Review: Wedding Cruise on the Carnival Legend 5/22. Long w/ Lots of Photos!

[Dave0311]

The rest of the day was pretty quiet and relaxing. Most of the day we just lounged in Serenity. For lunch I ordered a calzone from the pizza place. This was the first time I had ordered one of these. I have to say, it was very good. But I wish they offered a plain calzone. The only type they offer (at least on this cruise) was a calzone with pepperoni and sausage. I like pepperoni and sausage, but I wasn’t really in the mood for it that day, so a plain calzone with just cheese and sauce would’ve been nice. Oh well, it was still good.

After lunch I strolled through the casino and spotted my grandmother at the three card poker table. We both love three card poker. (Well she loves just about any casino game!) I sat down and put down $50. It was the quickest $50 I had ever spent at poker. The entire cruise I had bad luck in the casino. I guess the Carnival casino gods were getting revenge for my winnings on our Glory cruise last year! After a couple days I gave up playing anything at the casino. You know, when you lose just about every hand, it’s just not fun. I think the entire week I won two hands, both of which were pairs. Talk about frustrating!

After my beating at the casino, I headed back up on deck. I watched the hairy chest competition, which is always amusing.

Back inside, my grandmother entered the mini-bowling contest. She enjoys bowling in real life as a member of about 3 leagues.

Look at that form!

The result:

That actually wasn’t the result. She didn’t knock down any pins, but the host felt bad for her and knocked a few down for her. After two rounds, she had a score of 7 – all of which were pins the host knocked down for her in round 1! She had fun though, which is all that matters.

Next: cruise elegant night.

[Dave0311]

Tonight was the first formal night of the cruise. We met a bit early to get some family portraits taken. We were amused at all the directions the photographers gave us. Head down, chin up, lean in, foot forward… Our laughter produced some amusing photos.

I noticed that the photographers were much less “pushy” this cruise. I remember you used to walk down the promenade and every photographer would ask you if you wanted a picture taken, and if you said no they’d ask if you were sure. This cruise, the photographers were much more passive, and only a couple actually asked if we wanted pictures. It also seemed to me that there were a lot of less people getting pictures taken. I remember in past cruises seeing long lines all throughout the photo stations. This year the lines were much shorter: usually only a few people deep. There were also a lot of empty photo stations as well with no lines.

I should mention here that none of these comments apply to the port-side photographers. When we got off the ship at Cozumel, after the gangway picture, there must’ve been three or four other places to get you picture taken. It used to be the gangway picture and a picture with some sort of character. Now there were three character pictures. These photographers were much more “pushy” too. I can’t say I’m a fan of all these photo ops.

Okay, back to formal night. Here’s another backwards moment. The past couple of years we have scaled back on our formal attire. To my chagrin, I’d only wear a button down shirt and nice pants or something like that. This cruise we went back to dressing up more though. Well at least some of us dressed up. I enjoy dressing up for formal night, so I brought my suit. Jess and Jason of course dressed up:

A lot of our friends got dressed up as well:

All the girls:

I forget what song was being played, but Jess & Jason decided to dance during dinner:

[Dave0311]

After dinner we headed to the bar right outside the dining room for a couple drinks.

Needless to say, the bar manager was very pleased when we all showed up to buy some drinks!

Then it was off to karaoke, where a couple of our friends performed for everyone.

We thought karaoke would be going on all night, but it actually ended around 11 or 12. So some of headed to the casino. At this point I hadn’t yet given up on the casino so I played a little. I’m sure you can guess how it turned out for me… :(

Headed back to the room after a fun-filled night, I found this guy waiting for us:

Time to get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow’s the big wedding day‼

Up next: Cozumel and the wedding!

[Froufie]

The host said that Carnival does a new “upgrade” program with contest winners. If you win 3 medallions during the cruise, you can trade them in for a ship on a stick. Win 3 ships on a stick, and you can trade them in for a bottle of champagne. Personally, I’d much rather win a ship on a stick than try to get to the bottle of champagne, but that’s just me

 

Upgrade program? Upgrade? Are they INSANE!! I don't like this one bit!! My goal on each ship is to win a ship on a stick (and yes I have a collection in my office :D:D) and the pressure is on til I get one - this is not good! Seems I now have to win THREE TIMES instead of once to get my coveted trophy? Tell me is isn't so (are they running out of the genuine gold plated plastic ship on a stick trophies?)

 

 

P.S. I am pretty sure if you asked they would have 'customized' your calzone for you with whatever filling/s you liked!

[wantavacay]

Great TR. We're sailing in July on the Legend. Can't wait!!

[magic&buddy]

I am loving your review - and the pictures of everything are great! Keep it coming. :)

[chasinraynbowz]

Love you review and the pictures.... INCLUDING the ones from the hotel!!! I appreciate when folks add pics of their hotels. That way, I know what I am getting if I book the same hotel.

 

I just can't get over how rude people can be!

[rusticfurnituremaker]

Ignore DonaldSC. You started this thread and are free to post whatever you like and whatever you think others might have an interest in. He is certainly free to post whatever he wants, but I personally would prefer he find a way to express himself without insulting you. Most of us are able to scan through the replys and read whatever we find of interest. Your hotel photos didn't interest me, I skipped to the next post, and loved other photos, comments, etc. So easy to do without resorting to the kinds of posts that make members leave these boards.

 

Please keep the photos and comments coming. I can't get enough Legend info as I wait to sail on 7/10. I appreciate your time and am thrilled to read your posts.

 

Amy

[Crusin Karen]

We cruise exclusively from Manhattan now. We live 20 minutes from doorstep to gangway! ;) Would love to be able to fly to FL or wherever to cruise in the winter, but with the economy we are lucky to not have to pay air/hotel, etc now. So I enjoy reading reviews that include pre or post cruise stays and pictures. Kinda makes me feel more a part of it! Thanks again for sharing this cruise with us! :D

[happylady]

Upgrade program? Upgrade? Are they INSANE!! I don't like this one bit!! My goal on each ship is to win a ship on a stick (and yes I have a collection in my office :D:D) and the pressure is on til I get one - this is not good! Seems I now have to win THREE TIMES instead of once to get my coveted trophy? Tell me is isn't so (are they running out of the genuine gold plated plastic ship on a stick trophies?)

!

 

We were just on the Spirit and we won two "ship on a sticks" for different trivia games. Actually the first was my DS and me and the second was just my DS coming in tried for second. We love trivia, so we attended 4 or 5 games. Most hosts awarded the trophies and a few gave the medals. On the one he tied for second, the winner received a bottle of champagne. Not sure why, the questions didn't seem harder than the other games.

[tarheelmjfan]

Great review. :) I can't wait to hear about the wedding.

[Mike981]

Great job, keep it up.

 

Very professional.

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Really enjoying your review. I have never sailed this ship but your review is making me think about it.

[nytraveller53]

 

P.S. I am pretty sure if you asked they would have 'customized' your calzone for you with whatever filling/s you liked!

You'd think, but all the calzones are already premade, and are just heated in the oven.

[sandi1967]

We will be on this ship NEXT WEEK finally!!!! I love all the pictures......we even booked SpringHIll Suites for Saturday nite thanks to your pics. There are five of us and it is hard to find a room big enough without breaking the bank!!!!

 

The serenity deck looks amazing.....I would think it can br crowded.

 

Cant wait to read more......

 

Sandi

[Froufie]

You'd think, but all the calzones are already premade, and are just heated in the oven.

 

Well guess then no possibility of customizing - for some reason I thought there were 'made to order' (maybe cuz they take so long? :)).....don't forget to ask for some garlic bread tho - very excellent and freshly made!:D

[Froufie]

We were just on the Spirit and we won two "ship on a sticks" for different trivia games. Actually the first was my DS and me and the second was just my DS coming in tried for second. We love trivia, so we attended 4 or 5 games. Most hosts awarded the trophies and a few gave the medals. On the one he tied for second, the winner received a bottle of champagne. Not sure why, the questions didn't seem harder than the other games.

 

According to my 'research' (here on the boards :)) sounds like this may be ship-dependent - and what inventory they have onboard....many are reporting ships on a stick, some reporting medals - and now we have champagne! Guess they just check the 'pantry' and bring out whatever they have! :D

[Dave0311]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

 

Upgrade program? Upgrade? Are they INSANE!! I don't like this one bit!! My goal on each ship is to win a ship on a stick (and yes I have a collection in my office :D:D) and the pressure is on til I get one - this is not good! Seems I now have to win THREE TIMES instead of once to get my coveted trophy? Tell me is isn't so (are they running out of the genuine gold plated plastic ship on a stick trophies?)

 

 

P.S. I am pretty sure if you asked they would have 'customized' your calzone for you with whatever filling/s you liked!

Yeah the calzones can't be customized. :( Someone in line after me asked for a calzone with only cheese and sauce, and the guy said they're pre-made. Oh well, it was still good. :)

 

We will be on this ship NEXT WEEK finally!!!! I love all the pictures......we even booked SpringHIll Suites for Saturday nite thanks to your pics. There are five of us and it is hard to find a room big enough without breaking the bank!!!!

 

The serenity deck looks amazing.....I would think it can br crowded.

 

Cant wait to read more......

 

Sandi

Glad to hear you booked at SpringHill Suites. You guys will have a great time on the Legend! :D

 

There will be more of the review tonight after work. I'll try to do a few extra parts tonight to speed things up a bit. :)

[KCTravel]

 

This morning, I did a round of trivia with my grandmother. I did well: 12 out of 14. But I didn’t win. There were two people who got all 14 questions correct, and during the tiebreaker round they both answered correctly again. Both people walked away with a Carnival medallion.

 

The host said that Carnival does a new “upgrade” program with contest winners. If you win 3 medallions during the cruise, you can trade them in for a ship on a stick. Win 3 ships on a stick, and you can trade them in for a bottle of champagne. Personally, I’d much rather win a ship on a stick than try to get to the bottle of champagne, but that’s just me. :p

 

Upgrade program? Upgrade? Are they INSANE!! I don't like this one bit!! My goal on each ship is to win a ship on a stick (and yes I have a collection in my office :D:D) and the pressure is on til I get one - this is not good! Seems I now have to win THREE TIMES instead of once to get my coveted trophy? Tell me is isn't so (are they running out of the genuine gold plated plastic ship on a stick trophies?)

 

(quote]

 

I agree with Froufie! Each ship must be different and it is DH's goal to bring home a ship on a stick from each cruise. We just returned from the Miracle and DH won three ships on a stick--all for different trivia. We played something new--progressive trivia which was held the first three sea days at noon and you had to be a team of four or more. Our team came in first and we each received a medallion and we received a bottle of champagne to share. Also, delivered to our rooms, were certificates acknowledging our expertise in useless knowledge!!:p

 

Loving your review Dave, especially the hotel. We did the Legend last year and stayed at the Holiday Inn Rocky Point which was just OK. We may be able to swing the Legend this fall and if we do, we'll try the Springhill Suites. Awaiting the wedding!

Karen

[marshhawk]

I want to know about the coins...what's up with that? Lucky coins?

[NYRsHOCKEY]

Thanks so much for this awesome review! It makes me even more excited to be cruising on The Legend in 39 days!!

[Crusin Karen]

Upgrade program? Upgrade? Are they INSANE!! I don't like this one bit!! My goal on each ship is to win a ship on a stick (and yes I have a collection in my office :D:D) and the pressure is on til I get one - this is not good! Seems I now have to win THREE TIMES instead of once to get my coveted trophy? Tell me is isn't so (are they running out of the genuine gold plated plastic ship on a stick trophies?)

 

(quote]

 

I agree with Froufie! Each ship must be different and it is DH's goal to bring home a ship on a stick from each cruise. We just returned from the Miracle and DH won three ships on a stick--all for different trivia. We played something new--progressive trivia which was held the first three sea days at noon and you had to be a team of four or more. Our team came in first and we each received a medallion and we received a bottle of champagne to share. Also, delivered to our rooms, were certificates acknowledging our expertise in useless knowledge!!:p

 

Loving your review Dave, especially the hotel. We did the Legend last year and stayed at the Holiday Inn Rocky Point which was just OK. We may be able to swing the Legend this fall and if we do, we'll try the Springhill Suites. Awaiting the wedding!

Karen

Hey Karen! How was your 5/14 Miracle cruise? We had a fabulous time on the 5/6 sailing and pretty close to booking again for next year. There is already a roll call; a lot of them from your cruise. PLEASE tell me you and Gene are going to join us! N. Jersey Karen

[debster11]

I'm still waiting to hear about the secret door?!!!! I am getting antsy!! Hurry and end the suspense!

[Dave0311]

Thanks again for all the comments. The review will continue tonight after I get home from work. :)

 

I'm still waiting to hear about the secret door?!!!! I am getting antsy!! Hurry and end the suspense!

I should probably get there tonight or tomorrow.

 

I want to know about the coins...what's up with that? Lucky coins?

Yeah I think they are supposed to be lucky coins. I believe every ship has them (or at least I hope so! :eek:).

[Ellanora]

Loving your review; the Legend is one of the ships I've really been wanting to try. Great pictures, thanks for taking the time to share. :)