My wife and I (late 30s/early 40s) have been on many cruises spanning the majority of the major cruise lines (primarily RCL). We live in NM and flew in a few days early to visit Disneyland. We stayed at the Residence Inn Maingate in Anaheim. We highly recommend Disney and the hotel if you have the opportunity.
We were on the Splendor in 2012, and the ship appears largely unchanged and in pretty good shape. One area that needs some work is the spa, where there were a number of tiles that had fallen off the ceiling, some actually during our cruise. But by and large, if you can get past the décor (we found it fun), then there are no problems with the ship. I would like to have Carnival use paper towel dispensers in the public bathrooms. They have the air dryers and then basically little tissues at the door so that you can open it without touching the handle. The tissues get jammed and stick to your hands. It would be quicker and easier to just use paper towels.
Our cabin was a very nice Spa Inside #1047. It was a really great location - we were just a few steps to the spa and the pool. We were very close to the forward stairs, but there was no noise. The cabin is well laid out and a bit larger than RCL.
Our cabin was a very nice Spa Inside #1047. It was a really great location - we were just a few steps to the spa and the pool. We were very close to the forward stairs, but there was no noise. The cabin is well laid out and a bit larger than RCL.
Good embarkation port - try to avoid LAX if possible.
We love Cabo! We tried to walk to Lover's Beach as we had in the past, but the water was too high. In fact, we couldn't even go there by water taxi. So we went to Medano Beach instead, and layed in the sand - don't feel like you have to go to a formal establishment.
We walked up to the El Faro lighthouse - which is the tallest lighthouse in the Americas. It was a tough hike due to the temp and humidity, but doesn't take very long. It is awesome once you are up there. There is a glass bridge that you can walk out on.