Tutontow

One cruise I lost over $15k gambling and the next cruise they gave me $75 in casino cash LOL. What I was playing a hand in blackjack when the casino was open FOR A WEEK!!! was half of a cruise for one person and my recognition was $75 and not even the free cruise offer. I guess I will never understand it the philosophy behind it :)

This reminds me of one cruise I was on before they offered the "drinks on us" program. I was in the casino every time it was opened. I got to know another Blackjack player and he was always in there also. He played two hands at $200.00 a hand. After the third day he asked the pit boss for a comped scotch on the rocks. You wouldn't believe the gyrations he had to go through for that drink. Finally the player said just forget it. Eventually the pit boss did get him his drink but it was like pulling teeth. This was a while back and cruises and fuel were cheaper. I turned to the pit boss and said his two bets are more than I paid for my entire cruise, are you guys penny wise and dollar foolish or what?

I been to Council Oak and the others-they do not compare-Pull yourself away from the casino...I know...It was hard for me too! as I clung to my roulette table!!!! It is well worth it! Trust me. Lobster Bisque...amazing! So is everything else...Enjoy!

Okay, you sold me!!!

No it doesn't reach the level of any high end steak place. The main's are of good quality but the sides are inferior.

The desserts are OK but dated . They are like something from the 80's.

The ambiance is nice ,especially on Spirit class ships, but the professionalism of a better restaurant is missing.

As an example I asked for Djon mustard. The first staffer looked at me quizzically and the second said they didn't have it.

I explained what it was. Still nothing. When the manager stopped by to see how our meal was I asked about the mustard.

"Of course we have it. We are a steak restaurant" he proclaimed.:eek:. Again the staff are very nice, just not all that well trained.

 

As has already been said, you are only paying $35 for the whole meal and wine in a fine steak place will cost much more.

Let's say it is really $50.00 to eat in the Steakhouse, $35.00 plus what you already spent in your cruise fare for the MDR. That is still somewhat of a bargain considering the cost to eat in the restaurants I mentioned above. I ate at Council Oak in Tampa on 4/15/2014. It was incredible but even then there were hic cups. Things like 2 dozen oysters brought to the table but only one dozen crackers. The water glass was spilled. None of that ruined a great meal but it was not perfect.

Let me say our two meals consisted of 2 dozen oysters, a bone in ribeye, chopped salad, lobster bisque and bolognese ran $150.00 before tip. A nice bottle of cab was $45.00. So the Legend's Steakhouse still looks like something I might try if I can pull myself away from the casino :>)

I've never heard of those. It's comparable in quality to any upscale steakhouse like Morton's or Ruths Chris.

Bern's is a Tampa institution that has been around since the mid 1950's. His steaks are legendary and they grow all of their own vegetables. The French onion soup is to die for and the Caesar salad is made tableside. It is an event unto itself.

Council Oak is the Steakhouse at "The Hard Rock" here in Tampa. It is the best steak I have ever had. They age their meat 3 to 4 weeks in a room full of Himalayan sea salt. It breaks down the enzymes and enriches the flavor. Mmm Mmmm good.

SW is Steve Wynn's signature Steakhouse in Las Vegas, it is another A+ experience.

The only reason I ask how it compares is because I love steak and I haven't heard a lot of good when it comes to steak in the Legend's MDR.

A few of our friends went and said it was delicious and they couldn't eat it all.

 

We went there for wine tastings and food demos and the food was delicious but as someone who isn't big on steak and I have never heard of those restaurants (Do not have them in the UK) I cannot compare.

Thanks so much for the response.

And about the ridiculous property taxes, homeowners insurance, stress inducing traffic, overpopulation, less-than-friendly people, crime rate, and shady business practices.

 

We lived in Miami for a few years. About the only thing that we enjoyed while we lived there was exactly being close to the port. IMHO, not enough reason to live there. Maybe somewhere else in Florida, but definitely not in Miami.

 

 

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May I add a governor that took the fifth 75 times when talking about his company and Medicare fraud. The Medicare fraud that cost his former company, Columbia/HCA $1.7 billion in fines . How about hurricanes and mosquitos. Just for good measure an interstate system that is always under construction.

I have no intention of moving but Florida does have its' share of problem and it seems like we are always in the news for the stupidest things.

The Steakhouse on the Legend how does it compare to some of the other fine steakhouses in the U.S. such as Berns, Council Oak, SW etc.?

Thanks in advance.

We'll be sailing with you! For my dad's birthday on our last cruise, my mom made a big poster with tons of pictures of him throughout the years. He got a huge kick out of it.

 

This time I'm sailing with a friend, but my parents are our neighbors, so we'll board early and decorate their door as a surprise.

If you see a Jay Leno look alike playing Blackjack that would be me, otherwise look at cabin door 6259 and see how she decorated.

Nice! Happy birthday, enjoy your cruise!!!

Thanks. We are decorating our door for the first time. This ought to be a hoot. It is a surprise for me so I don't know exactly what it will be but I suspect an over the hill birthday theme with gambling and cruising incorporated somehow.

I hope my OP didn't sound like bragging it is just that I am so pumped up about this trip.

Thanks again.

Celebrate my birthday this week and sail on the Legend two weeks from today. It is a Premier cruise with a $600.00 in casino cash for me and another $400.00 for my DW.

I hate to see the Legend leave Tampa. I live 30 minutes from the port and a good friend of mine lives within walking distance from the ship so we always have a pre cruise send off at his condo.

Ever buy a cocktail in Las Vegas???:eek:

Even the FREE ones cost you, unless your winning!!!:cool:

I have had many $100.00 Bud Lites while sitting at the Blackjack table.

Paid $1 for a lime at Krogers in Cincinnati the other day.:eek: Nice size and nice quality, can't drink a G&T without a lime! Lemons just don't cut it. Guess I'll bring a couple with me in June, or maybe a small bottle of lime juice.:p

Totally agree with you. Think about it you could most likely make 15 - 20 gin and tonics with a nice size lime. Some things need to have lime in order to make it work. So Carnival needs to add 5 or 10 cents to the cost of a drink. I really don't think anyone would care.

I will be ordering a bottle of Bombay from Bon Voyage and yes I will be bringing limes onboard with me. If for some reason those limes are confiscated that $80.00 bottle will be going back for a refund.

What gets me is when you read the comments all of the people bashing cruising. They make it sound like you are cruising in a giant petri dish. My experience is Carnival keeps their ships darn clean and makes every effort to limit germs.

According to Cruisin Me there are over 300,000 people cruising at any given time. 80 people sick is most likely less than the average of any high school in the country yet this is big time headlines and people are going crazy in the CNN comment section. Oh well I will get off my soapbox but it does aggravate me.

2 for 80 cents? Wow. I was just in my local Publix here in southeastern Florida, and limes are 79 cents EACH. Last week, Publix had them for 89 cents EACH! I guess it depends on where you are.

I used to do a lot of contract work for Publix and IMHO they are the best but also the most expensive big grocery store. Case in point Costco onions 79 cents a pound. The same onion at Publix $1.80 a pound. Now in all fairness I could open up an onion ring stand at the fair with the 10 pound bag I bought :>)

I just left a local grocery store in Tampa. They had plenty of limes at 2 for 80 cents. I never really check the price as my wife does most of the shopping but I will say at 40 cents a lime if it raised the price of my Sapphire and tonic 10 cents I don't think it would break me.

I am glad you had a great cruise. We will be on her in three weeks. Do you know what time the casino opened the first night?

If there is any way you can post the Funtimes it would be appreciated by many here. We can't seem to get them post dry dock.

That is a quite a sweeping statement.

 

I have known many who disagree with that fact. If theres money accompanying it whats the problem?

 

I personally think it is more demeaning to think cash means everything and thats the only thing that will keep your cabin steward happy. Throwing money at people like they are machines is just a little off and don't get me started on the bribers.

 

Money is good....chocs and money is even better right?

 

JMO.

Mmmmmmm Godiva

I didn't have a problem with the wait, and I am glad it passed with flying colors.

 

 

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Okay, now enjoy your cruise. I will be on The Legend in three weeks for a birthday cruise.

Have fun and eat at drink way too much like I will.

I used to work closely with the Coast Guard here in Tampa and I can tell you they are high and tight. Although it is an inconvenience I would feel good knowing the ship just passed a coast guard inspection. They are a good bunch who puts passenger safety front and center.

Great way to spend a full day at sea...sleep in..enjoy brunch..find a nice quiet spot on the ship for a leisure afternoon of doing nothing

May I add and then head to the casino :>)

Okay one quick story on the subject. We take a short, two night trip with some relatives. Late in the trip we go out to breakfast and they don't have money to cover their check. Anyway he goes looking for an ATM. He has no luck. My wife who is very financially savvy (accountant, CFO) starts in about why you should never travel without a credit card.

They get defensive and say if we can't pay cash we don't buy it. My wife pressed on and it get uncomfortable. Finally the truth comes out. They got into trouble using credit cards and then never paid and ruined their credit so now they can't get credit cards.

I often wondered when said relative came to visit she always had a wad of cash and never used a card for anything...now I know.

So yes for some people cash is definitely the way to go.

I use credit cards for every purchase that I make. Then I pay off the cards at the end of the month. I gain points and nobody has access to my bank account. Hold charges are then a non issue.

 

(This isn't just for cruises, I do it all year long.)

 

 

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Exactly, I do the same. Last year I paid Amex zero interest, yet I received a $700.00 rebate check from them.

If you have the willpower to pay it off there are so many plusses to using a credit card IMHO it is the only way to fly, of course different strokes.

I have read the same thing. I can't find any newer reviews but I did see where one couple had that room in 2010 and the noise was so bad they had 15% of their fare refunded.

I like to play it safe and have cabins above and below me, just my preference.

They do have single deck blackjack and sometimes "Face up 21" where it is NOT 3-2... but like the other have said.. the standard "blackjack" table are all 3-2. And if you feel like you are being ripped off at 6-5, it's because you are.

Amen, we need to boycott all 6-5 BJ. As long as people keep playing it the casinos will keep offering it. They have watered the game down so much in the 25 years I have been playing it is disgusting. We all need to say enough is enough.