Mini review of 4 Nights on Splendour

[klingoncruiser]

Just got off the Splendour 4 night cruise over Easter. I was on the Splendour 12 nights at christmas so this seemed like an old and trusted friends house. Cruise went very well, with only a couple of problems. The major problems was once agin NO INTERNET! Sheese, it was down most of Christmas and still down now. Ya think the loss of revenue would get it fixed. The tech seemed harried when he checked on it and resighned to it not working. Would log you on and then log you off in one minute or less and say thank you, no charge.

The cruise also had a band on board. To their credit they were very well behaved high school kids, kudos to them. BUT it was impossible to get to the hot tub in the Solarium most of the time.

Cozumel, rented a jeep and snorkled at Punta Sur. Surprizingly good snorkeling! Some of the best yet there. Ate at Chin Rio and did some shopping at out of the way stores. Very plesent day.

On the way back, ran into quite a storm that put heavy rain and 60-70 mph winds over the deck, chairs flying everywhere. Lots of fun, love the thunder and lightening at sea. No one hurt, but a couple of chairs I am sure are now being used by some flounder.

I did not think I would like a 4 day cruise, but I WAS WRONG. It was kind of fun and easy. But is it just me or did it seem to attract a lot of "Carnivore" type cruiser? The chair hogs got up early, 7:30 to cover lots of chairs with towels and personal items.(books, stuffed annimals, ect.) Funny thing was that on the last day, they got rained out. How fitting. But still a sad sight to behold so many selfish people.

Ooops, longer than I planned, but hope it helps.

Oh, the bad smell on deck 7 mentioned before, was there. This time I did notice it. No vibration that I noted other than the normal things from a ship in motion. The seas, other than Sunday, were some of calmest I have seen.

I wrestled with reality for years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state, I finally won out over it. (Harvey 1950)

Next cruise- Serenade of the Sea to Alaska- July 25. Roll call started!

[CrispyCruiser]

Klingon, We were also on this cruise; weren't those some CALM SEAS????? Even during the storm it was still calm. I agree with your review completely. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] We did find minor vibration in our cabin and in the aft of the ship (we had an aft cabin, deck 6) and a bit of a sewer smell the first night down the hallway, but it seemed to be gone after the first night.

I will also PRAISE that band group! I am not a fan of 4 days (too Carnival-ish), but they were really, surprisingly well-behaved. I was quite impressed. (The solarium was QUITE crowded all the time, though).

Splendour is still one of my favorite ships [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Chris

[Jimtown]

GREAT Job Klingoncruiser

I know all of us going the next few weeks are always excited to read someones review that just got off.

Thanks.

Jim

4/17 Splendour of the Seas
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;4;17;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

[sailor moon]

Can't wait to board on the 22nd as it is our first balcony and first aft! Time is definately slowing down....

JB
UPCOMING CRUISES:
Splendour of the Seas 4/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;4;22;18;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Rhapsody of the Seas 11/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;11;21;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

[Linkslady]

I was there too! Wasn't that storm awesome!! We were watching the masters in our cabin (8034) and as soon as it was over we went up to get a bucket of beer (yes we knew it was raining) by the pool bar and were STUNNED to see the water coming into the ship from Deck 9 and it was leaking down into deck 8... They were trying to mop up as fast as they could! Also, you must have felt the ship listing as the wind was pushing us over!!

My opinion of the ship is that it is great.. food okay, staff wasn't that friendly, but I like the ship and, like the other posters, was concerned about 4 nights. I LOVED IT!! I can't believe I haven't tried that before! I wish Splendour weren't leaving or I'd book another one every 3 months!

This was the fullest ship I think I've been on. You could definitly feel the crowd the first night in the casino and the first sea day. Yes the chair hogs were there, but we like sitting by the pool under the deck. After about 1:00 p.m on the 1st sea day, the teens started scattering and weren't ever a problem. I think most of the people lost as much $$ as they wanted to on the first night, because after Coz. and on the 2nd day it was fine (except during the bad weather on Easter Sunday.. and it's funny because I don't think those people even knew what was going on up top!!) We played golf (12 holes) and I beat hubby.. I was 11 under and he was 5 under.. just had to add that..

Embark and Debark were fine (I was the FIRST one on the ship.. woo hoo!) Getting on early made it feel like an extra day. We were on board a little before noon.

I did notice the vibration on the starboard side, almost directly across from the band and then toward the aft a little. Nothing bad but I wouldn't want to have to try and sleep through it.

Well, that's my mini-review too! I had posted a roll-call prior to sailing...where was everyone?

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;4;08;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img] Until my next cruise!


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;11;20;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img] Until my first Princess cruise!


Majesty 94
Sovereign 95
Destiny 96
Fascination 97
Triumph 98
Celebration 99
Rhapsody 9/02
Rhapsody 10/03
Splendour 4/04
Grand Princess 11/04

[CrispyCruiser]

Hi, Linkslady! I didn't even think to look for a roll call this time as it was short and they don't do the M&M parties....my loss!! (Usually I'm the one starting them!!!) We did book this one late, though.

That water on the 9th deck was amazing! I keep telling everyone at work that the 9th deck flooded (parts did) but that 1-8 didn't! Of course I must explain that it was rain water coming in.

We didn't have any problem sleeping through the vibration. I PREFER a ship that ROCKS me to sleep, but the subtle bouncing wasn't bad. Of course when they slowed that ship down during that storm the vibration stopped and it was quite erie! We were in the VC when the storm started, headed down to the Solarium for a late lunch, then back up to the VC to wait it out....

Klingon - I think we might have inadvertently met in the Internet Cafe as our group spoke to a gentleman that was on the Splendour during Christmas and mentioned that they had the same problem then - even after they had a specialist on board to try to repair it....was that you?

As for the food, I don't think it is BAD, per say, but I am tired of it. Our last 4 cruises have been with RCL and it has been the same menu every cruise. There are just some menus we don't care for much......I was thinking that maybe they could do a 15 or 25 day rotating menu so us repeat cruisers could try something new/different?? Just a thought...

We had excellent service, even after we DRAGGED it out of the Purser's desk [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Our room steward was great (not sure about this team room stewards, though - our steward didn't like it) and our dining room service was extremely FAST (fastest we have ever had) and efficient.

Okay, now that I have finished MY mini review....(sorry, klingon, don't mean to tread on your post!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] )

Chris

[klingoncruiser]

Hi everyone! Many great "mini reviews" on top of mine. All are most welcomed and an asset to those to follow us. CrispyCruiser, that sounds like me. (don't know about that gentleman part [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] )

Looks like most of us will miss the Splendour. But I am sure that there are plans afoot to keep RCCL in the game in Galveston. Lots of rumors about a Voyager class by 2006. I do agree that they might shake up the menu a bit, but that would require thinking. I do like their food so I do not mind much. BUT they did not have my beloved flourless Royal chocolate cake. I missed that.

That storm was great. Made a kind of gray day fun.

Looking forward to Alaska this summer and trying the Galaxy next christmas.

Thanks everyone!

I wrestled with reality for years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state, I finally won out over it. (Harvey 1950)

Next cruise- Serenade of the Sea to Alaska- July 25. Roll call started!

[brn2crz]

I bet that storm was fun on the Sea..
Back here on land....not so fun..
Nice reviews,thanks ya'll.

Cathy
NCL-Starward 1982
NCL-Seaward 1986
NCL-Norway 1992
Carnival-Celebration 1996
Carnival-Jubilee 2001
RCI-Rhapsody 1999
RCI-Rhapsody- 2003
Grand Princess or Rhapsody ?
2004


[img]http://heathersanimations.com/Fish2/netdiver.gif[/img]

[CrispyCruiser]

Klingon,
Nice to have "met" you!!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] You seemed like a gentleman to me (but I won't tell, I promise!!) [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I am contemplating a cruise on the Galaxy in November; not sure if I can swing it yet or not....but I would LOVE to do the Canal.

I have also heard the Voyager-class into Galveston by 2005-2006 (closer to 2006) and that that is one reason that they are building a new cruise terminal down there. They still have to widen that turning basin, though! I would LOVE to have a Voyager-class down there!!

We are heading to Alaska with HAL's Oo 5/8 - First time on HAL, so should prove to be interesting.

OH! Someone of the staff told me that Splendour would also be returning to Galveston eventually.....that is not what I have heard, but just something to keep an eye out for.

Take care, all!
Chris

[Bookit]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img] What?! No flourless chocolate cake -- and I am dieting (wasting away [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] and dreaming of it!!

Still beg to differ as to what constitutes vibration -- what I am referring to -- not to be confused with rocking of a ship (which I find very comforting ... our small boat (36') used to do that in the harbor when we were in for the night -- loved it! I hope I do not have the constant jerk-jerk-jerk to "lull me to sleep" [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] I have enjoyed the reviews -- only a week and days until our Splendour cruise!

I think most of us feel the more ships, the better, for our area -- for a major city so close to Galveston (and with its own major port) -- we waited long enough! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

We are looking forward to cruising on Galaxy in November, as well! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Bookit

[clingandclatter]

The vibration is like a shaking that comes around every 20-30 seconds or so. It's like a left-right-left shake if that makes any sense. It wasn't as obnoxious as I thought it would be listening to all the talk about it. It's weird though because you can feel it more in certain places on the ship than others. Like on deck 5 by the shops, it's much more pronounced (watch the glasses in the gift shop & liquor bottles rattle). Our room was on deck 3 and when I slept on my left side I didn't feel it much, but when I rolled over and slept on my right side I could feel it - odd. The vibration is a separate entity from the normal rocking of the boat.

[CrispyCruiser]

Hi, Bookit!
Have you booked Galaxy yet??

I *kind of* agree with clingandclatter - sometimes it was a short, abrupt side to side shake. That one was REALLY hard to explain. The bouncing was more pronounced. If you aren't in the aft of the ship you MAY have that gentle rocking (that I LOVE so much and tried to get my DH to install something that would make my bed do that... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]), but in the back, it's a bouncy-type. The ONLY time I felt gentle rocking was FORWARD, during the shows, but that was rare. Our seas were as smooth as glass and didn't get much over "wavelets" (.5 - 1.5 feet). During the storm we had a bit more, but it never got rocky like I love......

I also agree that you could hear the glass clanking around in the gift shops, especially the liquor/sundry store, but I have yet to be on a ship that didn't do that.....

Chris
Next: Oo to Alaska, 5/8/04

[klingoncruiser]

I did notice one other thing I forgot to add in. When we boarded in December at 11:45, we went to the room and dumped our stuff off and headed out. This time the doors were LOCKED to the halls and no going to the rooms until 1PM. I have never seen that before.

We are already booked on the Galaxy for Christmas. This will be our third year to go to Panama at this time. This is such a great trip, that we can not stop going. I will miss the Splendour for the run, but looking forward to the new ship. Talking to some crew members, the 4/5 day runs have done very well. Perhaps RCCL will reconcider not having them.

Crispycruiser, good luck on HAL in Ak. I hope it works out, but..... not my personal choice for AK. We will be there on the Serenade this year. Only spending 3 weeks this year up there. Must be slipping... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I wrestled with reality for years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state, I finally won out over it. (Harvey 1950)

Next cruise- Serenade of the Sea to Alaska- July 25. Roll call started!