Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone launched Carnival Breeze, the new flagship of Carnival Cruise Lines, on September 16. Delivery is scheduled for Spring 2012.

The launch was preceded by the traditional coin ceremony to bring good luck by welding in place a silver dollar on the last deck of the ship, in keeping with an old shipbuilding tradition. Godmother to the ship was Monica Conte, a shipyard employee.

Measuring in at 130,000 gross tonnes, for a length of 306 metres with a beam of 37 the Carnival Breeze is the sister ship of Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic which Monfalcone shipyard delivered in 2009 and 2011 respectively.

In building the Carnival Breeze Fincantieri will further strengthen its leading position as builder of build the largest passenger ships in the history of Italian shipbuilding. Indeed the new vessel will have 1,845 cabins, plus 746 for the crew, for a total maximum capacity of over 6,000. A record for ships built to date for Carnival by Fincantieri.

In the next few months the Carnival Breeze will be fitted out to the highest standards of comfort in readiness to offer her passengers a wide range of entertainment such as bars, restaurants, theatres, shops and wellness centres. She will boast a totally new design, inspired by intriguing tropical atmospheres with warm colours and pastel shades exclusively created in Germany by Partner Ship Design for Carnival. New also is the large availability of sea view cabins with two bathrooms suitable for up to 5 guests, ideal for larger families.

Since 1990 Fincantieri has built 60 cruise ships and a further 7 ships are under construction or scheduled to be built at Fincantieri shipyards.