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

[cruisinbabs]

I do apologize that I do not have a whole lot of pictures of our first full sea day.. Our day went something like this..

 

*Room service for bfast-Delivered on time as requested.... we did our normal eat breakfast while watchin the sea go by.

 

*Mom & I tried our hand at bingo... it was a no go.

 

*Hubs won some money at the casino, I tried to win some at the slots.. key word.. tried.

 

*Mom and I did spa tour. Which they try to sell you everything and get you signed up.

 

*Grabbed mocha from coffee shop. which we ended up going there a lot throughout the week. Since I didnt have my regular coffee stand to go to, this one did the trick.

 

*Had lunch on Lido again... Burrito Bar it was.. I loved that station.

 

*Got some ice cream

 

*Casino again...

 

*And a whole bunch of other shenanigans.

 

Then it was time to get ready for dinner for elegant night!

 

***A little back story on this is normally hubs and I flip flop doing dress up night.(hubs is all about shorts and t-shirts.. maybe a polo here and there but that is it.)... Last cruise we went all out, tux and everything.... so this cruise we were hell bent on not going.... since mom was going with us, she wanted to do elegant night so I decided to at the last minute before we left.. also one of our fabulous Splendido offered to do hair and makeup for some of us ladies to get us all dolled up.. I was totally down for that.....

 

So our cabin basically got turned into a salon.. lol.. hair/makeup etc... it was a lot of fun and we all looked FAAAAAABULOUS!!!! Thank you J!!

 

Now that mom and I looked fab... headed off to dinner. Hubs.. off doing what he does best.. craps table.

 

We roll into Gold Pearl and I was dreading sitting at dinner.. but when we get there.. the family of 5 are not there! YAHOO!!! then about 3 min later our new tablemates showed up... it was a mom/daughter/son trio.... let me tell you, these 3 were a riot!!!!! The mom was like 80 and reminded me of Sophia off of The Golden Girls... daughters name was Cathy and sons name was Charles (i think...lol).. Anyway...Cathy was such a pleasure and she was very spunky and outgoing.. MUCH BETTER THAN THAT OTHER FAMILY!!!.. needless to say dinner was AWESOME the rest of the week!! So I am glad I gave it one more day, if not I would have asked to change tables.

 

I even tried ALLIGATOR FRITTERS and they were really good!.. food was great IMO... annnnnnnd of course I ordered my favorite dessert.....

 

---That's right.. with chocolate ice cream.. 2 scoops!!

 

As we were walking back so mom could change into more comfortable clothes we decided to stop and take some pictures.. mind you the last time I had a picture taken professionally with my mom was when I was about 5 years old.. so it was pretty special.. We didn't turn out too shabby did we??

 

---Mom/Daughter picture...... I love her tons!

 

Then I said, what the hell I will take one by myself since I don't get gussied up that often...

 

---Just me.

 

While mom got into some comfy clothes hubs and I waited in our cabin and was able to catch last little bit of sunset that was left...

---The water looked like rolling glass.. sooo pretty!

 

---Selfie time!!! heheheh...

 

We met back up with some Splendidos and headed off to adult comedy in the El Moracco lounge to watch Macio.. after laughing our a$$es off we all headed to the club to dance and have some fun.. awhile later, Macio comes to the club and hung out with some of us Splendidos for a bit. Cause we rock like that!!! hehehe...

 

---Splendidos and Macio

[cruisinbabs]

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.

 

See post above.. :-) the rest of the week went great!!! :D

[cruisinbabs]

So I had mentioned before I was on a mission to win a ship on a stick... we did lots of trivia and on the first sea day (and the other sea days) we showed up for super duper trivia.. you get into teams, pick a captain that says the answers to the host in this case was Mitch.. I got nominated to be the teams captain.. how I have no idea.. lol... but I was up for the job. It was pretty fun and gave us something to look forward to doing during sea days. Also throughout the week people could join your group if they wanted... But I being captain was there all 4 days... cause that is what captains do. Will I finally get my coveted ship on a stick?? Stay tuned.... :D

 

At the end of a long fun sea day, it was showertime (to get cigarette stink out of my hair) and this little fella was waiting for me.. Hubs had moved him to the chair cause he was already in bed by the time I rolled in..

 

 

Good night and get ready for Sea Day 2!!

[cruisinbabs]

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!

 

No.. thank you for following along and I am glad you are enjoying it. they take a lot of time and focus... I really wish I would have taken notes on my tablet like i had planned..

 

yes that family and those triplets were REDONKULOUS.. UGH...

 

Just going to NYC and seeing some sights a day before and sailing away past lady liberty.. it was truly amazing..

[Susiecruisey]

nice review

[cruise pup]

See below.

Edited June 2, 2014 by cruise pup

[cruise pup]

See post above.. :-) the rest of the week went great!!! :D

. Saw that. Glad it worked out. Your portrait photos are spectacular!

[wrigley80]

I'm all caught up now....loving the review. I love the pics of the Atrium on the Splendor

[lifeisgoodPat]

Great review so far, can't wait for the rest. I'm going to be on the Splendor in September for the New England/Canada itinerary. This will be very helpful. Could you tell me how much the helicopter was in Grand Turk. That sounds like something I would like to do the next time I am down that way.

[KPfromCT]

Absolutely LOVING your review:D:D:D

We are just a hop, skip, and a jump away, in CT.

I just cannot bring myself to get past the "pinkness" of Splendor:o

Eventually, I would LOVE to cruise out of NY Harbor......

Keep it coming!!!!:D

[Eng23]

---Mom/Daughter picture...... I love her tons!

 

Honestly, if you had not worded it Mom/Daughter picture (or ever identified your Mom in the begining) I would have thought you were sisters in this picture!!! :D

[Katmarha]

 

 

 

Once it was booked I was chatting with another Splendido and told her I upgraded... she was like "I WANT YOUR OLD CABIN!".. so she called her TA and told her "my friend just upgraded and her cabin is available and I want it"... So Score for her!! Glad it went to someone I knew.. :D

 

 

How did your friend like the room? Was there a lot of room inside? Was the balcony as specious as others say? Was there room to put two lounge chairs? Was your suite worth the change??

[ibcnusoon]

How did your friend like the room? Was there a lot of room inside? Was the balcony as specious as others say? Was there room to put two lounge chairs? Was your suite worth the change??

 

My DD's had the L-shaped cabin next to our aft-wrap and their L-shaped cabin did not have lounge chairs (only the aft wraps had lounge chairs). It's a great room, found it more spacious than a regular balcony cabin and the balcony was a little longer than regular.

[Crusin Karen]

My DD's had the L-shaped cabin next to our aft-wrap and their L-shaped cabin did not have lounge chairs (only the aft wraps had lounge chairs). It's a great room, found it more spacious than a regular balcony cabin and the balcony was a little longer than regular.

I had this room twice on Splendor, once on port, the other starboard but on deck 8. GREAT cabin and GREAT balcony. Only problem with deck 8 was the noise early in the morning with the pool guys putting out the lounge chairs at the Liner Pool (why do they have to do this at 5 in the morning??? :confused:)

[cruisinbabs]

Hi everyone.. I am still here.. just busy at work in the middle of month end closing.. UGH!!! i promise to get some more done hopefully later today. Just didnt want you thinking I left you hangin..

 

toodles for now.. :D

[cruisinbabs]

nice review

 

 

thank you so much susie!:D

[cruisinbabs]

. Saw that. Glad it worked out. Your portrait photos are spectacular!

 

 

yes it all worked out and dinner was so fun the rest of the week.

 

Thank you for the portrait compliment.. with all of todays technologies, iphones etc.. sometimes its just nice to take a good ol fashion photo to take home:o

[cruisinbabs]

I'm all caught up now....loving the review. I love the pics of the Atrium on the Splendor

 

 

thanks bri! :D

[EBONI325]

---mom/daughter picture...... I love her tons!

 

honestly, if you had not worded it mom/daughter picture (or ever identified your mom in the begining) i would have thought you were sisters in this picture!!! :d

 

yes they certainly do look like sisters here.

 

Love the blouse barbara, i have it in white with black detail.

 

I hope barbara is not like my daughter, she gets upset when folks tell us we look like sisters. Once someone asked if we were twins, this really got to her.(lol)

 

loving your review barbara.

[cruisinbabs]

Great review so far, can't wait for the rest. I'm going to be on the Splendor in September for the New England/Canada itinerary. This will be very helpful. Could you tell me how much the helicopter was in Grand Turk. That sounds like something I would like to do the next time I am down that way.

 

 

Thank you. ;-)

 

Helicopter ride in GT was 139.99/pp. it was so much fun!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[cruisinbabs]

Onward to sea day #2. I attempted to remember to take more pictures this day but still did not get as many as I would have liked.. For some reason I get up super early on cruises to start the day.. it is a tad easier to get up while you have a fun day ahead of you.. and NO WORK.

 

So our day at sea went somewhat like this...

 

*Breakfast on the balcony via room service.. again on time..(order it to show up between 6:30-7.. beats the main rush..) Hubs and I really enjoy doing this.. main reason we get a balcony.

 

*Made sure mom was awake.. lol...

 

*Hit up the coffee shop for a mocha. ( I love coffee if you couldn't tell)

 

*Explore the ship some more.

 

---Tried our hand at bingo.. again... no win...again....

 

*Meet our group for super duper trivia.. Captain had to be there for her team.

 

---Ready to kick some booty mom???

 

---Waiting for trivia to start.... lets take a pic of the atrium..

 

*After trivia grabbed some lunch... burrito bar again for me!!! Then off to try our hand at mini golf!

 

---FORE!!!!

 

---My mom has good form... heheh...

 

---Say cheese honey bunny!!! super ma-cheese-mo...

[cruisinbabs]

---Need your hair did?? have no fear, let the open sea take care of that for you!

 

---Nice comfy wooden bench

 

---Only got a pic of the barrier.. I agree with everyone else, this serenity area needs to be relocated.. no hot tub, clamshells or hammocks.. but there is a bar.

 

---Busy busy day on deck!!! want a lounger?? too bad... naw just joking.. there were some available.. just super duper duper windy.

 

We head back to turn in our clubs and balls and hairy chest contest was going on... I chuckled, snapped a couple pics and we were off to go do something else..

 

---Looks like everyone was having a fun time with it... I am sure the guy on the very left more than likely won..... that dude is in some serious need of some manscaping... weed whacker, sheers.. somethin...

 

---Snapped this picture as we were headed back inside... this guy danced in front of the ladies and was jackin this ladies hat... lol... just some good ol silly nonsense fun.. love it.

[cruisinbabs]

see told you i would forget something out of order!!!

 

Also this we had our slot pull @ 10am which was a lot of fun too.. basically everyone brought 15 bucks, each person got 5 pulls at the wheel of fortune slot... we had a pretty large group and after the first round we were all up a $1.. so we all decided to go again!! lol... this next time around we ended up 6 bucks richer! no big win but it was a good way to pass some time and it was a lot of fun!

 

I think this day we had our first cabin crawl as well. Who needs cheers program when you can cabin hop and have drinks?? I felt pretty good during the afternoon. I also think Patrick took a nap this afternoon while mom and I were out doing our own thing until it was time to get ready for dinner.

 

---Woke up the bear for dinner

 

---Me and mom

 

---Thank you table mate Jennifer for taking our pic!

 

---Let's sing and dance!!

 

After dinner, went to casino and met up with Splendidos again, drinks, snack.. some more drinks... you get the picture...

 

We finally hit our wall and decided to call it a night since we would be on land tomorrow!!!

 

All in all we had a pretty successful day of fun! Open cabin door and this lil guy was waiting for us... super cute! I never get tired of towel animals.

 

 

---Yay!! Land tomorrow!!!!!

 

(Sorry for the blurry pics.. I really want to get a new camera but my lil nikon coolpix had to work for this trip as is... she is still a decent lil thing but some pictures i couldnt tell if they were blurry until I download them..... I do not have any of the cool equipment as some people have... )

[cruiseinfoseeker]

Loving your review. Thank you so much for taking the time to post it.

 

Q: Where was the muster drill held; outside by the stations or inside public spaces?

[tlcs]

Great review! My daughter lives in NYC, so we go down to visit her quite a bit, but we've never cruised from there. It's on my bucket list!