Splendor Review 4/10-4/18 (with pics)!

[disneyfan68]

Curious...What is with the Mega Line to get back on the ship [as seen in two pictures] in Grand Turk? I've never seen lines like that to get back "on"....

 

HLR

 

Only in Grand Turk until 3:00 and our first port. My only guess is everyone spent every last minute they could :D

[mking8288]

Excellent choice of photos, bring back fond memories of our Sept 2013 sailing on her and thank you for posting your reviews & comments.

 

We left Grand Turk about 20-30 minutes later than scheduled b/c more than a few pax were late, 2 of them were running really late and they got a ride on the golf cart as the gangways were ready to come up & set sail for NY. Captain's discretion gave them the chance to not miss the ship with hundreds watching & cheering from open decks and from our balconies, as they started paging the guests to contact the hotel desk. After a long day out on the beach, it was a long & slow walk back to the ship, hungry & thirsty but we would do it all over again with the Splendor in a heartbeat.

[092306]

Thanks for the review and wonderful pictures! We are doing that itinerary again in October and looking forward to it. Glad you had a great time!

[apey9995]

Nice review, thank you for sharing! Can I ask, do you feel like the Hilton day passes were worth the money? How were the facilities, and the food? Thanks in advance :)

[disneyfan68]

Nice review, thank you for sharing! Can I ask, do you feel like the Hilton day passes were worth the money? How were the facilities, and the food? Thanks in advance :)

 

I feel the Hilton was worth the money considering you get most of it back. They had a nice pool and it was walking distance from the port. The beach wasn't the nicest (like on Paradise Island) and it was small but we used the pool. Your day includes use of beach and pool, towels, snorkeling, non motorized water sports and a $40 meal voucher. The pool had plenty of loungers plus cushioned chairs for 2 and small cabanas. You could eat in the inside restaurant or the pool grill. We ate at the grill and it was good. The servers were very friendly. They will basically run a tab and you pay and tip at the end. The pool is also lifeguarded.

 

We had a nice day there.

 

Karyn

Edited April 21, 2014 by disneyfan68

[apey9995]

I feel the Hilton was worth the money considering you get most of it back. They had a nice pool and it was walking distance from the port. The beach wasn't the nicest (like on Paradise Island) and it was small but we used the pool. Your day includes use of beach and pool, towels, snorkeling, non motorized water sports and a $40 meal voucher. The pool had plenty of loungers plus cushioned chairs for 2 and small cabanas. You could eat in the inside restaurant or the pool grill. We ate at the grill and it was good. The servers were very friendly. They will basically run a tab and you pay and tip at the end. The pool is also lifeguarded.

 

We had a nice day there.

 

Karyn

 

Good to know, thanks for the info! :) I think we will try it out when we go to Nassau this fall.

[Andoria]

Thanks for the review and great pictures. Your kids are adorable.

[ibcnusoon]

Thanks for the review! We were going to book the April 10th cruise but we'd be away on April 15th (Tax Day) and I wasn't sure if we would have all of our taxes done by then! I didn't want to be away, although it was DD's Spring Break week. We booked this same cruise in June though.

 

Did you book the Flowrider before your cruise or when you arrived at Grand Turk? Trying to decide if I should do it beforehand or wait until we get there.

 

Did you notice long lines trying to get off the ship in Half Moon Cay (long lines waiting for the tender to take you to HMC). I figure I'd ask, I know you had a cabana and FTTF.

 

I read somewhere that most of the ship was sick on the ride home? I'm assuming it was due to rough seas??

[maurinsky2]

 

 

I read somewhere that most of the ship was sick on the ride home? I'm assuming it was due to rough seas??

 

The seas were definitely a little bit rough, but I don't think MOST of the ship was sick. I don't doubt that there were people feeling motion sickness, but there were many, many people who were out and about and appearing to be well and happy.

[disneyfan68]

The seas were definitely a little bit rough, but I don't think MOST of the ship was sick. I don't doubt that there were people feeling motion sickness, but there were many, many people who were out and about and appearing to be well and happy.

 

Agreed!

[disneyfan68]

Thanks for the review! We were going to book the April 10th cruise but we'd be away on April 15th (Tax Day) and I wasn't sure if we would have all of our taxes done by then! I didn't want to be away, although it was DD's Spring Break week. We booked this same cruise in June though.

 

Did you book the Flowrider before your cruise or when you arrived at Grand Turk? Trying to decide if I should do it beforehand or wait until we get there.

 

Did you notice long lines trying to get off the ship in Half Moon Cay (long lines waiting for the tender to take you to HMC). I figure I'd ask, I know you had a cabana and FTTF.

 

I read somewhere that most of the ship was sick on the ride home? I'm assuming it was due to rough seas??

 

We booked the Flowrider as an excusion before we left. Many ppl didn't seem to know about it, and when they saw it, thought they could just get in line. All of the time slots were full. So depending on time of year, I would book it in advance.

 

Since we had FTTF and a cabana, we were in a separate waiting area for the tender so I didn't get a good feel of how long the lines were. We arrived at HMC by 9:30am and saw tenders going from the ship to island until at least 11:00am or later maybe. Our ship was also completely sold out as far as I know.

 

I did not see passengers sick. It was very rocky on our 2 sea days home so I believe it was seasick not actual sick :D

 

Karyn

Edited April 21, 2014 by disneyfan68

[Maraprince]

Did they have the nightly tastings on sea days? If so, when was the night for Nonna's meatballs? Missed it last time since it is one of the more popular offerings?

 

When was the Dr. Seuss parade? Did you go to the special Dr. Seuss breakfast?

 

I'll be doing the same ports starting on 5/28. Looking forward to good weather in all the ports.

 

MARAPRINCE

[disneyfan68]

Thanks for the review and great pictures. Your kids are adorable.

 

Thanks!!!

[disneyfan68]

Did they have the nightly tastings on sea days? If so, when was the night for Nonna's meatballs? Missed it last time since it is one of the more popular offerings?

 

When was the Dr. Seuss parade? Did you go to the special Dr. Seuss breakfast?

 

I'll be doing the same ports starting on 5/28. Looking forward to good weather in all the ports.

 

MARAPRINCE

 

The Taste Bar had tastings on all sea days. I believe the second to last sea day was Italian. We skipped that one but that might have been the meatballs :rolleyes:

 

The Dr. Suess parade was during the afternoon like 2:30pm. We did not go but I recall it being Saturday I think (our 2 sea day going out). Also did not do the breakfast, but the line to reserve was long and it did sell out. We were on a spring break cruise so lots of kids.

 

Sorry I'm not much help with Dr. Suess. I have the Fun Times at home and will take a quick look tonight.

[ibcnusoon]

How was the walk to British Colonial Hilton? Did you walk up to the street that has all the shops, then hang a right?

 

We are thinking of walking to Junkaroo Beach to save $$$, I believe it's just past the British Colonial Hilton.

[Fredbarney69]

Karyn,

 

Great photo's looks like ya kids had a great time too. We've never cruised Carnival and are thinking NYC out to Boston Portland etc., in late September. I'll keep me fingers x'd that we have as good time as you obviously had.

 

Thanx

 

Fredbarney

[timmy1958]

Awesome review, thanks! Trying to decide right now between Splendor and Conquest on duplicate Eastern Caribbean itineraries, and needed some good unbiased info on Splendor.

[reerun25]

Enjoyed the review, thanks for sharing!

[Jamman54]

How was the walk to British Colonial Hilton? Did you walk up to the street that has all the shops, then hang a right?

 

We are thinking of walking to Junkaroo Beach to save $$$, I believe it's just past the British Colonial Hilton.

 

The walk to the British Colonial Hilton is just about 10 minutes. After leaving the Cruise Terminal just hang a right. You will pass Senor Frogs on the way. Junkanoo Beach is another 5 to 10 minutes further, depending on how fast you walk. Just follow the signs.

[Maraprince]

The Taste Bar had tastings on all sea days. I believe the second to last sea day was Italian. We skipped that one but that might have been the meatballs :rolleyes:

 

The Dr. Suess parade was during the afternoon like 2:30pm. We did not go but I recall it being Saturday I think (our 2 sea day going out). Also did not do the breakfast, but the line to reserve was long and it did sell out. We were on a spring break cruise so lots of kids.

 

Sorry I'm not much help with Dr. Suess. I have the Fun Times at home and will take a quick look tonight.

 

 

We will not have any kids with us and not sure how many will be on board since it is after the Memorial Day Holiday. We will give it a try, but if it is sold out...not a problem. On a sea day, we would be more likely to try and see some of the parade depending on what time it is held. This time around since it wil just be my cousin and myself, we want to try to do things we were not able to do (or things that didn't exist) on our sailing in December 2013 when we went with 2 other people. Some times we missed things because we were waiting for them or they misunderstood and went to the wrong location.

 

Definitely want to arrive before the meatballs run out! Trying to keep 4 adults happy is not always an easy thing!:(

 

Thanks for the response.

 

MARAPRINCE

Edited April 21, 2014 by Maraprince

[coffeeandcupcake]

Great review thanks for taking the time [emoji4]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[cathyoo]

Great review, fantastic pictures. We are sailing on her 7/7/14 and REALLY, REALLY, appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences.

[pe4all]

Thank you for the great review and pictures. We also were torn between booking the Conquest and Splendor as they are doing the exact same itinerary, including times in port. Chose Splendor as we have never been on her, and were just on Conquest in Feb. Your pictures make me glad we did!

[boopsahoy]

Just started this great review-cant wait to read it all later! Thanks!

[K8S]

We were on the Splendour last month. It was our 7th cruise and the Splendour has amazing staff, especially in the casino. The energy and positive vibe from the casino team were great!