Oldies But Goodies Doo Wop Cruise

Ooh...How splendid she is...

 

The Splendor Carnival Cruise Lines' newest ship that debut in August 2008. The central design idea of this new 3,006-passenger luxury liner is a celebration of Carnivals most magnificent, lustrous, and elegant ship afloat loaded with many "Splendid Things," starting with the ships 1,503 staterooms, including a wide variety of accommodation categories, including several levels of suites and staterooms with private balconies.  All accommodations will feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows. The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor is a new class of vessel for Carnival, with a number of innovative new features, including

"When I thought about the name of this ship, it brought to mind all the splendid things there are in the world," said Joe Farcus, Carnival's ship architect. "The central idea that ties the rooms together is the concept of fine, luxurious, sumptuous elegance. So we used elements like pearls, gold leaf and wood grains to give the ship a feeling of richness," he added. The center of it all is the Splendor Atrium, which Farcus describes as "pure design." The walls are decorated with a composite material made of stainless steel and four-inch circular cutouts backed by pink-stained wood with black pigment rubbed into the grain, along with gold-leaf beams and arches illuminated with hundreds of sparkling lights. 

The atrium balcony and main staircases carry on the stainless steel motif with railings that have a circular textured glass infill with orange and red glass jewels fused on and topped by a pink-and-black-grained wood handrail. The common areas elevator lobbies, stairwells and promenade   have the stainless steel, gold leaf and wood elements adapted to the location. "The overall effect is striking," said Farcus, "with all these rich, elegant materials mixed with stainless steel and stylized wood laminates." The central Lido pool deck features a large open glass-walled, two-deck-high area that can be enclosed with a retractable Sky Dome, along with two hot tubs repositioned on either side of the deck and inset into the deck to provide unobstructed sea views.

Splendor Spectacular, the main show lounge, and features sparkly fiberglass stage curtains all around the room. "The idea is that the whole room is the stage," Farcus explained. Large chandeliers are draped domes with strings of beads hanging down, creating a dramatic effect. Also is Carnival's Seaside Theatre with its 270-square-foot outdoor screen, a retractable Sky Dome, along with two bars and two food-service lines. Located above the two-level, art deco–styled Splendido poolside eatery is the Pinnacle Supper Club. A skylight provides spectacular nighttime views of the stars for supper club diners, while a glass dance floor suspended over the mini-atrium created by the three-deck configuration is sure to be a
Conversation starter.

Carnival Splendor's aft pool deck will be an airy and open space and in the tradition of the grand liners, will provide guests with unimpeded views of the ship's wake.  The outdoor aft deck area will pay homage to the great liners of the past. The walls will be beautiful teak molded paneling while the bars and serving lines will recall the hulls of these ships. Throughout the area will be large half models of some of the most famous ships that sailed the oceans of the world.

The aft deck also houses two serving stations, one featuring authentic Indian Tandoori items and the other a New York-style deli offering sandwiches and traditional side dishes. Also located within the Lido Deck area is a library and an expansive two-level, 5,500-square-foot children's play area that will serve as the focal point for the extensive activities schedule for the line's top-rated "Camp Carnival" program. Sure to be a hit with kids of all ages is a new feature for Carnival a water spray park located just above the main playroom with a private secured stairway leading to the facility. 

 

Carnival Splendor will also house one of the largest health and wellness facilities afloat featuring 68 spa cabins and suites—a first for the line. Including the exclusive spa accommodations, the Carnival Splendor's spa will encompass some 40,000 square feet and will include Carnival's first thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome, an elaborate Thermal Suite, 17 treatment rooms; and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. As he has done with every ship in Carnival's fleet, Farcus has designed the main public rooms on Carnival Splendor in a variety of whimsical and inventive themes.

 

The Royal Flush Casino takes a "splendid, winning hand" as its principal design element. Various combinations of royal flush hands are set along the walls, with the characters on the cards emerging from the wall like a sculpture. The ceiling is decorated with card images that
gradually change electronically into different hands. Splendor Spectacular the main show lounge, features sparkly fiberglass stage curtains all around the room. "The idea is that the whole room is the stage," Farcus explained. Large chandeliers are draped domes with strings of beads hanging down, Creating a dramatic effect

The El Mojito promenade bar has the feel of a sidewalk café in Old Havana, with Spanish-style columns topped with domes and classic lanterns hung throughout the room, along with terracotta floors and the aged stucco walls festooned with colorful Cuban posters. The Cool jazz bar taps into the legendary coolness of jazz greats. The walls are decorated with artwork inspired by jazz innovator Miles Davis, with his photos and compositions.

INSERT 109 El Morocco, the aft lounge, re-creates the famous 1930s New York club of the same name. Banquettes are covered in zebra-patterned leather, with palm trees and lanterns adorning the walls, which feature murals of Moroccan scenes. A house sports bar celebrates a team's home field advantage, with models of famous stadiums displayed in glass vitrines located around the room, accented by red, white and blue bunting. Bar tops and tabletops are inlaid with photos of famous sports stadiums.  

 

 

The California Roll sushi bar sports large models of koi goldfish in iridescent paints. The bar front is river rock, and all tile work on the walls and surfaces is made of mother of pearl shells. Located aft will be a new sports deck featuring arena-style seating for games and other events, while a reservations-only supper club will be located atop the poolside Lido restaurant, providing diners with magnificent ocean vistas. Two full decks of glass walls will enclose the mid-ship pool one of four aboard. The area will be covered with a two-deck-high retractable dome that can be closed during inclement weather. A large balcony will encircle the upper deck of the pool area. The vessel will also include 1,503 staterooms, 60 percent of which will offer an ocean view with 60
percent of those featuring balconies.

The Carnival Splendor has a total of four wet-and-wild pools, including the Thunderball Slide Pool where guests can show off their derring-do. The ship also features an Internet Café and jogging track. Take an onboard tour of the world of food in the many different restaurants, featuring food from around the globe. Delight in decadent French cuisine created by world-renowned French Master Chef, Georges Blanc, or swing by the California Roll sushi bar and sample Japanese delights. 

    

The Carnival Splendor has a staggering 22 bars and lounges for partying preferences of every sort, including the Cool Jazz Bar, Our House Sports Bar, and Nirvana Club Lounge. Take in the glitz and glitter of a live show at the Carnival Seaside Theatre, dance the night away at the Red Carpet Lounge, or brush up on your blackjack in the Royal Flush Casino or dance the night away at the Red Carpet Lounge.

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