Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Carnival Splendor 2/13-2/21

Giantfan13

By Giantfan13,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

 Share

Recommended Posts

Giantfan13

Giantfan13

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites
thomarvin

thomarvin

Posted
Posted

Funny story: 2 years ago when we were on the Pride, my sister and I were leaving our cabins. As we walked down the hall, we saw my then 17 yo son walking toward us. Behind him was a ships Officer. I just stopped and said, "What did you do?" in that angry Mom voice. They both just stopped, looked at each other and laughed. They just happened to be walking in the same direction.

 

I know my son is a good kid, but like the OP said, when kids get together, anything can happen. He is so good in fact, last year on the Splendor, he was the kid that went up to others causing trouble and told them to knock it off. Mine you he is 6' 2" and 210 and played starting center for his HS football team. Needless to say they listened.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sgttami

sgttami

Posted
Posted

I will add that this was my first Carnival cruise and my sister and I booked it last minute (13 days before). It was her first as well and between us we have sailed on more than 30 cruises. THIS WAS BY FAR THE FRIENDLIEST GROUP OF PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET ON A CRUISE>>>>

 

Service was excellent. We did late seating and had a table for two which was in a perfect location. Originally we saw that we would be seated at a table for 6 and didn't want that. It was changed in minutes. We ate at Pinnacle on the way home and although the food was very good, I preferred the dining room staff to the Pinnacle staff. Menus were more varied than other cruise lines.

 

We had each booked our own balcony cabin as this was one sailing that there was no single supplement. We were in 8349 and 8353 (right next to each other) and steps from the elevator. Cabin steward Nicolas was very accomodating. I had room service coffee every morning. My sister went to Lido for hers.

 

We never ate breakfast other than the Seaday brunch, once on the way down and once on the way back. It is a well kept secret as it was never crowded. We went both times around noon. We also had sandwiches at the Deli, another well kept secret. Never a crowd.

 

Ports were OK..Having been to them before, it was nothing new. Went to Cocoa Beach for a few hours on the shuttle, took the Balmoral Beach Day in Nassau (total waste of money but what's done is done) and stayed on ship in Freeport. My sister went off right near the pier but was back in 20 minutes. It was extra special to have another day of sun on the sail home.

 

Giantfan13...I'm sure you saw us if you met the ladies from Michigan. We talked to them every day and my sister and I were planted every day at the Casino Bar near the exit!! We saw 3 people hit on those crane machines, one for $2500, and the others for the $100 packs. I thought they were a hoax until I witnessed the wins..! I had a pretty good hit on the slots and got the 1500 points free drinks card on the 3rd night. I had a better time meeting people at the Casino bar so really didn't take much advantage of the freebies since you have to be actively gambling to get them. I would do the Cheers package next time. I would have saved roughly $100.

 

We were told at Guest Services that there were 1200 kids on board and 600 missed the ship due to bad weather. How true, I don't know but the 1200 kids, I'd believe.

 

I could go on forever but am happy I did the cruise and got back safely with a nice tan!

 

I'm actually thinking of booking again for March 9.....(maybe!) It was truly a fun ship!!

 

Pam

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Giantfan13

Giantfan13

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
Thanks for the review. We are sailing in 5 weeks and doing the segway tour in Freeport too!

 

We loved the Segway tour. We had Felix as our guide and teacher. Takes about 2 minutes to explain what to do, then they let you ride around a circular track for about 5 minutes to get used to it and then off you go. There were 2 groups, so 1/2 went out first while the other half enjoyed the beach, and when we came back, we switched. Nice little beach they take you too. (NUDE Beach, in fact, but we decided not to scare away the tourists and kept our clothes on) . Don't worry, there are very few people even walking on the beach and NO ONE was nude, but the sign says, if you want, you can.:D:D:D

Check out the Bahamas board, I posted a more detailed description.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Edited by Giantfan13
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Giantfan13

Giantfan13

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Hey thank you for the review and heads up.

 

Just out of curiosity did you happen to save the Funtimes and do you think you can scan or take pics of them and post, please... Pretty please?

 

I have some but it would be easier to email me at Giantfanlen@msn.com and I can try and get them to you.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Link to comment
Share on other sites
heartwarmer

heartwarmer

Posted
Posted

We just got off the Splendor too. Traveled with two teens ourselves (who I know were not part of the ice cream throwing). The teens were pretty rude on this ship, and after hearing some talk from the parents, I understand why - one woman was bragging that her 15 year old son had already "got with 5 girls!" another was complaining about her 15 year old son smoking again, another was bragging how she left her husband home and had a young (above 21) man in her bed! The teens would go in the adult only hot tub then fight with security when being kicked out. My girls went to O2 the first night, had "tons of friends" but by day 2 had narrowed it down to about 2-3 each, saying most of the girls were snotty and slutty.

 

We sat in the Gold Pearl Restaurant, and found the service ok. Our first waitress disappeared after the first two nights (she honestly wasn't the greatest), but the second we got did a good job. Was not that impressed with the shows - watched some but not all.

 

The last night the people in the cabin next to ours were fighting so loud that my daughters called me at 2 am (they were in their own room across the hall), complaining about the noise keeping them awake, and it sounded like they were beating up on their kid (19, from what they kept yelling, along with quite a bit of profanity). Called security but no one ever bothered coming.

 

Be sure to watch your sail and sign charges also. There was an $18 charge (not huge, but not ours), for jewelry at the shops on my daughters card. She did not make this purchase, the receipt showed the card number keyed in, not swiped (you can get reprints from guest services), and when I went to the shops, they could not find a signed copy of the receipt anywhere. We did get a refund, but it took us almost an hour between guest services, going to the shops, waiting for the worker to look through receipts, etc. Would have been easier to just pay the extra since it wasn't a huge amount, but it was the principal of the whole matter. We didn't make the charge, so don't try to get more money out of us. :)

 

All in all we had a good time, I got my relaxation time which I desperately needed, got out of the cold and snow for a week, and didn't have to cook or do dishes! :) Would I sail again? Absolutely if the price was right, and worked with our schedules. Probably would not risk going in the winter again though, the cold and snow and rough seas at the beginning put a damper on my finding a place outside to sit and read and soak up some Vitamin D.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
champagne123

champagne123

Posted
Posted
I've read before on any ship how a lot of times the kids/teens are so disrespectful. I'd kick my kid in the ass for doing that.

 

I am calling "child protective services" on you...lol....:eek:

:D:D:D

If more people kicked their kids in the ass instead of bragging about their atrocious behavior......nuff said.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Andoria

Andoria

Posted
Posted
I am calling "child protective services" on you...lol....:eek:

:D:D:D

If more people kicked their kids in the ass instead of bragging about their atrocious behavior......nuff said.

 

 

Maybe I'm naive but I have a hard time believing parents were bragging about their teens behavior. Either they were venting or just trading crazy stories. I've done that but it isn't like I'm at home patting Jr. on the back for screwing up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cathyoo

cathyoo

Posted
Posted

Going on a memorial cruise in the summer. First time cruise for most of my family and the first summer cruise for me. I am worried about the crowds and the kids. I will have 7 of my own. Four are too little to get in mischief on their own. Two are really good teens but I do worry about that crowd mentality.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bellasma

Bellasma

Posted
Posted
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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cindy60

Cindy60

Posted
Posted
We just got off the Splendor too. Traveled with two teens ourselves (who I know were not part of the ice cream throwing). The teens were pretty rude on this ship, and after hearing some talk from the parents, I understand why - one woman was bragging that her 15 year old son had already "got with 5 girls!" another was complaining about her 15 year old son smoking again, another was bragging how she left her husband home and had a young (above 21) man in her bed! The teens would go in the adult only hot tub then fight with security when being kicked out. My girls went to O2 the first night, had "tons of friends" but by day 2 had narrowed it down to about 2-3 each, saying most of the girls were snotty and slutty.

 

We sat in the Gold Pearl Restaurant, and found the service ok. Our first waitress disappeared after the first two nights (she honestly wasn't the greatest), but the second we got did a good job. Was not that impressed with the shows - watched some but not all.

 

The last night the people in the cabin next to ours were fighting so loud that my daughters called me at 2 am (they were in their own room across the hall), complaining about the noise keeping them awake, and it sounded like they were beating up on their kid (19, from what they kept yelling, along with quite a bit of profanity). Called security but no one ever bothered coming.

 

Be sure to watch your sail and sign charges also. There was an $18 charge (not huge, but not ours), for jewelry at the shops on my daughters card. She did not make this purchase, the receipt showed the card number keyed in, not swiped (you can get reprints from guest services), and when I went to the shops, they could not find a signed copy of the receipt anywhere. We did get a refund, but it took us almost an hour between guest services, going to the shops, waiting for the worker to look through receipts, etc. Would have been easier to just pay the extra since it wasn't a huge amount, but it was the principal of the whole matter. We didn't make the charge, so don't try to get more money out of us. :)

 

All in all we had a good time, I got my relaxation time which I desperately needed, got out of the cold and snow for a week, and didn't have to cook or do dishes! :) Would I sail again? Absolutely if the price was right, and worked with our schedules. Probably would not risk going in the winter again though, the cold and snow and rough seas at the beginning put a damper on my finding a place outside to sit and read and soak up some Vitamin D.

 

Dawn,

I was glad to see your first posted pic on FB and glad the weather hadn't interfered with your launch.

I've been watching for your reviews! We sail in Oct. and although this is not my first Carnival Cruise, it is my first Splendor cruise. Looking forward to seeing more pics.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cindy60

Cindy60

Posted
Posted
I have scans of the Fun Times and the Shopping Guides for Nassau and Freeport. I tried to post them but the file size is too large. They are pdf files. Any suggestions of how to get them online for viewing?

 

Any chance you'd email them to me - We're cruising for the first time on the Splendor and would love to see them.

 

email: mcmurrcl81@gmail.com

 

Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...