Carnival Splendor - June 18,2016 - 8 Night Cruise

Carnival Splendor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

AlexBo

Contributor Level: Cruise Director

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 6

Helpful Votes: 89

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

8 Night Southern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 18, 2016

Ship: Carnival Splendor

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7363

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

The Splendor seemed understaffed. The steward only wanted to do day OR night room cleaning, not both. Dinners took a very long time. We missed almost every early comedy show, since our 6 PM seating dinners didn't end until almost 8 PM.

Our Carnival Dominican Republic excursion was completely mis-advertised. The Excursion description stated 6 hours, with difficult jungle walks. It specifically said people with back problems. heart issues or asthma should not attend. In reality, the excursion was 4 hours, including a two-hour bus ride, and the walk was 20 minutes each way on a path. Carnival did refund us 33% after we complained.

Also, other cruisers said that La Romana, Dominican Republic, was dangerous. Shop owners had shotguns, and cruisers were constantly accosted by locals trying to sell them stuff. Even on open-air buses, the locals would pull up on bikes and try to get you to buy something. Very rude and intrusive. This has never happened on any other island I've been on.

Aruba, Curacao and Turks and Caicos were excellent.

The layout of the Splendor is great for walkers, and there is a moving canopy that can close over the Lido deck.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

The cabin was fine. However, on the first day, the steward asked us if we wanted Day or Night service. I was stunned. On all other Carnival ships I have sailed, BOTH services were always provided. Also, on the first two nights, we got back two our rooms after 9 PM, and the service still hadn't been performed. We had a long talk with the steward, and from that point on we received timely day and night service.

Ship tip

Taste bar was very good.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5

La Romana, Dominican Republic

1 out of 5

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

14 Comments

jeffmeyers62 8 years ago

Our steward told us we had to choose one or the other. We chose evening and our room wasn't cleaned until day3 after I complained that we didn't have clean towels or ice?? Carnival has dropped a lot in the last six months! Plus, charging $2 for a Bigalow tea bag at high tea, after I paid $1700 to cruise????

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mypreciousfamily 8 years ago

Lets remember some islands depend on tourists for their revenue.

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courtneyboyle99 8 years ago

There are several islands all over the Caribbean that have locals who constantly want you to buy stuff. It's not just DR. I've experienced it in Jamaica, Bahamas, the Yucatan, and Puerto Rico, just to name a couple. You just have to learn to be stern with them. That's not Carnivals fault.

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chinasl45 8 years ago

For me, its a matter of what I do at home....I am constantly cleaning and picking up as I hate any type of clutter...

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andrenatsmom 8 years ago

Ahh, that makes sense. Thank you

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beckyfridenberger 8 years ago

Its just a nice detail to come back and have you bedding turned down and cute little animals on the bed and to take away any room service if needed

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Rob086012 8 years ago

At night they just offer turndown service.

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andrenatsmom 8 years ago

Just curious as to why you would want cleaning twice a day? Not a negative question, just curiosity. I've only been onone cruise so far. That changes in 58 days!

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beckyfridenberger 8 years ago

Yea that is one of the perks I enjoy

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chinasl45 8 years ago

I heard if you want both, you pick both...that is what I intend to do cause I want both.

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beckyfridenberger 8 years ago

Oh ok thank you

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Rob086012 8 years ago

My steward gave me a card and if I wanted day and night I would select it on the card.

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beckyfridenberger 8 years ago

What do you mean the steward gave you the option ?They are only cleaning once now ?

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dlmccu 8 years ago

Was on on splendor in May . Steward gave me the same option of cleaning morning or night which I did not have a problem with ... Even though I chose morning he still cleaned at night as well... I went to DR a couple of times before and never had a problem with any of the locals.

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Other reviews of this sailing

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Terrible Service