Legend Vs. Independence Pros & Cons?

[Gabrielle R.]

OK, I have two ships that I'm trying to decide on. One is a back to back aboard the Independence. Legend is an 11 night cruise.

 

BOTH are over the holidays. I have been on Legends Sister Ships, have not done anything as BIG as the Independence. BOTH leave Ft. Lauderdale.

 

DH & I have cruised Princess- Platinum member, We are gold on Royal. IF we do the back to back the 2nd leg We will be platinum- any great advantage that we will 'notice' on the 2nd part of the cruise? (Or wouldn't they give us our new status?)

 

Besides the obvious size difference What are some pro's & cons of either ship? WE really liked the sister ships of Legend. We have done some larger ships on Princess, but nothing as large as Independence. We probably would never do the wave rider- I'm more likely than DH- we just really want to sit back enjoy the warm weather.

 

With the WOW sale OBC makes it about even for prices. ANY all ideas are welcomed! That's why I'm here to get information- I know you guys will help me out!

THANKS! Gabrielle

[mefinephotoman]

We were on Indy in February and really enjoyed it. The only other class ship we have been on to compare was a Radiance class. We noticed that Indy never felt as crowded even in the evenings on the Promenade. It really feels big when you are on board in port. I mever tried it, but enjoyed the Flowrider. I went there several times just to watch.

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[Clarea]

OK, I have two ships that I'm trying to decide on. One is a back to back aboard the Independence. Legend is an 11 night cruise.

 

BOTH are over the holidays. I have been on Legends Sister Ships, have not done anything as BIG as the Independence. BOTH leave Ft. Lauderdale.

 

DH & I have cruised Princess- Platinum member, We are gold on Royal. IF we do the back to back the 2nd leg We will be platinum- any great advantage that we will 'notice' on the 2nd part of the cruise? (Or wouldn't they give us our new status?)

 

Besides the obvious size difference What are some pro's & cons of either ship? WE really liked the sister ships of Legend. We have done some larger ships on Princess, but nothing as large as Independence. We probably would never do the wave rider- I'm more likely than DH- we just really want to sit back enjoy the warm weather.

 

With the WOW sale OBC makes it about even for prices. ANY all ideas are welcomed! That's why I'm here to get information- I know you guys will help me out!

THANKS! Gabrielle

As long as the first cruise takes you to Platinum, you should be recognized at the new level for the 2nd cruise. You should visit the Loyalty Ambassador during the first cruise and mention your level change. As far as perks, you should get a better set of coupons, robes in the stateroom, and an invitation to the "top tier" welcome back event.

[kruzerci]

Indy. Much better ship for longer cruises! And you get a longer cruise.

[Gabrielle R.]

Bob you mentioned: get a better set of coupons, robes in the stateroom, and an invitation to the "top tier" welcome back event.

 

Robes... OK makes perfect sense... BUT what are the 'better set' of coupons? AND what is the top tier welcome back event?

[Gabrielle R.]

Kruzerci- Yes! That is the one thing right now putting Indy in the lead!

[Clarea]

Bob you mentioned: get a better set of coupons, robes in the stateroom, and an invitation to the "top tier" welcome back event.

 

Robes... OK makes perfect sense... BUT what are the 'better set' of coupons? AND what is the top tier welcome back event?

The Platinum coupon book is better than the Gold. Here are the 2 versions:

 

Gold Members

 

• Beverage Discount (purchase any wine, beer or soda by the glass and get a second one free).
  
• Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount - receive a 10% Discount.
  
• Premium Brand Coffee - 25% discount on any coffee beverage.
  
• Johnny Rockets - 2 for 1 milkshake
  
• Photo Discount - Buy 1 photo and receive a 50% discount on a second photo.
  
• Internet Discount - $5.00 USD credit or 10% off any internet package purchase (whichever amount is greater).
  
• 1 Free Casino "Spin to Win" Coupon
  
• 1 Casino Credit $5.00 USD Match Play Casino Certificate
  
• Bingo Credit - Purchase any bingo package and receive one free Single Jackpot Bingo Card.
  
• Gift Shop Discount - Spend $25.00 USD or more on RCI logo and receive a 10% discount.
  
• Art Auctions - 10% off Custom Framing on any Art on Royal Purchase
  
• Fine Jewelry Discount - Spend $1000 USD on Fine Jewelry and receive a 10% discount.
  
• Airbrushed Temporary Tattoos - purchase any size temporary airbrush tattoo and receive a free gold color upgrade.....a $2.00 USD Savings.
  
• Pets At Sea Discount - 10% off your Pets at Sea Package which includes a pet and outfit.
  
• RCI Cookbook Discount - 25% off the purchase of RCI Savor Cookbook.
  
• SPA Credit - 10% off any one spa or salon service.
  
• Britto Collectible - 10% off a Britto Tubed Poster
  
• C&A Members enjoy 15% off C&A Bedding Collection Purchase ( Visit www.RoyalCaribbeanBeddingCollection.com PROMO CODE: SOCIETY)
  

Platinum Members

 

• Beverage Discount - purchase any wine, beer or soda by the glass and get a second one free.
  
• Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount - receive a 10% discount.
  
• Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Coffee Beverage - one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee drink with purchase of dinner in any specialty restaurant.
  
• Premium Brand Coffee - buy any coffee beverage and get a second one free.
  
• Johnny Rockets - 2 for 1 milkshake.
  
• Photo discount - buy 1 photo and receive a 50% discount on a second photo.
  
• Internet Discount - $7.50 USD internet credit or 15% off any internet package purchase (whichever amount is greater).
  
• Wash & Fold - $5.00 USD off a $25.00 USD bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day (4+ nights sailings only).
  
• Dry Cleaning & Pressing Discount - $5.00 USD off any dry cleaning or pressing services of $25.00 USDor more.
  
• 2 Free Casino "Spin to Win" Coupon.
  
• 2 Casino Match Play $5.00 USD Match Play Casino Certificates.
  
• Bingo Credit - Purchase any bingo package and receive 1 free strip of three Jackpot Bingo Cards.
  
• Gift Shop Discount - Spend $25.00 USD or more on RCI logo and receive a 10% discount.
  
• Art Auctions - 10% off Custom Framing on any Art on Royal Purchase
  
• Fine Jewelry Discount - Spend $1000 USD on Fine Jewelry and receive a 10% discount.
  
• Airbrush Temporary Tattos - purchase any size temporary air brush tattoo and receive a free sparkling glitter upgrade - a $3.00 USD savings.
  
• Pets At Sea Discount - 10% off your Pets at Sea Package which includes a pet and outfit.
  
• Tuxedo Rental Discount - 10% off any tuxedo rental package.
  
• RCI Cookbook Discount - 25% off the purchase of RCI Savor Cookbook.
  
• SPA Credit - 15% off any one spa or salon service.
  
• Britto Collectible - 10% off one Britto Collectible
  
• C&A Members enjoy 15% off C&A Bedding Collection Purchase ( Visit www.RoyalCaribbeanBeddingCollection.com PROMO CODE: SOCIETY)
  

 

The top tier event is an additional welcome back party for Platinum and above. It usually has drinks and hot/cold snacks.

[Gabrielle R.]

Thank you Bob! That was PERFECT!!! Just what I wanted to know!

[oldandslow]

Not sure if I missed it in someone else's reply, but on the back to back cruises your menus will (probably) repeat. May not matter and it would give you more flexibility to try other dining venues but it is something I consider when looking at back to back cruises.

 

The 11 night cruise should have a different menu each night.

[Gabrielle R.]

Not sure if I missed it in someone else's reply, but on the back to back cruises your menus will (probably) repeat. May not matter and it would give you more flexibility to try other dining venues but it is something I consider when looking at back to back cruises.

 

The 11 night cruise should have a different menu each night.

 

THANK YOU! I didn't think too much about that! Good thought!

 

Any suggestion as to a favorite place to dine on Indy? or Legend?

[kruzerci]

I don't know if you have considered this or not but the Legend is smaller than most of the Vision class ships. Legend, along with Splendor, are the smallest two ships in the fleet. I'm sure the renovation did wonders for her, but they did not make the ship any larger.

 

I'm really biased, I think the Freedom class ships are a perfect blend of everything (size, dining options, huge gyms, great pool decks and solariums). I think they're the perfect ships for the Caribbean. I like the Vision class a lot, but I would prefer them for shorter or colder cruises since they are so much smaller and have covered solariums.

 

I would love to be in your position, picking between two great options :), but like I said, I would do Independence over Legend any day.

[CVU]

THANK YOU! I didn't think too much about that! Good thought!

 

Any suggestion as to a favorite place to dine on Indy? or Legend?

We had a wonderful dinner at Chops on IOS.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

OK--when you say the holidays, I am assuming Christmas. I looked up the itinerary for those 2 ships. With Indy you will get a short Eastern and short western itinerary.

 

With Legend you will get a VERY southern itinerary. If it were me I would go with the Legend because I have not been to those ports. Aruba, Bonaire, etc.

 

While the ship is of some importance to me the places the ship takes me is more important.

 

Are the itineraries equally appealing to you?

[Gabrielle R.]

OK--when you say the holidays, I am assuming Christmas. I looked up the itinerary for those 2 ships. With Indy you will get a short Eastern and short western itinerary.

 

With Legend you will get a VERY southern itinerary. If it were me I would go with the Legend because I have not been to those ports. Aruba, Bonaire, etc.

 

While the ship is of some importance to me the places the ship takes me is more important.

 

Are the itineraries equally appealing to you?

 

Legend has Bonaire- which we have never been to. We have only visited most of the other ports 1 or 2 times. With Indy the ship will be more of the destination. We have been on to most of the ports that Indy is going to.

 

And yes, It is over Christmas... I'm wondering how many kids on Legend Vs. Indy? DH & I both work in schools. I'm a teacher, he is a custodian- different schools. So we rarely get the same days off... except Christmas. We have the 21-4th off... a nice break.... and we want to get away from the COLD of MN...

 

So, Dragon you see my dilemma. Legend I like the itinerary a bit better. Indy, I'd just like to try it out... AND that is the problem...

 

THANK YOU for the input!

[RCcruisinfamily]

Legend has Bonaire- which we have never been to. We have only visited most of the other ports 1 or 2 times. With Indy the ship will be more of the destination. We have been on to most of the ports that Indy is going to.

 

And yes, It is over Christmas... I'm wondering how many kids on Legend Vs. Indy? DH & I both work in schools. I'm a teacher, he is a custodian- different schools. So we rarely get the same days off... except Christmas. We have the 21-4th off... a nice break.... and we want to get away from the COLD of MN...

 

So, Dragon you see my dilemma. Legend I like the itinerary a bit better. Indy, I'd just like to try it out... AND that is the problem...

 

THANK YOU for the input!

When we took a 9 night spring break cruise there were not as many kids as when we took a 7 night. The cruise director said (on the 9 night) the longer the cruise, the less kids. I travel with my kids, so no matter to me. I too am a teacher and we only travel school breaks. Have a blast! We are going on Indy for spring break. Let us know if you go on her and how she is.

[Iluvcruising2]

How port intensive is your cruise? How many sea days?

 

The Legend is really small, compared to the Indy. However, that is not to say that you can't spent 11 wonderful nights on the Legend.