Carnival Splendor 6/10/13 ... a ramble

[MadOx75]

I guess there's nothing wrong with low key, but I enjoyed Malcolm's energy. Made me get my butt moving in the morning...lol.

[Cyber Kat]

So what are your overall impressions of the Splendor, particularly as compared to the Miracle? I see from your signature that we were on the same sailing of the Miracle two years ago, and I recall seeing you in the roll call back then, and was just wondering how the two compared. We sail Sept. 14 out of NYC.

 

Also, do you recall who the CD is on the Splendor? If you noticed, how were the lounge entertainers? The guy that played the bars on the Miracle, JJ Paolino, was awesome. Hoping for just as great a performer on this cruise!

 

Thanks for your write up, I really enjoy hearing other folks experiences!

 

I expected to be intimidated by the Splendor because it's bigger than the Miracle and Legend - plus I was so used to the 2 Spirit class ships that I felt at home as soon as we boarded.

 

I was very pleasantly surprised to find the Splendor user friendly, despite the galley that splits Decks 3 and 4 in the middle. We just used Deck 5 and except for when they were doing the pictures, it wasn't crowded as others have reported - at least not for our cruise.

 

There were times when I noticed the larger number of passengers (we had 3525 according to the sign on the bridge on our Behind the Fun Tour). Yes, there were lines, but there are always lines for food, etc. Perhaps because the ship is bigger - although not THAT much bigger, there was room for people to spread out.

 

My heart still belongs to the Miracle - but the Splendor is a close second. I didn't mind the pink, it reminded me of Bermuda Pink and that's a plus in my book!

 

I would say that studying the deck plans and using the Deck Director app the first 2 days helped with getting around. Just remember - Deck 5 is your friend and don't get caught aft on 3 or 4 when you want to be forward - and vice versa.

 

We spent a lot of time on Deck 5 - everything we wanted was there, except the Gold Pearl restaurant and the Black Pearl (which we used for the brunch). We often walked to the atrium and used the stairs there to go up and down mid-ship.

 

The Lido (deck 9) was also convenient for moving about. And all the food is there :D

 

We preferred Music Unlimited to True Identity, but there was a duo - guy and a gal that were very good. We heard them in a number of places around the ship. I have to check the name - it was cute, but I don't remember it - go figure!

 

There was a Latin band, that I thought was good, but my DH is not wild about Latin music. And they were too loud for some of the venues - good, but loud. The DJ - was good too. I think it was a woman, but again I have to check. The ship had a lot of live music - YAY and a good variety of it, so I didn't notice the DJ that much. There was a guy with a guitar and the Piano Bar piano player was Hailey. We got to go to a wedding reception (more on that later) and she played. I thought she was good, as well.

 

I need my Fun Times and they are not handy at the moment. We marked ours up, but I had one of those pocket folders (came in very handy!) and I grabbed an extra one each day.

 

Glad every one is enjoying. It was really a great cruise and with a few minor exceptions - everything just seemed to fall into place.

[EJPhilly]

I'll check the link - but they are all in the same place. There are also pics from our Legend cruise and our Miracle cruise

I tried again, but I clicked on "All Photographs" and the last group of pics (far right side is for Splendor)... :)

[MadOx75]

I saw that Hailey was the Piano bar player from the other thread, and looked her up. She does seem really good. Quite a contrast from the fella that we had on the Miracle... I can't remember his name, and he wasn't bad, just had a kind of Tom Waits thing going on. JJ was the guitar playing guy on the Miracle, and he was fantastic. I see he's currently on the Fantasy, but just posted he only has 9 cruises left then switches ships. I wouldn't mind having him on the Splendor, but apparently he's taking some time off to visit home and then go to London before getting on another ship...

[EJPhilly]

Thanks - it's a fantastic app! Just make sure you download the data for your ship BEFORE you cruise so you don't get any internet charges. It downloads the deck plans and the directions right to your iPod/iPhone. Not sure if they have an Android version. I just used it on my iPod

 

http://www.deckdirector.com/

Kath:

 

I'm downloading the App now. So how does it work on the ship if our iphones are in Airplane mode and cellular/data are also off?

 

Thanks

[irishlizz]

I saw that Hailey was the Piano bar player from the other thread, and looked her up. She does seem really good. Quite a contrast from the fella that we had on the Miracle... I can't remember his name, and he wasn't bad, just had a kind of Tom Waits thing going on. JJ was the guitar playing guy on the Miracle, and he was fantastic. I see he's currently on the Fantasy, but just posted he only has 9 cruises left then switches ships. I wouldn't mind having him on the Splendor, but apparently he's taking some time off to visit home and then go to London before getting on another ship...

 

My friend that was on the June 10th sailing of the Splendor loves the piano bars but couldn't stand Hailey. She said yeah, she was talented but wasn't a piano bar type of entertainer.

[Cyber Kat]

Kath:

 

I'm downloading the App now. So how does it work on the ship if our iphones are in Airplane mode and cellular/data are also off?

 

Thanks

 

You also have to download the ship you want BEFORE your cruise. The deck plans and the directions will be in your phone's memory. You're calling up data from the memory, not from the internet.

 

I tested it out before we left. I put my iPod into airplane mode and it worked great. No connection involved!

[Cyber Kat]

My friend that was on the June 10th sailing of the Splendor loves the piano bars but couldn't stand Hailey. She said yeah, she was talented but wasn't a piano bar type of entertainer.

 

I'm thinking the complaint is that she doesn't interact with the people at the bar. We're more cover band people, than piano bar people, so I don't have that much experience with the entertainers there.

 

At the wedding, she sang well, and played the music the bride requested. Everyone got up and did a conga line and she provided fun conga line music - so they were happy!

[MadOx75]

My friend that was on the June 10th sailing of the Splendor loves the piano bars but couldn't stand Hailey. She said yeah, she was talented but wasn't a piano bar type of entertainer.

 

I'm thinking the complaint is that she doesn't interact with the people at the bar. We're more cover band people, than piano bar people, so I don't have that much experience with the entertainers there.

 

At the wedding, she sang well, and played the music the bride requested. Everyone got up and did a conga line and she provided fun conga line music - so they were happy!

 

She looks to be quite young... Usually when I picture a piano bar singer, I picture an older guy, just this side of washed up, looking like he should smell like cheap whiskey...

 

I probably won't spend a lot of time in the Piano Bar anyway, but I'll at least check it out. I'm looking for more info on this couple that plays the bars, if anyone happens to have it... I'll probably listen to more of those show. Are they the ones that play at HMC?

[keene state mom]

Thanks for the review I am counting the days till my turn, and you are helping me get through the long wait. the photo of the rain looks like mine from the Pride last august lots of rain on my corner wrap, On the Splendor I have the wrap on the 7th floor.

 

I have one question I know the splendor does not have the faster to the fun so does that mean platnium can not go to there room once they board, I have read so many different stories. yes platnium can, no they can not ,

thank you again for the review

[MadOx75]

Thanks for the review I am counting the days till my turn, and you are helping me get through the long wait. the photo of the rain looks like mine from the Pride last august lots of rain on my corner wrap, On the Splendor I have the wrap on the 7th floor.

 

I have one question I know the splendor does not have the faster to the fun so does that mean platnium can not go to there room once they board, I have read so many different stories. yes platnium can, no they can not ,

thank you again for the review

 

Not sure if it will be live in time, but John Heald posted on Facebook today that the Splendor will be getting FTTF by the end of July....

[sailorJo]

I'm right behind you...25 more days until my cruise on Splendor!

 

Still more than 2 weeks to go and already my binder is (as HappyChappy would put it) choc full o' stuff. :eek::eek: I might have to clean up my notes a bit before I transfer the file to my iPad, although everything in these posts is so helpful!

[EJPhilly]

You also have to download the ship you want BEFORE your cruise. The deck plans and the directions will be in your phone's memory. You're calling up data from the memory, not from the internet.

 

I tested it out before we left. I put my iPod into airplane mode and it worked great. No connection involved!

Just selected Pride.. Thx ;)

[Cyber Kat]

Thanks for the review I am counting the days till my turn, and you are helping me get through the long wait. the photo of the rain looks like mine from the Pride last august lots of rain on my corner wrap, On the Splendor I have the wrap on the 7th floor.

 

I have one question I know the splendor does not have the faster to the fun so does that mean platnium can not go to there room once they board, I have read so many different stories. yes platnium can, no they can not ,

thank you again for the review

 

When we boarded - about 11:40 we took seats in the Atrium where we could move the luggage out of the way. We would normally head up to the Lido, but it was raining and we wanted to be there when the Shore Excursion desk opened at Noon.

 

My sister took a run down to the room (she can't sit still :D) and came back to report that the big doors were closed. They told us, and there were signs on the doors that the rooms would be ready at 1:30.

 

After we finished with the excursion desk, she went back down and came back to report, that she had met our steward and that he said we could come down. This was about 12:30

 

We had a similar experience on the Miracle in 2011 - the rooms were ready before 1:30. So keep checking. Send someone who can't sit still :D

[Cyber Kat]

She looks to be quite young... Usually when I picture a piano bar singer, I picture an older guy, just this side of washed up, looking like he should smell like cheap whiskey...

 

I probably won't spend a lot of time in the Piano Bar anyway, but I'll at least check it out. I'm looking for more info on this couple that plays the bars, if anyone happens to have it... I'll probably listen to more of those show. Are they the ones that play at HMC?

 

The Duo was ImpromTwo. The guitarist was Juan. The Latin group was Tropical Dance and the DJ's were DJ Electra and DJ Focus.

[Cyber Kat]

Day Two - Fun Day at Sea

 

So when I got back to the cabin after the gym, DH and DSis were sitting out on the balcony. It was cloudy, not raining and the sun was breaking through - YAY!

 

I had a cup of coffee and a cinnamon danish (love those things, they are not Cinnabon, but they are good!). DH was wanting to get his first bacon sandwich of the cruise - his vacation treat! He's not supposed to eat bacon, but then none of us are really supposed to eat bacon, but it tastes sooo good! :D

 

So I changed out of my gym clothes and went up to the Lido with him, like a good Hobbit to have "second breakfast!"

 

The Splendor has real trays - not those plates pretending to be trays. A most useless invention! Here's a tip for you. If you're getting hot food, take 2 plates. Once you've put your food on the one, cover it with the other. It will help it to stay hot until you get settled at a table. I did this with my potatoes (I love the breakfast potatoes on Carnival - there was always something yummy) and bacon. Grapefruit and a slice of cantaloupe in a bowl and I was set ... until I saw the breakfast bread and rolls section :D. I grabbed a croissant and another cinnamon roll! Oh, and some OJ and coffee.

 

Again we went up to the rotisserie area and had no trouble getting a table by the window.

 

We're sitting there a bit, when I look out the window and it looks like it's raining again - but only in one area of the deck that runs along the outside. Took a few minutes to find the culprit - one of the Carnival housekeeping staff who was washing the UNDERSIDE of the overhanging deck above.

 

They are always cleaning on the Splendor. I've seen people cleaning on ships before, but never quite as much or as industriously as on the Splendor. Many times the housekeeping/maintenance staff worked in teams and they always seemed to be laughing and joking with each other. They have a great crew!

 

Our CC roll call group planned (Elationismyship planned!) a slot pull in the casino at 11am. My sister wanted to do it, DH - not so much.

 

My sister headed off somewhere after she joined us for second breakfast and DH headed back to the cabin to get some sun while it was still shining.

 

When I got to the Casino, Elationismyship and her DH had secured us the Wheel of Fortune Machine - which is the one we wanted - and there were a few others around. We each kicked in $15 and everyone had several turns at the machine.

 

We had a blast! We did the Wheel of Fortune dance and we cheered and chanted. We each did silly moves to try and coax the machine into giving us a big win - but it was having none of that! We played for over an hour and only lost 2 bucks each. Not bad for an hours worth of FUN!

 

DH and I wanted to do the cooking Demo in the Steak House - which was at Noon. He stopped by and I told him to see if he could get us seats and that we would meet him.

 

I wasn't sure where the Steak House was so I broke out the Deck Director and asked :D. I don't remember, why, but we took one of the outside decks - big mistake. OMG it was sooooo windy, we almost got blown overboard. When we finally got to a door, it was all we could do to open it between the two of us!

 

We made it to the Steak House, but the demo was full - so no demo for us!

 

To be continued!

[bangzoom6877]

Day Two - Fun Day at Sea

 

So when I got back to the cabin after the gym, DH and DSis were sitting out on the balcony. It was cloudy, not raining and the sun was breaking through - YAY!

 

I had a cup of coffee and a cinnamon danish (love those things, they are not Cinnabon, but they are good!). DH was wanting to get his first bacon sandwich of the cruise - his vacation treat! He's not supposed to eat bacon, but then none of us are really supposed to eat bacon, but it tastes sooo good! :D

 

So I changed out of my gym clothes and went up to the Lido with him, like a good Hobbit to have "second breakfast!"

 

The Splendor has real trays - not those plates pretending to be trays. A most useless invention! Here's a tip for you. If you're getting hot food, take 2 plates. Once you've put your food on the one, cover it with the other. It will help it to stay hot until you get settled at a table. I did this with my potatoes (I love the breakfast potatoes on Carnival - there was always something yummy) and bacon. Grapefruit and a slice of cantaloupe in a bowl and I was set ... until I saw the breakfast bread and rolls section :D. I grabbed a croissant and another cinnamon roll! Oh, and some OJ and coffee.

 

Again we went up to the rotisserie area and had no trouble getting a table by the window.

 

We're sitting there a bit, when I look out the window and it looks like it's raining again - but only in one area of the deck that runs along the outside. Took a few minutes to find the culprit - one of the Carnival housekeeping staff who was washing the UNDERSIDE of the overhanging deck above.

 

They are always cleaning on the Splendor. I've seen people cleaning on ships before, but never quite as much or as industriously as on the Splendor. Many times the housekeeping/maintenance staff worked in teams and they always seemed to be laughing and joking with each other. They have a great crew!

 

Our CC roll call group planned (Elationismyship planned!) a slot pull in the casino at 11am. My sister wanted to do it, DH - not so much.

 

My sister headed off somewhere after she joined us for second breakfast and DH headed back to the cabin to get some sun while it was still shining.

 

When I got to the Casino, Elationismyship and her DH had secured us the Wheel of Fortune Machine - which is the one we wanted - and there were a few others around. We each kicked in $15 and everyone had several turns at the machine.

 

We had a blast! We did the Wheel of Fortune dance and we cheered and chanted. We each did silly moves to try and coax the machine into giving us a big win - but it was having none of that! We played for over an hour and only lost 2 bucks each. Not bad for an hours worth of FUN!

 

DH and I wanted to do the cooking Demo in the Steak House - which was at Noon. He stopped by and I told him to see if he could get us seats and that we would meet him.

 

I wasn't sure where the Steak House was so I broke out the Deck Director and asked :D. I don't remember, why, but we took one of the outside decks - big mistake. OMG it was sooooo windy, we almost got blown overboard. When we finally got to a door, it was all we could do to open it between the two of us!

 

We made it to the Steak House, but the demo was full - so no demo for us!

 

To be continued!

 

I love the danish in the morning too. Even though we're not going to the steak house for dinner, I would love to see the cooking demonstration. I love cooking demonstrations! How early would you recommend arriving?

 

Continuing to enjoy your review!!! 24 days until it's my turn and I can't wait! :)

[jimbo5544]

I'm thinking the complaint is that she doesn't interact with the people at the bar. We're more cover band people, than piano bar people, so I don't have that much experience with the entertainers there.

 

At the wedding, she sang well, and played the music the bride requested. Everyone got up and did a conga line and she provided fun conga line music - so they were happy!

We have seen diversity in the piano bars on Carnival ships. Some great, some less so and some that were one trip in. I guess it is all perception and what clicks.

[Aprilmay13]

Were going on the splendor on Aug 5th my request is I want Kath to come and show us everything she just wrote about !!!;)

Great reviews !!

[Cyber Kat]

Day Two - Fun Day at Sea!

 

So we couldn't do the Cooking Demo - but it was after noon, so it was Drink Time. DH wanted to get a couple of beers to take back to the room, and I spotted a waiter with DODs - Blue Margarita - in HURRICANE GLASSES!

 

I didn't know if I wanted a Blue Margarita, but I like a Margarita and I wanted one of those glasses. I chased after the waiter, while DH chose to get his beers at the bar with no running around (not that I had to chase him very far!).

 

A word about the beers. We had the room steward open the mini-bar/fridge so we could put stuff in it. It did a pretty good job of keeping things cold. I'm thinking that they replace them as they get old or break down and we probably got a newer one. DH would stop at the bar and get 2 beers and tell them not to open them. That was his routine and he seemed happy with it.

 

With that really nice balcony, I thought it would be good to have a room service lunch out there. I've never done room service and I've heard there are some good sandwiches. So we moseyed on back to the room.

 

It was clearing up, but the water was still pretty rough. Rough enough that the pools were closed and the sea sick bags were still out.

 

Gee - no chair hogs ... wonder why?

 

So we ordered room service - which came promptly every time! BLT for DSis, Shrimp salad for me. DH was still full from his bacon sandwich at breakfast. DSis and I, on the other hand, grazed all day!

 

Both sandwiches were really good. Mine came with potato salad - also good, and chips. Don't remember what DSis got with hers, but she also ordered the veggies with dip - got to have your veggies! And they were good as well - nice and crispy with tasty (kind of a ranch) dip.

 

Here's the balcony in the sun - some pics while waiting ...

 

 

And here's my Blue Margarita! I saw pics like this that other people took, so I wanted to do one, but it was still windy, and I wasn't losing my hurricane glass over the side, so I held on!

 

 

And here's a wake view for all the aft lovers!

 

It was hypnotic and very soothing to just sit in one of the lounge chairs, listen to the sound and watch the water. I loved it!

 

We hung on the balcony for awhile. I seem to recall making a run up to the Lido for some more drinks and a dessert - the desserts are so yummy!. I need longer days on a cruise, so I can fit in all the food :D

 

Trying to remember what we did next. I know we did the water slide, but I don't think it was open on Day 2 - even in the afternoon. I think we just wandered around for a bit. There were so many places to go and things to see, we never ran out of things to do. We marked up the Fun Times every day and never did much of what we marked up.

 

That's what a vacation is for me. Not HAVING to do anything - just going with the flow and happening on things. Which is how we ended up watching them do the Giant Jenga in the atrium.

 

My sister wanted to see the Thalassotherapy pool in the Spa, so we went up and they gave us a tour. I would have tried out the pool, but I wasn't so much interested in the other rooms. It was $149 for a pass for the 8 days - $249 for a couple (or just 2 - you didn't have to be a couple). I figured, maybe I'd use it once or twice, but that would be it. I'd have done a day pass, but I didn't think the weekly charge was worth it. I had other plans for my money!

 

We passed one of the balcony areas overlooking the atrium and we heard a big crash, so we looked over to investigate. We could see all the Jenga blocks on the floor - clearly the source of the crashing noise. We took the elevator down a few decks (the spa is on 11) and watched while they played for a bit. It looked like fun. Mostly the kids were playing and the little ones were funny, because they boldly marched up and started taking any block out. The ACD was helping them chose and get the block out.

 

After that, I think we checked out the photos - rejected the one from the Welcome Aboard when we got on the ship. They were really rushing people through and we were still dealing with carry ons and the next thing we knew other people were standing in front of the back drop. It was strange.

 

On the way back, we passed the Sushi Bar and there were only a few people on the line. I got my sushi and we sat in one of the comfy chairs along the promenade for a bit.

 

Word of warning ... DO NOT sit in the little purple poofy chairs. They look like a normal chair but they are really low. Everyone - including me - almost fell off - stupid chairs. Stick to the leather sofa-type ones.

 

This was the first Elegant Night, so we were off to the cabin, once more to prepare! I'll stop here for now.

[cathyoo]

I am so disappointed... the last five words almost made me cry.

[murr202]

I had some kind of blue Margarita. I only got it because the waiter had them in the hurricane glasses ;) It was quite tasty - I got another. It was the DOD on Day 2. I have to look at the Fun Times and I'll let you know what it was.

 

Hi Kath,

We just booked the Splendor for April 26-2014. We got a Cabana just for the two of us, it's my DW's birthday present. I was charged the $226 price or something close to it. Are you saying the when you checked in the price was $57? Did they adjust it for you?? Should I call My PP now and check it??

Thanks.

[nursemommy7578]

Hi Kath,

We just booked the Splendor for April 26-2014. We got a Cabana just for the two of us, it's my DW's birthday present. I was charged the $226 price or something close to it. Are you saying the when you checked in the price was $57? Did they adjust it for you?? Should I call My PP now and check it??

Thanks.

 

I think she meant the $225 charge is one time. if you split the cost between 4 people its about $57. I would imagine its just charged to one persons account only

[Cyber Kat]

Hi Kath,

We just booked the Splendor for April 26-2014. We got a Cabana just for the two of us, it's my DW's birthday present. I was charged the $226 price or something close to it. Are you saying the when you checked in the price was $57? Did they adjust it for you?? Should I call My PP now and check it??

Thanks.

 

The Carnival web site makes it look like the Cabanas are $229 for each person, but it's not. It's $229 for the Cabana. You get supplies - soda, chips, dips, fruit, floats, snorkels and fins for 4 people - but you could do 6 maybe even 8 if people will be in the water most of the day. That bag of chips alone could have fed half the ship! :D

 

We had 3 people so it worked out to $76 dollars each. Four people would be $57.25. If you only have 1 person or 4 people or 6 people (2 of whom do not get supplies :D )- it still is $229 to get the Cabana. There is no actual per person charge.

 

They should explain it better on the web site.

 

Oh - and if you get a cabana, you don't need to bring towels off the ship. They gave us towels to use while we were there.

[Jamman54]

Cabana snacks....