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Dots: Carnival Splendor Atrium |
Carnival
Splendor
July 2008
All Things Splendid
by
Linda Coffman
From a distance, Carnival Splendor may not appear to
be substantially different than her fleetmates. She may not even
appear larger, although at 113,300 tons she is the largest "Fun
Ship" constructed to date. However, while there is no doubt that she
is Carnival ship, Carnival Splendor is truly an evolution in design
and function.
The new 3,006-passenger Splendor-class ship
offers a striking view of "Splendid Things"—the
design theme created by Joe Farcus, Carnival's ship architect. "When
I thought about the name of this ship, it brought to mind all the
splendid things there are in the world," Farcus said. "The central
idea that ties the rooms together is the concept of fine, luxurious,
sumptuous elegance."
Farcus took the ship's name to heart and translated
it into such things as splendid jewelry (the formal dining rooms), a
splendid nightclub (patterned after El Morocco), and a splendid
poker hand (Royal Flush, the casino). While discussing the complex
elements that tie the decor together, Farcus admitted that nothing would make him happier
than to hear passengers say at the end of their cruise, “I didn’t
notice that before. Isn’t that interesting?” He says it would
be impossible to notice every detail on the ships he designs, but
he’s happy when passengers are constantly discovering new things.
Indeed, when designing the ship's interiors you
could say that Farcus discovered his feminine side—beginning
in the Splendor Atrium (pictured above) the walls are decorated in stainless steel
with circular cutouts backed by pink-stained wood with a black
pigment rubbed in to bring out the grain. Those elements are
repeated in elevator lobbies and give the public spaces a continuity
that would otherwise be missing. And that's just the start.
Dining
Carnival Splendor's array of traditional and alternative
dining choices are as expansive as you'll find at sea. According to
Natko Nincevic, Carnival's senior vice president of hotel
operations, "Today's consumers are savvier than ever when it comes
to cuisine, and they want not only longtime favorites, but also the
opportunity to enjoy new choices they typically wouldn't try at
home."
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Gold Pearl
Restaurant
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The Black Pearl Restaurant and
Gold Pearl Restaurant are the formal dining rooms where diners are seated amid
splendid oversized
strings of pearls. Along with the selection of six different appetizers
and soups, two salads, and six entrees, look for
the "Signature Selections" on the menu, dishes created by
French Master Chef Georges Blanc. In addition to the always popular
lobster, served once each cruise, Carnival's decadent Chocolate
Melting Cake is available every night. Don't be in too much of a
hurry to leave the dining room or
you'll miss the inventive and talented wait staff performing musical
numbers just as energetically as they served dinner.
Set beneath a skylight for romantic starlit dining,
The Pinnacle, Carnival
Splendor's supper club features a combo for couples who want to take a spin
around the glass dance floor between courses. For the $30 per person cover
charge, it's one of the best restaurants—and dining bargains—at
sea. Not only is the food exceptional (escargot, New England crab cakes,
Russian caviar, lobster bisque, grilled lamp chops, prime rib, Dover sole meuniere,
free range chicken, veal chops, lobster, and several cuts of beef
from 9 to 24 ounces), but the presentation is sophisticated and the
atmosphere decidedly upscale. It's a fine dining experience you
won't want to miss.
The variety of casual dining choices begin with
made-to-order omelets for breakfast and move on to a wide variety of buffet
items for lunch, as well as meat-carving and pasta stations, Indian
tandoori selections, and a
Mongolian stir-fry wok in the casual Splendido Lido Restaurant.
In addition to the usual selections, there are Oriental
dishes, a daily taste-of-nations specialty, a Pizza
bar, outdoor Grill areas serving fresh burgers and grilled
favorites, and the Deli for just-made sandwiches. Several
serving stations dispense ice cream treats.
Try the California Roll Sushi Bar on Promenade Deck for
freshly prepared sushi before dinner. Also on Promenade Deck,
The Coffee Club serves specialty coffees and pastry treats for a
nominal charge.
For parents who want to share a romantic dinner for
two, the Camp Carnival program and group evening babysitting takes
the hassle out of child care. In addition to the many choices,
Carnival Splendor offers the flexibility of dining whenever you are
hungry—around the clock. Room service never closes and, while the
choices are somewhat limited, a picnic on your private balcony is
always a treat.
Staterooms
With so many categories from which to choose, category selection might seem
daunting. In reality, there are only five cabin configurations, but
every passenger is assured of standard accommodations that are, on
average, larger than those on most cruise ships. On Carnival
Splendor,
they range from standard Interior and Oceanview staterooms to
Oceanview staterooms with private balconies and Suites and Penthouse
Suites with large private balconies. More than 60% of all staterooms
are outside and, of those, over 60% have balconies.
New to Carnival Splendor are 68 exclusive smoke-free
"spa accommodations" with unlimited access to the Cloud 9 Spa
facilities via private elevator and special amenities, including the
use of special "Cloud 9 Spa" logo items, personal fitness bands and
yoga mats, complimentary fitness classes, and priority reservations
for spa treatments and services.
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Oceanview
Stateroom with Balcony
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Carnival Cruise Lines has always prided themselves
on spacious cabins and Carnival Splendor’s are no exception.
Although it is a new ship class, the staterooms are very similar in
layout and décor to Conquest-class vessels.
Yet the cabins appear more open because the
desktop-to-ceiling storage unit found on older ships was
eliminated and the desk/vanity has been lengthened
to include additional under-counter storage. The television is a
flat screen mounted on the wall.
Unlike the recent trend for cabins with few drawers,
Carnival Splendor’s standard balcony cabins have three nice deep
ones built into the vanity/desk, where you’ll also find a
mini-bar-fridge, a personal safe and more storage behind cabinet
doors, and open book shelves. There are two huge drawers in the base
of the sitting area sofa and even some additional small storage
cubbies in the two nightstands.
Staterooms feature mirrored accents, a
hairdryer in a vanity/desk drawer, and terrycloth bathrobes are
provided for use during the cruise in all oceanview accommodations.
The outstanding lighting that encircles the living area even extends
to the front of the closets, which can be dark holes on some ships.
Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than a lumpy,
bumpy bed with scratchy sheets and pancake thin pillow. To insure
sweet dreams, Carnival provides more than a chocolate treat on your
pillow. The exclusive "Carnival Comfort Bed" systems are
simply heavenly. They start with plush mattresses and add soft and
comfy duvets, upgraded pillows, and linens for a good night's sleep.
Bathroom amenities include shampoo and bath gel in
shower mounted dispensers and an array of sample toiletries. The
shower itself is roomy and has a pull-out clothesline for drying
bathing suits or hand laundry. A real convenience is the two-sided
(regular and magnifying) bathroom shaving/make up mirror. Closet and
drawer/shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves, are more than
adequate.
Family-friendly accommodations include nearly 200
interconnecting staterooms and more than 350, including suites, that
accommodate up to three or four. Passengers with physical challenges haven't been
overlooked—staterooms have been designed that take their special
needs into consideration.
Continue to explore
Public Spaces & More -->
Carnival Splendor (Part 2)
Cruise Diva's Blog Highlights from the
Carnival Splendor Inaugural cruise from Dover:
