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Fincantieri hands over second Vista-class ship, Carnival Horizon

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She's ours! Carnival Horizon officers pose with their new 133,500gt baby
Carnival Horizon was delivered to Carnival Cruise Line during festivities at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard on Wednesday. The 133,500gt ship was built, though, in Marghera.

On hand were Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corp. & plc, and Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, while Fincantieri was represented by chairman Giampiero Massolo and CEO Giuseppe Bono.

This second Vista-class vessel becomes the 26th Fun Ship.

Features distinct to Carnival Horizon include a new Dr. Seuss-themed WaterWorks aqua park, part of the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises; Bonsai Teppanyaki, the line’s first teppanyaki venue; and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse serving barbecue favorites created by Food Network star Guy Fieri, as well as four new craft beers brewed on board.

Plus, the ship reprises Carnival Vista's bike-ride-in-the-sky attraction SkyRide, an IMAX Theatre, the Havana-themed section with staterooms, a bar and an infinity pool, and extra-roomy accommodations in the Family Harbor area, with its own lounge.

The 3,954-berth ship will reposition to the Port of Barcelona for its April 2 inaugural voyage, the first of four sailings from there. Carnival Horizon will then operate a trans-Atlantic crossing to New York, arriving May 23 for a pierside overnight gala and naming ceremony led by godmother Queen Latifah, the Grammy award-winning musical artist and actress.

Following a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean sailings from New York, Carnival Horizon will make its home at PortMiami for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22.

Fincantieri has built 81 cruise ships since 1990, 58 of those since 2002, and 64 for Carnival Corp. brands. Another 44, including including not yet firmed agreements, are currently being designed or built in the group’s yards. Ten of those are for Carnival brands.