade was completely worth the price increase, especially because we were traveling with two sets of grandparents .

To make the most of the balcony staterooms, we even turned our individual verandas into one large terrace by having our steward remove the partitions between rooms. 

This story was originally published on May 25, 2022, and most recently updated on February 5, 2024.

• Carnival Cruise Lines

Hiding and Iron in Luggage

By kgirlcruise , March 5, 2011 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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kgirlcruise

Does anybody have any good tips on where I can hide a travel iron in my luggage for the cruise??? We've always traveled with an iron in our luggage and have never in the past had any problems with taking the iron onboard. Our last cruise, they took away the iron and left it at the port for us to pick up on our way out/home. Can I wrap it good in something? pack it in the middle of some stuff good enough to hide it?!?!

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They are not allowed use the free ones provided in the laundry rooms onbaord..

Why don't you just follow the rules and leave it at home. There are irons to use on about every floor.... just a thought

I don't think you will get much help with this here. Most people agree with the policy on irons and they are provided on the ships. I have not once felt the need to iron anything while on a cruise!:eek:

Irons may overheat the minimal wiring on a ship and cause a fire. Why not leave it home and be safe? If you do decide to take one on board, I hope it's discovered during check-in. I'd hate to have a cruise ruined by a fire.

navybaby1113

Use the irons on the ship. They're good irons and they're free.

Bringing an iron on the ship is irresponsible.

A lead-lined suitcase the x-rays can't see.

You could try purchasing a Large Rum Runner, take a razor

and open it up.

Pack your iron inside and put it in your checked luggage.

Rum Runners make things magically disappear. ;)

http://www.rumrunnerflasks.com/

Put on your fire retardant suit....this is one of the rules that cruisers are adamant about following.

Be responsible and leave it at home. Downey Wrinkle release works great.

You could try purchasing a Large Rum Runner, take a razor and open it up. Pack your iron inside and put it in your checked luggage. Rum Runners make things magically disappear. ;)   http://www.rumrunnerflasks.com/

LOL, where is the LIKE button?

GlendaleCruiser

I hope this is a prank.

With the danger of fire on cruise ships so high I cannot believe that anyone would really bring one to use in their room when there are laundry rooms available in several places on the ship to iron to your heart's content. I can only imagine how well the clothes are ironed using the vanity or bed as an ironing board.

How thoughtless.

If this isn't a prank, I hope you get caught and sent to the naughty room.

Snorkel2Much

If your upcoming cruise is on Royal Carib, why ask this question in the Carnival forum? For the ultimate hiding place I suggest you stuff it in a body cavity.

Who the heck would want to iron on vacation, anyway?

I don't even iron at home, just take the stuff out of the dryer while it's warm and use Downy wrinkle relaxer..

Ironing is a total waste of time (that I'd rather spend online reading about cruising :D )

Trust me... I will not say anything if your clothes are wrinkled! ;) Leave the 100% linen at home (and the iron) -- look at one of the packing sites and see how seasoned travelers do it.

Or you could bring along Lindsay Lohan's stylist and not have to worry about a thing! :rolleyes:

beachbum6264

For the ultimate hiding place I suggest you stuff it in a body cavity.

ROFLMAO!!! Thanks!! Now I have to clean my laptop screen :D :D :D :D :D

I bet you wish you wouldn't have asked!! LOL

I agree, who wants to iron on vacation. Leave the iron at home and do not endanger others.

I think all the fires have been started by candles or cigarettes, but, all they need to do is pack the clothes individually in dry cleaner bags.

I think the OP surely couldnt have been serious...I think Ill start a thread asking how to smuggle candles on board.

I really don't think you would like the suggestions. :eek:

Sherrybaby412

bwahahahaha :D

• 4 weeks later...

bobkamusician

Which "packing sites" do you recommend? I had thought to bring a travel iron as well, but did not know (until now) that they were forbidden. I'll certainly not do that now, obviously. But I do so wish to not look tousled. So URLs would be helpful, if you please.

I have heard about rolling up clothes, and am running a test on my cotton shirts now. I can't imagine how this will not be a disaster, but I'm trying 'cause my wife said she did it for Europe when she was in high school (that's how long it's been since she had to pack like this, bless her). We'll see.

Which "packing sites" do you recommend? I had thought to bring a travel iron as well, but did not know (until now) that they were forbidden. I'll certainly not do that now, obviously. But I do so wish to not look tousled. So URLs would be helpful, if you please.   I have heard about rolling up clothes, and am running a test on my cotton shirts now. I can't imagine how this will not be a disaster, but I'm trying 'cause my wife said she did it for Europe when she was in high school (that's how long it's been since she had to pack like this, bless her). We'll see.

Roll your cotton....When you are taking your shower to get ready for dinner, hang shirt/pants in shower so they get somewhat steamed which will help dewrinkle. Also take some downy wrinkle release and if that isn't good enough for you not to look "tousled" then there are irons in the laundry rooms on board that are free to use.

I f your upcoming cruise is on Royal Carib, why ask this question in the Carnival forum? For the ultimate hiding place I suggest you stuff it in a body cavity.

That's what I was wondering??:confused:

have you noticed a lot more posts about stuff that gets people riled up?

But they are from people with low post so maybe --just maybe they dont know the rules--

Kinda wondering is all

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