Carnival Splendor Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,476 reviews

Good, but not perfect

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Splendor
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Zatarra
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: May 2017
Cabin: Aft-View Extended Balcony

I chose this cruise because of the length (8 days) and the Ports of Call (Grand Turks and Caicos; La Romana, Dominican Republic; Aruba; and, Cuaracao). If you are expecting a nice, shiny, new ship, the Carnival Splendor is not for you. She is ten years old and shows it. Embarkation was the smoothest I ever experienced with Carnival Cruise Lines. The ship left Port Everglades three hours late because we needed to take on fresh water. Really? Isn't that something you do before everyone is on board? The Muster Drill was a little chaotic, but it is required. Actually had my first dinner in the Gold Pearl Restaurant in Port Everglades due to the delay in departure. I had Cabin 8459, an aft cabin with a wrap around balcony. My television did not get any reception and it took Guest Services a whole day to repair that. By the way, that was the only problem Guest Services resolved of the four I had. More about that later. The food on the Lido was typical Carnival fare. Enjoyed most of it, except a Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich from the Deli. Disgusting! Make sure you visit the Burrito Bar and The BBQ. Most excellent. If you like bland pizza, the Pizzaria is for you. My favorite alcoholic beverage is a Cuba Libre. The secret to a good Cuba LIbre is to muddle the limes. I had to continuously request that the bartenders muddle the limes or I got a Rum and Coke with a lime on the side of the glass. Although my Room Steward was excellent, I only got my room cleaned once a day, with no turn down service at night. Others at my table at dinner were receiving both. I had to ask for a robe. There were none in my cabin. I did Room Service once. Excellent food and timely service. Except for one bartender that insisted on arguing with me about muddling the limes and the staff at Guest Services, the crew was fantastic, friendly and believed in good customer service. The food in the dining room was top notch. The staff at the excursion desk went up and beyond their normal duties. I recommend you take advantage of the Spa Services while on a Carnival Cruise. Well worth the extra cash. The Latin trio, the Latin Connection, played a variety of music and you could dance all night to their music. It was published in the Fun Times that they were playing in the Robusto Bar from 7:30 P.M. to Midnight on Thursday night. When I went down there at 7:30 P.M, a Private Event was there. I called Guest Services and was told the Private Event would end at 8:30 P.M, and the Latin Fiesta would start then. When I went down to the Robusto Bar at 8:30 P.M, the Private Event was still going on. When I went to Guest Services for an explanation, I was told the Latin Fiesta had been cancelled in lieu of the Private Event. In other words, the Guest Services Manager cancelled an advertised event that 100-150 guests would attend in a venue that would hold that many people, for a Private Event for 20 guests. I filed a formal complaint and was told the Guest Services Manager would speak to me specifically. No such conversation ever took place. I checked my folio and found I was charged for an In Room Beverage, a bottle of water. I never used this item. When I went to Guest Services to point this out, I was told it would be removed from my Folio. It was not. Don't get me wrong, I had a lot of fun on this cruise. Plus, this was the first time I cruised by myself. But, because of the problems with Guest Services, this was my least favorite cruise of the four I have taken with Carnival.

Cabin Review

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Cabin 8M

Unless you are an early riser, I would not recommend this cabin because you are awakened to the sounds of them cleaning and arranging the deck chairs on the aft part of the Lido deck about 6:30 a.m. each morning. The cabin is very roomy and comfortable.

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