All photos by Jason Leppert
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At a Glance | By the Numbers |
• Lifestyle: Standard
• Tonnage: 113,300
• Launched: 2008 | • Passengers: 3,012
• Crew: 1,150
• Passenger Space Ratio: 37.62 |
Take a Bow (What to Like) | Pain in the Aft (What to Dislike) |
• Fantastic "Fun Ship" brand and vacation value
• Expansive main pool area and Cloud 9 Spa
• Consistently delicious specialty steakhouse | • Missing several Fun Ship 2.0 features
• Excessively showy interior design
• Second-hand smoke fumes from casino |
| Who Should Book | • Value-seeking families, groups, couples and solo travelers wanting high-energy activities. | Who Should Skip | • Cruisers looking for ship-wide solitude on an intimately-sized vessel. |
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Christened in 2008, Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Splendor is the only vessel of its class in the fleet. Its exterior is characterized by a unique upper portion of angular midship glass surrounding an equally distinctive double-decker magrodome-covered pool area. The resulting volume is a welcome bonus. Inside, designer Joe Farcus' extravagance is at play, from the airy atrium to the main dining rooms.
Inexplicably, his primary color palette this time around is Pepto-Bismol pink, orange-gold and glossy black accented by neon green tile grout of all things. Despite the aforementioned bismuth, the visual effect is nauseating. Thankfully, the layout is nice and open in typical Carnival fashion including the wide Oceanview Promenade skirting the Royal Flush Casino & Bar. The only negative, as usual, is the proliferation of wafting cigarette smoke that drifts through here.
I must admit that not all of the interior design is off-putting, however. The Liner Aft Pool, El Mojito Wine Bar and El Morocco Aft Lounge are examples of what my wife would describe as "kitsch done right." The difference is they have a toned down aesthetic and more of a theme and thus tell a story of vintage ocean liners; Havana, Cuba and Africa respectively.
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Colors are definitely more muted in private accommodations, but salmon bedroom tones aren't the most handsome of alternatives. Making up for it, though, are spacious cabin layouts, cozy furnishings and plentiful storage. An elongated vanity desk is particularly great for holding an array of travel accessories and electronics, and a veranda is always a nice feature beyond a picture window and swinging glass door in balcony staterooms.
The blues of the bathroom are a little more pleasant, where showers are easy to turn around in with square proportions. The flimsy shower curtain is inferior to solid enclosures, however, and the lack of provided conditioner is a disappointment as well. Nonetheless, a bar of soap in addition to shower gel is a nice inclusion as is the lovely strawberry-scented shampoo. The decorative tile over the toilet is also a neat touch.
The "Fun Ships" would not be very fun without lots of activities, and the Splendor sports many including its basketball court and mini-golf course on the upper decks along with a family-friendly Splash Park and Twister Waterslide. The latter may not be as thrilling as on other ships, but it is still a playful attraction with a great view over the rest of the ship. Similarly enjoyable are classic favorites like onboard trivia and other guest competitions.
Those looking to simply relax have a wonderful space in the form of the expansive Cloud 9 Spa. In fact, it's one of the few facilities in the fleet to have a Thalasso Pool plus steam rooms, saunas and even a laconium and tepidarium. The Serenity Adult-Only Retreat is also a popular al fresco escape while kids and teens enjoy their respective indoor clubs and engaging programs like Seuss at Sea and Build-A-Bear Workshop.
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Most dining options on the Splendor are complimentary, and the main dining room is the hub for full-service breakfasts, lunches, dinners and great sea day brunches. While Fun Ship 2.0 venues like Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar and Guy's Burger Joint are absent onboard, other buffet area options come close. Ol' Fashioned BBQ, Tandoor and Mongolian Wok are excellent.
Meanwhile, Pizza Pirate and The Carnival Deli are other tasty poolside choices with only the generic grill and Burrito Bar being a little lackluster compared to their 2.0 counterparts. Consistently delicious is the ship's only specialty restaurant-The Pinnacle Steakhouse. It's well worth the surcharge to select premium cuts of meat and other shore and seafood choices such as surf and turf or a hearty 18-ounce Grilled Prime Cowboy Steak.
Entertainment continues to be a hallmark of Carnival aboard the Splendor with the line's signature Playlist Productions shows like "80s Pop to the Max," "88 Keys: The Rock 'N' Roll Piano Show" and "Epic Rock." The live stage revues are always dazzling with talented singers and dancers performing their hearts out with the backing of creative pyrotechnics and video effects.
On a smaller scale but just as entertaining is The Punchliner Comedy Club with an impressive four stand-up comics rotating through sets each week. Its hilarity is a highlight of any Carnival cruise. Other fun opportunities include film screenings at the Carnival Seaside Theater as well as "Lip Sync Battle: Carnival" and "Hasbro, The Game Show."
Making it all come together are the ship's ever friendly crew. As to be expected, service is not up to a luxury level, but it's attentive enough for a ship of this size. Needing some improvement, though, is the spotty wait service at sea day brunches and occasional language barriers with the activities staff. Trivia is more enjoyable when the questions are understood in clear English. Otherwise, the Splendor is another exemplary Carnival ship.
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