LIVE! - Carnival Legend Solo Bahamas - March 20, 2022 (The Sequel)

[brilliantseas]

It's time for another LIVE trip report, and this one is officially a sequel of my December 2021 sailing onboard the Carnival Legend.

 

You can find the live report from my December trip here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2817044-live-solo-from-the-carnival-legend-december-5-12-2021/

 

GF and I also sailed on the Carnival Sunrise out of Miami in February, but sadly she has to work this week, so this will be another solo trip. 

 

Here is this week's itinerary, which is nearly identical to my last Carnival Legend sailing except for the inversion of Half Moon Cay and Nassau on Wednesday and Thursday. 

 

March 20 - Embark Baltimore, MD

March 21 - At Sea

March 22 - At Sea

March 23 - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

March 24 - Nassau, Bahamas

March 25 - Freeport, Bahamas

March 26 - At Sea

March 27 - Debark Baltimore, MD

[Jamman54]

Looking forward to another great trip! We'll be doing a B2B on her beginning August 28th. 😎

[arctickitty]

Looking forward to following along!

[brilliantseas]

4 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Looking forward to another great trip! We'll be doing a B2B on her beginning August 28th. 😎

 

The crew and entertainers were amazing in December! So much so that I booked this cruise to get back to the Legend before most of their contracts end. 

[BlueHawaii]

Enjoyed your December review!  We'll be sailing on April 10th, so I'll be glad to have an updated review to see if anything has changed since then.

[brilliantseas]

I finally made it! I forgot to take advantage of my Platinum early check-in window two weeks ago and ended up with a 2:00-2:30 boarding window. I arrived at the port at 2:15. 

 

The vehicle queue to unload bags at the drop-off point was minimal, but they were only operating one side with three guys. This was probably adequate as it only took 5 minutes to drop off and proceed to parking. Again, only one lane open and since it is credit card only ($105 for a 7-night cruise) and they require a signature on every transaction, it moves slowly. 

 

Made it over to the terminal by 2:30 to find the check-in line wrapped around the side of the terminal and running 2/3 the length of the building. Health status / vaccination check took almost 40 minutes, followed by another 15 for security. After security, the rest was a breeze and I was checked in within 2-3 minutes and able to board immediately. 

 

No great photo angles from the I-95 exit or the parking lot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Now if the parking and check-in process seems inefficient, muster was just the opposite. Muster station B is just two decks down from my cabin. A quick scan of my ID and literally 30 seconds of life jacket demonstration and I was free. If there was one good thing to come from all of the new protocols, it is the new muster process! Well done, Carnival!

[brilliantseas]

I have good news to share! Guy's Fries are back! Those of you who followed along on my December trip will remember my disappointment when Guy's Burger Joint was serving "imposter" frozen French fries. Fear not, my friends, as the original fresh cut fries are back!

 

 

[brilliantseas]

On a slightly more serious note, anyone who has sailed from Baltimore in the past few years will recall the two big grey Navy-looking ships docked over by SEACOM next to the cruise port. 

 

Those ships are the Cape Wrath and Cape Washington, two of the largest roll-on, roll-off transport ships that make up the National Defense Reserve Fleet. They are inactive ships maintained in ROS-5 status, meaning they can be called back to active status with Military Sealift Command and prepared to sail within five days. 

 

Guess which ships are no longer tied up in Baltimore? The Cape Wrath and the Cape Washington. Both ships have been called to active service for the first time since the early days of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to provide heavy sealift capacity to transport U.S. military equipment, primarily vehicles and tanks, to the European continent. 

 

Cape Wrath was dispatched to Bayonne, NJ, while Cape Washington was sent to Beaumont, TX to embark equipment, and is currently underway in the mid-Atlantic after departing Beaumont on March 13. 

 

The photo below is where the Cape Wrath normally docks next to the cruise pier in Baltimore. 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Tonight's dinner menu in the Truffles Restaurant (MDR). 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ilovesailaway]

Thanks for the live review.... I'm a big fan of the Legend out of Baltimore

Looking forward to more photos

[brilliantseas]

After a very large meal in Baltimore pre-embarkation, I opted to pass on the MDR this evening and give the Lido Buffet a try instead. It features many of the same options as the MDR menu, with some recipes being slightly modified for a different service format. 

 

My dinner consisted of:

Roasted Corn and Poblano Soup

Chicken Quesadillas

Green Beans

BYO Salad

 

 

Tiramisu and Chocolate Intensity Cake

The tiramisu was a bit of a letdown as it was almost exclusively mascarpone cream. The ladyfingers were lacking. 

 

 

[brilliantseas]

Comedy Club Manager Renier is still onboard. I had heard rumors that he was moving to another ship to accept a promotion, but the rumors are untrue. 

 

 

More importantly, I was able to get a seat for the 8:30 show just nine minutes before showtime! 

 

 

Lisa Alvarado is our first comedian of the cruise. 

 

[brilliantseas]

The comparison of Lisa Alvarado to Tina Fey aren't far off, but sadly I didn't care for her any more than I care for Tina Fey. Let's hope Kier and Mike Brody are better...

[brilliantseas]

On a positive note, Alter Idem is still performing in the Red Frog Pub. They were a highlight of my December cruise and are still rocking Red Frog Pub until 11:45 every night except Thursday. 

 

 

[kelkel2]

Great start. I love your reviews, I’ll be following along!

[JohnSpo]

I am enjoying your review Brilliantseas.  Great photos.  I will also be following.  Enjoy your cruise on Carnival Legend.  Thanks for posting.

 

Edited March 21, 2022 by JohnSpo

[brilliantseas]

New seats for the 10:30 Punchliner show featuring Kier. He specializes in comedic impressions of famous musicians. 

 

 

It wouldn't be a Carnival Punchliner Comedy show without a Punchliner cocktail. 

 

[KmomChicago]

On 3/19/2022 at 8:59 PM, brilliantseas said:

 

The crew and entertainers were amazing in December! So much so that I booked this cruise to get back to the Legend before most of their contracts end. 

 

I agree, the Playlist shows on Legend were the best we've seen - large variety of shows and really talented and energetic performers. 

[KmomChicago]

8 hours ago, brilliantseas said:

Comedy Club Manager Renier is still onboard. I had heard rumors that he was moving to another ship to accept a promotion, but the rumors are untrue. 

 

 

More importantly, I was able to get a seat for the 8:30 show just nine minutes before showtime! 

 

 

Lisa Alvarado is our first comedian of the cruise. 

 

 

This room is my favorite Punchliner. This is Farcus at his best, over the top of course, but really a beautiful, joyful space. 

 

[EllieinNJ]

Going on our first Carnival cruise on the Legend April 3rd and following with great interest.  Read your December review and really enjoyed it.

[jimbri]

Have a great time.

[bertram15146]

11 hours ago, brilliantseas said:

Comedy Club Manager Renier is still onboard. I had heard rumors that he was moving to another ship to accept a promotion, but the rumors are untrue. 

When we talked to Renier a few weeks ago, he mentioned that he still had a month or so to go before he moved ships.  We really enjoyed him as the comedy club manager!  Enjoy the Legend again!  One of my favorite ships and staff.

[Areya220]

We will be on the Legend next week, so I'm excited to see your review!

[brilliantseas]

Sea Day Brunch Menu