Let me start by mentioning the positives about our experience: - RC did a great job matching people up for the dinner table and clientele they get were amazing. Over 30%-40% of the passengers were from North America which was great for us, language-wise. - The embarkation was extremely fast, we were in the ship within 20 minutes. Absolutely painless. Shuttle took a while to show up at Piazzale Roma. - Wind Jammer food was simple and great. - Non-Brazilian and Non-Indian staff were really very friendly. I didn't quite understand that. There quite a few Indian and Brazilian staff on Carnival and they were great. - Our Head Waiter and Assistant Waiter (Andrew King) were just amazing. - "Dancing under the stars" was great with a amazing band. - Golf and rock wall was good. - Show on the last day with acrobatics was really impressive. - The docking and cruising on the ship was extremely smooth Now some of the not so positives about our experience on board: - Food was mediocre at best. Depending on what you ordered, the dinner was either fantastic or really bad that you have to send it back. - Waiter was sarcastic and didn't have common manners. I am just talking basic manners that we all have for each other. - Their obsession with Purel was insane. They should have more than one choice - water and Purel. Better yet, when you get to your table they could provide with a bacteria killin hot towel that you can use to wipe your hand before you start your dinner. - Enforcing the adults only pool wasn't done properly. There were kids quite a few times in them. - Stateroom cleaning staff was rude. - The whole concept of tearing each voucher and placing it in an envelope is silly. They don't do that in Carnival. Once you have paid for compulsory tips, you have paid for it. Passengers know how and when to tip additional amount based on the service. It seemed it was forced. - Rude Staff at the pursers desk and in the wind jammer Cafe. - Security staff were worst than customs agents. - Absolute zero guidance about the port of call, even when their shore excursions are sold out. You are on your own. - Limited entertainment on this ship unlike a bigger ship. - Don't order room service, it was pretty bad and limited. - Smell of stench was all over the ship. Really bad maintenance.
Needless to say we would avoid Royal Caribbean going forward. We heard lot of great things about this cruise line, I guess we were on the wrong ship.
Since I can only comment on Splendor of the Seas, I would advice everyone to avoid this ship like a plague.