Waterwitch

Our room steward always made sure we had enough of the products. The trick I use in hotels is to remove the bottles from the shower when partially used so they will bring new ones. There was never a problem on our cruise, and my daughter and I used a lot of the products. They are divine! Especially the body lotion. You will love the spa!

I hope that is true about the Tandoor. I am a bit skeptical because I remember , just before my second cruise on Freedom, she went into drydock, and there never was any definitive word on what whether it would stay or not, and only when she came out of dry dock, did I hear from other cruisers that Tandoor was gone, and Guy's was in it's place instead.

 

Now, I do happen to somewhat like a Guy burger, but maybe only one or two max per 7 day cruise. But Tandoor; I could have lunch there every day:D

 

I really do hope they keep the Tandoor though, since I will be on Spendor later this year.:)

It looks as though Guy's is not going in, and since Guy's is installed where the Tandoor buffet typically is, we might be safe! Have you been on the Splendor before? You MUST go to the Cloud 9 spa at least one day. The tepidarium and thallosotherapy pool are so worth it! Heaven.

orrect. Not February. March 6-20.

(See here - https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/d...g0SnZJbQ%3D%3D)

When we made the reservation for March 20, it was the first thing our host let us know -- that we'd be one the first sailing post-drydock.

Originally, Carnival talked of full 2.0 renovations during this time.

(See here - http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival...-director.html)

But later John Heald later said the 2.0 upgrades weren't coming.

(Here - https://www.facebook.com/JohnHeald/p...c_location=ufi)

And subsequent indications are basically what folks have said above -- basic refurbishments, maintenance and (now it appears) some of the updated entertainment offerings.

I am so glad that the Splendor is not getting rid of the Tandoor buffet in order to put in Guy's Burger Joint. If you are watching calories, the Tandoor buffet has healthy low fat delicious Indian food choices. I can get a cheeseburger anywhere, but finding excellent Indian food is always a challenge. Bravo! If you like Indian food, you will love the Tandoor aboard the Splendor. The Splendor is a beautiful ship. It is not "pink". It is mauve with lots of gorgeous black granite that tones it down. I can't wait to get back on her again! My favorite ship out of 8 for Carnival ships. The Cloud 9 spa is tuh die for!

Just out of curiosity... What makes an itinerary "exotic"? I have seen both western and eastern itineraries referred to as exotic and always wondered what that meant. Thanks!

Well, since we are both from the Pacific Northwest, little rain and lots of sunshine comes to mind when I think exotic. My analogy? An ordinary "Western Caribbean" cruise would be like an Airbus 380 jet, and an "Exotic Western Caribbean" cruise would be like our beloved Boeing 747.

Go Seahawks!!!!

Thank you! I would love to hear your thoughts on great excursions for a 40-something mom and 21-year-old daughter! I have been researching and have a few ideas, but would love your thoughts.

Grand Cayman

Do you remember when you were a child, and something would make you laugh so hard that you almost cried? Well, when my daughter and I took the catamaran out to Stingray City, the sailing was awe inspiring. The water was incredible... Clear, thalo and Cobalt blue. Then we arrived with several other catamarans to the sand bar. It was a riot in the water with the stingrays, because most of us were afraid in the rough water that we would come down and land on a stingray... a definite no-no. So, whenever someone felt a stingray under their foot they would SCREAM :eek: ! We were screaming and laughing like kids. One girl tried to climb up the anchor rope to get away from them. I can't remember laughing and screaming this loud since I was 10. It's a must! A real adrenaline rush. Often the water is very calm, but that day there were waves, hence the up and down, don't step on a stingray moves.

Belize.

We got right off the ship, tendered into catch a catamaran and then went snorkeling (awesome!) and the boat ride back was a blast. I don't see this excursion on the Carnival website, but I will ask my daughter if she remembers the name of the Cat. It was so much fun dancing on the way back. We might have booked it privately. Carnival cancelled the cave tubing right before we went, because a woman drowned. Carnival does not screw around with the safety of their passengers. If an excursion contractor screws up, they are canned. My doctor said we should get certain shots if we were going into the jungle of Belize. Okay... we be sailing :D

Roatan

For $10.00, plus the fare of a taxi, we spent the afternoon at the Mayan Princess resort on West Bay Beach. It is the perfect place for a mom and daughter, because as you face the ocean, to the left about 100 yards away there is some kind of resort with music for young people, and my daughter had a blast with them. Nothing rowdy.. just a good group. You have use of the Mayan's gorgeous swimming pool and you get a chaise. So, you can choose to relax, or go down the beach and party. The snorkeling was excellent, right off the beach! Google Mayan Princess Resort, Roatan and you will see it. We had a lobster lunch right on the beach. Delicious!!! Make certain you get a firm commitment from the taxi driver regarding the fare BEFORE you get in. Don't venture out into the hinterland in Roatan unless you want to be robbed. The Annapolis grads we met on the cruise ship went to the zip line before they came back to the beach and said it was fantastic. Apparently Carnival now has an "excursion" to the Mayan with a buffet lunch, but I would do it on our own, and eat off the menu. Much more relaxing! The last time we went to Roatan, we went to French Cays. I felt so rushed because the ship is not in port long enough. I don't recommend it, even though it is listed as the #1 thing to do in Roatan on Trip Advisor.

Cozumel

Very pretty, colorful and clean port. There was a hurricane there years ago that devastated the port, and it has since been rebuilt. The locals were very friendly, and grateful to see cruise ship passengers again. I did not get "bad vibes" from the locals as I have in some ports. They were happy to see Americans! I felt quite safe there. I will see if my daughter remembers the excursion. We always take the sailboat excursions, because I feel it is safer than walking around with a pretty blonde daughter and no man.

I hope I haven't scared you... I am just very cautious and conscientious when with my daughter because she attracts a lot of attention. When I am by myself, NO PROBLEM! :D

Thank you all! Just wanted to let you know that we chose the 4-port, 7-day cruise out of Miami on the Glory! Can't wait!!

From Mom to Mom... you made the right choice for your daughter! As you can see, I have been on the exotic Western Caribbean 3 times, so if you have any questions about Roatan, Grand Cayman, Belize, or Cozumel, just shout!

I just realized that I did not list my sailing to Ocho Rios with Princess Cruises. As you can see, I did not return to Ocho Rios!

Good afternoon! I am planning to take my 21-year-old daughter on a Mother/Daughter Cruise after her school semester ends in May. She would like a Western Caribbean itinerary. My daughter works at a church and cannot do a Sunday-Sunday cruise, as that would have her missing two Sundays.

 

For the dates that will work for her, we are considering one of the following:

 

-6-Day Splendor out of Miami (Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel)

-7-day Glory out of Miami (Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay, Belize, Cozumel)

 

Since we have to fly anyway (from Nashville), we could also do

-7-day Freedom out of Galveston (Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel).

 

While we are not precisely cruise virgins, we are pretty inexperienced. We did a 7-day Disney Eastern Caribbean a number of years ago and have also done a weekend RCI cruise to the Bahamas.

 

I have gone through a number of the CC reviews and expert reviews and am pretty overwhelmed. What are your thoughts about these three options?

 

Thank you!

If you scroll down and see the ships I have been on, all with my daughter who is now 35, I can tell you that BY FAR, the best cruise for her was the sister ship of the Glory, the Valor, and the best itinerary if I were to choose between your two would be the 4 port Western Caribbean. Hands down!!! I knew my daughter (blonde) would hate the aggressive locals as soon as she left the port in Ocho Rios. Roatan was heavenly, and there are lots of young people at West Bay Beach. You can take a taxi there... get a day pass to the Mayan Princess Resort, and your daughter will find lots of people her age right next door. Great snorkeling off the shore. Great lobster on the beach! Miami is a blast to sail out of!! The cars on the expressway below honk their horns and wave to the passengers on board. Galveston is 70 miles from the Houston Airport. What a pain. Your daughter would like Miami the night before you cruise more than Galveston.

I love the Splendor's decor! It is whimsical and fun. (By contrast, I hate the Pride - dark and dreary.)

I too loved the Splendor interior! The pink is adulterated, not too bright, and looks great next to the black. I am an interior designer, and I find that many times men in particular have been conditioned to think that pink is awful. It has been my favorite Carnival ship! I've been on 8. The Cloud 9 Spa is fantastic!!! Love, love, love the Splendor... especially the Tandoor kitchen.

Thanks, SwimCarrie! I was on the fence about whether or not to buy insurance. I have in the past and now I definitely will in the future! I thought your message about the Ruby passenger was sympathetic.

Great idea! Just wondering what all I should add to mine??:confused: Sunscreen and batteries? Anything else?:o

The robe hooks on some ships are round, shiny, and thus robes fall off easily in the bathroom. Bathrooms only have one hook. SO... I take those Command hooks and put 2 on the stateroom wall. When you leave they pull off cleanly without damaging the wall. I used them for hanging up the 2nd robe, for hanging purses on, and for hanging a damp (not dripping) swim suit on. Sure there is a clothesline in the shower, but when you get back from an excursion you will no doubt have a wet swimming suit AND you will need to take a shower.

Also found a small (3 outlet) electrical strip for desk. Great for charging cell phones, etc. If you are in an inside room, a night light with very low wattage is a must. Most important... a bottle of wine per adult. :-)