Just back from Splendour sailing May 21..amazing...

[wolfatlga]

Greetins...

We just got back and had such a great time and got so much help from reading the boards, I thought I would pass on a couple of tidbits that we found useful.

When arriving in Barcelona there is a form to fill out, for where you are staying just put Splendour of the Seas and there is a place to circle ship already on the form.

The ATM is on the right as you head for the door to get a taxi, not the "change" machine, after you put in your card English icon appeared.

Have an address of where you want to go...either the hotel or the ship, we had a map from the web I printed plus my confirmation for the hotel...we payed about 25 to 30 Euros for Las Ramblas...

Oh..and there spots marked for Taxis..just go there and one will come to you, we tried to walk down to one and they told us to go back and wait..

 

We did all our excursions thru RCCL...full days that included meals...excellent..the tour guides wear a transmitter and we got a small receiver that went around our necks and an earpiece to hear with, so it was very easy to keep up and hear all the history and details as we went along.

The buses were comfortable and if you do the Almafi Coast drive be sure and sit on the right side of the bus for the best views.

 

For those concerned about bathrooms, no problem..the tours take you to great clean bathrooms...some places there was a charge, but the restaurants and souvenirs shops always had good clean toilets for free.

 

The food was locally prepared and very good..a set meal...you just walked in and sit with your new friends...water..wine and great food!

Not to worry thou...we lost 3 lbs with all the walking...very strenous and hot...and that was in May...wow...Rome was almost 90...

 

Oh..and getting on the ship...about 10-15 minutes very well organized.

 

The shows of the RCCL singers and dancers was average, but be sure to see the "special" entertainment ...really unique and entertaining...

 

We had a wonderful time and beautiful weather...lots of great new friends...

We decided that while we just hanging out on the bus to just start talking and everyone just became a large family on vacation...

 

Hope you have as much fun as we did...now we are just doing laundry and resting from our vacation...

[Rosekenn]

We will be sailing on Splendor on 10/15/05-- it sounds like you were happy with the RCCL. excursions. Can you let me know which ones you went on? We are trying to figure out what to do now. We are sure we are doing the Amalfi Drive and Rome but need help with Livorno and Naples and Marseille.

Also, how do the pasengers in Europe dress for dinners, and is there Smart Casual still on this ship? Thanks

[dr2ooth]

just curious what time were your dinner seatings on the ship and were there four?

[wolfatlga]

Greetings..

 

The excursions were:

Rome, the eternal city...they had to hold the ship for us..two buses we caught in traffic..

Historical Florence and Museum...

Marseille City Tour, the only short tour..the rest full days..

Amalfi Drive and Pompeii

Nice, Eze and Monaco

 

Four dinner times...6:30 and 7pm...our time was at 7...mostly Americans and English..

 

9 and 9:30...mostly Spainish and the late dinners..

 

Two evening shows for the different dining times, so there was never a crowd in the theater...

 

We only wore a coat and tie for the formal night...otherwise just a dress shirt and slacks for smart casual...the ladies were not overly dressed, simple fashions...

 

Oh, I almost forgot...we saw several things in the gift shop that we liked when we arrived and latter on they went "on Sale"...we bought 2 t-shirts for 10 each and a model of the ship that was 19.99 on sale for 2 for 20, latter in the cruise.

 

We had a wonderful time on the excursions, the bus trips went by rather quickly since everyone started talking and catching up on the bus trips...

We gathered a group from our dinner table and just meet at the appointed time and spent the day together.

 

We also heard some disturbing tales of those that went on their own in Naples..apparently the gypsy folks know about money belts and this guy told us one of them "man handled" him trying to get his off...unsuccessfully

 

Our group was always looking out for each other and well as the guides and escorts that went with us from the ship, so we never had any problems...

 

Hope this helps..Enjoy!

[Elizanessie]

I read somewhere recently that the Splendour has a toga night on the Rome night....please can you tell me if this is so??....I am cracking up here trying to find where I saw this info....my family are going on the Splendour next month...and I think the first time cruisers would love the toga idea:D :D

Thanks

Liz

[fmax]

Hi there

 

 

I read something on the Toga party as well. The May 24th cruise is just back and people are beginning to post so you might get an answer there. I think they do it the Rome night and you're cabin attendant provides the sheets.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=116119&page=13&pp=25

 

 

Frances