Carnival legend or Norwegian Pearl

[nbanka31]

Me and my wife are looking at taking a 7 night western Caribbean cruise during Thanksgiving. We have zeroed in on 2 cruises. The Carnival Legend which leaves out of Tampa on the 23rd or the Norwegian Pearl which leaves Miami on 23rd also.

 

We are having a tough time deciding between the 2 cruises. Pearl is a new ship and have great entertainment (bowling, lounges, golf driving ranges, etc.) but the food quality reviews are mixed.

 

The Carnival is a great cruise for family with kids and good overall but lacks variety as far as entertainment and food choices.

 

Can somebody who has been on either of the 2 cruise share their experiences. Any information would be helpful. Both of us are 28 and vegetarians, if that helps

 

Thanks

[NCTribeFan]

I've never sailed NCL and haven't been on Legend, but have sailed her sister ship, Miracle, and just booked a 2nd cruise on her.

 

Our food on Miracle was good except for some of the steaks (NY Strip) being very tough, but that shouldn't be an issue for vegetarians.

 

Carnival does have vegetarian options at all meals. I'm definitely a carnivour, though, and stay away from non-meat-inclusive dishes.

 

As far as "lacks variety as far as entertainment and food choices," I'm not sure what it is that's lacking. I certainly can never find the time to do all I want, including just doing nothing and relaxing.

 

But I have zero interest in bowling or rock wall climbing or any of that type of activity. I get my activity in the ports and use the time at sea to relax.

 

I've always thought Carnival's shows were pretty good, but didn't go to a single one on Glory in May. I was spending my time losing money in the casino! :p

 

Carnival has lounges that are open late and usually some sort of music as well as the dance club. And Karaoke. And late-night comedy.

 

I cruise based on itinerary 1st, price 2nd, and ship 3rd, so the actual ship experience isn't that important to me, so I'm probably not the right person to be responding!

 

It's all so subjective! Even if you find someone who has sailed both ships, their particular experience could vary greatly from what you might find. You can talk to two people who were on the same sailing and they'll give two very different versions of how their cruise went.

[BoilerTech1047]

We have sailed on both the Legend and the Pearl. We did an eight day exotic western on the Legend and had a balcony cabin. This was a great cruise aboard this ship. The food was great in the dining room and sevice as well. The buffet had the usual items plus asian and sandwich bar. Service is better in all areas on Carnival. Would we go again? Yes

 

NCL Pearl to Alaska Sept08/December08 Caribean. This was Pearls first season to Alaska. Had a group 30 cabins, 65 people worked well for dinner because of freestyle dining. Main dining room food was not that good, but you have choices with freestyle to eat at other resturants. Some are extra charge. The buffet was excellent with plenty of choices. Lots of fresh salad choices, nuts, berries, fresh fruit. The buffet area was also very clean and the attendants served you. The seating is limited inside and sometimes hard to get a seat. It is very cramped area. Service lacked in the cain as well as the dining room. Would we go again? No.

 

Look at the ports and sea days to help make up your mind. Good luck and enjoy!

 

Both will provide you with a great cruise, but there is a difference between presentation

[momofmeg]

Me and my wife are looking at taking a 7 night western Caribbean cruise during Thanksgiving. We have zeroed in on 2 cruises. The Carnival Legend which leaves out of Tampa on the 23rd or the Norwegian Pearl which leaves Miami on 23rd also.

 

We are having a tough time deciding between the 2 cruises. Pearl is a new ship and have great entertainment (bowling, lounges, golf driving ranges, etc.) but the food quality reviews are mixed.

 

The Carnival is a great cruise for family with kids and good overall but lacks variety as far as entertainment and food choices.

 

Can somebody who has been on either of the 2 cruise share their experiences. Any information would be helpful. Both of us are 28 and vegetarians, if that helps

 

Thanks

 

Nick, I see you decided on the Pearl. I saw where you posted on our roll call. Even though the drive is another 3 ot 4 hours, (we live in the Altanta area also) we felt the great price that we booked the Perarl for could not be beat. Our first NCL crusie. I guess we will learn in 2 weeks time how much we like NCL, huh?

[siestakim]

I've cruised on both ships and I have to say that Legend is my favorite of the 2. I was very pleased with the food and service on the Legend. It has been the best of all the Carnival ships I've been on. Although I enjoyed the dining options on the Pearl, you did have to make sure to book them early or chance eating at 10:30pm. And if you didn't eat in one of their freestyle places and had to go to the diningroom, well the fod was bad and the service was worse. That's just my opinion but I've seen alot of people with the same feelings. Also, NCL kids program is not nearly as good as Carnivals. They close alot during the day so there isn't as much for the kids to do.

 

Kim

 

PS. Those bowling alleys? Well there are only 2 lanes and they charge 10.00 to use them.

[momofmeg]

I've cruised on both ships and I have to say that Legend is my favorite of the 2. I was very pleased with the food and service on the Legend. It has been the best of all the Carnival ships I've been on. Although I enjoyed the dining options on the Pearl, you did have to make sure to book them early or chance eating at 10:30pm. And if you didn't eat in one of their freestyle places and had to go to the diningroom, well the fod was bad and the service was worse. That's just my opinion but I've seen alot of people with the same feelings. Also, NCL kids program is not nearly as good as Carnivals. They close alot during the day so there isn't as much for the kids to do.

 

Kim

 

PS. Those bowling alleys? Well there are only 2 lanes and they charge 10.00 to use them.

 

Kim, we looked at the Legend, a swe enjoyed th emiracle in 04, and considered it-but when we could get a minsuite on the Pearl for the price of an oceanview on the Legend -well-the Pearl won out!

 

We have budgeted for the specialty restaurants also we will eat in them 3 or 4 nights of the 7-and being in a minisuite, we are allowed to book a reservation 48 hours in advance! Not a problem!

 

Also I am not interested in the bowling alley-I haven't bowled in over 25 years.