Carnival Splendor Review

Meh

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Splendor
User Avatar
silverpearl25
6-10 Cruises • Age 50s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Aug 2016

Pros: The convenient Carnival check-in desk at the Miami International Airport was fantastic, as was the expedited embarkation at the cruise port. The debarkation process was also very smooth and efficient The food in the main dining room and from room service was average. Our cabin stewart, Rudy, was attentive and awesome. Our wait staff in the Gold Pearl dining room, Panneria (sp?) and Gene, were friendly and polite. The Serenity deck was quiet, peaceful and serene. The nightly movies and free popcorn on the Lido deck were great. Three of the ports of call - Grand Turk, Aruba and Curacao, were beautiful. We purchased the "Home Sweet Home" all-inclusive beach break shore excursion in Grand Turk; it was everything!

Cons: The buffet lines were extremely long and slow; there didn't appear to be enough staff working at the grill, the pizzeria, or the deli at any time. The interior of the ship was very cold. We had to wear jackets and sweaters inside, even though the outside temperature was in the 90s. The "fun crew" staff were a bunch of immature millennials. The one who served as the bingo caller was disastrous. Between calling each number he made lame jokes and engaged in other time-wasting foolishness including rapping and beat-boxing. His antics made each game last about twice as long as it should have. The staff in the gift shops were curt and unhelpful. The stand-up comedy shows were lackluster. La Romana, Dominican Republic was an awful place. We took a tour bus to a downtown "shopping" area where beggars and panhandlers descended upon us, insisting that we buy their overpriced junk, and/or just give them cash. It was horrible. Do not venture out on your own at this port of call; pay for a Carnival shore excursion or just stay on the ship.

This was my 8th Carnival cruise, and my first time on the Splendor. I stayed in a junior suite on the 9th floor (Lido). The suite was spacious with a pull out sofa bed and two twin beds. The bathroom was roomy and clean with a full-sized tub and double sink bowls. The closets were ample with plenty of shelves, but not enough hangers. I plan to sail on Carnival again, but not on the Splendor. Most of the staff, with the exception of our cabin stewart and our main dining room team, left a bad taste in my mouth.

Cabin Review

3 Helpful Votes
previous reviewnext review

Find a Carnival Splendor Cruise

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.