Carnival has placed an order with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to build a 130,000t cruise ship.

The 3,690-passenger ship, scheduled to enter service in spring 2012, will be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard, the Miami-based company said.

The $738m vessel will feature an aqua park with a 300ft water slide, a live entertainment venue and a 23,750ft2 spa.

Carnival took delivery of the Carnival Dream in September. A second ship, the Carnival Magic, is expected to enter service in May 2011.

Carnival vacation group, which has not ordered a new ship since December 2007, said it expects 13 ships to be delivered between January 2010 and spring 2012.