Carnival Splendor's Funnel Sails to Shipyard

Carnival Cruise Lines' new Carnival Splendor has yet to see water under its hull as it takes shape in a building dock, but its signature winged funnel is already making its first sea voyage -- a 1,110-mile, 10-day trek from Trieste, Italy, where it was fabricated, to Fincantieri's Sestri shipyard near Genoa. The funnel is expected to arrive on June 22, at which time it will be positioned atop the massive 113,330-ton, 3,006-passenger "Fun Ship." Carnival Splendor -- the largest ship in the Carnival Cruise Lines' fleet -- is slated to debut from London (Dover) July 13, 2008, launching the line's first-ever 12-day Northern Europe cruise program. From there, the ship will operate 12-day Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises through the Oct. 29 then reposition to Fort Lauderdale for a series of seven-day Caribbean voyages beginning Nov. 22, 2008. Carnival Splendor begins year-round Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., March 29, 2009. For more information, email agent@roytravelpro.com