Carnival Cruise Lines took delivery of the 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom, on Wednesday, February 28, during a traditional maritime ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. She is the 22nd vessel in Carnival's fleet. Following its official naming ceremony in Venice March 4, presided over by godmother Kathy Ireland, Carnival Freedom will sail on its inaugural voyage-a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice departing March 5. Carnival Freedom will then launch a program of 12-day Grand Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises March 14, operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).

The Carnival Freedom features Seaside Theater, a poolside 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming, along with Internet wireless access throughout the ship and cellular phone service. Also featured are 22 lounges and bars with interiors inspired by prominent design themes of the past decades and centuries. Sixty percent of its 1,487 staterooms offer either an ocean view or balcony. Following its European program, Carnival Freedom will sail on a 14-day transatlantic voyage from Rome to Miami, positioning the vessel for a winter schedule of seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 17, 2007. Reservations are being accepted on all of Carnival Freedom European and Caribbean itineraries.