JUST OFF THE LEGEND

[vadersprincess12]

DH and I are just off the Carnival Legend today.  Here's a quick review.

 

Embarkation was terrible ~ once we entered the terminal gate we waited in line almost an hour to drop off luggage and pay for parking.  Not sure what the hold up was, but it's much worse than Bayonne and New York!  Then we had to wait outside in the cold as the line for our boarding group time was long.  I remember years ago there was a plan to put up some sort of plexiglass panels around the perimeter of the building so that those waiting to enter for check-in, and then those having to wait for pick-up after their cruise would not have to wait in inclement weather.  Not sure what happened there!

 

Masks were required indoors unless eating and drinking.  Most people complied but of course there were a few who didn't think it applied to them.  The Hub App was helpful but after the first night the nightly dining room menus were not posting.  The ship itself (a sister ship to the Pride) is very nice and the layout is easy to navigate.  There were areas where some TLC is needed.  We had to have service in our bathroom twice for the sink; the lever was broken so that was fixed, and then the plunger would not come back up to drain ~ both were fixed quickly.  Otherwise our stateroom was nice and our steward kept everything clean and neat.  The TV in the staterooms are really small.

 

DH and I used the gym daily and it seemed like quite a number of the bikes and elliptical machines were down each day.  One the first sea day they had orange/lemon water available for after our workouts but the remainder of the week until the last sea day there was none. 

 

The shows were all entertaining.  We saw one comedian and he was just okay.  Really wish all the cruise lines would have just eliminated smoking in the casino after it was banned for so long, but it is what it is.

 

For the most part the food was good.  Of course Guy's Burgers is always good.  I read another post where someone said they were now using frozen fries rather than hand cut but I can dispel that rumor as I saw them using fresh cut potatoes.  DH especially enjoyed the Asian food station on the Lido deck.  The cakes were good especially German chocolate and Carrot cake.  Loved the orange juice each morning, but unfortunately the coffee is just deadly.

 

For main dining we had "your time" dining and found a team that we really liked so we just kept requesting their tables for the week.  Food in the main dining room was good for the most part.  We were gifted a "steakhouse selections" dinner through the casino and DH ordered the New York Strip and it was extremely fatty ~ would have been a bummer if we'd have had to pay for that!  And of course the best thing in the dining room is the Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake!  We enjoyed Ken's nightly entertainment of a lovely song.

 

We've been to Nassau many times; this trip we took the water ferry over to Paradise Island.  Half Moon Cay is beautiful as always albeit a little cooler this time of year.  We don't even get off the ship in Freeport since it's such a short visit.

 

We chose to have our luggage picked up the night before debarkation so had to wait in the theater as usual; things went smoothly.

 

Overall we had a nice experience.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 28, 2022 by vadersprincess12

[CookieShip]

Curious what time you arrived for departure? I did a cruise back in Dec, the drop off luggage line was long, but it kept moving.

 

Glad you had an overall nice experience.

[tytanbri]

11 hours ago, vadersprincess12 said:

Embarkation was terrible ~ once we entered the terminal gate we waited in line almost an hour to drop off luggage and pay for parking. 

We they looking at boarding times when you got to the terminal after parking? Also, I saw that 12:00 was he earliest check-in time. Is that really accurate or did they start boarding earlier. We leave on March 13th and have a 12:30 boarding time. I am just trying to figure out what time we should actually get to the port. 

[KmomChicago]

7 minutes ago, tytanbri said:

We they looking at boarding times when you got to the terminal after parking? Also, I saw that 12:00 was he earliest check-in time. Is that really accurate or did they start boarding earlier. We leave on March 13th and have a 12:30 boarding time. I am just trying to figure out what time we should actually get to the port. 

 

We were on the Legend in December. The ship turnaround schedule is the latest I have ever seen, getting into port at 10am from the prior cruise and departing around or after 5pm. So yes, that's accurate and they do not board early. They also are enforcing check in times heavily and will make you show them your time on your boarding pass and you will be sitting in the parking lot in your car if you arrive early, then standing in a line outdoors.  Of course the parking process does take some time as well which is how we filled up the time until we were able to check in.  We had a drop off for a limited mobility person then it took us more than 30 minutes to get parked and walk back over to the terminal.

[tytanbri]

16 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

 

We were on the Legend in December. The ship turnaround schedule is the latest I have ever seen, getting into port at 10am from the prior cruise and departing around or after 5pm. So yes, that's accurate and they do not board early. They also are enforcing check in times heavily and will make you show them your time on your boarding pass and you will be sitting in the parking lot in your car if you arrive early, then standing in a line outdoors.  Of course the parking process does take some time as well which is how we filled up the time until we were able to check in.  We had a drop off for a limited mobility person then it took us more than 30 minutes to get parked and walk back over to the terminal.

So would arriving at port at 1130 put us in the ballpark to board at 1230?

[Earthworm Jim]

22 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

They also are enforcing check in times heavily and will make you show them your time on your boarding pass and you will be sitting in the parking lot in your car if you arrive early, then standing in a line outdoors.  Of course the parking process does take some time as well which is how we filled up the time until we were able to check in.

 

That makes it hard, because how can one predict how long the waiting in line in your car and the parking process will take to arrive in the terminal at your assigned time? Arrive an hour or more early? Then if there isn't a line that day, you're way too early.

[sgttami]

Sad to hear about embarkation.  I always raved that Baltimore was the easiest port ever.

 

From parking the car to boarding the ship was never more than 15 minutes.

 

Glad that overall, it was still a good trip.

[KmomChicago]

46 minutes ago, tytanbri said:

So would arriving at port at 1130 put us in the ballpark to board at 1230?

 

I would say that arriving at 11:30 is most likely plenty of time. Just don't even bother getting out of the car until very close to 1230 or you'll just stand there while they wave others past you.

 

33 minutes ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

That makes it hard, because how can one predict how long the waiting in line in your car and the parking process will take to arrive in the terminal at your assigned time? Arrive an hour or more early? Then if there isn't a line that day, you're way too early.

I agree. It is an imperfect science at best. I personally would not, based on my experience, plan to arrive more than exactly one hour early, and probably more like 30-45 minutes.  As long as you understand that if you are "too" early, you'll sit in the car, it's not a big deal. Parking is in an open lot directly adjacent to the terminal. It is not far - if you are a good walker, even in the furthest corners of the lot you're not more than 5 minutes from the queue and check in area.  Obviously there are always possible delays, waiting in the line of cars to drop luggage and pay at the kiosks, for example. We arrived about an hour early, dropped mom and the teen where directed, then spent 30 minutes or so waiting in the parking line, so our timing worked out well. By the time we got everyone corraled back together and at the queue point we just crossed into our check in window by a couple of minutes - thus many others in our window got in before us, but we were waved ahead of everyone else.  

[KmomChicago]

3 minutes ago, sgttami said:

Sad to hear about embarkation.  I always raved that Baltimore was the easiest port ever.

 

From parking the car to boarding the ship was never more than 15 minutes.

 

Glad that overall, it was still a good trip.

 

I am sure the check in challenges are just due to strict covid enforcement practices.  If we hadn't dropped the two people in our party and simply parked normally, we'd have saved at least 15 minutes.

[K&RCurt]

The key to Embarkation in Baltimore is to pick a later time.  What exactly is the rush to get on-board after waiting in lines?

 

Last October on the Pride we got to the Baltimore Port at 1:15 for a 1:30 check in time. Very short line to get into the lot,  but they DID check our time and they were sending 2:00pm check in times away.  Dropped our luggage, no wait to pay, plenty of parking still availible, strolled right through Check-in and we were in our cabin, stuff dropped off and drinks in hand and Ringer from Guys in front of me by 1:45.

 

We used to be an "OMG We HAVE to be on the ship ASAP" couple, but a cruise with friends where we had to pick a later time cured us of that.  No more rushing, no more FTTF $. Arrive 1:30 or later and you breeze onto the ship, can go straight to your cabin which is ready for you and a bonus is the crazy lines at Guys are gone and there is seating availible because the "have to get on asap" folks have left with their carry-ons to go to their cabins.

Edited February 28, 2022 by K&RCurt

[KmomChicago]

7 minutes ago, K&RCurt said:

The key to Embarkation in Baltimore is to pick a later time.  What exactly is the rush to get on-board after waiting in lines?

 

Last October on the Pride we got to the Baltimore Port at 1:15 for a 1:30 check in time. Very short line to get into the lot,  but they DID check our time and they were sending 2:00pm check in times away.  Dropped our luggage, no wait to pay, plenty of parking still availible, strolled right through Check-in and we were in our cabin, stuff dropped off and drinks in hand by 1:45.

 

We used to be an "OMG We HAVE to be on the ship ASAP" couple, but a cruise with friends where we had to pick a later time cured us of that.  No more rushing, no more FTTF $. Arrive 1:30 or later and you breeze onto the ship, can go straight to your cabin which is ready for you and a bonus is the crazy lines at Guys are gone and their is seating availible because the "have to get on asap" folks have left with their carry-ons to go to their cabins.

 

Different strokes for different folks.  We had a later time on Mardi Gras and boarded more than 2 hours later than usual and it turns out I use that two hours getting oriented and situated, in addition to that first lunch (usually at Guy's) and ended up stressed, hungry and ragged heading into dinner that first day.   Getting on Legend with one of the earlier groups - I think we were 12:30 - worked out well for us. 

Edited February 28, 2022 by KmomChicago

[Detaximom22]

We also sailed on Sunday, February 20th on the Legend.  We were dropped off though and didn't park a car.  We had a 12pm check-in time.  We arrived about 11:40 and there were two lines - one for those with a 12 check-in time and one for those with a 12:30 check-in time - they were definitely looking at the times on your boarding passes! We were able to get in line and were through security by 11:50 and finished check-in by about 11:55.

 

Around 3pm I happened to look out and the line to check-in was wrapped around the terminal building.  It looked very long!  I'm not sure what happened but I'm glad we had an early check-in time!

 

We had 6pm dining and had the best wait staff we have ever had on a cruise!  The food was good!  Overall, the week was wonderful and we were very happy to be cruising!

[vadersprincess12]

We had a 1:30 check in time and figured arriving around 1:00 to drop luggage and park would be sufficient.

 

They were checking the times and for those who were scheduled for the 2:00 p.m. time slot, they were holding that line.  People were complaining because they had arrived early and had to stand outside in the cold in that line.

[Paul sh]

We have booked our cruise for May 2022. I am wondering if they have Indian food for lunch and dinner? . I am vegetarian and like Indian food.

Thanks

 

[sparks1093]

12 minutes ago, Paul sh said:

We have booked our cruise for May 2022. I am wondering if they have Indian food for lunch and dinner? . I am vegetarian and like Indian food.

Thanks

 

I recall seeing a vegetarian Indian food option every night in the MDR. Not sure about lunch, though.

[jerseyjjs]

 

 

        Did they sail the ship at or near full capacity?

[EllieinNJ]

How was the internet?  We are on April 3rd and undecided if we should purchase it or not.  Just to read email and browse some websites.

[ray98]

On 2/28/2022 at 10:14 AM, K&RCurt said:

We used to be an "OMG We HAVE to be on the ship ASAP" couple, but a cruise with friends where we had to pick a later time cured us of that.  No more rushing, no more FTTF $. Arrive 1:30 or later and you breeze onto the ship, can go straight to your cabin which is ready for you and a bonus is the crazy lines at Guys are gone and there is seating availible because the "have to get on asap" folks have left with their carry-ons to go to their cabins.

100%.  We used to fight to get on ASAP and then spent 2 hours in a chaotic crowd juggling luggage until the cabins were ready.  One day we decided no more.  We usually shoot for 1pm arrival.  We can go straight to the cabin and the massive lunch rush is subsiding.

[ray98]

On 2/28/2022 at 8:23 AM, tytanbri said:

So would arriving at port at 1130 put us in the ballpark to board at 1230?

12:30 is your arrival time, not boarding time.  You only need to arrive early enough to park at be at the door at 12:30.

[sparks1093]

11 hours ago, jerseyjjs said:

 

 

        Did they sail the ship at or near full capacity?

110% capacity or 2412 passengers. Even so it rarely felt that crowded.

[tytanbri]

9 hours ago, ray98 said:

12:30 is your arrival time, not boarding time.  You only need to arrive early enough to park at be at the door at 12:30.

Correct. I worded that poorly. I meant to get there at 1130 in case the line to unload and park was long. I would not get in line to begin the process until 12:30.

[K&RCurt]

On 3/2/2022 at 7:19 AM, tytanbri said:

Correct. I worded that poorly. I meant to get there at 1130 in case the line to unload and park was long. I would not get in line to begin the process until 12:30.

Are you sailing out of Baltimore? 

 

If so if you drove into the area for the line up to enter the parking area at 11:30 with a 12:30 check in time, they would send you away.  You can arrive around 12:15 and be allowed to be in line to enter the port and go to the baggage drop off.

 

At least this was our experience last October, they were not letting people wait within the gates if they arrived more than 15 min before their check in time.

[sparks1093]

4 hours ago, K&RCurt said:

Are you sailing out of Baltimore? 

 

If so if you drove into the area for the line up to enter the parking area at 11:30 with a 12:30 check in time, they would send you away.  You can arrive around 12:15 and be allowed to be in line to enter the port and go to the baggage drop off.

 

At least this was our experience last October, they were not letting people wait within the gates if they arrived more than 15 min before their check in time.

We've never had this issue no matter what time we've arrived in line for parking, they didn't even check our documents but directed us to the porter area before proceeding to the booths to pay for parking. They typically won't let you into the terminal prior to your check in window.

[jerseyjjs]

6 hours ago, K&RCurt said:

Are you sailing out of Baltimore? 

 

If so if you drove into the area for the line up to enter the parking area at 11:30 with a 12:30 check in time, they would send you away.  You can arrive around 12:15 and be allowed to be in line to enter the port and go to the baggage drop off.

 

At least this was our experience last October, they were not letting people wait within the gates if they arrived more than 15 min before their check in time.

 

 

 

Was this for a Royal Caribbean sailing?

[K&RCurt]

On 3/3/2022 at 3:38 PM, jerseyjjs said:

 

 

 

Was this for a Royal Caribbean sailing?

No, it was Carnival Pride in October 2021.