The lead vessel of the class, Carnival Dream, entered service in September 2009.

The first Dream-class vessel, which was eventually named Carnival Dream, was ordered on December 14, 2005, from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

The order also includes the ships: Nieuw Amsterdam, for Holland America Line; Ruby Princess, for Princess Cruises; and Costa Pacifica, for Costa Cruises.

The four ships, and the options, were simultaneously ordered by Carnival Corporation for US$3 billion.

[5] The ship was delivered on 17 September 2009, eleven months after her launch, at the Monfalcone yards.