Just back from Legend 11/20 Sailing

[thundercrack]

Me, my DW and 3 DD ages 15,16 and 20 just got back from the 11/20 sailing of the Legend. Let me preface this by saying that except for my picky eating 15 year old we are not a hard to please family. We had a GREAT time on this cruise and is probably my favorite out of the 6 we have taken. Weather was excellent the entire week and not a drop of rain. I am not much of a writer so please bear with me.

 

Cabin

We had cabins 7248 and 7250 mid ship extended balconies. The rooms were great but the location, IMO was not ideal. The room itself was spacious and clean. Beds were very comfortable and shower was excellent. The room steward, Upandana was excellent. Only really seen him on first and last days but rooms were always in order and any special needs were met quickly. We called him and asked for 2 extra pillows and they were there with the next service. The room steward for our DD's room was also excellent, we seen more of him than our steward and he kept asking us if everything was OK with our daughter's rooms. The reason I didn't like the location was, even though the 1 1/2 feet of extra balcony space was nice, being in the "indented" part of the ship, you couldn't see to the front of the ship. Your view ended at the regular balconies. IMO not worth it. I will stick to regular balconies.

Minor annoyance - After two previous cruises and 4 days into this one, my surge protector and extension chord were confiscated. They supplied me with a ships replacement which was fine. I will use the ships in the future.

 

Dining Room

Out of all my cruises this was the best dining service I have had. Our wait staff Andrian, Danila and Kwantana were friendly and quick. We had late seating and were always done my 9:30. we all thought the food was good to very good. Here is a list of some of what we and and a few comments:

Flat Iron Steak -Wife and I both had it one night and enjoyed it. Cooked the way we asked and was tasty.

Southern Fried Chicken - Had it one night when nothing on the menu interested me. Was good, typical fried chicken.

Had all the "fruit" soups. I love these and will get them all the time.

Linguini with Italian Sausage, Peppers and Mushrooms - Excellent, very tasty dish, highly recomend.

Alligator Fritters - not sure what to make of these, mushy and not mush taste,

Prime Rib - Had this twice. Not the best prime rib I have had but not bad. Would get again.

Duet of roasted rack and leg of spring lamb - Never had it before and really did not care for it.

Duet of Filet mignon and short-rib confit - I thought it was very good and would get a gain.

Oysters Rockefeller - never had them before and will never have them again. I am not a seafood fan and these has a distinct seafood taste.

Meatloaf - Just wanted to try it to see how it was. While not like my DW, it was not bad. It had a little spicy flavor to it.

Last note on the dining service, on the 3rd evening the Matre'D came over to our table and saw my picky DD with only a Caesar salad and French Fries (3rd straight day of the same thing). He asked her if there was one particular food she would eat he would see if he could get it for her. After much prodding, she finally said she liked the BLT's from room service. Every night from then on there was a BLT waiting for her when we got to dinner.

 

Ports

Grand Cayman

We did the Cayman by land and sea tour. Our tour guide, Foster, was great. It is a fun and informative tour and would recommend

Cozumel

Went to Nachi Cocum and loved it. Our waiter, Carlos, was excellent and always had a fresh drink in our hands. We took a parasailing tour from Nachi and the boat started smoking while our 3rd passenger was in the air. The boat operator said that he radioed for another boat to pick us up to finish our excursion. It was an experience transferring from one boat to another mid ocean but had a great time parasailing.

Belize

Only did a little shopping. Long tender into port.

Rotaan

Our favorite. Took a Bodden tour with Tex as our Guide. HIGHLY recommend both. Did the zip lining and monkey's and we all had a blast.

 

Casino

Played a little 3 card poker and won a little. Went to sign up for the Texas hold em tournament on next to last day and it was all ready full. The cage told me there was one more tournament the next day but signups would not begin until that days tournament was over. In said ok and went to play some 3 card. Went back to the cage while the other tournament was still going on and the person in from of me was "discussing" with the casino host was to why the next days tournament was already full and that days tournament was still going on. It appears that while the Host was checking in the players for that days tournament someone asked if there were any others. He said yes tomorrow there was one more. He then let the entire table sign up for the final tournament before theirs even began. The guy in line with me told the host that wasn't fair, sign ups were to not begin until the tournament was over. He said he would call the Manager to see what could be done. The manager came and we (I was now involved hoping they would open another tourney and sign up) explained the situation. He totally agreed with us and said the best he could do was open another tournament when tomorrows was done (just what I was hoping for). As we signed up for this new tournament the Casino Manager offered to buy us a drink. I declined but thanked him anyway and went on my way, just happy to be signed up for the tourney. When we went to dinner that night, about half way through our dinner, someone comes to our table and tells us the Casino Manager ordered a bottle of wine for us on him. This came as a great surprise and I thought a great gesture on the Managers part.

 

That's it for now but for those on the fence about going on the Legend, my opinion is do it. You will not be disappointed.

[micro yaya]

oh thanks so much we'll be on her next sunday the 11th, and we are really excited. we've done the dream 3 times, and wanted something different. loved your review:)

[ts7170]

Thanks for the review. We'll be on the 11th also. Can't wait. First cruise with no kids. Yeahhhhh

[marshhawk]

Thanks for your review. Only 285 more days til we are back on the Legend.:o

[rhcpchika1]

thanks for the review! we sail in april. we are huge poker tourney people so hopefully we don't run into an issue!

[seaofblue]

Thank you for the review--will be on Legend in a few weeks:)--I was also thinking about doing the Cayman by land/sea--my mom walks with a cane--do you think the steps down into semi-sub would be too difficult? Thanks in advance--glad you had a great cruise!

[BigeLG]

Thank you. We also going to Nachi Cocum How was the beach?

[twinsx2mom]

sea of blue

 

I don't know if this will help; but, my hubby and I are going on that excusion next week--we leave on the 4th. I can check and give u and idea.

[thundercrack]

Seaofblue, there was a handrail to assist your mom and a deckhand to help her also. The stairs are a little steep to go down though, tough call. I don't want to tell you yes and your mom can't make it.

 

Bigelg, the beach was beautiful and the water warm. Just be careful when first getting in the water there is a steep drop of about a foot to foot and a half when you first get in.

[JordanZ]

I'll be on the legend on the 11th, was awesome to hear about the great service.

 

I thought the casino manager buying you wine was a very classy gesture.

[BigeLG]

Seaofblue, there was a handrail to assist your mom and a deckhand to help her also. The stairs are a little steep to go down though, tough call. I don't want to tell you yes and your mom can't make it.

 

Bigelg, the beach was beautiful and the water warm. Just be careful when first getting in the water there is a steep drop of about a foot to foot and a half when you first get in.

 

 

Thank You for the info.

[CapsR1]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm glad the Casino Manager was fair and also generous in his offer of wine and a drink.

[MagSeven1413]

Thank you. We also going to Nachi Cocum How was the beach?

We also spent the day at Nachi on our Halloween cruise. The day started out overcast with light rain, but cleared up by lunch. The beach was beautiful and I loved the fact that there were probably only 30 people max that day.

[bonlewis]

We were on the Legend with you, very good cruise. The weather was great but a word of caution to those swimming with sting rays in Grand Cayman, the winds had that area closed. We made it to the island but no stingray city.

 

Some have asked about the TVs on the Legend, our room (5281) had a flat panel but my boys' inside room had the old style tv.

 

Great staff, all were very nice. Comedians were great, be sure to get the $5 match-play stamp on your receipts over $10.

 

ESPN in the sports bar is not ESPN! It is the soccer version.

 

Sauna & steam rooms in the gym are great & FREE.

 

The cushions in Serenity area were NASTY! Covered in spilled drinks and suntan lotions. YUCK! We stayed up by the pools & the music.

 

Tendering was much smoother than prior cruises. No confusion & delays like we saw before.

 

Really good cruise, love sailing from Tampa.

[starlion]

Thanks for the great review. I'm getting very excited about my cruise on the Legend in February.

[paradiselivin1]

Thanks for your review. I hope we have just as good weather. I know it will be nice and in the upper 70's when we leave this Sunday. Bummed to read about the cabins ~ we'll be two or three down from where yours were located. Love a balcony & thought the extended would be a great idea ~ sure it will still be fine.

[matj2000]

We had fun on this voyage but it really seems Carnival has gotten cheap and has made changes for the worse.

The best part of this trip was the weather and our cabin.

It is probably our last Carnival trip...

[thundercrack]

Paradise....do not be bummed about the cabin. It was great, I just prefer the location of regular balconies