Splendour of the Seas

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This was the second ship in Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' Vision-class of ships, so-called for the unparalleled 2 acres of exterior glass in their design. The first ship, Legend of the Seas, entered service in 1995 and Splendour followed in 1996. Both ships were 69,130 grt and 1,800 passengers but the design was modified quite early on and the subsequent 4 ships would all be slightly larger.

An Impressive Profile		Forward Mast & Sun Deck		The Centrum 7 decks high		The Pool & Jogging Track		Promenade Deck 4

With an impressive, raked exterior and vast open decks, she has clearly been designed for the new breed of cruising passenger. There is even an 18-hole miniature golf course and jogging track on deck 10 as well as a Roman-style Solarium on deck 9 with an enormous sliding glass roof, while high atop the ship is the Viking Crown Lounge, with a splendid 180-degree view.

Miniature Golf Course "Splendour of the Greens"		The Solarium Deck 9		Viking Crown Lounge High on Deck 11		The Library on Deck 7

At the heart of the ship a vast 7-deck high atrium, The Centrum, floods the ship with light, as well as providing great views of the sea but the Top Hat Lounge forward felt slightly claustrophobic and the 42nd St Theater is far too small at 800 seats. Also, the Windjammer Cafe forward has beautiful 180-degree views and is a popular alternative to the Dining Room but its layout is cluttered with heavy marble planters which creates a congested atmosphere. The ship is full of contradictions and this confusion is compounded throughout by a decor which, I wrote in my diary, "looks like a pools winner has gone into Maples and bought everything in the store!" I thought it all rather vulgar.

One of the Lift Lobbies off the Centrum				Top Hat Lounge		42nd St Theater

		The King & I Dining Room was the ultimate in excess; there is so much glass, brass, marble and mirror-finishes here, not to mention a grand piano! And while the food was good, we found service from the waiters too hurried and intrusive, culminating in the wine-steward giving us the "hard-sell" over an over-priced "special souvenir" bottle of wine!

In truth, having become accustomed in recent years to the sedate and traditional Vistafjord & Sagafjord, I was simply not ready for this ship, being so much larger and more contemporary. It would take a few more years for me to get used to the idea of "The Modern Cruise Ship"!

Thankfully, alterations made to the Vision-class design in subsequent ships addressed many of the shortcomings so evident in Splendour. On Grandeur of the Seas for instance, the 2-deck high Theatre is a vast improvement, as is the less cluttered layout of the Windjammer Cafe and the relocation of the main lounge aft, while the decor of the Dining Room is a little more restrained, and much the better for it. See also the Grandeur of the Seas Gallery >>

Total Mileage on
Splendour of the Seas: 226 n miles