Jetsettersblog

Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor — the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed — will operate a one-time European cruise in July 2008. The eight-day voyage, which departs Genoa on July 2 and arrives in London (Dover) on July 10, will visit Cannes, France; Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Le Havre (Paris), France. Following this voyage, the 3,006-passenger ship will launch Carnival’s first 12-day Northern Europe cruise schedule from London July 13 — the first of five voyages in the program, which continues through Aug. 30. Ports include Copenhagen; Warnemunde (Berlin); Helsinki; St. Petersburg; Tallin, Estonia; and Amsterdam. Carnival Splendor will also sail a 12-day Mediterranean cruise from London to Rome (Civitavecchia) Sept. 11, 2008, then operate “Grand Mediterranean” and “Mediterranean and Greek Isles” cruises Sept. 23, Oct. 5 and Oct. 17, 2008.

Upon completion of its European season, Carnival Splendor will sail a 16-day transatlantic crossing from Rome to Fort Lauderdale, from where it will sail a series of seven-day Caribbean voyages from Port Everglades. Following Carnival’s first program of South American cruises January to March 2009, Carnival Splendor will launch year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., March 29, 2009, continuing the line’s West Coast expansion. Representing a new class of Fun Ships, Carnival Splendor will feature a two-deck-high Cloud 9 Spa featuring a thalassotherapy pool and a thermal suite. Adjacent to the facility will be 68 exclusive spa staterooms and suites - another first for the line - with private access to the facility, special amenities and priority spa reservations.

The vessel’s family-friendly amenities include a 5,500-square-foot children’s play area along with a water spray park and a Club O2 teen center with a DJ, dance floor and high-tech sound and lighting system. Also featured will be four swimming pools, one covered by a retractable dome. Carnival will begin accepting reservations for Carnival Splendor’s eight-day European cruise on Oct. 11.