Carnival Cruise Line announced this morning it has officially received approval to sail to Cuba. The Carnival Paradise, starting in June 2017, will offer some cruises that have a port of call stop in Havana, Cuba. Havana is Cuba's capital. 
             The first official sailing to Cuba for the Carnival Paradise departs Tampa on June 29, 2017. This is a four night cruise. This cruise as well as all four night cruises are scheduled to stay in Havana overnight. All of the four night cruises for the Carnival Paradise that include a port of call stop in Havana, Cuba, depart Tampa on June 29, July 13, August 24, September 7, September 21, October 5, and October 19. 
                In addition to several 4 night cruises, a few five night cruises are currently scheduled to also have a port of call stop in Havana, Cuba. These cruises will dock overnight in Havana, but also stop at another port of call such as Cozumel or Key West (depending on departure date). Currently, the five night cruises scheduled depart Tampa on August 14, August 28, September 25, and October 9. 
               Carnival's press release notes that cruisers wishing to sail on these voyages must have a valid passport. Furthermore, more information on travel requirements will be made available on Carnival's website, according to the press release. 

To read Carnival's press release:  Click Here  (will open in a new window and take away from RyG's Cruise Guide)

          The Carnival Dream recently underwent a major dry-dock that added several of Carnival's Fun Ship 2.0 features to the ship. During the ship's two weeks out of service for dry-dock, Carnival added several bars and dining areas for the Carnival Dream's guests to enjoy. Here are some of the features that were added to the ship during its 2017 dry-dock:

Guy's Burger Joint -  This is a popular Fun Ship 2.0 feature that Carnival has been expanding to its ships. Guy's Burger Joint serves free hamburgers and french fries at lunchtime. Prior to getting Guy's Burger Joint, the Carnival Dream had a generic hamburger grill on its Lido Deck. The Carnival Dream's Guy's Burger Joint is located on the Lido Deck, which is Deck 10.

Blue Iguana Cantina -  The Blue Iguana Cantina is another feature Carnival added to the Carnival Dream's Lido Deck. The Blue Iguana Cantina serves burritos and tacos at lunch. Usually, the Blue Iguana Cantina also has some breakfast options too. To compliment tacos and burritos, Carnival's Blue Iguana Cantina also has a salsa bar. The salsa bar has a multitude of options available for cruisers. The Blue Iguana Cantina is complimentary!

Alchemy Bar -  The Alchemy Bar was also added during the Carnival Dream's dry-dock.  The Alchemy Bar allows cruisers to purchase mixed drinks in a pharmacy themed bar setting. Cruisers are able to tell bartenders to mix ingredients to make a drink a certain way. The ship's Alchemy Bar is located on the ship's Promenade Deck (Deck 5). For cruisers that were familiar with the Carnival Dream prior to dry-dock, the Alchemy Bar is located in the same area as the Ocean Plaza.

​Pizzeria Del Capitano  -   Another feature added during the Carnival Dream's dry-dock was Pizzeria Del Capitano. Pizzeria Del Capitano serves five different types of pizzas, which are pepperoni, prosciutto, mushroom, Quattro formagi, and margherita. The Carnival Dream's Pizzeria Del Capitano is located on the ship's Lido Deck (Deck 10) near the aft (back) of the ship. Please note, this location is not the same as where the Dream's old pizzeria was located.

​Guy's Pig & Anchor BBQ  -  The Carnival Dream also received a new feature called Guy's Pig & Anchor BBQ. This eatery is complimentary and is open select days of the cruise. Guy's Pig & Anchor BBQ serves a variety of BBQ such as pork butt, sausage, beef, and some traditional sides. This area is located on the Promenade Deck's outside Lanai on the Starboard side of the ship.

​Bonsai Sushi -   The Carnival Dream also received Bonsai Sushi during its dry-dock. Bonsai Sushi offers a variety of different Asian inspired foods. The food served at Bonsai Sushi is available for a charge.  Bonsai Sushi is located on the Promenade Deck (Deck 5).

​Prior to this dry-dock, the Carnival Dream already had the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and Red Frog Rum Bar. This recent dry-dock installed several more of Carnival's Fun Ship 2.0 features to the Carnival Dream.

​For more information on the Carnival Dream's recent dry-dock, check out Carnival's official press release:
​Click Here for the press release. This will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide.