All Things Splendor

[haup9]

I heard that things have changed since the fire...less parties, fewer activities...has anyone been on lately who can give us an idea of what's all happening?

 

We sailed on the Splendor on March 6th. We have never sailed before so can't compare to before the fire but there were a ton of activities and parties going on the entire cruise.

 

Tom

[tulman]

We sailed on the Splendor on March 6th. We have never sailed before so can't compare to before the fire but there were a ton of activities and parties going on the entire cruise.

 

Tom

 

Carnival is well known for their activities and parties. Cannot imagine they would be cutting back on much of anything, especially on the ship that had an incident.

Did read on John Heald's blog that while Splendor was in dry dock for her repairs that most everything, as in carpets were replaced. Those things not replaced or repaired were completely cleaned.

My question: how were the beds and does anyone know if they were replaced along with the carpet, etc? Whether they were or were not, those beds are the BEST:D

 

Thanks in advance.

[luvthebalcony]

Beds are same, awesome, love them.

Activities, as much as you want to do, Lido parties, master mixologist, hairy chest, past guest ( free drinks ! ) farewell party ( free drinks ! )

trivia, night shows, legends ( CD as Dolly Parton, asst CD as Cher, very good ! ) slot tournaments, poker tournaments, Chef's Table, A+ worth every penny 7 course meal prepared by the Chef de Cuiseine SP ? ) cooking demos in the steakhouse. So much to do you have to pick what you want. Some differences in the food but overall very good. Did YTD and our waiter the first night not so good, got a new one the second night. Ask for Marcel in Upper Black Pearl !!!

[tulman]

Can anyone give any insight on embarkation? We do not have Platinum status, but still like to get on board asap. We're staying at the Queen Mary Hotel the night before. Suggestions for a time to "walk" over? Thanks in advance.

[stargate fan]

Can anyone give any insight on embarkation? We do not have Platinum status, but still like to get on board asap. We're staying at the Queen Mary Hotel the night before. Suggestions for a time to "walk" over? Thanks in advance.

 

Though we did not stay at the QM, we did get an early shuttle from our hotel to the port. We arrived at 9:15. Carnival agents began processing passengers soon after. We were given Zone 1 cards then waited in a short line outside the "dome" for check in. We received our Sail and Sign cards and waited to embark. Other than a very long wait to get on the ship, the check in process was the best we have encountered.

[stargate fan]

Going in August, bookmarking so I can read everything. I have wanted to cruise this ship for a long time..So excited!!:p

 

Just got home yesterday. Anything you'd like to know?

[nancalderon]

Can you tell me anything about being able to to get good sitting area near any of pools and also want to know about the adult only area were they really no kids arounds?

[stargate fan]

Can you tell me anything about being able to to get good sitting area near any of pools and also want to know about the adult only area were they really no kids arounds?

 

We sat on the port (right) side, at the railing, close to the area where there were chairs and tables, and near the bar. There were a few "unoccupied" chairs there.

 

Though the sign did say adults only, at one point, a man and a little girl sat in a chair and I politely told them that this was an adult-only area. He harrumphed and left. There were quite a few teens sitting amongst the obnoxious group about which I wrote in a review. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1396262

[tulman]

Though we did not stay at the QM, we did get an early shuttle from our hotel to the port. We arrived at 9:15. Carnival agents began processing passengers soon after. We were given Zone 1 cards then waited in a short line outside the "dome" for check in. We received our Sail and Sign cards and waited to embark. Other than a very long wait to get on the ship, the check in process was the best we have encountered.

 

Stargate, thanks for you're information. Was "Splendor" docked when your arrived at the pier? According to CCL's schedule, she's not due in until 9am. Do you have memory of an approximate boarding time. Do know want to wait outside too long. Were there chairs for the wait? Thanks again.

[AberAlex]

I've read a lot of negative things about the length of time embarkation is taking these days in Long Beach, particularly with the Splendor. Are things really as bad as I've been reading? ie: not starting the boarding process until 1:00, snaking lines down past the Queen Mary, different lines for boarding the ship, etc....

[tulman]

I've read a lot of negative things about the length of time embarkation is taking these days in Long Beach, particularly with the Splendor. Are things really as bad as I've been reading? ie: not starting the boarding process until 1:00, snaking lines down past the Queen Mary, different lines for boarding the ship, etc....

 

Hi Alex, do you know where you have read those posts? I would like to have a look. We like to get on board as soon as possible after Platinum. Just prefer to have a look at the ship before the masses arrive. Thanks

[Nanaimobound]

We discussed our embarkation plan this evening, and decided that even with the 4 children in our group of 12, we will arrive as early as possible like 9:00 am. That way we will be assured a place to sit down even if it is a long wait.

we think that will be better than arriving amongst the large crowd, and having to stand in line. Hopefully the process won't be too bad!

Getting close and we are really excited! Our daughter is getting married on this ship next year as well. Can't wait to try her out!:D

[ChrissyBTX]

So, what exactly is the problem with the long embarkation process in Long Beach? Does the problem lie with Carnival or the port? Does anyone know?

[mlroadifer]

We just got off the Splendor as well. We did have VIP boarding, we arrived around 12:30 went to the VIP building, checked in and were escorted onto the boat. We were on by 1 and our room was ready by 1:30.

 

Some things to know about activities. We are both night owls, and there is only a few things to do on the ship after the 10:30 show. You can gamble, we both work in casinos so not our idea of a good time, go to the dance club, mostly empty, or go to the piano bar, fun but still not what we are after.

 

During the day there are a ton of activities, and if you are after the elusive ship on a stick, do the sports trivia. We went the first day, did not win, on the second day my husband did win and there are repeat questions. The guy doing it said by the end most of the questions are repeats.

 

Also on the first sea day they had a cooking demonstration at the steak house. Go to it! It was around noon and they showed you how to prepair about 5 dishes, gave you the recipies and then fed you. Best lunch I had the entire week.

 

Another tip about the steak house. If you go on the first night, so on Sunday, you also recieve a complimentary bottle of wine. The place is also pretty empty so you get great service!

[RedRover96]

So, what exactly is the problem with the long embarkation process in Long Beach? Does the problem lie with Carnival or the port? Does anyone know?

 

Good question, I always read that if it's not weather or medical delays then CCL blames the port authorities. However it makes me wonder..... I was just reading how great boarding is in PR, rarely read that about LB....

RedRover96

[coasterjan]

Might anyone be able to give me a good estimate for approximately what time we might be able to disembark? We are wanting to get to Six Flags Magic Mountain the day we get back to port, but if we can't get off the ship until late morning, it won't give us much time at the amusement park. I've only ever sailed the Caribbean before, and we've almost always been off the ship by 7:30 AM, but it sounds like it is going to be MUCH later in Long Beach....

Thank you!

Coasterjan

[jbobst]

Not to ask the same question over and over again, but we have cruises a bunch of times out of San Diego and San Pedro, and once out of Galveston. At those ports, they have a regular cruise terminal...i.e. a big building where you go through security, check in at an agent booth, then sit around on benches or seats until the boarding zone is called. Having never sailed out of the Carnival facility in Long Beach, it seems like alot of people check in at the Queen Mary, then end up waiting in an outside area??? Do they not have a regular cruise terminal where you can check in and then not have to wait in the sun or rain?

Edited April 13, 2011 by jbobst

[AberAlex]

Hi Alex, do you know where you have read those posts? I would like to have a look. We like to get on board as soon as possible after Platinum. Just prefer to have a look at the ship before the masses arrive. Thanks

 

 

Hey Tulman. There have been several posts about it on the board so if you search "Splendor" on the Carnival board you should find at least a couple mentions of long embarkations. There are some review posts on the Splendor's review page which might be easier to get to than the board posts. Nothing I've read is going to keep me from having a good time! I can't wait to be on the Splendor next month!!!! However, I am like you, I like to get on the ship as soon as possible! :)

[ChrissyBTX]

Not to ask the same question over and over again, but we have cruises a bunch of times out of San Diego and San Pedro, and once out of Galveston. At those ports, they have a regular cruise terminal...i.e. a big building where you go through security, check in at an agent booth, then sit around on benches or seats until the boarding zone is called. Having never sailed out of the Carnival facility in Long Beach, it seems like alot of people check in at the Queen Mary, then end up waiting in an outside area??? Do they not have a regular cruise terminal where you can check in and then not have to wait in the sun or rain?

 

I was just going to ask this same question. Hopefully someone can answer it. I've read that people had to stand in the rain outside. Was it just slow getting into the main building? I don't understand why there were long lines outside either. I've always been able to go right into a cruise terminal as soon as I got there.

[andrea63]

Might anyone be able to give me a good estimate for approximately what time we might be able to disembark? We are wanting to get to Six Flags Magic Mountain the day we get back to port, but if we can't get off the ship until late morning, it won't give us much time at the amusement park. I've only ever sailed the Caribbean before, and we've almost always been off the ship by 7:30 AM, but it sounds like it is going to be MUCH later in Long Beach....

Thank you!

Coasterjan

 

We just got off on Sunday. Disembarkation did not start until 8:30. We did the self disembarkation and we did not get off until 9:40. Customs seem to be much slower in Long beach than San Pedro. When we sail back to San Pedro, we are usually home by 9:00.

[stargate fan]

Stargate, thanks for you're information. Was "Splendor" docked when your arrived at the pier? According to CCL's schedule, she's not due in until 9am. Do you have memory of an approximate boarding time. Do know want to wait outside too long. Were there chairs for the wait? Thanks again.

 

The ship was indeed at the port when we arrived. In fact, we had breakfast the hotel at 8:00'ish and she was already there.

 

There are no chairs, but there are large cement circular planters/benches for sitting. Not too many, though.

 

We did not get on until 1:00'ish. We were told it was a customs issue. Who really knows?

[stargate fan]

Not to ask the same question over and over again, but we have cruises a bunch of times out of San Diego and San Pedro, and once out of Galveston. At those ports, they have a regular cruise terminal...i.e. a big building where you go through security, check in at an agent booth, then sit around on benches or seats until the boarding zone is called. Having never sailed out of the Carnival facility in Long Beach, it seems like alot of people check in at the Queen Mary, then end up waiting in an outside area??? Do they not have a regular cruise terminal where you can check in and then not have to wait in the sun or rain?

 

We arrived at the port at 9:15. Right away we were given Zone 1 cards. Not very long after that, check-in began. It all took place outside. But the area is covered. There is also a port building which is a huge dome. We went in there to take the first picture of the cruise and to "boing" our cards in and embark. There were no chairs but there were large planters/benches outside for people to sit.

[coasterjan]

We just got off on Sunday. Disembarkation did not start until 8:30. We did the self disembarkation and we did not get off until 9:40. Customs seem to be much slower in Long beach than San Pedro. When we sail back to San Pedro, we are usually home by 9:00.

 

Thank you so very much for the quick reply. I had been afraid that the ship wouldn't even dock until 9:00 AM. If we can hope to be off the ship by 10ish, that'll be fine.

 

Thank you!

[tulman]

The ship was indeed at the port when we arrived. In fact, we had breakfast the hotel at 8:00'ish and she was already there.

 

There are no chairs, but there are large cement circular planters/benches for sitting. Not too many, though.

 

We did not get on until 1:00'ish. We were told it was a customs issue. Who really knows?

 

Stargate..again thanks for your information and also to all the OPs! We're just trying to get some idea as to what to expect as far as EMBK. Did read that Debark was delayed for customs. This can be quite frequent, especially when passengers are not US citizens and have to be cleared by customs or a plethora of other customs issues.

 

As far as having to wait in line.....No problems Mon! I'm on vacation:D

[YellowBird06]

Might anyone be able to give me a good estimate for approximately what time we might be able to disembark? We are wanting to get to Six Flags Magic Mountain the day we get back to port, but if we can't get off the ship until late morning, it won't give us much time at the amusement park. I've only ever sailed the Caribbean before, and we've almost always been off the ship by 7:30 AM, but it sounds like it is going to be MUCH later in Long Beach....

Thank you!

Coasterjan

 

I live in Long Beach & wanted to chime in. If you can get off the ship really early like by 8:30 the latest, then Magic Mountain is doable. Anytime later and it may not be worth your while. Valencia (where MM is located) is about 1 hour away in NO TRAFFIC, but you have to drive through LA to get there and LA traffic can be a mightmare even on a Sunday. It usually takes us a minimum of 1.5 hours to get there, usually 2 hours.