Splendour of the Seas

As one of Royal Caribbean's Vision-class cruise ships, the Splendour of the Seas is a gorgeous mid-sized vessel that offers something for everyone.

Passengers will be instantly impressed by the open and spacious feel - which is in part thanks to the large amount of glass located around the ship. Exterior rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows, while the various restaurants, bars and other public spaces offer equally impressive views.

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The Splendour of the Seas is based in Venice during the summer and offers ten-night excursions to the Mediterranean. Ports of call include locations in Italy, Croatia and Greece. In the winter, the ship is based in Brazil and sails around South America, with tours lasting anywhere from two to eight nights.

You can also book a journey on the ship's transatlantic crossings. These happen twice a year - east to west in the autumn and west to east in the spring - and last a fortnight.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 2,076
Year entered service: 1995
Beam (ship width): 105 feet
Draught (ship depth): 25.9 feet
Length: 867 feet
Tonnage: 70,000
Crew: 720
Maximum speed: 24 knots
Number of passenger decks: 11
Number of lifts: 11
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 902

Food, cuisine and dining

The two-level traditional dining room is called The King and I and has an Asian motif to echo the theme of its musical namesake. Passengers can enjoy all three meals in this venue and there are two main dinner services, with My Time Dining also available.

If you prefer casual meals that are offer more flexible timings, head down to the Windjammer Cafe.

The fare varies from day to day. Breakfast generally includes egg dishes and various meats, pastries and pancakes, as well as cereals and fruit. Lunch and dinner include soups, sandwiches, pasta, salads and seafood; there's also a carvery.

And don't forget about dessert. The Windjammer always has a huge selection of delectable delights sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, while snacks are also available throughout the day.

For a quick meal or a morning pick-me-up, you could head down to Latte-tudes, an internet cafe that offers a variety of specialty coffee drinks, as well as pastries.

Room service is available free of charge to all cabins, although a late-night charge will be added between midnight and 05:00.

The ship is scheduled for a refurbishment in 2011 and when that is completed, it will also include two specialty restaurants and the Park Street Cafe.

On-board entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean is famous for providing excellent family-friendly holiday entertainment, and the kids' club activities are a perfect example of the care and planning that are put into every voyage.

But the cruise line hasn't forgotten its adult passengers, and there is a huge range of choice for grownup fun, whether you're travelling as a couple or with a group of friends.

Several bars and lounges are dotted around the craft. The Viking Crown Lounge is Royal Caribbean's signature bar and is located on the top deck of every ship. A glass-enclosed structure that's reminiscent of Seattle's Space Needle, it affords fabulous views and is a great place to relax with your favourite tipple.

There's also the Schooner bar, which features live piano music, as well as a Champagne bar and the Showboat Lounge. Alternatively, why not head over to the Casino Royale for a bit of gambling?

Drinks cards are highly recommended, as they'll save you loads of money. There are several types to choose from, each with a different price: unlimited soda cards for adults and children, as well as vouchers for 12 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

Spas and fitness facilities

For a bit of relaxation, head down to the ShipShape Spa for a range of treatments and exercise facilities.

The venue offers everything from saunas and steam rooms through to relaxing Swedish massages, energising aromatherapy and therapeutic acupuncture. All treatments are provided by trained professionals.

You could also choose to wind down with a facial, a manicure-pedicure or a hair treatment. Teeth whitening and cellulite reduction programmes are also available.

In addition, there's a gym with various exercise machines and an aerobics classroom, not to mention the ship's swimming pools, rock-climbing wall and miniature golf course.

Cabins

When planning your journey, one of the main things you'll need to think about is the type of accommodation that you want to book.

The Splendour of the Seas has more than 900 rooms in 17 different price ranges, so there are plenty of options to choose from.

Amenities also vary and the most sumptuous apartments, such as the Royal Suite, have luxurious decoration, a huge bathroom, a king size bed, a mini bar and even a baby grand piano.

Guests booked into the suites will also enjoy extras such as free bathrobes, a welcome glass of Champagne and evening canapes, as well as a concierge service. However, some of these extras are not included with the Royal Family Suite.

Basic cabins don't feature as many of the special extras, but the rooms are still perfectly comfortable and have plenty of storage space. Whichever option you choose, your accommodation will include a safe, a vanity/desk unit and a television. All rooms also feature an en-suite bathroom stocked with soap, bath gel and shampoo.