Carnival Legend 9/20/09 review

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

We arrived at the tampa airport 1 day before the cruise and reserved the cruise and park package at the hampton inn, rocky point. They picked us up at the airport, shuttles us to the port the next AM at 10;50 and picked us up after the cruise and took us back to the aiport all for $99.

We booked the cruise 10 days before sailing at a military price $279 per person for a 1A gty. Only a few canins left when we booked all on main deck (french door cabins) and they assigned us one of thoses within 24 hours of booking. When we processed in at the platinum member office they said our cabin had been changed to an empress deck balcony. Wow what a steal and upgrade we received.

The ship is my favorite 3X on her now, crew was great and 4 ports is great. Food was good, not great. Yeah the bacon police were there but that is not an issue IMO. The captains parrty along the promenade was a disaster in my opinion listening to the people complain got old real quick. I know John Heald said it is a big sucess but I think that is a load of BS and just another cost savings measure. The last night free drink at 5PM was not crowded at all as people were getting ready for dinner and packing I suspect. Introducing the captain and officers before the show was a bit awkward I thought as there was not much enthusiam, it just seemed out of place. Both the shows were at best 2/3 full of guests, the first JAZZ HOT was the worse I have ever seen on carnival. The 2nd BIG EASY was one of the best, go figure.

We have been to grand cayman and Cozumel so many times we winged it in both places (beach, cold coronas etc.). Roatan we booked the Victor Bodden Zip and dip excursion. Zipline was awesome, then and island tour then a beach stop all for $65 per person about 1/2 was carnival charges for this. Very nice day at Roatan. In Belize we took the cave tubing excursion with cavetubing.com and it too was awesome. $45 per person including lunch and 2 sets of caves we tubed through. Less than 1/2 price what carnival used to charge for just 1 cave.

Overall for the price we paid and getting upgraded to a balcony this cruise was excellent. Like I said cutbacks were evident but not that big of a deal for us. Oh yeah Jen was the cruise director and we found while she was energetic she was also annoying with her announcements in a shrieky voice.

[CMM]

Wow you sure did get an excellent value!

We too have cave tubing booked for our Nov cruise with .com. Was the lunch included in the $45 tour? What was it?
I thought you could only buy snacks. Did you get back to the port with enough time to shop?

Thanks for the advise on the shows too.

Glad you had a good time & thanks for the review.

[jhdoublin]

Can you tell me about what time self-disembark started?

[ricklde]

Self-Disembark started at 7:45 that morning.

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Originally Posted by CMM

Wow you sure did get an excellent value!

We too have cave tubing booked for our Nov cruise with .com. Was the lunch included in the $45 tour? What was it?
I thought you could only buy snacks. Did you get back to the port with enough time to shop?

Thanks for the advise on the shows too.

Glad you had a good time & thanks for the review.

On their website it showed lunch was an extra $6 per person . My wife has a medical condition that requires frequent bathroom trips so we passed. However, they announced on the bus the lunch stop would be free to all (they return to where the ATVS are used by some guests about 10 minutes from the cave tubing). They had chicken, rice and slaw. Sodas were $1 and beer was also available. Kieth and David are a hoot on the bus ride. They said we would be back to the port 1 to 1 1/2 hours before the final tender boat (4PM). We arrived back 40 minutes from the last tender so shopping was really limited. Be advised it is a long walk through the jungle to get to the caves (about 30 minutes at a fairly brisk walk, 90 degrees and very humid). The water is refreshing about 70 I would guess. Takes about an hour on the tubes in water that is from 1 foot to about 6 feet deep. Remember "BUTTS UP" (you will understand that when you get there).
Enjoy

[CMM]

thanks for the info. I don't even see any information on the website about a $6 lunch. Wonder if you just got lucky! You seem to have good luck getting deals!

How was the tendering process in Belize? I have read it is difficult. what time did you arrive for a tender ticket?
Thanks

[Irishlinny]

I'm still trying to figure out how we have a 9/20 review of a 7 day sailing on 9/22...is it just me?

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Irishlinny

I'm still trying to figure out how we have a 9/20 review of a 7 day sailing on 9/22...is it just me?

Returned on 9/20

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Originally Posted by CMM

thanks for the info. I don't even see any information on the website about a $6 lunch. Wonder if you just got lucky! You seem to have good luck getting deals!

How was the tendering process in Belize? I have read it is difficult. what time did you arrive for a tender ticket?
Thanks

We are platinum so we did not need a tender ticket and could get a tender whenever we want once the ship is cleared. You need to get to the cave tube bus no later than 9:20. Off the tender go through the first building and out the back the bus is right there in the street. Yanni and others will be there with cavetubing signs. Go to the pursers desk and ask for priority tender maybe they will give you a tender ticket there if you show your cave tubing confirmation email. They may or may not be receptive since it is not one of their tours. If not you will need to go to the showroom (follies lounge early and get a #1 tender ticket). They have super big tender boats now they hold maybe 150 people at a crack. It takes about 15 minutes to get to shore.

The shore lunch option was on their websie 2 weeks ago perhaps it is now free for everyone.

[CMM]

Thanks for your help

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Originally Posted by CMM

Thanks for your help

You are welcome. As far as getting deals I research and keep vigilant and get lucky some times as well!!