Myleene Klass acted as godmother of the 3,006-passenger vessel prior to it setting sail on inaugural 3-day cruise to Amsterdam.
The 113,000-tonne Carnival Splendor is the first in a new class of vessel for the US company, featuring a 21,000-square-foot spa and large children’s area. The ship has been designed to feel like a ‘floating resort’ with an informal style but with fine dining available too.
The ship, the 22nd in the fleet, is to sail the company’s first series of Northern European itineraries this summer from the Kent port from July 13 until August 30 followed by cruises in the Mediterranean until October.
It will then be replaced next summer by 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty running 12-night Northern Europe itineraries from Dover between May 9 and August 25, 2009.