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Carnival Corporation orders new cruise ship

Carnival Corporation has ordered a new 130,000-ton ship for its Carnival Cruise Lines brand.

It is the first new cruise ship order for 20 months and has been negotiated in dollars rather than euros – even though it is being built in Europe, by Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard near Trieste – to protect the company against a slide in the US currency. The total cost is about $738 million, with delivery set for spring 2012.

The new ship will be a sister to the 3,636-passenger Carnival Dream, which was named in New York in November. It will have the same aquapark and Ocean Plaza entertainment area, as well as new features to be announced at a later date.

Carnival Cruise Lines president and chief executive office Gerry Cahill said: “Ordering a third Dream-class ship shows the confidence we have in the continued success of this series.

“[This class of ship] embodies the evolution of our brand by providing the type of fun, affordable breaks today’s consumers are seeking.”

Carnival Magic, also a sister to Carnival Dream, is currently under construction at the Monfalcone shipyard and due to launch in May 2011.

Carnival Corporation chairman and chief executive Micky Arison told analysts that Princess Cruises plans to order a new prototype ship, hopefully before the end of this year, for delivery in 2013.

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