LizaMM

I have heard many mixed things about this issue....when I took my daughter on a cruise for her 21st birthday in 2017 I waited until after she turned 21 to set sail because of the mixed answers I had to this question. I will do the same for my son this coming summer.

Whether or not they allow your "child" to drink on the day they turn 21 mid-cruise, the rules of the Cheers program is that it must be purchased on embarkation day or day 1

I know many of you more vocal Carnival fans are thrilled by the info that they changed back....But Carnival needs to communicate this information. I just booked a Conquest class ship. We loved the family-friendly aft pool on the Victory -- which when we cruised several years ago was not adults-only during spring break at least. ...

This is because the Victory never had adults only aft pool and hot tubs.

The only ships that had the adult only pool/hot tubs were the Conquest Class ships (Conquest, Glory, Liberty, Freedom) and the Splendor. The deck itself is not adults only, only the pool/hot tubs

As a previous poster stated, the change was made in April 2017 and then it was quickly reverted back weeks later in May 2017 due to consumer complaints.

The status of the pools (adult vs family friendly) has never been posted on the website....probably so they can make changes if needed.... however; as posted in a photo above, the ships stated all have the adults only plaque.

Brunch on Sea Day no matter how many there are :)

On Dream this month there were plenty of kids in the aft pool. I was disappointed as I'd like the 2 pools on a ship to be divided between 1 that welcomes kids and 1 that is adults only. There have been enough changes on Carnival lately that I decided not to book the free cruise bounce-back offer I received on Dream. I will continue to watch the Carnival board here on CC to see how changes progress.

The Dream Class ships never had adult only aft pool. They were always family friendly. This would include the Dream, Magic, Breeze and also the Vista Class. The only "adult only" on these ships is the Serenity Deck. On the Vista, the Havana Cabins can only be booked to Pax 12 and older and, thus, the Havana Pool Deck will not have people under the age of 12.

The Conquest Class as well as the Splendor had adult only Aft pools (not the whole deck - that would be Serenity - but the actual pool as well as the hot tubs on the aft deck). In April 2017 they made a change to family friendly and then by May 2017 the pools were changed back to adult only on these ships :) I was very happy because the change back to adult only was the week before I sailed on a B2B on the Splendor ;)

There had been "talk" that it is possible that they could open them up as family friendly during high season times; however, I have not seen reports of this happening.

On my B2B in May on the Splendor - I was given a letter the day before with where to meet and when on embarkation morning. We met in one of the MDR's and turned in our S&S Cards. As a group we were escorted off the ship and brought to an empty customs room. We each turned over our customs declaration form and then were escorted back onto the ship. When we returned to the Lobby we were given our new S&S Cards as we boarded. In the Lobby Bar area they had champagne and mimosas. We all posed for a photo with a big banner along with some of the crew. Photo was delivered (complimentary) the next day to my cabin.

I did not have the same cabin - I booked the second leg several weeks after the 1st leg and the same cabin was not available. I was able to get a cabin just around the corner so the move was easy - I packed up my belongings and my cabin steward moved them to my new cabin for me while I was out having breakfast and enjoying the turn-around process

I LOVED doing a B2B! In addition to the longer vacation experience the crew made it special by remembering me and commenting on my second week and how nice it was to see me back.

I so enjoyed your video!

My only desire to book the Vista was due to the Havana pool deck and your video has confirmed my thoughts ! My friend and I have a Havana Inside Cabin which will be fine as it is the pool deck I booked it for :)

I am looking forward to the rest of your review!

You can do it online through "Manage My Booking" You can each use your own credit card.

In my experience, Cheers must be booked and paid for by all over 21 in the cabin in one transaction. I have sailed with a friend on 2 occasions since being able to purchase Cheers online. We were only able to make one transaction with one credit card while purchasing online. The last time I did this was May 2017 so perhaps it has changed and there is the ability for 2 card online. We opted to order online, one person put it on the credit card and the other person paid back.

Usually if you call you can make transactions on 2 cards

Yes...As previously stated Amber Cove has a shopping area, pool, plenty of free lounge chairs and I did see a water play area for kids. The zip line , I believe, was $12 per person (May 2017) and unlimited # of times.

There was a fee for "reserved lounge chairs with umbrella shade" - I am not sure what the fee was - and fee for beverages and food.

Nice set up. There is an area with water fun for younger children and entertainment/music by the swim up bar. The pool wanders around in a loop and there are areas with walkway/bridges you can tuck yourself under for shade. Also built in benches and graded areas where you can sit in low level water

Thank you for your review! I am amazed by the photos of the Havana area and I am so excited that I have a Havana cabin on the Vista! looks amazing ;)

Yes! Full lunch venues.

Around the Lido Deck Splendor has typical buffet which changes theme daily, Grill (not Guys), Burrito Bar (not Blue Iguana), Mongolian Grill, Pizza, Deli,Old Fashioned BBQ (upstairs on Deck 10), Tandoor (Yum!!!!)

Although Splendor does not have the 2.0, she has the the BBQ and Tandoor which are not options on many ships.

Splendor 5/21 and 5/27 (B2B) and she was back to Adults only :D

The Aft pool deck on the Splendor is fabulous!! ENJOY!

I'm looking forward to reading your first-hand accounts of cruising with Irma looming. Hope you stay safe.

I am looking forward to your report and thank you for posting as well! ....I always jump on Cruise Critic in interest to see how the cruise-lines handle these weather situations....BTW...I love the reference to the "buckle up buttercup" ad that Carnival did several years ago....still one of my favorites :)

Yes Beagles. They were both rescues Charlee was abused and won't bark, howl or make any sounds except when he yawns or snores. Barry on the other hand makes enough noise for both of them.

My daughter's Beagle (as well as her Chihuahua, Rottie and 2 cats) is a rescue as well; however, this has not deterred her howling at all....she is the most loving and intelligent dog I have ever met though which makes up for the sound....most of the time...lol

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

THANK YOU for all the photos, esp. the Havana area! I booked the Vista specifically because I wanted to sail with the Havana Pool Deck. I don't care about any of the other 2.0 and upgraded areas/activities on this ship....I actually love the Splendor which does not even have 2.0.....I would only sail the Vista if I was able to be in a Havana Cabin and luckily I was able to book one for my next cruise

Thank you for your info. Fortunately we were able to book the same cabin for both weeks [emoji3

Just one more question: were you given the option to get off the ship on turnaround day?

On RCCL we were able to get off the ship and spend the day in port and return at boarding time. They gave us an " in transit" card to show when reboarding to avoid the lines.

Thanks again for your help

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I have heard of people doing this; however, none of us on this sailing asked to do that

How nice, our B2B2B was on the Splendor too!

I love the Splendor! I had sailed her last year and specifically selected her for my B2B because of how much I loved the aft pool deck

I did a B2B on the Splendor in May. I received a letter in my cabin the day before turn-around. I was not able to get the same cabin when I added the 2nd leg so I had to change cabins . I was able to get a cabin on the same deck "just around the corner" and my cabin steward told me that he would move my belongings. I did pack everything up , although I believe he would have moved hanging items from the closet.

On turn-around day all B2B Pax met in one of the MDRs at I believe around 10:30 AM. We were greeted by staff and they took our S&S cards and checked that we had needed items. I believe they were serving coffee and juice but I had a latte from the cafe so I didn't really pay attention to that.

When customs was cleared we were escorted as a group off the ship, handed our customs declaraton forms over and then re-boarded as a group. We were given our new S&S cards as we re-boarded.

There was a little celebration in the Atrium area. Champagne, mimosa's etc were served and a large B2B Banner was brought out and the group posed for photo with staff. The photo was delivered (free of charge) to my cabin during the cruise.

I thought it was nicely done and I have to say the staff around the ship were amazing about re-greeting me all week

I see your photo :) Beagles? My daughter has one and she is truly the most intelligent dog I have ever met! Although her bark/howl drives me nuts....lol

Thanks for your review and your wonderful photo tour!

I sailed the Splendor June 2016 and loved her so much that I selected Splendor for my B2B this past May to celebrate my birthday - it was a great time :D

Your review and photos and bringing back fabulous memories!

I know this was an old post, but can anyone provide an update on if the Splendor has the American Table / American Feast menus? Thanks!

Yes....The Splendor changed over to American Table/American Feast June 2016....I was on the first 6 day sailing (2nd cruise for the change - initial sailing was an 8 day) when it was introduced.

Just wanted to add my opinion....I had a GREAT time with Skip on the Splendor during my B2B 5/21 and 5/27 :)

On our first B2B had same room. Met in Dining room. They had juice, coffee, H2O, and pastry. They issued new S&S cards. Then off the p and through customs. 1/2 hour. Back on board for group photo in Atrium. WARNING. Once you do B2B you'll never go back. We booked same cruise, same cabin, same time.

Yes! I so enjoyed my B2B on the Splendor! My next booked cruise is on the Vista, end of January 2018, and I am seriously wondering how on earth I will only sail for 8 days and not do a B2B! I am looking at adding the 6 day at the end :)

I am Platinum now but a B2B has been on my bucket list since I first met someone on board on their 2nd leg way back in 2006 when I was on my 4th cruise....Finally was able to do it this year for my 50th Birthday!

I have only done one B2B and due to when I added the 2nd leg I was not able to get the same cabin. I was on the same deck and "around the corner" so I had different cabin stewards.

As previously stated, I was told to check with Guest Services during my first leg to make sure they had me on the list - which they did. I received the letter with instructions the day before the change over. My cabin steward told me that he would move my belongings to my new cabin. I did pack everything up, although I had been told they would move hangers.

Change Over AM - B2B folks all met in one of the dining rooms. There was coffee, water, juice etc. A staff member collected all our S&S cards and we were escorted off the ship as a group. We went to the customs area, turned over our custom cards and then were escorted back on the ship. When we reached the Atrium we were handed our new S&S cards. Champagne and Mimosa's were served and a group photo was taken. It was really quite nice! The whole process was quick and easy and it was fun to chat with fellow B2B'ers.....I even met a couple who lived in the same City as me, live about a mile from my house.

After the drink and chat for a bit I went to my new cabin. My belongings were all there and I unpacked and was relaxing before the next set of Pax boarded : )

On the 2nd leg it was so fabulous how all the staff made comments welcoming me back and went out of their way to comment and chat.

When was the last time you were on splendor?

When I was on conquest in April they changed the adult aft pool to allow kids & there were a ton.. it was spring break..I was told it was changed on all ships that had the adult aft pool.. then a few weeks later I read where they had changed it back to adult only on splendor... I haven't been able to find any more info since the one post... I loved the adult aft pool & even book a room aft so it's easy access... I am on splendor in October for 2 sailings so I am hoping for adult only!

Thanks

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I sailed on a B2B on 5/21 and 5/27

I was THRILLED that the Aft pool and Hot Tubs were Adult Only!! I was one of those people who was so frustrated when I heard the Family Friendly change as I had specifically booked this ship for a B2B because of how much I loved the deck when I sailed her last year!

There was definitely 3 self serve ice cream stations when we sailed her in 2013. Surprised that they took them all out. We used the indoor buffet one a lot.

Oh there was still ice cream stations :D

...there just was not one all the way aft, on the aft pool deck.

The ice cream stations were mid ship and in the indoor buffet area on both sides and very well attended :) I was trying to say, that with the Tandoor and Deli on the aft pool deck - as opposed to pizza on many ships - and the lack of ice cream machine combined with the pool/hot tubs being adult only, lend to this area having a lower amount of children then other ships I have been on

As previously stated, similar to the Conquest Class in many areas. Deck 5/Promenade Deck is same layout at the Conquest Class ships. The Lido Deck area has the biggest differences. Mid-Ship pool where all the activities are located has the sliding dome (sliding dome is Aft on Conquest Class) and the pool deck is not tiered on the Splendor. Deck 10 above the mid-ship pool is enclosed and has hot tub ....interesting.

The Serenity Deck on the Splendor is located forward on Deck 12, as it is on Conquest Class; however, on the Splendor the Serenity Deck is not walkable all the way around and does not have any hammocks or hot tubs.

The burger/grill is located in the same place, by the main pool. It is not Guys Burgers but there is an additional topping bar. The Pizza is also located by the mid-ship main pool on the Splendor as opposed to Aft on the Conquest Class. There is no Blue Iguana but yes, a Burrito station is part of the Lido Buffet daily.

My favorite part of the Splendor is the fabulous open air Aft pool deck. This is similar to the Spirit Class or Dream Class ships. The deck is not adult only but the pool and 2 hot tubs are for adults only. The food back here is Tandoor (fabulous!!) and Deli and there is no ice cream machine ..... on all 3 of my cruises on the Splendor there were barely any kids back here ever....occasionally with parents to get deli or Tandoor but it was so rare that you actually noticed them. The views from this deck are awesome!!!

The Spa is an upgraded Cloud 9. In addition to the usual spa fare there is a Thalasso pool and a sauna circuit. I had a Spa Cabin on one of my Splendor sailings and very much enjoyed the amenities offered. The number of people able to use this is limited for each sailing so that it does not get to crowded and remains a peaceful, relaxing experience.

Oh wow, how awesome to sail back to back. Did you visit the same ports both times? I would love to book a cruise one place and then a transatlantic after. Glad you are enjoying the review to get your fix. LOL.

Nope...different ports - first leg was a 6 day during which I was joined by my newly turned 21 yo daughter then the second leg was an 8 day. My daughter departed and I was then joined by my friend and we celebrated my 50th birthday on that leg....It was a great 2 weeks!!

We had a lot of fun with Skip in the piano bar for both cruises - and I spent time chatting with him in the Casino bar several nights after the piano bar closed - it was nice seeing him in your review!

Loving your review and pics! I sailed the Splendor 5/21 and 5/27 and I needed a "fix" to bring back my B2B cruise memories!

Thanks :)