Hi John!
It’s our second Sea Day on the beautiful Carnival Splendor and the ship has been a bustle of activity since early this morning. Everyone on board is very ready to reach our first port of call, Puerto Vallarta, but as Carnival Entertainment Hosts Amy, Michelle, Christy, and myself are well qualified to turn our guest’s restless energy into fun times to be had by all. We gave the sun worshipers their space on Lido Deck today and made the deck 5 Promenade lounges the main arteries of the ship.
The bells, whistles, and lights of the Royal Flush Casino sound like a grand party in itself while our guests try their luck at the slots, tables, and even electronic poker. We pit the ladies against the gentlemen in the Lobby as the Gender Showdown saw the men annihilate the women and earn bragging rights for the rest of the cruise, if you’ve never witnessed a group of grown adults stick quarters up their bums and attempt to drop them into a tiny cup it’s certainly a sight to be seen!
The Grand Piano bar and The Cool lounge have been full of exciting crowd pleasers like Scattegories, Match Game, Carnivalaire, and even our progressive trivia challenge “Super Duper Trivia” (this is Amy’s baby and she makes it so much fun I think there were over a hundred guests playing today! WOW!). Our Cruise Director, Felipe, had the crowd roaring with laughter at the Marriage Show…it’s ridiculous how outrageous a room full of married couples can get! After the show we turned the Theater into the Carnival Bingo Hall and had a great time giving away hundreds of dollars in bingo jackpots. The Atrium Lobby was packed full on every deck for our Motown: Guess That Song, this is one of my personal favorite trivias, such an incredible era of music and it’s a great feeling to hear everyone sing along to these memorable songs as we score the game. Even the Carnival Youth Clubs were all-a-buzz as the dance parties, scavenger hunts, and games took place in all corners of the ship…I always help the kids out with their scavenger hunts even though they’re not supposed to get help from staff..shhh…don’t tell on me!
The Past Guests Reception was today as well, I love that we can take a little time to say “Thank You” to our repeat cruisers with a few free drinks and a nice presentation by our Cruise Director. There is a fun video that we play during this party and its most recent update has seen the removal of a very funny Senior Cruise Director…what’s up with that!?
As the day comes to a close the nightlife of the ship is still poppin’, the comedians in the Punchliner Comedy Club have brought out some brand new shows for the crowd (these guys are SO funny), our Karaoke Lounge is packed to the brim with some amazing guest talent (and some not-so-amazing), and the Main Lounge shows, by a very amusing prop comedian, were a huge success. I know we’re all ready to see Mexico tomorrow, but the vibe on the ship has become a well-oiled vacation machine and it’s so nice to walk these decks and see the carefree smiles of our guests as they enjoy the wonders of this reborn cruise ship. That’s all for the run-down today, Ciao for now.
More to come tomorrow!
Ryan McQuarrie
Entertainment Host
Carnival Splendor
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Ryan says
most recent update has seen the removal of a very funny Senior Cruise Director…what’s up with that!?
DO WHAT?????????????????????????????? That won’t work!!!!!!!!!!!
Carolyn
I agree with Carolyn,
What’s up the the removal of a very funny Senior Cruise Director?????
Inquiring minds want to know!
i agree…WHAT???? John HAS to be on that video!!!!!! It wont be the same!!!!!!!!!
Ryan,
Thanks so much for the play-by-play. It sounds as if the Splendor is back to her normal rhythm, and your descriptions make ma feel like I’m actually there. I have had the pleasure of sailing her twice, she is a beautiful ship, always loaded with fun and I miss her!
Keep up the good work, may you and your guests have a fabulous cruise!
WIWT,
Diann Smith
Glad to see the Carnival Splendor back in action… we were on her in September for a family cruise (first for my son and me) and had a blast! It will always hold a special place in my heart as our first ship of many!
I am wondering what the Chef’s Table is all about and if there is any room on the Carnival Splendor the week of March 27th?
My husband and I are cruising for our 20th wedding anniversary. We’ve already been upgraded to an Ocean Suite and we have Steakhouse reservations on 4/1/11 (our actual anniversary, yes we got married on April Fool’s Day).
Thanks,
Lucy McGuire
Dear Lucy,
The Chef’s Table is not only a special meal prepared by the Executive Chef but also a behind the scenes tour of the galley during meal preparation time. If you are interested in doing this activity then just drop John a line and put on the header “CHEF’S TABLE RESERVATIONS” and then your sail date and your room number or Booking Number if you don’t have a room number yet, and he will have one of the 344 Stephanies make your reservations. A good idea as there are only 16 spots and it has become very popular. It is usually held the last sea day.
Happy Cruising,
The Cruzin2some
Dear Ryan,
Are you bucking for John’s Blog job. Very good job indeed. It ia great to hear that the beautiful Carnival Splendor is back in shape with that wonderful new ship smell.
PV is a great port. Nancy & I were suppose to go to Acapulco but a passenger and crew member both came down very ill and we were re-routed to PV and it was great. Please advise the guest to keep an eye out for Humpback Whales as this time of year they have migrated south and Nancy & I were lucky enough to see six whales breaching one right after another. To this day it was the second most amazing sight I have ever seen only topped by the birth of our kids. The Dolphin escort out of PV was pretty special as well.
Thanks for the update and keep up the good work.
The Cruzin2some
I know they sell a canned new car smell spray. Do you think they sell a new ship smell spray?
Reply requested… please.
Hi John. Love your blog, love your fb posts. I am normally not the type of cruiser to ask favors, but…
April 9, 2011 Carnival Liberty will be my 17th and my boyfriends 24th cruise on Carnival and our replacement cruise for our cancelled Splendor cruise (January 16th). Anyways we always request a table for two, have always been most graciously accomodated, but… really, really hope to be able to get one this upcoming cruise without issue. 2010 was a rough year for me (unemployed, my mom died…) and hope that this time a table for two happens without issue. Maybe you could put in a good word for me?
Don’t know if it will earn me any points but I was born in Cambridge, England… 
Thanks much.
Elizabeth Mehegan
William Dunn
WHOO HOO LOVE IT that Carnival Splendor is back inservice!! yah!
Please leave a comment sorry I forgot to ask
Glad you are back to the Splendor… Hope your mom is having a blast.. WIWT
Thanks, Sage – it was a full week of blasts!
Nancy
Ryan – great job, I can hardly wait to cruise on Carnival Splendor, I’ve always wanted to see the Mexican Riviera and now that we have been so close to Splendor she seems like the perfect ship to go with.