In a traditional
maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy,
Carnival Cruise Lines has taken delivery of the new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom
—the 22nd vessel in the “Fun Ship” fleet.Following its official naming ceremony in Venice March 4, presided over
by godmother Kathy Ireland, Carnival Freedom will sail on its inaugural
voyage—a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice departing March 5.
  Carnival Freedom will then launch a program of 12-day Grand
Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises March 14, operating
round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).
  “Europe is one of the fastest-growing regions for cruising, offering
consumers the opportunity to experience the stunning landscapes,
centuries-old architecture and rich cultural history and then return to the
comfort and convenience of a ‘floating resort,’” said Bob Dickinson,
Carnival president and CEO. “And Carnival Freedom, with its array of dining
and entertainment options, high-tech amenities and all-ages appeal—along
with diverse itineraries featuring magnificent seaside ports in the
Mediterranean, Greek Isles and Turkey—offers the ultimate European
vacation,” he added.
  One of the most technically advanced cruise ships at sea, Carnival
Freedom features Carnival’s Seaside Theater, a poolside 270-square-foot LED
screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming, along with “100
percent bow-to-stern” Internet wireless access and cellular phone service.
  Also featured are 22 lounges and bars with dramatic interiors inspired
by prominent design themes of the past decades and centuries, as well as a
13,300-square-foot health club, one eighth-mile jogging track, and
extensive facilities for children and teens, part of Carnival’s popular
“Camp Carnival” and “Club O2” programs, respectively.
  Sixty percent of its 1,487 staterooms offer either an ocean view or
balcony—perfect for scenic European cruising. All staterooms feature the
Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets
and high quality linens and pillows.
  Following its European program, Carnival Freedom will sail on a 14-day
transatlantic voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Miami, positioning the
vessel for a winter schedule of seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov.
17, 2007.
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