Carnival Corporation has exercised an option for a new 130,000-ton ship for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand. The new vessel, which will have 3,652 lower passenger berths, will be built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri at its Monfalcone yard at an estimated all-in cost of €565 million. The ship is scheduled for delivery in summer 2010.

The vessel will be a sister ship to a previously announced 130,000-ton ship slated to enter service in fall 2009 that will begin a new class for the line. The two sister ships will be the largest ever constructed for Carnival Cruise Lines.

“Carnival Cruise Lines remains the undisputed leader in contemporary cruising and these new ships represent the most spacious and innovative design ever created for a Carnival ‘Fun Ship,’” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. “In addition to introducing a host of new and exciting facilities and features, this groundbreaking class of ship will enable us to build upon our distinction as world’s most popular cruise line,” he added.

Carnival Cruise Lines now has four new ships on order or under construction with Fincantieri representing a combined 13,284 total lower berths.

Corporate-wide, Carnival Corporation & plc now has 19 new ships on order – 13 of which are being constructed by Fincantieri.

Enrico Buschi, Fincantieri merchant ship general manager said, “Once again the excellent relationship between industry leaders Carnival Corporation & plc and Fincantieri is underlined. We wish that such a strong relationship may continue with the same success in the future. The Carnival group operates some of the world`s best known cruise brands and we are truly pleased that the company has placed its trust in Fincantieri`s expertise one more time.”