Carnival has unveiled a new series of never-before-seen renderings of the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream – the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed set to debut Sept. 21, 2009 – along with an informative new blog by Senior Cruise Director John Heald who recently toured the ship during its construction at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard.

Included among the ships new digital renderings are stunning images of the Carnival Dream's Carnival Water Works aqua park featuring the longest water slides at sea; a breathtaking nine-deck-high atrium that will provide convenient access to the ship's numerous bars, lounges and nightspots; and Ocean Plaza, a new indoor/outdoor entertainment area offering magnificent ocean vistas. Examples of the ship's striking décor, including renderings of the dance club, casino, piano bar, and dining venues, are also included.

In addition to detailed overviews of the Carnival Water Works aqua park and Ocean Plaza, Heald's first-person account includes a look at the ship's 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa – the largest in the "Fun Ship" fleet – along with brand new area called The Lanai, a wrap-around promenade that encircles the ship.

Heald pays particular attention to Carnival Dream's wide-ranging accommodation categories, which include new "cove balcony" staterooms located closer to the water line and deluxe ocean view staterooms that will feature five berths and two bathrooms and should have particular appeal to families.

The blog also includes several videos of Heald as he tours the various areas of the ship and interacts with shipyard workers.

"As my chauffer-driven Fiat 500 brought me closer to this spectacular new vessel, I experienced the feeling that I know you will feel when you see her for the first time. The Carnival Dream is going to be biblically, stratospherically, crushingly brilliant. It is a ship that will set the tone for others to try and follow and is without doubt a ship that will be talked about for a long time to come. Stop by my blog and find out why," said Heald.

Carnival Dream is slated to debut in Europe Sept. 21 with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through Oct. 27, 2009.

The ship will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2009. From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009. Then following a nine-day cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla. the ship will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from that port Dec. 12.