apdchief

I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a port? As far as best beach, I just went to Half Moon Cay and I have to tell you it is one of the best if not the best I have been to. Trunks Bay on St. John is a close 2nd.

Thanks! E is my second choice. I'm hoping I can get to guest services in time to get either of those. We are not purchasing FTTF but I've read that you still get priority tender at HMC...what was your experience? There are 12 in our group (4 are teenagers) and if we do get priority tender because of the villa I'm wondering if 4 will have to stay behind or if they can get off with the rest of us (villa says up to 8 guests).

I went to guest services right away once I boarded, around 12pm, and all Villa's were still up for grabs. You will pick what type of soda's you want and they will give you a ticket with the Villa you chose and were and what time to meet for the tender. Don't lose the ticket they will come around and collect it once your in the Villa. We had 13 people and your whole party gets off the same time. Don't tell them that you have more than 8, it won't be a problem. They really don't care.

We're going in May and have a villa booked. Based on the map I'm thinking Villa D is the one I want. Did you like the location?

D or E. E is only about 100 feet further down. 10 minute walk once you are on the island. A, B, & C are closer to the bar - more noise and people.

We were just there last week and had villa D and we are back next April and have a Cabana booked so I looked to see were we wanted to be. As most have stated 9 - 12 would be my choice. Bathrooms are right behind units, less people, not overpowering music and a quick 5 minute walk for lunch. I would suggest once you board the ship go to the excursion desk and reserve your cabana. First come first serve.

We will be joining you on the Pride. If you love the beach, Half Moon Cay will be the highlight. I am looking forward to the upgrades. This will be our 6th cruise. Don't try and plan too much. Winging it once in a while is good. Short times in ports except for HMC so you will be limited a little.

Welcome home! I'll be on the Splendor next week. Who was the cruise director? Did you catch any of the shows? Did you bring home any of the Fun Times that you might post?

Eric Brouman was the CD, he is new but was a lot of fun. Only seen one show forgot the name but is was good! I think my wife brought some fun times home so I will did them out. We also did a couple of the family comedy shows and they were very good too. If you have younger kids I recommend the Dr. Suess green eggs and ham breakfast.

Just arrived home a few hours ago from our July 7th Splendor Cruise out of NY to GT, HMC and Nassau. There was 13 in our group, we all had Spa Balcony Cabins (4) on deck 11. All was very good to excellent including ship, food, staff and ports. I will put some pictures together and do a review in the next few days. But if anyone has questions go ahead and ask and I will do my best to answer.

At the very least I always buy medical evacuation insurance. I can survive if I don't get the money back on the cruise, but the cost to be flown back to the States for me or a family will kill us.

The letter said for "routine tests". I agree with all of you, going at planned time and we will see what happens.

Thanks everyone!!!

Carnival is requesting a late check-in of 1:30 to 3pm on our cruise this coming Monday on the Splendor out of NY. Has anyone had any experience with these delay requests?

I think we are still going to get there earlier. I am concerned with a large amount of people if we wait until 1:30? Plus we are driving from Massachusetts and I don't want to cut it too close, just in case we have traffic issues.

Thanks

We will be joining you as well, it was a long wait! Not sure if there is an app just for the Splendor, but I use ship mate (Free) and Deck Director this one you pay 99 cents for specific ships and it helps to navigate.

All I remember is regular single shower heads in the spa locker rooms.

Great hearing these positive reviews about the Splendor because we start our singles dance tomorrow!!

We (a group of 13) leave on the Splendor on July 7th. Glad to hear everyone was happy with their trip!!

Just booked ours for April!!

Just booked our cabana for the April 2015 cruise. Funny how they just came available after this thread was started yesterday!

This same discussion was going on in our roll call, carnival pride on April 19 2015. Still no excursions to choose from for HMC. I highly doubt that carnival just is going to erase HMC from all the itineraries! Who knows though, that would STINK.

We are on this same cruise in April and was wondering the same thing. I will be in HMC next month on a cruise out of NY. Never been, but the reviews are awesome and I booked the cruise next April for 5 reasons - price, departure port, Pride with it's 2.0 upgrades, school vacation week and HMC.

Barbara,

Excellent review. We leave on the Splendor in 2 weeks and 6 days, its been a long wait. There's me, wife and our 9 year old daughter and we are traveling with 10 others. Love the pictures of Half Moon Cay! We haven't been there yet and are looking forward to it the most. We have a villa rented for the day. We also booked the same ports next April, but we leave on the Pride out of Baltimore.

Thanks for taking the time to write your review!

We enjoyed both, but maybe the Breeze a little more. I would choose the Breeze primarily because of the ports. If the Freedom had that itinerary I would choose the Freedom. No matter which one you choose you will enjoy!

We are leaving in 4 weeks and driving into NYC as well. I looked at many options and didn't find anything that was much cheaper for us. Unless you come up with something that I missed we are just going to pay the $40 per day. I found that some things had a small saving, but the hassle wasn't worth it.

She is scheduled for dry dock for 2.0 upgrades from 10/10/14 - 11/09/14.

Sorry to intrude, we had Villa D and it was a great location. The sooner you can get on board the better to make stopping at the excursion desk your first priority to select the villa you want. For us, we felt A, B, C were too smashed together. Go for D or E.

 

A is the first one and nearest to the point of entry to HMC, E is the one furthest out and away from the crowds .

 

 

Paul, I am enjoying your review.

Thanks, I am shooting for E, but will settle for D hopefully!

Paul,

Seeing this is our 1st trip to HMC and you have been their numerous times can I get your opinion? We have a 2 story villa booked and my understanding is we can't request which one we want until we board the ship. Which one would you suggest we request? I was thinking the 4th one from the left when looking at the island. Also I though that I remembered reading that there was 4, but from your photos obviously there are 5. Is one new?

Thanks

Larry

I have to say this is one of the best reviews that I have seen. Your pictures and videos are great! We are on the Splendor in July and have stops in Grand Turks, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. We have one of those two story villas rented on HMC. I also just recently booked the Pride for next April on the same stops. I look forward to seeing the rest of your review. Thanks for taking the time to do it!

Vista Suites on Sprit Class, just booked one on the Pride for next year. Always wanted one of these and can't wait for it!! I don't believe they are considered suites on any other class.