Bellasma

My family was planning a trip to Alaska, that would have been 5 rooms. Off to Norwegian or Holland. It is really too bad that some sort of compromise couldn't have been reached. I really can't see how someone smoking while the ship is moving could cause others so much angst. Perhaps while the ship was in port smokers could be told they are not allowed to smoke on their balconies but when the ships moving it is not an issue. Oh well looking forward to a new cruise line.

A new cruise line for me too! Since they all seem to have the same policy, might as well sail on a classier line like Royal.......Disney Dream is also a nice ship......great water slide and no need to buy a soda card since I understand soda is included.

We just got off the Splendor and we have to say we had a great time.

I usually don't do a review but I have been reading many reviews here and just thought there are some things that others never mentioned that I thought I would try and bring out.

 

First the cruise itself was fantastic. We left in a blizzard and everyone had stories how they got to the pier (we heard many did not get there). We had much snow on the deck for our first sea day so no one was even allowed outside, but by day 2, it was swept away and if you could brave the winds, the sun was strong enough to get some nice air.

The service on this ship was absolutely terrific. We ate in the Black Pearl Dining Room and requested the same wait staff every night and got them. Don't remember their names but the tables were in the 120's. We went to dinner with anytime dining, went to eat about 6:30-6:45 EVERY night and never waited ONE minute to be seated. There were just the two of us and we sometimes asked to share or we ate at a table for 2. We were always done before the first show so we could attend.

I read many reviews on how bad the entertainment has been. We were on the Glory over the summer and I agree with this. But on this cruise the entertainment was absolutely excellent. From the Fiesta show to the comedienne/ventriloquist, to the lady who did the Motown show (what a voice she had, to the VaVooom show (which we absolutely loved) to the last show, the Legends. The guy they had doing Frank Sinatra could headline a Vegas Show, he was so good.

We had marvelous weather, did the Parrott/Flamingo zoo in Nassau and the Segway tour in Freeport. great weather and had lots of fun.

 

Now for my bad. If I ever decide to take a cruise on a holiday week when all the kids are out of school,. some one shoot me. This ship was overrun with kids who did what they wanted, when they wanted. Now I've been reading this site for many years. I know what people will tell me, if you don't like these kids, don't go at this time. We have no choice as my DW works in the NYC schools. We LOVE kids. What we don't love are parents who just tell their kids not to fall off the ship, and everything else is OK. Now I'm talking to all the parents who will read this and think 'NOT MY KID'. You are sadly mistaken. Even the best of kids, when they hang around others who do mischief, create trouble, your kid will be doing this also. No doubt about it.

Just a few instances. We saw kids throwing dishes off the deck above the Lido. There was a 14 year old girl who won $1400 in the casino.

OK, that is a bit sneaky, but on this cruise, there was no security or when they were around they did nothing. We saw kids passed out in the hallways. The last night in the Lido, we were there at 1:00AM, there had to be 300 teens up there, throwing ice cream on the floor, pouring ketchup on the seats. We called security ourselves, but by the time some one came, they had moved on. Things like this were the common thing, not the exception.

Again, I know it was a holiday week. This was our 6th cruise on Carnival so we know what to expect, but nothing like this. If anyone is going with their teens, you have to know they will follow others, and if you think not, you are not thinking very clearly.

Plus, in the main pool area on the Lido deck, when the weather isn't that nice they have it enclosed with a retractable roof. When that roof is on, the noise level in there is way above what one might wish to sit around. Even the Serentity area, they placed the mini golf right above that, so the yelling was still there. It didn't ruin our cruise, but Carnival just drops the ball on this.

 

And to the two ladies from Michigan, who were on the cruise before this and since they couldn't fly out of NY because of the blizzard and decided to do it all again, I hope you got home safely. It was a pleasure chatting with you.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Shame! I viewed the ships cams a few times over the past week and seen all the kids at the pool early in the day. I was thinking to myself, glad I'm not there. We're going out on March 17th I hope there are not that many children with behavorial issues.

Although my body has it's issues, my mind is getting younger each year.

So many things are better and more fun with age I find. I got my first tattoo at age 50, since then I've gotten a few more including 2 just last year when I was 61. Now at age 62 I'll be taking my first cruise and very much looking forward to it. In fact have 2 booked for this year, one in March and one in Oct....very excited to start this new experience! :D

I was just wondering if there would be a problem using the cruise critic logo. I have buttons from the craft store that you can put your own photo in, and I was thinking about making one with cruise critic on it to show that I belong.

Usually hair dryers that are provided are poor at drying & styling, I do prefer my own. My curling iron is a MUST have! Thanks for the input!

I'm going to be sailing on the Splendor. Not sure if hair dryers are on board in all cabins, and even if they are can I bring my own?

Also something I really need to pack is a curling iron, are they permitted?