Splendor - Review

[wizard-of-roz]

• Embarkation was a breeze....VIP boarding in less than 1/2 hour.
  
• Disembarkation - Self was less than 1/2 hour, as well.
  
• Carnival has more folks everywhere to assist you in getting on and off the ship.....very nice!
  
• Big Ship - Can't see it all in one week!
  
• Ship cleanliness was excellent.
  
• Large Lounges and lots of places to sit and talk or read.
  
• Small cabins [smaller than most other ships and we had a veranda!]
  
• Muster Drill - Nightmare, Carnival needs to follow Princess's lead! You don't have to bring your life jacket...but, they should do it while seated, in an air conditioned lounge.
  
• Booth seating in Lido - so uncomfortable, bring your own pillow!
  
• Food was okay [hubby liked the pizza the best]..The cookies are bland and boring! They need to teach their chefs to read a recipe for making good cookies....Princess finally did!!!!!
  
• The hot dogs/hamburgers/chips and all the places to go to for unusual food choices was "there" for the taking. Just be careful to watch what times their open and closed.....
  
• The rotissiere [upstairs] had "simple" but delicious fare. I love the potato salad and corn-on-the-cob. We were "forever" getting confused and turned around as to what elevator or doors to use to get to it, once we figured it out, it was easy!
  
• CD - Stephanie Mead, was excellent. She has a great personality and really kept her audience interested, she didn't try to avoid the crowd and would answer questions with interest.
  
• Entertainment - Very Good! We especially liked the comedian and the lounge acts.
  
• Steward - The best I've had in 21 cruises on different lines! [Pavlo].
  
• Movies were great - The big screen by the pool was so much fun - Popcorn costs $1.50 how cheap can you get [come-on Carnival it should be free!]
  
• Room Service delivery was very prompt but the napkins smelled like "soiled linen" [yuck!] We couldn't order more than once!
  
• Loud Speaker announcements were not as much as usual but still too many for my liking.
  
• All in All - Would I take this ship again? YES! Did I purchase FCC's? YES!
  
• We travel with a Service Dog and she was treated very well as was hers and our needs.
  
• The folks at the Purser's [information] Desk were very helpful and the servers in all the lounges were very helpful!
  
• I hate, hate, hate the public restrooms on this ship......Come-on...blow dryers, IT 2010.....The restrooms on Interstate 5 looked very similar to this cruiseliner.....Get rid of the blowdryers......PLEASE!!!!!!
  

[jobster71]

Did you try the Burrito bar? Did you try the spa?

 

Thanks,

[afcj1]

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm going on the Splendor in May, so I enjoyed reading it. A couple things though:

 

I thought that muster was without preservers fleetwide. Did I mis-understand, in that you needed to bring yours to muster?

 

Also, I believe that a lot of places are switching to air blowers in the restrooms now. On the Dream the blowers were so strong that your skin moved:eek:

 

Thanks again.

[wizard-of-roz]

Burrito Bar is wonderful.......You tell them what to put in it and OMG are they good! A lot of food!!!!!

The choices are many......anyone who complains about the food just didn't use his/hers imagination. Just watch for the times that it's being served, if you're not using the Dining Room.

The "Tea-Time" is awful. Not worth spending your time on. Carnival has a long way to go to improve on this one. The live piano music was the best part of this time.

The ice cream is delicious and open 24/7 it made the cookies [ice-cream sandwiches] etible!!!!

Muster Drill had no preservers [i liked that....I always felt it was a pure waste of time and energy to have folks drag their jackets to the drill!]

The Spa was very nice......who doesn't like being pampered? The Spa Specialists are very lovely ladies. You'll enjoy you're time there! A bit pricey!

And, as far as the "blowers" go......Please, unless they're into growing a new coat of skin whilest being dried off......bring in the towels! :eek:

[RJ5]

Hi--great review--thx. Am vip too. What time did you arrive? How long did you wait. What time did you actually get onboard? Going 21MAR. Can't wait. :rolleyes:

[jaw7373]

I went on the Splendor in Oct. I thought that was a very confusing ship. I finally got it after 4 days. I did win in the Casino, but usually kept about even. The ship was full when I was on it, and it was a nightmare standing in the lunch line. It is a beautiful ship. I went to the west coast and I just like the Carribean much better. I don't plan on going back, only because I have to be on a plane too long. If you don't mind crowds, then go for it. I guess it depends on the time of year. JMO

[elstephanito]

And, as far as the "blowers" go......Please, unless they're into growing a new coat of skin whilest being dried off......bring in the towels! :eek:

 

They have those high tech ones at a lot of movie theaters now that dry your hands in two passes. I think they're neat! If a bit loud, but they work way better than the old dryers (in that they actually, well, work) and paper towels are such such such a huge waste of paper.

 

In any case...did you try the steak house? Is it really worth the $30? What did you do in Mazatlan? :)

 

Glad you had a good time!

[cathyz]

And, as far as the "blowers" go......Please, unless they're into growing a new coat of skin whilest being dried off......bring in the towels! :eek:

 

Glad you had a good cruise, we did last October also and will be sailing on her again this October with a group of 29 friends. But, just fyi, ALL Carnival ships have the hand blow dryers in the public restrooms, much more eco-friendly. I don't mind them at all, they work really well.

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi--great review--thx. Am vip too. What time did you arrive? How long did you wait. What time did you actually get onboard? Going 21MAR. Can't wait. :rolleyes:

 

Arrived at 11:00am, was onboard at 11:30. Great service!

[shakwurst]

Burrito Bar is wonderful.......You tell them what to put in it and OMG are they good! A lot of food!!!!!

 

 

 

thats the best news i have heard all day

[MissieMiss]

• Embarkation was a breeze....VIP boarding in less than 1/2 hour.
  
• Disembarkation - Self was less than 1/2 hour, as well.
  
• Carnival has more folks everywhere to assist you in getting on and off the ship.....very nice!
  
• Big Ship - Can't see it all in one week!
  
• Ship cleanliness was excellent.
  
• Large Lounges and lots of places to sit and talk or read.
  
• Small cabins [smaller than most other ships and we had a veranda!]
  
• Muster Drill - Nightmare, Carnival needs to follow Princess's lead! You don't have to bring your life jacket...but, they should do it while seated, in an air conditioned lounge.
  
• Booth seating in Lido - so uncomfortable, bring your own pillow!
  
• Food was okay [hubby liked the pizza the best]..The cookies are bland and boring! They need to teach their chefs to read a recipe for making good cookies....Princess finally did!!!!!
  
• The hot dogs/hamburgers/chips and all the places to go to for unusual food choices was "there" for the taking. Just be careful to watch what times their open and closed.....
  
• The rotissiere [upstairs] had "simple" but delicious fare. I love the potato salad and corn-on-the-cob. We were "forever" getting confused and turned around as to what elevator or doors to use to get to it, once we figured it out, it was easy!
  
• CD - Stephanie Mead, was excellent. She has a great personality and really kept her audience interested, she didn't try to avoid the crowd and would answer questions with interest.
  
• Entertainment - Very Good! We especially liked the comedian and the lounge acts.
  
• Steward - The best I've had in 21 cruises on different lines! [Pavlo].
  
• Movies were great - The big screen by the pool was so much fun - Popcorn costs $1.50 how cheap can you get [come-on Carnival it should be free!]
  
• Room Service delivery was very prompt but the napkins smelled like "soiled linen" [yuck!] We couldn't order more than once!
  
• Loud Speaker announcements were not as much as usual but still too many for my liking.
  
• All in All - Would I take this ship again? YES! Did I purchase FCC's? YES!
  
• We travel with a Service Dog and she was treated very well as was hers and our needs.
  
• The folks at the Purser's [information] Desk were very helpful and the servers in all the lounges were very helpful!
  
• I hate, hate, hate the public restrooms on this ship......Come-on...blow dryers, IT 2010.....The restrooms on Interstate 5 looked very similar to this cruiseliner.....Get rid of the blowdryers......PLEASE!!!!!!
  

 

The Splendor does have a place for people who are disabled to sit down, I know because there was myself and a few other people who had a hard time standing were told to go there.

[MissieMiss]

Burrito Bar is wonderful.......You tell them what to put in it and OMG are they good! A lot of food!!!!!

 

The choices are many......anyone who complains about the food just didn't use his/hers imagination. Just watch for the times that it's being served, if you're not using the Dining Room.

 

The "Tea-Time" is awful. Not worth spending your time on. Carnival has a long way to go to improve on this one. The live piano music was the best part of this time.

 

The ice cream is delicious and open 24/7 it made the cookies [ice-cream sandwiches] etible!!!!

 

Muster Drill had no preservers [i liked that....I always felt it was a pure waste of time and energy to have folks drag their jackets to the drill!]

 

The Spa was very nice......who doesn't like being pampered? The Spa Specialists are very lovely ladies. You'll enjoy you're time there! A bit pricey!

 

And, as far as the "blowers" go......Please, unless they're into growing a new coat of skin whilest being dried off......bring in the towels! :eek:

 

I was told the reason that the cruise lines are getting away from using towels in the bathrooms is for sanitary reasons. All new ships being built are going with the blow hand dryers. I also like the towels, but I can see the reasoning behind it.

[MissieMiss]

Arrived at 11:00am, was onboard at 11:30. Great service!

 

I saw you and Brenda, you were with the group that had the escorts for the visually impaired. I know that two other couples in wheelchairs joined that group to get on the ship early, (I am not saying that you did that Roz, because you may have been a member) but there were two different family groups that sat outside with me, got on the ship with that group and I know that they were not part of that group, they were just tired of waiting outside like the rest of us. I told them that they were only allowing that group of people on, but they said that Carnival does not have a list of who belongs to the group nor do they verify if you are part of the group, so all you do is get in line with them and then get on board the ship. I know that for the normal people, to get on the ship took at least a couple of hours. I got there at 10:00am and did not get onboard until 12:30pm.

[boaterette]

I saw you and Brenda, you were with the group that had the escorts for the visually impaired. I know that two other couples in wheelchairs joined that group to get on the ship early, (I am not saying that you did that Roz, because you may have been a member) but there were two different family groups that sat outside with me, got on the ship with that group and I know that they were not part of that group, they were just tired of waiting outside like the rest of us. I told them that they were only allowing that group of people on, but they said that Carnival does not have a list of who belongs to the group nor do they verify if you are part of the group, so all you do is get in line with them and then get on board the ship. I know that for the normal people, to get on the ship took at least a couple of hours. I got there at 10:00am and did not get onboard until 12:30pm.

 

Thanks for posting this. I would have never thought of it on my own. Sure cuts down on the waiting time.

[DenaInWyo]

You can only order room service once? Did I misunderstand that?

[wizard-of-roz]

You can only order room service once? Did I misunderstand that?

 

No, No, No! We only did.....because of the smelly napkin......You may order room service your entire cruise!

Next time we're onboard I'll give them another try!

[wizard-of-roz]

I saw you and Brenda, you were with the group that had the escorts for the visually impaired. I know that two other couples in wheelchairs joined that group to get on the ship early, (I am not saying that you did that Roz, because you may have been a member) but there were two different family groups that sat outside with me, got on the ship with that group and I know that they were not part of that group, they were just tired of waiting outside like the rest of us. I told them that they were only allowing that group of people on, but they said that Carnival does not have a list of who belongs to the group nor do they verify if you are part of the group, so all you do is get in line with them and then get on board the ship. I know that for the normal people, to get on the ship took at least a couple of hours. I got there at 10:00am and did not get onboard until 12:30pm.

 

Missie, I'm sure that you're NOT one of those kinds of folks who would take advantage of others who need the services of a Service Dog. And, I'm sure that you can understand why it would be important that a Service Dog be taken in separately from walking feet/touching hands and rolling wheechairs.

It takes a lot of paperwork and a tremendous amount of work to travel through life with one of these amazing hero's!

People who abuse the needs of others by thinking that they can walk or wheel in their shoes are a different kind of animal!!!!!!

[jazm2011]

I was on the same cruise :) and agree with some, but not all points above. But heck, that's what makes the world go round.... Varying opinions.

 

Embarkation could have been better. Segregating decks 1 & 2 made it a painful for us to check in our kids, since we were on deck 6 and they were not. Ended up having to stand in line twice. Not a good way to start our cruise.

 

Cabins are HUGE!! After our last 2 cruises being on RCCL, we were so excited to be back on Carnival (home) and back to HUGE cabins!! However, it was interesting to find that the OV cabins are actually larger than the balcony cabins. And holy cow... I had no idea how small interiors were. :eek: Our group had a combination of all of the above, so it was a good opportunity to do a good comparison.

 

Ship didn't seem that much larger than prior ships we've been on, just a few more decks. Typically on our first day we walk the entire ship, deck by deck, just to see where everything is. I realize not everyone is able to do that. But if you can, it certainly helps. The pink didn't bother me a bit. In fact, I kinda liked it. It was a little wild, but I love things that are memorable and it will definitely be memorable. How often do you take pictures of the ceilings?? You definitely want to check out the ceilings in this ship. Very interesting (and memorable)!!! :D

 

I actually loved the blow dryers in the restrooms. Although I have to be honest, when I first realized there were no towels I was a little put off. But one pass thru that carwash powered dryer and I was a fan!!! And yes, it moves your skin!

 

Pinaccle steakhouse was amazing! Definitely worth the $30 charge.

 

Muster drill was a piece of cake. It was great not having to take life jackets.

 

Food was awesome and probably some of the best we've had on any of our cruises. I saw the Burrito bar early in the week and promised myself to eat there later. However, I totally forgot about it until the last day, after my lunch tray was already full. Darn I was bummed about that. Mongollian grill was really good! Buffets were better than past and MDR was as good or better than I remember.

 

For as many people that there were on this sailing (3000+), it was rare to stand in a food line more than a few minutes. Things moved smoothly and quickly. However, this was our first time to skip the chocolate buffet. Lines were definitely too long. And because of prior experience with the chocolate buffet, we just didn't think it was worth the time to wait. Besides, we had just finished the Behind the Fun Tour and we were more interested in hitting the lunch buffet than the chocolate buffet.

 

Dancers were not as good as any of our prior cruises.

 

I thought the booths in lido were comfortable, they just sat really low which was awkward for short people like myself.

 

Steward was one of the best we've had.

 

Assistant waiter and MDR bar server were, by far, the VERY best we've ever had. And we compensated them both very well.

 

Debark was probably one our smoothest debarkations to date.

 

It was a great cruise and I would not hesitate to sail on Splendor again!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

I was on the same cruise :) and agree with some, but not all points above. But heck, that's what makes the world go round.... Varying opinions.

 

 

Cabins are HUGE!! After our last 2 cruises being on RCCL, we were so excited to be back on Carnival (home) and back to HUGE cabins!! However, it was interesting to find that the OV cabins are actually larger than the balcony cabins. And holy cow... I had no idea how small interiors were. :eek: Our group had a combination of all of the above, so it was a good opportunity to do a good comparison.

 

Thank you for your review......Are balcony cabins of different sizes? I know that MiniSuites and Suites are larger but I can't believe that our view of the size of a balcony cabin are so widely different. After a few days the fit was more comfortable and having the couch in the cabin was nice. Maybe it was the bed set-up and their version of side-tables reminded me of the furniture in my kids doll house!

I'm 5'10" and PaPa is 6' and when we sat in the booths we literally started to laugh......we could scoop the food off the tray right into our mouths......[and, poor PaPa had to have help getting off the seat, it was so low!] Being short or tall didn't change the saggy seats. Maybe it's a variable that will be enhanced in the future. I do like the chairs and the woods that they used, instead of going for plastic or aluminum!

I can't wait to try the Splendor on for size again! There was so much that we didn't do and try.......I need another go-round! ;)

[afcj1]

I'm 5'10" and PaPa is 6' and when we sat in the booths we literally started to laugh......we could scoop the food off the tray right into our mouths......[and, poor PaPa had to have help getting off the seat, it was so low!] Being short or tall didn't change the saggy seats. Maybe it's a variable that will be enhanced in the future. I do like the chairs and the woods that they used, instead of going for plastic or aluminum!

 

;)

 

This is so funny:) That's exactly how it was on the Dream...but in the MDR:( We were seated and I sank, so as you said, I would have been able to scoop directly into my mouth...of course I didn't;) Needless to say, it had no support and my already aching back, was aching more. We got that switched immediately.

 

I couldn't believe they had those crappy seats on a new ship.

[martinchem]

Thanks.

[wizard-of-roz]

This is so funny:) That's exactly how it was on the Dream...but in the MDR:( We were seated and I sank, so as you said, I would have been able to scoop directly into my mouth...of course I didn't;) Needless to say, it had no support and my already aching back, was aching more. We got that switched immediately.

 

I couldn't believe they had those crappy seats on a new ship.

 

Yep! They were crappy! It's a lesson learned......If you have back issues or, I guess a short body......don't sit in booths......:( :eek:

[jazm2011]

I was on the same cruise :) and agree with some, but not all points above. But heck, that's what makes the world go round.... Varying opinions.

 

 

Cabins are HUGE!! After our last 2 cruises being on RCCL, we were so excited to be back on Carnival (home) and back to HUGE cabins!! However, it was interesting to find that the OV cabins are actually larger than the balcony cabins. And holy cow... I had no idea how small interiors were. :eek: Our group had a combination of all of the above, so it was a good opportunity to do a good comparison.

 

Thank you for your review......Are balcony cabins of different sizes? I know that MiniSuites and Suites are larger but I can't believe that our view of the size of a balcony cabin are so widely different. After a few days the fit was more comfortable and having the couch in the cabin was nice. Maybe it was the bed set-up and their version of side-tables reminded me of the furniture in my kids doll house!

 

I'm 5'10" and PaPa is 6' and when we sat in the booths we literally started to laugh......we could scoop the food off the tray right into our mouths......[and, poor PaPa had to have help getting off the seat, it was so low!] Being short or tall didn't change the saggy seats. Maybe it's a variable that will be enhanced in the future. I do like the chairs and the woods that they used, instead of going for plastic or aluminum!

 

I can't wait to try the Splendor on for size again! There was so much that we didn't do and try.......I need another go-round! ;)

 

OMG, that is so funny! We only sat in a booth twice and I just assumed it felt low because I am so short!!! I guess not. I did not notice the benches being saggy at the diagonal tables that have the 2 chairs across from the bench. That is where we sat quite often.

 

The OV vs. balcony cabins are virtually identicle except that the OV cabins have about 2 more feet of space between the edge of the couch and the edge of the bed!! My daughter also thought they were wider, but I didn't think so and didn't take the time to measure the width.

 

The interiors were set up much different and were WAY smaller!!! Although still bigger than the 2 RCCL cabins I've been in!!!

 

Yes, I'd love to cruise on Splendor again. But we've done this itinerary 3 times now, so we have decided that only "new" itineraries would be in our near future. (Although we're already bummed by the fact that most of them require a plane ride first), so who knows!!

[wizard-of-roz]

 

OMG, that is so funny! We only sat in a booth twice and I just assumed it felt low because I am so short!!! I guess not. I did not notice the benches being saggy at the diagonal tables that have the 2 chairs across from the bench. That is where we sat quite often.

 

The OV vs. balcony cabins are virtually identicle except that the OV cabins have about 2 more feet of space between the edge of the couch and the edge of the bed!! My daughter also thought they were wider, but I didn't think so and didn't take the time to measure the width.

 

The interiors were set up much different and were WAY smaller!!! Although still bigger than the 2 RCCL cabins I've been in!!!

 

Yes, I'd love to cruise on Splendor again. But we've done this itinerary 3 times now, so we have decided that only "new" itineraries would be in our near future. (Although we're already bummed by the fact that most of them require a plane ride first), so who knows!!

 

Honestly, I love cruising so much and I thought that the staff and the ship itself were well-worth giving the Splendor another go round!

I know what to look for and what to avoid.......

I really don't mind doing the MR over and over again on different ships. Sometimes we go into port, sometimes we just love the relaxation and feeling of just being onboard a floating hotel,

I'll do anything to keep from having to fly to a port.

[jsscuba2]

What is the difference between the ships time vs port time for each of the Splendor stops?