To celebrate the Carnival Splendor’s inaugural call at Fort Lauderdale, a reception was held aboard the 3,006-passenger vessel attended by officials from both the cruise line and Port Everglades.

            Here, Port Everglades Deputy Director Glenn Wiltshire (left) presents Carnival Splendor Captain Claudio Cupisti with a commemorative key to Broward County, Fla., to mark the occasion.           

            The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor – the largest ship in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet – will operate a schedule of seven-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale through January 31, 2009.  The ship will then sail on a series of 14- to 18-day South America voyages followed by the launch of year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning in March 2009.

            Carnival Splendor offers a host of innovations, including a 21,000-square-foot “Cloud 9 Spa” and a 5,500-square-foot children’s play area – the largest facilities of their kind in the fleet – along with a water spray park and a sliding sky dome over the main pool area that houses a massive LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming.

           Carnival Cruise Lines’ 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor – the line’s newest and largest “Fun Ship” – made its U.S. debut Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, when it arrived at Port Everglades this morning following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Europe. 

            Carnival Splendor will kick off its Fort Lauderdale–based program with a series of three one-time voyages — a two-day cruise to Nassau Nov. 15-17, a four-day Bahamas/Turks & Caicos cruise Nov. 17-21 and an eight-day eastern Caribbean voyage Nov. 21-29.

            Then, beginning Nov. 29, the ship will embark on a series of 10 seven-day eastern Caribbean voyages featuring four highly popular ports of call, including Casa de Campo/La Romana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Nassau, The Bahamas.

            “Carnival Splendor features an exceptional number of innovative, guest-driven amenities that represent the continuing evolution of the ‘Fun Ship’ vacation experience,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “We’re delighted to bring this spectacular new ship to Port Everglades, a valued business partner that provides a convenient, close-to-home departure point for our guests.”

Cahill noted that, including Fort Lauderdale, Carnival sails from 14 U.S. homeports – the most in cruising.

             “We are delighted that Carnival selected Port Everglades for the U.S. debut of the Carnival Splendor,” said Port Everglades Director Phillip C. Allen.  “We estimate that this new ship will bring 80,000 cruise passengers to Broward County and will generate approximately $34 million in our community.”

            As the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed, Carnival Splendor offers a host of on-board facilities and features, highlighted by a 21,000-square-foot “Cloud 9 Spa” — the largest in the fleet.  The expansive two-level health club includes a thalassotherapy pool, a thermal suite and 17 private treatment rooms.  Surrounding the facility are 68 exclusive staterooms and suites – a first for the line.

            Dining options include two two-level formal dining rooms, a 1,400-seat poolside eatery with a 24-hour pizzeria and an elegant reservations-only supper club.

            Further bolstering Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader carrying 600,000 children annually, Carnival Splendor offers a wide range of kid-friendly amenities, including a 5,500-square-foot play area – the largest in the fleet — part of the top-rated “Camp Carnival” program.  Older kids can enjoy “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year-olds and “Club O2,” for ages 15-17, with programming and facilities for each age group.

            Carnival Splendor also houses 1,503 staterooms, including hundreds of balcony cabins and several levels of suites. All Carnival Splendor accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high-quality linens and pillows.  

            Carnival Splendor originally debuted in Europe in July, and following its Fort Lauderdale–based program, will operate a series of 14- to 18-day South America cruises – a first for Carnival.  The ship will then launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning in March 2009.

            For additional information and reservations on Carnival Splendor or any other vessel in the “Fun Ship” fleet, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.