MS Dream Charming

The 1998-built (as "Sea Princess") cruise ship MS Dream (fka MS Charming) is the third SUN-class Princess Cruises vessel - with sisterships Dawn Princess (now Pacific Explorer) and Sun Princess (now Pacific World). MS Dream Charming is currently operated under charter by the China-based Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line (in 2023 rebranded from Foresee Cruises). The shipowner is Sanya International Cruise Development Company.

The vessel (IMO number 9150913) is currently Liberia-flagged (MMSI 636020325) and registered in Monrovia. For Princess Cruises, Sea Princess was Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310465000) and registered in Hamilton.

Sea Princess' last drydock refurbishment was in 2017. In 2023, the vessel was extensively drydock refurbished at Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard Co Ltd (in Zhoushan China).

In mid-September 2020, Princess Cruises sold Sea Princess which leaves the fleet in 2021. Also sold was Sun Princess (now Pacific World) - chartered to Peace Boat (Japan). The new shipowner of Sea Princess remains unknown - for now.

• A total of 44x Sea Princess cruises were canceled - departures on itineraries planned for the period December 23, 2020, through November 9, 2021. The ship was planned for deployment in Australia-New Zealand, plus a 109-day "World Cruise 2021" offered as a roundtrip from Sydney NSW, Brisbane QLD and Auckland NZ.
• On October 5, the vessel left Port Klang Malaysia en route to Manila Philippines.

History - construction and ownership

In mid-November 2020, the cruise ship management company V.Ships Leisure Ltd officially announced that they had assisted with Sea Princess' handover to its new Chinese shipowner - "CCCC Ocean Investment Holding Co Ltd" (part of "China Communications Construction Company Ltd") via its subsidiary "Sanya International Cruise Development Co Ltd".

Sea Princess was renamed to "MS Charming" and started passenger shipping operations in 2021 February under the new Chinese brand "Foresee Cruises". In 2016, China Communications Construction Co Ltd announced plans to acquire 5 to 8 cruise ships (newbuilds and second-hand) and serve exclusively China's market.

In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) announced that intends to sell 13 ships in FY2020 - instead of the previously expected global fleet optimization planned over the next 3-5 years. In mid-September, Carnival increased the number of its ships for sale to 18 (some were scrapped).

In January 2023, the vessel was once again renamed - from CHARMING to DREAM, but its MMSI/Monrovia registry remained the same.

The 1950-passenger ship Sea Princess/MS Dream features middle-size style and more classical facilities that make her a good choice for cruise guests who like to feel they are onboard of an ocean-going cruise liner rather than a theme park at sea.

For the loyal British travelers, Sea Princess was comfortable, with a home-like feeling, and popular for its scenic Vista Lounge, classical afternoon teas, delicious steak-and-chips dinners (both in the pay-per-use Steakhouse and in the no-extra-fee major dining venues), BBC TV dramas and UK-focused entertainment program. This was a real achievement for the Carnival Croporation's Princess brand which traditionally caters mainly to Americans.

Decks and Cabins

Most Sea Princess staterooms (1008 total, in 27 categories) are 145-ft2 sized Inside cabins (396). Almost 80% of the ship's outside cabins have private step-out balconies. There are 19 wheelchair-accessible (ADA) staterooms designed for passengers with disabilities. The largest are the Balcony Suites (470 ft2).

The boat has 15 decks, of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Rigoletto and Traviata Dining Rooms are virtually identical, differing only in their decor color. Both rooms contain etched glass panels and lovely wood, creating a feeling of intimate dining. The food preparation is of very good quality, beautifully presented and varied. Vegetarian selections are excellent, desserts - superb. A good selection of healthy items is provided every night. The waiters are friendly and helpful. The popular dining venue, Horizon Court, is open 24 hours a day. Horizon Court is situated one deck above the swimming area. The buffet is tiny by new-ship standards but offers excellent breakfast options from 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., along with an abundance of fruits and bread, and European specialties.

Follows the complete list of Sea Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Rigoletto Restaurant (dinner only, aft Dining Room, with 2 fixed seatings - 5:30 and 7:45 p.m.)
• Traviata Restaurant (aft Dining Room open for Breakfast 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 a.m., Lunch 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m., with 2 fixed Dinner seatings- at 5:45 p.m. or 7:45 p.m.)
• Cafe Corniche (Italian Pizzeria, complimentary)
• Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• Sterling Steakhouse (specialty restaurant)
• Riviera Grill Bar (fast food bar, complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Sea Princess daytime offerings include all the cruise standards: trivia, art auctions, board and card games, and cocktail-making demos. However, Princess also provides a variety of themed "@Sea" events. Computers@Sea is the main, teaching photo editing, beginning computer and even movie making. Common Interest@Sea features social get-togethers by profession, interests or lifestyle. Ballroom@Sea classes teach passengers to dance. Scholarship@Sea offers educational lectures on diverse topics as astronomy, destination information, bridge play. There are also @Sea events for games, ceramics, scrapbooking and book discussions. A special offering is Sea's Ultimate Ship Tour, taking guests behind the scenes onboard to places like the bridge, galley, backstage of the theatre, funnel and engine control room. The 3-hour tour costs AUD175 and participants receive a luxurious bathrobe, personalized stationery, official chef's jacket and a framed photo with the captain.

Follows the complete list of Sea Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Grand Piazza Atrium (4-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• Explores Bar (offers specialty coffees, desserts, pastries, wines, liquors)
• Atrium Boutiques (Latitudes Shop)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
• Internet Cafe (24-hour), Card Room
• Princess Sea Theatre (musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Razzmatazz Disco & Nightclub
• Princess Sea Monte Carlo Casino
• Atrium Lounge; Vista Lounge & Bar
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Premier Cru Bar (wine bar); Sundaes Bar; Seaview Bar
• Oasis Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area); Riviera Pool area
• Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Shuffleboard, Golf Net; Princess Links mini golf course.

Sea Princess 2017 refurbishment review

The list of deck plan changes following the ship's 16-day long drydock refurbishment in 2017 (October 21-November 5, done in Singapore) includes:

• All passenger cabins received new bedding (all beds were replaced with Princess Luxury Bed).
• A new cabin category ("Club Class Mini Suite") was introduced.
• New (larger) outdoor screen "Movies under the Stars" was installed
• Theater Lounge's evening program was upgraded with a new evening production show (the musical "Encore") and a new singing competition show ("The Voice of the Ocean") with live band music performances. The ship's Theatre was outfitted with a LED wall (sized 15x5 m / 49x16 ft) allowing dynamic media projection that enhances the evening shows.
• The ship's kids and teen lounges (part of "Camp Discovery") were renovated and updated via a partnership with Discovery Channel (as part of Princess Cruises' complimentary onboard children program "Discovery at Sea").
• Cafe Corniche (deck 9) menu was updated by adding new classic Italian dishes.
• Wheelhouse Bar (deck 7) was re-decorated and its menu updated.

Itineraries

MS Dream's itinerary program started in July 2023 and is based on homeporting in Tianjin/Beijing, where the ship arrived on July 8th.

(Sea Princess) For Princess Cruises, the ship's itinerary program was based on Australia and New Zealand voyages departing from homeports Sydney NSW, Fremantle-Perth and Brisbane QLD. The ship also operated roundtrip World Cruises leaving from Australia to Asia and Europe.

With Sea Princess, Princess Cruises had its longest (106-night) world cruise departing from Sydney Australia on June 5, 2018. The itinerary included 40 port destinations in 27 countries, including maiden ports in Greenland and Canada. The voyage marked the company's 10th anniversary of around-the-world cruising.

For Sea Princess' last itineraries (planned for 2021 - all canceled) see the ship's Wiki-section.