Our small review of the Splendor 5/30-6/6

[jsjjkelly]

I’ve read a bunch of trip reports, so I just wanted to chime in on how our cruise on the Splendor went. I saw ugagirl already started her day by day report, so I’ll keep it short. I also forgot where the roll call group was supposed to meet.... I know, I'm a bad roll call member.

 

We spent some time at Disneyland beforehand, and we got the call the Thursday before to arrive between 2 and 4. We used Super Shuttle to get us between Disney and Long Beach, and it was about a 30 minute trip. We arrived around 12:45 and the line was SUPER long. They were only checking in people outside, but after about 10 minutes the line started moving because they opened up the dome. Once that opened, we were onboard the ship about 1:15.

 

We had balcony Cabin 6335, and our inlaws had 8465. Their view from the back of the ship was nice, but I think I liked being midship only because we got to see dolphins swimming next to the ship. The aft had a bigger balcony, but I also thought they had more movement back there.

 

We ate in the Golden Pearl Upper 4 of the 7 nights. We didn’t do formal night, and one night we didn’t make it back on board in time. We ate at the Lido deck for those nights, and it wasn’t crowded at all. We had no complaints about the food. I wished the Mongolian BBQ line would move a little faster, but at times there were over 20 people in line on each side.

 

My kids (son 6 and daughter 10) usually went to the Kids Club in the morning until the 12:45 pickup time for lunch. After that, the activities they had planned resembled more like babysitting. Or they were closed for family (money making) activities like the Build a Bear. They kept pushing on the kids to “Come to the Party” after 10 for $12 a child. Needless to say mine didn’t make it to the parties.

 

Our room steward John was nice, and my inlaws had Laurence. We had no complaints about the rooms or room size. My family made quite the donations to the bars and casino which I’m sure many did.

 

Debarkation was bizarre. We watched as they called self assist, and the gangway was packed with people getting off. We had a 12:30 flight, and we received a zone 3, which they were supposed to call around 8:30. We were finally called around 9:00, and we were standing in line with people who had zone’s 7, 11 and 18!!! We made our way to our luggage, and porters were nowhere. We had 6 checked bags (we shopped a lot), so I was planning on using a porter, but I guess we just saved that tip and moved them ourselves.

 

We used the Carnival shuttle on the way to LAX, and it was easy. I even left my paperwork in my checkthru thinking I didn’t need it anymore, and they had a printout of all who should have been there. We ended up getting to the airport at 10:10. So including the 20 minute or so driving time, the whole process was a little less than an hour.

　

For ports, in PV, we did Los Veranos zip line tour. They were absolutely awesome. I took my 2 kids with me, and my father in law who is in his early 60’s. My 2 kids were the only kids there, but they absolutely loved it! My father in law is scared of heights, but even he felt comfortable there. They made sure we had such a good time, I would definitely do it again if we go back. I booked this online and not through Carnival, as Carnival’s age restrictions wouldn’t let my kids go. The restrictions Los Veranos had were height, and my kids met that height with no problem. I have to say the zip line was the highlight of our vacation. It was so awesome, and we’ve never done anything like it. Thanks again Pac Man and all the guides at Los Veranos!

 

2 others in our party chose to walk around PV and go shopping. They were definitely not too pleased with the aggressiveness of the street/beach vendors though. Even the Taxi drivers would follow you from corner to corner. Took a taxi to Walmart before going on the ship, and kids are there to open your door with their hands out for money. Definitely not a pleasant experience.

 

In Mazatlan, we booked the all day city tour with Mazatlan Frank. He was such a nice guy, and he took us to parts of Mazatlan we most likely would not have seen on a big group tour. We had him to ourselves for the whole day and it was very nice. We thought the street people were much more aggressive in Mazatlan than in PV though, which was disappointing. Frank steered around most of them though, but they can’t be avoided at the Cliff Divers. We ate lunch at Tony’s on the Beach, and we even had them coming up from the beach to our tables trying to braid my daughters hair and sell us their junk. Overall, it was so nice to have Frank show us around the beautiful city. He handled everything so professionally, we wouldn’t hesitate to use him again. Thanks Frank!

 

In Cabo, we chose to just walk around and shop being we didn’t have much time in port. In Cabo, they actually had guards around the pier keeping the vendors back. IT WAS SO NICE!!!! The guys in our party found Cabo Wabo and spent their morning and lunch there. After a few hours walking around, we actually chose to go back to the ship to have lunch. We tried to eat lunch at Senor Frogs, but the music was so loud, even with shouting at each other we still couldn’t hear!! Even my kids put their hands over their ears.

 

We've only cruised on Royal Caribbean before, and only had them to compare to. We actually liked Carnival better than the RC cruise we took. The kids had more things to do, and one of the things I liked was at the pool area, they had pool attendants and would come if you got your attention. Very nice. On the RC cruise we went on to the Bahamas, it was every 5 minutes someone asking me if I wanted some drink they were pushing. I definitely liked Carnivals approach. It's funny because my husband even commented that Carnival has the reputation of being the party ship, yet their were more laid back than RC was. We will definitely be cruising Carnival again!

 

Thanks so much to all of you who answered my questions ahead of time. Y'all made me feel so prepared on this cruise that our whole group had a good time. Thanks again! And ask away so I can return the favor!

 

Shawn in AK

[Securityman]

Thanks for the review,the info about the panhandler's will keep us on our toes when wlen we take the Splendor in October

 

 

Thanks again

 

Securityman

[wdw]

Thanks for your review..love to read more.Big favour..we to are booked in cabin 8465.Worried we will get only shade.Did your family get sun at all..huge overhang ! Love to see pictures of their balcony.Do not want to be in the shade all the time..thank-you

[wdw]

Thanks for your review..love to read more.Big favour..we to are booked in cabin 8465.Worried we will get only shade.Did your family get sun at all..huge overhang ! Love to see pictures of their balcony.Do not want to be in the shade all the time..thank-you

[MinnesotaCruiser423]

Great review! We are on the Splendor in January, do you remember which night were formal night? We would like to plan something else those nights. Thanks!

 

Matt

[AZchieffan]

Great review! We are on the Splendor in January, do you remember which night were formal night? We would like to plan something else those nights. Thanks!

 

Matt

 

Matt,

Formal night was Monday and Friday.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Shawn, thank you for the review! I'm living vicariously these days. :D

 

Sound like you had a great time!

 

I do have a question about the zip lining. I have severe arthritis in one of my knees and cannot do any hiking (at this point, anyway--I'm undergoing acupuncture treatments for it and so far they've been very successful!). Were there steep hills between the lines? I can do a little walking, but wouldn't be able to do a lot up hills.

 

Thank you!

[jsjjkelly]

Thanks for your review..love to read more.Big favour..we to are booked in cabin 8465.Worried we will get only shade.Did your family get sun at all..huge overhang ! Love to see pictures of their balcony.Do not want to be in the shade all the time..thank-you

 

No they didn't get any sun at all. In fact, one of the days was cold and they didn't get the wind either! So while we were frozen out of our side balcony, they could still use theirs.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Shawn in AK

[jsjjkelly]

Great review! We are on the Splendor in January, do you remember which night were formal night? We would like to plan something else those nights. Thanks!

 

Matt

 

The formal nights were Monday night, and Friday night (Cabo night)

 

Enjoy!

Shawn in AK

[jsjjkelly]

Shawn, thank you for the review! I'm living vicariously these days. :D

 

Sound like you had a great time!

 

I do have a question about the zip lining. I have severe arthritis in one of my knees and cannot do any hiking (at this point, anyway--I'm undergoing acupuncture treatments for it and so far they've been very successful!). Were there steep hills between the lines? I can do a little walking, but wouldn't be able to do a lot up hills.

 

Thank you!

 

Well, let me tell you there was some hiking up, and even I was like "I didn't sign up for this to WORK!" There was a large group from NM that all went, and "Grandma" was doing this just to say she could. She had quite a time making it between the lines. Eventually, the guides showed her the "shortcuts" through the lines so she only had a little way to go between lines. She was much happier once they did. She did end up doing all of the lines. I wouldn't say they were steep hills, but they were still hills.

 

Don't know if this helps you or not, but there was some work involved.

 

Shawn in AK

[chachi]

I'm glad you enjoyed your Carnival cruise. I also prefer them to RCI.

[wdw]

No they didn't get any sun at all. In fact, one of the days was cold and they didn't get the wind either! So while we were frozen out of our side balcony, they could still use theirs.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Shawn in AK

Yikes a balcony with no sun :eek:..Thanks for the info.

[Chipster2]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Look forward to our turn in November.

[javaj]

Thanks so much for your review.

 

Any chance you have the Camp Carnival Capers for 6 to 8?

[jsjjkelly]

Actually I do. What's your email and I'll scan them in and send them to you...

 

Shawn in AK