SPLENDOR , FTTF,Good and not so good

[GOLDENBONNY]

Hello all. We just come back from 8 nights cruise on Splendor. It's our second time on CCL ,and I was little worried because we did not like it too much first time plus it was oldest ship we ever cruised on. Why I booked CCL again? Because it was last minute booking and kind of only option by that time.

Past 6 month of our life was pure hell. My mom in law died of brain cancer than we had to put our 16 years old dog to sleep ,needless to say we needed vacation ASAP.So I took a chance and booked Splendor.

 

It's my first day at work and I am pretty busy but you welcome to ask any question. My review will probably take couple days to complete.

[NotVeryCreative]

Could you get your cabin cleaned twice a day?

 

How was FTTF? What time did you board? Did they direct you to the appropriate line when you arrived at the POM? Did you get your luggage in a timely manner?

[JaniceB]

What a great way to unwind, condolences to your family.

[kenholt]

did they offer luggage express on the Splendor last day of the cruise?

[GOLDENBONNY]

Day 1 of our trip.

 

We flight one day early and stayed in Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay for the night.I booked Concierge level room but it was a scum because concierge room closed on Fridays and open very limited amount of time on other days. Only thing we had was breakfast in morning. The hotel itself is clean ,room was nice with amazing view and staff members are very polite and helpful . Only problem was noise from outside. windows are very old and need to be replaced long time ago. Everything was going very well till our DD start complaining that her stomach hearts so much she can not walk. Close to 10 p.m. she was crying and complaining about very sharp pain. I got scared that it 's appendicitis and we run to hospital.

 

Now only Canadians will understand me. We spend in Hospital only 3 hours ,yes!!!! In 3 hours she got ultrasound , blood test, urinal test ,doctors check up ,IV and lots of excuses from personal that it takes so long.:rolleyes::rolleyes: For Americans I will explain. In Canada it would take 3 hours (in good case )just to get inside to see doctor. :mad::mad:

After all tests come back negative for appendicitis we finally went back to hotel to have some sleep. Why she got pain we don't know:confused:

[jabberjaw070596]

did they offer luggage express on the Splendor last day of the cruise?

 

I have read that Luggage Express has been discontinued fleet wide

[FloridaGirlLovesToCruise]

What did you think of the Splendor compared to other Carnival ships? We are going on the May 26th cruise in nine days from Miami to Bermuda, Grand Turk & Amber Cove. The last Carnival ship we were on was the Breeze and I know it won't be anywhere near as nice. How were the shows and how was the food in the MDR? Did you do your time dining? If so, was the wait long? I know this ship doesn't have the HUB app or Guy's, etc., but we wanted to go to Bermuda and this was the only choice right now from Miami. Thanks:)

[GOLDENBONNY]

Day 2 of our trip.

 

We woke up early, tired but happy that DD had no more pain and we can cruise. :( Finally. We had breakfast in hotel garbed a taxi and off we go :)

On CCL they don't let you inside on first come first go base. They give you time table when you can go. I did not liked the idea boarding the ship after 12 p.m. so I bought FTTF.

 

Now answer some questions about FTTF. They let us inside terminal at 10 a.m . Good ? Of course . We got our Sail Cards right away and they told us to wait till all Diamonds members to go on board than it's out time. That when fun starts.:p They call for Diamonds members and VIP guests ..and i could swear it was around 600 of them. :rolleyes: They were coming and coming and coming ... after them we could hear Group 1 and Air port check in guests.In this point we went too. They never called for FTTF guest . Any way we went on board and straight to our cabin. It was very good because I hate to go around the ship with my carry on and wait for cabin to be ready.

Right after that we went for lunch ,I will return for food later in my review.

Our luggage was in cabin around 2 pm . I saw other people luggage on our floor as well . I will consider it's early because on our last CCL cruise we got luggage after dinner :eek:

[GOLDENBONNY]

Could you get your cabin cleaned twice a day?

 

How was FTTF? What time did you board? Did they direct you to the appropriate line when you arrived at the POM? Did you get your luggage in a timely manner?

 

Yes. we had to check morning or evening but I checked both and had no problem.

And yes you will see different line.

[SMSACE6]

I'm very sorry for your loss of your mother in law and your pet!

 

Thanks for your review of Splendor. I am booked on her later this year. I have had FttF before and find boarding and disembarking with it, to be hit or miss, especially in Miami. I do however have a problem with standing in lines for long times, so I purchase it mostly to avoid the longer checkin line, as well as to be able to go right to my room with carry on. So I appreciate your take on FttF.

 

I am Canadian, so yes, I do absolutely get why mention what got done in 3 hrs, as apposed to how it would be here :) I hope you were not charged a fortune for this however. I have heard varying accounts of what we are charged for various procedures/visits to hospitals in the US.

 

Looking forward to more of your review. Thanks again.

[GOLDENBONNY]

did they offer luggage express on the Splendor last day of the cruise?

 

You mean they ship your luggage to air port? No I did not see it.

[GOLDENBONNY]

What did you think of the Splendor compared to other Carnival ships? We are going on the May 26th cruise in nine days from Miami to Bermuda, Grand Turk & Amber Cove. The last Carnival ship we were on was the Breeze and I know it won't be anywhere near as nice. How were the shows and how was the food in the MDR? Did you do your time dining? If so, was the wait long? I know this ship doesn't have the HUB app or Guy's, etc., but we wanted to go to Bermuda and this was the only choice right now from Miami. Thanks:)

 

I only been on Valor so I can not compare too much. I will right post about ship now (if my boss will stop bother me LOL)

[GOLDENBONNY]

Splendor

 

To answer some questions I will go with ship review.

 

I did my home work and I knew how pink and "pretty" this ship was but still ...you step inside and it's like ..WOWWWWWWWWWW!!! What was he smoking -the one design it and the one who approved it ??! Really,what with pink polka dots and donates all around ? Don let me start with fried eggs in DR . :p:p:p:p

Any way I am very happy they don't use same designer any more and new CCL ships are very pretty.

After pink polka dots stopped jumping into my eyes I mentioned that ship is in good condition . I would not say it's shows her age. It dose not need repairs ,its needs more cleaning. Same problem we had on Valor. CCL ships are not as clean as other cruise lines. I am not talking about cabin. I am talking about public spaces. This ship need more cleaning personal and more polish. Starting with all chrome details in pool and finishing with silver in DR.

 

Layout of ship is very nice . Lots of space and dose not fill crowded.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Day 3 .Sea Day

 

It was regular relaxing day at sea. We woke up early went to the pool and did not moved from there till afternoon.:D

Good change on CCL- TV in the pool is not as loud as we had it on Valor. Very enjoyable. They showed some concerts during day and movies in evening .

 

Same bad - hard to find waiter in pool. They pass by in 9 a.m. :rolleyes: and then good luck find them. Toilets in pool are not spotless clean as on other cruise lines. On other lines you can see someone in there all the time during day ,on CCL they come by schedule I guess ,and its not enough during busy time.

 

It was a formal night this day . CCL is very easy going for this matter. We saw some tuxedos many suites and many just ignoring dress cod.:rolleyes:

[GOLDENBONNY]

Day 4 - Grand Turk

 

I love this port .I think its the best one. You just come out and you on beach .

Only regret -it was a short stop but we spend most of it on the beach.

Lots of shore excursions offered by CCL but I don't really see a point of it in this port. Everything you need is right by your ship.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Day 5 - Dominican Republic.

 

We just stayed in same spot by the pool. :p:p I know many people love this island but not us. We saw Altos de Chavon before and we saw island so we could easy enjoy empty ship . It was not that empty by the way . lots of people did same as we did. :p Close to departure we checked port area bought some cacao balls and went back to ship.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Day 6- Curacao

 

Here we had some fun. Our port arrival was scheduled for 1 p.m. so we enjoyed pool before that. Around 12 p.m. military helicopter start flying very close to pool . I mean very-very close to pool . so close it's become uncomfortable to look at that. Suddenly they went to upper deck ,drooped some ropes and men start going down. :eek::eek: in full Amo !right on ship ! :cool: I am not a chicken but in this point I started to get worried . After a minute or so helicopter come back and picked up the man. Somehow I understood it was only a training but Captain could give some announcement for this matter.:mad: He did after 15 minutes it was over and probably 1000 scared people called to ask.

 

Rest of the afternoon we spent doing shopping (did not buy anything :confused:)and enjoining island .

 

There was no show this day .It was a pool party . It was pretty fun and lots of people attended.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Aruba

 

We took a taxi to Eagle beach . Taxi will drop you in spout where they rent beach chairs and umbrellas. For 2 chairs and umbrella $35.00 :mad: They tell you it's include washrooms in hotel and taxi call. Right :cool: I think it's way too much . So just keep walking to hotel beach and they rent chairs for $10.00 each . You can use bathrooms and lots of taxi or even mini buses to go back ,just waive your hand. Bus will cost you $2.00 pp to go back to port.

 

I have to say shopping become very expensive now. Price for alcohol and perfume went up . So check your local stores before you go. I am sure you get better price even for gold and watches.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Cabin

 

We had cabin 1049 Spa level. I did not book it because we are SPA lovers ,it was only option for our last minute cruise to get balcony in quiet location . Location was absolutely fantastic. Close to pool ,close to kids club ,close to Lido )Very quiet . Cabin was spacious but cabinets show it's age. Most comfy pillows and mattresses and beautiful blankets we ever had on cruise ship.

 

I checked morning and evening cleaning and we had no problem . Just make sure you use door tag with -cruising or snoozing :p to have prompt service.

 

We went to SPA once and we did not come back again. It was packed and I am really have no patience to seat on hot bed for 30 minutes ) somewhere on Alaska cruise I would probably use it more ,but not on hot day in Caribbean.

 

I loved SPA product in cabin and even wanted to buy some shampoo but they don't sell it on ship.:cool::cool: They sell different brand. :rolleyes:

[GOLDENBONNY]

Food

 

We had breakfast and lunch in Lido . I must say it was smallest selection of food we ever had on any cruise ship and most uncomfortable layout for stations. I know all cruise lines cut but CCL really CUT. No hash brownies for breakfast? (they only available in DR) No pasta station ? Even to get french fries you have to wait in line .Why don't just put tray with it and let people grab it ?

Mongolian Wok - always big lines . We tried it once and non of us could eat it . Absolutely tasteless .

 

Burritos- good option and good quality.

 

Tandoor- It was our favorite place to eat. Nice guys working there and very tasty food .

 

Everyday food selection- Taste was good but pretty much same thing every day and not a big selection.

 

DR- We found food very good .Had no problem there. Even beef was very good,better than on X . Service was very fast ,in some point too fast. Yes, I know I would never think its possible to complain about fast service but if we order 2-3 appetizers we would get them in same time :cool:

 

In last day in Sea there was Chocolate buffet. I loved selection and quality of desert . Only problem was they had it same time as lunch so buffet was overcrowded .

[GOLDENBONNY]

Entertainment

 

If you are a Trivia lover ,you will get more than enough of it. Port day -Sea day you will have it.

 

Shows- To tell you the truth ,maybe if we never cruised MSC and we did not get spoiled by their amazing shows we would like CCL show, but... only last one Rock was good ,rest of them very very average . If it was not for amazing singer (I forgot his name) we would not watch them. I think shows on CCL was much better in 2009 . Maybe I am wrong. Nice surprise was Hasbro game. Very unusual for cruise ship and very entertaining.Don't miss it.

 

Comedy - I hate Comedy shows on ships (and not on ships) but I have to admit I loved it on Splendor. We only watched family friendly once (mainly because it was impossible to find a seat on adult once) but it was very very good and funny.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Conclusion

 

We had a very relaxing cruise . I loved this ship even the decor was terrible :p

Compare to our last CCL cruise I can put in short form things got better from 2009 or worst.

 

Better- Much much less drunk people. Much older crowed now. I love the idea of ordering water for your cabin. Saved us lots of money. Security was visible and actually talked to people if they doing something wrong.

 

Same- Cleanness of the public spaces. No one push you to sanitize your hands. before you board she ship or before you go to Lido.:(:mad: Luck of service in bars. Hard to get a waiter to bring you a drink in pool or lounge .

 

Terrible- Smoking inside the ship!!!!!!! I mean really really terrible. And I can smoke myself sometimes but you cannot go to Casino or even seat there in bar -it's stinks! I don't know why CCL still allow smoking inside :eek:

 

Did we have a nice cruise? Yes. Very nice and very average .

Will we cruise CCL again? Only on new ships probably and only if they give me special destination.

[mjkulp00]

Thanks for the review!

Great to hear that DR service and food was great! And beds are comfy.

We sail the splendor next week in the 26th! Can't wait!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[euphscott]

Cabin

 

I loved SPA product in cabin and even wanted to buy some shampoo but they don't sell it on ship.:cool::cool: They sell different brand. :rolleyes:

 

They do sell the brand on the ship - but you have to go buy it in the spa. It's not available in the gift shops.

[GOLDENBONNY]

They do sell the brand on the ship - but you have to go buy it in the spa. It's not available in the gift shops.

 

I went to SPA and they told me they don't sell same brand. :confused::cool: