Splendour Of The Seas - should I be concerned?

[vacationdreamer2]

My husband and I (both 30) are planning a Mediterranean cruise this Summer. I love the Splendour of the Seas itinerary (Venice, Athens, Mykonos, Katakolon, Corfu, Split, Venice) but I'm concerned about the size and age of this ship. We are also looking at one on the Navigator of the Seas but I don't like the itinerary as much (Rome, Sicily, Athens, Ephesus, Crete, Rome) mainly because it doesn't include the Greek Isles. I do however like that it's larger and newer than the Splendour. We are by no means cruise connoisseurs, in fact this will be my husbands first cruise, but I don't want to be disappointed by a run down ship. Should we choose by itinerary or ship? Any and all opinons are appreciated!

[tomko2]

We were on the Legend (sister of Splendour) last Aug/Sept. Med. cruise. Below is the link to the review I wrote about the cruise and the ship. We knew when we booked that the Legend would not be as nice as some of the newer ships but the itinerary (Egypt) was what was more important to us. We are planning to do the Med. again either this summer or next year (having trouble with flights) and very much look forward to being on the Brilliance (we love the Radiance Class).

Have a look at some of the reviews; it may help you with your decision.

These ships are a little older and offer less in terms of amenities and activities onboard but all the basics are there.

Kathy:)

[FionaMG]

We were on Splendour less than two weeks ago for her transatlantic crossing from Portugal to Brazil. She is definitely not run-down. She is well-cared for and although smaller definitely offers all the facilities you need for a port-intensive European cruise where you will not have much shipboard time. On the Navigator you would have the ice-skating rink (with ice-show), inline skating track and Royal Promenade with a (slightly) bigger and better selection of onboard shops. And that's about it. Splendour has a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf, spa, fitness centre, pools, solarium, casino, bars and entertainment venues just like the Navigator. Its smaller size makes for a better chance to get to know your fellow cruisers and (perhaps) a slightly more personalised service. You need to ask yourself if the extra facilities offered on the larger ship are really necessary for your enjoyment of the cruise and if they more than make up for the less attractive itinerary. On our four cruises (one Med and one transatlantic on Splendour and two Caribbean on Explorer) itinerary has always been a more important factor in our choice than the actual ship.

 

Hope this helps and you have a great cruise whatever you decide to do.

Fiona.

[vacationdreamer2]

Thanks so much for your responses it's great to hear people's expereinces on Splendour. Fiona, I appreciate your comparison of the two ships. I wonder if it would really matter on such a port intensive itinerary. It's good to hear Splendour is in such good shape, I'm leaning towards her and her itinerary but any other opinions are still welcome! Thanks, this is a great site!

[Laurie12820]

My best friend and her DH were on the Splendour in August for their honeymoon cruise and they enjoyed her. Yes, she is older and smaller than the Navigator but they still enjoyed her none the less. For the amount of time spent on the Splendour , or lack there of, because it is so port intensive, I don't think it would be that much of a difference. I say go with the itinerary you prefer!

[biker1972]

One caveat, ports can be changed or skipped for numerous reasons, and while booking based on itinerary might be best, don't set yourself up for a hugh disappointment if things change.

[hazeleyez3]

We were on Splendour less than two weeks ago for her transatlantic crossing from Portugal to Brazil. She is definitely not run-down. She is well-cared for and although smaller definitely offers all the facilities you need for a port-intensive European cruise where you will not have much shipboard time. On the Navigator you would have the ice-skating rink (with ice-show), inline skating track and Royal Promenade with a (slightly) bigger and better selection of onboard shops. And that's about it. Splendour has a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf, spa, fitness centre, pools, solarium, casino, bars and entertainment venues just like the Navigator. Its smaller size makes for a better chance to get to know your fellow cruisers and (perhaps) a slightly more personalised service. You need to ask yourself if the extra facilities offered on the larger ship are really necessary for your enjoyment of the cruise and if they more than make up for the less attractive itinerary. On our four cruises (one Med and one transatlantic on Splendour and two Caribbean on Explorer) itinerary has always been a more important factor in our choice than the actual ship.

 

Hope this helps and you have a great cruise whatever you decide to do.

Fiona.

 

How about if it isn't that port-intensive? I'm looking at 2 transatlantics in 2009 - one on the Splendour, the other on IOS. I like both itineraries, but the Splendour is a bit more interesting and unique. Problem is that there are about 5 sea days in a row, and I'm afraid that my husband and I (both in our 30s) as well as my parents who will be celebrating their 40th ann, will not have as much to do as on the IOS.

[madforcruising]

Well I´ve not cruised on a Voyager Class ship yet. I only experienced the Freedom otS which is basically just a lengthened Voyager Class with a few extras.

However I always would choose a smaller ship over the larger ones. I know I might be in the minority here, but Radiance and Vision class ships are my favourites and I would always prefer the Splendour over the Navigator ship wise. That´s not that I wouldn´t sail a Voyager class if it had the better itinerary, but here the smaller ship having the better itinerary would be a no brainer for me. BTW I´ve sailed the Legend last year which is even older than Splendour and I know the Legend from the beginning (sailed her during the inaugural season). She was well kept like all RCCL ships I´ve been on and I would go back in a heartbeat.

 

You have really have to think about what you expect from the ship and I don´t think there´s that much more on a VOyager class that other ships don´t have and like others said Europe is port intensive and you don´t spend much time on the ship anyway.

[FionaMG]

How about if it isn't that port-intensive? I'm looking at 2 transatlantics in 2009 - one on the Splendour, the other on IOS. I like both itineraries, but the Splendour is a bit more interesting and unique. Problem is that there are about 5 sea days in a row, and I'm afraid that my husband and I (both in our 30s) as well as my parents who will be celebrating their 40th ann, will not have as much to do as on the IOS.

 

We had a total of seven sea days on our transatlantic but only 3 were consecutive as we had a stop in Cape Verde before the actual crossing. There were plenty of activities, the usual poolside games and competitions, plus different dance classes, capoeira classes, rock climibing and mini golf tournaments, bingo, karaoke and various demonstrations. I also noticed there were loads of talks and seminars at the spa, although I didn't actually go to any of those. We never really found ourselves at a loose end wondering what to do and, in fact, I took two new books with me to read that I never even got round to opening! Of course, the good weather really helped. The Splendour's route is considerably farther south so there's probably more pool time to factor in than on the more northerly crossing. Looking at the IOS date and itinerary, it might be a bit too chilly to use the outdoor pool on sea days. One thing I also liked about the smaller ship was the fact that it was easier to get to know your fellow shipmates, which made it seem like a really friendly cruise. You'd always be nodding or saying hi to someone you'd got chatting to in one of the classes or bars.

 

Hope this helps.

[elsie3939]

We've been on the Legend (sister to Splendor) several times and I love the glass and design of the ship. We are about to go on the Navigator for the 2nd time and I really don't like the ship...(We're going because of a very young granddaughter and family)...We felt like we were in a shopping mall rather than on the high seas...Two very small centriums with the focus on a shopping promenade down the center. Ice skating rink is nice but it is in the bowels of the ship...we had an inside room and we never really saw the ocean...On the other hand with the Radiance and Vision Class ships you get a view of the seas where ever you are...I felt claustrophobic on the Navigator...IMO I'd much rather be on the Splendor...Rccl does a good job of keeping its ships in good condition...Elsie