My first review attempt!!! – Carnival Splendor May 12-20th w/pics!!

[cruisinbabs]

A couple more lido pictures.. I was so nice outside!!

 

[ibcnusoon]

Thanks for posting! I can't wait to read about your excursions! We will be on this same sailing in less than 3 weeks!!

[cruisinbabs]

Thanks for posting! I can't wait to read about your excursions! We will be on this same sailing in less than 3 weeks!!

 

oh my goodness how exciting!! i loved this cruise so much... hard to fathom i *might* have to "suffer" by staying on the west coast for my girls trip.. lol... but we shall see..

[cruisinbabs]

Ok I dont know what happened or why this pic got erased.. its messin up my review mojo!

 

---Crossing another thing off my bucket list!

Edited May 30, 2014 by cruisinbabs

[cruisinbabs]

Now that we have full bellies and a drink or two under our belt, it’s time to go see if our cabins were ready.. sure enough they were along with some luggage.. Some you ask??? .. My larger suitcase was not there even though we put all the luggage on the same cart.. First thought that comes to mind is “oh crap! My suitcase is in Carny jail for my adult beverage containers that were clear in color” **wink wink** Have no fear it finally showed up beverages in tact.. phew!

 

#cruiserproblems

 

#needmybooze

---Again.. lots of pink on this ship... but I actually did not mind.. did not care... I WAS ON A CRUISE! But donuts anyone?? lol

 

---Our home for the next 8 days...yay!!!!

 

---Entry way

 

---Vanity area.. (a full closet is right across from it). I loved having the extra space for all my girly crap. makeup, flat iron, curling iron..etc.

 

---Bathroom space was nice and it was rad having two sinks

 

---I liked having the shower doors and believe it or not I never used the tub.. my 6'2" husband did though..

[crusing_guy]

I happened to notice that you blurred out your last name on your sail and sign card but they are readable on your excursion tickets.....FYI...Still enjoying your review....

[cruise pup]

Awesome cabin. I like having a tub even though I only shower. There's so much extra room. Can't wait to hear about the helicopter excursion. Sounds pretty amazing. I weighed too much to do one in Alaska (did a float plane instead and that was great). I've since come down way below the limit so I'm anxious to do one (and also a zip line).

[cruisinbabs]

I happened to notice that you blurred out your last name on your sail and sign card but they are readable on your excursion tickets.....FYI...Still enjoying your review....

 

stalker!

 

lol j/k.... i was testing out the photo editor program.. ya thats it.. hehehe... is what it is i guess now.. :-)

[crusing_guy]

stalker!

 

lol j/k.... i was testing out the photo editor program.. ya thats it.. hehehe... is what it is i guess now.. :-)

 

 

Nope.....not a stalker......I just notice details......maybe I should have been a cop.....I am stalking your review though.....LOL

Edited May 30, 2014 by crusing_guy

[092306]

Enjoying your review and love the cabin pictures too. Looks like a great room, especially the roomy bathroom. Looking forward to the rest!

[cruisinbabs]

Nope.....not a stalker......I just notice details......maybe I should have been a cop.....I am stalking your review though.....LOL

 

 

I was just making sure people were actually paying attention to my review, so it was a test.. :D so congrats you pass with an A+..

 

thank you for following along and I dont mind you stalking my review.. :)

[Bigd1974]

Great job on the review so far my fellow Splendido.

[NCTribeFan]

Surprised to see the dining tables on Lido just out there in the middle of the deck, in full sun. Seems like it might get a tad warm out there in the Caribbean around noon, no? And looks like that should be prime bake-all-day lounger territory.

 

So much pink (most definitely not my favorite color) and so many donuts. But, yeah. So what? I'll be on a wonderful cruise. I often look around and think "what were they thinking?" but the decor really doesn't matter to me

 

Looking forward to seeing the differences between Splendor and the Conquest-class ships.

[Lisa0719]

Surprised to see the dining tables on Lido just out there in the middle of the deck, in full sun. Seems like it might get a tad warm out there in the Caribbean around noon, no? And looks like that should be prime bake-all-day lounger territory.

 

So much pink (most definitely not my favorite color) and so many donuts. But, yeah. So what? I'll be on a wonderful cruise. I often look around and think "what were they thinking?" but the decor really doesn't matter to me

 

Looking forward to seeing the differences between Splendor and the Conquest-class ships.

 

Those tables are only there on embarkation day . . . from then on, there were loungers and then some area for Entertainment team activities (dancing and such).

[cruisinbabs]

---Some goodies waiting for me and got my gold pin.. woot!!

 

---The Holiday Inn Express is like 3 buildings up from the Comfort Inn.. Super close

 

Good thing I carried on my backpack with door decorations and our Splendido sign. Time to decorate!! Have no fear my mom had brought removable glue dots. Tablecloth and bow we found at the dollar store...heyyyyyy......

 

---Easy to find for other Splendidos, also when you are toasted and can't make out cabin numbers.

 

Annnnnnnd I am still waiting for my large suitcase.......remember my diet soda I had packed in my smaller carry one... yea.. a soda got punctured and leaked all over the inside... however, it had mine and hubs sweatshirts in there which absorbed all the soda. Silver lining in that dilemma but now I was one can of diet pepsi short... grrrr... total crisis adverted but lesson learned... ALWAYS TAKE YOUR CARRY ON BEVERAGES WITH YOU!!

 

Time to head up for sailaway meet and greet!!!

[ktharris120]

Can't wait to read more.....excited for August 20th sailing!!

[cruisinbabs]

By this time the grey clouds have rolled in during muster and I think mother nature was having a bad day... but does that stop cruisers from having a good time.. NEVER!!!

 

Finally after months of chatting online, phone calls, texts & other means of communication via internet.. ::cough cough:: All the Splendidos decided to meet at the Linear pool after muster drill. It was great to put names to faces and you already have pre-built new friendships which I think is awesome about roll calls!

 

---I spot some Splendidos!

 

---Backed that aft up and movin forward!!!

 

---Empire State Building-(one of the places we didn't get to)

 

---Hello darlin... we shall see you again in 8 days!

 

---Freedom tower from different angle

 

---Another iconic New York sight.

[cruisinbabs]

Our roll call was pretty epic in my eyes... Here's a pic of me on a mission from a fellow splendido.. lol...

 

---Hey I was on a mission to get this party started!

 

---These poor other souls that were on the deck were probably like "what is going on here with all these crazy people"....

 

---I had brought some sticker name tags and highlighter for names..other splendidos did too.. hey great minds think alike right??

 

---Hey Boo!!!!

 

---Lets get this party started! I love acting silly because frankly, don't care and that is what you are supposed to do on vacation right??

 

---Not too shabby of a turn out for having a total of over 100 people involved in our roll call.

[cruisinbabs]

After sailaway we headed back to our cabin to freshen up for dinner at 6pm. Last cruise we did late seating and we enjoyed this a lot more. Plus if we got hungry later, that is what room service and pizza is for!! We head to the Gold Pearl Upper, find our table and most of our tablemates were already there.

 

Mind you we have always been very lucky with being blessed with awesome tablemates from the get go... This time, it was ummm.... different.. if I can even call it that.. We had a daughter/mom/dad .. where the parents did not speak a lick of english so the daughter had to translate the whole time.. all three of them were super nice though.. took the daughter 1/2 through the cruise to loosen up and she was a frickin riot and super funny!!! on my right side there was a mom/dad who were waiting for their 26 year old triplets to show up... the mom was super cool... dad seemed irritated that he was even on the cruise and would rather be back at home..... THEN the triplets (2 girls and boy) showed up.... 26?? they looked more like 16 and did not look super thrilled to be on vacation with their parents either.. odds are parents probably paid for it anyways... throughout dinner we kept trying to engage conversation with everyone... now the mom of the triplets kept trying to throw out suggestions and two of the triplets just stayed quiet and one of the girls was SO RUDE TO HER PARENTS.... she would roll her eyes at her mom, respond with "god mom ..nooooo-ah"... I almost responded with "where is NOAH"... I mean this girl I wanted to take her out on deck and just smack her mouth... I dont care how old you are or get, you NEVER talk to your parents like that... EVER.

 

Most awkward 1st dinner night EVER....

 

We almost contemplated not going back to the dining room just because we did not want to have to deal with that family of 5 for the rest of the week.

 

Got done with dinner, stuffed to the gills and went along with some ship nightlife... hit up the show, casino, explored the ship some more.....etc...

 

It was a very long, fun eventful day..... oh and our feet were still hurting from all the walking.. lol

 

---Head-- back to our cabin to call it a night.....Yay first turndown service and towel animal!! Thanks Efron!!!

Edited May 31, 2014 by cruisinbabs

[Eng23]

why hello gambee's_mom!!! I always tell myself I am just going to do a lot of balcony sitting, relaxing and lots of time on the lido deck.. WHO AM I KIDDING?!! LOL... I just love doing stuff and meeting new people..

 

I started this review and the other morning I looked that gambee had posted his Breeze review... and started reading of course.. then I looked at mine which is no match for his as where I was excited to have 2000 views, woohoo!!... he is something special momma and you are very blessed. :o maybe someday our paths will cross but for now it will just have to be through CC.

 

I plan on doing some more today as I am excited to FINALLY post embarkation day. Thank you for following as I am no pro on writing reviews as you could notice with my photobucket fiasco..

Gambee definitely sets the bar high when it comes to reviews but I think you are doing fine. :) I am looking forward to more from you as I sail the Splendor next year, although not from NYC.

[Crusin Karen]

Such fun! I was kind of active on the roll call but knew I probably wouldn't make the sail away party. I did go to the slot pull, but I went on the wrong day! :confused::( I don't recognize ANY of you tho, so guess our ships did not pass in the night! :D TIP: always, always, always wrap anything in your luggage (checked or carry on) that might break and/or leak. I even wrap my shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen, toothpaste, cologne...EVERYTHING just in a little bag. I have always been highly successful in sneaking on adult beverages. I wrap them and wrap them and wrap them...Honestly takes me 5 minutes to UNWRAP! Not fun if any of this stuff gets on your clothes or even leaks thru the suitcase and onto someone else's suitcase! Stinks about the table mates. I CANNOT ABIDE rude people. And to their PARENTS? Who probably paid for their trip and cripes, took care of 3 kids at one time? SHAME on them. I feel badly for the parents. I would have been so embarrassed. :o

[cruise pup]

I'm glad you didn't follow thru with skipping dinner in the mdr. Remember, you can always speak with the maître d' and have him move you to another table. The other people at your table didn't pay for your vacation so why should they be allowed to make you uncomfortable. I had to have my table changed on several cruises and I'm glad I did. Putting up with drunks, rudeness and worst of all, b.o., are not part of my bucket list. But it looks like it worked out for you.

[cruisinbabs]

Gambee definitely sets the bar high when it comes to reviews but I think you are doing fine. :) I am looking forward to more from you as I sail the Splendor next year, although not from NYC.

 

Thank you for the kind words.. :D

[cv322]

 

 

 

---I had brought some sticker name tags and highlighter for names..other splendidos did too.. hey great minds think alike right??

 

 

 

 

Woot woot :D! I see my friend Dennis front & center with raised glass :D!

 

And....;)...thanks very much, I'm enjoying your review tremendously!

[teacher34]

Thanks so much for doing this review! I would love to sail from NY just to be able to see the beautiful skyline and the Statue of Liberty! From your description of your table mates the first night, it certainly seems that those kids who don't show respect to their parents are always unhappy. Look at the relationship you have with your mom and how much fun you have together. can't wait for the rest of the review!