Carnival Splendor is Named

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Myleene Klass names the latest cruise ship, the Carnival Splendor

By Steve Read

10 July, 2008

As the bottle broke, passengers were showered with streamers and the ship’s powerful whistle sounded three long blasts which echoed off the white cliffs, to the delight of hundreds of locals who had gathered on the pier.

Ferries from P&O, SeaFrance and Norfolk Line answered with their own whistles.

MYLEENE KLASS stepped onto the deck of CARNIVAL SPLENDOR today to name the ship ... and the sun came out over Dover.

And as she played a classical version of Rod Stewart’s “We Are Sailing”, a Royal Navy diver smashed a bottle of Nyetimber English sparkling wine against the hull of the £250 million ship.

“What a perfect day,” said Splendor’s cruise director John Heald, who had been panicking that storms which have dogged the ship’s voyage up the Bay of Biscay would rain on the parade.

Myleene – looking radiant in a coral pink dress which kept whipping up in the breeze, to the delight of photographers – was joined by Carnival Cruise Lines president Gerry Cahill for the ceremony.

Gerry said: “The British cruising market is growing fast, with over 1.3 million taking cruises from the UK last year, and this is why we have chosen Britain for our inaugural season for Carnival Splendor.”

Myleene with Gerry Cahill and Capt. Giorgio Pagana

Referring to the ship’s American spelling of the word splendour, he said: “For our UK guests, Carnival Splendor has just about everything on board ... except U.”

After Myleene said the traditional words – “I name this ship Carnival Splendor. God Bless all who sail in her” – a flare was dropped over the side to Navy Petty Officer Christian Rumming, 39, who was lurking underwater near the ship’s bulbous bow.

That was the signal for him to climb 60 feet up a mooring line – in full diving rig, including flippers – to smash the bottle.

→ Book a cruise onboard the Carnival Splendor

→ Next Page: Gorgeous Facilities

Fab Fitting and Fixtures

The 113,300-ton ship – the biggest passenger vessel ever docked in Dover – sails tonight for Amsterdam.

If every berth on the ship was occupied, with at least three people per cabin, she could carry more than 4,900 passengers. On most cruises she will carry about 3,000.

Carnival Splendor is not the most garish of the fleet, but is definitely the most sumptuous. It strikes you as soon as you board, into the central atrium which has arches and beams decorated with gold leaf and twinkling lights.

The central Lido pool has a retractable roof and Jacuzzis with views out to sea.

The Lido Pool

The ship has Carnival’s biggest-ever children’s area – 5,500 sq ft – with a water spray park.

Teenagers can go on group shore excursions, escorted by staff, to see the sights without their parents.

The Cloud 9 spa includes a thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome, a thermal suite and 17 private treatment rooms. There are 68 spa cabins, reached by a private lift, whose guests get free access.

The public rooms on Carnival Splendor are where designer Joe Farcus has gone to town.

In the Royal Flush casino, the ceiling has card images that change electronically into different winning hands.

As you walk into the Red Carpet dance club, prepare to be “papped” as a mob of Fleet Street’s snappers dazzle you with their flashbulbs.

There is a jazz club with pictures of trumpeter Miles Davis, a Cuban-style promenade bar that feels like a café in Havana, and a sumptuous lounge with zebra-patterned leather sofas, palm trees and lanterns like the New York speakeasy El Morocco.

In the Pinnacle supper club a glass dance floor is suspended over a mini atrium – don’t look down!

In total there are 22 bars and lounges.

The Pearl Dining Room