Just Back from the Legend..........

and boy do I have jet lag today!!! Can't even begin to tell what a great time we had.......first cruise for my husband and I and it was everything and more than what we expected. Here's a quick review...........

Embarking: Piece of cake. Flew into San Diego on Sun. am from central Illinois....great flight and in at 10:30 am. Bought transfers at the airport from RCI; loaded luggage onto one truck and us onto another. Took us directly to the main door of pier building; security came onto bus and checked id's, passports, birth certificates. Unloaded and escorted us into check-in points. NO wait at all. We were on board in about 20 minutes, dropped stuff into stateroom (deck 2; room 2092/oceanview; bigger than we had anticipated;couldn't believe the storage space!!) and then off to Windjammer for lunch and check out the ship. Signed up for excursions and set up Sea pass account. Used cash and it was a breeze. Was pleasantly surprised in regards to condition of ship (been reading too many horror stories; maybe it was because it was our first, but thought it was in good shape........clean, etc.)Sail away was a blast!! Got our luggage early evening...we had late dinner seating and we were unpacked before we had to go. Wasn't sure we'd like late dinner, but it worked out well. Liked the fact that you didn't have to rush in from port. Weather in San Diego was cool, but the sun peaked out just before we left; think it was a sign of things to come.

Day 2 at sea: weather still not the greatest but found things to do all morning. Got in my morning 2 miles up top, quick breakfast and then just as promised sun came out by 1:00 and spent the rest of the afternoon sunning. DH went to movie (Coal Mountain).........chilled out until time for dinner. First formal night......................everyone dressed to the nine.............lots of tuxedos, gowns long and tea length. Had to wait in line for a while for formal shots on grand staircase but photos were worth the stand. Our jobs do not require us to dress up, so this was a lot of fun. Went to the welcome show.............great comedians........Micky O'Rourke and the other name slips my mind.......Our cruise director was John Blair and he was quite good. Towel animal in our room that night. (**Another pleasant surprise after reading the boards..........our cabin attendant team was fantastic; our room was always made up by 11-12:00 and had turn down service and chocolates every night but the first one...didn't seem them much, but no complaints from us. Sent laundry out one day/back the next...great service)

Day 3 Cabo San Lucas: into port at 8:00 am; tendered. Slept in a little. Had snorkeling excursion at 11:00. We had never snorkeled so excursion was ok. Place they took us..............too many other boats/people; rough water. Others in our group were disappointed. (One couple took different excursion; took you to 2 places and said it was much better. Not near as crowded, in fact second place was fantastic)But, it was fun and after about 20 minutes finally got the hang of it. Open bar and snacks on the sail back to port. Went to Cabo Wabo (Sammy Haegar's bar) biggest complaint here...........not enough time.......bought shirts, tequila, etc and had a drink. Would have liked to stay for lunch. Back to ship; took a nap and then got ready for dinner.........casual night..........spent the rest of the evening up in the Viking Crown (came to be our hangout) for 70's night. Had a lot of fun!!

Day 4 Mazatlan: docked at 8:00.......a day of shopping for us. Not a lot of excursions offered here...........two couples did the Deer Island Adventure and loved it...............beautiful scenery, hiking, etc.........kind of wish we had done it. Did buy some silver bracelets and a beautiful tanzanite/diamond ring in port. Played bingo in the afternoon and had a great time. Casual night in dining room and I think this was the night we all participated in Quest. Back up to VC for 80's night.

Day 5 Puerto Vallarta: this was my favorite port (it was really pretty). Docked early, around 7:00-7:30. We had two excursions scheduled for here and they ended up being back to back, which was a little crazy but we managed. Did Swim with the Dolphins at 1:15 and even though it was the most expensive one we did ($146.00 @) it will be the most memorable. Had 30 minutes in a 15' deep pool to swim and interact with 2 dolphins (per 8 people) and it was amazing. They swim around and through your group.....you can "pet" them, had our photo taken being kissed on the cheek by them and then got to ride them at the end. Only disappointment was that we couldn't take our water camera into the pool because of an early incidence(dolphin at a small piece off camera and got sick) Bought copies of photos (they use digital) @ 10.00 per.........excellant time!! Hurried back and showered/changed and then off at 5:15 for Rhythms of the Night......another fantasic excursion (we went on cruise to celebrate our 25th which is in August...........all adults in our party and this was a nice romantic evening.) About a one hour boat trip to our destination and sorry can't remember the name of the place we went; Had a fantastic dinner (our table for 2 set up on beach...........sunset, waves crashing..................nice!!!) As sun went down only candles and torches.....started to lightening so they hurried us a bit to the program which was back into the foliage canopy; nice program (dancing) about the discovery of maize (only complaint.......it was really warm and humid that day/night and you sweat while you sat, but that's the only complaint). This excursion wasn't on RCI's site; found out about it when we received our documents. Huge sail away party when we left on pool deck; food, drinks, band...............lots of people and it was a blast!!

Day 5 at Sea: Another beautiful day. Spent it by the pool. Enjoyed watching pool games, etc. Our second formal night.......everyone dressed up again. Didn't do photos this time. Lobster for dinner. Special entertainment that evening...............The Drifters and they were fantastic!!!!!! Stayed for late night adult comedy and it was great!!

Our last day: back to the miserable weather.........gloomy and cool (62......a big change from the 90's we'd been used to) Too nasty to walk in the morning up on deck. Slept in a little.......went to play bingo in am.........back to room to pack.........bingo in afternoon..............went to farewell show before dinner and was good..........causual night again. Said good-bye to our waiter.............Johannis...........he was the best!! Settled our sea pass account and then Spent some time in the casino before we turned in.

Disembarking: we had last group of tags (blue) so it was around 10:00 before we got off the Legend. Spent our time watching them load the hulll for the trip out that evening. Stayed at the Holiday Inn on the Bay just across the street from the pier. Really nice. Room wasn't ready so did the trolley tour of the city and spent some time at Cornado. Had dinner in Little Italy with another couple from our group........Our flight home left Monday at 9:00 am.

Notes:
This ended up being a lot longer that I had planned; sorry, but I'm a talker!!
Food was much better than I had expected after reading these boards. Dinner menu changed every night; I had seveal of their pasta dishes (I don't like fish and steak is not my favorite) and only had two things I really didn't care for. The deserts and after dinner "shooters" were to die for!! Breakfast menu in Windjammer doesn't vary, but I eat the same thing for breakfast every day of my life, so that didn't bother me (the fresh fruit was great). We found ourselves in the solarium almost every day for lunch........got hooked on their cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, and fries......had some good pizza too. Had midnight chocolate buffet on Friday night but we missed it. Was amazed at the amount of things to do..........took 2 books and never opened one of them..........Loved going with our group of 12...........we had a lot of fun!! We now have the "bug" and will look forward to cruising again some day (have to get our boys through college first!!) Didn't get sea sick but how long does this "rocking" last!!


Darcy

Darcy,

I had to laugh at your comment about "how long does the rocking last?" Let me tell you on my very first cruise, some 15 years ago, I thought when I got home and the walls started jumping out in front of me, that I was going nuts. I also found myself putting my foot down on the floor and it wasn't there. I figured it out on my own that it had to do with the week long cruise I was on and have since read about this sensation. Seems like it has to do with your inner ear getting readjusted to land, once again, as it is the same when you start on your cruise and have to get your sea legs. It lasted for me about a week and has never reoccurred in now my 28 cruises in 15 years. So be assured it is normal and since your brain now knows that you are "hooked" on cruising it will probably not happen again, although no promises.

Believe me your review was in no way too long. I love details.

My husband and I were on the Legend June 6-13 sailing and I so enjoyed reliving the experience through your eyes, as I did with the others who have since returned.

Even though my husband and I are seasoned cruisers, we are having serious cruise withdrawal and can't believe it has been two weeks since we sailed. I am so disappointed that RCI has not seen fit to return the Legend to this itineary next year, and instead are sending her to Europe, as we would have booked on her for next year in a heartbeat. I am patiently waiting to see if they send another ship to the West Coast, specifically San Diego, for next year. Until that time we are seriously thinking of driving the 2 hrs. to take the Vision out of Los Angeles next year, but I do so enjoy just driving 20 minutes to the pier, instead of 2 hrs.

Thanks for a great review. We leave for San Diego in 32 days - we're flying 'down' the day before the cruise. You really make me want to go now!!! :)

For me, the rocking lasts about 4 or 5 days and I have experienced it on all three cruises so far. Hopefully, I will get better like cruisldy but I'm not counting on it.

We have different excursions and the weather should be warmer (maybe hotter :cool: ) the first week of August but it was really great hearing about your cruise.

Great to hear that you liked the Legend. I´ve been on her twice and I love her. Even after being on her eight years after her (and my) inaugural I thought she was in great shape.

Ah! You got the Drifters!! We did not have them on the 6/13 sailing. We see them once in a while in Santa Cruz on the beach! Thanks for your review. After just coming off the week before, we love to read the reviews!

One of DH's employees was on the 6/20 sailing (actually boarded Legend the day we got off - it was not planned, just funny!) and there was an emergency stop in Cabo on the way home. Needed to drop some drunken fighting guys off in Mexico.

Did you hear any specifics on this incident. They were not in the area of the fight and heard so many conflicting stories - and they would love to know some facts.

Any ideas?

My DH talked to the guy that broke up the fight. Over something really stupid according to him............one guy told the other to shut up, etc. Two twin brothers against the other guy. Happened in the restroom the floor down from Viking Crown on Thursday night. Think they'd spent a little time too much time up there before it happened. Guy getting the "beating" reported it.... Boat came to Legend, picked all of them, their guests and luggage up, and away they went (Friday am). Think they were in their early 20s.

Darcy,

Thanks for the great review. Jane and I are thinking about taking a Hawaii or Panama Canal cruise on the Legend. Your review sure makes the ship sound great.

Take care.

We are on the Legend for the 9/5/04 cruise. After reading your thoughts about the cruise I want to leave today :D We are so excited about going. My sister, her husband, my brother, my Mom & Dad and I are going together for a celebration of my parents 60th Anniversary. We purchased this cruise for them and decided we couldn't let them go by themselves, we figured they needed chaperoning ;)

[quote name='wrestlingmom']My DH talked to the guy that broke up the fight. [/QUOTE]

Thanks! I will definitely forward this to her. They heard too many stories!! Why can't people just go and have fun?

Thanks for your great review! Our first cruise was the same itinerary...we were hooked too...just wait until you do the Caribbean!

Loved your comment on not reading your books. I often wonder who actually reads the books in the library...I am lucky if I find time to read the little newspaper they print daily.