lseee

We just got off the Anthem on October 30th from the transatlantic itinerary. We have been on the Anthem a few times before as well. Our experience with food was generally good. The staff in eating areas was very helpful and courteous. The quality of the food was good in both the Windjammer and Main Dining Room. The negative to mention is the new menu in the Main Dining Room. There were typically 5 entrees to pick from. If you are meat eaters, you may consider it ok. However, if you are looking for a variety of fish options, you may be very disappointed. Salmon was featured 9 out of 15 nights on our cruise. Shrimp dishes were offered a few times. Chicken breast was one entree every single night. Spaghetti bolognese was prominent many nights as well. We were told by the Maitre'D that they had been getting considerable negative feedback on the new menu. He expected that Royal will have to be making some changes. We did notice that the main dining room was often only 1/2 filled during prime time (my time dining option at 7 pm). Another disappointment was how the Solarium Bistro was handled. In the past, there was a menu presented and your entre was cooked to order. You went up to the buffet to get your appetizers and dessert. Now they put all the menu entree items precooked on a small pate plate, not cooked to order. The only items that you can order is the specialty steak option. If we are going to get up from the table and go to the limited buffet in Solarium Bistro, we decided to opt for the Windjammer instead. We had a back to back booked after this cruise in January 2024, but we have changed the second leg of the back to back to the Caribbean, since we did not want salmon so many days in a row. A few other minor changes of note were no-sugar added lemon cookies were not offered anymore. Also the favorite dessert of apple blossom was not to be found for dinner in the main dining room. Many nights we went to the Windjammer that offered a wider variety of entree each night. We were very pleased with the Windjammer. They offered pan fried fish many night, based on a few different types of fish. Notwithstanding my comments above, we were generally pleased with our cruise. However, if they do not adjust the menu in the main dining room, the number of complaints will continue to come in.

We were on the Legend in November, but not for Thanksgiving. The portions in the MDR have gotten smaller. One night we left hungry. They no longer put a bread basket on the table, but offer you one roll. Not surprised to see the pics of the Thanksgiving dinner.

There. is no pasta bar.

We were on the Legend in November. Yes, the pools were open on port days. However, none of the hot tubs worked.

We just returned from a cruise on the Carnival Legend (Nov 13-20, 2022). We have taken more than 25 Carnival cruises. I will list the good and not-so-good. If you do not have time to read, the bottom line is that there have so many cost cutting measures, that it adds up to a negative cruise experience. The Good: 1. Half Moon Cay was wonderful and one of the best beaches to go to 2. Housekeeping staff was hard working and very friendly, even though Carnival has raised the number of rooms that each steward must take care of. 3. the violin players in the main lobby and piano player were very good 4. the deli on deck 9 was good The Not-So-Good 1. no hot tubs had aeration and the temperature was only lukewarm at best 2. our balcony room had no heat so when we were close to Baltimore at the beginning and end, we were freezing 3. the television had no channels to watch 4. main shows were reduced from 8 group singers to 6 group singers with no real featured professional singer. It's like a high school group singing event. Live music was taken away a few years back. The backdrop for the main shows were mostly blank background with a light display projected on it. 5. In the main dining room, there was no one going around taking cocktail orders. 6. In the main dining room, the waiter required you to decide on dessert with your main order. 7. In the main dining room, no waiter came around to ask if the food was ok or to offer you freshly cracked pepper. 8. In the main dining room, some main entrees were miniscule like the shrimp accompanied by a teaspoon of diced potatoes and a teaspoon of diced cauliflower. We left the main dining room and headed up the Lido. 9. No room service on debarkation day to get a coffee before leaving. 10. Could not call up room service menu on QR code. 11. Late night Mexican buffet was gone. 12. Bar staff on Lido only came around with drinks in expensive plastic containers. So, when I ordered two drinks on the first day, it cost us $60. To get a drink without a $15 plastic cup, you have to get up and get it yourself. 13. For platinum guests (we are), the welcome back party had no hors d'oeuvres. In conclusion, we remember when taking a Carnival cruise was a special experience. Either the Legend management or the upper Carnival management, has dictated so many cost cutbacks, that a Carnival cruise is no longer a special experience.