Carnival Splendor

Launched in 2008, Carnival Splendor belongs to Costa Cruises' Concordia-class – together with Concordia (sunk in 2012), Favolosa, Fascinosa, Serena and Pacifica. Splendor was the largest cruise liner of Carnival until the debut of Carnival Dream in 2009.

It was first announced that the ship would be repositioned to China in early 2019, then transferred to the fleet of P&O Australia in late 2019. In the end of September 2017 was officially announced that Splendor will stay with Carnival.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is an US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). Carnival Cruise Lines has Corporation's largest fleet as both number of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). CCL has over 1/5 of cruise industry's worldwide market.

The 113,323-ton, 3,006-passenger cruise ship Carnival Splendor is a big ship with huge personality, which has already set herself apart in grand style. For first-time cruisers, Splendor has inaugurated a new cabin category, the spa cabin. The retractable sky cupola that covers Carnival Splendor's pool deck is also a novelty for Carnival. With Carnival Splendor, the line introduced its first ever routes in the Baltic and South America, a remarkable expansion for the fleet.

Cruise itinerary program

Carnival Splendor itinerary program is based on departures from New York to Canada/New England and Caribbean, from Miami to Eastern and Western Caribbean, as well as roundtrip Bahamas, Caribbean and Cruises to Nowhere sailing out of Norfolk VA.

In 2019, the ship will be repositioned from Los Angeles USA to Australia (homeport Sydney NSW) for year-round deployment. Operations start in November 2019, following the repositioning cruise from Singapore to Sydney NSW. In Singapore, the liner will be drydock refurbished and new dining options will be added for the Australian market. It was previously suggested that Splendor in 2019 would join the P&O Australia fleet.

• Bookings on Carnival Splendor Australia cruises 2019 (departures November 25 through December 28) were opened on March 23, 2018.
• The Asia-Australia repositioning itinerary visits Indonesia (Benoa Bali and Komodo Island) and Darwin AU.

From Australia, Carnival Splendor offers 3 itineraries (Sydney roundtrips to South Pacific islands):

• 8-NIGHT (2 seadays, Noumea, Lifou, isle of Pines, 2 seadays), from AUD 1130 pp / double inside cabin rates
• 9-NIGHT (2 seadays, Noumea, Mare, Lifou, 3 seadays), from AUD 1649 pp / double inside cabin rates
• 9-NIGHT (2 seadays, isle of Pines, Mare, Lifou, 2 seadays), from AUD 1699 pp / double inside cabin rates.

The longest Carnival cruise ever is the 24-night Transpacific crossing on Splendor - departing on October 5, 2019, from Long Beach CA. The ship crosses Pacific Ocean to Asia (Singapore), arriving on October 30. After extended stops in Honolulu and Maui, the liner visits Guam and Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), then Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) - all the 3 ports are first for Carnival (never visited before). The relocation cruise also features the traditional ceremony held during International date line crossings. Prices started from just USD 1650 pp ($69 pp per day).

Cabins

Carnival Splendor has a total number of 1503 cabins (of which 70 Suites) in 33 grades. Carnival Splendor boasts 66 Cloud 9 Spa cabins. The ship also offers 29 accessible cabins. Most Carnival Splendor staterooms are 185-sq.foot insides (556), oceanview (368) and balcony (537, with verandas of 35-75 sq.feet). There are also a total of 52 suites, measuring between 275-345 sq.feet. Suite passengers receive priority embarkation and debarkation, VIP check-in, and a deluxe bathroom.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Splendor offers everything that's become a cruise industry standard, along with innovative surprises: a superb alternative restaurant, Indian tandoori grill, sushi bar and stir-fry station. The premium coffee bar and Pinnacle supper club are the only onboard venues that come with an extra charge. The rest are all included in the fare you pay. Splendor's MDRs - The Gold Pearl and The Black Pearl, are grandiose dining venues, welcoming a total of 1,750 passengers. Dinner tables are assigned and the majority can accommodate 4, 6 and 10 diners. Seatings are at 6p.m. and 8:15p.m., orchestrated like a fine watch. Everyone knows it is time to say good night when Splendor's maitre d' starts singing and waiters jump up to dance on the tables.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Splendor restaurants and food bars.

• The Black Pearl Restaurant (744-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and “Your Time Dining”; offers “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfast for $5)
• The Gold Pearl Restaurant (1122-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and open seating for Breakfast and Lunch)
• Splendido Lido Buffet Restaurant (1396-seat, self service buffet restaurant with various food stations; operates as bistro in the evenings)
• The Pinnacle Steakhouse (108-seat, reservations only specialty restaurant for steaks and seafood, with dance floor and live music)
• California Roll Sushi (sushi bar, complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Carnival Splendor marks a new class of ship for Carnival. One of her most awesome features is the luxury, 21,000-square-foot spa, the most elaborate in the fleet. Pan-Asian in design, the Cloud 9 Spa spans on two decks and features a state-of-the-art fitness center which rivals any other at sea. There are many beauty and health rooms for treatment, as well as the first Thalasso therapy pool. With 24 lounges and bars, outdoor movies, a water slide and a singing maitre d', Splendor delivers exactly what Carnival cruisers expect: fun. Splendor's shipboard entertainment is not confined to evenings. Live music is all over the ship, day and night.

The 270-sq.foot theater screen on Lido Deck is constantly used, showing movies, headline news and concerts. And, just like any Carnival cruise, there are trivia contests, bingo, bean bag tosses, Love and Marriage game, even men's hairy chest contest.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Splendor lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Spectacular Theatre (1349-seat, 3-level show lounge for grand shows and musical productions; also used for daily trivia game shows, movies, bingo sessions).
• Splendor Atrium Lobby (7-deck high open floor area with Splendor Lobby Bar for live performances)
• The Pink Pearl (28-seat Card Room); Art Room Gallery; The Golden Atrium; The Alexandria Library
• The Fun Shops (offer “Bon Voyage” items, duty-free liquor, jewelry, fashion boutiques, souvenirs, logo items); 
• Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, special occasion gifts); 
• S&S Card LCD kiosks; 
• Photo Gallery and Shop
• Club O2 (teens' club lounge for video games, movies, karaoke and themed parties); Video Games Arcade
• Our House Bar (55-seat sports bar); El Mojito Bar (30-seat wine bar); Alchemy Bar; Grand Piano Bar (100-seat piano bar); The Cool Lounge (88-seat jazz bar); Robusto Bar (147-seat cigar bar with live music)
• Royal Flush Casino (484-seat, served by Oceanview Bar); Centuries Promenade Bar (23-seat)
• The Coffee Shop (50-seat specialty coffee bar)
• Red Carpet Disco and Nightclub (211-seat)
• El Morocco Lounge (425-seat, with dance floor; El Morocco Bar; hosts Punchliner Comedy Club)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (Caribbean rums selection, ThirstyFrog Red draught beer, burgers and fries)
• Carnival Cloud 9 Spa (with Thermal Suite, Oriental Steam Bath, Aroma Steam Bath, Laconium, Thalasso Pool, Saunas, Fitness Center with Aerobics Studio, Beauty Salon)
• Sports Deck (multi sports court, Tennis Tables, Shuffleboard); 9-hole Mini Golf Course; Jogging Track.
• Circle C (kids' club lounge, complimentary)
• The Web (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Splendido Pool area (with stage; served by Splendido Bar)
• Liner Pool area (with two Whirlpools, served by Liner Bar)
• Thunderball Pool area (with Twister Waterslide, kids AquaPark, 1 Whirlpool); Splash Park (with 3 waterslides, fountains and sprays)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Serenity (adults only area with Serenity Bar, two Whirlpools, padded lounges)
• Camp Carnival (kids' club lounge area, complimentary programmes, supervised activities, with outdoor Kids Pool area).

• Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade in 2016
• The Carnival cruise ship Splendor is the line's sole vessel of the Costa Cruises' Concordia-class ships. Her sisters are the Costa Cruises ships Concordia, Serena, Pacifica, Fascinosa, Favolosa.
• Fun Facts: this ship was originally designed to be part of the Costa Cruceros fleet. That is why the boat has the largest Spa installed on a Carnival cruise vessel (a 2-deck area of 21000ft2 /2000m2, featuring a winter garden and a traditional tea house). She also features the Carnival fleet's largest kids playroom (5500ft2/510m2 in size). The ship's main pool area is covered with a 2-deck-high retractable glass dome.
• In early 2013 CCL Splendor was relocated from LA to NYC via itinerary route around South America. The reason for that long repositioning route is that (as a Post-Panamax vessel, she can't transit through Panama Canal.
• (November 8, 2010 fire accident) - on the 2nd day of her Mexican Riviera trip from Long Beach CA she experienced an engine room fire resulting in loss of all electrical power. After several hours the fire was extinguished (no one was injured). She was towed to San Diego. The ship received supplies via US Navy helicopters leaving from the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier. All guests received a full refund plus a free cruise of equal value and reimbursement for travel expenses.
• The ship will be deployed to Asia in spring 2018 for round-trip cruises from China (year-round departures). Carnival Asia cruise operations are partnership between Carnival Cruise Lines and the Carnival Corporation's subsidiary on the Chinese market - Costa Asia. The other Carnival ship in Asia will be Carnival Spirit (during 2017-2018 winter season only).
• As part of the "Carnival Journeys" itinerary program (offering longer enrichment cruises), in 2018 (August 25 - September 8) Carnival Splendor will operate a 14-day roundtrip Alaskan cruise from Long Beach (Los Angeles) California. The itinerary features Hubbard Glacier and Icy Strait Point (day-long stay, whale and bear watching, world's longest zip-line). The list of onboard activities includes Alaska-themed cultural and culinary events and themed seminars (photography, arts, crafts, cooking, celestial navigation). The list of Alaskan shore excursion includes hiking, sea kayaking, canoeing, helicopter flightseeing tours, lake snorkeling. In 2017 (September 2-16), Carnival Miracle operated the cruise line's first ever roundtrip cruise to Alaska from California.
• NEWS: Carnival Splendor will be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in late 2019.