Bizzybee's 5 day Splendor Grand Turk and Amber Cove Review May 21- May 26, 2016

Welcome to my five day Eastern Caribbean review. This cruise was from May 21, 2016 to May 26, 2016 leaving from the Port of Miami. We visited two ports; Grand Turk and Amber Cove. This was my fourth solo Carnival cruise. I have only cruised on Carnival and I have only cruised solo. I absolutely love cruising.

I am 27 years old and I'm originally from New York, but I have been living in Baltimore for 5 years. I flew out of BWI at 7:10 am and arrived in FLL at 9:42 am. I hitched a ride from one of my coworkers and arrived at the airport at 6 am. Big mistake. Mama Jetblue said that I needed to buy the express pass because I was going to miss my flight since there was a three hour wait for TSA. Naturally I declined. I hurried over to TSA and surprise surprise; the line was wrapped around seven different ways. I went back to Mama Jetblue and received my scolding, "I told you" so's, "haven't you been watching the news?...you should have been here three hours early!" I gave up my $15 and headed straight to the front of the TSA line. Happy Happy Joy Joy. I leisurely walked to my gate as several people ran by me. There were shoe-less runners, children running behind them runners, and Dad's wishing they wouldn't have had that extra beer runners. Welp, Mama Jetblue may have gotten me for $15, but at least I wouldn't have been one of those girl with the workout clothes on but can run runners (because that totally is me).

We hopped on the jet and I was way back second to last row (23A) enjoying a window seat. I have an unreasonable fear of flying and one of the ways I am able to keep control is by being able to close the window. I prefer to keep it shut during take-off and landing. Otherwise, the window is open if the sun isn't beaming. This is where I met the W's they were going to be on the Splendor also. The W's include Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, and Sister's boyfriend. Mr. W sat in the middle next to me and and Mrs. W was on the aisle. Mrs. W also had a fear of flying and Mr. W ensured to keep us safe. Cue the Air Egypt Flight 804 news coverage on the screens in front of us (RIP to the passengers and condolences to the families and friends). For some odd reason the channel buttons were not working so Mr. W just covered the screen with his hands. Take-off was relatively easy. We had some turbulence in the beginning. Mr. W fell asleep instantly so Mrs. W held me down during my panic attacks. We landed on time and we all hopped into our SAS van. There was a group going on the Glory and the Norwegian Escape.

Miami

Norwegian Escape

I spot a whale tail!

We all ironically had the same boarding time of 12:30pm - 1:00pm. We waited about thirty minutes in the blazing sun. I enjoyed a lunchable because I learned hard way before. We entered the terminal at about 11am because they started processing early. At this point I missed the airport check in at Miami Airport. I chose to take my luggage on and the W's had checked theirs with the porters (bad idea people didn't get their luggage until 8pm). The computers were down for check-in and they had to manually check us in. I didn't notice a difference, but we couldn't take our photo. We ended up being Zone 8 and they were already boarding Zone 3. Fifteen minutes later and we were on board.

Going up the stairs to the boat.

We bypassed the welcome photo and straight up to the first key scan. This is where those who didn't take a photo took one. The rooms were going to be ready at 1pm. Mr. W went to get a beer and we all went up to the lido deck. I grabbed a kiss on the lips from the Blue Iguana Bar and went to the Mongolian Wok. I met up with the W's and enjoyed some spicy food. I had the black bean sauce but it was spicy for me. I forgot to take a pic but I'm simple. I had noodles, shrimp, onions, and broccoli (possibly corn also).

I was on a cruise a week earlier and we stopped at Amber Cove. What a wonderful place.

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

After I ate I went to my room and it was ready early.

Shoutout to my fanny pack (I'm American. Don't shoot the messenger.) I hated not having one place for all my items. On my previous cruises I used my camera case as a wallet and carried my phone in my hand. Kind of annoying when you have a drink also and your going down stairs.

I was waitlisted for early dining and was assigned your time dining. I prefer early dining because your time dining seemed to have a line at my preferred time and late dining caused me to get bad seats at the shows. I was off to the maitre'd in the Black Pearl Restaurant to change my dining. I was seated at a with six people (three sets of two) so I didn't think I would feel to awkward. Early dining is aft in The Gold Pearl Restaurant.

The Black Pearl Restaurant

Show Schedule

Fun Times

The Splendor is one of my favorite Carnival Ships.

Your cabin looks roomy and comfortable.

The last time I was on Splendor, I had one of the 1A porthole cabins. It had a single bed along with a sofa that could be converted to a bed and is larger than a regular inside. With the 2 portholes, it was a great value. Try to find that cabin type the next time.

I look forward to your review. Great photos!

:cool:

Ship Map

This ship map stayed in my fanny pack. It was so helpful. I could navigate the Breeze without a problem, but for some reason I kept getting turned around on this ship.

I went back to my room and unpacked half of my clothes. I don't like to put items in the drawers so I just leave the smaller items in my suitcase. After that I took a tour of the ship.

The Glory was behind her. I hope I can do a 7 day on her soon.

Miami

Large chess table.

Splendido Pool with retractable roof.

I ended up taking the Spa Tour at 1pm in hopes of winning something. The spa is located on deck 11 and 12 forward.

Heated chairs

Relaxation Room

Seaweed wrap room and water massage bed.

Thalassotherapy pool

The tour was wonderful. We had to return at 5pm for the raffle. Until then I went back to the room for a quick nap.

Serenity Preview. Serenity is on two separate sides of deck 12 forward.

At 5:55pm I headed to dinner. My room was 8384 Verandah Deck (Deck 8). I was easy to take the aft steps down to deck 3 to the Gold Pearl Restaurant. I met my two table mates. They two female friends from Miami and they both were diamond. Two other ladies showed up, but immediately switched tables to sit with their friends. The other two never showed up. The women had told me they had not received their luggage yet and had to cancel their steakhouse reservations (very unfortunate). They advised me that they would not be joining me the next day. We had a great dinner and great conversation. I love talking to seasoned cruisers. The Splendor is currently on the old menus.

Menu

Caesar salad

Linguini with Italian Sausage, Bell Peppers and Mushroom

Vanilla Creme Brulee

I was exhausted from traveling so I went to bed after dinner. Side note: I went back to the raffle and six people won various amounts or spa prizes from $50 to $250. Unfortunately I did not win.

Next up! Day Two: Sea Day!!!

I will try my best to respond to your questions. Thank you all for taking the time to read my review. I did love the Splendor.

I was on a cruise a week earlier and we stopped at Amber Cove. What a wonderful place.

 

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

I agree. I love the ship and Amber Cove.

The Splendor is one of my favorite Carnival Ships.

 

Your cabin looks roomy and comfortable.

 

The last time I was on Splendor, I had one of the 1A porthole cabins. It had a single bed along with a sofa that could be converted to a bed and is larger than a regular inside. With the 2 portholes, it was a great value. Try to find that cabin type the next time.

 

I look forward to your review. Great photos!

 

:cool:

I have stayed in an inside and ocean view and I prefer inside. For the price I don't mind trying a porthole. Especially for the Vista.

thanks so much for your review. I am enjoying very much. I too cruise solo, and my next one is on Splendor, so was very happy to discover your review today. There are not many recent ones, so I am very grateful. Looking forward to more review.:)

thanks so much for your review. I am enjoying very much. I too cruise solo, and my next one is on Splendor, so was very happy to discover your review today. There are not many recent ones, so I am very grateful. Looking forward to more review.:)

I promise you will enjoy this ship.

I woke up at about 11 am (according to the time stamp on my photos, lol). I purchased the new Cheers! program for this trip and it came out to about $287.00. The new program includes coffee, tea, bottled water, energy drinks, and you 15 alcoholic beverages (up to $50 each). The W's also had Cheers! so it was fun trying different drinks when I was with them. My first order of business was a iced caramel lattee. I headed to deck 5 aft to the coffee bar. There was a line so I decided to get a coffee at brunch and come back for my latte. For brunch I was seated at a table of six and was joined by three young ladies from Mississippi and Tennessee. Two of them were first time cruisers. We talked about current events and what they planned to do on their trip. I ordered the huevos racheros and cheese grits. I know I complained about the cheese grits last time, but I had to give it another try. The cheese grits were much better because it was hot and the cheese was melted when it came out. Both dishes were great, but they ran out of cheese balls with the huevos racheros. Very disappointing, I love cheese.

After brunch I went to get my latte and walked around the ship. I ended up at Serenity with a Bahama Mama, lol. The breeze was wonderful and it was nice and hot outside.

I have to take a moment to introduce you to speedo guy. He was very entertaining throughout the cruise. He made his grand introduction at the Mixologist competition.

Speedo Guy

I am absolutely loving your review! We were on the April 10th sailing of the Splendor, and we had an amazing time.

Chloe our cruise director hosted the Mixologist contest. Each contestant creates a drink and it is voted on by the judges. The assistant cruise director is the judge in the red polo. I apologize for not remembering his name at the moment.

Speedo guy shouting out his wife. Sorry ladies he's taken.

You have to shake your rump when you mix your drink. Someone was practicing.

Big man came out of nowhere to help this young lady shake her rump. Apparently he didn't think she was doing a good enough job. He busted a couple of moves. I love surprise entertainment. Just look at the joy on everyone's faces.

The young lady in the white coverup won. Her drink was featured in the fun times and was available at the bars.

Might be helpful if I load the fun times right?

I stayed around for the Last Man Standing competition. I ended up participating. Its like musical chairs. We started off with 10 people. I was the third or so to go. I lost because our challenge was to find a blue, red, and gold key card and I couldn't find gold in enough time. My flip flop came off and the floor was scorching hot. Look at my chair in the back all lonely.

This guy won. The last two people had to run to get a cone with an inch of ice cream on it. The second runner up made it to the Pizza area and slipped. Both feet were in the air and he was flat on his back :eek:. Please beware the floor can get rather slippery. He came back first though; however his cone was not one inch high. He blew his back out for no reason. Seriously though I'm sure he slipped a disk.

Next up: Elegant Night!!

Tonight was elegant night. I went to the Gold Pearl and changed my table. I was up stairs on deck 4 now at a table for eight/nine (there was an extra place setting). Two ladies were sisters and traveling together and the other five ladies were family (mother, aunt, daughter, cousin, and cousin's best friend). They were surprised when I arrived because they wanted their other three family members to sit with them, but they didn't go to the maitre'd to officially make the change. FYI, if you want to sit with your family link your booking numbers. Carnival is not going to sit all the Johnson's together just because. Even if your rooms are next to each other. I was really bloated today. Must have been all the booze... I'm mean the salt in the food. :p

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms

Blue Crab Raviolli. I didn't like these. The pasta tasted undercooked. I had to place another order.

I order the Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Mac and Cheese off the kids menu.

The dance of the night.

Great review! I love Grand Turk, and I can't wait to get to Amber Cove.

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Caramelized Apple on Puff Pastry

Atrium entertainment

After dinner I went to the 88 Keys show. I loved every moment.This was the pre-show with the Pianist Roddy. (Sorry for the blur, too much lighting)

I then changed my clothes and went to Comedian Mike Estime show. He was really funny. I headed to bed at a decent time because I wanted to get a good nights rest.

Look who was in my bed!

Next Up: Day Three: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.

Thank You so much for the great review! We are going on the Splendor next week. Where did you get the neck thingee for your sail & sign card? Did you bring a paper punch?:)

Thank You!

Great review so far, thank you!

Thanks for the review.

I am absolutely loving your review! We were on the April 10th sailing of the Splendor, and we had an amazing time.

Thanks

Great review! I love Grand Turk, and I can't wait to get to Amber Cove.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Thanks. Amber Cove was awesome please stay tuned.

Thank You so much for the great review! We are going on the Splendor next week. Where did you get the neck thingee for your sail & sign card? Did you bring a paper punch?:)

 

Thank You!

Thanks. Go to the casino cashier. They have them for free and hole punch it for you.

Great review so far, thank you!

Thanks!

Thanks for the review.

Thanks!