Exclusive video of the recently completed naming ceremony for the 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor is now available for viewing on 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.

First ever underwater-to-hull bottle break to name biggest passenger ship to sail from Dover

Multi-talented classical musician, singer and presenter Myleene Klass will have a spectacular bottle-breaking “assist” from Royal Navy divers when she performs her first-ever Ship’s Godmother duties next week by officially naming the 113,000 tonne Carnival Splendor – the biggest passenger ship to sail from Dover Cruise Port.

Ultra-fit Petty Officer Christian Rumming, 39, assisted by a Royal Navy dive team led by Lt Ian Richardson, 43, will be underwater near the bow of the Carnival Splendor when he will hear a unique radio signal from Myleene Klass, playing live classical piano music on the ship’s top Lido deck. PO Rumming will let out some compressed air from his diving tanks and then personally climb, in wet suit, safety harness and flippers, a 60ft black marlin ascent rope to reach the Carnival Splendor’s name on the top of her bow. 

PO Rumming will then break with tradition, for instead of French champagne, he will undertake Myleene’s command and smash against the hull a bottle of the highly acclaimed 1994 vintage Nyetimber English sparkling wine, chosen by Carnival to emphasise their selection of Britain to launch their largest and latest superliner.

Myleene Klass said, “Not only am I excited about launching my first-ever ship with the Carnival Splendor, but also I am  so looking forward to working with the Royal Navy men who seem to be under my command – if only for a couple of minutes! I plan to give PO Chris Rumming the start signal by playing some classical music on Carnival Splendor’s baby grand piano.” 

Lt Ian Richardson of the Royal Navy Fleet Diving Squadron said, “This has to be a rather unusual assignment for my men, who are trained in deep sea marine diving and underwater bomb and mine disposal to protect our fleet, but I am confident they can pull this off.”

Carnival Cruise Lines President and CEO Gerry Cahill said, “Myleene Klass and the Royal Navy are a unique combination, and we are very honoured that they are joining forces to successfully name the Carnival Splendor.”

Carnival Splendor offers a comprehensive selection of restaurants, show-stopping entertainment, four swimming pools, a 5,500 sq ft children’s play area and Carnival’s largest ever floating spa featuring a thalassotherapy pool, thermal suite and 17 treatment rooms.

Immediately after its Naming Ceremony, Carnival Splendor sets sail for a three day preview cruise to Amsterdam, returning to Dover on July 13, when it will depart on the same day for its official inaugural 12-day cruise to the Baltic countries, visiting Copenhagen; Warnemunde (for Berlin); Helsinki; St Petersburg; Tallinn and Amsterdam.

A video replay of the Carnival Splendor Naming Ceremony can be viewed beginning July 10 at www.carnival.com/splendor.