Carnival Splendor was more amazing than I expected
Carnival Splendor Cruise Review to Mexico
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 47
7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)
Sail date: March 02, 2019
Ship: Carnival Splendor
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: 7285
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 5 years ago
Review summary
We live in Phoenix and have enjoyed being able to drive to a port for a cruise because none of us love flying and it adds so much expense. This was our first 7 day cruise on Carnival and it won't be our last. I've covered much of my thoughts already above. We loved the service, the food, the decor and our suite. Fon was an amazing massage therapist in the spa. She was so sweet and did not try to push selling items to me while I had my massage. My mother had different experiences with her therapist who tried selling alot. I enjoyed using the big shower in the women's locker rooms too sometimes instead of the cabin shower. It is bigger and had more shower sprays. I have celiac and had no problems on this cruise. I do wish they just labelled everything on the buffet but you can ask them and they know what is gluten free. The BBQ meats were and loved them! The deli has gluten free subs and they were very careful using parchment paper for my toasted Reuben. The wait staff in the MDR brought me warm GF bread each night as soon as I arrived - wasn't the best bread but I was grateful they offered it. If you got to the cake counter in the buffet and ask for something gluten free...they will go to the back and come back with something - usually some sort of crustless custard pie. Wasn't the best but okay! Loved the swirls ice cream. Loved the indian food and most of it was GF. They had a GF pizza but I didn't try it. The chef in the MDR made me special GF chicken tostadas one night that normally came with flour tortillas. It was amazing. They really tried to adjust anything I asked to be GF which exceptions being desserts, etc. But the GF desserts were delicious in the MDR too - creme brule and chocolate melting cake and all the sorbets and ice creams. We stayed on the ship on day 2 in cabo and enjoyed the less crowded areas. Sea days could be very crowded everywhere. The casino was packed as it was a premier cruise and very smoky. If you ordered a drink in there, it took 20-30 minutes to get it so I decided to not bother after a while. My daughter had professional photos taken in the Dream studio and the photographer did a great job - best photos I ever had taken. The packages were really overpriced but we bought a small package and they then offered the entire shoot on a USB card for a reasonable price and we bought that too. The price they show on the paper for that USB card was ridiculous. But she called the manager and then offered the much better price and we took it (I'm sure it's a sales tactic). My favorite things about this cruise? The decor of the ship; the food; the service of our room steward, the Cloud 9 spa; and my balcony suite!Embarkation
Not much feedback from crew as we boarded the ship as to where to go or giving any direction, etc
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
I was pleasantly surprised by the food based on reviews we read before. I am gluten free and they were extremely courteous and accommodating; Steakhouse was best steak I've ever had. I loved the Indian food at Tandoor - they were able to tell me which ones were gluten free easily.
Onboard Activities
We bought a VIP spa pass for the week and put it to good use. We used the thalossotherapy pool and thermal suites daily. The spa staff was top notch. Attended raffle first day and they offered a 75 minute hot stone massage for $129 as a "managers special". We were able to book that same special a few times each and loved it. Next time, we want to get spa balcony rooms as we used it so much. We attended bingo which I felt was overpriced but fun.
Entertainment
The shows were incredible. Punchliner comedy club was great and packed each time so get there early.
Children's Programs
My teenager attended O2 and made some incredible friends. Attend the first night for icebreakers! She spent most of her time during the day and late evening with her new friends. The O2 staff were sweet and had a great schedule that was flexible based on the teens desires.
Service and Staff
Our room steward Oliver was the best steward I ever had on a cruise. He kept our room in great shape with morning and evening service. Towel animals each day which I personally love (and we told him we loved). We gave him extra cash gratuity 3 different days because he was so amazing and he left us cookies in our room as a thank you one of those times which was not necessary but so sweet.
Ship Quality
I was expecting to not be impressed with the ship based on people saying it was older and getting ready for dry dock. You know what? I'm rather sad it is going to dry dock and also not coming back to Long Beach. I loved the quirkiness of the ship. Would I decorate my home like this? No! But for a vacation I found it whimsical and fun. I loved the El Morocco lounge. I loved knowing the elevators were located where ever the pink donuts were. I loved the selection of food that was not extra cost but very good. The ONLY thing I think I found frustrating was deck 5 because it was the main flow of traffic on deck 5 and it got very crowded. I thought the ship was overall very clean although the lido buffet tables could have been cleaned better on sea days and the lines could get very long up there. I would totally take the Splendor again just as it is if it were back in the states.
Cabin / Stateroom
We were offering an upgrade to a suite 2 days before embarkation for an additional fee. We took it and have no regrets. There were 3 of us girls and that extra bathroom sink and dressing area were superb. We had more storage than we could ever use. The beds were super comfortable. And my favorite part? The longer balcony. I spent a long time on that balcony each day and enjoyed it immensely. The chairs can recline. The views were the best.
Ship tip
Enjoy the quirkiness of the design features of each area! The gold pearls all over the dining room - the zebra print in El Morocco, etc! Take it all in.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Long Beach (Los Angeles), California
No excursion! We stayed at Hotel Current for the snooze and cruise package and the shuttle service to port is excellent and cheaper to stay there than park at the port anyway. Nice hotel! The Long Beach port is well organized.
LOVED Cabo! We did the Salsa Salsa excursion at a beautiful indoor resort overlooking the sea on a cliff. So much fun! Never felt unsafe. I did not find the vendors annoying at the port - they didn't chase after you once you kindly said no and kept walking past them like I have had at other Mexican ports where they come up and put their arm around you and won't leave you alone. Cabo wasn't like that at all. Next time, we plan to eat at once of the many places near the port.
Not the best view to pull up to with Walmart and Sam's Club! But...we ended up at Walmart and bought Rompope for $5 - this stuff was used in the dessert salsa at the excursion in Cabo. They were selling trial bottle at the excursion for $6 each. I bought 1 L bottles at Walmart for $5 and brought them back as gifts to people. The mall was nice with free wifi at Starbucks. We shopped the small market inside the port area and it was very overpriced and they do not bargain. Some of the same items were at Walmart for much cheaper. I did buy a few things at the market because I like ti support the locals but it was less fun when they wouldn't bargain and had very inflated prices. Wished they sold food at the market - only had alcohol there to drink (margaritas, etc.). We did not do an excursion and did not take a taxi anywhere because we were so tired that day. Maybe next time! Everyone raved about the Rhythms of the Night show.
Disembarkation
Fast but I will say or priority meeting place in the black pearl was unpleasant. There was no room to walk with luggage to the back where we were told to go. The people and luggage were so squeezed together I couldn't get to a chair to sit down while we waited for about an hour to disembark. But once we were called to disembark and it was very fast.