Review of Carnival Splendor--Dover-Amsterdam

[Taffygirl]

Hi all,

 

this was our first time on a Carnival ship and this is a review of our trip.

 

After a 4 hour journey arrived at Dover Port around 12.I had pre-booked parking a few weeks before we sailed so was expecting to go straight to the car park,instead we were told that owing to all the V.I.P's onboard there was no room for us and we would have to get to the other side of the port and park at the hover terminal and a coach would bring us back to the ship.Very annoyed with the parking firm at Dover--a black mark to them.But what the heck,the sun was shining and we were on holiday!.

 

After giving our cases to the porters we went to check- in,there were HUNDREDS of people waiting in line and it was quite a long wait--but we did it with a smile on our face -as we were on holiday.lol,managed to get on board about 1/2 1.

 

First impression of the ship was WOW isn't it pink,the decor is a bit mental but I really loved it-it's very glitzy and glam,glass lifts and a lovely bar in the atrium.

 

We went straight out onto the Lido deck and it was brilliant,it was packed with people waiting for the naming ceremony to begin.We were stood near the big screen but wanted to go upstairs to get a better view,one of the staff put a rope across the stairs and told us we could not go up,but the captain(who was near us)heard what she said and made her take the rope off and he then waved us through with a smile-we felt like V.I.P's .lol.

 

The sun was shining,band playing and lots of free drinks were given out, Myleene did the brits proud!.A brill afternoon.

 

Went and checked our luggage had arrived and to unpack.We had an inside on Empress deck,I thought the cabin was quite basic but adaquate for the 3 day trip.One thing I did miss was a kettle in the room to make that early morning cupper,and if I was on a longer trip I would book a bigger cabin.

 

We did request a late sitting evening meal but were given the 6.30pm,we did discuss trying to change it but in the end did not bother as we could cope with the 3 days.

 

We were in the upstairs of the Golden Pearl and our waiters were Leo and Andrey?--the boys were funny and very friendly -doing little tricks for us(with toothpicks)and taking the mick out of the poor waiter who comes from Transilvania....asking him to show his fangs!!Had a good laugh with these boys.

 

The food was excellent-I had the prime rib and the fillet on another night and you could cut through them with a butter knife!The warm chocolate pudding was to die for (I had to have that on the 3 nights).I have to agree with another OP that some of the food was luke warm,the second dinner of lamb had to be sent back as it was cold--but that was no problem for the waiters who could not be more helpful.Afternoon tea in the Golden Pearl was a delight,cucumber sandwiches and lovely sweet strawberries with thick cream --Mmmmm

 

I have to say that having cruised with P&O a few weeks before-Carnival would knock spots off them for the food,there was so much to eat that we could not get round to it all in 3 days(boo-hoo,I did'nt get to have a chilli dog!)

 

As we spent our youth dancing to the Temtations/Four Tops etc it was a big buzz for us to have a Motown disco then into the theatre for the Motown show--we had a great time.The other shows were fabulous as well.

 

Another thing I thought was really fantastic was when we went to the Captains cocktail party on the last night we were told that if we did not want one of the free drinks that they were serving we could go to the bar and order whatever we liked!!!Cocktails for us ladies and beer for the fella's--I have never been on a cruise where they did that!Thanks Carnival.

 

All in all a fantastic 3 days--there were a few glitches-- there seemed to be a shotage of staff -mainly in the bars (no staff in the piano bar on one night and had to go to another bar to get the drinks)also the pursers desk had long queue's every time I passed by.

 

Loved the singing waiters and the mad decor and only wish we could have stayed longer.

 

To all who have booked to sail on Splendor,all I can say is---I'm jealous!!!!

 

Looking to book Carnival in Europe for next year.

 

Regards

Taffygirl

[azbaby8062]

Thanks for the review. It does not surprise me that there would be some glitches being a beginning round of service. I am looking forward to sailing on the Splendor in June. I am hoping by that time, all the glitches will be out and she will be working smoothly as we had on the Miracle this June.

[Pegs222]

Thank you for the great review. It is exciting to go on a new ship but there are usually some clinks that have to be worked. I am glad we are not going till September. Hopefully by then they will find what works and what does not and make it right.

 

Thanks again for the great review. I can not wait to go on our cruise.

[big_duck]

JFTR, there was no shortage of bar staff or waiters on the Genoa-Dover cruise. As this is the third review to mention it, I wonder if a bunch jumped ship in Dover?

[nolaAlive]

I tried looking in the Piano Bar, but there seemed to be a private function going on...

[sweetcruisin]

Hi!! Nice review!! I am just wondering which ports/countries did you visit on this particular cruise? I'm trying to decide on a European cruise for next year as we did the Bahamas this year. Also, could you tell me how far it is from Amserdam (city center) to the Port. Thanks :p

[Stitchman]

Hi sweetcruisin and fellow cruisers - the ship docks at the fairly new Passenger Terminal Amsterdam and it is a 15-20 minute walk into the city centre so that's a big bonus compared with the days of docking about 1/2 hour away by transfer shuttle bus. This is the 1st time we've docked at this terminal and found it a great addition to this destination. :)

 

We too did the 3 day party cruise from Dover to Amsterdam and yes there were teething problems (we agree lack of bar staff / slow service in bars but this was probably compounded by the fact that the TA's all had a free bar for the complete duration of the cruise and were making the most of it shall we say)!!! We found that if we tipped the waiter/waitress in the piano bar or nightclub etc. as soon as we arrived in there, we didn't have any problem with them keep coming back to ask if we wanted any more drinks for the duration of the evening - not ideal but it worked for us!

 

Decor very pink (just think of Homer Simpson and his donuts and you'll get the idea)!!!! But like you say, it's a cruise ship and it needs to be out there to grab your attention as there are so many areas to explore. We spoke to Maria Newman (wife of Carnival bod) who was on board and she said that the big chiefs didn't like the amount of pink either when they inspected the ship.:p

 

We requested 2nd sitting for dinner and were allocated 1st sitting. We asked the maitre d' if we could be moved and he apologised that 2nd sitting was full. We decided to complain to the purser as we had booked the cruise over 6 months prior and for this reason expected 2nd sitting. Carnival were extremely efficient in resolving our disappointment and sure enough moved us to 2nd sitting for the 2nd & 3rd nights and posted a letter to our cabin apologising for any inconvenience so all good really.

 

We ordered room service for breakfast on 2 mornings and it arrived at the time we asked for so no complaints there (except the toast was freezing cold).

 

Naming ceremony was pretty special - and we will treasure these memories forever.

 

Piano bar with Ron Pass - one complaint - we didn't ever want it to end - what an absolute blast and the best entertainment on the ship.:D

 

Had a reflexology foot massage in the spa as feet burning after walking to/from and around Amsterdam for most of the day. Antonia you were brilliant and my feet felt like I was walking on air after the 1/2 hour or so and managed to party again in high shoes that very same night - wonderful!

 

Shows were very well produced and enjoyable. Casino was fun (even though we didn't win). Red Carpet nightclub was great too. Food was delightful and served hot and exactly as we asked it to be cooked. Rib Eye Fillet was absolutely delicious. Only complaint, we like to have more veg to accompany our meat (maybe that's a British thing)???

 

We would recommend the Splendor to anyone as despite these very minor kinks to be ironed out, it is a fantastic ship and we had an absolute ball.:D

[LHP]

JFTR, there was no shortage of bar staff or waiters on the Genoa-Dover cruise. As this is the third review to mention it, I wonder if a bunch jumped ship in Dover?

 

Just from what I have read ( wish I had been there)...it seems the slow service at the bar "may" have had less to do with the number of hands behind the bar and more to do with the number of TAs and VIPc with "all you can drink cards"!! :D