We're going to miss that old bird when she's repositioned!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We aren't anxious to be the first ones on board so we move at a leisurely pace. Security screening is a breeze. Arrived on board around 1:30, just in time for our cabin to be ready. Met our steward, Michael, and disinfected the bathroom and cabin. You can never be too sure.
Headed past the crowded buffet, upstairs the BBQ on the 10th deck and had a great first meal.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
We're not buffet people, I refer to it as "the buffet trough" and that's about as much effort they put into flavor. The Black or Gold Pearl is where we spent all our meal times, exquisite food and the staff are all amazing individuals.
The only meal that I considered less than stellar was actuality awful. That meat lasagna was inedible. Just avoid it. Everything else we ate in the restaurants was thoroughly enjoyable.
Wasn't a fan of the deli on my first Splendor trip, still not.
Tandoori was good, ate it twice.
Mongolian Wok is a favorite among most, I liked it. I didn't love it. I would have to love it in order to justify waiting over a half hour for it.
Pizza is pizza. Perfect during the Dive-In Movie.
Don't miss the sea day brunch.
Try to make it for Tea Time. Very adorable experience.
We didn't book the Steakhouse this time around but loved it the previous year.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Splendor is not laden with physical activities like the newer and bigger ships. There is no rock climbing, surf riders, etc. All it offers is mini golf, basketball, pools, a running track and a woefully outdated water slide. There's a gym that has most of the basic requirements.
We enjoyed the trivia and bingo.
I was a bit annoyed that the only time the Duve-In movie played Avengers End Game was during Formal Night while we were standing in line for photos and eating formal night dinner. I REALLY wanted to see that movie! The rest of the movies were duds. I don't get the John Wick thing.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The shows are entertaining. The DJ played too much techno. The musicians were extremely entertaining though. Carnival knows how to pick great musicians.
The comedians had their moments. The guys we saw on our July 17, 2018 trip were more memorable. But I always recommend the Punchlliner.
I had a great time in the piano bar the prior year, it was a a small and intimate gathering I was looking forward to. This venue was much more popular this time around and there were a few more people crammed in there than I was expecting. But everyone was having the time of their lives so don't let my fuddy-duddyness discourage you from this experience.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Do not short these good people out of their tips. The staff are so hard working, yet they make it look so effortless.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
Our balcony was filthy, there was a coffee ring on the table out there and a cigarette butt I had to call and have removed. The balconies were hosed down two days into the cruise.
There is this small screen drain on the baseboard to the left of the toilet in all cruise cabins that gives me nightmares. It looks like every possible germ that exists it cakes on it and it makes me sick. I can't look at it but I'm always aware of it when I'm in the bathroom, even while showering. It's so off-putting.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Standard issue category 8A. Which means I love it!
Ship tip
Bring three extension cords, run the third one under the bed and to the night stand to charge phones or run CPAP.
We did the Cabo Paradise Tours boat tour and snorkel. It was the best part of the whole cruise for us. The weather was perfect and the rays were leaping from their water all around us!
I would of called the team leader as there is one on each level and had them clean it .. including the balcony straight away ..
Splendor was one of the first ships we went on 25 cruises ago ..
we are back on her on October 5th Long Beach to Singapore 25 nights and I can assure u the cabin would want to be clean that’s one thing I will not put up with someone else’s mess ..
She’s then in dry dock Singapore for one month then heads to Sydney Australia to make it her home looking forward to our many last minute trips from Sydney to the islands 🌴 etc ...
happy cruising guys hope ur hooked as we are.. enjoy 😉
The Splendor is a good ship. I will miss it too. Thanks for the great tips. The Main Dining Room has better food than the buffet for sure but often it has many of the same entrees as the dining room. If you saw the dinner menu for the MDR and can't decide between a couple foods, you can go to the buffet and may be able to sample them. Sorry to hear about your bathroom drain fixation. That must be hard being next to it. Maybe laying a washcloth over it will help.
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