CFitzRN

Let me clarify that the reason I'd probably choose open seating again is because, with such a big group and many teenagers, it's tough to get everyone on the same page and into the dining room at a specific time. That's the real value of open seating.

can someone tell me the open seating is going?

 

do you have to call for a table or just or there and be seated?

 

tell me everything....

 

michele

From what I understand open seating is great - IF you are a small party, say, 2-4. Anything above 4, it is more difficult to walk up and be immediately seated, especially during busy times. AND if you are a party of more than 6 (which we were), they only have TWO tables large enough to accommodate you, so if they're both occupied (which they were many times) you're screwed. The good thing is, you can call for a reservation by 4pm and they will have your table ready at the time you ask for. The only problem with that is, if you call later rather than earlier, your time will be taken. Not to mention the fact that it sort of nullifies the whole "open" part of "open seating", haha. Oh, and all open seating is on the upper level dining room, which was fine with us.

I would probably take open seating again if given the choice because of our large party (with 5 kids, most of whom are teenagers) but I would be more prepared to wait than I was. They give you a pager like they do at restaurants and call you when your table opens up, which bugged me at the time, but now I'd just be more prepared. You know, have a game plan. If we get a pager, we'll take it and go play a game of cards in the lounge right outside the upper level of Truffles while we wait - that sort of thing.

If you are scheduled for early dining, how do you see the sailing under the bridge and be in the dining room at the same time? Is there an alternative besides the buffet? Thank you

I love your username, hahaha!

From what I understand, the only dining areas are the buffet on Lido, the Truffles dining room, and the Golden Fleece Supper Club (which costs extra and I'm not even sure it's open at sailaway). I've heard people say they just kept an eye on the bridge in the distance and ran out to watch the sail under and then went right back to their dining table. There are glass doors directly outside of the dining room that lead to a deck (not an upper deck) - you can go out, watch the sail under, and go right back into the dining room. Also, they do make an announcement a few minutes before sail under alerting everyone to it so they can all be on deck to watch.

Can I be brutally honest here? I found nothing amazing or unforgettable about it. Seriously. My kids thought it was neat but we could have gone without ever seeing it and lived happily ever after. The bridge was much more beautiful and photogenic from a distance. I would take a nice picture of it from a distance and then go have dinner! Whatever you decide, you can work it out.

Posting my review (brief) and link to pictures of our Legend Cruise we just took.

My review will be mostly pictorial - here is the link:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...localeid=en_US (please let me know if this link isn't working!)

The first few pictures are from a get-together my son had on July 4 so you can skip those.

What can I say about the Legend? Well, I don't think I'm a "Carnival can do no wrong" type of person after my first cruise. It was nice, but I found the ship to be somewhat boring and overcrowded most times. The pools are way too small and far too many people are trying to cram into them. I was on deck 8 and the noise from deck 9 was absolutely unbearable at times - even my kids, who sleep like rocks - had trouble sleeping with all the noise from above.

I found the cigarette smoke in the casino to be insufferable. So much so that we avoided even walking through it. It really was awful! Our room steward (Salvador) was great and unassuming. Our waiters (Krishnan and sometimes Veljko) were excellent. Shawn the cruise director was cute. The ship was clean and mostly in good shape. Most people were very friendly. The staff was almost always friendly and accommodating.

The food was marginally good. Not tremendous, but good. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the Supper Club because our reservations were the night of the Roatan port call and we were just pooped and didn't feel like dressing for dinner. I'm sure it would have been wonderful. The spa is absolutely lovely and I spent quite a bit of time in there - the hot tub, sauna, showers, etc. My son loved the fitness center. The extended balcony rooms we had were great. I would never think of getting anything else. One night I awoke to a very panicky, claustrophobic feeling (not sure why) and I was able to walk out onto my balcony and felt much, much better. Seeing the moonlight on the water in the middle of the night was really nice. There were only a few times when someone was smoking next to or near my balcony and it bothered me. Mostly it was ok.

Check in was easy. Had we gotten there just a little earlier it would have been painless. We got there about 11:30 and that was when the line really started to form. But no big deal. Check out was easy too. The Tampa port is great. During sailaway we were out on the balcony and saw dolphins swimming next to the ship. That was neat.

GC was nice but the water was really rough. We did waverunners and although it was fun, we were beaten half to death from the rough water! The stingray swim was absolutely amazing. Snorkeling at GC was awful. Way too rough, and my 19 year old son swallowed so much salt water he was sick the rest of the day!

Cozumel - we did Chankanaab park and the dolphin swim. Highly recommend Chankanaab, even if you're not doing the dolphin swim. Snorkeling much better there, nice places to relax, lots to see and do. Food/drinks readily available, taxis always at the ready to bring you there and take you back to the pier.

Belize - we opted to stay on board. Our crew was wiped out and we needed some down time. I wish I could have seen it though.

Roatan - absolutely positively fabulous. Met Victor Bodden right outside the gate, he introduced us to Cardy, our wonderful driver, and we were off. I cannot say enough good things about Victor or his driver, Cardy. They are consummate professionals and we were blown away. Loved, loved, LOVED Roatan. We were the first people off the ship at 8 (6 am island time) and there they were, waiting for us. Cardy took us on a tour of the island and told us all about its history. He took us ziplining at Pirates of the Caribbean ziplining - we chose "extreme ziplining" and are glad we did. Fun!! We went to Victor's home and played with his monkeys and other animals - that was a huge hit with my crew. Then he took us snorkeling at Half Moon Bay - very good snorkeling. Even my 10 year old loved the snorkeling here. He actually saw a stone fish and got very freaked out (he knows they're deadly) but after I "talked him down" he came back out. We saw tons of fish and a sea snake (cool!). Wish we could have stayed a couple of days at least! Cardy was an absolute gentleman. Very noble, calm, great driver, very patient. He told us about his family but only when we asked. Found out he has mostly grown children and one 7 year old daughter. He went to EMT school in the states (Milwaukee) some years ago. He speaks absolutely perfect English with only a hint of an accent. He is a wonderful man. I wish we had tipped him double what we did (35.00). We would have if we'd had more cash with us.

If anyone has any specific questions about the ship or the ports, please let me know and I'll do my best to answer!

This is easy. I just got off the Legend Sunday so it's fresh in my mind. On our first "fun day at sea" I had a couple of drinks and was feeling a little goofy. I decided I was going to use the bathroom in the spa, which was right near where I was. So I waltz in like I know exactly what I'm doing and walk into the bathroom. There is a staff member (male) in it and he says "Excuse me! Excuse me!", and I say "yes?" and he says, in very broken English "um, this for not weeemen", and being that I was getting my goof on, I didn't quite catch on. He was motioning with his hands toward the door. I said "I'll just be a minute, sorry!" and he said "No, this not for weeemen!" After what now seems like an eternity it dawned on me. DUH-HUH. Now I know that in the spa, the men's and women's areas are separated and I was on the men's side. I turned 10 shades of red and said "I am SOOO sorry! I had the rum!" and rushed out. He was laughing. I prayed I wouldn't see him anymore that trip.

I wanted a picture in front of a certain backdrop on formal night, but as we rounded the corner, my sister in law pointed at the long line for pictures. I gasped and turned around and said, "My God. It is huge!" but my sister-in-law had moved to my left so that put me saying this to a complete stranger--- and he didn't miss a beat-- he threw it right back to me with a quick "yeah, but I've never had any complaints."

:eek:

Hahahaha - good one! My husband would have probably said, "uh... thank you?" :D

Literally just walked in the door (13 hour drive).....

 

This cruise was one of our best (and we have had some great ones)!!!!!

 

The staff and crew really gel and produce a great "spirit" of fun and friendliness!!!

 

Food was good. Service was great. Karaoke was FABULOUS.

 

Simple Friends are in Sachmosi (sp?).

 

I could go on and on...but now there is laundry!!!

GREAT!! I want to hear lots of details, when you have a chance!! :)

I just got back yesterday from the May 4th sailing and I can tell you that 8218 was very noisy!!! I'm nots sure where 8238 but I think it's close. All night long we heard carts rolling by overhead, things banging, doors closing, etc. It happened at various times of day and night no apparent pattern to the timing. Late at night, middle of the night, early morning, in the day, etc. I would ask to be one deck down next time for sure!

Looking at the deck plans, it appears you were directly under the "food court" area of the Lido. I can imagine that might be a little noisy during preparation, and also cleaning, and mealtimes. Bummer.

Don't worry about the Embassy Suites. I live in Tampa and go to that property on occasion for business meetings. Its a standard business type of hotel, well kept and close to the airport and 15 minutes from the pier. If you want to eat cheap there is a Waffle House next door(CLEANER THEN MOST). There is also a Ruth Chris a block away! Go and enjoy!

Cool, thanks. Is that the Westshore property? I know there are two Embassy Suites in the general area.

Ruth's Chris sounds really good right now. MMMMmmmm, steak.... :p

We were sailing on the Zuiderdam and it was formal night and the seas were VERY rough. I was in heels and we walking to our table. I was trying to walk straight in my heels on the wavy seas but I lost my balance and kind of fell to the side and I reached out and ended up grabbing a dining room stewards backside:o

It was probably the highlight of his night!! :D

Not me, but you know on the last day, at breakfast, when everyone had been warned about leaving clothes out to disembark in? Well a couple from California came to the table. She was dressed nicely, he was wearing a Kamono and sandals. I thought it was a California thing and he could have carried it off, but he admitted that was all he was wearing and he forgot to leave out some clothes. On the bright side, He did get through customs quick:)

HAHAHA - great story! "got through customs quick" - very nice! :D

Ok, I know there are a bunch of you out there who have created a version of my famous Smuggler's Punch using combinations of mixers available on board, along with rum or another potent potable.

My personal recipe is:

(purchase an insulated "water" bottle from the on-board store for about $5)

 

Fill the container with ice to the top

Add 2 parts fruit punch

Add 1 part Lemonade

Add 2 (or more :)) parts rum. I like to mix equal parts dark and light rum.

Give it a good shake and enjoy!

 

I have another version where I substitue sprite for the lemonade which is also very good.

 

So let's hear it -- anybody else have a recipe for a drink using on-board mixers?

Dude, I think I just figured out my favorite on-board drink. Thanks for the info!! :D

Hi all.....

 

Last summer I took my daughters 15, 17, and 19 at the time, for a cruise aboard the Glory. Everyone had a great time.

This year I booked a cruise on the Legend for July. I just realized that the Legend is a smaller ship than the Glory, and am now a bit concerned that they may not have as much for a teenager to do.

Can anyone tell me how the Legend is as far as teens cruising aboard her?

Thank you

Mike :-)

I dunno, but I have 3 sons, 15, 18 & 19 (plus a 10 year old)... when are you sailing the Legend? ;) ;) ;)

what's the name of supper club and the surcharge $?

From what I understand: Golden Fleece Supper Club - $30 pp

The number stands for the type of room, and the letter is for the floor - kind of. On the Legend, the number 8 is for a balcony room. Letters A, B, D, F, and H are standard balconies, going from the lowest floor with balcony cabins (Main) to the highest (Panorama). Letters C, E, G, and I are extended balconies, starting on the Upper deck and going up to Panorama.

Thanks you guys - I appreciate the schoolin'! :D

We have a BL as well and got our room assignment at about 47 days out. A very nice upgrade to an 8F from the 8A.

Can someone tell me the difference between an 8A and an 8F? I really don't understand it! TIA!

We were in 8247 which is only a couple rooms from the stairs and I had no problem (except when the college kids in the next room were a little "overzealous" when they were rough housing). I thought they were coming through the wall a couple times!

Oh, to be young again. So we could kick their noisy butts. ;)

Hi again guys -

We are booked in the Embassy Suites Westshore for the night before the cruise and then two nights after (we're taking the kids to Busch Gardens and such). I've read some fairly bad reviews on tripadvisor dot com, and now I'm worried we'll need to find another hotel. I really don't want to pay that much for a crappy hotel. We're somewhat limited as we are two adults and 5 kids. That hotel has very large suites that sleep up to 8, so it's very convenient for us.

Does anyone have any experience with this hotel, and if so, would you mind sharing? Thanks.

Yes, I think that's the way all the cabins are, except for maybe a few. And we didn't request to have ours pushed together...they just did it. Maybe they do it if they see it's a couple in the room. The rooms are quite nice and roomy for a cruise ship. The extended balconies are a really nice size. The shower is a little small, but the vanity is large and has 3 shelves on each side.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have...I am usually lurking in the threads every day, as are others who are willing to help! And the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.....;) :D

Hey again Linny -

I thought of another question and you've probably answered it before. You are in a cabin right around the part of the ship where we will be and on the same deck (on the opp. side). Did you notice a lot of noise from the Lido deck above? I'm a little worried about that.

Just got back this weekend!!! a really awesome shore excursion is the Canopy tour and gumbalimba park in Honduras!!!

you zipline thru the jungle and then they take u to play with those baby monkeys u saw!! HAPPY CRUISIN!!!

Thanks! Did you book through Carnival, or an independent?

We stayed in 8169 and that was probably in the same vicinity. We didn't hear much of anything. Occasionally we would hear some chairs scraping on the floor, but that was rare, and we heard it when on the balcony, not in the room.

Have a great trip!!!!:D

We're right down from where you were - 8164, 8166, and our older teens have 8156. I need to quit worrying about what might be wrong and just plan to enjoy the crap out of everything!! ;)

Christy, Congrats on your graduation! This cruise is a wonderful way to celebrate! We did it last year and it was fantastic! I can help with some of your questions, but do't have teens, so not sure about those.

The baby monkeys are on Roatan. If you book a tour with Victor Bodden (boddentours dot com), you will get a driver for the day to do anything you like. They are very good and have gotten good reviews from many members. The monkeys (2) are at Victor Bodden's home, and you can choose that as a stop. They are very cute, but time with them is limited. I believe there is a Carnival tour that also goes to see monkeys somewhere else. Raotan is a beautiful island...very unspoiled by tourism. It is also VERY poor, but don't let that get you nervous...we found the people to be very nice and much less pushy than many islands. They do have a beach you can request to go to where you can snorkel from the beach. These are more touristy spots (on the West End). Unfortunately you don't get alot of time in this port, as you have to be back at the ship by 1:30 (if I remember correctly). Definitely take a tour here...it is well worth seeing before it becomes a tourist trap, and there is not much to do right around the ship.

In grand Cayman you can do a stingray and snorkel tour where you take a boat to stingray city and then get out and stand on a sandbar and interact with the rays. It is awesome...and they are very used to people, so not threatening.

Cozumel has lots to do and also a very nice port area. We went to Chankanaab (a marine park) and did a dolphin swim. Was the highlight of our trip! The park itself is beautiful and you can easily spend the day there. They also have snorkeling right there, a lagoon, a big pool with swim up bar, smaller replicas of Mayan ruins, gardens and open air restuarants with Mariachi singers. There are lockers and very nice changing facilities.

We stayed in port and wandered around in shops in Belize because our tour was cancelled. Very good snorkeling there because of the barrier reef, but you would go out to the ocean to do those.

We stayed on the Pnaorama Deck, a little aft of midship. We did not experience the nosie that some people complain about, nothing more than the occasional chair moving, which we only heard if we were on the balcony. I think most noise complaints come from people who are directly under the aft pool...lounges moving, etc.

You may also want to go to the Ports of Call threads and read what others have to say, if you haven't already.

You will have a great time! I LOVED this ship and the ports!!!:D

Great information, thank you so much! Now we just have to process all the info we've gotten and decide what is most important to us. I have to tell you, it is not going to be easy to decide. The truth is I want to do everything that I've heard about. Zip lining, cave tubing, mayan ruins, snorkeling, rays, hanging out on the beach with a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand, waverunning, ALL OF IT. I only wish.

Thanks again for the great information. I love to be armed with knowledge before embarking (no pun intended) on any new adventures. One more question - what has been your favorite cruise of all (assuming you've been on multiple cruises)?

Thanks! :)

Cool, thanks for looking out for the rest of us! These are aimed at anyone who may have knowledge of this port, this cruise, and this ship. I have lots of questions! :confused:

My family (husband, me, 4 sons and oldest son's gf - ages 19, 18, 17, 14 & 10) are going in July to W Caribbean. First cruise for all of us. It is my graduation gift (nursing school).

My guys aren't go-go-go - they like adventure, but also like to be more slow-paced. So we're planning to do 2 really good excursions instead of one in every port. Maybe you can help us narrow it down to 2 of the best. I've seen pictures from others who made the same ports-of-call. One couple had an excursion where they were able to hold and play with baby monkeys. My guys are animal-crazy and would love that. I have no idea where it was, which excursion they went through, etc. Maybe you or someone else can find out! :)

I would love to know which port has the absolute best snorkeling for beginners - clear water, shallow, close-up easy-to-see fish and coral, etc. My husband and I are snorkelers but our guys have never gone. We would love for this to be a great beginning snorkeling trip for them.

We are on the Panorama deck. Is there a problem with movement up there? Are we more likely to get seasick? Any issues with noise on the higher decks?

What is fun for teenagers on the ship besides the Club 2-0 or whatever it's called? What sort of stuff do they have that is aimed at that set? How is the video arcade? Are the games free or pay-as-you-play?

What drinks are free? I know you have to buy a soda card if you want unlimited soda, but surely they offer something for free?

Where should we park (we're driving to Tampa from NC)? And we're staying in a hotel the night before we sail, and then for two nights after we return. Any suggestions for a big party of 7?

Thanks in advance to anyone who may have some answers!