Is booking Splendor a mistake?

I'm looking at a Mexican Riviera cruise in Feb 2019 and it looks like the only real option is the Splendor. I have heard the Splendor is leaving Carnival in 2019 sometime. I'm worried that any major issues will just have a bandaid fix by that point because they wouldn't want to invest money in expensive fixes just to drop the ship months later.

Would you sail on her that close to when she retires?

I was just on her 2 weeks ago. yes she's older, but we had a great time. She hasn't had some of the upgrades others have like Guys or other 2.0 things. From what I hear she'll be going to China and the 2.0 upgrades wouldn't be a draw for the folks sailing from China I'm guessing. I wouldn't stay away, take advantage of sailing on her before she leaves the fleet. A good cruise is a combination of the ship, the ports and the people. I would say go for it.

Connie

PAST CRUISES:

Discovery Sun 2003 Freeport Bahamas Day Cruise

Celebrity Solstice 6/26/09 Eastern Mediterranean http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2251655

Carnival Conquest 08/10/10 Eastern Caribbean

Carnival Victory 06/10/12 Southern Caribbean http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1659913

Carnival Miracle 07/30/13 Alaska http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...8#post39476968

Diamond Princess 12/23/13 New Zealand/Australia http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2112413

Carnival Pride 11/23/14 Exotic Western Caribbean http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2135404

Carnival Splendor 6/10/18 (Review in progress) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517375

We cruised on the Splendor in Jan. 2016 and have booked the Mexican Riviera for Jan. 2019. We loved the ship. The rates are great for spa balcony rooms in 2019 and the Splendor has one of the best spas. I have not heard anything about Carnival retiring the ship. I am not concerned at all. It is one of our favorite ships!

They are swapping it for a new ship with sister line p&o cruises. So they aren't going to let it get in bad shape

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I'm looking at a Mexican Riviera cruise in Feb 2019 and it looks like the only real option is the Splendor. I have heard the Splendor is leaving Carnival in 2019 sometime. I'm worried that any major issues will just have a bandaid fix by that point because they wouldn't want to invest money in expensive fixes just to drop the ship months later.

 

Would you sail on her that close to when she retires?

No problem at all.

No cruise is a bad cruise. It's what you make of it.

Sailing her for the third time in November and am excited. I think Carnival will keep her in shape because of the swap that is going to take place in 2019.

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I cant speak to the ship but I met some of the crew while we in Roatan, we were on the Magic. Let me say, they were a good time! You should be fine.

We just got off the Splendor this past Sunday and it was an amazing vacation!! I'll be posting a full review soon. I would sail on her again in a heartbeat - she was the perfect size and awesome ship!

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I have sailed on Splendor 3 times and had 3 great cruises. Go for it and enjoy the cruise.:)

I'm looking at a Mexican Riviera cruise in Feb 2019 and it looks like the only real option is the Splendor. I have heard the Splendor is leaving Carnival in 2019 sometime. I'm worried that any major issues will just have a bandaid fix by that point because they wouldn't want to invest money in expensive fixes just to drop the ship months later.

 

Would you sail on her that close to when she retires?

I did not know the splendor is leaving carnival. We have a cruise booked on splendor in January 2019. Hope they don't let her get too run down..

I do know that Splendor will be leaving.

The whole family is booked for Sept. 2018 on a 15 dayer to Hawaii.

We took a Splendor cruise to the MR a few years ago when she was home ported here in CA.

Patti

I do know that Splendor will be leaving.

 

The whole family is booked for Sept. 2018 on a 15 dayer to Hawaii.

 

We took a Splendor cruise to the MR a few years ago when she was home ported here in CA.

 

Patti

We are booked on the January 2019 14 day Hawaii............TOOOO many days to wait..lol

Great, thanks for all your thoughts! I would just hate to miss a port because of an engine issue that comes up at the end of 2018 and them not wanting in invest in fixing it that close to when she leaves Carnival. I have heard great things about the Splendor, so I am very excited, just a lot can happen in 18 months before we sail on her.

We just got off the Splendor this past Sunday and it was an amazing vacation!! I'll be posting a full review soon. I would sail on her again in a heartbeat - she was the perfect size and awesome ship!

 

 

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We will be sailing on her for the first time in March 2018. There will be 13 of us ages range from 16 months to 68 years old! Looking forward to your review.

I do know that Splendor will be leaving.

 

The whole family is booked for Sept. 2018 on a 15 dayer to Hawaii.

 

We took a Splendor cruise to the MR a few years ago when she was home ported here in CA.

 

Patti

We are booked on the March 2018 cruise to MR. Our 1st time to MR & 1st time for a 7 day Carnival cruise. Have been on the Imagination & Inspiration a few times. Do you know how Splendor compares to those 2 ships?

I did not know the splendor is leaving carnival. We have a cruise booked on splendor in January 2019. Hope they don't let her get too run down..

This would never happen. Such transfers are always contingent on the ship being in excellent shape at transfer time.

We are booked on the March 2018 cruise to MR. Our 1st time to MR & 1st time for a 7 day Carnival cruise. Have been on the Imagination & Inspiration a few times. Do you know how Splendor compares to those 2 ships?

If you prefer a stunningly beautiful ship with balcony cabins and a thermal suite, you want to sail Splendor. The I-Sisters do have some 2.0 Upgrades that you may prefer, however. I suppose it depends on what you like.

Splendor is my favorite ship

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We are booked on the January 2019 14 day Hawaii............TOOOO many days to wait..lol

I know ! It's our 4th Hawaii cruise--first with CCL--but it's still exciting. :D

It's the first one with our granddaughter, who will be 5 then.

We are booked on the March 2018 cruise to MR. Our 1st time to MR & 1st time for a 7 day Carnival cruise. Have been on the Imagination & Inspiration a few times. Do you know how Splendor compares to those 2 ships?

I have sailed on all of them, and Splendor is in a class by herself.

I love the pink colors--DH not so much--..I love the black granite staircase.

I think you are in for a treat. :D

The only thing I didn't care for was having to walk past a smoky casino. That is easily solved by using another deck.

Google Carnival Splendor images and you can see a lot of pix.

We live in SD so have been to the MR many times. We love it, with Cabo being my favorite port.

I'm excited for you..:hearteyes:

Patti

I know ! It's our 4th Hawaii cruise--first with CCL--but it's still exciting. :D

It's the first one with our granddaughter, who will be 5 then.

 

 

 

I have sailed on all of them, and Splendor is in a class by herself.

I love the pink colors--DH not so much--..I love the black granite staircase.

I think you are in for a treat. :D

The only thing I didn't care for was having to walk past a smoky casino. That is easily solved by using another deck.

Google Carnival Splendor images and you can see a lot of pix.

We live in SD so have been to the MR many times. We love it, with Cabo being my favorite port.

I'm excited for you..:hearteyes:

 

Patti

Thank you Patti! We are all very excited especially since it's the grandkids first cruise! They are ages 17, 16, 12, 7 and 16 months. The parents are all going and, us and another set of grandparents.

We are booked on the January 2019 14 day Hawaii............TOOOO many days to wait..lol

We are too!

Went by Splendor the other day and couldn't help but notice how old and tired that ship looks. If that is the only option for the itinerary you want, I still would highly consider it. I'm sure it's perfectly decent enough. For "ship as the vacation" people - they may look for something else.

We sailed Glory last year because it had the timing/itinerary we wanted and the price was right. Enjoyed just about every minute of it. The ship didn't compare at all to the newer ones but it was acceptable enough.

I sailed the Splendor in '15, and thought she was a great ship.

Splendor isn't that old. Built in 2008, I think. Actually newer than all the Conquest, Spirit, Destiny, and Fantasy class ships in the fleet. The only things built newer are the Dream and Vista class ships.

The ship has the best spa in the fleet. Overall, a great layout. She was the last ship built before all the Funship 2.0 stuff started coming out, and most of that has not been added; so if you really want Waterworks, Guy's Burgers, BlueIguana, and RedFrog, probably not the ship for you.

To me, Splendor is the perfect "old fashioned" cruise ship. It doesn't have all the whistles and bells you'd find on the Vista or one of the re-fitted Conquest class ships; but it has everything that has always made cruising so great: Good food, pools, spa, entertainment, great staff, and sea views forever.

I've sailed with Carnival 7 times, and Splendor is one of my favorites.

We sailed on the Splendor last year and had an amazing time. Fantastic crew!