Really enjoyed this trip - but tips too steep.

Friday 29th August 2008

FREEPHONE
0800 091 1629

Sitemap

Cruise Guide

Berlitz Overview »
News for 2008 »
Cruise History »
Life Aboard »
The Right Ship etc...
Cruise Lines

Cunard » P&O »
Fred. Olsen »
Holland America »
NCL Cruises etc...
Destinations

Caribbean »
Mediterranean »
World Cruises »
Alaska etc...

Latest Photos

Really enjoyed this trip - but tips too steep.
Reviewed By: woods, Wirral on 3rd Jul 2008
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Splendour of the Seas	Sailed: June, 2008
Destination: Adriatic	Age: 36-45

This is a lovely ship that is kept so clean, were really impressed when first got on. Cabins not very big but they do the job and were pleasantly comfortable. Felt that the 15% gratuity charge that is added to every single drink is too much, particularly when you are charged this for no waiter service at all. Then, for the last couple of days of the holiday they push "tips" down your throat, every other channel on your TV is talking about tips and how you should thank the staff for making your holiday special. Felt that this was too much and have never experienced this on other cruise lines. Tips should be discretionary and of course you would tip the cabin boy etc. Drinks package very good for soft drinks, 6 dollars a day - although what they don't tell you is that another 15% is added to the total at the end of the trip. I would prefer them to just display the cost as the real amount. Waiters lovely in restaurant but food took 1.5 hours and many people were complaining about this, very slow service as though the kitchen could not cope with volumes, but food was lovely when it arrived. Self service of an evening was fantastic as much more choice than the main restaurant. Itinerary was superb - Dubrovnik needed a shuttle bus, Kusadasi could walk as ship comes straight into the centre, Santorini cannot cope with amount of passengers 4 ships in at once and 2 hour queues in blistering heat to get up the mountain then 2 hour queues to get back down so we gave it a miss, Corfu good too. RCI charge $4 each way on shuttle bus unlike P&O who provide free travel, this could be costly if you take children and need the bus several times on your stay. Overall, had a lovely holiday, great ship and itinerary, Venice spectacular and worth an overnight stay. Book your flights and cruise separately and you can save hundreds of pounds, it is easy from the airport and not far to the ship. Would recommend this cruise and itinerary. What did shock me was that the ship has only one outdoor pool though so on sea days it was jam packed. This is the only pool that children can go in. The indoor spa pool is lovely but they never put the roof back. If I took my children I would prefer more outdoor pools so people can spread out around the ship. Entertainment was the standard although I was very impressed with the Elton John lookie likie, he looked and sounded just like the real thing and had everybody up and dancing, was very good. Lots going on around the ship, casino area large, plenty to do or not to do if you want to just laze on the decks. Would use RCI again but feel you get more ripped off with surcharges compared to British ships and they allow people to go into the main restaurant in shorts, flip flops etc. even though they tell you it is not allowed, very very casually dressed ship and not everybody dresses for formal night. If you go then I suggest your formal outfits for 2 nights then casual for the rest of the week or you feel out of place.
Quality of Food
Food Ok but took too long to serve in main restaurant
Entertainment
Standard cruise shows, no comedians though which I would have liked, Elton John show superb.
Shore Excursions	n/a
We tend to always do our own thing but the ports were easy enough todo this.
Staff
Alex the drinks waiter in King and I restaurant, knew names and chatted every day to us, lovely chap.
Children's Facilities	n/a
Did not take our children although didn't seem to be as miuch as P&O.
Onboard Activities

Cabins
What was expected, clean and comfortable.
Overall Rating

Report this review

ASK A QUESTION

COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW

Question by VEITCH, BEDLINGTON (03 Aug 08 17:56) about this REVIEW

We have booked a cruise on Splendour at the end of September and have arranged our own flights with BMI. What is the best method/time takes/cost etc of getting from the airport to ship, bearing in mind that we are meant to arrive in Venice at approx 2.20pm and the ship departs at 5pm? Many thanks JV

ANSWER

Report this comment

Answer by Corper, Stanmore (12 Aug 08 21:54) to a QUESTION by VEITCH (03 Aug 08 17:56)

We returned from Splendour last Saturday. Had a great time. You are not leaving a great deal of time to get to the ship bearing in mind you still have to collect your bags and go through customs. The quickest way would be to get a taxi. Not too far and would probably cost about 30 - 40 Euros. We had plenty of time and took the Airport Bus ACTV blue bus to Piazola Romma, 3 Euros each and then a Taxi which was another 10 Euros. If I were you, just get in a Taxi straight to the bag drop off at the ship. Have a great time, we did.

ASK A QUESTION

COMMENT

Report this comment