My review of Splendida...

[1fifthavenue]

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=534503

 

We chose this cruise as a way to experience an inside cabin - we had always had a balcony before, but seeing all of the great offers available for insides we thought a two night break would be the ideal way to give it a go, and if we didn't like it then there was no great loss.

 

The cabin was spacious and well appointed with shower room. I hear gripes of people who don't like shower curtains as they can stick to you whilst showering - my tip here would be to take some magnets and stick the curtain to the edge of the cubicle. Problem solved. My only gripe with the cabin would be that with it being an inside it perhaps would be beneficial to show the view from the bridge or other webcam on a tv channel so that it's possible to see the weather.

 

Embarkation was very quick - we got the train from Birmingham to Southampton and enjoyed a champagne picnic on the way. A short transfer to the Mayflower terminal (which cost £4.00) and we were in the queue to board.

 

We dropped off our luggage and were onboard within about half an hour. I must say this is probably the exception and not the norm. According to the person who checked us in there were only 150 guests changing over on this particular day. That, coupled with a late departure, would explain why the terminal building was so empty.

 

We took our hand luggage to the cabin and proceeded to the Main Dining Room for lunch. A delicious meal consisting of appetizer, soup, salad, main and dessert was coupled with some very enjoyable chardonnay which comes with the Allegrissimo package. I did note that compared to other sailings there was no 'always available' selection and a sandwich option had been added. It seemed apparent that the menu had been tweaked to favour the majority of German passengers, which is absolutely understandable.

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the ship and comparing her to her sister ship MSC Fantasia. There is no difference in terms of layout, however the decor seemed darker. My personal taste is for the lighter colours used on Fantasia. The aft bar on the top deck is styled loosely around Antoni Gaudi / Barcelona with bright mosaics. This area was no smoking, when on Fantasia at Christmas smoking was allowed up here. I'm personally glad this has been changed as there is a large smoking area on the deck below with ample tables and chairs.

 

We attended the muster drill (of course) which was completed quickly and efficiently despite the need to use multiple languages owing to the multi-national guests.

 

The first evening's entertainment in the theatre was an opera gala, which was very good and accompanied by a string quartet. Obviously not to everyone's taste however there were plenty of other options with many of the bars hosting bands, duos, singers etc. The atrium is a favourite spot of ours and the all so glitzy Steinhoff piano is not to be missed!

 

We set sail at 8pm and were soon seated for the second sitting of dinner. We had requested first sitting, however we were told there was no availability. MSC does state that requests cannot be guaranteed and perhaps owing to so few passengers changing over this was the reason they were unable to accommodate our wishes. We were on a table that would take eight passengers, however there were only four of us. This was nice as it enabled us to get to know the couple we were dining with and it was easy to have a conversation. I do find that when at a larger table it can be difficult to talk to all guests and get to know them.

 

After dinner we relaxed with one or two drinks before having an early (ish) night. NB something I hear very often is that you can only have Heineken on the drinks package. If you go to the l'apertivo bar (or Cantina Toscana on Fantasia) you can also have Murphy's or another beer which I cannot remember the name of!.

 

On both days we took breakfast in the main dining room. I had eggs Benedict with a side order of smoked salmon which was lovely. My partner had salmon and MSC Express, their version of a Full English. The coffee in the dining room isn't the best, so it would be my tip here to get yourself a latte or cappuccino from one of the bars to take in with you :)

 

We spent the whole of the sea day relaxing and playing games. There were some other activities going on around the ship, a few party games, dance classes, keep fit and arts and crafts. As it was such a short break we just wanted some time together. In the afternoon there was a lecture on our destination, Hamburg, which was very informative. The lady giving the presentation was from Hamburg and showed some of her own photographs and stories, as well as telling us the story of Hamburg. She gave the presentation purely in English and I would presume other slots were available for other languages.

 

The evening show was 'Simply the Best' which was a selection of famous songs and a bit of dancing. We didn't stay for the whole show.

 

Dinner consisted of an appetizer (we both had moules mariniers, a salad, pasta and then we both chose duck as main course which was beautifully cooked and presented, plus a selection of desserts was availble - we had fruit owing to eating so much!)

 

The rest of the evening was then spent in the casino and the other bars sampling some of the wonderful cocktails included with the Allegrissimo package - it's well worth having!

 

We had a bit of a flutter in the casino, which I can happily report has now been split in to a smoking and no smoking side. The casino is massive and having sailed on Fantasia I often wondered why smoking was allowed all the way through when it is plenty big enough to split in to two areas.

 

We were woken very early with lots of vibration - it was the bow thrusters pushing us in to port. I don't recall hearing the noise quite so badly in the balcony cabins we have stayed in. Also there must have been some sort of crew passage behind us or something as it was quite noisy during the night - cabin 10019.

 

We really enjoyed the cruise, but don't think I'd choose an inside again when it's often possible to get a outside or balcony for not much more money.

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[chris_kelowna]

Very good review, thank you!

 

Sent from my Venue 7 3730 using Tapatalk

[mairead224]

Great review. thankyou

[Hami1966]

Enjoyed your review and your comparisons with Fantasia. We sail on Fantasia in December and I'm looking for any info #allaboutdivina

[sofsolnanny]

Hi ,

 

thanks for your review.

I see you have won another trip on the Splendida--would that be from the uk's largest forum-If so you will be getting off when we are getting on.:)

 

We booked this cruise for a great price. Fantastica balcony and 24 hr drinks package, plus free parking at Southampton. Itinerary is not the most exciting but beats being at work!!

[1fifthavenue]

Hi! yes it is indeed through them! We will be disembarking on the 7th September, so basically doing the same trip but in reverse and with the addition of le havre.

 

We were considering the one you are doing but the itinerary really didn't do it for me. At least this one is free and I've plenty of annual leave to use up so may as well!

[sofsolnanny]

Hi,

yes agree the itinerary is not very exciting-have visited these ports lots of times ,but not much choice of 7 day trips from the UK.

 

I must say that Splendida looks a stunning ship-love the crystal staircase. Glad to see they have eggs benedict and salmon for breakfast and thanks for the tip about the coffee.

[Ti2m]

Thank you for the review.

 

We only speak English. Did you find any language barrier between either the guests or crew? Do you know if they seat people together that speak the same language in the MDR? Since this is our first cruise on a European line this is a concern of ours.

 

What is a full English breakfast?

 

Do you know if MSC does presentations for each port?

 

We booked*Fantastica Experience. Did you have this? Did you find it to be an advantage in any way?

 

Can you do a speedy debarkation and carry your own luggage off the ship?

 

Timm

[1fifthavenue]

Thank you for the review.

 

We only speak English. Did you find any language barrier between either the guests or crew? Do you know if they seat people together that speak the same language in the MDR? Since this is our first cruise on a European line this is a concern of ours.

 

What is a full English breakfast?

 

Do you know if MSC does presentations for each port?

 

We booked*Fantastica Experience. Did you have this? Did you find it to be an advantage in any way?

 

Can you do a speedy debarkation and carry your own luggage off the ship?

 

Timm

 

no language issues with the staff whatsoever.

 

At dinner you will be sat with people who speak the same language. Breakfast and lunch is not guaranteed due to the volume of passengers.

 

There isn't normally a presentation so my advice would be to research first.

 

A full English is sausages, baked beans, bacon, hash browns and eggs.

 

With Fantastica you can have a continental breakfast delivered free, we find this useful to get tea/coffee and juice fir while we get ready

 

You can take your own luggage off too

[DiamondGirl83]

Thanks for the review

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Nimloth]

Thanks for the review. We are sailing on Splendida next May in the Western Med.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Nimloth

[safkool]

Great detailed review.

 

We're sailing Splendida 27 March 2017 for med cruise. This is our first cruise.

[Sandi07054]

Mom and daughter trip to Mediterraean. First time to italy Spain and France

 

We picked Bella balcony. Never did this cruise line

Would love to get some info from someone who has previously done this trip

[Deanaboy]

Lots of good information here. Thanks for taking time to share. I am taking a cruise on this ship in April 07, 2017 out of Barcelona. I am booked Bella at this time, I may consider upgrading soon. Thanks

[1fifthavenue]

Mom and daughter trip to Mediterraean. First time to italy Spain and France

 

We picked Bella balcony. Never did this cruise line

Would love to get some info from someone who has previously done this trip

 

Hi Sandi what would you like to know? Have done numerous med cruises with MSC so may be able to help

[Sandi07054]

Hi

Well I'm looking for some port advice to Genoa Malta Palermo and Marsielle

So much information on here. I don't know whether to do ship excursions or on my own

Thank ypu

[1fifthavenue]

Hi Sandi

 

I guess it depends on what you want to do at each port?

 

If you log on to your MSC cruise planner you'll be able to see the excursions they are offering, then research what you might want to do in each port.

 

Valetta in Malta is a lovely city, with the Grand Master's palace and the Lascaris war rooms from WW2 in easy reach of the port (there's an elevator which takes you up to the top of the cliff for a couple of euros - well worth paying for!!)

 

Marseille cruise port is quite a way from the city of Marseille, you might want to take a trip to Provence while you're there?

 

Genoa is quite a large city but not much to see/do in my opinion

 

I've not been to Palermo so can't comment

[Sandi07054]

Thank you 1fifthavenue. I'll check it out