Carnival Spirit vs Legend

[victravellers]

Hi, I am looking for some help.

 

I am a Princess cruiser that has been given the task of organising a Carnival or RCCL cruise for a group of friends to the South Pacific.

From my research I have found that RCCL does not offer cruises to South Pacific in October 2015, so Carnival it is.

 

Can anyone guide me on Spirit or Legend, good or bad. Differences, similarities, one better than the other?

If it makes a difference we are mostly around 50ish, maybe a couple of young kids.

Any opinions are most welcome and I look forward to any input from all.

Thank you

 

Linda

[DemeterVee]

I'll be following this thread with interest. I have done a ship inspection of the Spirit in my travel agent days and I am cruising on the Spirit in July but I'd love to hear about the Legend.

[GUT2407]

I'm interested as never been on Carnival but people I trust tell me I won't be real happy after Princess and Celebrity.

 

Tried P&O wifey says nope not again unless it is something like a family cruise or with friends and it is all about who we are gong with not what line.

[victravellers]

Yes we have kind of discounted P&O for a few reasons, mostly because you have to pay extra for so many things. We will have a couple of first time cruisers with us and I want them to have a great time without worrying about all the add on costs. Apart from alcohol and shore tours of course.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Yes we have kind of discounted P&O for a few reasons, mostly because you have to pay extra for so many things. We will have a couple of first time cruisers with us and I want them to have a great time without worrying about all the add on costs. Apart from alcohol and shore tours of course.

 

You had a lucky escape with RCI not having a suitable cruise. Alcohol seems to be very expensive on RCI, compared with Princess.

[GUT2407]

If you like Princess and it's your friends first time, I'd be trying hard for a Princess cruise.

 

I often say I am so glad my frst were Princess if it had been P&O it mght have been my last, but because we knew we liked the Princess experience now if we try something we don't like we know we can go back to what has always, so far anyway, been a good fit, now we've tried Celebrity and would go with them again.

[OzKiwiJJ]

BTW Diamond Princess has a South Pacific cruise in October, departs Sydney on the 12th for 10 nights, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Prices look comparable to Carnival.

 

And there is another one on Golden Princess, leaving on the 18th.

Edited March 8, 2015 by OzKiwiJJ

[OzKiwiJJ]

If you like Princess and it's your friends first time, I'd be trying hard for a Princess cruise.

 

I often say I am so glad my frst were Princess if it had been P&O it mght have been my last, but because we knew we liked the Princess experience now if we try something we don't like we know we can go back to what has always, so far anyway, been a good fit, now we've tried Celebrity and would go with them again.

 

Yes, we loved our first cruise on Princess. RCI will have a hard job living up to that.

[GUT2407]

BTW Diamond Princess has a South Pacific cruise in October, departs Sydney on the 12th for 10 nights, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Prices look comparable to Carnival.

 

And there is another one on Golden Princess, leaving on the 18th.

 

 

Easy choice, Carnival or Either of these, the only hard part is which one.

[GUT2407]

Yes, we loved our first cruise on Princess. RCI will have a hard job living up to that.

 

 

Haven't tried RCI yet, but have a hold on Explorer in January, though it was worth a try, always go back to Princess or X if we don't like, also have Cunard booked but that one may have to go if whe can't get time off and/or the 75 nighter comes off.

[victravellers]

We love Princess and would happily sail on them, but for the first time cruisers I fear the range of activities (trivia) offered on Princess is not what they are looking for. Carnival seems to offer more varied options.

I know it's not Princess but I am looking forward to trying another ship.

 

Linda

[3littlepigs]

I am also watching with interest. Himself is keen to go to Tassie (for the umpteenth time) for a weekend this year again, I just found a 4 day cruise on Carnival Legend in April that just goes to Hobart for a full day on a Saturday, he loves Salamanca markets so I thought I might be able to sell him on the cruise.

BUT...

Our last couple of cruises were in suites on more upmarket lines. HAL in a Neptune Suite (very nice) RCCL in a Grand Suite (loved the suite and the concierge lounge but not RCCL and found it too crowded and too many kids - pre Christmas cruise) Celebrity Solstice in Aqua Class etc. Yes, he has been very spoiled.

This one is only for 4 days. If he didn't like RCCL's Radiance will he hate Carnival Legend. One of the chaps who works for him loved the Indian Food onboard so he is keen to give the cruise a go. Best cabin we can get is a balcony, so hopefully it has space to while away a couple of sea days. We aren't keen on casino's or shows but like the trivia.

 

Really uncertain! Its not what he normally likes but it does go to his favourite spot...

Edited March 8, 2015 by 3littlepigs

[GUT2407]

I am also watching with interest. Himself is keen to go to Tassie (for the umpteenth time) for a weekend this year again, I just found a 4 day cruise on Carnival Legend in April that just goes to Hobart for a full day on a Saturday, he loves Salamanca markets so I thought I might be able to sell him on the cruise.

BUT...

Our last couple of cruises were in suites on more upmarket lines. HAL in a Neptune Suite (very nice) RCCL in a Grand Suite (like the suite and the concierge lounge but not RCCL) Celebrity Solstice in Aqua Class etc. Yes, he has been very spoiled.

This one is only for 4 days. If he didn't like RCCL's Radiance will he hate Carnival Legend. One of the chaps who works for him loved the Indian Food onboard so he is keen to give the cruise a go. Best cabin we can get is a balcony, so hopefully it has space to while away a couple of sea days. We aren't keen on casino's or shows but like the trivia.

 

Really uncertain! Its not what he normally likes but it does go to his favourite spot...

 

 

Funny we are watching the same cruise for not dissimilar reasons, love the markets, haven't tried Carnival and people who I trust, 'cause they know what we like, say probably we won't like it and not too keen on just a standard sampler where you are at sea every day for 2 or 3 days, don't think it gives you a real feel, would prefer at least a couple of part days.

[GUT2407]

I am also watching with interest. Himself is keen to go to Tassie (for the umpteenth time) for a weekend this year again, I just found a 4 day cruise on Carnival Legend in April that just goes to Hobart for a full day on a Saturday, he loves Salamanca markets so I thought I might be able to sell him on the cruise.

BUT...

Our last couple of cruises were in suites on more upmarket lines. HAL in a Neptune Suite (very nice) RCCL in a Grand Suite (loved the suite and the concierge lounge but not RCCL and found it too crowded and too many kids - pre Christmas cruise) Celebrity Solstice in Aqua Class etc. Yes, he has been very spoiled.

This one is only for 4 days. If he didn't like RCCL's Radiance will he hate Carnival Legend. One of the chaps who works for him loved the Indian Food onboard so he is keen to give the cruise a go. Best cabin we can get is a balcony, so hopefully it has space to while away a couple of sea days. We aren't keen on casino's or shows but like the trivia.

 

Really uncertain! Its not what he normally likes but it does go to his favourite spot...

 

 

Carnival seem to still be showing suites.

[3littlepigs]

Carnival seem to still be showing suites.

 

When I looked all they had was one suite that required 4 people to book. I guess we could book for 4 people and then have 2 no shows! I might call the agent tomorrow to see what they have available.

[GUT2407]

When I looked all they had was one suite that required 4 people to book. I guess we could book for 4 people and then have 2 no shows! I might call the agent tomorrow to see what they have available.

 

 

I didn't think of that.

 

If we do it we might meet up at trivia and even see you at the markets, t's still a maybe with us

[3littlepigs]

I do wonder though, whether this isn't a typical "Carnival" cruise so may have a different appeal to the usual sampler cruise.

[johndon]

We did Carnival Spirit 12 months ago to the Islands and it is certainly is "different" Try and avoid school holiday periods as the Carnival ships are over run with kids then. Carnival seem to cater for families and a younger age profile

They advertise themselves as the "Fun Ships" and they certainly are just that

At dinner in the MDR there is a spontaneous floor show every night with diners encouraged to get up and dance or do a conga line around the dining room with the waiters. We were put off by this but after a couple of nights we got a laugh out of it

The "green thunder" giant water slide was very popular and spectacular although there was no way we went on it. The kids loved it and plenty of "bigger" kids too

We had a balcony cabin and found it bigger than similar cabins on Princess with a larger bathroom too

There was an area on the ship called the "jungle" and it was an inside continuation of the promenade deck with plenty of small lounges and tables for a quiet moment. This area did not seem to be used much at all

The buffet was diffent too as it consisted of different smaller buffets scattered around the big buffet area with themed foods. E.g. Pizzas, sweets, sandwiches and rolls and hot main course style food. We found it hard to navigate around and a long way to walk back to your table with food

The deco is over the top. On "Spirit" it was bright, clashing colors with dark areas in the public areas. The entrance to the theatre was through an Egyptian tomb like passage with mummies on each side. Very strange. After a couple of days on board you kind of got used to the decor but it certainly hits you between the eyes at first sight

Don't get me wrong; we enjoyed our cruise but have to admit that the fantastic prices offered at the time was the reason we went

I am sure you will have a good time on Carnival

 

John & Jocelyn

[The Fox]

Hi, I am looking for some help.

 

I am a Princess cruiser that has been given the task of organising a Carnival or RCCL cruise for a group of friends to the South Pacific.

From my research I have found that RCCL does not offer cruises to South Pacific in October 2015, so Carnival it is.

 

Can anyone guide me on Spirit or Legend, good or bad. Differences, similarities, one better than the other?

If it makes a difference we are mostly around 50ish, maybe a couple of young kids.

Any opinions are most welcome and I look forward to any input from all.

Thank you

 

Linda

 

The Spirit and Legend are identical ships.I have sailed on Carnival twice...they are family ships with no limit on the number of kids...we had 1100 on our last cruise and they were not bad but just ran riot having fun with no supervision from staff nor parents.

[victravellers]

The Spirit and Legend are identical ships.I have sailed on Carnival twice...they are family ships with no limit on the number of kids...we had 1100 on our last cruise and they were not bad but just ran riot having fun with no supervision from staff nor parents.

 

Thank you for your input. That's a scary amount of children. :eek:

[victravellers]

A lot of discussion here on Carnival vs other lines, but for a comparison between Spirit/Legend:

 

They are twin ships with identical layouts, the main difference in layout/facilities being Legend has the addition of the Red Frog Pub and the Sushi bar.

 

Apparently the decor on Legend is slightly less garish. I feel like the atmosphere/crowd would be the same on both so it comes down to preferred itinerary.

 

Any other differences I can report back in May!

 

Thanks for bringing it back to spirit/legend comparisons.

I did read that spirit is is having a few additions in dry dock coming up in Aug/sept which will probably make them more the same.

I did describe to them that the decor will be like Las Vegas on steroids.:D

I would love to hear about your trip in May. Keep us posted.

 

Linda

[victravellers]

We did Carnival Spirit 12 months ago to the Islands and it is certainly is "different" Try and avoid school holiday periods as the Carnival ships are over run with kids then. Carnival seem to cater for families and a younger age profile

They advertise themselves as the "Fun Ships" and they certainly are just that

At dinner in the MDR there is a spontaneous floor show every night with diners encouraged to get up and dance or do a conga line around the dining room with the waiters. We were put off by this but after a couple of nights we got a laugh out of it

The "green thunder" giant water slide was very popular and spectacular although there was no way we went on it. The kids loved it and plenty of "bigger" kids too

We had a balcony cabin and found it bigger than similar cabins on Princess with a larger bathroom too

There was an area on the ship called the "jungle" and it was an inside continuation of the promenade deck with plenty of small lounges and tables for a quiet moment. This area did not seem to be used much at all

The buffet was diffent too as it consisted of different smaller buffets scattered around the big buffet area with themed foods. E.g. Pizzas, sweets, sandwiches and rolls and hot main course style food. We found it hard to navigate around and a long way to walk back to your table with food

The deco is over the top. On "Spirit" it was bright, clashing colors with dark areas in the public areas. The entrance to the theatre was through an Egyptian tomb like passage with mummies on each side. Very strange. After a couple of days on board you kind of got used to the decor but it certainly hits you between the eyes at first sight

Don't get me wrong; we enjoyed our cruise but have to admit that the fantastic prices offered at the time was the reason we went

I am sure you will have a good time on Carnival

 

John & Jocelyn

 

Thanks for the info, i am looking forward to trying Carnival.

As they say, a change is as good as a holiday..... Oh wait....I will already be on holiday.

Thanks

 

Linda