MORE things Splendor ... NY style!

[Cyber Kat]

I'm really enjoying reading all of these tips about the Splendor! This will be my third cruise but my first one of this length so I'm super excited. We'll be sailing out on July 20th. I'm wondering if any of you who've sailed the Splendor out of the NY port can comment on the embarkation process. DH and I will be taking the train in from Jersey and will take a cab to the port. What's the best time to arrive? We want to get our vacation started as soon as we can!

 

This will be my first time on the Splendor, but I have cruised out of NYC multiple times. The boarding process is fairly smooth, but it does depend on how many ships are leaving that day - it does get chaotic if there is more than one or two.

 

Looks like you've only got the NCL Gem and the Splendor - http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/United_States_Of_America/462-New_York_New_York/July_2013/

 

We usually get to the port around 10:30 and we're on the ship in about an hour - hour and 1/2. They are pretty efficient and there is a large seating area once you get through security & check in. They don't have FTTF in NY yet, so the rooms won't be ready - but the Lido will be! :)

 

They got new ramps/gangways to accomodate the Breakaway. They look very cool. I'm hoping we get to use them on our June cruise because the Breakaway won't be in port that day (thankfully - wouldn't want to deal with that huge mob of people getting on at the same time as me!)

[Cyber Kat]

:(:mad::(:mad: They had GOT CARNIVAL and I believe GOT CRUISE t shirts. They were black with the wording in white. Totally blah...

 

I LOVE my GOT CRUISE? t-shirt! In fact, I dug it out to wear to work on my last Friday before my cruise. (I'm wearing my Margaritaville shirt today!)

[shof515]

They got new ramps/gangways to accomodate the Breakaway. They look very cool. I'm hoping we get to use them on our June cruise because the Breakaway won't be in port that day (thankfully - wouldn't want to deal with that huge mob of people getting on at the same time as me!)

 

Most likely not. It seems they only added the new ramps and boarding bridges to pier 88 which is the main pier for NCL. All other ships like Carnival use pier 90 which is next to 88

[BigMike44]

I just want to say this is the best Splendor board ever, i won't be sailing on her until March 2014, hoping it will have the FTTP program by then, Also would love to see the ship upgraded to the 2.0!! if not i'm sure it will be GREAT anyway. can't wait, keep the info coming!!!

 

Oh and getwell soon Big_Duck!!

[Crusin Karen]

I LOVE my GOT CRUISE? t-shirt! In fact, I dug it out to wear to work on my last Friday before my cruise. (I'm wearing my Margaritaville shirt today!)

Kath, didn't mean it that way. They are totally cool, but that is all they offer and I want a Splendor picture t shirt and I don't usually wear black in the summer because it makes me too flippin' hot...I'm going to look up your cruise. I swear, if there is a balcony cabin left I might just jump on the ship with you! ;)

[big_duck]

Thanks! Will definitely check it out! At least you got one day to do fun things :(

 

There are still some cabins left on the June 10 sailing - come join us! ;)

 

I seriously doubt I would be medically cleared to travel by then but thanks.

[bridgetjonesni]

Splendor just leaving New York again now - going to watch her on the NY Harbor webcam and then I really will stop daydreaming about my cruise!

[chardee04]

Nice! My hubby says I'm obsessed with this cruise and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one constantly daydreaming about it lol. I'll check out the webcam now!

[absolutely brilliant]

Oh - great! That's good to know - choices are good. And thanks for the heads up on the gangway!

 

I just got off Splendor today & I know a lot of people were complaining about not having live music at the pool but there are lots of choices for live music all over the ship. There's the piano bar, although Haley is certainly an "acquired" taste sort of funky & jazzy, & there's Juan solo on the guitar, also true identity with rock/pop, there's also live latin music, & cool Jazz.. & the amazing impromptu performing every kind of music from old 40"s to Mary J Blige & everything in between..with amazing vocals, They switch venues so it's not always the same band at the same place. They also had Karaoke in the comedy club a couple of nights & at the pool a couple of nights & something called superstar live karaoke where you sing with the house band instead of karaoke tracks. You won't be disappointed.

Edited May 25, 2013 by absolutely brilliant

[absolutely brilliant]

I seriously doubt I would be medically cleared to travel by then but thanks.

 

Glad you're feeling better. We were at dinner when they announced that they were going to be escorting you off the ship, asking passengers not to take pictures as the flash could be dangerous for the pilot.

 

I also heard that a passenger was helicoptered off the ship on the first night out.

 

Just curious, does any insurance cover the cost. We never get the travel medical insurance but have thought of it, especially in this instance.

Edited May 25, 2013 by absolutely brilliant

[foilman2002]

New tip:

 

The first sea day there is a cooking demonstration (with samples) at the Steakhouse. This is a free event and will probably be the best lunch you will eat on board. Check your Funtimes and come early because it fills up fast.

 

Our menu was:

 

Mushroom Cappuccino Soup

Baby Leaf Spinach and Mushroom Salad

Broiled Rosemary Infused Chicken

Tiramisu

 

First, Don, glad to hear you're doing well, sorry you missed your cruise.

 

Second, we did this on our Miracle cruise in 2011, and it is great. The samples were decent sized, and the food was excellent. Bring video cameras for the demonstration to go with the recipes they give you (or did on ours, guessing they still do). It was not an inducement for us to go to the steakhouse as we had no intention of missing it anyway, it was just some added fun. And for the record, at least three of the four items were the same on the Miracle, just not sure about the chicken.

[Cyber Kat]

Nice! My hubby says I'm obsessed with this cruise and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one constantly daydreaming about it lol. I'll check out the webcam now!

 

 

You're not alone! I've been watching the web cam constantly - each cruise in and out is one closer to mine.

 

I check all the Splendor threads on here several times a day, so I don't miss anything!

 

We usually book our cruises only one or tow months out, but we booked this one last Sept to get the aft wrap. It seems like forever!

[Cyber Kat]

I just got off Splendor today & I know a lot of people were complaining about not having live music at the pool but there are lots of choices for live music all over the ship. There's the piano bar, although Haley is certainly an "acquired" taste sort of funky & jazzy, & there's Juan solo on the guitar, also true identity with rock/pop, there's also live latin music, & cool Jazz.. & the amazing impromptu performing every kind of music from old 40"s to Mary J Blige & everything in between..with amazing vocals, They switch venues so it's not always the same band at the same place. They also had Karaoke in the comedy club a couple of nights & at the pool a couple of nights & something called superstar live karaoke where you sing with the house band instead of karaoke tracks. You won't be disappointed.

 

Thanks! That sounds great! Do they post in the Fun Times which music will be in each venue?

[Crusin Karen]

Thanks! That sounds great! Do they post in the Fun Times which music will be in each venue?

Yes, under GET YOUR GROOVE ON.

[Cyber Kat]

Yes, under GET YOUR GROOVE ON.

 

Great thanks! I definitely want to get MY groove on!

[HappyChappy]

Great thanks! I definitely want to get MY groove on!

 

I am working the bank holiday tomorrow so its 10 work shifts and then holibags.

[bjinouno]

Nice! My hubby says I'm obsessed with this cruise and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one constantly daydreaming about it lol. I'll check out the webcam now!

I watch every 8 days, I look at the web cam several times a day, read all reviews all posts.... but have to wait until Aug 13th, than start to dream of the next one, yet to plan.

[Cyber Kat]

I am working the bank holiday tomorrow so its 10 work shifts and then holibags.

 

Holibags? Is that what you put your kilt in when you go on holiday :D ?

[absolutely brilliant]

Brunch is served in the Black Pearl Dining on Sea Days. Really enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros & the best Bloody Mary selections at the Bloody Mary Bar outside the dining room. Had mine made with Captain Morgans spiced rum & green tabasco sauce & Worcester sauce...yummy! They still serve breakfast in the mdr on port days, although we ate at the lido buffet every day.

 

The lunch buffet is until 2:30 on sea days & 3:30 on port days. Mongolian wok takes forever but is much less crowded on port days even after 2:30. The day I went the meat selections were beef, chicken & salmon. The carvery changes selection daily, beef, ham, veal, pork, veal, turkey & was never crowded. Didn't ever try the lunch buffet items but my husband had the veal parm on Italian day & gave it thumbs up. The tandoor was good too, loved the salad & chutneys. The deli had great fresh made to order sandwiches..corned beef, pastrami, reubens, turkey, tuna, lox & bagels, & open til 11pm every day. The chicken at the rotisserie was also good. The grill with burgers & hot dogs was open til 6pm every day & again from 11pm-1:30am. Not sure what they served every night but the one night we looked they also had chicken breasts on the grill. Pizza 24 hrs had cheese, pepperoni, sausage & veggies, goat cheese & mushroom, & anchovy. Also calzones with sausage, salami, tomato & mozzarella, also chicken Caesar salad. Soft ice cream & yogurt were also available 24 hrs.

 

If you have any specific questions I'll answer them if I can.

 

They serve tea at 3pm on sea days & the scones, meringues, cakes & tea sandwiches were really good.

 

We had atd & it worked well for us. The food was ok. The cold soups were very good & the lobster was better than the lobster at the steakhouse. The shrimp cocktail, however, was horrible. If you closed your eyes & were asked what you were were eating, I doubt that you would guess shrimp cocktail. The texture was strange & had no taste at all. The fried shrimp appetizer was delicious. I had 2 of them as a main course & could have eaten more since my hubby ordered the "gourmet burger" & the waiter told him like a hockey puck...he was right LOL...so he ended up eating some of my shrimp.

 

The sushi bar on deck 5 is open every day 5-8. They offered 2 kinds of sushi daily. We usually got martinis or Irish coffee & sushi before dinner. Nice way to start the evening.

 

We ate at the steakhouse twice & it was fantastic. The onion soup, lobster bisque, tuna tartare, escargot, cowboy steak, lamb chops, creamed spinach, were all wonderful. We didn't like the chocolate sampler or the cheesecake but the cheese selection was very special & I really wanted to try the homemade gingerbread ice cream but couldn't manage another bite....NEXT TIME FOR SURE.

 

There were lots of trivia sessions & seminars going on all day long but not my thing so I can't comment on that. I did go to sports trivia once with my husband just to sit & have a drink with him & take a break from the sun.

 

We enjoyed the show Vroom, a revue of pop music. We didn't like The Beat musical revue. We didn't bother going to the Latin Revue or the magic show. We went to 2 comedy shows. They got really crowded & the ones at the end of the cruise had standing room only.

 

Lots of live music all around the ship made it very lively & there were deck parties on 2 nights but we didn't go to either of them as were doing other things.

 

I'm sure you will all have a great time!

Edited May 26, 2013 by absolutely brilliant

[shof515]

who is the CD on the ship now? is it still big tex or malcom? i am wondering when i leave next week

[absolutely brilliant]

who is the CD on the ship now? is it still big tex or malcom? i am wondering when i leave next week

 

The cd was Tex...He was really good & he will still be there next week

[Mulege]

Don't get a room near the Laundry room. It is noisy with people coming and going all day and they slam the door. It has one ironing board so go to deck 6 same place as deck seven and it is just a room with 3-4 ironing boards, no machines. Get quarters at casino or guest services. $3 wash or dry.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Mulege

[Mulege]

No coins in the slots.

You can order room service on the TV.

 

Sushi was good.

 

ATD was good as we sat with same staff nightly. If you don't care for the service ask to locate to another station the next night.

 

We get a salad at Lido and then get a scoop or two of tuna from the deli.

[Crusin Karen]

No coins in the slots.

You can order room service on the TV.

 

Sushi was good.

 

ATD was good as we sat with same staff nightly. If you don't care for the service ask to locate to another station the next night.

 

We get a salad at Lido and then get a scoop or two of tuna from the deli.

How did you order room service from tv? I tried to find a way to do this all week and didn't.

Hate to mention this, but we had a cabin on deck 8 aft. We were next to the aft wrap port side. Every morning at 5am we would hear the deck guy moving the chairs at the aft adults only pool. And lots of vibration and noise. We have ALWAYS had an aft balcony on deck 8 and this is the lst time we have ever had that problem. :confused: We are booked for the same cabin but on starboard side in Feb. We are going to keep it, but now we know....:rolleyes:

[dbcruiser87]

I'm getting ready to pack! Only six days!! Did they store the suitcases during the cruise, or were you expected to store them in your room?