Royal Caribbean Splendour of the Seas

Splendour of the Seas Fast Facts:
Maiden Voyage: 3/31/96
Passenger Capacity: 2,076
Gross Tonnage: 70,000
Length: 867’
Max Beam: 105’
Draft: 24.5’
Cruising Speed: 24 knots

Overview
The Splendour of the Seas is a Vision-class ship and like her sisters has a gorgeous multi-story Centrum giving the ship an open and spacious light-filled ambiance.  One should not balk at the chance to cruise on this ship based on her age.  The Splendour will be going into dry dock in the fall of 2011 for major renovation and will emerge with new features and amenities found on many of the newer ships.

The ship’s top dock has an 18-hole miniature golf course that provides hours of enjoyment for children and adults.  A game under the lights is a great way to have some family fun after dinner.  Behind the golf course is the signature rock wall.  Don’t worry if you’ve never climbed before, as the wall accommodates beginners to the highly skilled. If you’d like, you can even sign up for a private lesson. A jogging track wraps around the entire deck.

One level lower is a sports deck with ping-pong, shuffleboard, volleyball and basketball. A compact but complete fitness center features aerobic/step classes, free weights, state-of-the art stair steppers, stationary bikes, treadmills and other exercise machines. The day spa is in the same area making it totally accessible for some time in the sauna or a post workout massage.

There are two pools on the Splendour, one outdoor and one in the adult-only solarium.  Both are flanked by a duo of hot tubs. One of the newest enhancements to the Splendour will be the addition of a huge screen set above the main pool area.  Imagine sitting poolside while enjoying first-run movies and sporting events on the big screen, under a blanket of stars!

The two-tier King and I Dining Room is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For the latter, guests may select traditional main seating, traditional late seating or “My Time Dining”, which is an open seating concept. Another dining option is the Windjammer Café, a buffet style restaurant open for all meals and late night snacks.

Some new eateries will be added as part of the 2011 Royal Advantage enhancements. The popular Park Cafe, a deli but so much more, will be located up in the Solarium. They serve made to order salads, paninis, and freshly prepared sandwiches, as well as pastries and coffee.

A fun little outdoor counter service restaurant is The Boardwalk Dog House. Despite all the delicious gourmet meals the Splendour serves, sometimes it’s great to be able to just grab a hot dog, brat or sausage on a bun with lots of fixin’s slathered on top!

Izumi, a restaurant that features Asian cuisine will be a nice addition.  There is a set sushi menu, as well as a special roll created each night by the chef. Hot Rock (Ishiyaki) plates are also served and its fun being able to cook tableside.

The 42nd Street Theater features a Vegas-style production show starring the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers, while a smaller venue, The Top Hat Lounge, is used for other entertainment. With Casino Royale and plenty of bars and lounges including Royal Caribbean favorites such as the Schooner Bar, the Champagne Bar, and the Viking Crown Lounge, there’s no shortage of evening entertainment onboard the Splendour of the Seas.

While all Royal Caribbean ships offer the award winning Adventure Ocean children’s programs for ages 3-17, the Splendour also has a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery where the littlest of cruisers can be left in the care of trained professionals.