4/26/09 Live from Carnival Splendor !!!

[Carnival AZIPOD]

Skidrue,

 

Thanks for posting and Im glad you made it home safely, I remember you guys as we sat by the main lobby a few times. There were close to 600 passenger that got off in Long Beach today, the 6pm Dining room had alot of empty tables but the 8:30pm show was packed. We sat way up on top. The casino was full of people and all of the decks were full of people enjoying the last minutes of beautiful southern cal sun while in Long Beach.

 

I am sure we are going to be knee deep in rain tomorrow according what people are posting about the weather. Hope there will be a few peeks of the sun for us for a few hours while there in San Fran.

 

Take a look at one of Host Randy's future Cruise Critic Dream Group cruises out of Orlando, I will be looking at those soon.

 

Nice meeting you guys....Take care.

 

 

Fred

 

You mean there were about 600 cruisers who ended their trip early? There's going to be a nice amount of rain tomorrow. I don't think you'll see much sun at all. You'll have fun in Fisherman's Wharf though, Pier 39 will be to your right as you get off the ship, its a very short walk.

I'm not sure if you want to get off a ship to board another water vessel, but the Alcatraz tour (former state prison) is pretty interesting.

[TravelerThom]

You mean there were about 600 cruisers who ended their trip early? There's going to be a nice amount of rain tomorrow. I don't think you'll see much sun at all. You'll have fun in Fisherman's Wharf though, Pier 39 will be to your right as you get off the ship, its a very short walk.

I'm not sure if you want to get off a ship to board another water vessel, but the Alcatraz tour (former state prison) is pretty interesting.

A minor correction - Alcatraz was a FEDERAL prision [ http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz/ ]. The other famous [at least to me] prision in the SF Bay area San Quentin IS a STATE prision - but you probably don't want to "visit" there [it is still an active prision, with California's Death Row].

 

BTW I have done the Alcatraz tour and it is interesting, and on a nice day has good views of the City.

 

Thom

[CruisingAmazona]

Can't wait to try it out on the Dream in November.

I feel the same way about the Thalasso pool. It was awesome. I am booked on the Dream for April, 2010 and booked a Spa Cabin. I was upgraded to a Spa Cabin and provided with the bands as well....by cheer luck ......on the Splendor, but not wanting to take any chances that that miracle would happen again, I made sure to book an actual Spa Cabin on the Dream. We used the entire Spa and all its glorious rooms every single day after returning from ports.

[LHP]

I feel the same way about the Thalasso pool. It was awesome. I am booked on the Dream for April, 2010 and booked a Spa Cabin. I was upgraded to a Spa Cabin and provided with the bands as well....by cheer luck ......on the Splendor, but not wanting to take any chances that that miracle would happen again, I made sure to book an actual Spa Cabin on the Dream. We used the entire Spa and all its glorious rooms every single day after returning from ports.

 

Yes, indeed you lucked out.

 

We booked a Spa Interior on the Splendor and was upgraded to a Spa balcony...but because the system does not tell them "what" we were upgraded from...it took us all night to get the wristbands.

 

I kept "explaining" that I understand that if you are upgraded from a regular cabin...the wristbands are not included. But we paid for a Spa cabin (IE the wristbands) to begin with. It was a cluster.

[Tgianco]

Well, with the rain and cold, it will be a perfect day to go to Fisherman's Wharf and get some clam chowder. I can see Fisherman's Wharf being crazy, though, so I might head to North Beach for a classic Italian meal or one of the steak houses that I listed earlier.

 

Then head to the Top of the Mark for an after-dinner cocktail.

 

If there are tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon, that is a great call and is a real San Francisco treat.

 

I bet the Gmen get rained out tonight, but going to Momo's across the street should be lively, and getting a picture in front of the park (probably just a few blocks walk from the ship) with the Willie Mays statue.

[mistyinca]

Yes, indeed you lucked out.

 

We booked a Spa Interior on the Splendor and was upgraded to a Spa balcony...but because the system does not tell them "what" we were upgraded from...it took us all night to get the wristbands.

 

I kept "explaining" that I understand that if you are upgraded from a regular cabin...the wristbands are not included. But we paid for a Spa cabin (IE the wristbands) to begin with. It was a cluster.

 

That is one thing that irks me. Even if one was upgraded from a non-spa room, the whole point of it being an upgrade worth taking is that it includes the spa benefits; they SHOULD give spa privies with the upgrade. I would not want to be that high up and forward (more ship movement) if the spa wasn't included. And instead of wristbands, it should be noted somehow when the S&S is swiped if they want to control who comes in.

[Kurbanfan]

Hey Fred, we are the couple that kept bumping into to you through out the 4 days.

We are officially LIVE from home!!!!!!For you who wonder why we chose to leave early it was quite simple.

Warmth!!!!! SF is only 4 hours for us to drive to. If I wanted cold Iwould have stayed home. I realize many folks do not grasp that California, at least parts of the North East get 1-15 feet of snow. It's been a long 6 months of snow and my husband and I were looking forward to a little sun.

I completely understand canceling the ports. Out of our control, like hurricane's. What was is Carnivals control (opinion only) was the option to continue South and stay in the warmer climate. One complete day of sun, then to return North seemed ludicrous.

We are also not much for sea days and prefer to be on shore enjoying the different cultures.

I did not blame anyone on the ship and continued to be polite to the crew.

The gal at the pursers desk commented that I had been her only smile of the day. I left the tips as well and gave our room steward an additional $20.

For you who stayed on board have fun, for me I had visions of the movie "The Shining" and I am glad to be home:D

 

LMAO!!! I can only imagine:D Glad you made it home safely!

[wrp96]

Someone posted this link to a webcam for San Francisco and we can see Mariner of the Seas on it. So you might watch to catch when Splendour comes into view.

[tulsacubfan]

Those have always been the rules for the Talent Shows . I have been in 20 of them (at least).

 

No comedians - because they can't control what you say and folks might get offended. (plus kids are in the audience and since they can't control what is said...you get the idea)

 

No tap dancing - because the metal taps on the shoes will destroy the wood on the stage floor. We have seen some wonderful other kinds of dancers from time to time (ballroom and dance groups that were great)

 

If the professional dancer had had a physical "store" CD, he would have been allowed to use that. But with an IPOD, you do not know if the music has been pirated....hence the legalities.

 

No musical instruments - because these instruments do not belong to Carnival. They belong to the individual musicians. And I can tell you that 99% of the musicians I know will let you borrow their spouse....before they will let you borrow their instrument. HOWEVER, you ARE allowed to use the piano. It is owned by Carnival.

 

So there are very valid reasons for the restrictions that Carnival has.

 

If a person wanted to sing, would the musicians play for them - or would they have to sing a capella?

[Wennfred]

Tulsacubfan,

 

The band will play for you in the background or they will play a track on a CD you bring.

 

Fed or State Prisons,

 

Thanks guys but I work in a California State Prison so Alcatraz would be out of the question, Now San Quentin since its still open and was built way back in the 1800's would be a more interesting place to see.

 

We saw Carnival Elation in San Diego on Sunday so I figured that the lady from Denver got the flu from that cruise, but not 100% sure yet.

 

 

 

 

Fred

[dprcan]

Fred - Thanks for your updates. I have been following them all week long.

I am leaving on the Splendor next Sunday.

Can you tell how me is it was a rough ride up to San Fran?

I have an aft wrap around and I am hoping to be able to enjoy the balcony at least for some portion of the cruise.

Thanks again and have a great rest of the cruise.

[retcwby]

Tulsacubfan,

 

The band will play for you in the background or they will play a track on a CD you bring.

 

Fed or State Prisons,

 

Thanks guys but I work in a California State Prison so Alcatraz would be out of the question, Now San Quentin since its still open and was built way back in the 1800's would be a more interesting place to see.

 

We saw Carnival Elation in San Diego on Sunday so I figured that the lady from Denver got the flu from that cruise, but not 100% sure yet.

 

 

 

Fred

 

Hey Fred, where do you work ? I also work for CDCR way up in northwest California.

[Tgianco]

Fred,

 

How were the seas on the ride up the coast? How has the Splendor handled it?

 

I get a little seasick, so I am curious how rough it might have been.

 

This is about the worst weather you can get for a cruise to SF, but SF in the rain is considered by many romantic, if you're in the right state of mind.

[LHP]

Fred - Thanks for your updates. I have been following them all week long.

I am leaving on the Splendor next Sunday.

Can you tell how me is it was a rough ride up to San Fran?

I have an aft wrap around and I am hoping to be able to enjoy the balcony at least for some portion of the cruise.

Thanks again and have a great rest of the cruise.

 

Just talked with a friend of mine who is going to be a solo performer starting with the Splendor May 3rd cruise. I am not sure if he will be in the Atrium or Casino...but if folks are into guitars...they are in for a treat.

 

He is excellent. His name is Michael H. Give him a listen!!

[Serfboreds]

Currently in the mid to high 40s and rainy on the Splendor, check the webcam

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_splendor/default.aspx?shipCode=SL

 

Anyone sailing right now that can tell us how rough the waters are?

[Bmaintz]

Someone climb up a get the rain drops off of the Web CAM so we can see the Golden Gate.... :D

[reefisher]

Almost every block in San Francisco is covered by public transportation like cable cars, trolleys, buses and BART. And if I remember right, it is quite reasonably priced :D

.

 

$1.50 for all the MUNI busses and trolleys (not the cable cars) and they give a transfer that is good for any number of transits for several hours, any direction. The bus stops give the actual real time arrival times (GPS tracked) for each bus. Call 511 on your cell phone and they will be happy to give up to the minute directions.

[tulsacubfan]

Tulsacubfan,

 

The band will play for you in the background or they will play a track on a CD you bring.

 

Fed or State Prisons,

 

Thanks guys but I work in a California State Prison so Alcatraz would be out of the question, Now San Quentin since its still open and was built way back in the 1800's would be a more interesting place to see.

 

We saw Carnival Elation in San Diego on Sunday so I figured that the lady from Denver got the flu from that cruise, but not 100% sure yet.

 

 

 

 

Fred

 

Thanks, Fred. And thanks for all of the great updates - especially about the food! We will be on the May 3rd sailing - the "maiden voyage" of the Splendor's great northwest adventure :D

[pearlandmom]

I love San Francisco! Thanks for the webcam link - makes me want to go back (I left my heart in San Fran!.) :D

[momofzeke]

Fred, Laura and all the other LEMONADE CRUISERS aboard the Splendor....have a great time in San Fran today! Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

[danmz]

link to sf webcam rccl ship in port now. http://www.webmarin.com/

[Zingy2]

Seems some of the cruisers on the Splendor did not see the fun and/or adventure in changing the itinerary to San Francisco, from Cabo San Lucas. Here is a recent news article that captures their frustration/anger:

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30503395/

 

IMHO this is an event that was beyond Carnival's (or any other cruise line for that matter) control. They (Carnival) are taking steps to mitigate exposure of the Swine Flu, to its passengers. They are also compensating/accomodating passengers who are affected by this unfortunate event. What more can one ask for? Yes it is frustrating, yes people who have planned their vacation for a long time are now being forced to change their plans. Unfortunately every day, things happen that prevent us from being able to accomplish the things we would like to do...(work, illness, death of a loved one to name a few).

 

If it were an airline, it would be too bad, so sad....you are being diverted, so get over it. I think Carnival is bending over backwards to take care of its customers.

[grampafish]

Hey Lemonaders.....have a wonderful, albeit wet, visit to the gorgeous City by the Bay! There are SO MANY wonderful things to do there. Grew up 50 miles from SF and have very fond memories of adventures in the City. Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Arborateum, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli, Chinatown, Union Square, AT&T Park, etc......

 

My DH and I and friends are leaving 5/9 on the Princess Sapphire for the Repo cruise up the coast from LB to Vancouver...and reading your posts has heightened my excitement...can't wait to get onboard! We will be stopping in Santa Barbara, SF, Astoria, Seattle, and Victoria.

 

I applaud your good attitudes in an unfortunate situation! Bravo!!!

 

Be sure to be out on deck (even if it is raining) for the sail under the Golden Gate! Maybe I'm a freak, but it brought me to tears!:o

 

Enjoy!

[bertthebird]

What is the next stop for Splendour after San Francisco? Have loved the posts from everyone on the ship - Have fun!!

[Kurbanfan]

Seems some of the cruisers on the Splendor did not see the fun and/or adventure in changing the itinerary to San Francisco, from Cabo San Lucas. Here is a recent news article that captures their frustration/anger:

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30503395/

 

IMHO this is an event that was beyond Carnival's (or any other cruise line for that matter) control. They (Carnival) are taking steps to mitigate exposure of the Swine Flu, to its passengers. They are also compensating/accomodating passengers who are affected by this unfortunate event. What more can one ask for? Yes it is frustrating, yes people who have planned their vacation for a long time are now being forced to change their plans. Unfortunately every day, things happen that prevent us from being able to accomplish the things we would like to do...(work, illness, death of a loved one to name a few).

 

If it were an airline, it would be too bad, so sad....you are being diverted, so get over it. I think Carnival is bending over backwards to take care of its customers.

 

I think they deserve more then $20 for ports they missed.....maybe they will give something to the rest that stayed on this nightmare cruise? Who knows only time will tell........