Our Splendid Splendor cruise (with pics) 8/13/13

[092306]

Wow, shocked to see the cutbacks with the cabana rental. Pears and apples aren't exactly what I would expect to replace fresh sliced melon and I really liked the veggie tray. We were there a year ago and it wasn't like that, wonder when that changed. I agree that it's not a deal breaker, but it is disappointing.

 

Looking forward to the rest of your great review!

[Jamman54]

30 days for us!!! I am loving your review!! May I ask why cabana #4? We are renting one for the first time and am undecided what to rent. more pics please!!!

The last time we were at HMC it rained most of the day - didn't ruin it for us bit we can't wait to explore it a little more this time!

 

I originally wanted 7, 8, or 9, but even though I was first in line at the shore excursion desk when we boarded, those three were already assigned. I chose # 4 because I didn't want to go any further down the beach then #9, and I didn't want #5 which is right next to Captain Morgan's.

[greataunt12]

I originally wanted 7, 8, or 9, but even though I was first in line at the shore excursion desk when we boarded, those three were already assigned. I chose # 4 because I didn't want to go any further down the beach then #9, and I didn't want #5 which is right next to Captain Morgan's.

I'm sailing the Splendor in Oct. with 14 of my closest family and friends. I was excited before I started reading your review and now I'm so excited I can't wait. Loving the information about the ship, I don't think it will take as long to learn the ship. This my first experience with Cruise Critic. Someone on the roll call offered the link to your sight. Looking forward to your continuing review.

[Jamman54]

Here’s another view of Captain Morgan’s before the party got started….

 

 

We spent some time in the refreshing water just floating around and having a “few” beers…..

 

 

 

It wasn’t long before some of our roll call friends joined us, and an informal roll call meeting developed!! We met this way several times during the course of the day, consumed a bit of alcohol, and had a great time!! I won’t identify anyone, but if you are following along, and I know some of you are, please feel free to chime in!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued….

Edited August 31, 2013 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

Here are some more “roll call” meeting pictures….

 

 

 

Of course, that’s Patti and me……

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently, just below the surface, a school of fish were also having a meeting….

 

 

To be continued…….

Edited August 31, 2013 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

School is in session!!.......

 

 

 

 

About this time, Ryan had made his way over to the island and he was hungry, so Patti went with him to the BBQ lunch, and they were nice enough to bring me back a plate with a couple of burgers and some potato salad. It was nice to cool off in the air conditioning, eat lunch, and have a few more beers.

 

 

After lunch, Patti and Ryan decided to rent a sunfish and go for a little sail….

 

 

 

 

Once back, Ryan went to join in the fun and games going on by Captain Morgan’s, and came back to the cabana with a couple of prizes, including a ship on a stick!!....

 

 

To be continued….

Edited August 31, 2013 by Jamman54

[bjinouno]

HI JEFF :D

 

so glad to see you here posting your review. I am reliving our Splendor cruise, which we did 2 weeks prior to yours, through your pictures and posts (even though we were rerouted due to Tropical Storm Dorian).

 

Whenever I see a picture of the ship I say "hey, there's our cabin" LOL...

 

We also ate at the Steakhouse and since we were a party of 8 they combined 2 tables and we were seated directly in front of the piano. It was as if we were VIP ... :D

 

You're right about the scrambled eggs. The first breakfast I got the one's from the buffet line as we always had in our past 19 cruises. Not quite sure how they were prepared, but they had to have been the worst ever... from that day on we went to the omelet station to order eggs...

 

A question for you Jeff...We had a great time on the Splendor... except...on our previous Carnival cruises the aft pool area was a quiet retreat for adults wanting some pool time without a lot of noise, but this time they even had the loud DJ playing there. We also noticed that they had a band set up in the casino area and boy, were they loud! :eek: Is this something new Carnival does now??

 

Can't wait to read more and see more of the wonderful pictures you took :)

Those so called eggs were poured out of a gallon container, and IF you don't ask for FRESH eggs for an omlett this is how they will make it.

regarding the pool area, I also couldn't believe the loud parties back there, I didn't mind the music that was nice, But when all the YOUNG adults started doing that Twearking dance (shaking their booties) with those little bikinni's hanging on with a string, and the guys HOOTING I felt like I was in a strip club! Idon't know who wanted to go in that pool for the rest of the day? NOT I....

And the band in the Casino, If Iwere a high roller, I wouldn't have been on the Splendor, between the music, the dancing (people would just Stop walking and start dancing where ever they were, and the kids yelling and jumping around, it was not a Bell listening time, Ya think all those bells and whistles going off all the time was loud, most of the time you didn't know you were in a casino! That is where IF need be have some one playing some easy listening music NOT dance Latin music. I don't get Why the kids club and arcade is right outside the casino... I was on the cruise the same time as Jeff.

[bjinouno]

Hay that's me out there floating around on the red raft I brought with us, they folded up round and flat in a sack,,, another great savings! used them at Grand Turk too, avoided all those rocks!

I think our meet and greet was one of the best ones,,,we all.... like how I say all? already had so many conversation on here before the trip, it was like we were old friends.

hay Jeff can u email me the shot of me face forward on the raft... (GREAT shots Patti! you were a busy bee with that camera!)

[Jamman54]

Hay that's me out there floating around on the red raft I brought with us, they folded up round and flat in a sack,,, another great savings! used them at Grand Turk too, avoided all those rocks!

I think our meet and greet was one of the best ones,,,we all.... like how I say all? already had so many conversation on here before the trip, it was like we were old friends.

hay Jeff can u email me the shot of me face forward on the raft... (GREAT shots Patti! you were a busy bee with that camera!)

 

You got it Barb!!! These pictures make Patti and I smile!! :)

[Mrs.G's Mr.G]

Hay that's me out there floating around on the red raft I brought with us, they folded up round and flat in a sack,,, another great savings! used them at Grand Turk too, avoided all those rocks!

 

Please tell me more about the raft. Does it inflate? Where did you get it? Thank you in advance.

[bjinouno]

Please tell me more about the raft. Does it inflate? Where did you get it? Thank you in advance.

I got the rafts at KMart for 12.50 on sale down from 20.00 about 5 huffs into the rim and pillow the center is mesh...they fit nicely into the inside sleeve of the large suit case,,, and to carry I didn't even realize I had it on my shoulder and it dries up 1 2 3 I'll post a photo of it tomorrow so check back..

[Mrs.G's Mr.G]

I got the rafts at KMart for 12.50 on sale down from 20.00 about 5 huffs into the rim and pillow the center is mesh...they fit nicely into the inside sleeve of the large suit case,,, and to carry I didn't even realize I had it on my shoulder and it dries up 1 2 3 I'll post a photo of it tomorrow so check back..

 

Cool, thank you so much for the fast reply. We will check it out.

[Jamman54]

Here are a few more shots taken from our cabana. The first one is looking towards the Villas……

 

 

This next one is looking in the opposite direction towards the oasis….

 

 

We still had enough time to take one more dip before it was time to go. Here’s a shot of our cabana taken from out in the water….

 

 

Couple of shots of Ryan and Patti enjoying the water….

 

 

 

 

Dad and Ryan…..

 

 

To be continued….

Edited August 31, 2013 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

Ryan and Mom……

 

 

Ryan’s looking for some more fish…..

 

 

The Splendor and tender full of passengers heading back to the ship….

 

 

Now I’m going to give you the best piece of advice one could give you in regards to tendering back to the ship and avoiding long lines. If you are hell bent in getting back to the ship early than you must board a tender no later than two hours before the last scheduled tender. After that the lines will form, growing longer and longer as time goes on. We always stay to the end and have NEVER waited in line for a tender.

 

About a half hour before the last scheduled tender, we plop ourselves down at the Rumrunner Bar which is the closest to the tenders, (remember at the beginning of the day when I told you this bar would come into play?), and we sit and relax with a few drinks while we watch those poor, now extremely grumpy people, trudge along in line waiting to board a tender. We wait and take the very last tender back to the ship with the crew. The bar stays open to the very last moment, so when the crew leaves the bar, we just follow them onto the last tender, usually with one last drink in our hands!! Can’t be any easier!! So, in review, do you want to wait in a line like this?

 

 

Or do you want to wait for a tender like I do?

 

 

Class dismissed!! Our tender awaits!!!

 

 

To be continued….

Edited August 31, 2013 by Jamman54

[herb]

Those so called eggs were poured out of a gallon container, and IF you don't ask for FRESH eggs for an omlett this is how they will make it.

regarding the pool area, I also couldn't believe the loud parties back there, I didn't mind the music that was nice, But when all the YOUNG adults started doing that Twearking dance (shaking their booties) with those little bikinni's hanging on with a string, and the guys HOOTING I felt like I was in a strip club! Idon't know who wanted to go in that pool for the rest of the day? NOT I....

And the band in the Casino, If Iwere a high roller, I wouldn't have been on the Splendor, between the music, the dancing (people would just Stop walking and start dancing where ever they were, and the kids yelling and jumping around, it was not a Bell listening time, Ya think all those bells and whistles going off all the time was loud, most of the time you didn't know you were in a casino! That is where IF need be have some one playing some easy listening music NOT dance Latin music. I don't get Why the kids club and arcade is right outside the casino... I was on the cruise the same time as Jeff.

 

I'm glad to hear it wasn't just me who noticed this...and I see you were on the same cruise with Jeff... so it wasn't just a one time situation..

[npb1894]

Where in Grand Turk is that climbing iceberg? My kids would love that!

[Jamman54]

Where in Grand Turk is that climbing iceberg? My kids would love that!

 

A little further down the beach, towards Jacks Shack.

[smurfm69]

Great pics and review! We are planning a cruise out of Jax next year that will give us our first visit to Half Moon Cay. Can't wait!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wonderful Review Jeff!!

Thank you for taking the time to write it.

Your pictures are great!!

[SkipsMom]

My sister and I are on Splendor on 9/14..... loving your review... can't wait for

for our first "sisters" cruise :)

[Lisa0719]

My sister and I are on Splendor on 9/14..... loving your review... can't wait for

for our first "sisters" cruise :)

 

you should come join our roll call

[npb1894]

Another question about the floating iceberg...Can you just walk down there on the beach? Do you have any idea what the cost is to use it?

[Jamman54]

Another question about the floating iceberg...Can you just walk down there on the beach? Do you have any idea what the cost is to use it?

 

Yes, and no idea. Maybe someone else can chime in on this one.

[Jamman54]

Great pics and review! We are planning a cruise out of Jax next year that will give us our first visit to Half Moon Cay. Can't wait!

 

You will have a GREAT time there!!! We loved our cruises on the Fascination!!

 

Wonderful Review Jeff!!

 

Thank you for taking the time to write it.

 

Your pictures are great!!

 

Thanks KK!!!! :)

[Jamman54]

My sister and I are on Splendor on 9/14..... loving your review... can't wait for

for our first "sisters" cruise :)

 

Have a GREAT cruise!!!!