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Carnival Splendor reviews
Carnival Splendor Reviews
Most new vessels hang their hats on one new experience. And Carnival Splendor, the fun ship line’s newest and biggest offering in Australia, is no exception.
So no point in hanging around, right? I headed straight for the much anticipated crowning glory – the Green and Gold waterpark named after its two centrepieces, the Green Lightning and the Twister Waterslide.
Summary
Mixed experience with significant pros and cons. Guests particularly appreciated Crew was amazing and helpful, Wide variety of food options, including Indian food and deli, Leedo buffet offers many different options, among other positive aspects. However, concerns were raised about Food quality was inconsistent, with some describing it as bland or subpar, Bad service and indifferent crew in some cases, Issues with room AC causing bad odors and lack of resolution by staff, and other issues. This cruise may be suitable for many travelers, but consider if the noted concerns would affect your enjoyment.
Pros
- Crew was amazing and helpful
- Wide variety of food options, including Indian food and deli
- Leedo buffet offers many different options
- Sit down dinner was highly praised
- Enjoyable excursions, such as ATV tours in Puerto Vallarta
- Thalassotherapy spa with great views
- Recently refurbished in 2019
- Good entertainment options like live music, trivia, games, and theater
- Nice amenities including pools, hot tubs, and various bars
Cons
- Food quality was inconsistent, with some describing it as bland or subpar
- Bad service and indifferent crew in some cases
- Issues with room AC causing bad odors and lack of resolution by staff
- Carnival’s attempts to charge for extras felt excessive
- Lack of diversity in staff, mostly from the Philippines
- Some amenities missing compared to newer ships, such as Alchemy Bar and Guy’s Burgers
Other Traveller Reviews
★☆
Well below average. The choices of food are very limited and food quality is below average and food is way too salty.Activities and entertainment are well below average.
ncgc24 – Jul 21, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Loved seeing the East Coast of Australia. The sea views were amazing.Excursions went well.
GrannySheila – May 28, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Going to Australia and New Zealand was a bucket list trip and it was so worth it!! I would go again if I have the chance. Everything we saw and did was just amazing!!!
lhosey1 – Feb 16, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Amazing cruise port experience, food quality and temperature could have been better. We had the best cabin stewart.
BarbaraGranda – Jul 31, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
The overall cruise was a disappointment. We were not compensated properly for
lovesharpe – Jul 16, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Thanks to every single crew member, they work really hard and they deserve better pay and time off. At least we can be nice to them 🙂
simonakubicova – Jun 13, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★☆
Do not sail on Australian Cruises. We noticed that unlike American Cruises there did not seem to be a lot of cleaning and up keep of spaces. Lots of food on plates and glasses left on tables throughout the day. Did not notice anyone wiping down common areas, elevators, etc. As a result, many reports of COVID infections from this cruise on Facebook to include us for the first time in 3 years. Very disappointing.
briantbaker – Feb 26, 2023
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
This was not my first Alaskan cruise and maybe that was the problem because the weather on my first one was better. But you also don’t sail as far because it is round trip from Seattle. I think for a first time Alaskan cruiser you would want to do the inside passage one way so you have more time in port. And maybe also a smaller ship.
apgilamelody – Aug 23, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
GOT INTO VICTORIA LATE AND WAS TOLD BY THE PEOPLE IN GIFT SHOP THAT THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SHIP DID NOT LIKE TO GO INTO VICTORIA AND THAT HE WAS LATE ALL THE TIME AND ONLY HAD A LITTLE OVER A HOUR THERE BECAUSE OF IT. BUT THE CAPTAIN DID GIVE US EXCELLENT TIME FOR WHALE WATCHING
astrubeck – Aug 23, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Smooth sailing past gorgeous scenery with stops in mostly interesting places
jeanneheitman – Aug 16, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
this was an awesome cruise we had the best weather ever all the reports were calling for rain we didnt get any
papagreywolf – Aug 16, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
It was totally the best experience I have had in along time
kg7oui – Aug 16, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Alaska was amazing! Definitely go for the views and Alaska. Take a different ship though. We found this one lacking in entertainment that appealed to a wide range of people.
cozumelcruiser – Aug 09, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Overall Alaska is phenomenal. The scenery is breathtaking. Carnival was great as usual. Really the only way to see Alaska.
reneegee0405 – Jul 05, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Took the small boat excursion in Tracy Arm – expensive, and the cruise ship went most of the way up the fjord – further than my prior experience on Princess – would not do again. I would like to try the Glacier bay itinerary if I were to do another Alaskan cruise. Sitka was enjoyable – Raptors, Bears, and Barnacle excursion was good. Weather was not very good in Juneau & Ketchikan. We previously took a similar cruise in May, and the weather was better – but that could just be the luck of the draw. We did get a break from the summer heat in Las Vegas, so that was one objective achieved.
nfisch63 – Jul 05, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
This was an enjoyable break from the Covid madness, but the kinks are not quite worked out. my biggest complaint is the use of the dependency of the phone onboard. The main reason I go on cruises is because my phone will not work on board. I have to use it all day at work. I want a vacation to relax and enjoy the quiet time. I did not like having to pull out the phone to look at the menu, to see what is going on, nor trying to check in with each other. Is there any way to go on vacation without the dam phone?
TheBauldGuy – Jun 21, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
We have been on over eleven cruises. This was the worst due to Covid documentation, port timing, redundancy of main evening entertainment and shortened food venues.
rkhcpa – Jun 21, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
Absolute wonderful time cruising. Tracy Arm Fjord was our favorite. The views were incredible. Ketchikan was our least favorite ONLY because we had only 5 hours to enjoy it and there were 4 other cruise ships at port that day. We will definitely cruise again and always with Marriott Bonvoy and Carnival.
lyni09 – Jun 14, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Trip was amazing, this should be a trip that everyone should go on once in their lifetime
chris182004 – Jun 14, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Beautiful scenery. Would cruise there again. Loved having a naturalist on board. Must visit sawyer glacier
nickitaylor9 – May 31, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
My last cruise was over 7 years ago… I had forgotten how great a cruise can be. This was truly wonderful. I had been searching for a good price on an Alaskan cruise for some time and finally found one on the Carnival Splendor. Everything from my steward team to the excursions to the dinner wait staff was top notch. Danu and his team took great care of me and my cabin. They seemed to be invisible at the right times yet always around when I needed something. And I loved the towel animals… that’s something I remember from my previous cruise that I really enjoyed. Danu and his team have truly mastered the art of of customer service. I enjoyed him calling me by name too – very professional. And he always had a smile on his face. Carnival’s training program must be among the best in the business. You have my deepest appreciation.Andy was my cruise director and he was great. Very funny and a true professional. I enjoyed his announcements and all the humor he provided. He was a true asset to the crew and the Splendor team.What can I say about dinner… WOW, besides the food being absolutley fantastic, the wait staff was truly exceptional. It really amazed me how they worked together to serve hundreds of guests with such a professional attitude in such a timely manner. I never waited for my meals for an inordinatley long time. Leticia, Hernan and Ketut was my team. And they were great. They too called me by name and greeted me each evening with a smile. Another testament to the great training Carnival provides and the emphysis you put on guest service and friendliness. Truly amazing. There were a couple nights I wanted to make “adjustments” to my meal and they were completely accomodating. The only downside I could see was all the weight I gained from all the great food!! ;-)I also had several wonderful waiters and waitresses at all the breakfast services too… I’d like to mention Romie, Ronald, Nyoman and Gusti. They were all fantastic at their jobs and were very accomodating as well. You really have a truly great crew on the Splendor and I enjoyed my time on the ship very much. I already have another cruise booked to the Bahamas in October on the Magic…I’m looking very forward to that!! Thanks again for a really memorable experience.
jsenta1 – May 24, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
The reason we gave 3 stars for both Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan, is because we had over 10 hours at the Point, and it’s so small with limited things to do and go, and only 6 hours in Ketchikan, with there being so much more opportunities there. I wish the times at both places would have been reversed. Then it would have been 5 stars all around.
buckeyebell – May 10, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★
Cruise pretty good. Cruise worse service on ship I have ever seen. I have been cruising for twenty years on carnival cruise.
sugargal – May 10, 2022
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
staft was outstanding the waiters and cabin Stuarts especially
mf_schwab – Jan 29, 2024
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
If offered again definitely think going on this itinerary. Lots of long sea days, but theports were something you don’t find on the average cruise.
ontariotraveler – Oct 05, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Most of the crew were great, i do not like being told we are out of something at a meal, because they are to lazy to go get it like sugar free syrup. every day told by someonewe don’t have sugar free ice cream and this the beginning of the trip
streibitz – Oct 05, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
We did not know it, but this ship was going to dry dock so they were not well stocked. They ran out of so many things we needed. In addition, they did not have porters available at 2:20 to take our bags aboard and it was a long, long walk with bags for four older women. I don’t know if I’ll cruise with Carnival again.
jacqui99 – Sep 28, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
Great vacation! Would definitely go again with carnival
XFoxx – Sep 28, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★☆
This is the last Carnival cruise we will take. Too much noise, not the relaxing trip we appreciate on other cruise lines. We were with a group of friends who chose this ship and itinerary, so had no choice in the matter.
dallasw – Sep 28, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Had great time on the ship. The manager of guest service was excellent. The cruise director I enjoyed very much. All staff was wonderful. Good food, good entertainment was excellent. All and all I enjoyed every minute of my Cruise.
rubyallen58 – Sep 21, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
we had an amazing cruise and had so much fun at our port locations
ls1287 – Sep 21, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Raymond and Francis on the 10th deck, Myline on the fifth deck by the casino area, Annie on the Lido messdecks and Wason our cabin steward… all these people did an outstanding job, we’re looking forward to sail with these crew again.
ebunburu – Sep 21, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
It was amazing Carnival has thought of everything. Our trip flowed flawlessly and we enjoyed every minute.
lisacmhhoward – Sep 21, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Everything was amazing! Will definitely be back soon.
mlinda1990 – Sep 14, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
This was our second carnival cruse, It was an awesome vacation, The ship was great food was great no complaint
azzano14 – Sep 14, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
overall cruise was great, loved the food and staff that work is exceptional made us feel welcomed and kept us entertained.
nemesis505 – Sep 14, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★★
Cruise was good. Would however suggest Turkey products for breakfast on the buffet line
Earthy64 – Sep 07, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
It was awesome. Not once did I run into a crabby disgruntled person. I was able to attend all shows and had time to relax and read a book.
williamsdaisy – Sep 07, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★
This was our first cruise ever and we really enjoyed our experience. Would have liked less promotional activities from the shops and would have enjoyed more entertainment stuff. Really didn’t care for being solicited the entire trip while on the ship and in each port. Want more stuff to do like shows, activities like zip line, bigger water park area, etc. Dancing at the night club.
gregg684 – Aug 31, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
★★★★☆
As an agent going as a regular passenger, this is a trip I would love to set up a group for. Loved it and can’t wait for the new ship to come to LA.
PCameron323 – Aug 24, 2019
Source: cruiseline.com
