Carnival Splendor - bad?

[beshears]

If you have been on Carnival Splendor within the last 6 months, is it really that bad???

 

I just read a few reviews, and I wondered if it is just some people are more "nit picky" than other people?

 

Last year we went on an older ship of Carnivals, and there had been a lot of bad reviews, but since it was my friends first time, I was not going to tell her about these reviews. We got on this ship, and had a wonderful time. I think these reviews depends upon the persons likes/dislikes.

[Tammylyne]

I was on he Splendor last year and have to admit it was the worst cruise I ever went on. I still made the most of it and tried not to sweat the small stuff but it was the first time I ever adjusted tips. I did go to guest services 3 different occasions but the service was horrendous. Some examples were

 

My friend wanted to buy a drink while we were in the shows, we waved the server down and he walked past us, my friend said excuse me sir, he looked at us and said "no time, to busy" and walked away!

 

Another incident was my friend wanted to buy everyone a round of drinks. He was on cheers. The server said no, my friend explained, his drink was to be used for cheers and he was going to pay cash (S&S card) for our drinks. The server shook his head and gave a short no, at this point my friend said can you please bring me a manager the server said relax you on vacation and walked away from us.

 

This was just 2 of many incidents all week long. My ashtray was never emptied even after peaking to my steward, we asked for ice every night and it was never filled. The food was sub par (subjective I know) and on other ships they allowed me to have my balcony light on, the splendor does not. I like to read at night and could not sit on the balcony on that trip. I will never sail on the splendor again. We have sailed Carnival 4 times, Royal twice and Norwegian once and hands down the splendor was the worst

Edited February 25, 2015 by Tammylyne

[bradm77]

We have been on 12 cruises since 2007, all with carnival, and just got off Splendor 4 weeks ago - The Splendor was by far our most favorite ship!!

 

[NCTribeFan]

Bad? No. It wasn't bad. Wasn't my favorite ship, but it wasn't bad. At all.

 

Just what reviews have you been reading? Did you read the ones (there were several, including mine) from the San Juan to Miami repositioning on 11/1? I think we all had a really good time.

 

Or are you reading the ones on the main "review" page? I stopped that long ago. I think most of the people that post there are on another planet. :p

 

Of course, everyone has different expectations when they cruise. The people in the cabin next to you can have a vastly different cruise experience than you have.

 

I did a B2B and was surprised at how "different" the two cruises felt. Different food delivered, maybe some different crew members, different passenger mix, different ports that draw different cruisers for whatever reason.

 

Don't believe everything you read. A review is one person's opinion of one week on a ship. That's all. I try to be very objective but I'm sure some who I've sailed at the same time have read my reviews and thought "my experience was nothing like that!"

 

Don't worry about it. Read reviews posted here (check the ship link at the top of the page) and don't read the ones on the Review board.

 

P.S. It's been well publicized that you cannot buy multiple drinks under the Cheers program, even when trying to use your S&S card for the others. It shouldn't be a shock to anyone who does their homework. Stewards vary, of course, as do the bar and wait staff. We didn't have a great waiter, but the food was good.

 

Anyway, you can find my review and read it if interested. But, no, Splendor isn't "that bad."

[Casco Bay Kid]

Went last November. Not a big fan. Needs some serious updating.

 

Sent from my HTC One mini using Forums mobile app

[Tammylyne]

P.S. It's been well publicized that you cannot buy multiple drinks under the Cheers program, even when trying to use your S&S card for the others. It shouldn't be a shock to anyone who does their homework. Stewards vary, of course, as do the bar and wait staff. We didn't have a great waiter, but the food was good.

 

Anyway, you can find my review and read it if interested. But, no, Splendor isn't "that bad."

 

Not so, I did my homework..

taken from Carnivals website

"Guests may purchase a round of drinks for themselves and friends. One drink will count towards the CHEERS! package and the remaining drinks will be charged to the guest’s Sail and Sign account"

Edited February 26, 2015 by Tammylyne

[Martini Mom]

We took the Splendor to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta and loved our cruise! :) I took a bazillion pics, so let me know if you'd like to see anything in particular.

[Hazelroo]

I was on the Splendor in November and it was a great ship. Yeah it doesn't have the 2.0 upgrades, but there was always plenty to eat and something to do. Great aft pool too. :D

[amberxob]

The splendor isn't the newest ships I've been on or the oldest but oddly I would say the carnival splendor was my favorite cruise by far. I don't let anything make or break my cruises yes there's alot of pink and the lay out can be a little odd and there can be a wait at the buffet lines but my Itinerary was amazing it was a great deal and I met wonderful people and had a great time. My server was amazing as was my the man that took care of my cabin. On the 6th night there was a minor issue. There was a smell of really strong gas in my room and we should not sleep there but thankfully we made friends with 2 other girls on the boat and stayed in their room for the night the problem was fixed in the morning and they took haft the money we spend on out sail and sign cards so far away I was pleased and we got very sincere apologies as well. But like a said besides minor things out of all my cruises I had the best time on the splendor. I base my cruises off the time I spend with my family and the fun things we get to do. Not minor things....we go get our own drinks if don't see a server or their bussy and if we need ice we go get our own from the lido desk as well as don't notice things like if the ship needs updating were to bussy at the shows water slides pools games and everything else were just happy to be on vacation.

[cruisin pixxy]

I was on the 11/1/2014 repo cruise. I really liked the ship. It didn't have the 2.0 upgrades but it was clean and the crew was fantastic, a live band at the shows!

Our cabin steward was fantastic, 2 of our 3 attendants in the main dining room were great and the steakhouse was fantastic. The hot tubs on the level above the Lido never seemed to be crowded and the Serenity area was always quiet. It was a port intensive cruise but we really enjoyed ourselves. The woman at Mojito remembered me after ordering my first drink! I would have loved for it to have been an Alchemy Bar, but I loved this cruise!

[Jamman54]

I've enjoyed both my cruises on the Splendor, and will be sailing on her again in June. Not my favorite ship, but she is my home port ship in the summer!

[BeachyPeach]

We sailed on the Splendor for the 6/25/14 cruise out of NYC. It was the first time on that ship. No 2.0 upgrades but a great ship. Clean, well run and great staff. I agree with pp who said that every cruise has different people (crew and passengers) and one person's experience can vastly differ from the guy next door.

 

 

Cruise lover since 1995!

[nbcruiser2]

We sailed on the Splendor in July. Was not my first choice (but DH did not want to fly). We had sailed the Sunshine the month prior and I really loved the 2.0 upgrades (and missed them on the Splendor). But, DH loved the Mongolian Grill and they did have the burritos for lunch. :)

 

We did have some minor hiccups, such as horrible service in the dining room on formal night, which was remedied the following night when we were sat in "ATM's" section (where we sat every night since). Also, our steakhouse experience was the worst we had in 25 cruises (but Carnival did make it right when we came back home).

 

Most importantly, we met really great fellow guests on this cruise! I like to gamble and there was a group in the casino bar every night that my husband hung out with. My husband said that the people made the cruise, not so much the ship.

 

As for the terrible reviews, it can happen. I posted a review of our steakhouse experience and was blasted. Like I said, worst steakhouse experience in 25 cruises. As for the ship, the decor was gaudy but if that is going to ruin your vacation, it may not be the best ship for you. But, the ship was clean as a whistle.

 

Whatever you decide, have a great cruise!

[Surrealistic]

Sailed on the Splendor twice and would sail her again in a heartbeat. No problems on either cruise and great service.

[jigger]

Just of the Splendor Sunday 2/22/15 Everything was great except the Lido Pool DJ, very boring no guest interaction. Spent more time on his phone texting.

[sunshine002]

I was on the Splendor for the first time last summer and was wary of of cruising on this ship. I have been on 17 Carnival cruises have sailed on many different ships.

I ended up having a great time and found the food and service no different than any other cruise.

I found even without the 2.0 upgrade there were things it did have that were new to me such as the Rotisserie. I have always looked forward to the fish & chips but this was a nice change of pace.

I find a big part of the fun can be who you are with and who you meet and the cruise director and his staff.

I understand Malcolm is the current cruise director I have sailed with him twice before and he is always alot of fun.

I am looking forward to sailing on the Splendor again this June.I have always been happy with the cabin staff on Carnival more so than my experience on RCL. But I think it was just bad luck and most of the time they are all great.

[Lerin]

We've been on Splendor 3 times now. Not really by choice but simply due to itinerary.

The last time was about 9 months ago. Each time was better than the one before, the last one we had an aft wrap which added another element of fun.

Aside from the ugly decor we have no issue with Splendor and don't know what people are complaining about.

[k2excursion]

I was on the Splendor in November. The Splendor is tied for my 2nd favorite ship with the Triumph, behind the Dream as my favorite. Splendor had the most entertainment options of any ship I've been on, and the stage shows were among the best of any Carnival ship, behind the Dream of course. The Splendor had the best dining wait staff of any of my 15 cruises (although this can be luck of the draw), and our room steward did a good job. I don't drink much, so I can't comment on bar staff. There were plenty of food options, and the food was just as good as any other ship. The decor wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't bad either. I would have a really hard time finding something to complain about with that ship, but if I really wanted to, I'm sure I could find something.

 

Some people want nothing but their lizard branded burritos & burgers that have some guy over them, and if something doesn't have the magical number of 2.0 slapped on it, then it must be horrible, & the ship desperately needs updating, according to them. Just don't go in with this "2.0 or it stinks" attitude, and you will have a great time. It's a great ship, and it definitely does not need any updating, and it doesn't need to become a clone of most of the other Carnival ships. It's perfect just as it is.

[Cruiseathoning]

but in general, it is common to find reviews like this about any ship-"Worst cruise ever" juxtaposed with "Incredible vacation full of memories." Same cruise date, same ship.

 

Just like movies, or restaurants, a person's opinion can be colored by preconceived notions, or certain prejudices, or just a bad attitude. Sometimes mistakes, and aggravations, even rudeness happens. The trick is to keep from one moment destroying all subsequent moments.

 

But you need to understand, I was one of those guys watching the Triumph incident and going, "While I feel for the passengers, goody deals on cruises coming right up!" Not for a moment was I dissuaded from cruising. Go have fun, be objective, and make up your own mind, letting each experience stand on its own, not clouded by any negativity, and you should have a ball.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Cruiseathoning

[pe4all]

We also just came off the Splendor 2/22/15. I took Splendor over Conquest/Glory/Breeze because I had never been on her, and wanted to experience a different class of ship, having been on all the other classes. Had no major complaints. Staff was great, food was food. The guitar singer in the atrium was good, as was the band playing near the casino. (they had people up and dancing every time they played) Didn't notice any major wear or tear on her, except the rust on the ceiling of our balcony. Spent most of our time on Serenity or in the adult section. On sea days the staff was labeling empty loungers with times and removing items after 40 minutes, which I thought was great! We enjoyed her so much we booked her for next Feb. while on board!

[susie8862]

We have been on 12 cruises since 2007, all with carnival, and just got off Splendor 4 weeks ago - The Splendor was by far our most favorite ship!!

 

 

DITTO.....the only Carnival ship I would ever step foot on again.

[Ascott318]

Sailed on the Splendor 5x last year. I chose it because I didn't have to fly and got some really good deals. (Free) I loved the ship and the crew. I'm only on the ship for vacation ,so I really am not concerned about deco. The food was excellent,had my favorite Maître D on board . He had chef personally make us spaghetti & meatballs one evening.

It upsets me more the way the crew is treated by guests. They are there busting their butts,and many guests feel entitled. No please ,No Thank You. They are there to provide service,not be personal slave. And to those that have tips removed,shame on you !!...

[Crusin Karen]

We sailed on Splendor 3x and loved every one of our cruises. Sailed on her just because she was at our home port. Did a B2B on Liberty last month and that was the lst ship we cruised on that had the 2.0 upgrades and I can understand "what people are talking about" now when they say they miss them on a ship that doesn't have them, but I wouldn't hesitate to sail Splendor again, even without a Guy's Burgers! :p On our Liberty B2B we had the same crew, the same exact menus, but the 2 cruises were COMPLETELY different. The passengers (obviously! :rolleyes:) and the whole feel and vibe of the cruise. Both good BTW, just different! So take the bad reviews with a grain of salt, start packing and plan to have a great cruise! ;):) Just remember that deck 5 is your best friend!

[NCTribeFan]

I mentioned the Cheers program because others have reported back here (several times) that they were NOT able to purchase a round for others using their S&S card. Real experiences, not what Carnival says (because we all know they don't follow their own rules). ;)

 

I've always found that any little thing I might need attending to has been taken care of with a simple post-it note left on the bathroom mirror if related to the steward. If not, a word with the service desk (Maitre D for dining issues) and it's been remedied. Being proactive rather than letting things go and stewing about them seems to work best for me.

 

Apparently some people think Splendor is old and outdated. She's the newest Carnival ship I've sailed! But I don't feel compelled to sail the newest, biggest, most bells-and-whistles ships. I sail primarily for the itinerary

 

Yes, I'd rather have a Fish and Chips upstairs than the rotisserie but many people love that section. I prefer the Serenity Deck on the Conquest-class ships that have it. I prefer the open aft pool area on Splendor over the Conquest-class. Yes, I'm even a fan of the Fantasy class! They all have their own personalty. And I believe the CD has quite a lot to do with a ship's personality.

 

What one person thinks is great about a ship may be something someone else doesn't like (I personally hate the big TVs blaring constantly).

 

Again, OP, what's important to you may not be what's important to anyone else here. Seems like every time I read about how terrible a ship is, I sail her and have a great time. I refuse to board a ship looking for problems. If they find me, I deal with them as soon as possible.

[davemcdee]

Well, we just found out our room is WAAAY in the back of the boat, #2472. According to the deck plans, its in a corner, and it has a somewhat odd shape. From what I am thinking, it looks to be a little bit bigger room, but anybody stay in here? Have any pics to share of the room? And how was staying back there? I heard the noise from the engines can be a problem at times and is the dining room noise from above an issue? Let me know your thoughts..

Edited February 26, 2015 by davemcdee