Carnival Splendor Mother's Day Cruise Review

[RenoNanaOz]

This may take me a while to get through, lots of pictures to share so please hang with me. DH and I did this same cruise last year with friends and had a blast(there's a review for that one too). This year it was just the two of us and we had an amazing time. We left Las Vegas around 7am on Saturday 5/12 and headed to Hotel Maya in Long Beach. They have an amazing deal for Carnival Cruisers. We had a King Room with Balcony and Bay view for $129.00. That included parking for 7 days and shuttle to and from port. We arrived around 11am and were able to check right in. So exciting to finally be there and know we were officially on vacation:)

Sorry I can't get this view of the Bay to turn :(

[hannahsmomtoo]

Can't wait to read more !

[RenoNanaOz]

We unpacked a few things, freshened up a bit and went over to Shoreline Village for some Lunch. We decided on Mexican Food (go figure) for Lunch and ended up at Tequila Jack's. We had a couple BIG Tecates with chips and salsa which were fresh and really yummy. We also shared some beef fajitas but I didn't get a picture. We then drove over to Vons to get some water and our two bottles of wine for the cruise. I played some scratch off lotto tickets hoping to hit it big and just keep cruising. Well not this time but there's always next time. DH really was having a good time, I think I just surprised him with this pic.

[RenoNanaOz]

After we got finished at the market we went back to the hotel. Changed into our swim suits and went to lay by the pool and just enjoy where we were and savor the moment. We had a foo foo drink at the pool, a Mai Tai I think. We stayed for a few hours and then went to take a nap. DH was tired from the drive oh and the drinks too ;) We are big nappers when we are on vacation. Here is the view of the Queen Mary before and after the arrival of the Splendor

And there it is....just waiting for us to board. I told DH I felt bad for all those getting off that morning. I know exactly how they feel :(

[jmwg49]

Great start! We are doing this cruise and staying at the Hotel Maya in September! I hope you don't mind me asking questions as you go. Is there much to do right around the Hotel Maya, shopping, eating etc. ? Is there a Starbucks nearby?? I am hoping to get a Starbucks Long Beach mug if there is one!

[RenoNanaOz]

We woke up around 7:30 Sunday morning and went out to make sure the Splendor had arrived. The pic above is what we saw and I got so excited :) We got ready and went looking for a bakery or somewhere we could grab some coffee and donuts. We were too excited to eat but knew we needed something to tide us over until our "Lido" lunch. We found a Winchells on our GPS a few miles from the hotel. We sat and enjoyed our lite breakfast and talked about how lucky and blessed we felt at that very moment. When we got back to the hotel we decided to walk over to the port. We did that last year and was able to get zone 1. So we grab our needed documents and walked over. It's only a 5 minute walk to get there and the weather was a little overcast but it was warm. When we arrived at about 9:15 there were a few people in line. They were still getting set up so we got in line and waited. We had our shuttle time at the hotel at 10:15 so we knew we had time. A few minutes later they were calling us over. Got our S&S card and off we skipped(not really but we felt like we were)back to the hotel. We packed our stuff and went down to meet the shuttle. It was only us and one other couple on at that time. We arrived at the port, gave the porter our bags and $10 and felt a sigh of relief that we were actually there and ready to board. At about 11:30 they called VIP's, we didn't see any wedding parties. Next up zone 1 and we were off to security check in. I had one bottle of wine in my carry on and DH had one bottle and one bottle of champagne. No worries we went right through but, we had a case of smart water and they pulled us aside for that. The lady ripped the plastic in the middle of the case. Pulled out a bottle and shook it, DH asked what she was looking for and she said if it has liquor in it then it fizzes. She just looked at us and said "I don't want to shake all of these go ahead". I suppose she figured is we didn't know what she was looking for then we wouldn't know how to smuggle it that way. We had our pic taken, up the escalators and then "ding" goes the S&S card and we were headed for the gangway. We walked straight across no lines and we were on!! We caught an elevator right away and up to the Lido we went. We grabbed a couple seats in the sun and put our bags and water down. I went over to get a couple Mojitos at the bar and DH went to get us something to snack on. He got some chicken and potato salad from the Rotisserie. The chicken was juicy but a little over dose on the herbs. Who cares right? We are sitting in the sun enjoying our drinks and it's only about 12:30.. After sitting for about half hour I went to see if we could put our stuff in our cabin. We had Panorama Deck 1064. It was ready so we dropped our stuff and off we went. I must say that was a perfect location, right near the Lido and the Atrium Elevators. We went back to the Lido to get a bucket of beer and go up a deck and watch everyone coming across the gangway. Here's DH using his S&S for the first time:) We were so glad we got on early as now it was completely packed on the gangway with people waiting to board.

[RenoNanaOz]

Great start! We are doing this cruise and staying at the Hotel Maya in September! I hope you don't mind me asking questions as you go. Is there much to do right around the Hotel Maya, shopping, eating etc. ? Is there a Starbucks nearby?? I am hoping to get a Starbucks Long Beach mug if there is one!

Thank you and please feel free to ask as many questions as you like. Right across the bridge is Shoreline Village, lots of little shops and restaurants. Across the street from there is a big ferris wheel, a mall, movie theaters and more places to eat. If you don't have a car it would only be a short cab ride. There's also a free shuttle that runs every 30 minutes. It's a great Hotel and the location is perfect. There is a Starbucks downtown but honestly I can't remember exactly where. The Front Desk Staff is really nice so they could probably give you directions. Oh a little bonus when you check in, a delicious nutty chocolate chip cookie.

[hannahsmomtoo]

Just marking my spot :-)

[RenoNanaOz]

Thanks to all for reading so far, unfortunately it's back to work tomorrow so I have got to get back to reality:(. I hope to do some more tomorrow if my photos continue to upload to my laptop at this nice pace. It's so nice to relive this cruise through this review and photos. Hope everyone has a lovely evening:)

[LAdad]

So we grab our needed documents and walked over. It's only a 5 minute walk to get there and the weather was a little overcast but it was warm. When we arrived at about 9:15 there were a few people in line. They were still getting set up so we got in line and waited.

 

Is the early check in for the Splendor in front of the dome or at the Queen Mary? Thanks... great review so far!

[willyguy]

Hi great review keep it up.

[LAdad]

Is the early check in for the Splendor in front of the dome or at the Queen Mary? Thanks... great review so far!

 

Sorry, just got my answer on another thread. Splendor has early check-in at the dome. Inspiration has early check-in at the QM. Looking forward to rest of the review. Thanks again!

[CVITO]

Excited for more! My boyfriend and I were on the Splendor this past December and are booked for September! We absolutely loved the Maya and have that booked again as well.

[ccruisequeen]

waiting to hear about departure! I was watching from my condo & you guys returned to port for some reason!

[kaylahszoo]

Great review! We're sailing on the Splendor July 1st. Have the Maya booked for a water view room with the Carnival code, too. The time can't go fast enough...I am sooo ready to cruise!

[twhsteachr]

July 15th for us on the Splendor! Already loving the review, thanks!!

[smilegirl07]

Great review! We're sailing on the Splendor July 1st. Have the Maya booked for a water view room with the Carnival code, too. The time can't go fast enough...I am sooo ready to cruise!

 

I think you and I will be on the same cruise! I am very excited!

 

Vegasmommy, great review, please keep it coming!

[vivavegas]

Great start! Looking forward to reading more! :)

[RenoNanaOz]

waiting to hear about departure! I was watching from my condo & you guys returned to port for some reason!

We were already in our cabin unpacking and getting ready for dinner when we sailed. We had reservations in the Steakhouse for 6:30. We did hear several people talking about a sick crew member being taken off.

[Mulege]

I love reading reviews but why do so many people start and stop them. Please write a full review and then post it!

[RenoNanaOz]

So I am sitting at work at 2 in the morning waiting for a System Upgrade so I figured I'd write a little more;). After hanging out on the decks and having some beers and doing lots of people watching. We went to our cabin to unpack and start getting ready for dinner. We had reservations for the Steakhouse at 6:30. I didn't take my camera so please forgive me for no pictures of the food. I will do my best to explain what we had. We were seated as soon as we arrived and the staff were all so very friendly. We wanted a table by the window but they were all booked so we booked one right then and there for the last night. The sommelier came over to offer us our complimentary bottle of wine. What a doll she was :) We chose the Chardonnay I think it was Santa Catalina, it was good and you couldn't beat the price. I had the Crab Cakes and they were sitting on a spicy remoulade and were very good. I also had the Spinach Salad with mushrooms, blue cheese and a lite vinegrette also good. My main course I had the grilled Sea Bass, wow that was my favorite. DH had the Lobster Bisque and he wasn't a fan. He also had the iceberg lettuce wedge and he said all the veggies were very fresh. His main course he had the Lobster Tail and he enjoyed that. We both got the Hazelnut Cheese Cake to go and the portions were huge. All in all it was a very nice dining experience, the last night we went was another story to come later. When we got on the elevator there was a young couple and they made a comment about the size of the cheesecake so we gave them one as we knew we would never eat it. They were so happy and couldn't believe we gave it to them. We took the cake to the cabin and went to the casino where I played a little 21 and lost:( That's why I never gamble at home, I hate to lose. Then we walked over to the Piano Bar and had an absolute blast! I can't remember the guys name but he was funny and really good. We stayed there until it closed, I think around midnight. Then it was off to bed becasue we were exhausted.

[RenoNanaOz]

Not really sure why #20 poster felt the need to be rude but I will not let that deter me. All of you other nice people are enjoying it so I will continue and not bother to respond to any rude or unkind remarks.

[fishtaco]

We are in a king Balcony with a view at the Maya for 2 nights before our June 10 cruise:D Was it that short a walk to the dome? others have said its a bit far to walk?

 

We dont have a car in Long Beach and will have to use the shuttle for town but where is the best place to go to eat close to Maya? Are Maya food/drink prices high?

 

Great review by the way! We will need as many tips as possible because we are not just from out of town but from out of the Country:D

 

We will be flying into Long Beach from Vegas with jetblue 2 night before the cruise,cant wait:)

 

Den

[RenoNanaOz]

We are in a king Balcony with a view at the Maya for 2 nights before our June 10 cruise:D Was it that short a walk to the dome? others have said its a bit far to walk?

 

We dont have a car in Long Beach and will have to use the shuttle for town but where is the best place to go to eat close to Maya? Are Maya food/drink prices high?

 

Great review by the way! We will need as many tips as possible because we are not just from out of town but from out of the Country:D

 

We will be flying into Long Beach from Vegas with jetblue 2 night before the cruise,cant wait:)

 

Den

Thanks!!

 

It really only took us maybe 5 minutes to walk over. In fact when we got back we just rolled our luggage and walked back to the Hotel. We didn't eat there but did look at the menu and it looked really good. Prices were comparable to what you typically find in a hotel restaurant. The restaurant itself is very nice, it's open to the bay and in the evening it looked really pretty in there. There are so many dining choices within the shuttle area. We always go across the bridge to Shoreline Village. We have eaten at Tequila Jacks several times and it's always good. They also have a Yardhouse, don't know if you're familiar with it but they have the very best Poblano Chicken Tortilla Soup:) Hope this helps.

[RenoNanaOz]

May14th First Sea Day - We woke up around 8 and took our time getting up and around. We went to the Buffet, I had a bagel and got one egg over medium. DH had some french toast and fruit. We went looking around the different decks and finally settled on the Serenity. So peaceful and that day it was the warmest. I spent most of the early afternoon there, DH stayed for a bit but then went wondering. After a few hours DH came and got me and we went to the Deli for Lunch. We both had the Pastrami and they were really yummy. After that we went back to the cabin to shower and have our daily nap;). We really just hung out in the cabin and walked around a bit before getting ready for dinner. We were in the Gold Pearl for late seating right in the front and center at a table for 10. Our waiter was Maynard and he was so friendly and funny. Our table mates... two couples were very friendly, one was much younger than the rest of us and only showed up that night. The other couple, not too sure what their issue was but they got visibly upset if they weren't controlling the conversation:rolleyes:. DH had both the Prime Rib and Lobster, I just had Lobster, it was pretty good. Sorry I can't remember first course and neither of us had dessert. We went to go watch the Show and it was typical, not bad not great. Then we called it a night, we wanted to be up early to watch us pull into Cabo. I have lots of pictures of the rest of the trip, just not too big on taking pictures in the dining rooms.