<p><font size="2"><font face="Times New Roman">Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; new 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor received a perfect 100 score during its most recent inspection by the U.S. Public Health (USPH) Service in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dec. 6.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></font></font></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In addition, four other Carnival ships earned scores of 99 during their respective USPH inspections over the past few weeks. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"></font></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Carnival Splendor, the line&rsquo;s newest ship, arrived in the U.S. Nov. 22 and received perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the U.S.P.H.&rsquo;s comprehensive Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) checklist.</font></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"></font></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The unannounced inspections, which are conducted twice a year and required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a U.S. port, evaluate vessels in a variety of areas, including adherence to proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, and overall galley cleanliness.<span>&nbsp; </span>Ships&rsquo; potable water supplies used in spas and pools are evaluated, as well. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><font size="2"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Carnival Splendor will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale through Jan. 31, 2009, then embark on a series of 14- to 18-day South America voyages before repositioning to Long Beach, Calif., to launch year-round week-long Mexican Riviera voyages March 29, 2009. <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span></p>