Splendor! The Pre-Christening Inaugural Transatlantic Cruise! A LIVE Joint Blog!

[sierrafloridacruiser]

2 hours ago, Mr Rumor said:

Franck, those Baggo Regent Rewards Points are not for you—give them to me!

 

Deck Cadet Luis demonstrates his innovative behind the back Baggo toss.  

 

Passengers eked out a victory in the Baggo officers’ challenge today.  Captain Serena and team will get a chance to even the score tomorrow.  Baggo’s on the schedule every day while we’re at sea!

Is Baggo the same game as Cornhole? 

[DeepFreeze63]

24 minutes ago, taxare said:

I have a question about the main staircase. An ad I saw looks like the steps do not have carpet, but pictures in ads can be deceiving??? If that the case,  I am wondering whether they made that change since the carpet wore out so quickly on the Explorer?? On our recent Voyager cruise, during high seas we had significant loud "banging" behind our bed's headboard. The carpenter said they have to tighten some boards and connectors behind the headboard and they have to remove it entirely from the wall. This was much more than normal creaking on a ship. They did offer to move us to another cabin as soon as the carpenter gave his analysis. I hope everyone has smooth sailing, but if the seas get rough it will be interesting whether there are more issues with the cabins.

In my review, after our October Explorer cruise I brought up the frayed carpet on the main staircase.  I believed that not only did it look bad but it might pose a tripping risk.So I had a special interest in the Splendor redesign; I believe that it's very well done. Not only does it give a beautiful view towards CR but it seems very functional. Yes, no carpet. The wood-product flooring feels like "non-slip" and the 2 handrails (4 on the Explorer) seem adequate even  for the "rush" after the Constellation Theater lets out.

[Mr Rumor]

You’ll see a pattern beginning to emerge in this post—lots of them, in fact!  Presenting a sampling of the variety of carpet patterns you’ll find walking around the public areas of the Splendor. 

[forgap]

Very nice!  Much better than the “loaded diaper” design on Voyager!  

[gnomie1]

I really like the new carpets - esp the geometric designs.

 

Rich - if not too much trouble, can you specify the locations of the carpets?

 

Thanks

 

gnomie

[Mr Rumor]

2 hours ago, gnomie1 said:

I really like the new carpets - esp the geometric designs.

 

Rich - if not too much trouble, can you specify the locations of the carpets?

Sure, here you go, gnomie:

 

Splendor Carpet Locations

 

1.  Entrance to Constellation Theater; stairways; and suite hallways where the design is set into a frame:

 

2. Compass Rose

3. The Casino

4.  Reception

5.  Splendor Lounge

6.  Chartreuse

7.  Prime 7

8.  Deck 4 lobby area

9.  Meridian Lounge

10. Observation Lounge

 

[ronrick1943]

My vote is a yes, I like this carpet.  For the ship that is.  Nice photo-gives you real fill for it.

[Mr Rumor]

The Boutique unveiled some new Splendor apparel product today.  Assistant Karol displays two of the items, a Cutter & Buck polo shirt for $88 and a C&B windbreaker for $125.  

[gnomie1]

Rich - thanks so much. Some of the carpet designs are really quite stunning and a big improvement over the "cat vomit" designs. Also really like that the suite hallways are now lighter in color and not so dark and reminiscent of an "ole boys club"  as on the Explorer. They also appear to be wider to allow two people to walk abreast.

[Mr Rumor]

Hello, it’s sea day No. 4, the second of six in a row.

 

My eating has been outdistancing my exercising so it was time to go treadmilling this morning!

 

You can access the gym, like I did today, from Serene Spa and Wellness’ own Grand Staircase on Deck Five, burning about two calories in the process. . .

 

. . . Or you can quickly slip into the gym from across Suite 682 on Deck Six, which I’ll do from now on.

 

[Mr Rumor]

With two good  vegetarian options—“Vegetable Cheese Burger” with “Just Like Cheddar,” and black bean soup—listed on the Prime 7 lunch menu today, I was thinking of my vegetarian wife and I doing lunch there.  But Ginny looks so happy making her little beaded “fairy figures” at our table on the Pool Deck that I’m not going to press the idea to her.  Plus the seafood buffet is looking good to me.  Plus the weather is nice, mid-sixties, partly cloudy, not much motion!

 

By the way, the Splendor offers more Pool Deck meal seating than the Explorer with 45 tables and 114 seats on the port side and 21 tables and 52 seats on the starboard side.  That should be plenty of room for  even the most popular buffets!

 

A portion of the Pool Deck port side dining area:

 

[sms101]

On 2/7/2020 at 7:57 AM, sms101 said:

whoops

accidently posted as Steve

I'm sure he agrees

 

Sharon

Actually I do...everything looks incredible Rich...can't wait for 2/25

[Mr Rumor]

The afternoon turned lovely!

 

[Mr Rumor]

Good morning, it’s sea day No. 5 already, the third of six in a row.

 

We haven’t had anything less than an excellent dining experience so far.  Dinner at Chartreuse the night before last, however, was Splendor Stellar. Service was outstanding—we breezed through four courses in 80 minutes!  And the food—voila!  Relive the courses with me:

 

Mesclun salad with radishes and root vegetable chips, lemon vinaigrette (Ginny)

 

Alaskan king crabmeat with Citrino olive oil wrapped in daikon radish, chartreuse-infused melon (moi)

 

Appetizer version of seared scallops topped with chorizo, butternut squash spaghetti, champigny sauce (me)

 

“Le Plat Vegetarian”—white asparagus Viennoise, morel cream, Jura Vin Jeune infusion (Ginny)

 

Beef tenderloin Rossini, brioche, Truffle Royale, seared four gras, sauce Perigourdine (myself)

 

Crispy apple tart, apricot caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream (Ginny)

Almond chocolate cake, chocolate cremeux, coffee chocolate ganache (I)

[Dlovernich]

This looks incredible! My husband and I are joining the Splendor in NYC to Venice, 26 days, with 2 other couples as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Getting EXCITED about spending those 26 days in the Masters Suite! 

 

Any photos of the suites yet?

Edited February 13, 2020 by Dlovernich
Misspelled word

[Hambagahle]

The dishes look very nice and Ken is drooling over the apple tart!   

 

Looks like you are having a lovely smooth and warm-ish crossing.  I hope it continues and since you are heading south west presumably it will be getting warmer and warmer...   

[Mr Rumor]

Gerry, it is already gorgeous today!

 

Sunrise a few minutes ago.

 

Note the outline on the “jogging track” (there are shorter and longer routes). 

Edited February 13, 2020 by Mr Rumor

[Mr Rumor]

I didn’t want to rush to a gush regarding the handful of new Regent production shows specifically created for Splendor, but after attending the first two—“Diamond Run” and “Bohemian Soul”—I’ve noted a definite uptick in production values, i.e. scenery, props, lighting and costuming.  Regarding the latter, I think the costumes in “Bohemian Soul” are terrific.

 

I also find it interesting that each of the productions features a  storyline.  In “Diamond Run,” an “International man of mystery crisscrosses the globe in pursuit of a priceless blue diamond” that a “beautiful jewel thief” covets for herself, and in “Bohemian Soul,” Paris’ “young mayor finds himself drawn to a mysterious bohemian girl and the call of the open road.”

 

The cast is young, talented, thoroughly rehearsed and highly energetic.  Good thing, too, as these are action packed productions. 

 

Each show got a standing O.  We thoroughly enjoyed them, and think you will, too!

 

A moment from “Bohemian Soul”

[Mr Rumor]

Look who I caught in mid-stride—my blogging bud Kwaj girl!

[JAG2003]

Splendid sea days on the Splendor. Amazing weather, calm seas, daily  officers’ challenge, Ladies’ Dinner with Captain Serena, fine dining and FUN FUN FUN!   

[Hambagahle]

It is wonderful to know you are having great weather and not pitching about.

 

For Dlovdernich - "Steamboats" who was on the pre-maiden voyage cruise from Civitavecchia to Barcelona took loads of photos and has posted links to them.  Look here:

https://www.cruisediary.de/kurzreise-mit-der-seven-seas-splendor/

 

The text is in German but the photos are just wonderful!!

[Ladys Mom]

Your cruise looks amazing.  I too am drooling at the pictures of the dishes you chose.  It looks the the quality of the cuisine has been ramped up even since our Explorer cruise last summer.  Is the Ladies' Dinner something new or something unique to the Splendor?  We loved having Captain Serena on our Explorer cruise, that was her first assignment as Captain.  Hope the rest of your cruise is safe and relaxing.

[Mudhen]

Finally catching up, as we've been away and had no internet!!

So far everything looks amazing! Was so sorry to hear about the the Reids snafu. That just shouldn't have happened. Was that an extra cost excursion? Not that it really matters, but that would've added insult to injury!

Any shots of Pacific Rim, other than that great dragon? How 'bout Prime 7?

Hope everyone is having a wonderful time!

Best,

J&L

[Mr Rumor]

Hi Linda and John!  Guess where we just sat down for dinner?

Edited February 13, 2020 by Mr Rumor

[Mudhen]

OOOO! Looking beautiful...quite similar to the Explorer's P7. I've always loved that look! Sleek and stunning!

Hope dinner will be wonderful!

J&L