Splendorless

Carnival Splendor Cruise Review to Europe - Mediterranean

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 51

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Splendor

12 Night Mediterranean & Greek Isles (Rome Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 17, 2008

Ship: Carnival Splendor

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 14 years ago

Review summary

Our cabin was as expected, the ship was very clean but we were surprised by the lack of purell dispensers, especially around the food areas. Also, handrails were not cleaned as often as other ships we have been on. Needless to say by the end of the trip, all you could hear was coughing and sneezing. The decor of the ship was nothing short of "Las Vegas on Steroids". There was nothing classy, just an overload of pink. Entertainment was below average. The cast on board was not particularly talented and it was embarrassing at times. Trivia games seemed to be the main activity, which were very boring. When a cooking demo was offered, I called for 2 hours before someone finally answered and said it was full. I went anyway and there was enough people for a second demo, but it was not offered. The dance classes were over-crowded but a second class was never offered. The hot tubs were only warm unless you paid to use the one in the spa. The tours were so unorganized it was hard to believe that Carnival was actually running a business. It was a disaster, long lines, crowding, herding, etc. The tours were horrible and so over priced. In Turkey we had two tours and they were both terrible. I had so looked forward to the Ephesus tour and had to leave our group to join other groups to get information and take pictures. The one in Istanbul was the worst of all, we were not allowed to stray from the group, talk or ask her to repeat anything. Out of 8 booked tours only two were done professionally although still not worth the money paid. My advice would be to book all your tours yourself for one-third the cost. The food was okay in the Lido but the lines were long and food was cold by the time you sat down to eat. Food was very repetitive. We ate in the Gold Pearl, wait staff was incredible, food was okay. It amazed me that they sold coffee and desserts that should have been served at our table. This was our first cruise on Carnival and it will be our last.

Ports of call

Istanbul, Turkey

3 out of 5
go on your own
Don't Miss: Blue Mosque

Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy

3 out of 5
didn't go to Florence but heard wonderful things
Don't Miss: Leaning tower

Marmaris, Turkey

3 out of 5
Not much to do here

Naples, Italy

5 out of 5
Make sure you get out of Naples.
Don't Miss: Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi Coast

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

5 out of 5
Make sure you eat a greek salad and gyro.
Don't Miss: Olympia

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

5 out of 5
Beyond description, beautiful.
Don't Miss: Parthenon

Izmir, Turkey

5 out of 5
Take your own tour and save a bundle
Don't Miss: Ephesus

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5
You need lots of time for this place, so many ruins. Find a small restaurant, they are all wonderful. be sure to try the lasagna or canelloni.
Don't Miss: Vatican, catacombs, trevi fountain, collesium

Pros: wait and cabin staff

Cons: over-priced tours

Recommends Carnival Splendor? No.

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