Carnival Splendor

Theatre

The tri-level, 1,400-seat Spectacular Spectacular sets the stage for the main evening entertainment. The program kicks off with a "welcome aboard" song-and-dance performance, and rotates out several Broadway-style spectacles throughout the course of the cruise (typically with two seatings per night) that tout themes like the high-energy rock 'n' roll show, Epic Rock, and '80s Pop to the Max. In other evening time slots, the show lounge plays host to game show-style interactive events such as Hasbro, The Game Show. During the day, it stages orientations, lectures, Dr. Seuss Story Time, bingo games and more.

Daily Fun

What would a Carnival cruise be without trivia contests (on everything from Dr. Seuss to Star Wars), bean bag tosses, towel animal theatre and the men's hairy chest contest? Now that's entertainment. The busy daily program on any given day might highlight spa seminars, cooking demos, art talks and auctions, sports tournaments (such as lobby bowling, volleyball and ping-pong), shop talks and sales, card/gaming tournaments (Texas Hold'em, blackjack, etc.), early-morning stretch classes and more. Look, too, for one-off events such as a sailaway party, ice-carving demo, and a Dr. Seuss character parade and Story Time event. DJ-spun or live music is typically held poolside and/or in the main lobby during the afternoon.

At Night

The smaller aft-side 425-seat theatre/lounge El Morocco exudes an exotic Northern Africa-inspired aesthetic (animal prints, lanterns and tiles), with lounge-style entertainment anchored on evening comedy sets from Carnival's Punchliner Comedy Club program. Sailings rotate a changing roster of comedians who typically perform two nightly sets, one for families and ones for adults only.

The 790 square-metre (8,500 square foot) Royal Flush has capacity for close to 500 gamers, comes with about 200 slot machines and plenty of casino prize games and gaming tables. The decor plays up the "royal flush" theme with a playing card motif that covers the ceiling and literally comes out of the walls with card-inspired sculptures.

Art talks/auctions, karaoke and shop events continue through the early evening. On one night of the cruise, there's a grown-up late-night scavenger hunt held onboard, dubbed the Carnival Quest. Another big evening draw are the photo ops -- Carnival is quite good at setting up diverse photography backdrops around the ship, and getting pro shots taken is a big draw, especially on elegant nights.

For live music, look to the lobby stage for a live band or acoustic performer playing a variety of music or the casino stage for lively party music. The Grand Piano Bar puts on live piano tunes nightly. There's a beach party on the Lido Deck one night of the cruise, and a handful of special scheduled evening gatherings (held at assorted venues) that cater to LGBTQI+ groups, singles (ages 40-plus) and more.

Another fun Splendor feature is its Dive-In Movies, held poolside on the Lido Deck, under the stars (a retractable roof ensures all-weather access), with films screened nightly on a 25 metre (270 square foot) screen.

Carnival Splendor Bars and Lounges

About half of the Splendor's 20-plus lounges and bars are distinctive spaces touting their own personalities, while the other half are more discreetly hidden away in eateries and in the main theater. The Promenade Deck, on Deck 5, is the social and imbibing center of Splendor. Drinks are priced a la carte; unlimited alcohol (with a 15-drink daily limit) and soda packages are available at a daily rate.

Splendor Bar (Deck 3): Though this pink-and-gold hued lobby bar itself only has seating for 10, surrounding tables with comfy seats invite lingering near this always-crowded ship hub. The space anchors the soaring, illuminated atrium above, and touts a stage (and dance floor) for live music, trivia events and more.

RedFrog Pub (Deck 4): The most lively bar on the ship, the RedFrog Pub has plenty of seating and a stage where popular Carnival band Music Manila rocks the house most nights. When things get going, it can be hard to even get through the door of this popular venue.

Our House (Deck 5): Don't miss the big game just because you're at sea, thanks to this 55-seat sports bar outfitted with numerous flat-screens, brown leather banquettes and stadium-inspired decor, set just off the casino.

Oceanview Bar (Deck 5): This slender strip of a lounge proposes intimate seating nooks with expansive windows overlooking the sea on one side and a bustling pedestrian promenade on the other. Great for people-watching, the bar boasts a stage for nightly musical entertainment and is serviced by a busy bar just adjacent to the casino.

Grand Piano (Deck 5): Tune in to near-nightly singalong piano music at this atmospheric piano bar, with seating for 100. Pull up a stool at the fun keyboard-themed bar that encircles the pianist, and be first in line for requests.

Alchemy Bar (Deck 5): This circular cocktail bar is an intimate space with bar stool seating at high tables, and a handful of highly sought after seats at the bar. It's the place to come for sophisticated cocktails and entertaining Martini Making and Tasting Classes.

The Red Carpet (Deck 5): This red-hued 18-and-over dance club (you'll be greeted with mannequins waiting in line on the "red carpet" out front) is the ship's hub for late-night action, with a live DJ spinning tunes with themes like '80s hour and "electric white night".

The Cool (Deck 5): Designed as a jazz club, with a stage and dance floor, leather seating (with room for nearly 90 patrons) and murals depicting jazz great Miles Davis, this lounge is quiet most nights.

El Morocco (Deck 5): A secondary theatre/lounge, El Morocco recreates the famous 1930s' New York supper club of the same name with its zebra-patterned banquettes and palm trees. Nightly comedy shows are held here, along with frequent karaoke events.

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar (Deck 9): As well as serving tequila based drinks, this bar turns out buckets of beer, glasses of wine and frothy cocktails to the daytime pool crowd and evening drinks on Dive-In Movie nights.

Red Frog Rum Bar (Deck 9): Located next to the Splendido Pool, this bar serves different rums, rum cocktails, draft beer and other drinks to cool you down on a hot day.

Serenity Bar (Deck 9): This popular daytime watering hole services the adults-only aft-side swimming pool, and also dispenses beverages for diners in the adjacent Lido Buffet.

Carnival Splendor Outside Recreation

Pools

Not surprisingly, Splendor's pools, sun decks and sports decks are big draws. In all, there are two pools and five hot tubs, along with a water slide and water-spray park for kids.

The central Splendido Lido pool is popular with families, featuring a large, open, glass-walled area that's two decks high. It can be closed in inclement weather with a retractable sky dome. A highlight of this dramatic space is the Seaside Theatre with its 25-metre (270 square foot) outdoor screen, which shows concerts, sports, movies and more throughout the day and into the night.

Splendor's aft pool deck is airy and welcoming, offering transporting views over the ship's wake and open sea. Because of its proximity to the buffet and bars, its two roomy hot tubs and adults-only status, it's a favorite hangout for those traveling without kids.

Recreation

Scare yourself silly on the Green Lightning waterslide, which launches with a 11.3-metre freefall drop as the capsule floor opens, followed by a slingshot curve, and quick exit into a giant green swirling bowl. There is also a much tamer spiraling Twister waterslide (access to the slides is from Deck 14). Nearby, a small kids' splash park offers slides and water features geared toward the 11-and-under set.

On Deck 14, look for an elaborate pirate-themed nine-hole mini-golf course that's free to play, as well as a convertible basketball/volleyball court. Deck 10 is home to a pair of Ping-Pong tables. There is also a nearly life-size chess set for alfresco strategizing on the Lido Deck.

Sun Decks

All pools come with surrounding sun decks that are equipped with cushioned loungers; there are some additional loungers up on Deck 12, overlooking the main pool. Adults traveling alone will enjoy Serenity, the quiet adults-only sun deck, way up on Deck 12 at the front of the ship.

Carnival Splendor Services

In the main lobby, at the base of the ship's multistory atrium on Deck 3, passengers can access the guest services and shore excursions desks; guest services is open around the clock, though you'll need to consult the daily program for shore excursion desk hours. Travellers interested in booking a future cruise can check in at the designated reception desk on Deck 5.

Atlantic Deck, on Deck 4, houses the library, which, while tastefully appointed with leather seats and Alexandria-inspired murals, has limited hours. Our advice? BYOB -- bring your own books. You will also find the Internet cafe on this level. Passengers can also use their laptops throughout the ship, which offers wireless Internet access. Pricing is the same for the ship's computers as it is to access the web on personal laptops. The Social Plan starts at AU$36 for a three-night cruise; the Value Plan starts at AU$40 for 24 hours; Premium starts at AU$50 for 24 hours. Bulk full-cruise plans are also available.

Splendor also has several do-it-yourself laundry and ironing rooms. There are two or three washers and dryers, and one iron and ironing board in each launderette. The cost is AU$3.25 per washer load and AU$3.25 per dryer load. Vending machines dispense small boxes of detergent and water softener at AU$1.50 per box.

An art gallery is located near the entrance to The Black Pearl restaurant on Deck 3. To review photos or purchase camera- and photo-related gear, visit the Pixels Gallery on Deck 4.

Also on Deck 4 is a boardroom for meetings, hidden away in a little-trafficked area of the ship. A doctor-equipped medical centre is situated on Deck 0.

Shops come clustered together on Deck 5, outside of the entrance to the show lounge. There is a special-occasion shop selling candy, flowers and the sort; as well as a duo of duty-free shops. One focuses primarily on apparel, Carnival-branded gear, chocolates and alcohol; the other on perfume, jewellery, watches and cosmetics.

Splendor gets it right on the dining front, offering everything that's become an industry standard, along with a few surprises: a super Indian tandoori grill, a stir-fry station, great pizza and a superb chef's table experience that includes an entertaining pre-dinner tasting session in the galley. Special dietary requests can be made when booking, including vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, low cholesterol, low sugar, etc, plus there is the option to speak to the restaurant managers on boarding. Dedicated kids' menus are on hand, too.

Free Dining

The Gold Pearl and The Black Pearl (Decks 3 and 4)
Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

Seating a combined total of 1,866 passengers, The Gold Pearl is the larger of the two venues, with room for 1,122 diners, and also offers pleasant aft-view seating, overlooking the ship's wake.  The majority of tables accommodate four, six and 10 diners with a limited number of two-tops.

Open-seating a la carte breakfast and lunch are offered in The Gold Pearl. Dinner tables are assigned in two seatings -- at 5.45 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. -- or passengers can opt to walk in at whim via the "Your Time Dining" option available at Black Pearl Restaurant. When the wait staff -- friendly and attentive as they are -- start singing and dancing, a signature Carnival twist, you know it is nearly time to leave.

The three-course dinner menu is robust and focusses on familiar favourites and international flavours. There's always at least one vegetarian choice and designated healthy main plate, that's lower in calories, sodium, cholesterol and fat. Some half-dozen desserts include the line's signature decadent warm chocolate melting cake with vanilla ice cream.

The International Flavours selection changes daily and includes an appetiser and entree (and cocktail) inspired by a destination around the globe such as Italy. For AU$30, you can enjoy a number of steakhouse selections such as lobster tail or surf and turf, in the main dining room.

One downside of eating in the main dining room is the service can be somewhat slow, which can be a problem if you want to attend a show. If you have somewhere to be, order as soon as you arrive. 

Spendido Lido (Deck 9 and 10):
B, L, D

The Spendido Lido, a self-serve buffet that rises two levels on the Lido Deck, is a crowd-pleaser because of its uncommon variety and its proximity to the pools, hot tubs, water slide and sun decks. With capacity for nearly 1,400 diners, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and enough ocean views to go around. However, the lines can get long, especially at breakfast, so be prepared for waits.

Splendido Lido serves a continental breakfast, beginning at 6.30 am, and then breaks out into a full-blown breakfast, offered from 7 am to 11.45 am. This is a ship that stays up late and sleeps in -- it's not unusual to see cruisers enjoying bacon and eggs close to midday.

The buffet lunch served from 12 pm to 1.30 pm can be pretty grand. At the Mongolian Wok, for instance, you select a bowl of fresh vegetables -- onions, mushrooms, snow peas and carrots, for example -- that the chef then fries with chicken, salmon, pork, duck or squid and a choice of sauces. Every day, look for a rotating daily selection based on the chef's choice, such as a Mexican culinary theme.

In the evenings, from 5.30 pm until 9 pm, Splendido Lido serves buffet-style dinner for a laidback night of dining. The salad bar and carving station will seem familiar because they're a repeat from lunch, but other items are typically from the main dining room menu.

During lunch and dinner, the dessert bar offers a choice of tempting cakes. A self-serve ice-cream and frozen yoghurt machine is available 24/7.

There's no wait staff in Splendido Lido, so if you want a glass of wine or an aperitif to accompany the meal, you'll have to walk to a poolside bar to get one.

Carnival Deli (Deck 9)
Meals: L, D

Open from about 11 am to 11 pm, the deli counter is located on the Serenity Deck and is open when the hot buffet is closed. You'll find sandwiches such as pastrami, along with favourites like grilled cheese or chicken wraps. There is usually a line, but it's a handy, free go-to for whenever you're hungry or want something a bit healthier.

Masala Tiger (Deck 9)
Meals: L

There are a big queues at this popular free dining spot for a reason. Masala Tiger dishes up some of the best Indian food you'll find on land or at sea. Dine al fresco at one of the tables adjacent to the counter or take your meal inside to enjoy in the main buffet seating area.

Swirls Soft Serve and Fro Yo (Deck 9)
Meals: 24/7

These soft-serve machines are dispersed throughout the Lido Marketplace, and are open 24 hours a day. Soft-serve ice cream comes in vanilla, chocolate or swirl; while we usually saw chocolate, strawberry or vanilla frozen yoghurts. Choose between cup or cone.

Pizzeria del Capitano (Deck 9)
Meals: 24/7

Located near the pool, Pizzeria del Capitano dishes up pizza slices and pizzas made to order. It's tasty, free and offers enough variety to justify multiple visits. Gluten-free pizza is available by request.

Guy's Burger Joint (Deck 9)
Meals: L

Guy's Burger Joint serves a selection of burgers for lunch, with the option to customise with cheese, onion rings, or chili options, along with an entire toppings bar. Salty but tasty, they're a hit with all ages.

Fee Dining

The Chef's Table (Deck 3); $AU120 per person
Meals: D

Available on all of Carnival's ships, the Chef's Table dining experience includes a multicourse dinner with wine matching, pre-dinner drinks and a tour of the galley, which includes an entertaining tasting session. On Splendor, this dining option takes place in the 28-seat Pink Pearl (an annex to The Black Pearl main dining room). The experience can be booked onboard at the guest services desk for guests ages 12 and older only.

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (Deck 3); $AU12
Meals: B

On select sea days, the main dining room hosts a "Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast," a play on the line's Dr. Seuss partnership, which features characters like the Cat in the Hat and, you guessed it, green eggs and ham.

JavaBlue (Deck 5); a la carte
Meals: Snacks

Splendor has a premium coffee bar that sells barista coffee, herbal teas, iced lattes, milkshakes, cookies and cakes, which are not priced at more than a few dollars each. This coffee bar-style spot is always buzzing.

Juice & Java (Deck 5); a la carte
Meals: Snacks

Freshy squeezed juices and caffeine are the order of the day at this popular drinks outlet. The queues here tend to be shorter than those at JavaBlue, especially at peak times.

The Seafood Shack (Deck 9); a la carte
L, D

Located inside the Splendido Lido, this seafood venue dishes up everything from classics such as fish and chips and oysters to seafood platters, and lobster priced by the kilogram.

Fahrenheit 555 (Deck 11); $AU55 lunch, $AU35 dinner
Meals: L, D

Carnival Splendor's steakhouse is great value when you consider the robust menu and polished service, and the stylish top-deck venue. Reservations are recommended at the 108-seat eatery, which oozes classic Art Deco-style steakhouse decor. If you are looking to indulge your sweet tooth and your love of Instagram, order the Art at Your Table dessert, which tastes as good as it looks.

Room Service; a la carte
Meals: 24/7

Food, soft drinks and bottled water are available 24 hours a day, while beer, wine and Champagne can be delivered to your cabin from 10 am to 11 pm. Each item is priced individually. While breakfast is free everywhere else on the ship, you have to pay for it if you use room service.

Pizza Delivery; $AU7
Meals: 24/7

Use the Carnival HUB app to order a fresh pizza and have it delivered to wherever you are on the ship.