Back from "Carnival Splendor"

[Raoul Fiebig]

Hello everybody,

I returned from a three-night cruise onboard the brand-new "Carnival Splendor" on Sunday.

I'm happy to report that Carnival continues to have a great product that I veray much enjoyed.


- superb food
- large, well-designed cabins with very comfortable beds
- great bands and musicians
- the one and only John Heald
- open aft pool area almost feels like onboard a liner


- rather poor fit and finish by Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard
- whereas previous Carnival ships almost exlusively feature teak on the open decks, "Carnival Splendor" no longer has teak anywhere with the sole exception of the tiny area around the crew jacuzzis at the bow(!)

[Dave]

Thanks for the report Raoul! Sounds as though Carnival did their usual fine job, even if the shipyard had sloppy quality control. No teak?

[penny3333]

Thanks for the review Raoul, sounds like a great ship. I guess they got tired of varnishing the teak

[Dwayne]

Welcome back, Raoul!

Thanks for the report. I will miss the teak too. Did you have time to check out the spa? I am curious about the new Thalasso pool. Please post some pics when you have time.

Thanks, and best regards as always,

Dwayne

[Raoul Fiebig]

Dwayne,

yes, I did take a look at the spa. However, as it was in full operation, it was almost impossible to take any pictures. My brother was able to get a few pics when he was onboard two weeks ago. I will make sure to post them once I have them here.

[Jim C.]

Thanks for the report Raoul. But I am curious as to what they replaced the teak with? I can understand that for the sake of being green that not using wood is for the best (especially when you consider the work involved in keeping it maintained) but I don't want to be walking around on a metal deck either.

[Raoul Fiebig]

Jim,

the ship has mostly plastic-covered decks. In the pool areas and on the open promenade, this looks almost like teak. On the upper decks, mostly blue plastic is being used.

I haven't encountered metal decks anywhere with the exception of the "lifeboat promenade", but even there, the metal has been coated.

I will post pictures later.

[Raoul Fiebig]

Hello everybody,

here we go:







The above pictures have kindly been provided by Carnival Cruise Lines. The following ones are self-made.









Cabin 9249

[LHP]

Welcome back, first of all!!

Secondly, I am officially JEALOUS!!!!

Nov 17th can't get here quickly enough!!!

[Raoul Fiebig]

Cabin hallway (Lido Deck)


Serenity (Sun Deck)


Mini Golf (Sky Deck)


Water Park (Spa Deck)


Funnel (Spa Deck)


Linear Pool (Lido Deck)


The Pinnacle Supper Club (Spa Deck)


The Lido (Lido & Panorama Decks)


Linear Bar (Lido Deck)


The Lido (Panorama Deck)


"Mauretania" Model at the Linear Pool