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 During a reception commemorating the Carnival Splendor’s inaugural voyage from Long Beach, the city’s Mayor Bob Foster (right) presented Carnival Splendor Captain Claudio Cupisti with a key to the city this past weekend.

 

The 3,006-passenger vessel - the largest ship in the Carnival fleet- commenced its year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises April 5.  The inaugural cruise set sail for Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas shortly after the ceremony.

 

Representing a new class for the line, the Carnival Splendor offers a host of innovations, including a 21,000-square-foot health and wellness center – the largest in the fleet — and the line’s most elaborate children’s facilities to date.  Other features include 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, and a massive LED screen on Lido Deck displaying movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming.