The good the bad and the ugly from my adventures on the Carnival Splendor

[Jen1000]

Oops...I mean I just prefer Carnival.

 

As for the muster drill on Carnival I think the outside is good and bad. It is good because you actually go to where the boats are located and I think I paid attention more. What is crazy is how close everyone has to get to each other. It actually pays to come on the late side so you are in the front and have more room. On my cruises they have not said shut up but certainly have had to get curt with people talking. That would put me off if they told people to shut up.

 

On the Celebrity Equinox I did muster inside at the dining room. They said in an emergency that is where we would meet. They showed a film. I listened and it was certainly more civilized but some people were not paying attention at all.

 

I just cruised on the Celebrity Equinox and that is how I feel about Celebrity. Nothing particularly wrong, I just prefer Celebrity. It is funny how people take it so personally that you just prefer something else. No big deal. I have a fried who just prefers Holland America.

 

I appreciate you posting a review.

[sharecruises]

I agree....you can have a good time but still prefer another cruise line's total experience. Your choice IMHO to spend YOUR money and choose a different vacation/cruise line whatever :)

 

OP : with your Uncle's special needs (tho not physical) and your apparent on-going health problems, I personally think you should contact special needs dept and/or let them know when you are on board. You two would qualify for that, you sit inside for muster drill and get "let go" first, and can use the elevators. Might be a lot easier and better for both of you on any cruise?

[lovelearnteach]

sorry, I should have said Carnival not cruise. but glad you loved your vacation!!! :D

Thank-you :)!

[lovelearnteach]

I just cruised on the Celebrity Equinox and that is how I feel about Celebrity. Nothing particularly wrong, I just prefer Celebrity. It is funny how people take it so personally that you just prefer something else. No big deal. I have a fried who just prefers Holland America.

 

I appreciate you posting a review.

Thank-you, I just met a friend of my sister-in-laws last night who has sailed all the lines, and she prefers Holland America over all of them, although she said she's enjoyed every single one of her cruises, she just prefers HAL over all the others. She was the sweetest 88 year old and so spunky, I could sit and listen to her talk about all her cruises for days :).

[lovelearnteach]

Oops...I mean I just prefer Carnival.

 

As for the muster drill on Carnival I think the outside is good and bad. It is good because you actually go to where the boats are located and I think I paid attention more. What is crazy is how close everyone has to get to each other. It actually pays to come on the late side so you are in the front and have more room. On my cruises they have not said shut up but certainly have had to get curt with people talking. That would put me off if they told people to shut up.

 

On the Celebrity Equinox I did muster inside at the dining room. They said in an emergency that is where we would meet. They showed a film. I listened and it was certainly more civilized but some people were not paying attention at all.

:D Okay I was wondering, I was kinda assuming you meant CCL :).

 

Well it's certainly rare for a cruise ship to sink, but it could happen, there are so many unpredictable factors you never know. I certainly want to know where to go in case of an emergency, but I've done so many muster drills now that I got it. I make it point to educate myself where to go, so there should be some way for more experienced cruisers to get to go a quicker version or go to some class prior, or I don't know, something. Somehow distinguish between beginners and more experienced cruisers.

 

I totally agree go late as possible, and CCL is absolutely militant about their muster drills :eek::rolleyes::p:D.

[lovelearnteach]

I agree....you can have a good time but still prefer another cruise line's total experience. Your choice IMHO to spend YOUR money and choose a different vacation/cruise line whatever :)

 

OP : with your Uncle's special needs (tho not physical) and your apparent on-going health problems, I personally think you should contact special needs dept and/or let them know when you are on board. You two would qualify for that, you sit inside for muster drill and get "let go" first, and can use the elevators. Might be a lot easier and better for both of you on any cruise?

Thank-you :).

 

This is the 1st cruise I had a flair up, fortunately, and hopefully the last. Your probably right though, as it might happen again on another line we try. Although lesson learned that is definitely something I will find out beforehand and not assume like an idiot :o:rolleyes:.

[lovelearnteach]

So I'm afraid to report today is a bust, I literally slept the entire day, getting up only to go grab some lunch and then again to get ready for dinner.

 

The good news I'm definitely getting better by the end of tonight.

 

Let me just take a minute to talk about the showers. OMG the showers on the Splendor were absolutely palatial compared to any of the Princess ships we've been on. I'm 6'6", 340#'s and never once did the shower curtain touch me, that would never happen on Princess. I also loved the the adjustable, detachable shower head, so important when your going to beaches :eek::D.

 

I also liked the shower gel and shampoo dispensers, conditioner would have also been nice. So over all the Splendor shower, far superior to anything we've been in on Princess.

 

Very pleasant surprise, are all CCL showers that spacious or was this a Splendor thing?

 

 

[lovelearnteach]

So liked I mentioned I got up for lunch about 2:20p.m. By the time I got up to the buffet everything was closing.

 

I was able to snatch 2 fried chicken drumsticks and some fruit, all good. So I headed for the burger bar and got some potato salad, that was yucky. I also got a cheeseburger and fries, I've had better, I've had worse.

 

They were out of cups so I had to use a coffee cup for my iced tea. Here CCL or at least the Splendor is again better than Princess. On our last Princess cruise I got an iced tea in the MDR and I said I wanted an ice tea not a soda it was that dark. It was so strong you couldn't even drink it. The iced tea on the Splendor was very good and I drank some everyday.

Edited January 1, 2014 by lovelearnteach

[lovelearnteach]

I loved the light sconces in the buffet, I thought they were cute.

 

On the way back to bed after lunch I snapped a few pix of our hallway. Terry also decorated our cabin for Christmas. He also had stopped by the pizza place and got a couple of slices, I didn't care for it. Terry and I feel Princess pizza is better.

[sharecruises]

Thank-you :).

 

This is the 1st cruise I had a flair up, fortunately, and hopefully the last. Your probably right though, as it might happen again on another line we try. Although lesson learned that is definitely something I will find out beforehand and not assume like an idiot :o:rolleyes:.

 

Standing on a hot muggy deck in Miami is not fun either, you can def request disabled muster. Many do not realize that you do NOT need prior approval, do NOT need to be in a handicapped cabin, or in a wheelchair etc. You just have to grab a crew member or supervisor and tell them your physical limitations prevent you from the muster unless they can accommodate you

 

For example : my friend had knee surgery and would have trouble climbing stairs afterwords so this worked for her. I would think the stress and discomfort of the muster affected your first day on board, would have been better for you and uncle JMO

[lovelearnteach]

Tonight is the 1st formal night in the MDR. We had requested a table for 10, as we like to meet other people. Well as I said earlier we were travling with a friend, Sherry, and her partner, so we linked our reservations so we could sit together at the same table of 10 together.

 

Well something got lost in translation because we were given a booth for 4 almost to the back of the Gold Pearl Restaurant. Well we didn't go to dinner the 1st night in the MDR and I had not talked to Sherry yet, Terry had, but I hadn't, so we got to the table 1st. I'm thinking no this is not okay, this is not what we wanted, I was just about to get up and go talk to the Maitre D' when Sherry showed up.

 

Well we decided to let sleeping dogs lie, and stayed at our little booth :). Our waiter and his assistants were excellent so that was definitely a factor in keeping us put. It was not the most comfortable seating, you felt like you were sinking down to the ground, and we weren't the only ones complaining about the seating in the MDR.

 

I'm not sure what this app is I got I didn't get a good pic of the menu, sorry. I got the Broiled Maine Lobster Tail and Jumbo Tiger Prawn Shrimp, very yummy. For dessert I got Caramelized Apples on Puff Pastry, very yummy, and Cherries Jubilee, not very good.

 

It was napkin wavin night ya all :eek::rolleyes::D:).

[lovelearnteach]

So we had another friend waiting for us when we got back to our cabin, love it :).

 

Well I'm definitely feeling better, by the end of my day of rest. Terry said he had a ball running around the ship and exploring and people watching all day while I slept.

 

Looking back I don't regret getting rest, as my body needed it, there are worse things than sleeping all day ;):). It's tough work but someones gotta do it :eek::D.

 

 

[lovelearnteach]

Dec.21st, 2013

 

We have another sea day today and all is right in the world of cruising. I'm feeling back to my old chipper self and it's beautiful weather outside.

 

We decide to try the buffet for breakfast this morning, as we feel we've done the brunch thing already.

 

Good selection, everything had a good taste, it did the job, I went back for round 2 :).

[lovelearnteach]

Standing on a hot muggy deck in Miami is not fun either, you can def request disabled muster. Many do not realize that you do NOT need prior approval, do NOT need to be in a handicapped cabin, or in a wheelchair etc. You just have to grab a crew member or supervisor and tell them your physical limitations prevent you from the muster unless they can accommodate you

 

For example : my friend had knee surgery and would have trouble climbing stairs afterwords so this worked for her. I would think the stress and discomfort of the muster affected your first day on board, would have been better for you and uncle JMO

Thank-you great advice :)!

[carol louise]

...

Very pleasant surprise, are all CCL showers that spacious or was this a Splendor thing?

 

I have been on four Carnival cruises, staying three times in a balcony cabin, once in an inside, and all the showers (and the rest of the bathroom) are just as on the Splendor. I believe I have read that the entire bathroom is pre-fabricated and they are "inserted" into the cabins at the shipyard. Some of the immediate plumbing is built in under the floor area; that's why you step up to enter the bathroom.

 

I too, love the removable shower head, and bought one for home after enjoying them on cruises.

 

Happy cruising.

[lovelearnteach]

I have been on four Carnival cruises, staying three times in a balcony cabin, once in an inside, and all the showers (and the rest of the bathroom) are just as on the Splendor. I believe I have read that the entire bathroom is pre-fabricated and they are "inserted" into the cabins at the shipyard. Some of the immediate plumbing is built in under the floor area; that's why you step up to enter the bathroom.

 

I too, love the removable shower head, and bought one for home after enjoying them on cruises.

 

Happy cruising.

Thank-you, happy cruising :).

 

That could tempt me :eek::D;).

[Pkrgrl]

I am enjoying this thread, Ken.

 

I am going out on the Splendor on Saturday, so I have been following since the beginning when you started!

 

:D

 

Carry on...

[lovelearnteach]

After breakfast we walked around the ship just looking and taking pix. We went through all the shops on board, I got my key chains, as I collect them.

 

So we went our seprerate ways, as I was off to the casino for a blackjack tournament. I didn't win darn it, but I was in the running for a little minute :(.

 

 

[lovelearnteach]

So it's back to the buffet for lunch, this time I grab a chocolate pear cake and some banana cream pie. I slathered caramel sauce over it all, yum :).

 

I then head up to the famous Rotisserie for lunch. Chicken was good, mac & cheese was good not great in my opinion. The corn on the cob very yummy, as was the cubes of cheddar cheese :).

 

A very nice lunch indeed.

Edited January 2, 2014 by lovelearnteach

[lovelearnteach]

After lunch I head to the pool area for the Hairy Chest Contest. It was silly and gave me a chuckle or 2. The lady smacking the guys butts had butt smacking down to a fine art, I wanted her to spank me, she was that good :eek::D:rolleyes::).

 

After the contest it was back to the cabin for a little rest before going to afternoon tea in the Gold Pearl Restaurant at 3:00p.m.

[lovelearnteach]

So I had kinda set up an informal M&M for our rc group at tea. So the table we sat at was all people from the rc, but our whole group didn't fit at one table so others ended up sitting at tables near by.

 

Afternoon tea was a disaster, really bad service. Disorganized and chaotic is being kind describing our experience.

 

It started off promising as the guy with the tea came around and offered us all tea bags, I got chamomile.

 

Then the guy with the hot water came gave 2 people at our table hot water and was never to be seen again. 20 minutes later it was someone else who brought us hot water, and only after much complaining to the staff.

 

Then the sandwich guy with the cucumber sandwiches gives half the table a sandwich and is never seen again. After much complaining and grumblining the guy with the salmon sandwiches finally comes over, I wanted the cucumber :rolleyes:.

 

Then the desserts, instead of going to the other side of the table and serving them I now have to act as serving middle man passing empty/full plates back and forth, really.

 

Then they run out of chocolate macaroons, they say they are bringing more and will bring us some as soon as they get there. They didn't and we saw them bring them in, never came back and gave us any.

 

It wasn't that crowded to justify the poor or lack of service we experienced, and this is certainly not their first rodeo. They should have tea down to a fine art by know, you would have thought it was the 1st time ever doing a tea.

Edited January 2, 2014 by lovelearnteach

[lovelearnteach]

The one good thing to come out of tea was getting to meet our friends from the rc. You talk for so long it's nice to put a face to a screen name.

 

So in my experience, all the afternoon teas I've attended on Princess have been marvelous with excellent service. Also can I tell you about the scones on Princess, to die for, a must have, the scones on the Splendor, sad, very sad. Disappointing is being kind, the scones, the tea, the service, all of it not good :(.

 

After tea I went up to Swirls and got a chocolate/vanilla swirl cone, to console myself, so yummy :eek::rolleyes::D.

 

We both pretty much chillaxed in the cabin until dinner.

[lovelearnteach]

I just want to say that I don't understand CCL's policy for dressing in the dinning room, all I'm saying.

 

I know not everyone enjoys dressing up, but come on, how hard is it to put on some khakis and a collard tee.

 

Another really good meal, with excellent service. I started with A Study in Sushi, very good. Then I got the Chopped Hand-Picked Field Greens with Ranch Dressing, very good. For an entree I got the Jerked Pork Loin, very yummy. To finish I got the Warm Date, Fig and Cinnamon Cake and the WARM CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!!!

 

Omg, yes that wmcc is everything and more that everyone raves about. It was positively orgasmic :eek::D:)! Oh my you have to have, this is awesome, really it's perfection a worthy signature dessert for sure :).

Edited January 2, 2014 by lovelearnteach

[lovelearnteach]

So here we are at the end of another day, and another friend waiting for us in the cabin :).

 

Today was a great sea day, beautiful weather, tons of activities to choose from. We enjoyed our time on the Splendor with the exception of the tea. Of course it in way ruined our cruise or our day.

 

So far this has been an awesome vacation, we are enjoying ourselves and getting those batteries recharged :).

 

 

[lovelearnteach]

I am enjoying this thread, Ken.

 

I am going out on the Splendor on Saturday, so I have been following since the beginning when you started!

 

:D

 

Carry on...

Thank-you :).

 

Have an awesome cruise, don't miss the burrito bar in the buffet, good, fresh made to order a very nice feature to the buffet in my opinion :).