The name of Carnival Cruise Lines’ next new ship and its interior design complement each other perfectly; the central design idea of the line’s new 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor — set to debut in July 2008 — is “Splendid Things,†a celebration of the magnificent, lustrous and elegant. The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor is a new class of vessel for Carnival, with a number of innovative new features, including a luxurious 21,000-square-foot spa -- the largest in the “Fun Ship†fleet. Carnival Splendor is scheduled to launch Carnival’s first-ever northern European cruise program July 13, 2008.
“When I thought about the name of this ship, it brought to mind all the splendid things there are in the world,†said Joe Farcus, Carnival’s ship architect. “The central idea that ties the rooms together is the concept of fine, luxurious, sumptuous elegance. So we used elements like pearls, gold leaf and wood grains to give the ship a feeling of richness,†he added.
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That Splendid Look
The center of it all is the Splendor Atrium, which Farcus describes as “pure design.†The walls are decorated with a composite material made of stainless steel and four-inch circular cutouts backed by pink-stained wood with black pigment rubbed into the grain, along with gold-leaf beams and arches illuminated with hundreds of sparkling lights.
The atrium balcony and main staircases carry on the stainless steel motif with railings that have a circular textured glass infill with orange and red glass jewels fused on and topped by a pink-and-black-grained wood handrail. The common areas — elevator lobbies, stairwells and promenade — have the stainless steel, gold leaf and wood elements adapted to the location.
“The overall effect is striking,†said Farcus, “with all these rich, elegant materials mixed with stainless steel and stylized wood laminates.â€
Creating New Spaces
The central Lido pool deck features a large open glass-walled, two-deck-high area that can be enclosed with a retractable Sky Dome, along with two hot tubs repositioned on either side of the deck and inset into the deck to provide unobstructed sea views. Also featured within this dramatic space is “Carnival’s Seaside Theatre†with its 270-square-foot outdoor screen, along with two bars and two food-service lines.
“With the addition of the Sky Dome, the mid-ship pool area becomes another public room, not just a pool deck,†said Farcus. “Decorated with plants, it can become quite an attractive room for gatherings of all types and will be the largest public room on any Carnival ship.â€
Located above the two-level, art deco–styled Splendido poolside eatery is the Pinnacle Supper Club. A skylight provides spectacular nighttime views of the stars for supper club diners, while a glass dance floor suspended over the mini-atrium created by the three-deck configuration is sure to be a conversation starter.
Carnival Splendor’s aft pool deck will be an airy and open space and in the tradition of the grand liners, will provide guests with unimpeded views of the ship’s wake.
The outdoor aft deck area will pay homage to the great liners of the past. The walls will be beautiful teak molded paneling while the bars and serving lines will recall the hulls of these ships. Throughout the area will be large half models of some of the most famous ships that sailed the oceans of the world. The aft deck will also house two serving stations – one featuring authentic Indian Tandoori items and the other a New York-style deli offering sandwiches and traditional side dishes.
Also located within the Lido Deck area is an expansive two-level, 5,500-square-foot children’s play area which will serve as the focal point for the extensive activities schedule for the line’s top-rated “Camp Carnival†program. Sure to be a hit with kids of all ages is a new feature for Carnival – a water spray park – located just above the main playroom with a private secured stairway leading to the facility.
Carnival Splendor will also house one of the largest health and wellness facilities afloat featuring 68 spa cabins and suites – a first for the line.
Including the exclusive spa accommodations, the Carnival Splendor’s spa will encompass some 40,000 square feet and will include Carnival’s first thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome, an elaborate Thermal Suite, 17 treatment rooms; and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.
Distinctive Public Rooms
As he has done with every ship in Carnival’s fleet, Joe Farcus has designed the main public rooms on Carnival Splendor in a variety of whimsical and inventive themes.
The Royal Flush Casino takes a “splendid, winning hand†as its principal design element. Various combinations of royal flush hands are set along the walls, with the characters on the cards emerging from the wall like a sculpture. The ceiling is decorated with card images that gradually change electronically into different hands.
Splendor Spectacular, the main show lounge, features sparkly fiberglass stage curtains all around the room. “The idea is that the whole room is the stage,†Farcus explained. Large chandeliers are draped domes with strings of beads hanging down, creating a dramatic effect.
The Red Carpet dance club turns every guest into a celebrity as they walk the VIP line past a series of mannequins waiting in line on the other side of the velvet rope to enter. Once inside, a wall of images of reporters and paparazzi — complete with camera flashes — greet would-be revelers.
The El Mojito promenade bar has the feel of a sidewalk café in Old Havana, with Spanish-style columns topped with domes and classic lanterns hung throughout the room, along with terracotta floors and the aged stucco walls festooned with colorful Cuban posters.
The Cool jazz bar taps into the legendary coolness of jazz greats. The walls are decorated with artwork inspired by jazz innovator Miles Davis, with photos of the trumpeter and sheet music of his compositions.
El Morocco, the aft lounge, re-creates the famous 1930s New York club of the same name. Banquettes are covered in zebra-patterned leather, with palm trees and lanterns adorning the walls, which feature murals of Moroccan scenes.
Our House sports bar celebrates a team’s home field advantage, with models of famous stadiums displayed in glass vitrines located around the room, accented by red, white and blue bunting. Bar tops and tabletops are inlaid with photos of famous sports stadiums.
The California Roll sushi bar sports large models of koi goldfish in iridescent paints. The bar front is river rock, and all tile work on the walls and surfaces is made of natural mother of pearl shells.
Exciting and Varied Itineraries
Carnival Splendor is slated to debut July 13, 2008, with a series of 12-day Northern Europe cruises from London (Dover) through Aug. 30, followed by a schedule of 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through Oct. 17, 2008.
The ship will then sail on a trans-Atlantic crossing departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 29 and arriving Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Nov. 14, positioning the vessel for a series of seven-day exotic Caribbean cruises from that port beginning Nov. 22, 2008. Carnival Splendor will then reposition to Long Beach, Calif., to launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises, continuing the line’s expansion of its West Coast operations. 
Cunard Line today announced the sale of QE2 to Dubai World, in a US$100 million deal which will turn the iconic liner into a first-class tourism destination at The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
QE2 will be delivered to Dubai World in November 2008, where she will cease her role as an ocean-going passenger vessel and be refurbished and adapted for her new home. From 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially-constructed pier to create a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island.
The ship, which was launched by Her Majesty The Queen in September 1967, 40 years ago this year, is the longest-serving ship in Cunard's 168-year history, and was their longest-serving flagship. Since she came into service in 1969, she has undertaken 25 world cruises, has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and has carried more than 2.5 million passengers.
QE2 has been purchased by Istithmar, the investment arm of Dubai World, a wholly owned company of the Government of Dubai. Nakheel, developer of The Palm Jumeirah, is also a Dubai World company.
Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said:
"We are delighted that when her legendary career as an ocean liner ends there will continue to be a permanent home for her that will enable future generations to continue to experience fully both the ship and her history."
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, said:
"QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. I am delighted we will be able to create a home for her on the newest wonder of the world, The Palm Jumeirah."
"QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East. We are investing in creating a truly global tourism destination."
"Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished."
Istithmar said its refurbishment programme will aim to recreate QE2's original interior décor and fittings. QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will also include a museum celebrating the rich history of the ship « Newer Articles — Older Articles »
