Carnival Bringing the Dream to New Orleans in 2027

July 17, 2025 Randy Young

Carnival Cruise Line is making a big move for New Orleans cruisers in 2027. Starting in May of that year, the Carnival Dream will return to the Big Easy, joining Carnival Liberty for a two-ship, year-round deployment from Port NOLA. This marks the first time Carnival Dream has homeported in New Orleans since 2019 and signals a major capacity upgrade for the city.

A Larger Ship, More Variety, and More Fun

Currently, two ships are positioned in New Orleans: the Valor and the Liberty; two ships that are nearly identical. The introduction of the Dream offers more variety for those sailing out of NOLA.

While smaller than Carnival’s newest Excel Class of ships, the Carnival Dream is one of Carnival’s larger vessels, with room for over 4,600 guests. Its return adds significantly more capacity to one of the cruise line’s most consistently popular homeports. According to Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, “More capacity with a larger ship means more tourism activity for Port NOLA and the region, where we’ve enjoyed a successful partnership for over three decades.”

Sailing out of New Orleans, Carnival Dream will offer a mix of four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. It’s a move that adds more flexibility for travelers looking for shorter, getaway-style vacations while still enjoying the classic Carnival experience.

What to Expect Onboard Carnival Dream

The Carnival Dream debuted in 2008 and was the first in its class. It was the largest ship Carnival had ever built at that point and saw the introduction of a lot of features now found around the fleet like a Ropes Course, the Sports Square, and a walkable exterior Promenade. But the ship still kept the old, classic ship feel, making it a favorite among many long-time Carnival cruisers.

Guests sailing aboard Carnival Dream can expect a fun-focused atmosphere with a wide range of amenities and dining options. Favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and Bonsai Sushi make up the casual dining scene, while onboard entertainment includes the Punchliner Comedy Club, Broadway-style shows, and poolside movies under the stars.

Final Voyages From Galveston Before the Move

Before its redeployment, Carnival Dream will operate two final sailings out of Galveston in early May 2027. The first is a Western Caribbean itinerary that visits Belize, Cozumel, and Isla Tropicale. The second is a Bahamas itinerary stopping in Celebration Key, Key West, and Nassau. After that, the ship will reposition to New Orleans, with its first departure from the new homeport scheduled for May 16, 2027.

Carnival Liberty Staying Put Through 2028

While Carnival Dream adds new options, Carnival Liberty isn’t going anywhere. The ship will continue offering seven-day sailings through at least April 2028. Itineraries include classic Caribbean ports like Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize, Isla Tropicale, and stops at Carnival’s exclusive new destination, Celebration Key. Select sailings will also call on RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay.

Holiday sailings in November and December 2027 will feature special eight-day itineraries, and a highlight of the upcoming schedule is a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise through the Panama Canal. That itinerary, departing November 28, 2027, includes Aruba, Cartagena, Colon, Curaçao, Cozumel, Limon, and Montego Bay, offering guests a rare chance to experience the iconic canal and a wide range of Caribbean and Central American ports.

Upgrades for Carnival Liberty

Fresh off a major dry dock in Europe, Carnival Liberty now includes a new WaterWorks aqua park with waterslides and the addition of the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, honoring military personnel and their families. The ship continues to offer popular bars like RedFrog Rum Bar and Alchemy Bar, along with venues for live music, youth programming, and the serene Cloud 9 Spa.

With the Carnival Dream coming back to New Orleans and Carnival Liberty offering an expanded lineup of sailings, cruisers sailing from the Crescent City will have more choices than ever starting in 2027. More homeport deployment announcements are expected in the coming weeks as Carnival rolls out its full 2027–2028 schedule.