Carnival Legend 2/7-2/14 Review with Pics!

On this cruise it was just me, Tracey 31 and my BF Marcus 31. Another great cruise!

We arrived in Tampa at around 11am on Saturday and stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown. We were lucky enough to check in early, so we were in our room by about 12:30pm. The hotel was very nice and they offer complimentary cocktails for about an hour or so and a complimentary hot breakfast in the morning. We had a two room suite and it was nice and clean. Here are some pics of our room and the inside of the hotel.

Looking forward to some great reading. I LOVE reviews with pictures!!

This is the area that we used to eat breakfast and also where the cocktail hr was

On the way to the hotel, the cab driver told us about a Mardi Gras that was going on that night in Ybor City. We had decided we were going to check it out, but first we were starving so we took a walk to Hooters and I had some wings and fries and BF had crab legs. Those wings are good. Yum.

We took a little nap and later that night went down to the lounge area and had few drinks. After the drinks we decided to head over to Ybor City for the Mardi Gras parade. It ended up being a lot of fun. Everyone was screaming for beads as the floats went by. Of course my BF, being the funny man that he is, was the only one lifting up his shirt for beads. It was too funny. We ended up going to bed pretty late that night, but we had fun so it was all good.

Here is a short video toward the end of the parade.

The next morning when we woke up, we showered and were getting ready for breakfast when BF asked where his deodorant was. Wouldn’t you know it was the only thing I forgot to pack. Oops!

No big deal, so we went downstairs to breakfast and they had an omelette station along with scrambled eggs, toast, hash browns, bacon, muffins, yogurt, cereal, fruit, and juices. It was not a bad breakfast at all. After we ate, we went to the room to grab our luggage and asked the lady at the desk about the shuttle. She said it was $3pp to bring us to the pier. That was great, but first we took a short walk a couple blocks away to the Walgreens to get the deodorant. When we returned, we waited a little while for the shuttle to arrive and then off we went. Very easy and smooth process. The lines were not that bad at all and once we finally got our sail and sign cards and took the embarkation photo we were officially on vacation. YESSSS!

I must say, we were really liking the Legend. I thought it was the best looking ship we had been on yet and I loved the layout. The only thing were weren’t used to was how the food stations were. The salad, fruit, milks were at separate stations instead of all together with the breakfast or dinner buffet like on previous ships. Anyway, the Legend is my favorite ship to date. I see why everyone loves it.

The first thing we did when we got on was went right up to the Lido deck for our first DOD. Thanks to Host Mach posting a pic of this scrumptious looking drink, I had my mind set on trying it. Sooo glad I did. Aside from my usual captain and cokes this became my new favorite drink. The Mocha Chocolate Getaway.

Ok so maybe NOW we were officially on vacation.:D

Here are some pics we took from the Lido.

Aquarium in Channelside

View of Channelside

More to come tomorrow. I need to eat I'm starving!

Can't wait to read more! We cruise the Legend in 10 days... can't wait!!!!!

On the Legend in 30 days...Great start and photos, Froggy4...you make a very cute couple! We're staying at the other Embassy Suites pre-cruise...they really do a good job of it, in our opinion! The Mardi Gras party certainly was a bonus!

Great review & pics so far. I agree too that you are a cute couple.

cant wait to read more

Im hooked and ready to read more.

Im a sucker for reviews with pictures!

Good Job so far Froggy4. Can't wait to read the rest and love the pictures.

Mmm, that drink looks like an ice cream sundae! :p

Looking forward to some great reading. I LOVE reviews with pictures!!

If you click on the western capers, you will get a virus.. a nasty one too...

If you click on the western capers, you will get a virus.. a nasty one too...

Where did you see that link? :confused:

EDITED: I see it now. But I didn't click.

Where did you see that link? :confused:

 

EDITED: I see it now. But I didn't click.

Its under Arymay's quote. I think it's probably linked to her account. I've got two virus's from the page that it sends you to. I think it's called webshots.com.

It was absolutely freezing in Tampa, especially when we got to the top deck. We were waiting inside til the Skyway Bridge got close enough so we didn’t have to stand out there too long. What an awesome sight that is! You really have to be there to appreciate it. I was cringing as we went under. It really looks like the ship is going to hit it. We actually got to see it twice due to the fact that we were arriving late in Tampa because of the mechanical problems. So, the first time I took a video of it from the front of the whale tail and on the way back I was behind it.

Here is a video I took on our way back to Tampa.

It was time now to go watch the superbowl. At first we went to the Dream Team Bar and figured it would be nice to watch there because of all the T.V.s. After ordering a couple drinks, we started chatting with this guy who told us they were showing it on the big screen in the Follies Lounge. This was much better. They were serving a few finger foods and I think hot dogs. Since my team wasn't in it, I decided to go for the Saints and BF being a die hard Steelers fan had to keep it in the AFC, so he was rooting for the Colts. The fans seemed split, but I think I heard more yelling of "Who Dat Baby!" than anything else, so I'd say the Saints fans had a little edge. It was a good time.

Next up Sea Day

Day 2- 2/8/10 Sea Day

Today started off cloudy and too cold to go in the pools, so after breakfast we decided to go in the hot tub. We went back to our room first and found 2 letters in the little mailbox. I loved that, for once I was excited to get mail that wasn’t a bill, well not yet anyway..lol The letters were from the casino host stating that we would each get 500 points and a complimentary drink. I was very surprised because we don’t really gamble all that much. So, after changing we went back to the Lido and got in the hot tub. We stayed in there for a while then went up to the spa and used theirs. The spa hot tub is always empty.... love it!

Later that day we did the wine and food pairing up in the Golden Fleece Supper Club. It was a decent turn out. Now, I’m not a wine drinker, but BF likes it so I gave it a go. I thought maybe before I was just trying the wrong wine. Well, let’s just say I’m still not a wine drinker..lol The only one that I thought wasn’t that bad was the Riesling and I still probably couldn’t drink much of it. BF kept laughing at the faces I was making between the food and the wine. He enjoyed it very much, so overall I have to say it was a nice experience. At least I tried, right?

By this time the sun was shining and I could see people out the window laying out. Yay, sun!

We went to eat some lunch and seen a little of the hairy chest contest and then went to take a nap. I realized that no matter how young people may think we are, we need a nap! If I don’t take a nap on a cruise I’m knocked out so early. Between the sun and the snorkeling, I’m wiped out. Not to mention all the food I eat.:p It was a nice relaxing day at sea and tonight was the first elegant night, so when we woke up we started to get ready for that.

We had chosen to do your time dining and were glad we did. The wait was not long at all and I was happy not to have to wait in line the first day to request a table for 2. We went down at 8 because we like to eat late and were seated about 15 minutes later. We will definitely choose your time again. The food was great as it always is in my opinion. I had the stuffed mushrooms for an app, which are my favorite, a salad, and the prime rib. BF had shrimp and lobster. We only went to the dining room on the two elegant nights, but I only took pics of the food on the first night.

For dessert can you guess what I had? Hmmmm? That’s right, I had the warm chocolate melting cake. BF also surprised me with a little Happy Birthday sing along with the waiters. My bday was embarkation day. So, on top of the melting cake I ate some of the piece of cake they brought me. I was stuffed after that. After dinner, we went to the casino and did a little gambling. We weren’t as lucky on this cruise as we were on the first, but we had a good time anyway. I found a new favorite penny slot called Hoot Loot, now that game is addicting! I managed to pull myself away. Later that night we went to see the R rated comedian. He was funny and it was a good show.

By the way, BF thought I was crazy when I whipped out the camera to take pics of the food. I told him the people on CC like to see food pics. I got an eye roll on that one..lol

Stuffed Mushrooms and BF had Fruit

Prime Rib

BF's Shrimp and Lobster

Our cute little puppy

Next up Day 3 Grand Cayman

Day 3- 2/9/10 Grand Cayman

We had booked a tour with Nativeways for today. We chose the Rays, Reef, and Rum Point Tour and I loved it. The tender process was painless and when we got on the island, we looked around for the Nativeways sign and spotted it right away. We told Solomon (I think that was his name) we had a reservation and he told us what time to meet back there for the tour. We went to look in a couple of shops and I bought a magnet, which I do at every island for my souvenir and BF bought a pair of sunglasses. Grand Cayman is a really nice island and not once did we get asked to take a tour or buy anything while we were walking. I was really surprised at that. Everybody was so nice and just laid back. Once it got close to the time, we headed back to the meeting spot and waited for Solomon to give us the ok to start walking to the van. It was a short walk and we got in with about 25 other people. Then, off to the boat we went. A little while after we got on the boat we ordered our lunch from the menu at Rum Point.

We started off at Stingray City and that was an awesome experience. They were everywhere, but very friendly. We held them, kissed them for our 7 years good luck, and fed them. That was one of the highlights of our trip. We ended up buying the cd of pics that they took of us with the rays.

These were taken while we were waiting for the tour.

You knew it was coming!

I'll finish up Grand Cayman later tonight.

Enjoying your review - can't wait for the rest. Love the pictures!! We are on the Legend in July and are also booked on the Rays, Reef and Rum Point tour with Nativeways.

Michelle

It was great, you will love it!

Love your review so far! I especially love the picture of the two of you kissing the stingray - I was waaaayyyy too scared to do that when I was there last year!

We were on the ship with you. We had a ball. Loved Carnival and loved the Legend. Oh, my , between the Chocolate Melting Cake and the Mocha Getaway drink, mmmmmmmmm, don't forget the bitter and blanche ?? dessert.

Love your pictures and your review. It helps. We returned home last night after a post cruise visit with our son in FL. Ready to go back !

i'm loving your review. it's getting me too excited for our March 7th trip :P

We were on the ship with you. We had a ball. Loved Carnival and loved the Legend. Oh, my , between the Chocolate Melting Cake and the Mocha Getaway drink, mmmmmmmmm, don't forget the bitter and blanche ?? dessert.

 

Love your pictures and your review. It helps. We returned home last night after a post cruise visit with our son in FL. Ready to go back !

Thank you, I di not get to have the bitter and blanc this time because were only in the dining room two nights. A little disppointed I missed it this time!

i'm loving your review. it's getting me too excited for our March 7th trip :P

Thank you, March 7th is right around the corner. You will have a blast.:)