What a vacation!!!

Item: Carnival Splendor
Rating: 5
Author: Raquel777

Carnival Splendor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

Raquel777

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 54

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

8 Night Southern Cairbbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 16, 2016

Ship: Carnival Splendor

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 1443

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I had an amazing time on this vacation and this ship. Though like many say, the decor is a bit eclectic, but I enjoyed it. The staff was always working their tails off, constantly said hello with a smile, offered to help in any way and made the ship come to life. The only 2 little complaints I had was the small pool sizes (especially the adult-only) - we were crammed in there on sea days - and the lack of control the pit bosses seemed to have. I don't gamble a ton, but each night I did they allowed multiple people to chant "21" each time a new hand of black jack was dealt. Funny at first, but then very annoying and distracting. Multiple gamblers complained, but nothing was done. Overall, I would go on this trip and this ship again in a heart beat! I found the entertainment to be solid (especially the live music in the lobbies), the food scrumptious, the staff pampering and the ports breath-taking!!!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

If something isn't to your liking, just order something else!!!

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

I do wish there were more comics on board. The shows offered were good, but on my previous cruises, there were way more show offerings!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

We loved our room steward, Rolan, and our wait staff: Tomi, Carlos and Reynaldo!!!!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

To save $, we got an inside cabin that was randomly selected. We were on deck 1 all the way in the back of the ship. I found this convenient to all the pools and buffets and enjoyed the swaying of the ship at night.

Ship tip

If you like your wait staff the first night, as for them each night. They get to know you and will give first class service. Don't forget to bring cash and tip them, and your room steward, at the end of the week - they really work so hard for so little!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5

Margaritaville pool is gorgeous and they don't charge for use of the facility or the free WiFi

Thumbs Up 1

La Romana, Dominican Republic

5 out of 5

Grab a $5/person (each way) taxi to a local beach resort...rent a chair and drink rum from a fresh coconut!

Thumbs Up 7

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

Eagle Beach is gorgeous and not over crowded like Palm Beach. Also, check out the Sunset Cocktail Cruise via Carnival excursions!!!

Thumbs Up 1

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5

Check out the Dolphin Academy (swim with the dolphins) & Mambo Beach

Thumbs Up 1

16 Comments

Raquel777 6 years ago

llljc4403 - I don't remember, to be honest. We got off the ship, went down by the taxis and asked them to take us to a local beach. We rode in a taxi with about 8 other people and the ride wasn't far. Sorry I can't help more. Enjoy!

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llljc4403 6 years ago

Do you remember the name of the beach resort you spoke of in La Ramona?

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CruzeLife 8 years ago

Thanks for the review. May I ask do they still offer robes in your room?

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mypreciousfamily 8 years ago

Sorry to bust your bubble. But I've heard tons of negative from other cruise lines. The only difference is carnival doesn't pay the media off to keep it quiet like other cruise lines do.

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ganendal 8 years ago

Oh, Splendor trip is in December, hopefully Honduras will be calm. I know that there are political issues now and the state department is considering issuing travel warnings, but it may be that specific areas of the country are experiencing unrest.

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ganendal 8 years ago

I'm nervous about the Splendor too, mostly because it is a Carnival ship and I have only been on Celebrity ships. I love the idea of kitch and the Art Deco style. Hopefully it will be clean, well run and not full of people drinking excessively. (I am going to Alaska in two weeks on the Solstice, and hope that that ship is clean and well run too.) Carnival seems to be the line that has people who fall off, catch an illness, have poor health inspection reports (tho so many other lines own ships that have issues with the inspectors, that is public record) or need to be towed to port, (I imagine that they must have older ships that don't have redundant systems). Also Carnival seems to have the itinerary disrupted more frequently than other lines. I am looking forward to decor of the Splendor, tho I know it's an older ship, but I have anxiety about the Carnival brand.

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pegr007 8 years ago

You guys have been awesome with your comments. Much appreciated. And I can tolerate pink lol

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trmn8tr 8 years ago

I truly enjoyed Splendor. To date it is my favorite ship. There is definitely a lot of pink on that ship. Lol. Wife and I enjoyed watching movies on lido deck. The retractable roof on lido was pretty cool too.

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janicej0830 8 years ago

I cruised on Splendor this past April first time & love it. doing a premier on her Aug 27 & can't wait. great ship & crew.

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cruisegirl16 8 years ago

Lol

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Lokie666 8 years ago

Splendor is my favorite ship so far, but man there is a lot of pink.

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pegr007 8 years ago

Are their pools normal size? I sailed on the Glory last year and the pools seemed similar in size

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Lovecruising054 8 years ago

The splendor is a great cruise ship. Probably my 4th favorite out of 8. Great entertainment,food etc.

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cruisegirl16 8 years ago

Thanks for the review, I sail in 71days on the Splendor, can't wait ! ❤🚢🌴🌞🍸

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sdoxey 8 years ago

Dw a cruise is what u make it

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Moanieluv 8 years ago

Thanks for this review @raquel777. I have 23 more days to go and the number of negative reviews have had me concerned and a little worried as this is my first cruise. But yours puts me at ease. Thanks!

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