When we left off on Alaskan Splendor: Embarkation I had just boarded. I got a fun ship from the waiter, dropped my backpack in the room and headed to muster station B.

It’s weird how that closet comes out. It’s a narrow walkway.

This muster is as easy as the others have been the past year. You just have to watch a crew member put a life jacket on.

I think I made it to Masala Tiger first. Nobody is going outside because it’s cool out here. 

I got a little bit of everything since I have no idea what I like.

My favorite so far would be the two balls at the top of the top plate. They’re like spicy potatoes. The chips are really good as well.

They don’t have the waiters walking around with fun ships on lido deck like they normally would on embarkation day.

I’m going to have a piece of funfetti cheese cake then I need to track down a fun ship.

Here’s a look at the other cakes.

The main pool area has a retractable roof. I think that makes this ship perfect for an Alaskan cruise. They still have the movie screen. It’s just lower so the roof can close. I do believe some  of the Spirit class ships have a retractable roof but no screen.

I was carrying that empty glass around to retain the straw for my next fun ship but someone just pushed their way past me to get into the elevator. When they did that they knocked the straw out of my glass onto the floor.

I slipped back to the room for straw reinforcements. We’ll do a quick tour while I’m here.

I headed down to the atrium bar for another fun ship.

And another.

Here is a look at the weather.

And today’s schedule of events.

There’s too much pink on this ship. I feel like I’m in a Cruising Barbie play set.

I got this shot in the casino earlier. I haven’t seen this game on other ships.

Then I was trying to figure out what this machine was. “Oh it’s a pillar.”

This is the deck outside of my room. I like it. This will be perfect for Alaska I think. 

That’s my room behind me.

That’s the crew area down there. I’m currently reading the Cruise Confidential book which is about an American who gets a job as a waiter with Carnival. It’s set about 20 years ago. Assuming what I’ve read in that is accurate, I would expect the crew bar to be just inside from that area down there.

She says the trivia winner gets a plastic piece of ship.

I was looking for the Red Frog Pub and I just found it. This location is unique to this ship. They just converted it to a Red Frog Pub in 2019. Normally the Pub would be on the promenade deck for ships that have it.

What they have done here is put it in the lounge on deck 4 across from the aft dining room. I’m entering from the other side which is the stairs that come down from the middle of the promenade deck. 

It’s a big one. I like it. They could do this with the lounge in this area on Conquest class ships as well if they wanted.

I wanted a bloody mary to balance out the sweetness from all of the fun ships I’ve been drinking. I figured they probably wouldn’t have the really good bloody marys they have at the Pig & Anchor. They don’t but it was worth a shot.

Something I don’t think I’ve heard on a Carnival ship before “Hey there’s an art gallery right over there!” There is an art gallery just down the hallway.

The Alchemy doesn’t even open for 40 minutes. How is it packed already?

Here’s a look at the sports bar. If you want to watch sports, this is where you have to do it.

This is the night club.

The night club has direct access to the arcade? This had to originally be planned to be the teen club. That makes no sense whatsoever.

That must have been a Facebook get together at the Alchemy earlier because everyone is gone now.

Most of this ship feels like a Conquest class ship. But this part feels like a Dream class ship. This is the Dream class comedy club which is my favorite comedy club setup. It has the semi-circle bar to the left and the stage straight ahead.

Right between the Alchemy and the comedy club is the piano bar.

I tried to eat a Guy’s burger but I couldn’t. It’s the worst I’ve had on a ship. The bottom of the bun is soggy. The fries aren’t the normal Guy’s fries.

They don’t have the usual amount of toppings either.

On this ship they made the aft pool area the adults only Serenity deck. 

They have a two-sided bar up here. This is the regular side.

And this is the Serenity side.

There are only three bar spots on the Serenity side. The bartenders are on the other side most of the time. I’m here because we are sailing away soon.

West Point lighthouse from the Temple of the Dog Hunger Strike video.

 I knew by staying up on lido deck to watch the sail away I would be missing out on the alchemy bar opening and potentially a coveted seat at the bar. As I approached the bar my prospects seemed bleak.

But at the end of the bar was a free seat. A solo seat. At the end of the line alone. It was like we were meant to be together.

FJ from the Philly made these.

Yuliya made this coffee chocolate flavored drink. Its really good but she’s going to need a few more like this to pass Jenniel for Saint Greg’s alchemist of the year.

The funny thing is this couple next to me was just telling FJ how great this other alchemist was. It turns out the alchemist they were talking about is Saint Greg’s 2021 alchemist of the year, Raunak.

I had to leave to make it to my steakhouse reservation.

I’m at the comedy show now but it’s difficult to enjoy with my luggage situation. I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to handle Alaska with a t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and a gift shop voucher.

They gave me a laundry voucher to wash the clothes I’m wearing but what am I supposed to wear while those are being washed? That’s not a two hour deal. That’s a get it back the next day hopefully by noon deal.

During the 15 minute break between shows, I thought I would go by the room to see if my luggage is there yet. Thankfully it’s here!

I stopped by guest services to let them know my bags turned up and to return the vouchers they gave me.

Now I’m off to the Welcome aboard show.

This is the cruise director, Andy. He was the comedy club host when I was on Mardi Gras last year.

There is plenty of space available at the 10:45 comedy show.

There are a dozen barstools and I’m the only one here.

A couple at alchemy bar earlier said they’ve never been to comedy because there’s always a line. The secret is there are usually seats available after the people in line get seats. I’m not making any promises on Mardi Gras because that club is so small and the ship is so big.

I have reached the daily limit for the Cheers program.

This is a party ship at 11:30pm!

One of the comedians was in the elevator with me. I can’t judge them tonight. I wasn’t focused in either show. It’s like the luggage thing stole a night from me.

One good thing about this setup is if you have an extra long cord that phone charger may reach the night stand, I may leave my big suitcase there all week just so I can charge my phone there at night.

Good night! Tomorrow is a sea day.

 

 

 

 

 

• Splendor