updated 7/14/2008 11:51:30 AM ET 2008-07-14T15:51:30
In the world of cruising, Carnival Cruise Lines is known as the “Fun Ships”. So it was no surprise that Carnival’s newest ship, Carnival Splendor, was christened last week in Dover, England amid much lighthearted fun.
The party got started when the godmother, British pop star Myleene Klass, serenaded a Royal Navy diver who climbed a 60-foot rope up the side of the ship to smash the ceremonial bottle against the hull.
The Splendor itself will be familiar to Carnival cruisers. At 3,006 passengers and 113,300-tons, it’s Carnival’s biggest vessel to date. It’s a slightly bigger version of Carnival’s Conquest-class ships, and passengers who have sailed Carnival before will be familiar with the Splendor’s layout. But the similarities end there as Splendor introduces a number of new features for Carnival.
What’s new
As the first and only Splendor-class ship, the biggest change is an expansion of the spa to 21,000-square feet. The Cloud 9 Spa stretches out over two decks in the front of the ship and offers an Asian-inspired ambiance.
You can relax in the huge thalassotherapy pool or the thermal suite based on a Turkish bath experience that offers four climate controlled, each with varying degrees of warmth or cold. There are two VIP treatment areas for couples to indulge in extensive treatments and a mud lounge where different chakra muds are applied to the body then washed away in a tropical rain temple. Before and after treatments, guests are encouraged to relax with a cup of tea in a relaxation area with comfy loungers and canopied beds with sea views and soothing music.
For fitness buffs the spa’s large fitness center offers users state-of-the-art Lifecycle machinery along with daily fitness classes with personal trainers.
Another first for Carnival is 68 spa staterooms that offer direct access to the spa through a private elevator. Each stateroom has special décor and amenities that make for the ultimate seagoing spa and wellness vacation that’s only steps away from the stateroom.