Carnival Cruise Lines next newbuild, the
113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, will debut the line's first Northern
European cruise program in July 2008, Carnival said.
The Splendor,
currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy,
introduces a new class of vessel for Carnival, the line's largest,
which features a 21,000-square-foot, two-level spa and fitness
center that like sister line Costa, will feature "spa staterooms"
surrounding the spa.
Carnival said that
the 12-day Northern European voyages, which will operate July 13 to
Aug. 30, 2008, will visit Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, the
Netherlands and Russia.
In the fall, the
Splendor will operate 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Rome from
Sept. 23 to Oct. 17, 2008.
Carnival said that
the Splendor will be the second Carnival ship deployed in Europe in
2008, joining the Carnival Freedom, which is scheduled to operate
12-day Mediterranean cruises from May to October.
"Consumers are
discovering that cruising is the best way to see Europe as it
provides the opportunity to experience and explore multiple
destinations while enjoying the comfort and convenience of a modern
'floating resort,' " said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and
CEO, in a statement.
Dickinson added that
the Splendor's Northern Europe itinerary will offer another Europe
option for passengers who may have sailed on the line's
Mediterranean program in the past.
The Splendor is
slated to debut on July 13, 2008, and sail an inaugural 12-day
Northern Europe cruise from London( Dover), one of five such
voyages, that will call in Amsterdam; Copenhagen, Denmark;
Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg,
Russia (two-day call); and Tallin, Estonia.
The spa and fitness
center will feature Carnival's first thermal suite and
thalassotherapy pool, covered by a glass dome, the line said;
surrounding the spa facility will be 68 "spa staterooms." Guests in
those staterooms will have exclusive entry access to the adjacent
spa facilities, Carnival said, and will receive a wide array of
perks including priority spa appointments, unlimited use of the
thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool, complimentary fitness
classes and other amenities.
To
contact reporter Johanna Jainchill, send e-mail to [email protected].