EdmundXXIII

I've run into a few people like. Not everyone is obsessed with ships like we are :-)

Very true!

Since my first cruise, I've been in awe of these ships. Their design, their hulls, their systems, onboard operations, everything. Cruise ships are marvels, in many more ways than one!

I drive even my cruise-loving wife crazy with my obsession with ships. :)

It seems the possibilities are:

1) The reviewer is mixed up about what ship they were on. (Seems insane, I know, but I'm amazed how often someone tells me they've been on a cruise but can't tell me what ship they were on. Sometimes they don't even know what line!!)

2) Norwegian is hiring people to write bogus reviews and send customers their way. (Doubt they'd stoop to this.)

3) Some internet troll got REALLY bored.

4) An angry Carnival customer is lashing out by posting bogus bad reviews.

So to recap, the choices are: Idiot, Shill, Troll, and Jerk.

Has anyone been on a Bermuda cruise with the new American Table menus? Has such a thing even happened yet?

I am wondering what the Port of Call selections will be.

This October, I'm cruising Splendor to Bermuda, and it's the only port. We will be there three days. Very different from the standard Carnival cruise with multiple ports.

Anyone have any direct experience or info? If not, speculation? :)

I'm gonna throw in a vote for Westerdam. I haven't sailed on Splendor yet, although I'll be on her in the fall so I've researched a lot. But I've been on the similar Conquest-class ships Liberty and Glory, and absolutely loved them.

That said, Westerdam is - in my opinion - the most beautiful and elegant mid to large size ship at sea. She's just stunning. Every detail blew me away. Incredible layout, easy to navigate, gorgeous and tasteful art, and really well done food. All the public spaces were delightful.

In particular, the Crow's Nest area on deck 10 at the front of the ship is amazing. Has a bar and library and huge floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap all the way around the front of the ship. Amazing!

All that said, Carnival wins out on entertainment and water activities, and probably is better for kids. Both lines have great food.

Really, I think either choice is going to be amazing. If it were me, I'd go Westerdam.

From what I understand, a Carnival ship will be ported in Norfolk permanently. Naticus is working to make a HUGE cruise terminal. I heard a couple names mentioned: Victory and/or Sensation. I do not know if any of these are true. But, I do know that RCCL "Grandeur of the Seas" is coming permanently.

8 years later aaaand.... Nope. :-/

Way too complicated IMHO. I think they should award extra points for suites like Celebrity, and double points for solos paying for two people. That's about it.

Agreed. It was a fun read, and OP gave it a lot of thought. But I like the simplicity of the current system.

Also, 5% off a cruise (at level 3?) is peanuts. If I book a cruise that's $700, that's only worth $35.

In general, beyond the complexity, I think the benefits aren't good enough. I'm currently Gold, which offers minimal perks. But I'm OK with that. I look forward to someday reaching Platinum, and find many of those perks hugely appealing.

Thank you for sharing this information. This makes sense because Carnival Corporation seems to be adding more ships to China to dominate the growing market they have for cruising. I wonder how you transform a ship, such as the Splendor, for the Asian market?

In a way, that would make sense. Splendor is Carnival's odd duck. Not quite a conquest class ship, and doesn't have any Funship 2.0.

The decision to cruise was the right choice. Have a blast!

I assume Splendor will get Funship 2.0 upgrades. She's overdue for those.

I'm sailing on her in October, and am a little disappointed out port (Norfolk) didn't get a 2.0 ship, since we used to have the Glory.

Oh well, Splendor still looks like a great ship. And next year, we get the Sunshine!

I'm not sure where I found it, but I believe the first cruise for the Splendor with the new menu is Sept 20 this year, which happens to be the date we are booked to cruise on it out of New York.

I also remember seeing that date for Splendor. Someone posted it in another thread. The source was John Heald's Facebook.

Has anyone actually experienced being turned away because they arrived before their time in staggered boarding?

Norfolk built built that brand new terminal to encourage these ships to come into this great city. I wish we could see Carnival and the others offer more cruises from here more often. They are truly unique to go over that great bay bay bridge tunnel. These cruises always go out full so why not offer at least 1 or 2 more?

Amen to that! I think if Carnival split a ship between us and one other port, so Norfolk got it for 5 or 6 months, that would be great. And I think they could fill the ship. Hampton Roads is an amazing place with a lot of upward momentum right now.

I'd certainly take at least one a year of there were regular sailings at a decent price.

My wife and I sailed out of Norfolk on the Glory. We are sailing this October on the Splendor to Bermuda. And we plan to take at least one cruise on the Sunshine next year.

These three pics were taken on Monday. The rainy one is in the morning, when Splendor was arriving. You can just barely make her out coming through the dog to the left of the small white ship (Victory Rover).

Another is looking across Town Point Park at the Splendor docked at Half Moone Cruise Terminal.

And the other is of sail away, taken from the balcony of the terminal.

It was originally showing in port today. Storm is supposed to hit us tomorrow. Hopefully it can get in and out again despite the storm.

I think they'll be alright. Local news is saying the storm won't be much to worry about when it arrives here.

^^ This ^^

 

 

 

Looks like those cruisers may get an extra day on board !

Nope. No cruisers onboard for her reposition from Miami to Norfolk.

Crew gets a day off. :)

I can't wait to see her pull into the Norfolk cruise terminal! I took Monday off from work to go downtown and see the ship. :)

I'm happier with the drink coupon, with one caveat: It should be usable anytime.

Not just the last sea day.

Norfolk sailings on the Splendor sold well. Very few spots on any of the sailings remain.

For 2015, I wouldn't hold my breath. The sailings have sold REALLY well, so they likely don't have that many cabins left to fill.

The 2016 cruises on the Sunshine are still priced pretty well.

I'll jump on the bandwagon and say I'd like to know, too!

This October my wife and I will be on Deck 2 of the Splendor, below the theatre. And my parents will be under the atrium.

Any past cruisers have feedback on this?

Holy cow, the Epic really is one ugly ship!

Thanks for all your great pictures! I love the new menus, but it's also a blast to see all of the tasty stuff from the old ones. It brings back fond memories of my first Carnival cruise on the Pride. :)

I just fold where instructed and staple at the end. Never had a problem.

Any news when the Splendor will receive the menus?

September 20, according to John Heald.

I hope that turns out to be accurate! I sail a month later. :)

I sure would appreciate some help with the American Table I don't understand what is the difference between the way we use to order to this new American Table?

No difference in how you order. Just some different choices. And the menu is laid out a little differently.

I enjoyed the new menus very much last year on the Liberty! You'll find a lot to like!