http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk should answer all of your questions!

Tons better than this site as its cruise specific (this is good but that is better )

Oh great thanks for that !

I have sailed on Splendour many times but not in the past 5-6 years. I called her MY ship. Yes you will get a lot of info on the Cruise Critic web site.
You could get away with a dark suit and yes evening trousers and a nice top or a cocktail dress would be fine although there will be a fair no of people wearing evening dress.
The pools on this ship are pretty big. Indoor one with a retractabel roof is good for adults who want a quieter space. She has a lovely dining room the King and I. Each RCI has got a theme Enchantment is My Fair Lady etc etc.

I moved over to Celebrity and have never gone back to RCI nowadays sharing my cruising between Cunard QM2 and Celebrity.

Good luck.

Sue

Thanks Sue,
I am going to book today now! Can't wait. Was worried as hate to have trivial things like towels and loungers an issue on holiday. Still not sure what to wear on formal eve's tho- especially for my teenagers. Son has smart trousers but not a suit. Daughter has long prom dress which is beautiful and I will pale in the shade unless I buy a new/ similar dress!
thanks again
sj

Just looked at cruise critic and seen post talking of acceptable formal dress. It seems unless a proper matching suit its not classed as formal enough. I am not sure but under impression a lot of posters are american. As I gather a lot -50% -may be american on this ship, it seems they are very judgemental of 'formal' attire. I am now very worried, I wanted a relaxing cruise holiday and not feel that I was being judged. There are 2 formal nights on this cruise. Is there anywhere else to eat? Don't get me wrong I like to dress up and look smart, but not feel out of place either! I also don't want the expense of tuxes and dresses, that will rarely wear.
Has anyone any recent feedback?

I've sailed many RCCL ships- and I don't do formal nights anymore. If you want to avoid them just eat at the Windjammer cafe, buffet style casual restaurant, with lots of choices and often similar things on the menu as in the dining rooms. It is usually our first choice of place to eat. Or if you
If you want to do the formal nights- your teenagers will be fine in slacks and shirt/tie.
Suits are perfectly fine, dressy trouser suits, long skirt with dressy top, cocktail dress, whatever, if you go you will see a wide range from ball gowns/tux for those who want to really dress, to what I would wear for going out on a nice summer evening for a meal- don't let the fanatics on CC put you off, it seems a lot of people get hot under the collar about this and they have the most to say- but most people go as they feel comfortable, and that' s what you should do- I couldn't care less what someone else wears and the staff will not turn you away or comment.

Don't worry about it there a lot of "formal" snobs out there.

Smart is good enough, loads will be in normal smart clothes and you can always give the main dinning room a miss if you want or feel a bit out of place

We have the fancy gear but I don't normaly bother with the DJ if flyng so it is chinos and a shirt for me, the OH usual takes something flashy but will travel well in a stuffed suitcase, so the bug frilly numbers are out.

Thanks em and windy,
Thats really helped to put my mind at rest, kids too! I wasn't sure if other restaurant was open on formal nights.
I may do one- not sure about two!!!
Big sigh of relief!
thanks guys/girls?

Just to back that up - our first cruise i took a tux, never felt so uncomfortable ever! We were in the Red Sea and I was sweating my nuts off after about 20 mins!

Last year we went on OV and wore smart jeans or chinos with a polo shirt or short sleeved shirt. I'll be wearing those style of clothes in a couple of months on the Brilliance.

Dont forget - its only a suggested dress code. Wear what you feel comfy in but obviously no shorts n tshirts! Its not OV!

Well, finally gone and done it! Booked up for 5th July with 2 nights in venice beforehand. Really looking forward to it now. Hubby and son up for dressing up but daughter and me unsure. Will leave tiara at home tho ha ha ! May take mask from venice!
If anyone has done this intineray - venice, split, athens, mykonos and can give any tips, will be much appreciated. Will be checking boards to see what I can find.
Oh and do they provide towels for cabin and pool, forgot to ask TO.
thanks
sj

Mum and I are on Splendour the week before you. I'm diamond level with RCI (10+ cruises) and have seen all sorts of clothes worn at formal evening from long glittery dresses to ordinary dresses or pants/tops. People watching can be very interesting, but I've not seen anybody looking judgemental. Don't be put off by comments you may have read. I was really worried the first time we cruised (and DH was even worse LOL) - I thought we'd feel uncomfortable/wouldn't fit in/be looked down on - it's not like that at all . Enjoy your cruise

They provide all your towels.

Thanks Sue and Em,
Thank goodness we don't need towels, the suits and dresses will take up all my baggage allowance!
Pity not on same cruise Sue, could do with the benefit of your experience. Have just found out currency is dollars on board. Does this mean things could be cheaper or do they just put up the prices to compensate for the low exchange rate?
cheers
sj

This company as are many others and are always priced in $. Nothing to do with the exchange rate. It is to our advantage at the moment as the rate for £ is pretty good. Our £ is very weak against the E at present so it is swings and roundabouts.
I am off to Ireland next week and also on my Med. cruise in August ashore it will be much more expensive for us.

Anyhow enjoy Splendour!!

Sue

Do let us know how you went on. We are doing the same cruise in September. I can`t wait!

Hi Jax,
Just to let you know how we got on, though I have posted a review too.
The ship is lovely, The King and I restaurant very glam, but I shouldn't have worried so much. I did buy 2 ball gown dresses but only wore one and wore a cocktail dress on the other night. I felt just right in the end. One of my dresses was a little bit too cinderella like I felt, and probably more suited to Cunard! People wore all sorts. Some things suitable for pub, others quite casual. Majority were dressed in cocktail style. We felt the food portions were on the small side. We were on the late sitting which we requested but were often quite hungary by then. There are very few vegetables or salads except what is served for starters and they are small too. However eventually commented to waiter and was told could order starter of a salad to be served with main which we did as the pasta dishes come on their own. The fish and meat dishes come served with a few veg and mashed potatoes. The deserts are on small side too. Look at other tables around as they may have been served earlier and you can get an idea what to order. I would say Windjammer has a better variety and you can have as much as you want- self service. We did this one night and it was very relaxing not being asked every two minutes for something. However we did enjoy the dining and met some lovely people who we will be keeping in touch with. The main problem we felt was the movement of the ship. I didn't expect this and it was constant. We weren't sure if it was because we were covering a large distance, travelling at 21 knots mostly. We had a large outside stateroom on deck 3 and it was very spacious, just like brochure. My daughter and I had the Ladies night spa treatment at $99. It was worth every penny. They tailor it to your own particular skin need. The shops on board are as average uk prices on perfume etc. However each day they lay out items for that destination and most people felt you got better value on ship than buying in port. Overall a very good ship and would defiantely recommend. Enjoy your hol!

Regarding food portions in the dining rooms- you can ask for as many portions as you need, there is no limit there. Select several desserts if you can't decide or if they all appeal or you simply want to sample. Ask for salads too, they will make one for you pronto.
Regarding the motion- I have heard from several sources that they are not utilizing the stabilizers as much as they consume lots more fuel when those are in use. I felt the motion on Navigator in the Med this spring, and the weather was OK- I feel sure there's some truth to this.

Many thanks for your review sj. It won't appear on the site for another 10 days or so as the Admin who approves Cruises is on holiday.

luci

Hi Emdia,
Thanks for that. Wish we had known at the time! Though no one else ordered anything extra at our table and the waiters never offered, so just took what we were given!
You are probably right regarding the stabilisers. I wasn't feeling too good on day we boarded and thought it was that. But a day or two later was feeling fine and could still feel it. By this time others were commenting on it too. I hope companies realise this could affect bookings if this is the case.