New to CCL Need Splendor Help Please

[Atty]

Hi All:

 

I'm thinking of taking a 7night Splendor cruise in late July. I have never cruised Carnival before but have cruised many times on RCCL. I have a few questions about how Carnival does things that I'm hoping you can answer. Who knows, maybe I'll become a convert.

 

1. I know there is an unlimited soda card. How much is it for a 7nighter and I'm assuming you purchase on board.

 

2. Other than a larger room, are there really any suite perks worth the extra money?

 

3. Is there a lot of traffic in the passenger hallways on the Lido deck? It seems like it would be heavily used by people coming aft to go to the outside.

 

4. Along those lines, is there a lot of noise on Deck 8 from the activities above on Deck 9?

 

5. I saw an *old* Fun Times and noticed that there was a master mixologist competition. Is that a regular feature on every cruise?

 

6. How often are menus changed and when was the last time they were changed?

 

Many Thanks.

[firefly333]

soda card is $6 a day, same as RCL I believe, plus 15% tip

 

menus are rarely changed, people like them and dont want them changed.

 

I think Iv had master mixologist on every cruise.

 

the only perks for a suite are VIP getting on and off the ship (which as platinum I already get, so no perks)

 

Lido deck is very quiet. People dont usually go into the section where the cabins are unless they have a reason to go there. the elevator goes straight out to the pool deck area, not past your cabin, its a great location.

[Atty]

Thanks for the information. I would love any insights people have. I'm hoping I can get the scoop before I go. Is there anywhere where menus are posted for Splendor? I like to try and figure out which night to hit the steakhouse.

 

Thanks again.

[Atty]

Does anyone else have thoughts or suggestions?

[Atty]

Seriously no one else has any help for me? I can't believe that no one has been on the Splendor or is willing to help me out and promote Carnival.

[stargate fan]

Seriously no one else has any help for me? I can't believe that no one has been on the Splendor or is willing to help me out and promote Carnival.

 

We are sailing Splendor on April 3, so I can tell you all about it after April 10.

[kazbar]

The Splendor is half way through its second cruise since being in dry dock to fix the engine after it caught on fire last year.

 

I don't think people are ignoring your post, I think there are just not many people around with recent experience on the Splendor

[Atty]

We are sailing Splendor on April 3, so I can tell you all about it after April 10.

 

Cool. Hope you enjoy the cruise :)

[BlendedFamily]

Hi All:

 

I'm thinking of taking a 7night Splendor cruise in late July. I have never cruised Carnival before but have cruised many times on RCCL. I have a few questions about how Carnival does things that I'm hoping you can answer. Who knows, maybe I'll become a convert.

 

1. I know there is an unlimited soda card. How much is it for a 7nighter and I'm assuming you purchase on board.

 

2. Other than a larger room, are there really any suite perks worth the extra money?

 

3. Is there a lot of traffic in the passenger hallways on the Lido deck? It seems like it would be heavily used by people coming aft to go to the outside.

 

4. Along those lines, is there a lot of noise on Deck 8 from the activities above on Deck 9?

 

5. I saw an *old* Fun Times and noticed that there was a master mixologist competition. Is that a regular feature on every cruise?

 

6. How often are menus changed and when was the last time they were changed?

 

Many Thanks.

 

I'm just off the Splendor (1st crusie on 2/20) so let me see if I can help you out...

 

Soda card... Don't do it unless you think the person/child using it is going to drink more than 3 sodas a day. Reason? They charge $2/soda a la carte... so even if you drink 21 sodas, that's only $42. My kids never came CLOSE to drinking 21 sodas once they found out all the lemonade and ice tea and certain juices were free. Depends on your child.

 

We had a balcony it was just fine... how many people are in your cabin?

 

Traffic in the hallways? yeah a bit. We were on deck 8... But to be honest a lot of people who have to go from AFT to front or the other way around are going to use deck 5 (promenade.) But I wouldn't worry about hallway traffic that much. The hallways are going to be well traveled anyway just by the people who live/work on that deck.

 

I was on deck 8... we were more towards the front than the back, and I didn't hear anything at night. My mother was in the AFT and occasionally she heard some deck chairs but nothing that kept her awake for any significant period at night.

 

Mixologist competition... YES! We had one, and it's a feature on most every cruise from what I can tell. I'm sure you'll have one.

 

Menus... I was told the menu changes a little bit each cruise with the exception of the classics....

 

I do recommend a night in the Steakhouse... only $30/person for a first class 5 course meal.

 

If you have any more Q's let me know I'll check back.

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

Hi All:

 

I'm thinking of taking a 7night Splendor cruise in late July. I have never cruised Carnival before but have cruised many times on RCCL. I have a few questions about how Carnival does things that I'm hoping you can answer. Who knows, maybe I'll become a convert.

 

1. I know there is an unlimited soda card. How much is it for a 7nighter and I'm assuming you purchase on board.

 

2. Other than a larger room, are there really any suite perks worth the extra money?

 

3. Is there a lot of traffic in the passenger hallways on the Lido deck? It seems like it would be heavily used by people coming aft to go to the outside.

 

4. Along those lines, is there a lot of noise on Deck 8 from the activities above on Deck 9?

 

5. I saw an *old* Fun Times and noticed that there was a master mixologist competition. Is that a regular feature on every cruise?

 

6. How often are menus changed and when was the last time they were changed?

 

Many Thanks.

 

1 I believe they are $6.00 a day for adults and $4.50 for children. A 15% gratuity is included and if you buy before leaving the port tax is also included.

 

2. Suite perk's value depends on what is important to you. I have only stayed in one suite, but I am platinum and receive the same perks. I love the VIP boarding and departing, I have never used the complimenty laundry service. It is nice to have priority dining, reservations. I understand that you also have priority debarkation at the port of call, but you must go to the purser and have them escort you down for that and I have never done that either. I loved having a tub to soak in, but if the get the unlimited spa pass you can soak there and it's even nicer, except you have to wear clothes:)

 

3.You shoud not have heavy traffic in your passenger hallways. The noice level in the hallways is more dependent on the passengers in your surrounding cabins then what your cabins surround.

 

4. I have been in various places throughout several cruises and have never had a problem with noices from anywhere except when our cabing was below the lido and I would listen to them move chairs all the time. But I soon got use to it. There is a great website cruisedeckplans.com that I use. Some of it you can access without joining and some you do need to join, but I think it was like $3.00 for a lifetime membership. It is a much more detailed map and pic of the ships.

 

5. I have heard of this on several posting, so I would assume it is something that they now do on all the ships.

 

6 I don't think anything is changed very often, from menus, to shows to CD jokes. But you can usually find a menu around these board somewhere if you search.

 

I was on the Splendor last April and enjoyed my cruise very much. I still have my Fun Times if I can help further.

(I am not going to proof read this so I apologize now for typo and missing words:)

[kath00]

We got a chance to tour the Splendor on the 19th. It is a GORGEOUS ship with a LOT of things to do and places to hang out. The one disappointment was that there were really no suite perks whatsoever. I would expect more from such a lovely, modern ship. Also, the suites were VERY small compared to Mariner or the Sapphire Princess. The plastic couches were also something I have never seen before (and was NOT impressed by).

 

That said, we decided to try her for the holiday 2011 cruise now that our favorite West Coast ship, the Mariner, has left the building... We thought the Splendor offers a huge diversity of activities for all ages and that we would have a wonderful time on the cruise even if it isn't the Mariner...

 

You are welcome to see my pix from the overnighter.

 

http://kath00.smugmug.com/Other/My-Smug-Mug/13745796_3Yz3h

 

Katherine

[Atty]

Thanks for all the tips. I don't really drink anything except water and soda so three or four a day is no problem for me :)

 

About suites....Is the priority for both embarkation and for going ashore at the various ports? I've seen stuff both ways. Also, I have not seen anything about free laundry service, is that accurate? THat would be a nice one to have.

 

Thanks again

[firefly333]

Thanks for all the tips. I don't really drink anything except water and soda so three or four a day is no problem for me :)

 

About suites....Is the priority for both embarkation and for going ashore at the various ports? I've seen stuff both ways. Also, I have not seen anything about free laundry service, is that accurate? THat would be a nice one to have.

 

Thanks again

 

Its for only embarkation and debarkation, not for the ports. This is the only suite perk

 

If you are platinum VIP, then you get it on tenders. Free laundry again is only for platinum.

[Atty]

Its for only embarkation and debarkation, not for the ports. This is the only suite perk

 

If you are platinum VIP, then you get it on tenders. Free laundry again is only for platinum.

 

Ok great. Thanks.

[firefly333]

Im not sure why that other poster even brought up platinum perks when you asked for suites...just confused the issue.

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

Im not sure why that other poster even brought up platinum perks when you asked for suites...just confused the issue.

Sorry, but it was my understanding that the two were the same.

[TortieGal]

Also, you are able to bring soda on board. We usually bring a 12 pack but I've seen others with 24 packs. I just double checked to see what the exact policy is (they refer to it as non-alcoholic beverages) and it does say package of 12 per person. I don't remember that wording having a specific amount when I looked last.

 

I don't know if you will be driving to the port or flying. If flying, there is a free bus that goes downtown. Even if not staying on the route it travels, it does stop at the Queen Mary and you could hop on after checking in to the ship. We were in the night before sailing and rode it to Walmart to pick up soda and snacks for the room.

 

We had a room on deck 8 and after that cruise, I said I would never book a guarantee room again. We ended up under the pizzeria and could hear chairs scraping at all sorts of hours.

[Atty]

Also, you are able to bring soda on board. We usually bring a 12 pack but I've seen others with 24 packs. I just double checked to see what the exact policy is (they refer to it as non-alcoholic beverages) and it does say package of 12 per person. I don't remember that wording having a specific amount when I looked last.

 

I don't know if you will be driving to the port or flying. If flying, there is a free bus that goes downtown. Even if not staying on the route it travels, it does stop at the Queen Mary and you could hop on after checking in to the ship. We were in the night before sailing and rode it to Walmart to pick up soda and snacks for the room.

 

We had a room on deck 8 and after that cruise, I said I would never book a guarantee room again. We ended up under the pizzeria and could hear chairs scraping at all sorts of hours.

 

Yeah I'll be driving and I always bring Pepsi on board since that is my soda of choice anyway.

 

Thanks for the info about the room. I was looking at Deck 9 and Deck 8 but am concerned about the noise and traffic possibilities.

[TortieGal]

Yeah I'll be driving and I always bring Pepsi on board since that is my soda of choice anyway.

 

Thanks for the info about the room. I was looking at Deck 9 and Deck 8 but am concerned about the noise and traffic possibilities.

 

I had a friend who was on Deck 9 (another ship) and she was worried about noise. She ended up loving being there because it was so convenient to things and didn't have any issues with noise.

 

There might be ok areas on Deck 8...I would just look at the deck plans and see what's above. Since you aren't a cruising newbie, that probably isn't news though. :)

[Atty]

I had a friend who was on Deck 9 (another ship) and she was worried about noise. She ended up loving being there because it was so convenient to things and didn't have any issues with noise.

 

There might be ok areas on Deck 8...I would just look at the deck plans and see what's above. Since you aren't a cruising newbie, that probably isn't news though. :)

 

Thanks. I am comparing deck plans but sometimes things you wouldn't think are problems can be. Thats why I always like to ask :)

[Inklight]

My family and I stayed in Balcony Cabin 9237 last August aboard the Carnival Splendor ... and it was fabulous. There was no extra traffic in the hallways at all. These cabins are sectioned off really well from the main elevators/stairs that go to the Lido. As a matter of fact, we didn't hear any excess noise from the Lido either ... even when outside on the balcony. The convenience of being on the Lido deck was great ... I'd book it again in a minute!

 

We purchased soda cards on the trip as well and paid $48.30 each (it included a 15% gratuity).

 

Hope you enjoy your trip ... she's a beautiful ship! Happy cruising!