4wheeltravel

Here is our dilemma - we had a cabin for 3 people so purchased FTTF.  Recently my sister got a foster child so we needed to add them to the reservation.  Our room could only hold 3 people so had to add a 2nd cabin.  FTTF is sold out so we cannot buy it for the 2nd cabin.  Any chance they can board with us?  Is a minor and a 73 year old in the 2nd cabin - all are on the same sign and sail account.  It just kind of stinks bc we literally had to pay a fortune for the 2nd cabin (an inside was almost as much as the original balcony) and now we likely cannot use the FTTF option to board.....

Great - thank you!  Glad to know I can upgrade once on the ship. :)

I called NCL about exchanging my free 250 minutes for its (listed) value and purchasing a better plan.  She said that bc it's free it has no value.  Has anyone had better luck?

Thank you, nice info. I have an aft balcony on deck 8, more under the pool deck than the restaurant, hope the noise is not too bad!

I think you’ll be fine. Ours was under the 24 hour areas.

Why tender tickets? Never had that before

I have never gotten tender tickets before either but apparently there is a mad rush to get off and this is their way to manage it.

Your husband went up there by himself and came back with more than one ticket? Is your complaint that they didnt follow the rules for others?

It wasn’t a complaint it was a statement. He went up by himself just to get in line and our party of 9 was literally 5 min behind him. My point was that at 9:00 15 min prior to the stated time of ticket dispersement, they were giving out tender 19 tickets already. We assumed there would be a long line so were shocked when they just gave him tickets. I mention it to help others know how it really works.

So if I understand this correctly,

 

Cabo is on US Mountain Time, Ship keeps US Pacific Time

 

Mazatlan is on US Mountain Time, Ship keeps US Pacific Time

 

Puerto Vallarta is on US Central Time, Ship keeps US Mountain Time

correct

That is annoying with the tender process. I wish tendering would go away.

I agree - being on the 19th tender took us until like 11:15 or so to get off

Time changes - we were already on a 3 hour time change since we are from the east coast but while on the ship, they changed ahead 1 hour 1 day and the next they changed it back. Cabos is 1 hour ahead and PV is 2. It became pretty confusing for some folks.

 

Does your comment above mean they didn't stay on ship time? Every Carnival ship I have been on always stays on ship time regardless of what time it is in port.

 

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No - they stayed on ship time but ship time changed twice during the cruise - once they skipped an hour then a day later went back an hour.

You guys sailed through a hurricane didn't ya? I'm sailing this Saturday and hurricane Bud has me pretty stressed out...

Actually we got off Saturday 6/9 so we thankfully missed the hurricane :)

Interesting to know that they promoted JJ to cruise director. We saw her in the comedy club and at Bingo back in April. She was fun, but it sounds like she needs to settle into the job.

 

PV was my favorite stop as well.

According to Martin at the piano bar, JJ has been promoted but was just filling in for someone on vacation this week so not sure she will stay on the splendor.

Where was muster held? Outside or Inside? Thanks

Outside on deck 5

This is just a few pointers for those booking or planning to go on the splendor:

Pros:

• Very friendly staff who used our names
  
• Great ports - Cabo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta (my favorite)
  
• Some good comedians (1 wasn't but 2 were, didn't hear the 4th)
  
• Steakhouse was amazing
  
• There was plenty to do if you wanted to - we didn't go to any of the shows
  
• Piano bar player - Martin - was really good
  
• Karaoke contest was super funny
  
• Room steward did excellent job of cleaning the room each day
  
• I thought the dining room food was fine ... some things were really good and some just OK. The Lido deck has a ton of options with BBQ, Asian, pizza, deli etc.
  

Cons:

• Beware of rooms on the 8th deck - it is right under the Lido deck. We had cabin 8356 and the noise at 2-3am every night was horrible as they cleaned the ice cream machine and moved tables/chairs. We did complain and got an account credit but the noise continued. Maybe those rooms need white noise makers?
  
• Debarking was horrible - no method to the madness. We did self assist and they kept calling floors to come down. All elevators were full and on deck 3 it was a madhouse.
  
• New cruise director JJ - her first one ever - she talked and talked and talked on the overhead speakers all the time
  
• Muster drill was chaos - you line up and then they run through checking seapass cards to see if you are there - really, really unorganized. Poor people in the back had no idea what was going on.
  

Good to know:

• They don't really follow any of the rules. For example, the Cabo tenders ....they said at 9:15 you can start getting tender tickets on the lido deck. Your entire party must be there. Well at 9:00 my husband went up by himself and got tickets for the 19th tender. 19th at 9:00 - 15 minutes before you were even supposed to be able to get them. So, lesson learned - head up there by yourself super early if you want an early tender.
  
• Dress code was more of a suggestion - didn't see anything enforced
  
• Only 2 outlets - 1 in the bathroom and 1 at the desk/mirror. They will bring you an adapter for the 110 outlet if you ask
  
• Seemed to be more seating available at lunch if you went up to the aft deck where the BBQ is located - plus the BBQ potato salad is the best ever
  
• The aft pool is supposed to be adults only - didn't happen. Although kids weren't in the pool itself, they wondered through or hung with their parents some. Was still pretty quiet.
  
• Spa pushes very hard to sell you product
  
• Time changes - we were already on a 3 hour time change since we are from the east coast but while on the ship, they changed ahead 1 hour 1 day and the next they changed it back. Cabos is 1 hour ahead and PV is 2. It became pretty confusing for some folks.
  

Overall - good cruise as I think all cruises are what you make of it. Let me know if you have any questions!

If you are looking for an amazing private boat trip , we loved this one in Cabo https://cabosanlucascruiseexcursions.com/excursions/cabo-private-sailing-charters/ in Vallarta we did a private van tour so can’t help you there :)

 

 

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Thank you!

We are on the Splendor in June and go to Cabo, Mazatlan and Vallarta. We have my parents (ages 67,68), 2 20 year olds, a 16 year old and 4 40 (something :)) year olds.

Suggestions for excursions? We are not drinkers. I do not want to be cooped up in a van all day. Thinking maybe a private boat sail/snorkel at one port, maybe day pass to a resort, maybe open aired vehicle tour? Not really sure. Would love to sample local cuisine, get some beach time ( but not each port), and maybe see cool towns.

Any help would be appreciated!

We saw at least 4 ships in port but someone else said there were 6 that day.

This is the reason I wont do one of these tours again without guarantees, I stick with private 2 or 4 person tours most of the time now. If our group says no, we walk away. Spencer knows how many people fit on his boats.

 

My Wife is very nervous on small boats and we had similar experience in Tortola. Never again. Some tour operators think as long as you get to the tour and back to ship alive all is ok.

 

Thanks for taking the time and including some positives as well. Too bad that a good chunk of your day was wasted and spent stressed out.

 

The negative feedback costs them more than what a partial refund would have (or at least an apology).

Thanks Don! It wasn't all negative just not the experience we were expecting or promised. Also per the other comment, we were also on March 1 - we just didn't luck out with the good boats.

Just a side note: they are French so everyday they close up shop for like 2-3 hours. We have stayed there 5 times. The shops don’t open until later then close for several hours and then stay open late so there is a slight chance that the closing shops had nothing to do with cruise ship passengers.

Just off the jewel. Couple of comments:

We had balcony room 8560 - there were only 2 electrical outlets in the entire cabin. Made charging phones and fixing hair for 4 girls challenging.

Skip the behind the scenes tour - boring and you don’t even get to go in the engine room just the bridge, laundry, kitchen and engine room office.

Andreas did ok. Not my favorite. Josh from activities was hysterical.

City of dreams show - kinda of like mediocre karaoke

West end to broadway show - much better although there is no coherent flow from scene to scene

Juggler is great

Mo5iac group is fabulous

We did chops and steaks were great so we tried to order the filet from the main menu the last night - not the same - not even cooked to correct temperature. Chops was worth it.

Solarium has food 24/7

Voom purchased in advance is cheapest

Let me know if you have any questions!

Just did Spencer last week - check out my detailed post. Never again! Beach crowded, food just ok, boat - not a speed boat but a smoking the entire trip fishing boat. Spencer gave no compensation.

So based on all the reviews we booked this land and sea excursion. Based on the info, was a 25 minute speedboat ride. Well, apparently, they were overbooked so they put 18 of us on a fishing boat that had black smoke and diesel smell the entire ride. We left 1st out of the 3 boats and we got there last - 1 hr and 15 min later.

Of course we all complained to Spencer because the fumes were horrible. We were on the back seat and the boat was full with no where to go. The mud baths were fun and the waterfall was nice. We got to the beach late because of the late start. Lunch was fine but there was absolutely no place to sit and eat it. We sat on rocks. All free chairs were taken . We didn’t snorkel bc only had an hour after we ate but other said the snorkeling was great.

Around 2, Spencer told us that 10 of us would have to ride the diesel fishing boat back bc there weren’t any other boats available. We said no. He said we had to. He said that the boat was overcrowded before and that with 10 it would do fine. Well thankfully, the unsuspecting folks that had the pleasant ride over, hopped on the first boat to get back “first.” It was “diesel” as we affectionately called it. And I will point out that it came to the dock with 2 people on it - and fumes coming out - so it wasn’t overloaded, it was junk.

We didn’t ride her back and of course passed her on the way with her black smoke trailing. The return was great on an actual speedboat. What was the most disappointing is that although we understand boat failures, we were never compensated. No partial refund. Not even an I’m sorry - he just said, this happens and you need to work with me.

Just off yesterday and I hope this isn't too late. MO5IAC is a singing group that is fabulous. They are staying on a few days. If you are on board - don't miss it!!!

We are going on this cruise for my daughter's 16th birthday; however, when I try to reserve spa times, it says must be 18? Anyone know if this applies to things like pedicures?

Before we cruised I searched this site and really found very little information on this excursion. Based on trip advisor reviews, I took a chance and booked it. It was a great way to spend the day. Here are a few thoughts for those who are interested.

Our ship was in port from 8-5. There is nothing open at 8 ... no need to rush off the boat. The sandy toes excursion leaves from the paradise island ferry terminal so you will have to take a cab to this port. Is about a 5 min ride and $4 per person. There are a gazillion cab drivers waiting at the ship to take you there and just as many to bring you back.

The ferry left a few minutes after 10am. It is about a 30 minute ride but the first 10/15 minutes is very interestng gawking at yachts and very large houses.

Once on the island, they gather everyone to explain that snorkling would be at 11am. There is a $10 deposit for snorkle gear but you get it back when you return it. There are many steps to get up on the island ...it did not appear to be handicap accessable at all.

Then we were given a welcome drink and left to chill :) The beach is pretty although a little rocky in spots. They had free beach chairs. Tubes were rented for $5/each with an additional $5 deposit. Drinks were priced reasonably. They had beach volleyball - my kids enjoyed this.

I did not snorkle ....sorry have abnormal fear of sharks :) Husband and nephew said it was good snorkling.

The lunch was tasty - hotdogs and fried fish, rice, salad, etc.

Overall this was a very enjoyable and excellent way to spend the day. It wasn't crowded. I would say there was about 50 people on the boat.

The only irritation was that everyone was told to be back on the boat at 2:45 for a 3:00 departure and of course one couple was late...like 3:10ish. They waited for them because this is an island, they kind of have to get you off it :) We made it back in less time and were back at the cruise port at about 3:50.

If you have the time ...fit it in...it was a great day!

I was planning to keep the car to avoid a hassel. We can get a minivan for $350 for the week (sat to sat) - add $20/day to park it and we are at $450. That same car for sat -mon is $130 returning to the same location. If we then need a ride to the port $15x6 = $90.00 plus tip - $110.00. then we need a ride back from port to airport - $110 so total cost is $350.00. So it would cost me $100 extra to keep the car but i dont have the hassel of returning it and unloading all our junk to get on a taxi van then do all over again when we get off. Now if there is a car return place near the port maybe that would make sense to return it and then just shuttle to the airport when we get back? I was simply trying to find the less hassel way of doing things since i have so many people :) and from exprience less hassel means less grumpy people!

Your thoughts are appreciated and i will look into the areas mentioned for hotel.