Carnival Splendor Review
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We just got back from our first cruise on with Carnival on board the Carnival Splendor leaving out of Long Beach CA & traveling the Mexican Rivera - I found the experience to be in line with expectations but nothing amazing.
We had previously only cruised with Norwegian on their Gem class ships & found that while the Splendor technically had everything we needed - it didn't wow us or really have anything outstanding. The Splendor seemed to be missing out a few key things for us; public spaces (a lot of the public area on the Splendor is near the Casino & smells of smoke), dining options (felt very limited & that we were pushed to the buffet, which we avoid at all costs), & the Spa experience (the layout on this ship makes it less than ideal - not very relaxing, multiple disconnected rooms, & noisy).
The ports on this cruise seemed like good options initially, but once in port I found that I didn't actually enjoy them much. Cabo is not my scene at all, the trip & time at Medano Beach was not relaxing - way too many vendors attempting to sell things. Mazatlan didn't look appealing based upon where we docked, so we stayed on ship that day & did spa treatment. In Puerto Vallarta we found the location of the dock in relation to the things we wanted to see less than ideal & once on the beach area encountered the same issue with vendors approaching us during a meal. I'm sure that many people enjoy these ports (as evidenced by younger members of our party) but they just aren't for me.
Cabin Review
Port Reviews
Cabo San Lucas
We got off the ship via tender (ugh) & then took a water taxi over to Medano Beach. The experience of both the water taxi & Medano were not for me. I found the number of vendors overwhelming & annoying - they just continue to ask for sales. The cost of the water taxi was much higher than expected once you include the port access fee, tips, etc.
Puerto Vallarta
This port was fine, we just found the location of the dock to be less than ideal to get to the "romantic zone". You are basically in the business district near a big mall when you get off the ship (which was nice to walk through), but to get to the more old town area it's a taxi ride.
The staff at the port encouraged us to take one of their taxis - DON'T it was a group shuttle that basically refused to drop us off where we actually wanted to go due to traffic. Instead walk to the mall, hop on their wifi, & book an uber for half the price.