EMBARKATION I really expected this to be difficult. As you may or may not know, the Splendor had just completed two 5-day cruises out of San Pedro, so it actually came into San Pedro on the morning of April 5, and it had to unload there before coming into Long Beach. So it did not arrive in Long Beach until well after noon. Amazingly, though, just after we got done parking, there she was coming into port!! We had unloaded our bags at the curb with a porter, and then took off to park and return on foot. I was a little frightened when I saw the crowd, thinking this was going to be a disorganized mess, but amazingly, the line moved quite swiftly! I'd say it was maybe 15 minutes in line, tops, and only one of us had to stand in line and handle our check-in. Then we just had to wait until they called our boarding group numbers. We were in group 7. Everything was as smooth as it could be. I don't think they could have done a better or faster job getting all those people into a late-arriving boat!

STATEROOMS So we immediately went to our rooms to drop off our stuff. This was my first balcony, and it was a surprise. I had secretly upgraded it, and dh had no idea! We had rooms 8288 (balcony) and 8290 (interior). These are on the Verandah deck, and they are just forward of the pool area on the Lido. I specifically looked for rooms that would not be under the pool or buffet, and we did not hear anything from above. I will say that you can hear the neighbors' balcony doors slamming, but it is not very frequent and really was not a bother. I can't say I was ever awoken from it, though I didn't spend all that much time sleeping either!

Albertus was our steward. He did a great job, but he did not give us towel animals until I requested them. Since it was my kids' (boys 14 & 16) first cruise, I wanted to make sure they had towel animals, so I left him a note and a tip for them, and we got them all but the first and last nights. The kids really enjoyed them, and were excited each night to see what animal was in their room! Read more