MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line took delivery of the new 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon, the 26th ship in its fleet, at a traditional maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy yesterday.

The 3,954-passenger ship will reposition to Barcelona where it will depart April 2 on an inaugural 13-day voyage, the first of four sailings from the European port. The ship will then operate a trans-Atlantic crossing before arriving in New York on May 23 for a pierside overnight gala and naming ceremony featuring the ship’s godmother, musical artist and actress Queen Latifah.

Following a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean sailings from New York, Carnival Horizon will shift to Miami for a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22.

Micky Arison, Chairman, Carnival Corporation and Carnival executives onboard the newly delivered Carnival Horizon in Italy

Onboard there’s 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 up barbecue favourites created by Food Network star Guy Fieri, as well as four new craft beers brewed on board.

The second in the line’s Vista-class, Carnival Horizon also offers the bike-ride-in-the-sky aerial attraction SkyRide, an IMAX theatre, the Havana section with tropics-inspired staterooms and its own pool, and Family Harbor featuring extra-roomy accommodations and the Family Harbor Lounge.

“Carnival Horizon is an absolutely stunning ship offering so many ways to ‘Choose Fun’ both inside and out,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy.