Carnival Legend December 19th Review with Pics

[Ruggled]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I enjoyed writing it today as I was doing my best to avoid work. :p

 

Great review Debbie! We will be on board the Legend in four short weeks. Thanks for the tip on the Belize tenders. We have an independent tour booked for a 9:30 am start - that info will be very helpful making sure our group is on time!

 

Is that 9:30 ships time or Belize time? Belize is an hour behind ships time...if you are in Belize as early as we were (tenders started running around 8AM ship's time which would have been 7AM Belize time) either way, I think your 9:30AM excursion, assuming it is meeting at the dock will be easy to get to without too much craziness--the mad rush to get off will likely be mostly over by then. Belize is so much more difficult because there are Carnival excursions going straight to their excursion from the ship on one side, and tenders going to shore on the other which gets more confusing first thing with all the Carnival tours taking priority.

 

Instructions from Nacho were to make sure to get one of the first tenders off the ship in order to avoid crowds in the caves. Your 9:30AM start won't be nearly as rushed.

 

 

Oh--I forgot...for you smugglers out there. ;) We carried on two bottles of wine. I had a bottle of wine from the casino in our room. That one was a screw top so made for a nice glass to carry with me to dinner. I had both bottles of wine we carried with dinner--saw the $10 corkage fee once. DH doesn't drink wine so I had a glass or two each night and they kept the bottle for me. I also prepaid for 8 drink coupons which cut down on the cost of my foo foo drinks by the pool.

 

I also packed a full plastic bottle of Crown Royal (the pint sized bottle) in the original bottle as well as two small rum runner flasks full of vodka in my toiletries bag and a large rumrunner flask of Malibu rum. They all made it through both the airport and the cruiseline security without any problems. The rum and vodka also made it back as I didn't really drink much of it--not enough sea days! DH did, however, finish most of the Crown. The small flasks came in handy as they are easy to carry in your pocket. (And we still had a pretty decent sized bar bill).

[moviejunki]

Thanks for the review! We are on the Legend in 10 days and you just added to our excitement... Great pic's!:)

[Halftocruz]

Thanks Debbie for the review and the great pictures. I looked on my PC and could see all the pictures. It looks like you had a great time. We are looking into that same cruise and your review really helped seal the deal!!!:)

 

Kellie

[mizLORInj]

Thanks for posting. Brought back memories of our Legend sailing last month and 7298 was one of the 3 cabins our family had. Loved it.

We also stayed at the Marriott; I specifically asked for a room that had a view of the port which we enjoyed Sunday morning as the ship docked.

Cool to see the 4 Carnival whale tails in the GC photo!

ahhhhhhhhh to be back on the ship.

[travlngrl1996]

I loved your review and pictures. We will be in Cozumel in a few days and I am interested in hearing more about Mr. Sanchos.

 

1. How do you get there from the ship?

2. What's included in the $35 all inclusive price?

 

Any other tips or information would be appreciated, this place sounds fun.

[sjcruiser]

Great review and pics, thanks for posting.

[explodr]

Thanks for your review and pics. we are on her in march cant wait.

[Ruggled]

I loved your review and pictures. We will be in Cozumel in a few days and I am interested in hearing more about Mr. Sanchos.

 

1. How do you get there from the ship?

2. What's included in the $35 all inclusive price?

 

Any other tips or information would be appreciated, this place sounds fun.

 

Mr. Sanchos is great. Its about 10 minutes from the port by Taxi. It costs $15 for 1-4 people in a taxi. There are plenty to pick you up and take you back to port too. Just ask to be taken to Mr. Sanchos----they all know.

 

The $35 is actually the under-18 price because there is no alcohol. The adult price is $50 (I actually got it for $45 by reserving through Cozumel Watersports and putting down a $5 deposit. I reserved in advance because I knew there would be a lot of ships in port and I wanted my chairs.

 

Mr. Sanchos does have its own website as well so you can google and check it out--I think the menu is there. Its literally all inclusive, only the lobster is an additional charge. We ate steak tacos, chicken and steak fajitas, quesadillas, chips and salsa, and then DS topped it all off with a hamburger and fries. They had the freshest quacamole-it was fantastic. There was ice cream for dessert if you wanted it. They have about every kind of mixed drink imaginable-margaritas are great..I had peach and mango as well as the Coco Loco and the Pai Hais--my personal favorite. DH had a margarita and then stuck with Sol beer--they have no domestics but all the usual Mexican beers (Tecata, Dosequis, etc.) He's a light beer drinker so Sol was perfect for him. It also included snorkel gear and free use of sea kayaks. The inflatable toy area was $12 extra. An umbrella cost $10.

 

I hate I missed the new "all inclusive" area...the pictures look really cool. You can go "a la carte" and just pay as you go, but for us it was just easier. You are also steps from ATVs, horseback and camel rides (yes, they have camels!) a massage area (not much cheaper than the ship) and about any water sport you can imagine from jet skis to parasailing.

 

They also have a small gift shop area. Their bar area is really cool too, covered with lots of chairs--they have swings--not that swings are a good idea in a bar sometimes LOL. They have changing rooms and rest rooms as well as a small freshwater infinity pool (new pool in the new all inclusive area).

[Heirloom]

Great review.......thanks for sharing !

[beachgirl75]

Heyyyy....we want to do this and it sounds like you had a good company....do you know the name of it? Thanks!!!!

[Ruggled]

Heyyyy....we want to do this and it sounds like you had a good company....do you know the name of it? Thanks!!!!

 

Do you mean Cozumel-Mr Sanchos or NCQ Tours in Belize?

 

Mr. Sanchos has a website, but we prebooked through Cozumel Watersports (easy google search).

 

NCQ Adventure Tours also has a website. Nacho and Cynthia are wonderful and I am a HUGE fan of paying a little extra for a more intimate tour. It was so very much worth it!

[ncbeachteacher]

Debbie, Wonderful job with the review! Sorry we didn't seem to meet up at the meet and greet! We also enjoyed our cruise!

 

I have two (okay, three!) comments: for those of you going to Belize.... make sure you understand the tender situation. It is not easy and you need to be there far ahead of when you think you need to be there! Many folks don't and get highly frustrated and angry. An awful way to start the day of such a great port!

 

Secondly, I just was highly disappointed with Wee Jimmy! The ONLY time we SAW the man was during the Belize tender wait (after you left, I think!) and I was NOT impressed. He and some lady were in the midst of a major confrontation (argument) and he was a real ass to her. She clearly was uninformed (her responsibility) but he was so unprofessional and vicious, I was disgusted! (and I was in the front row hearing his "side, snide comments....which he was directing to us as he couldn't say them aloud to everyone in the room ... what he said to everyone with the mike was out of line enough!) Funny or not, he was a real jerk to a clearly angry and upset passenger who didn't understand the special situation at Belize!

 

Lastly, we too, missed Ken as the maitre' d! but knew he was on his break. The new guy we also saw only once! Certainly had no charisma and no charm! (Ken sings, Joseph speaks volumes...) this guy, was bland. Even the servers are miserable! They cannot even dance on the tables!

 

We loved the steakhouse (the Golden Fleece) and recommend that as well! We still love the Legend, but I for one, will be happy when Jen comes back! She rocks compared to Wee Jimmy!

[Ruggled]

Sorry we missed you guys too. I've been on a ship with Wee Jimmy before and for and I enjoyed him much more last time. Maybe it was just an off week, but he did seem awfully grumpy and he pretty much was non-existent--as I said I only really saw him once in the disco, the Welcome Aboard show, at the end of the Big Easy show, and during the "tension filled tender" interactions.

[Froufie]

Great review - and that aft wrap cabin looks AMAZING!

 

Wondering how long the cave tubing tour was in Belize? What time did you meet up? And what time were you back at the port in line for the tenders back? (this from someone who almost missed the ship on one of my independent tours in Belize!)

 

Also for Mr. Sanchos - is he building a new pool? I remember seeing a very small pool there last time I checked it out - looked very tiny? Or is he somehow 'renovating' this pool for the 'all inclusive' option?

 

Did you attend the farewell party? (last night/free drinks?) If so how was it?

[Ruggled]

Thanks! The aft wrap suite is the way to go for sure (especially for our family of 3) but the kicker is that separate bedroom--another reason to love the Spirit Class ships.

 

The tour with NCQ started as soon as we were able to get off the ship which was probably closer to 8:30 ships time. We were back before 2:30--maybe closer to 2:00. Nacho is very particular about getting an early start to get you back in plenty of time.

 

And yes, Mr. Sanchos is building a new pool. If you have ever been there...as you come in the bar is to the left (and the very small infinity pool he has now is past the bar closer to the lockers and bathrooms.) The new all-inclusive area is to the right. It was surrounded by high wood "under construction" signs but the pictures were on the walls of the surround--looked like a decent size pool, not large by any means but much better than that teeny infinity pool--I'd guess probably at least 4 times the size, with a swim up bar, plus stools and tables in the pool and lounge area around the bar. I hate we missed seeing it by only a week or so.

 

We didn't attend the farewell party. I always forget about it and they "hide" it in the Fun Times. I was probably napping on the balcony. :p We did go to the Past Guest party--and I have to correct myself, Wee Jimmy was there too--and actually pretty funny as he "ad libbed" over the Carnival movie they show at those things because the sound wasn't working.

[phatsneaks]

Great review thanks Wee Jimmy is funny and enjoyed him on Glory cruise, I was wondering what camera was used for the underwater pics

[Megan_Strick]

So about 6 months ago I got a promotion and work and decided to upgrade the three of us to an aft wrap suite. DS is 15 and a big kid--he also talks in his sleep--full conversations--needless to say, the only way I would upgrade to a suite is if there was a separate bedroom...otherwise it is just not worth it.

 

In a word, the aft wrap is worth it. Cabin 7298

 

Entry Hallway

 

 

View into Sitting Room

 

Bedroom

 

 

Couch converted to a bed (still small for a six footer)

 

 

Balcony--need I say more???

 

 

 

I typically don't spend time on a "normal" balcony, but the aft wrap was awesome. DH and I both napped out there several times, I did some sunbathing on a busy sea day, and the as many have noted, there is something about that soothing wake that must have healing powers! The suite has 7 windows--I could lie in bed and watch the wake behind the boat which was fantastic. Needless to say, DH was OK with the room choice since he had that balcony posted on Facebook before we left port.

 

Our cabin stewards were usually efficient and very nice. They knew us all by name by the first night. I've had more "over and above" service on other ships but the service was quite fine. Once they cleaned the room while we were napping on the balcony.

 

 

When I grow up I want a balcony just like that one ;)

[Ruggled]

Great review thanks Wee Jimmy is funny and enjoyed him on Glory cruise, I was wondering what camera was used for the underwater pics

 

It us a Pentax. Many of the pics that were not underwater were taken with it too. All the pics I posted in Belize and Cozumel were the Pentax.

[crusing48/51]

Great review! Thank you for posting. We have to wait until October, so it helps to read others adventures. Also, wanted to say Hi to fellow North Carolinians. We live near Charlotte, a long way away from where you live though!

[happy40th]

OK..on to Belize..and another early morning wake up call (yes 7:00 is early on my vacation). The Fun Times said anyone wanting an early tender needed to be in the theater no earlier than 7:45. We showed up at about 7:35 and there were lots of people waiting for independent tours along with the Carnival tours. The kicker in Belize is that Carnival tours either take a tender to the shore for their cruise...or their tour starts right off the ship. For this reason they control who goes on the tender first thing in the morning by managing tender access through the theater.

 

If you are on an early independent tour and you need to get off on one of the first few tenders, you need to be in that theater...you also want to go as far forward as you can in the theater. They call the rows from front to back...when they say "move as far forward as you can"...there is a benefit to listening to them. They will fill the "shore" tenders with people going on independent excursions as they send off the Carnival excursions which get priority.

 

We were on the second tender to the shore and our tour guide for cave tubing was waiting for us where he promised. Nacho and his son-in-law Brian took us out to the caves. Nacho filled the hour drive to the caves with interesting and occasionally brutally honest information about Belize. Once at the river Nacho hooked us up with our guides Avery and Carlos. These guys were amazing. A good guide will make or break your tour experience in Belize. We got our equipment (the large orange tubes, not the small black "butt dragger" tubes that the Carnival excursion used. We also had vest style life jackets (Carnival excursion had the orange ones you put around your neck that looked like they came from the tender) and we had a helmet with a headlamp as opposed to a headlamp strapped to our heads. The helmet is NOT for falling rocks...its for bat guano. ;)

 

The walk to the river takes about 30 minutes. There are a few sets of steps up and down as you go in and out of a dry cave area. Otherwise, the trail pretty much looks like this:

 

 

Carlos was full of information about plants, history, and nature. We went into a "male" cave...I won't post the picture proving we know why its a "male" cave...but here are pictures of the insect bats living in the cave...they are the little black things in the ceiling. Remember, don't look up with your mouth open.

 

 

Once at the river, Carlos reminded us that this would be a 101% WET tour. He invited any of us to jump off the rocks at the mouth of the cave to get it over with.

 

 

What the heck, how often do you get the chance to jump off rocks ancient Mayans may have stood on into clear cave water in Belize..no matter how "refreshing" it might be. Here's a picture of us dry for the last time for the next hour or so...

 

My brain isn't processing well this am. If my confirmation for Belize (indep tour) says 8:30 is that 9:30 ship time?

[Ruggled]

My brain isn't processing well this am. If my confirmation for Belize (indep tour) says 8:30 is that 9:30 ship time?

 

Yes. Belize is an hour benind ships time. I would confirm with your tour operator to be safe.

[Ruggled]

Great review! Thank you for posting. We have to wait until October, so it helps to read others adventures. Also, wanted to say Hi to fellow North Carolinians. We live near Charlotte, a long way away from where you live though!

 

Thanks! Charlotte is only 3 hours away. Much closer than that drive home from Tampa!

[bubba1502]

Debbie...great review!! I love your water shoes that you were wearing while cave tubing in Belize....could you please tell me who makes them, and where you got them? Thanks so much

 

Molly

[Ruggled]

Debbie...great review!! I love your water shoes that you were wearing while cave tubing in Belize....could you please tell me who makes them, and where you got them? Thanks so much

 

Molly

 

Thanks Molly! :) They are Propet Voyagers--very light and you can walk in them too. I bought them last year, I think on the DSW website but they don't have them anymore--but it looks like other stores may carry them--looks like you can get them for about $30 on Amazon.

 

They are great for things like the cave tubing and white water rafting--comfortable enough to walk in and dry super quick (removable liner too).

[AmandaKaye79]

Debating Freedom of the Seas or Legend for a WESTERN caribbean cruise in July. What were some of the main differences in the two? Which would you choose if you were going on another cruise?