Should we give Carnival another try?

[Tapi]

On 3/27/2023 at 4:31 PM, dianeh said:

I have found a cruise for New Zealand on the Splendor.

In my very humble opinion, The Carnival Splendor (affectionately nicknamed the Carnival Pepto-Bismol) may be a great ship for many. But based on what you wrote, she may be even more of a letdown than the Panorama for you. Setting aside service and cuisine, Splendor is one of Carnival’s older ship, and it shows in her design and decor. 
 

After sailing on other cruise lines like Holland America, you’ve probably developed your own standards when you cruise. If you believe that your expectations will fall below your standards, then sailing on the Splendor may not be a good idea for you. 
 

 

[KnEcruisers]

I’ve been on 4 Carnival cruises since 2014, the last one in Oct 2022 on the Spirit(booked the Freedom) but Carnival switched ships, and each cruise worse than the last….none were horrible by any means…. But you notice the changes/cutbacks….. the last cruise the ship was way understaffed, and the service suffered,  I’m sure I’ll cruise with them again, but def taking a break from Carnival for a while to see if things get any better.

[ukmel1603]

In October 2022 ,4 of us did the repositioning Trans-Pacific  23 day cruise on Carnival Splendor from Seattle to Sydney, and we loved it! 

We ate in the dining room on most nights and for the most part, we enjoyed the food. They had a lot of variety, esp on a 23 night cruise! The wait staff was wonderful! It's just amazing to me how after 1 night, these guys remember everyone's names. Our waiter was Ali, I still miss that smile!

The Steak House was so amazing, we dined there a couple of times.

The cruise director and staff was delightful, full of energy, friendly but not pushy if you didn't want to participate.

Our ports were fantastic, we had 4 stops in Hawaii and 2 in Fiji. We had planned our own shore excursions, so we did not use Carnival's services for that.

We had a lot of sea days, but always were able to fill those days with fun, games, casino.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, We Loved The Splendor!!

[Sgwscruiser]

No.  You’ve answered your on question.  Anyone that has been that unhappy with their cruise. There is NO WAY you be happy with another try

[Honolulu Blue]

3 hours ago, Tapi said:

In my very humble opinion, The Carnival Splendor (affectionately nicknamed the Carnival Pepto-Bismol) may be a great ship for many. But based on what you wrote, she may be even more of a letdown than the Panorama for you. Setting aside service and cuisine, Splendor is one of Carnival’s older ship, and it shows in her design and decor. 
 

After sailing on other cruise lines like Holland America, you’ve probably developed your own standards when you cruise. If you believe that your expectations will fall below your standards, then sailing on the Splendor may not be a good idea for you. 

I have three notes on the splendor... First, its at or near the median age for a surviving Carnival ship at 15. Second, I've sailed on the Splendor twice. Carnival treats it like an ugly duckling and it often sails the odd routes that the other ships don't do. This causes me to like it and book it, though I recognize it's not for all tastes. And third, it's an early example of a ship that was "stolen" from Costa, as it was originally built for them. Costa may or may not be to blame for the interior design choices.

[BlerkOne]

56 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

I have three notes on the splendor... First, its at or near the median age for a surviving Carnival ship at 15. Second, I've sailed on the Splendor twice. Carnival treats it like an ugly duckling and it often sails the odd routes that the other ships don't do. This causes me to like it and book it, though I recognize it's not for all tastes. And third, it's an early example of a ship that was "stolen" from Costa, as it was originally built for them. Costa may or may not be to blame for the interior design choices.

Farcus designed ships for both cruise lines and has no memory of why he did some things on Splendor. We asked him.

 

I like Splendor and had some great cruises on the ship including around Cape Horn and through the new Panama Canal locks.

[broadwaybaby123]

I'm about to go on my 4th Carnival cruise and am kind of in the same boat. My experiences have been a bit uneven for various reasons. Hated it the first and third times, loved the second. 

 

It's been several years since my third Carnival cruise, I'm hoping they've improved over time.

[CruizinSusan70]

3 hours ago, broadwaybaby123 said:

I'm about to go on my 4th Carnival cruise and am kind of in the same boat. My experiences have been a bit uneven for various reasons. Hated it the first and third times, loved the second. 

 

It's been several years since my third Carnival cruise, I'm hoping they've improved over time.

You have a year till your Venezia cruise.  It will be totally different than what is offered by the rest of the fleet.  As Ms.Duffy says, it'll be Carnival "Italian Style."

[Momto3girlsintheCarolinas]

We have sailed Royal Caribbean a few times.  We had a terrible experience in December 2021 but returned for an excellent experience on another ship.  We had also sailed the terrible experience ship before and had loved it.  

 

Maybe it was a fluke?

[Ms. Martini]

On 3/28/2023 at 1:35 PM, paulco said:

Loved the Spirit last spring in Alaska. A great flow to the decks.  Lots of space.  Still has table cloths in the mdr.  Nice promenade deck. Constant maintenance going on.  Food was fine.  All in all a fine older ship!

Does the ship have a library that can hold about 20 people for a book discussion?

[CruizinSusan70]

4 hours ago, Ms. Martini said:

Does the ship have a library that can hold about 20 people for a book discussion?

No, but the piano bar on deck three is vacant during the day, is enclosed and would be a perfect place.

[ObstructedView2]

On 3/28/2023 at 2:35 PM, paulco said:

 

Loved the Spirit last spring in Alaska. A great flow to the decks.  Lots of space.  

 

 

5 hours ago, Ms. Martini said:

Does the ship have a library that can hold about 20 people for a book discussion?

 

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

No, but the piano bar on deck three is vacant during the day, is enclosed and would be a perfect place.

 

Hi @Ms. Martini🙂

 

Yes, Carnival Spirit has a Card Room/Library located on Deck 2 Forward; called 'Monarch's Card Room'. 

 

The room will easily hold 20 people. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

🍹

Edited April 2, 2023 by ObstructedView2

[mz-s]

5 hours ago, Ms. Martini said:

Does the ship have a library that can hold about 20 people for a book discussion?

You may speak to guest services once onboard to inquire about reserving a lounge for your event. It may not be possible but never hurts to ask.