Splendor 4 Day Bahamas Review

[Johnny60]

Thank you very much. What great pics and I really appreciate you posting them. Hope you are continuing with your trip report...please?

[jam19872016]

Thank you very much. What great pics and I really appreciate you posting them. Hope you are continuing with your trip report...please?

 

You're very welcome. I will be back later in the week with more.

[Johnny60]

You're very welcome. I will be back later in the week with more.

I hope so...thank you.

[Crusin Karen]

I love looking all the way down the hallways from one end to another. Have been on Pride past couple cruises and spirit class has those "in and out" indentures and you can't see all the way down. Went on Dream once and the end was a tiny dot lol. :eek: I do not remember the BBQ!!! :confused::confused: Thanks again for sharing.

[jam19872016]

I hope so...thank you.

 

My work schedule got changed on me, so I am running a few days behind but hope to continue the review in the next day or two.

 

I love looking all the way down the hallways from one end to another. Have been on Pride past couple cruises and spirit class has those "in and out" indentures and you can't see all the way down. Went on Dream once and the end was a tiny dot lol. :eek: I do not remember the BBQ!!! :confused:

:confused: Thanks again for sharing.

 

I haven't had the pleasure of sailing the Spirit class yet. I was supposed to boarding the Miracle tomorrow for a 15 day to Hawaii, but had trouble coming up with the money and it got put back on the bucket list.

 

I believe the BBQ is a recent addition in the last year or so. I first had it on the Conquest in August 2016 and at the time it was the first ship to convert the old Fish N Chips to the BBQ.

[Johnny60]

I have been checking daily for updates lol. Please dont hurry, its good of you to spare your time to do this. It is much appreciated:)

[navybaby1113]

Enjoying your review so far. Thank you!

[marshabear]

did they put the fish and chips anywhere else since they put the BBQ in it's place?

 

how does the BBQ on here compare to the Guy Fieri BBQ on the Vista? We didn't care for the one on the Vista-maybe this one is a bit different?

 

 

 

Marsha

[jam19872016]

I have been checking daily for updates lol. Please dont hurry, its good of you to spare your time to do this. It is much appreciated:)

 

You're very welcome.

 

Enjoying your review so far. Thank you!

 

Glad you're enjoying! Thanks for reading along.

[jam19872016]

did they put the fish and chips anywhere else since they put the BBQ in it's place?

 

how does the BBQ on here compare to the Guy Fieri BBQ on the Vista? We didn't care for the one on the Vista-maybe this one is a bit different?

 

 

 

Marsha

 

If my memory serves me correctly (and it might not) I don't believe the Splendor had a Fish and Chips above Lido but rather a Rotisserie. Either way though, there is no Fish and Chips anywhere on the Splendor and no up charge seafood restaurant either.

 

I have not yet tried the Guy Fieri BBQ so have nothing to compare it to. I have had the Fat Jimmy's BBQ when it was on the Breeze, and this BBQ is nowhere near as good imho. They have the Guy's branded sauces but other than that I don't know how they compare. Food is very subjective so it is hard for me to say if you will like it but I loved it. I think if you found Guy's to not be to your liking, this will probably not be any better. But do try it, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[jam19872016]

Day 2: Fun Day at Sea

 

Today was a sea day, which should mean no need to wake up at a set time. But the casino just loves to schedule a drawing early in the morning so we will start feeding in our money early ;p. We were up at 10 for a 10:30 drawing. Neither of us had our names called.

 

After the drawing we made a bee line for brunch since we would have to back in the casino for another drawing from 12-3:30.

 

Brunch can sometimes be painfully slow so I did not order 16000 things like I normally do. I had the Heuvos Rancheros with a side of cheese grits and chicken sausage.

 

 

 

Service was not a problem and the food was all very good. Don't worry, I would eat again in a couple hours for lunch lol.

 

At some point in the afternoon I went back to the cabin, it was weird having a towel animal in the am instead of at night, but no big deal.

 

 

The next drawing was the Fireball Raffle. This was open to everyone playing in the casino not just premiere guests. They would call a name every 30 minutes. Must be present to win. It rolled over to $1100 before there was a winner. It wasn't me, bummer.

 

After the drawings were over, I took a break from the casino and went to trivia. The topic was country music. I don't really listen to much country these days, but growing up I was sort of a country music buff. Like really really good at naming any country song you could play. But i'm older now and wasn't sure if I still had it. I do. I scored 29 out of 30 (missed Little Big Town, don't really know the newer stuff). The questions were way too easy I think, and we ended up in a 3 or 4 way tie. Some harder questions would have been nice, but it was still the only trivia that I felt like I did good at. No ship on a stick :( Instead medals were handed out. I guess I really didn't need another SOAS from the Splendor, I'm getting a bit greedy with three at home already.

[jam19872016]

Tonight was cruise elegant night. We didn't make it to dinner until just before closing time. We were not able to get seated in Francisco's section tonight because his tables had already been cleared. I think it may have to do with the extra prep work involved with table cloths as we were always able to get a seat in section at the end of the night the rest of the week. No biggie.

 

MarQ hosting a trivia party as we made our way to the dining room.

 

 

Tonight's menu. The elegant night menu used on shorter sailings (5 days and less)

 

 

 

For my starter I had the sea scallops and the stuffed mushrooms.

 

 

 

Both were very good, need more scallops though.

 

For my main I had the blue crab ravioli.

 

 

I had this before and did not care for it but felt like it needed a second chance. It was better than I remember, but still not a favorite of mine.

[jam19872016]

Dessert menu.

 

 

I had the WCMC and the creme brule.

 

 

 

The creme brule was off. It was not terrible, but if this had been my first time getting it, I would not have bothered ordering it again. The WCMC was good.

 

Service tonight was great and because it was so late, it was very very quick. Less than 50 minutes. The meal was ok. It was not bad but it did not hit the high marks it usually does for me.

[jam19872016]

The casino sent us a bottle of wine. We don't drink it but it was a nice gesture. We meant to give it away to someone but never did. I am not sure what we ended up doing with it, I think we ended up leaving it in the room.

 

 

M also got a birthday wish from Carnival that included a free photo.

 

 

After dinner it was back to the casino. Niehter of us were doing very good. Luck was about to change for one of us. It was not me.

 

So our cruise was in between Hurricanes Irma and Maria. In fact I had not heard anything about Maria at the time. During our cruise the concern was Jose. He was far enough away that we were still going to the Bahamas, but I figured we may be in for some rougher weather.

 

Late this evening the rocking started to become quite a bit more noticeable. Ever since I got seasick on the Sunshine I have made sure to pack motion sickness pills. I don't take them all the time and have gotten braver about not taking them as often as time has passed. I could tell that I should probably take them, but I don't like to admit that I need them to myself and told myself I would be fine. Plus they make me drowsy and I had been putting my casino drink card to good use so figured it was best to avoid them.

 

Back in the casino I was feeling worse and worse but trying to be a trooper. The drawing tonight was Luck of the Card. We received two cards and if our card was called, we got to pick a bag that contained some small gifts and a prize (cash, shore ex credit, chef's table etc). M and I decided to not each take a card but instead just split if we won. Good thing, the card I was eyeing was not the one called but the other was. We won $50. We didn't strike it rich, but it is still exciting to be picked.

 

This was where things went south for me though. Sitting at the machine playing was one thing, but standing at the drawing was too much. I was going to be sick. I ran off to the room, took my pills like a good boy and laid down. I was not sure how well they would work since I was already feeling sick. But after laying down for the longest hour of my life, I started to feel better.

 

I did not bother to get back up, I was pretty drowsy at this point and just kinda faded in and out of sleep for a few hours. M called at one point, I don't really remember the conversation probably just wondered where I went since I left with no warning. She came back in pretty late. Her luck in the casino had changed and she closed the place down tonight, something she has not done in a while. When I went in the safe the next day, I was shocked at how many black chips I saw. :eek: Why did lady luck not show up until after I left!

 

I have been prone to motion sickness my whole life, but never on cruises until recently. M did not find the water to be that rough, and on the roll call from that other group opinion was split about 50-50 about it being rocky or not that bad. But we made it into HMC the next morning, so it could not have been that bad.

 

M ordered some room service and the last time I remember looking at the time, it was just after 4am. A rough ending but an otherwise great day on the Splendor.

[jam19872016]

Day 3: Half Moon Cay

 

This was my 25th day total on the Carnival Splendor. I am officially Splenor Gold!

 

Today we were at Half Moon Cay. This was my second time here.

 

I always cruise with a fan, it serves two purposes for me. I like to be cold when I sleep and sometimes the AC in the cabins don't work so well. It also blocks out noise from the hallway. Between the rocking of the ship, the pitch dark of an inside room, the lack of noise, and the motion pills I took after enjoying several adult beverages, I slept in pretty late today. It was after 2pm when I finally rolled out of bed.

 

I did not realize how late it was and I left M in the room while I grabbed a bite to eat. While I was gone she had gotten up and was now also at lunch. I found her at the BBQ place and we agreed we were not going to make it off the ship today since we would have to be back on board in less than an hour, plus it was raining pretty hard at this point. Not a big deal for me, but M loves port days so this was a bummer for her.

 

After lunch we went back to the casino. They had opened before we left HMC and I was about to play when I realized something was missing. My camera. I tried really hard to retrace my steps from the night before, but things were pretty foggy from the night before. Finally I went to guest services praying for some honest soul to have turned it in. As luck would have it, it had been turned in. I left it in the casino when I suddenly left the night before. Lesson learned, right? Nope, not even one hour later I left it AGAIN! Thank goodness for honest people, someone turned it in to the casino host. I am so scatter brained sometimes, thankfully I did not lose it again.

 

This was as close as I got to Half Moon Cay today.

 

 

 

[jam19872016]

The remainder of the afternoon was spent in the casino. We left for dinner around 8:30. Tonight's dinner menu.

 

 

 

 

For my starter I had the spring rolls.

 

 

They were very good, the only thing that would make them better is a different dipping sauce, I don't care for soy sauce.

 

For my main I had the veal parmesean and the portobello mushrooms.

 

 

 

Both were very good, although M was not a fan of the sauce the mushrooms came in.

[jam19872016]

Dessert menu.

 

 

I ordered a banana split from the kids menu and the passion fruit flan.

 

 

 

I enjoyed both. Especially the banana split, such a simple thing but o so very good.

 

Dinner was very good tonight and service was excellent. I was back in Francisco's section tonight and he was wonderful as always. We were in and out in around an hour.

[jam19872016]

After dinner someone was just hanging out in our room.

 

 

We also had some treats left from the casino.

 

 

Tonight in the casino was the hot seat promotion. You have to be playing to win this one, but they only call every 30 minutes so I played for a bit until I saw how bad my luck was then just came back every half hour and plopped down at a machine. Didn't win.

 

After the hot seat promotion it was off to Lido. They have a late night Mexican buffet that is not advertised. I thought other ships stopped doing this, but now I wonder if I just always missed it because it is not put in the fun times anymore. I will be sure to check next cruise after the mega deck party as that is when it seems it is always offered.

 

Some fun fruit carvings at the buffet.

 

 

 

I rounded out the night with some more casino time. Once I was done taking a beating I just hung out and watched M play. She closed down the casino a little after 3. They advertise later casino hours on premiers but that does not seem to be the case for table games as they still close between 3 and 3:30. It was probably for the best, forced us to get some sleep as we had plans tomorrow in Nassau - they have a new casino! :cool:

[Johnny60]

Another great couple of days and photos. Thank you. The food looks yummy. Sorry you were sick though. Thanks for sharing with us and looking forward to the next instalment.

[Crusin Karen]

If my memory serves me correctly (and it might not) I don't believe the Splendor had a Fish and Chips above Lido but rather a Rotisserie. Either way though, there is no Fish and Chips anywhere on the Splendor and no up charge seafood restaurant either.

 

 

Yep, that's what it was! The Rotisserie! I remember going up there and getting a plate of mac and cheese and baked potato with all the fixins'! ;p

Stinks you were sick and missed HMC. Such a beautiful place, but have never experienced it in the rain and I'm not sure I would go ashore either. Hope you can try a spirit class ship someday.

[jam19872016]

Another great couple of days and photos. Thank you. The food looks yummy. Sorry you were sick though. Thanks for sharing with us and looking forward to the next instalment.

You're welcome. Sorry I've been gone so long, work has been crazy. Gonna wrap it up tonight.

 

If my memory serves me correctly (and it might not) I don't believe the Splendor had a Fish and Chips above Lido but rather a Rotisserie. Either way though, there is no Fish and Chips anywhere on the Splendor and no up charge seafood restaurant either.

 

 

Yep, that's what it was! The Rotisserie! I remember going up there and getting a plate of mac and cheese and baked potato with all the fixins'! ;p

Stinks you were sick and missed HMC. Such a beautiful place, but have never experienced it in the rain and I'm not sure I would go ashore either. Hope you can try a spirit class ship someday.

 

HMC was very nice the time I made it there on a previous cruise. Truthfully though, I don't mind missing it. I'm sure M was bummed though. Once the Miracle comes to Florida, I might still have a shot at sailing a Spirit class.

[jam19872016]

Day 4: Nassau

 

Today we were in Nassau. This is my fourth time here, and it ties Grand Turk as my most frequented port. Like many, this is not my favorite port but I was excited for my trip here today. There is a new casino in Nassau, Baha Mar, and I had been hearing a lot of great things about it.

 

There were some crew drills going on at the ungodly hour of just after 9am. I went back to sleep but after missing HMC, I managed to force myself up just a couple minutes before noon and woke M from her slumber. Breakfast consisted of some of those delicious cookies the casino left so that we could make the most of our limited remaining time in Nassau.

 

We took a cab to and from Baha Mar. The cost was $22 for the ride there, and $18 for the ride

back. I think the price is going to vary by a couple bucks depending on who you get, but if you take a cab figure around $20 each way. This was total not per person.

 

There is, however, a much cheaper way to get there. If you walk out of the port area and towards the Senor Frogs, you can grab the #10 bus that will drop you off right across the street from the resort. The cost is $1.25 per person and you can also catch it coming back. M is a little too high maitnance for public transportaion in a foreign country (although we did it in St.Maarten once) but if you can "slum" it on the bus you will save a ton of money. If not, expect nearly a 1000% markup for a cab.

 

The cab driver on the way over informed us we were his first fare to Baha Mar. It is still pretty new, and is still in its soft opening phase. He also told us there is a bit of contraversy surrounding the casino. It seems the original invester in the site ran out of money before construction was complete. In order to finish building, the project was bought out by the Chineese. I spend money on products from China everyday, so it does not really bother me, but it was something that I had never heard mentioned before. I'll admit the story sounded a bit fishy, but I asked Uncle Google and he confirmed what the cab driver said.

 

This was really the first time I've made it any further than Atlantis. Let me mention that although the port area is a first class dump, this really is a beautiful island once you get out a little further. I wish I could have taken some more pictures, but I'm not really any good at pictures from a moving car.

 

The resort coming into view.

 

 

First impression of Baha Mar - stunning. It may be because it is a new building, but the resort was absolutely breathtaking.

 

 

[jam19872016]

When you first arrive, stop by the host desk. It is a pretty big casino, and I cannot tell you now how to find it. But ask and they will point you to the right spot. Once there, ask to sign up for a player's card. They will load $10 in free play onto your player's card. The Chinese now have my information on a computer somewhere, but so far I have suffered no repercussions :p not even in the form of spam. When you use your card for the first time, it also lets you spin a bonus wheel for even more free play money. I did pretty good and turned my original $0 investment into about $32 and then I walked away. Don't worry, later I would throw that money away into the black hole known as Carnival's casino.

 

Now the one complaint about the casino. There are still a lot of bugs to work out in the machines. Many of the machines did not work. They had trouble reading your card, or loading money from your card. Then you could keep trying on the same machine, and it would work. Most of the machines at the front did not work on the first try. As you ventured farther out, the problem seemed to be less common.

 

Other than that the casino was awesome. There must have been literally over 1000 machines including many many many machines that I have never seen before having never really making it out of Carnival's casino. And I can also confirm that the machines seemed to all be paying out very well. I didn't play a whole lot, but M played musical chairs for a couple hours. Almost every game she played, would hit a bonus. She busted out pretty quick at the tables however. Drinks were free, and they did not really care if you were playing.

 

Their casino is probably not their money maker. It would have to be their restraunt. Right now there are only two spots open for lunch, and one was on the other side of the resort. So we stopped at their sports bar, the swimming pig. The prices here more than subsidize the loose machines in their casino. Pack your wallet, or don't eat on the property.

 

Their menu was pretty extensive. The lighting was pretty bad so I won't bother posting the whole menu, just one or two pages that came out ok, just so you get an idea of the offerings and the prices.

 

 

 

 

We split a chicken sandwich and fries. It was $18. Pretty decent food, but the sticker shock is real.

[jam19872016]

Are there any pig fans out there? If so, these are for you.

 

 

 

 

They had pictures of pigs lining the walls, and I have an aunt who would have been tickled pink with all the pig paraphernalia here. I'll admit, it was pretty cute.

 

They do not sell day passes to the property. However I have heard that if you blend in, nobody is checking to make sure you are a guest if you use the facilities. Just don't wear your Sail&Sign or take your Carnival beach towel, and you will be fine. Due to our limited time here, we did not get a chance to test that.

 

Overall, I very highly recommend Baha Mar. It is a very beautiful resort and the staff are all very friendly and accommodating (I didn't even have to open my own door - impressive :D). The drink service is top notch and the machines seem to be paying out well although maybe we just got lucky - at every machine we sat at (except sex and the city - boo). I have never cared for Atlantis, and I hope this casino gives them a real run for their money. I do not know when the grand opening is, I have heard dates ranging from October 1 to early 2018. I can say, I look forward to returning to Nassau to come check out this beautiful casino again and will try to get up a little earlier next time to maximize my time here.

[jam19872016]

Back on board we had a towel heart and a letter with terrible news - we would be expected to leave the ship tomorrow. But but, we just got on here. Four days is way too short.

 

 

We made our way up to Lido for a small bite to eat. It was getting close to supper but all I had really done today was nibble, so I got a little bit of food from Off The Grille. I have really been spoiled by Guy's - these burgers are so blah now.

 

I had a nice view of the Carnival Ecstasy while eating my burger.

 

 

Atlantis as we were leaving Nassau.

 

 

We got one final gift from the casino this evening. A set of logo beach towels.

 

 

With my small win from Baha Mar, I was now back under my gambling budget for the trip. Although I set my budget low, to be honest it was still a very generous bankroll for a four day trip. In no time, I blew my Baha Mar win, and some more money. I tapped out around 7:30, admitting defeat from the Splendor casino once again.

 

I have two more cruises on Carnival. Both are casino events. Both are coming with very little in the way of a price break. I had a good run for a while but between my rotten streak the last two cruises, and Carnival's casino promotions not being what they used to be, well, we'll have to see what 2018 holds for me for cruises. I have a free cruise on NCL and I am excited to see how their casino program is. Free cruise, with no gambling history on NCL, already sounds like they treat their players better but we will see. Carnival will always be home, but I am excited for a change.

 

M, well she left with quite a bit of Carnival's money. She has had her fair share of losses so this was a well deserved victory for her. But I was still more than a little envious of her success oooops I mean excited for her lol.