In March 2026, the Carnival Dream, operated by the American cruise line Carnival, will sail from Barcelona to Galveston, Texas. There’s still plenty of time before departure, but this 15-night voyage is already available at a discounted early-bird rate. Inside cabins can be booked starting at €508, ocean view cabins at €1,057, and the lowest-priced balcony cabins at €1,138. All prices are per person based on double occupancy. The offer does not apply to solo travellers (rates start at €950).
Carnival automatically charges a crew gratuity of US$16 (~€14) per person per day to your onboard account. If you do not agree with this, you can adjust the amount on board.
The listed prices include full board in the main and buffet restaurants, as well as coffee, water, tea, and iced tea in the buffet restaurant.
The Route
The journey begins in Barcelona and heads south along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, with the Carnival Dream making stops in Alicante and Malaga. The next stop is Gibraltar. This British overseas territory, with only about 27,000 inhabitants, also lends its name to the strait connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.
This is followed by 8 days at sea, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy everything the ship has to offer. On day 13, the ship reaches the Bahamas, stopping at Celebration Key island. After that, there are 2 more sea days, and after a total of 15 nights, the Carnival Dream docks in Galveston, Texas. A city tour is recommended here before heading to, e.g. Houston for your return flight.
| Date | Location | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 21, 2026 | Barcelona | 19:00 | |
| March 22, 2026 | Alicante | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| March 23, 2026 | Malaga | 09:00 | 18:00 |
| March 24, 2026 | Gibraltar | 07:00 | 16:00 |
| March 25 – April 1, 2026 | 8 days at sea 🌊 | ||
| April 2, 2026 | Celebration Key | 08:00 | 17:00 |
| April 3 – 4, 2026 | 2 days at sea 🌊 | ||
| April 5, 2026 | Galveston | 08:00 |
The Ship
The Carnival Dream was built in 2009 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. It is 306 meters long and 35 meters wide. The ship can accommodate up to 3,646 passengers, with around 1,400 crew members ensuring guests’ comfort. The maximum speed of the ship is 22 knots.
In addition to the main and buffet restaurants, various speciality dining options (for an extra charge) are available on board, including a steakhouse. Of course, there are also several bars where you can enjoy a refreshing drink.
Highlights on the ship include the WaterWorks water park with a Twister water slide and water play area. Those looking for relaxation can unwind in the Cloud 9 Spa. Other facilities include swimming pools, whirlpools, a beauty salon, a hairdresser, a library, a card room, clubs and lounges, boutiques for shopping, a photo shop, and an internet centre. Evening entertainment includes stage shows in the theatre, movie screenings, and other activities.
The onboard language is English, so basic knowledge of English is recommended. The onboard currency is the US dollar. You can settle your final bill for additional expenses conveniently by credit card.
Flights
The cruise starts in Barcelona and ends in Galveston. Flights for spring 2026 are not yet available, so we cannot provide specific examples at this time. One-way flights to Barcelona typically start at around €30 (plus checked baggage fees) from most European cities. For the return flight from Texas, you should expect to pay around €300 to €400 (plus checked baggage fees). These are, however, only indicative prices.
Cover Picture: Carnival Dream | © Carnival