The naming ceremony for the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor was truly unique and memorable, with British celebrity Myleene Klass, a chart-topping musician, singer and television personality in the UK serving as the ship’s godmother.

The event culminated in dramatic fashion when a member of the Royal Navy dive team – following a cue from Klass, who was playing a classical piano piece live on Lido Deck – climbed up a 60-foot-long ascent rope to reach the ship’s name at the top of the bow.  Breaking with tradition, the diver smashed 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.

After the naming ceremony, Carnival Splendor departed on a special three-day cruise to Amsterdam followed by the launch of the line’s first ever 12-day Northern Europe cruise program.