Carnival Breeze, launched in 2012 after four years of construction, is nearly a decade old, but that hardly makes this Dream-class cruise ship undesirable. Many frequent cruisers will find plenty to enjoy on this ship, which at the time of its completion was one of the largest ever built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri Monfalcone.
Whether this ship is sailing the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, it’s worth your consideration as you anticipate the upcoming cruising seasons. Why? Well, we’ll give you more than just one reason. Here are our 9 reasons you need to cruise on Carnival Breeze in the near future.
In This Article…
1. Ship Stats
Carnival Breeze was the fourth and final Carnival Dream-class vessel to debut, following Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic and Costa Diadema. (Okay, yes, that last one is a bit confusing; but Costa Diadema is still considered a Dream-class ship, even though the Carnival-owned ship is operated by Costa Cruises.)
- Gross Tonnage: 130,000
- Length: 1,004 ft
- Passenger Capacity: 3,960 at double occupancy
- Crew Capacity: 1,386
- Passenger Decks: 14
Special features that set the Dream class apart when they debuted included exterior promenades and outdoor dining, water park features and hot tubs on the promenade.
If you, like many frequent cruisers, can remember when the Dream class first debuted, Carnival Breeze gives you an excellent chance to experience this class of ships, and as it’s the last Dream-class vessel to debut, you get to experience that class in a bit more modern setting.
2. The Ship’s Mid-Range Size
As already mentioned, the Dream-class cruise ships were some of the largest for Carnival when they debuted, only surpassed by Carnival Vista in 2015. But if you’re used to the cruise ships of today, what will you think of the ship’s size?
Carnival Breeze, which was built at a cost of $740 million, weighs in at a tonnage of 130,000 GT and a length of 1,004 feet. It has 15 decks and can hold a normal capacity of just under 3,700 passengers, with a crew of just under 1,390 people.
What does that mean by today’s standards? Looking at a listing of the current ships sailing round the world, Carnival Breeze ranks 55th in terms of size, right between sister ships Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic.
But don’t let this relatively small size fool you. For what the ship lacks in size, it makes up for in character. And besides, many cruisers actually find that they prefer this more middle-of-the-road size.
It’s large enough to offer enough space and amenities, without being overwhelming, but small enough to still offer a level of intimacy that’s difficult to find on some of the bigger ships, which are more akin to floating all-inclusive resorts.
3. A Range of Staterooms
Your stateroom experience is important. Even if you plan on being out of your stateroom for the majority of your cruise, you still want a nice spot to escape from the crowds, whether you’re just sleeping, enjoying room service for breakfast or taking in the views during a leisurely afternoon at sea.
Carnival Breeze offers something for everyone among its staterooms. There are 1,845 staterooms over the 14 guest decks, with the majority being ocean-view staterooms with a lanai. In total, there are 719 interior staterooms, 221 ocean view staterooms with balconies, 851 ocean view staterooms with lanais and 54 suites.
Interior staterooms do a good job of ensuring you have a lot of floor space, even if the total space of the room isn’t terribly expansive. It’s a good pick for couples, single travelers or just those who plan to spend most of their cruise out and about.
The ocean view staterooms, regardless of the one you pick, offer a larger, more hotel-like space, with ample outdoor space and seating.
There are several suites to choose from, but you can rest assured of plenty of seating and living space within each suite, making these the perfect options for families. The Grand Suite is the creme de la creme, with a huge balcony, big living room, large walk-in closet and massive bathroom.
But when it comes down to it, you can’t go wrong with any of the staterooms you pick. All you need to do is find the right one for you and your fellow cruisers.
4. Extensive Complimentary Dining
For being on the smaller side, this ship really does deliver when it comes to dining options. You have 15 total dining options to choose from aboard Carnival Breeze, both complimentary and for-a-fee.
Your complimentary dining options include:
- The main dining rooms, which offer a range of international cuisine and varied menus each night
- The buffet, with more international eats and select foods available 24/7, for even your latest late-night cravings;
- BlueIguana Cantina, one of Carnival’s newer restaurant offerings, with burritos and tacos;
- Guy’s Burger Joint, another newer restaurant from the Carnival brand, bearing the branding of Food Network star Guy Fieri;
- Pizza Pirate, for 24/7 pizza;
- Sea Dogs, for, of course, hot dogs in the great outdoors;
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, another newer Carnival restaurant, with more of that Guy Fieri pizzazz.
- You can also find select room service items that are available for free
Related: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options
But just look at all that complimentary dining! Compared to some other ships, you basically have a feast ready and waiting for you, any time you choose, for no extra charge. You really could go an entire cruise and never even step foot into one of the for-a-fee restaurants, yet still enjoy a varied culinary experience.
5. Additional For-a-Fee Dining
You can’t go wrong with the for-a-fee dining, though. Carnival offers some highly-praised for-a-fee eateries and if you have room in your budget, you most likely won’t be disappointed with the options available on Carnival Breeze.
The Chef’s Table is more of an experience than a restaurant; diners enjoy an intimate experience in a small group, feasting on handpicked items served up directly from the ship’s executive chef. Similarly, the Dr. Seuss Breakfast is an experience rather than a separate restaurant and is exactly what it sounds like — a family-geared, Dr. Seuss-themed breakfast, complete with character visits.
Related: Carnival Cruise Dining Options Worth Paying For
Plaza Cafe is a specialty coffee and ice cream shop. Bonsai Sushi is Japanese fare, only available during dinner hours; Fahrenheit 555 is the classic steakhouse restaurant. RedFrog Pub is similar to BlueIguana Cantina, serving up Caribbean eats. Cucina del Capitano is all about Italian, family-style dining.
So, for a little added variety to your cruise dining, you can’t go wrong with Carnival Breeze’s for-a-fee, extra options.
6. Always a Way to Play
Entertainment is at the ready aboard Carnival Breeze. Finding something fun to do is as easy as just checking out your Carnival Hub app, which shows you instantly all of the daily fun activities planned and coordinated by the helpful and enthusiastic crew. From gaming tournaments to the cruising quintessential towel-folding demonstration, you can find it all.
Beyond this, you won’t have to look very far when finding other activities to keep you busy. Movies, stand-up comedy shows and theatrical performances abound, as does live music. If that’s not your speed, you can always head to the casino, which is filled with table games and slot machines.
If your idea of fun includes some sunshine and waves, go to one of the two pools. While you may find that other ships often have more than two pools, they probably don’t have their own water park. The Aqua Park features some slides and other fun water features. There are six hot tubs also scattered across the ship.
The Serenity Deck is the adults-only outdoor space, with two hot tubs and cabanas and, unlike on other ships, it’s free to enter. Whatever ways you love to be entertained, you can find a suitable fit aboard Carnival Breeze.
7. Plentiful Watering Holes
If you’re thirsty, you’ll always find a drink at the ready aboard Carnival Breeze. There are just about as many bars and lounges on the ship as there are restaurants.
The Atrium Bar is right in the middle of things, with live music at night. The Library Bar is in the ship’s actual library, and is a quieter spot to enjoy a glass of wine.
RedFrog Pub is like a mix between a European and a Caribbean pub, for an interesting blend that surprisingly delights. Piano Bar 88 is your piano music and martini spot. The Alchemy Bar is where you can be creative and enjoy cocktails and more.
Liquid Nightclub is a late-night-only spot, where the drinks don’t start flowing until nearly midnight. RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar are both specialty bars dealing with Caribbean cocktails; both are newer to the Carnival family, and worth a try if you haven’t been to either yet.
The Limelight Lounge is where you’ll find not only drinks, but also comedy shows and karaoke. Lastly, the SportsSquare Bar is the place for daytime drinks near the sports deck (and it also serves up kid-friendly drinks).
8. Expansive Spa and Wellness Amenities
The spa aboard Carnival Breeze is huge. At 22,000-plus square feet, there’s so much to enjoy beyond mere typical treatments (though there are plenty of those to choose from as well). Don’t miss the spa’s thermal suite and sauna, as well as the thalassotherapy pool!
Other wellness amenities include a fitness center adjacent to the spa, which offers free fitness classes. You’ll find lots of fitness equipment for your perusal, with ocean views to enjoy as you work out.
If you’d like to work out in the great outdoors, that’s a possibility, too, thanks to outdoor exercise equipment located on Deck 12, near the jogging track.
9. Kid-Friendly Amenities
But not all the amenities can be for the adults (though, in fairness, the spa does offer some teen-friendly treatments). That’s why Carnival offers a full children’s program, Camp Ocean.
Kids are split into groups of ages 2 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 11 and offered a range of free programming, both entertaining and educational. (There are additional experiences, like Build-A-Bear activities, available for a fee; late-night babysitting is also available for a fee.)
For the older kids, ages 12 to 14 and 15 to 17, two separate programming options are available, giving preteens and teens alike their own spaces to relax and enjoy some fun, without mom or dad, or their little siblings, hanging around.
Carnival Breeze Prices
Carnival Breeze FAQ:
Carnival Breeze, which was built at a cost of $740 million, weighs in a tonnage of 130,000 GT and a length of 1,004 feet. It has 15 decks and can hold a normal capacity of just under 3,700 passengers, with a crew of just under 1,390 people.
Looking at a listing of the current ships sailing round the world, Carnival Breeze ranks 55th in terms of size, right between sister ships Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic.
Carnival Breeze was the fourth and final Carnival Dream-class vessel to debut, following Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic and Costa Diadema.
While not really on the huge side by today’s standards, the Dream-class ships all measure approximately 130,000 gross tonnage and, during the late 2000s and early 2010s, were the largest cruise ships ever built by Carnival, until Carnival Vista premiered in 2015.
Special features that set the Dream class apart when it debuted included exterior promenades and outdoor dining, water park features and hot tubs on the promenade.
There are two pools, as well as a water park. The Aqua Park features some slides and other fun water features. There are six hot tubs scattered across the ship.
