MIAMI, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Exclusive video of the recently completed naming ceremony for the 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor is now available for viewing on http://www.carnival.com/splendor. The video footage showcases the one-of-a-kind event held earlier today in Dover, England, and presided over by Myleene Klass, a chart-topping musician, singer and television personality in the UK who served as the ship's godmother.
Following the ceremony, the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor -- Carnival Cruise Lines' largest ship to date -- sailed from the Port of Dover on a special three-day cruise to Amsterdam and will operate the line's first-ever 12-day Northern Europe program from that port July 13 - Aug. 30.
The video footage includes the naming ceremony's dramatic culmination during which a member of the Royal Navy dive team -- following a cue from Klass, who was playing a classical piano piece live on Carnival Splendor's Lido Deck -- climbed up a 60-foot-long black marlin ascent rope to reach the ship's name at the top of the bow.
From there, the diver broke with tradition by smashing a bottle of 1994 vintage Nyetimber English sparkling wine across the ship's hull. Nyetimber was chosen by Carnival to emphasize the selection of Britain to launch its newest and largest ship.
Additionally, Carnival Splendor Senior Cruise Director John Heald -- whose cruise-themed blog has become one of the most popular sites on the Internet -- will be blogging live from the ship, offering his own unique insight into the festivities surrounding the line's newest "Fun Ship." There will also be a section where visitors to the portal are encouraged to share their comments and correspond with other readers.
The special Web portal also offers a first look at Carnival Splendor's distinctive lounges, bars, restaurants, as well as the luxurious 21,000- square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, expansive children facilities, and Carnival's Seaside Theatre, a 270-square-foot LED screen on Lido Deck displaying movies, concerts and other programming.
Following its departures from Dover, Carnival Splendor will reposition to Rome (Civitavecchia) to operate a schedule of 12-day Mediterranean cruises through Oct. 17, 2008, then sail on a trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Oct. 29 - Nov. 14, positioning the vessel for a series of seven-day Caribbean cruises from that port. Carnival Splendor will then operate 14- to 18-day South America voyages followed by year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning March 29, 2009.
Carnival is accepting reservations on all of the Carnival Splendor's various European, Caribbean, South American and Mexican Riviera departures.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.
