Legend Reveiw 10/4-10/11

[mixjock]

I'll have pics to post later but here is our review of the Legend.

We arrived the Saturday before departure and stayed at the Double Tree Rocky Point. Nice hotel though no fast food breakfast nearby and hotel breakfast was 30 bucks for both of us. Still very nice place to stay on old Tampa Bay.

Sunday

We arrived early at the port, leaving the hotel around 10am. We had to keep secret our destination as a lady staying on the hotel had the cruise as a surprise to her husband. Once there we got in the VIP line waited a short time and finally made it to the ship and up to the Lido for lunch, which was pretty decent food. We left port around 4pm and of course made it up to under the funnel to go under the Skyway bridge. Then off to dinner in the main dining room. Food was awesome every night in the MDR and even with any time dining had awesome service. Our room was 4237 an AFT suite with wraparound. Very nice room and a great room stewart in Ketut. Dinner took what was becoming a boring day into a fun one and the welcome aboard show with John Heald was very funny. We then went down to the Firebird lounge to listen to Lifeline, which ended quickly as their equipment began to catch on fire...kinda scary but funny at the same time.

Monday (a not so) Fun Day at Sea.
This was our biggest complaint on the ship...daytime activities on days at sea. The shopping seminar was as boring as watching paint dry and seemed to push Diamond's International heavily. We left before this was over, though did make it back to the Going Ashore deal with John Heald..it was done very well as he is both entertaining and informative. After that there wasn't much else to do until dinner. Carnival really needs to work on that as unless you just want to drink yourself stupid or lose all your money gambling, there really aren't many events to do on the days at Sea. Also trying to eat on the Lido deck on a day at sea was a nightmare as finding a table was near impossible. Anyway tonight was the formal night so we went to dinner in the MDR dressed up and enjoyed a great meal. We also went to the show in the Follies lounge, Jazz Hot, which was good, but I was starting to fall asleep near the end. It was probably my least favorite show and with Grand Cayman being an early day the next day.

Tuesday: Grand Cayman
We took the Best of Grand Cayman tour from Carnival. This was a relaxing and fun tour, however it did take you to a couple of "tourist traps" in Hell & The Rum "factory", which was really just a store in both cases. However it did end on a high note as the Turtle farm was really interesting and
worth the overall experience. Also our tour guide was very informative. Only complaint was that the stops were overly crowded, especially Hell & Tortuga rum factory. Once the tour was over we did a little shopping on our own and bought a Blackbeards Rum Cake for 5 dollars, much cheaper than the ones Tortuga was selling. We got back on board the ship ate lunch on the Lido, and relaxed on our balcony until dinner. Nighttime entertainment was great again and John Heald told us of the story of the couple that didn't make it back to the ship as they had rented a jeep and got it stuck in the sand on the far side of the island. I believe they rejoined us in Cozumel. Entertainment that night was a balancing act of Lubo and comedian Ronnie Bullard which was very excellent.

Wednesday - Cozumel

We did the Powerboat & Beach Escape excursion through Carnival. This was an awesome experience that was very exhilarating. My wife at the time was hating every moment as the boats were fast and would go airborne from time to time. We then made it to a private beach area where we could swim in the clear waters and relax on the beach. My wife bought a Mayan coral necklace from our Tour Guide Marco whose family makes them by hand. The trip back was just as fun and scary for my wife where we got a Mexican buffet lunch of fajitas, a cheese quesidilla, and nacho's. We did a little shopping on the pier before heading back to the ship, where I ate a little more Mexican food from the Lido deck. We once again ate in the MDR for dinner which the food and service was excellent as always during our trip. Entertainment for the evening was Michael James, a juggling comedian, which was a pretty good show.

Thursday - Belize
We booked the Xunantunich Mayan ruin excursion through the ship and this was a very educational and interesting excursion. By bus you travel 80 miles on the Western "Highway" which is barely a two lane paved road. Belize is a very poor country, especially when you see the conditions of most of the houses, yet I found it odd that they have both HD TV available and Sirius XM satellite radio. Anyway back to the ruins, we went on a guided tour of two of the pyramids. I climbed both while my wife stayed on the ground. The view from the top of the tallest structure was awesome and scary at the same time as there is not much room up there and no safety features to keep you from falling. We also got some pictures of some Howler moneys on our way down from the top. After we left the ruins, which you can only reach on a wooden hand cranked ferry, we went into San Ignacio for lunch, which featured chicken, rice & beans, and plantains. Decent meal overall, then it was the rush back to port as we barely made it back for the last tender (of course they would have waited for us as it was a Carnival excursion). The last Tender was very bumpy and fast and we experienced roller coaster like air time at points during the trip to the ship. Once again we ate in the MDR and my wife went to bed early that night as I went out a bit and played a game of Bingo and watched the Guest Talent show & John's Bedtime Story, which was pretty funny, even though I had seen parts of it before on YouTube.

Friday - Roatan
This was the only port we did not book though Carnival as we chose to goto Fins & Flippers/Maya Key just to relax. We were the first ones on the island and we relaxed in the pool, went to the Mayan Ruins to get out of the thunder shower, and then back to the beach for a quick swim in the water which was very cold. We then walked around the island to see the animals and hung around the Sea Lions until I saw a tarantula moving our way (I have a huge fear of spiders). We then got a bite to eat, I got Fundidos, my wife got Quesidillas,hung out a bit more then decided to head back to the ship. On the way back was the scariest 50 yards I have ever walked. I was offered not only the usual junk but also marijuana cocaine,and other drugs before we made it back to the dock. Not sure how those same people act around families that walk from the Fins & Flippers dock but I wouldn't take a child through that area. Though Maya Key/F&F is great. That night was also a formal night though we chose not to dress up but instead just eat at the Lido deck. Food was just ok. Also we were passing through a storm so the ride was very bumpy. That night we went to the second of the two major production shows, "The Big Easy", this was a great show with awesome special effects. Much better than Jazz Hot.

Saturday - Another (Not so) Fun Day at Sea.
Not much to report here as I came down with an illness that day (sore throat) I did make it to the disembark talk and dinner in the MDR where I had St Louis style ribs, which were excellent. We also attended the Legends show which was decent before I went back and collapsed in my room. Turned out that I had contracted Bronchitis and I hope to return to work tomorrow as my fever has finally broke.

Sunday
Disembarking was rather easy for us as we used Carnival's luggage express, which I highly recommend. It made getting through the airport seamless and painless. We had our boarding passes in hand before getting to the airport without any hassle of checking in online with Delta's complicated and error prone system. Only bad part of course was that flying with an illness is never fun and my ears are still not fully right after not popping when landing.

Overall it was a fun cruise with excellent service and night time entertainment. Only suggestion would be for Carnival to show "big screen" movies on days at Sea as well as Days in Port,and create some more activities for 20-30 somethings that doesn't involve gambling(I'm not against gambling, but just have better ways to spend my money).

One final note, on the last night in the Follies lounge there were some punk teenagers that thought it would be funny/cool to throw ice on the stage. Their parents were there and I guess thought her son was just a clown. To Bonnie from South Carolina and her boy "Willie", your son is not funny and if you don't learn to discipline and control him in public he is going to have a sad unproductive life. I hope you read this message board because your son could have injured someone with water on a stage, would that have still been funny to you?

One more final note...we changed Captains midway through the cruise and the second captain seemed to drive the boat a lot faster. Is it normal for the Legend to travel at 22 knots? The first night the fastest we moved was 18-19 knots, the 22 speed seemed to make the ride a lot less smooth.

[Name Of The Game]

I was on the same cruise and had no idea about some of the things you mentioned, including changing captains mid cruise. I agree that the Big Easy is much more fun and entertaining than Jazz Hot.

[CMM]

Wow thanks for the legend review + I have been looking for info on the Doubletree @ Rocky point.

How much was the cab from the Doubletree to the pier? How long did it take?

They said their was a connivence store close by to get soda, did you see it to comment how far it was? Also is there anything walking distance for casual dinner?

Enjoyed your review. Thanks for sharing.

[LUPY48]

Thanks for the review. Will be looking forward to your pix, as I have the same cabin on the Miracle in May.

[2112]

Interesting about changing captains mid cruise. I'm sure that is because of the collision of the Legend with the RCCL ship the week before. Since you didn't mention anything am I to assume that you didn't notice any damage?

[debbieee]

if you can afford it try the embassy suites in downtown tampa. it is 1/2 mile from the port

[krehberg]

Originally Posted by debbieee

if you can afford it try the embassy suites in downtown tampa. it is 1/2 mile from the port

or the Marriott Waterside...either way..much closer to a wider selection of restaurants than on Rocky Point, especially with the trolley to Channelside or a quick cab ride to South Howard Ave.

[mystone99]

Thanks for the review. My wife and I are taking the same cruise Nov. 29, and some of the same excursions. Two questions
1. The Blackbeards Rum Cake - how was it and what flavors do they have? We've only had Tortuga, but $5 for a rum cake is a great deal.
2. Was the Xunantunich Mayan ruin excursion worth the money? My DW is concerned about the long bus ride.

Thanks
Michael and Lorie

[mixjock]

Originally Posted by CMM

Wow thanks for the legend review + I have been looking for info on the Doubletree @ Rocky point.

How much was the cab from the Doubletree to the pier? How long did it take?

They said their was a connivence store close by to get soda, did you see it to comment how far it was? Also is there anything walking distance for casual dinner?

Enjoyed your review. Thanks for sharing.

Doubletree had a package for 129 total plus tax, they pick you up from the Airport and take you to the Port of Tampa. Taxi from there to downtown will run about 25 bucks. We ate at Bahama Breeze which is in walking distance from Doubletree, though they offer free shuttle to there as well as other restraunts in the area including a shopping center. They have a "convience" store on site though not much selection in the hotel. If we were going there again we probably would stay there. All the rooms are 2 room suites.

[mixjock]

Originally Posted by 2112

Interesting about changing captains mid cruise. I'm sure that is because of the collision of the Legend with the RCCL ship the week before. Since you didn't mention anything am I to assume that you didn't notice any damage?

Captain just went on vacation...you could tell there was some slight damage, but nothing overwhelming

[mixjock]

Originally Posted by mystone99

Thanks for the review. My wife and I are taking the same cruise Nov. 29, and some of the same excursions. Two questions
1. The Blackbeards Rum Cake - how was it and what flavors do they have? We've only had Tortuga, but $5 for a rum cake is a great deal.
2. Was the Xunantunich Mayan ruin excursion worth the money? My DW is concerned about the long bus ride.

Thanks
Michael and Lorie

It was a marble rum cake and the 5 dollar one was a small cake but still a better price than Tortuga.

The Xunantunich was definitely worth it, though it is a 2 hour bus ride and if you afraid of heights you will not want to climb the ruins.

[Bridge Maven]

Originally Posted by debbieee

if you can afford it try the embassy suites in downtown tampa. it is 1/2 mile from the port

Is this the Embassy Suites on Westshore Drive - If so, we made a reservation there for the night before our cruise on Legend in June.

[Livin4Real]

We leave on Sunday, can't wait!

Do you remember any of your good waiters names for anytime dining?

[mixjock]

Originally Posted by Livin4Real

We leave on Sunday, can't wait!

Do you remember any of your good waiters names for anytime dining?

Me and my wife really enjoyed Nicolleta from Romania also Wayan's team provided great service as well.

[Bridge Maven]

Now that Carnival has elegant night instead of formal night, how were most people dressed for it?

[mixjock]

Originally Posted by Bridge Maven

Now that Carnival has elegant night instead of formal night, how were most people dressed for it?

Most of the people that we saw were in suit & ties and nice dresses. There were a few who were slightly dressed down than that but not many. The second elegant night we weren't up to dressing up so we ate on the lido deck, definitely was not the same.

[Bridge Maven]

Originally Posted by mixjock

Most of the people that we saw were in suit & ties and nice dresses. There were a few who were slightly dressed down than that but not many. The second elegant night we weren't up to dressing up so we ate on the lido deck, definitely was not the same.

Thanks for answering my question. It sounds as if my husband should bring a suit instead of a sports jacket.

[mixjock]

Originally Posted by Bridge Maven

Thanks for answering my question. It sounds as if my husband should bring a suit instead of a sports jacket.

A sports jacket should be adequate. That was probably what I was wearing...when it comes to fashion I'm clueless, I go with the categories, tux, suit, shirt & tie, golf shirt, t-shirt.

One other tip, don't pack as much as you think you may need. Especially long pants.

[klmorg]

Originally Posted by Bridge Maven

Is this the Embassy Suites on Westshore Drive - If so, we made a reservation there for the night before our cruise on Legend in June.

No, the one on Westshore is a different location from the one in downtown (Convention Center I think its called). I was lucky enough to score reservations for the downtown Embassy for the same price as I had booked for the one on Westshore. You might check it out. Either way, you can't go wrong with an Embassy Suites in my opinion!

[mixjock]

Pictures before we set sail in Tampa.