When you stop and think about it, it can be difficult to pin down what splendour truly means to us as individuals. However, in the hands of Carnival Cruise Lines' ship architect Joe Farcus, splendour is a celebration of the magnificent, lustrous and elegant.
The 113,300-tonne Carnival Splendor is a new class of vessel for Carnival, with a number of innovative new features, including a luxurious 21,000-square-foot spa - the largest in the "fun ship" fleet. Carnival Splendor launched Carnival's first-ever 12-day Northern European cruise programme last month.
"When I thought about the name of this ship, it brought to mind all the splendid things there are in the world," said Mr Farcus. "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 centre of it all is the Splendor Atrium, which Mr Farcus describes as "pure design". The walls are decorated with a composite material made of stainless steel and four-inch circular cut-outs 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 in 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 Mr Farcus, "with all these rich, elegant materials mixed with stainless steel and stylised wood laminates."
Creating new spaces
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. Also featured within this dramatic space is "Carnival's Seaside Theatre" with its 82-square-metre outdoor screen, along with two bars and two food-service lines.
"With the addition of the sky dome, the mid-ship pool area becomes another public room, not just a pool deck," said Mr Farcus. "Decorated with plants, it can become quite an attractive room for gatherings of all types and is the largest public room on any Carnival ship."
The outdoor aft deck area pays homage to the great liners of the past. Throughout the area are large half models of some of the most famous ships that sailed the oceans of the world.
Also located within the Lido Deck area is an extensive two-level, 1,700-square-metre children's play area which will serve as the focal point for the extensive activities schedule for the line's top-rated "Camp Carnival" programme.
Carnival Splendor also houses 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 encompasses some 12,000 square metres and includes Carnival's first thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome, an elaborate thermal suite, 17 treatment rooms, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.
Dining
Carnival Splendor's array of traditional and alternative dining choices are as expansive as anyone's waistline could feel at the end of a cruise. The variety of casual dining choices include made-to-order omelettes for breakfast and a wide variety of buffet items for lunch, as well as meat carving, stir-fry buffet and a traditional Indian tandoori oven in the casual lido.
In addition to the usual selections, there are Oriental dishes, outdoor grill areas serving fresh burgers and grilled favourites, a 24-hour pizza station and coffee bars.
Several serving stations near the swimming pools dispense ice cream treats. Try the California Roll on Promenade Deck for freshly prepared sushi before dinner. Also on the Promedade Deck, The Coffee Shop serves specialty coffees and pastry treats for a nominal charge.
The two main dining rooms are the mid-ship Black Pearl and the larger aft-located Gold Pearl. Spanning two decks, the spaces are distinguished by the colour of a twisting pearl centrepiece that dangles from the ceiling. Favourites such as Chateaubriand and lobster are menu staples, but of note is the increased regularity of Indian dishes, usually appearing in some form each night.
For those seeking a more intimate meal, there's The Pinnacle, a reservations-only supper club, which offers the finest cuisine in elegant and memorable surroundings that include a glass dance floor suspended over a mini-atrium that's sure to be a conversation starter.
Modelled after New York's top steakhouses, The Pinnacle's menu includes a 250g fillet, 400g strip loin, and a 680g porterhouse, along with lobster tail, veal and lamb chops, Dover sole and surf and turf with seared lobster and grilled filet mignon.
Traditional steakhouse accompaniments such as creamed spinach, wasabi mashed potatoes and sautéed mushrooms, are also available. Impeccable, leisurely-paced service, the finest china and stemware, and one of the most extensive wine lists afloat - hand selected by the line's master chefs to match the cuisine - make dining at The Pinnacle a truly unforgettable experience.
Staterooms
After an active day at sea or in port, it's a treat to retreat. On Carnival Splendor, staterooms offer all the comforts of home - and more.
As a guest, you can expect soft carpeting, indirect lighting, individual climate control, generous mirrors and a spacious bathroom. Naturally, there's lots of drawer and closet space, a phone and a TV with first-run films and programming. Among the special touches are a basket of toiletries and soft robes for use during your cruise.
To ensure sweet dreams, the nightly turndown service includes a mint chocolate and a towel that's been artfully transformed into a Carnival "animal".
Here are just some examples of the spacious staterooms from which one can choose. Most staterooms have two twin beds that can be converted into a king-size bed. There are also connecting staterooms, which are ideal for families and groups of friends.
Suite and penthouse suite: These extra-large accommodations have a separate sitting area and a private balcony. Special features include a large vanity/dressing table, refrigerator, whirlpool, entertainment area and VIP check-in during embarkation.
Balcony: Sitting outdoors where you can relax, enjoy the privacy and admire the passing scenery adds immensely to the pleasure of your cruise.
Oceanview: You'll be delighted at how large Carnival's staterooms' windows are, giving you excellent views of the ocean and splendid destinations.
Interiors: These good-value accommodations include most of the generous amenities as their oceanview neighbours. Some even feature an extra pull-down, which makes them ideal for families.
Carnival Splendor gives you what you'd expect from any of the newest "fun ships" - gambling, dining, partying, lounging - with a few twists, and passengers who've sailed on the fleet's older vessels will not feel out of place. And though the changes have been seamlessly integrated into the overall "fun ship" philosophy, they show that Carnival is clearly evolving in line with recent cruise trends: refining its approach to dining by offering more options and adding a far greater emphasis to its spa. These changes may surprise some who've pigeonholed Carnival as being solely about silly fun.
A review in the Telegraph has described Carnival Splendor as being perfectly pitched for its younger market.
"This is a young person's ship - great for 40 somethings and families with kids and teens," said the newspaper's Jane Archer.
Exciting and varied itineraries
Carnival Splendor is operating 12-day Northern Europe cruises from Dover through to August 30, followed by a schedule of 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through to October 17.
The ship will then sail on a trans-Atlantic crossing departing Rome (Civitavecchia) on October 29 and arriving at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 14, positioning the vessel for a series of seven-day exotic Caribbean cruises from that port beginning on November 22. Carnival Splendor will then reposition to Long Beach, California, to launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises, continuing the line's expansion of its West Coast operations.
• Ms Grech travelled to Dover for the naming ceremony of Carnival Splendor courtesy of Arrigo Group and Air Malta.
The 113,300-tonne Carnival Splendor is a new class of vessel for Carnival, with a number of innovative new features, including a luxurious 21,000-square-foot spa - the largest in the "fun ship" fleet. Carnival Splendor launched Carnival's first-ever 12-day Northern European cruise programme last month.
"When I thought about the name of this ship, it brought to mind all the splendid things there are in the world," said Mr Farcus. "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 centre of it all is the Splendor Atrium, which Mr Farcus describes as "pure design". The walls are decorated with a composite material made of stainless steel and four-inch circular cut-outs 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 in 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 Mr Farcus, "with all these rich, elegant materials mixed with stainless steel and stylised wood laminates."
Creating new spaces
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. Also featured within this dramatic space is "Carnival's Seaside Theatre" with its 82-square-metre outdoor screen, along with two bars and two food-service lines.
"With the addition of the sky dome, the mid-ship pool area becomes another public room, not just a pool deck," said Mr Farcus. "Decorated with plants, it can become quite an attractive room for gatherings of all types and is the largest public room on any Carnival ship."
The outdoor aft deck area pays homage to the great liners of the past. Throughout the area are large half models of some of the most famous ships that sailed the oceans of the world.
Also located within the Lido Deck area is an extensive two-level, 1,700-square-metre children's play area which will serve as the focal point for the extensive activities schedule for the line's top-rated "Camp Carnival" programme.
Carnival Splendor also houses 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 encompasses some 12,000 square metres and includes Carnival's first thalassotherapy pool covered by a glass dome, an elaborate thermal suite, 17 treatment rooms, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas.
Dining
Carnival Splendor's array of traditional and alternative dining choices are as expansive as anyone's waistline could feel at the end of a cruise. The variety of casual dining choices include made-to-order omelettes for breakfast and a wide variety of buffet items for lunch, as well as meat carving, stir-fry buffet and a traditional Indian tandoori oven in the casual lido.
In addition to the usual selections, there are Oriental dishes, outdoor grill areas serving fresh burgers and grilled favourites, a 24-hour pizza station and coffee bars.
Several serving stations near the swimming pools dispense ice cream treats. Try the California Roll on Promenade Deck for freshly prepared sushi before dinner. Also on the Promedade Deck, The Coffee Shop serves specialty coffees and pastry treats for a nominal charge.
The two main dining rooms are the mid-ship Black Pearl and the larger aft-located Gold Pearl. Spanning two decks, the spaces are distinguished by the colour of a twisting pearl centrepiece that dangles from the ceiling. Favourites such as Chateaubriand and lobster are menu staples, but of note is the increased regularity of Indian dishes, usually appearing in some form each night.
For those seeking a more intimate meal, there's The Pinnacle, a reservations-only supper club, which offers the finest cuisine in elegant and memorable surroundings that include a glass dance floor suspended over a mini-atrium that's sure to be a conversation starter.
Modelled after New York's top steakhouses, The Pinnacle's menu includes a 250g fillet, 400g strip loin, and a 680g porterhouse, along with lobster tail, veal and lamb chops, Dover sole and surf and turf with seared lobster and grilled filet mignon.
Traditional steakhouse accompaniments such as creamed spinach, wasabi mashed potatoes and sautéed mushrooms, are also available. Impeccable, leisurely-paced service, the finest china and stemware, and one of the most extensive wine lists afloat - hand selected by the line's master chefs to match the cuisine - make dining at The Pinnacle a truly unforgettable experience.
Staterooms
After an active day at sea or in port, it's a treat to retreat. On Carnival Splendor, staterooms offer all the comforts of home - and more.
As a guest, you can expect soft carpeting, indirect lighting, individual climate control, generous mirrors and a spacious bathroom. Naturally, there's lots of drawer and closet space, a phone and a TV with first-run films and programming. Among the special touches are a basket of toiletries and soft robes for use during your cruise.
To ensure sweet dreams, the nightly turndown service includes a mint chocolate and a towel that's been artfully transformed into a Carnival "animal".
Here are just some examples of the spacious staterooms from which one can choose. Most staterooms have two twin beds that can be converted into a king-size bed. There are also connecting staterooms, which are ideal for families and groups of friends.
Suite and penthouse suite: These extra-large accommodations have a separate sitting area and a private balcony. Special features include a large vanity/dressing table, refrigerator, whirlpool, entertainment area and VIP check-in during embarkation.
Balcony: Sitting outdoors where you can relax, enjoy the privacy and admire the passing scenery adds immensely to the pleasure of your cruise.
Oceanview: You'll be delighted at how large Carnival's staterooms' windows are, giving you excellent views of the ocean and splendid destinations.
Interiors: These good-value accommodations include most of the generous amenities as their oceanview neighbours. Some even feature an extra pull-down, which makes them ideal for families.
Carnival Splendor gives you what you'd expect from any of the newest "fun ships" - gambling, dining, partying, lounging - with a few twists, and passengers who've sailed on the fleet's older vessels will not feel out of place. And though the changes have been seamlessly integrated into the overall "fun ship" philosophy, they show that Carnival is clearly evolving in line with recent cruise trends: refining its approach to dining by offering more options and adding a far greater emphasis to its spa. These changes may surprise some who've pigeonholed Carnival as being solely about silly fun.
A review in the Telegraph has described Carnival Splendor as being perfectly pitched for its younger market.
"This is a young person's ship - great for 40 somethings and families with kids and teens," said the newspaper's Jane Archer.
Exciting and varied itineraries
Carnival Splendor is operating 12-day Northern Europe cruises from Dover through to August 30, followed by a schedule of 12-day Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through to October 17.
The ship will then sail on a trans-Atlantic crossing departing Rome (Civitavecchia) on October 29 and arriving at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 14, positioning the vessel for a series of seven-day exotic Caribbean cruises from that port beginning on November 22. Carnival Splendor will then reposition to Long Beach, California, to launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises, continuing the line's expansion of its West Coast operations.
• Ms Grech travelled to Dover for the naming ceremony of Carnival Splendor courtesy of Arrigo Group and Air Malta.