New Carnival Splendor will launch northern Europe cruises

Carnival will break lots of new ground in 2008 when its newest ship adds a destination region to the cruise line’s repertoire. When the Carnival Splendor launches in July 2008, it will also inaugurate Carnival’s first ever northern Europe cruise program.

Through August 30, the Splendor will sail 12-night itineraries that call in Denmark, Germany, Finland, Russia, Estonia, and the Netherlands. The ship will then sail from London to Rome, where it will embark on a series of 12-night Mediterranean voyages through mid-October. It will reposition to the Caribbean for the winter.

Demonstrating the demand for Europe cruises, the Carnival Splendor will be Carnival’s second ship in Europe next summer. It joins the Carnival Freedom, also one of Carnival’s newest and biggest ships.

The Splendor will be the first in a new class of ship for Carnival. Highlights include a 21,000-square-foot health and fitness center (the largest at sea) with a thermal suite, thelassotherapy pool, and 68 spa staterooms, a la [% 2282150 | | Costa %]. A two-level children’s play area will be the largest on any Carnival ship, and 60 percent of the ship’s 1,503 cabins will offer an ocean view.

If you’d like to be one of the first onboard this new megaship, start planning now. Carnival will start accepting reservations for the Splendor on Thursday, May 10. Call 888-CARNIVAL (888-227-6482) or a travel agent.