Carnival Splendor in Sydney today - 9th June 2023

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Carnival Splendor docked in Sydney today on a sunny winters day:

 

[cruiser3775]

Looks good! I'm going on her in July to Pacific islands. Looking forward to getting away from Melbourne in winter.

The roll call for my cruise is very quiet. Would appreciate any hints and tips for DIY shore excursions. Stopping at Port Denaru, Dravuni Is, Mystery Is and Noumea.  I'm not a swimmer, so looking for other things to see and do.

[arxcards]

Carnival roll calls are like that now, as they like to run their own race. Disappointing, as it is nice to make some connections and share ideas.

 

Dravuni and Mystery Islands don't offer up much more than swimming & snorkeling.

 

When in Noumea, the cruise terminal is a good staging point for independent tours. The Tchou Tchou train is a different way for a bit of a look around. Out of town, their 4WD tour of the Dumbea river is very scenic but has gotten a bit exxxy too. If you like macaroons or handmade chocolates, Morand's is is a few blocks walk from the cruise terminal. I only found a credit card receipt a couple of weeks ago, and checked out how much a lovely box of a dozen macaroons for my wife cost me in 2019. On the statement, it converted to $47 Australian for the dozen. They went down a treat though.

 

Port Denaru - not a DIY tour, but an excursion over to Tivua Island is one of the best days we have had in the Pacific.

[cruiser3775]

That's an expensive box of sweet treats!  I've been to Noumea before and speak French (sort of), so I think I'll be fine there.  I heard that you can buy a good selection of duty free liquor somewhere close to the port?

I was thinking of taking a taxi from Port Denaru into Nadi.

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, cruiser3775 said:

That's an expensive box of sweet treats!  I've been to Noumea before and speak French (sort of), so I think I'll be fine there.  I heard that you can buy a good selection of duty free liquor somewhere close to the port?

I was thinking of taking a taxi from Port Denaru into Nadi.

Depends on who you read here, but I am pretty sure it is still right across the road from the cruise terminal.

[fishtaco]

My favourite ship! Did the Mexico cruise out of Long beach CA on Splendor, maybe favourite because we managed to get an aft balcony? To me its just the right size.

[windsor26]

On 6/9/2023 at 2:33 PM, arxcards said:

Depends on who you read here, but I am pretty sure it is still right across the road from the cruise terminal.

It is but if the cruise takes you to Fiji at all the prices are much better there 

[Hammer61]

Just off the Splendor, first time with Carnival.

 

Cloud 9 spa cabin was nice as was the free access to the Spa 👍

 

But didn't think much of the rest of the ship, badly in need of some work in some areas, food is not that great and having to queue for just about anything gets a bit tiresome.

 

Drinks prices though very reasonable, staff are lacking and any kind of COVID control or even anyone getting people to sanitize at the buffet entrance is nonexistent.

 

Fares are cheap for a reason; ship was packed to the rafters, entertainment below par.

 

Spent most of our time in the Spa and relaxation areas but won't be back on this ship in a hurry, maybe great for family's with kids or multigenerational trips but for us at about retirement age it is a cruise line to avoid in the future, nothing wrong with it, cheap and cheerful maybe best describes it.

[fishtaco]

On 6/21/2023 at 4:41 PM, Hammer61 said:

Just off the Splendor, first time with Carnival.

 

Cloud 9 spa cabin was nice as was the free access to the Spa 👍

 

But didn't think much of the rest of the ship, badly in need of some work in some areas, food is not that great and having to queue for just about anything gets a bit tiresome.

 

Drinks prices though very reasonable, staff are lacking and any kind of COVID control or even anyone getting people to sanitize at the buffet entrance is nonexistent.

 

Fares are cheap for a reason; ship was packed to the rafters, entertainment below par.

 

Spent most of our time in the Spa and relaxation areas but won't be back on this ship in a hurry, maybe great for family's with kids or multigenerational trips but for us at about retirement age it is a cruise line to avoid in the future, nothing wrong with it, cheap and cheerful maybe best describes it.

Pity in 2012 it was as neat as a pin! One of our most memorable cruises and ship experience.

We all get older and so do the ships, so thanks for the heads up.

[Auscruisefam]

My daughter was on Splendor a couple of weeks ago and had the same opinion. She is a young adult and neither her or her friends would cruise on Splendor again. They all struggled with the food and said the ship just looks worn out. 
 

[MMDown Under]

6 hours ago, Auscruisefam said:

My daughter was on Splendor a couple of weeks ago and had the same opinion. She is a young adult and neither her or her friends would cruise on Splendor again. They all struggled with the food and said the ship just looks worn out. 
 

I cruised on Carnival Luminosa last year and I liked everything about the ship, which was in good condition.  The food was very good.  Maybe it is just Splendour which is sub standard. 

[rkmw]

8 hours ago, Auscruisefam said:

My daughter was on Splendor a couple of weeks ago and had the same opinion. She is a young adult and neither her or her friends would cruise on Splendor again. They all struggled with the food and said the ship just looks worn out. 
 

Everyone has a different opinion and I was on the Splendor mid May and I found the food very nice in the Black Pearl for anytime dining and the MDR for breakfast and even the shows were good at night

[Auscruisefam]

6 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

I cruised on Carnival Luminosa last year and I liked everything about the ship, which was in good condition.  The food was very good.  Maybe it is just Splendour which is sub standard. 

I was on Luminosa in Feb and loved it. I will probably be back on that ship at some point this summer. 

[Hogbay]

Im high up on all the other brands and during covid took some cc advice of book and pay deposit if carnival cancelled get obc $900 . Well collected 6 bonus's. Well now 75 points on Splendor.  Have never seen a cleaner ship . Eg chairs are staked up on tables and carpets are steamed clean and dryed before been reset for breakfast. Lido deck each night is not just hosed but a wet cleaning machine is used Same every thing removed and replaced by morning  . During the day you see all the cleaners working. As for food zero complaints from me and if it would be to my waiter then matrde' not CC . Guy's burgers are fantastic and included in fare Sam as buffalo from dellie. As for lines if you want custom cooked food infront of you ,expect a wait . 730 am breakfast lines see photos.  Any questions just ask 🙂

[arxcards]

Splendor's next scheduled drydock is in August 2024.

 

We have cruised on plenty of "tired looking" ships, and will admit that the age of the carpet etc isn't a deal breaker for us.

 

We have one of those big OBC cruises to use up between Christmas & NYE. No duty free, so it will be a challenge to get it all spent on a short cruise. It has been a while since we have been on Carnival and are looking forward to it. 

[cheznandy]

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Splendor's next scheduled drydock is in August 2024.

 

We have cruised on plenty of "tired looking" ships, and will admit that the age of the carpet etc isn't a deal breaker for us.

 

We have one of those big OBC cruises to use up between Christmas & NYE. No duty free, so it will be a challenge to get it all spent on a short cruise. It has been a while since we have been on Carnival and are looking forward to it. 

Hey Geoff, have friends and relo's that will never cruise Splendor again, but we love it!

Carnival product suits us these days, dress up, dress down, dress up for theme nights or don't, no one cares.

We had an interior Spa cabin just recently, so good to have access to the thermal suites and a secret huge balcony at the front that we only ever saw another couple, and a little lift to take you up to the spa area so you can wear your robe and barefeet! 

We don't find it tired at all, have spent 16 days relocation in 2019 and booked on Singapore to Sydney in 2024.

Huge big lounges for comedy and shows, a piano bar, music all around the ship at night, a great sports bar just inside the casino where all the footy was on. Plenty of places that are quiet, we like the lounges and pods forward, that deck goes all around the front.

We also loved Luminosa as well, a beautiful smaller ship.

[cruiser3775]

I'm on Splendor next month on one of their "Christmas in winter" cruises. Do I need to bring Christmas themed clothes for dinner?

[cheznandy]

1 hour ago, cruiser3775 said:

I'm on Splendor next month on one of their "Christmas in winter" cruises. Do I need to bring Christmas themed clothes for dinner?

No idea re themed clothes, although I am sure there will be all sorts of get ups! Loved watching all the dress ups for 80's night, so many mullets, lime green track suits etc. We sat in the lounges outside the Casino, listening to the great band playing 80's and watched everyone walking past.

 Those cruises look like fun, Xmas decorations, snow, carols and themed food, and no need to pay Xmas/New Year prices😀

 

[Jean C]

2 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

I'm on Splendor next month on one of their "Christmas in winter" cruises. Do I need to bring Christmas themed clothes for dinner?

 

[cruiser3775]

Nah, I was thinking of a top with glittery Christmas trees embroidered on it.

[Aussieflyer]

2 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

Nah, I was thinking of a top with glittery Christmas trees embroidered on it.

Not the whole hog then? 😂

Actually I wouldn't bother at all as we don't do any dress up for themes etc. I don't waste packing space. 

[arxcards]

9 hours ago, cheznandy said:

Hey Geoff, have friends and relo's that will never cruise Splendor again, but we love it!

Carnival product suits us these days, dress up, dress down, dress up for theme nights or don't, no one cares.

We had an interior Spa cabin just recently, so good to have access to the thermal suites and a secret huge balcony at the front that we only ever saw another couple, and a little lift to take you up to the spa area so you can wear your robe and barefeet! 

We don't find it tired at all, have spent 16 days relocation in 2019 and booked on Singapore to Sydney in 2024.

Huge big lounges for comedy and shows, a piano bar, music all around the ship at night, a great sports bar just inside the casino where all the footy was on. Plenty of places that are quiet, we like the lounges and pods forward, that deck goes all around the front.

We also loved Luminosa as well, a beautiful smaller ship.

Thanks Chez. I think we can find plenty to keep us happy. I am hoping one of the resident musos will be back on for her piano bar residency in December. A show or two there, late night comedy, 1am pizza and drinks, a sleep-in followed by brunch - all sounds like fun. All very different from our eat early, eat often motto on most ships, so it is just adjusting to the rhythm of the ship. No plans for the spa at this stage.

 

Actually, this is now all in the air a bit. We are still booked and only have a small deposit at stake, but lots of OBC to use. We are now due to become grandies in the first week of 2024, so our boxing day cruise might be cutting it a bit fine. We will make a call close to final payment day.

[Jandex]

Thanks Hogbay - we are on Splendor for the first time - departing Friday. Taking my 14 year old son - he has no idea, hopefully will be a nice surprise for him! 
I have heard so many different reviews of this ship (although I’m not generally put off by negative reviews - opinions vary greatly). It’s great to hear such positive things!! 
Thus starts my Splendor journey - 9 nights July, 3 nights July, 3 nights August & possibly 5 nights in January!! Ha ha. 

[cruiser3775]

Jandex, are you going on the July 16 from Sydney to the Pacific Islands on Splendor?   I started a roll call, which has almost no contributors. I'm looking for someone to join me on a shore excursion in Fiji. Details on the roll call.

[Jandex]

4 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

Jandex, are you going on the July 16 from Sydney to the Pacific Islands on Splendor?   I started a roll call, which has almost no contributors. I'm looking for someone to join me on a shore excursion in Fiji. Details on the roll call.

Unfortunately not on July 16.  We board this Friday, and then another 3 nighter soon after. Would love to be heading to Fiji - but just the usual South Pacific Islands this time. 😊

Enjoy your cruise!