*Legend Review Anniversary Cruise April 22nd - 29th 2012*

[Tahmay]

OK, just wanted to give everyone a warning. This is my 1st review EVER, so be patient with me. Some of the pictures were taken with either my Panasonic Lumix, or with my husband Mike's, camera on his Android. So if some of the picture quality looks bad, it was probably taken on his cell phone.

 

I am not a big picture taker, so please don't be disappointed by the lack of photos of the actual ship itself!

 

I have been on several cruises before, but this was my husbands 2nd cruise. We went on our honeymoon last year on Carnival Freedom, and he got bitten by the "cruisin bug". So for our 1 year anniversary he chose the Legend. I am also the type of cruiser who just wants to relax, eat good food, and have a drink, or 3. :D

 

We live in Jacksonville, FL so we drove down the 4 hours to the St Pete area to stay with my husbands grandmother the Saturday night before the cruise. I am a BIG procrastinator so I ended up waiting to pack that morning and got into Tampa around 6pm that night. Luckily it was still sunny out so we drove out to Treasure Island and hung out a little at Sloppy Joe's on the beach. We had a late dinner, and decided to turn in for the night since we had a big day ahead of us.

 

(Sloppy Joe's)

 

(I wanted to include this picture of the Howard Frankland Bridge. Its on I 275 and takes you from Tampa into St Pete. It was awesome. I read where it was 11miles long. Really cool bridge!)

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Day 1: Embarkation

 

My husband has a lot of family in the Tampa area, so I think his grandmother took it upon herself to invite ALL of them over for breakfast so we could have an impromptu Family Reunion. It was actually great since the only time I have met most of them was at my wedding a year earlier. After a big breakfast we started the 30minute drive to Channelside Dr and arrived at the port around 1pm. We had his grandmother drop us off, and it took us no more than 20 minutes to go through security, (most of the time was spent when they checked every single coke bottle lid that we had had brought, all 24) and got onto the ship. We like to come later so then we can got directly to our rooms, and it was ready. We met our room steward and he was great!

 

We went to explore the ship but of course by then it was packed! Of course the 1st place we had to go to was the casino. My husband practically lived there the entire week. All the staff was friendly and went out of their way to make sure that we had a great vacation. The only negative I can remember from the 1st day was when we were on an elevator in the atrium, the door opened on the 4th floor and a Carnival worker who was pushing a lady in a wheelchair snapped at us to get out. We looked at him puzzled and he then yelled "GET OFF". We did so, and he continued into the elevator with his passenger. I couldn't believe how rude he was. I was so in shock, I didn't even think to get his name? I didn't want it to ruin our cruise so I just brushed it off, and assumed that maybe he was stressed out. (However inappropriate he was).

 

So it was soon time for the muster station, and then back to the room. Our bags hadn't arrived yet so I kept myself occupied by setting up the door sign. But the tape I brought wasn't sticking. Luckily our room steward saw it fall and broke out some stronger tape. I was actually surprised at how much tape he used. But he knew what he was doing, cause that bad boy didn't move an inch the entire week!!

 

We always have early seating 6pm in the MDR. We had a GREAT waiting staff. Jay, Jeffrey, and Juan. The 3 J's. They were very attentive and throughout the whole cruise we were in and out within 45 minutes.

 

The ship left out of Tampa about an hour late, so we thought if we rushed through dinner we would have enough time to run up to the the Lido deck as the ship was going under the Skyline Bridge. But of course, as we were getting up from dinner we saw the bridge pass by the window. Awwww man! Oh well. Since we live in Jax, I have been out of that port several times, so I can only imagine it's very similar to going under the Dames Point Bridge, so I got over it.

 

After dinner I felt really woosy. It was raining off and on the whole day and the sea was really rough. This was the 1st time that we had a cabin in the Aft, so I wasnt sure if that was why I could feel the boat go back and forth, but apparently the rest of the ship felt bad as well because from what I heard, almost no one went to any of the planned activities the 1st night. This would be my 5th cruise and I had never been sea sick before. I took some Dramamine after dinner and called it a night.

 

Here are some pics from the 1st day.

 

 

(View of Tampa as we were sailing away)

 

(I really liked the stairs because my favorite color is purple! lol)

[Tahmay]

(Entrance to the casino. Or as I call it my "Camp Carnival". It kept my hubby occupied for HOURS!)

 

(Yes, we were very ashamed of ourselves)

 

(Although they arent mandatory to wear to muster stations anymore, we still had fun with them)

 

(Our door decorations)

 

[Tahmay]

Day 2: Sea Day

 

Since I went to bed about 10pm the night before, I was up about 7am. I started the unpacking, since we got our bags so late the night before. As my husband slept in I started watching the CD's morning show, Kirk Benning. He was soooo funny! Usually CD's come off as corny to me so I never pay attention to them, but Kirk was very funny and had a great wit about him. When he asked for callers, I called in. He asked me what I was doing? I told him that I was unpacking while listening to my husband snore. He then had me turn the tv volume on full blast, while he and his co-host, Dave, yelled for my husband to wake up at the top of their lungs. It was hilarious, (mean but funny)!! My husband sprang out of bed like there was a fire. He then just turned over and went back to sleep. About an hour later there was a signed 8X10 of the Legend going underneath the Skyline Bridge with a note and a bottle of champagne from Kirk. So of course from that point on I LOVED HIM!!

 

Unfortunately, I was still feeling very nauseated. My roll call was meeting at 1pm to go cabin to cabin for a Poker Run, but by the time I got myself out of bed, showered, and then dressed I was too light headed to do anything. I was able to eat a little. Mike wanted me to watch him play in the 1st Slots Tournament of the week, but as soon as I got down to the casino, I just couldn't do it. I went back to my cabin and fell asleep.

 

Mike came back an hour later... with his ship on a stick and $500!! He won the tournament! I was so happy for him!

 

The Dramamine wasn't helping much, so my husband went to the gift shop and for $15 got me two acupuncture wrist bands that the clerk suggested. They kind of hurt from being a little too tight but I was willing to try anything. 2 days wasted already on my cruise? No bueno!! I'm not sure if the wrist bands worked or the sea was leveling out a little, but I felt better to go to our 1st formal dinner.

 

We got a nice bottle of champagne from Mike's Aunt at our wedding and we saved it for a year to drink on our 1yr anniversary. You can tell by Mike's expression on his face on how much he liked it.

 

After dinner, I still wasn't 100%, so Mike tucked me in and headed back to... you guessed it the casino! I guess that $500 was burning a hole in his pocket. I find it funny how he isn't a big gambler at home, but he was winning, so I had no problem with it.

 

 

 

(He's not much of a champagne drinker... OBVIOUSLY!)

 

(My gorgeous husband at dinner)

 

(My favorite dessert in the whole world! I love me some creme brulee)

[Tahmay]

Day 3: Cozumel

 

We ordered room service for breakfast and headed down to the Follies Lounge for our early tender 15 minutes earlier than the departure time on our ticket, (like Carnival recommends). About 15 minutes AFTER the departure time, they finally just said "OK everyone line up". It just seemed very unorganized considering this is something that they should have down pat!?!

 

So we get off the pier and were directed to the next pier over. We then had to wait to get in line for the "Ultra Mar" to take us to Playa Del Carmen. I was a little worried because I heard lots of reviews about how rough the 35 minute boat ride was. I don't normally get sea sick, but with me feeling under the weather the past two days I was really nervous. They passed out vomit bags, and Mike said that he saw a couple of people throw up. I was actually OK. It was as rough as they said it would be, but they had free wifi on board so I spent the whole time on my phone catching up on emails, and of course Facebook.

 

Once we got to Playa Del Carmen, we were assigned a tour guide, and got on a air conditioned bus for an hour drive to the Talum Mayan Ruins. I have been before back in 2002, when I had gone to Cancun for spring break, but it was something that I wanted my husband to see because the ruins are so beautiful! It was also cool being there before the end of the world come this December. :D

 

Talum was just as awesome as I remembered, however the bad thing about it, is that it takes up your whole day! Once we got back on the bus then the Ultra Mar it was already past the time we were supposed to be on the ship. We weren't worried because there were a lot of us, not to mention we booked with Carnival. I was more irritated because I like to collect the sports bottles from Fat Tuesdays and I didn't think that I would have enough time to stop and get one. Once we docked, we were one of the 1st ones off the boat and made a mad dash to FT. Got 2 sports bottle drinks $23 and made our way to the ship. The Conquest was also docked so between that and the Legend the lines were long and we had plenty of time to finish our drinks and get on the boat.

 

(Viva Mexico)

 

(Mike in front of the ships)

 

 

(Picture of a very nice resort that we saw right off of the port in Playa Del Carmen)

 

(They kept track of us by collecting our tickets once we got into the ruins. Sucked that we couldnt keep it)

[Tahmay]

(Our tour guide: Leire. Her name was harder to pronounce then it's spelled so we just called her Dora!!) :)

 

 

(Beautiful view)

 

(They gave us a couple of hours to roam around or swim, but we decided that we didn't want an almost 2hour ride back to the ship being wet and miserable, so we just walked around and explored)

 

(The snack they gave us on the bus ride home)

[Tahmay]

Day 4: Belize

 

I have lived in Florida for over 20 years but have never been on an airboat before, so when I saw that the excursion was available in Belize, of course I signed us up!!

 

Based on the chaos that there was the previous day, we arrived at the Follies Lounge only 5 minutes earlier than the departure time, but there was barely anyone there? The head person "organizing" the excursions stated that our group had already left?!? She then lead us on a mad dash through the employee stairway to the boat tenders. She cut us in front of everyone but unfortunately we were the 1st ones on the boat, which meant it took another 30 minutes till they left because they had to pack everyone in like sardines. By the time the tender got to the pier it was already an hour later. Needless to say we were not happy at all! We did as much exploring as we could to make the best out of a bad situation, but as a lot of you know, if you don't have an excursion planned, Belize is not that great! So after about a half an hour we got back on the tender back to the ship. Carnival refunded our money without any issue.

 

So we had lunch and I finally got to spend some time on the Serenity deck. It was sooooo nice. I started reading "Cruise Confidential" by Brian David Bruns and time just flew by.

 

We went to dinner in the MDR, which was great as usual. Later that night I went down with Mike to the casino, and was amazed at how many friends he had made. Everybody knew him! (Still not sure if that was a good or bad thing?) We then went back to the cabin and decided to rent a movie. Sherlock Holmes. It was so nice to spend time with Mike, relaxing in bed, without feeling sick to my stomach! lol

 

 

 

 

(I read where due to the barrier reef that surrounds Belize that cruise ships have to zigzag their way around the reef to tender and thats why it takes 30minutes to get to the pier. When I saw this, I thought "oh no, we are stuck in a sand bar"!)

 

(We got to the tender right at 9:30am, and we were so irritated that 9minutes later we were still sitting on the tender, (not knowing we would still be waiting 30minutes later). We took a pic just in case Carnival wanted to argue with us about the refund. Luckily they didnt.)

 

(Coming back to the ship. Our cabin was on deck 7, second from right)

 

(My view of Belize)

[Tahmay]

Day 5- Roatan

 

I am an early bird, so I was up again around 7am, and saw us pull into Mahogany Bay. The sunrise was amazing!

 

I let Mike sleep in a little, and sat out on the balcony to people watch and finish my book. Around 11am, we went up to Lido to have lunch then headed out to Roatan. There was a Fat Tuesdays so of course I had to stop and get 2 sports bottles, holy cow it was $26!!!

 

We got the "Relax On The Beach" Package and got 2 tickets for the skyride, 2 floats, and a clam shell shade over two chairs. Next time we go, I will just sit in the free chairs, and will get only one float since that's all we used. The beach was just as nice as everyone said it was. Best day as far as I was concerned. We went to a couple of shops then headed back to ship.

 

It was the 2nd formal night, so we got dressed and headed to the MDR. We rushed through dinner, skipped dessert and headed down to the bar that adjoined the casino. We asked them to turn it to ESPN so we could watch the 1st round of the NFL draft, but the bartender told us that he didn't have control over whats on the TV's. We have been Jaguars season ticket holders for over 17 years and were heartbroken. We asked everyone who worked there if they could change the channel. Nobody knew anything?

 

We headed back to the cabin, and finally gave in and bought the internet package of 45minutes for $30. It was just in time. Jaguars traded up to the #5 spot for WR Justin Blackmon. We were thrilled but still bummed because we couldn't stay on nfl.com for the rest of the draft all night. Mike went back to the casino, and I stayed in the room. He then called me 10 minutes later to say that they turned the TV to ESPN Latino and the draft was on. I hurried downstairs and watched the rest of the draft. I guess we weren't the only ones asking to watch it.

 

 

 

 

 

(Mike at our chairs)

 

(Our view)

[Tahmay]

(View of the beach from our Balcony)

 

(Leaving Honduras :()

 

(My 1st and last DOD of the trip. I cant even remember what it was called, but I normally either drink beer or Maker's Mark on the rocks, so I'm not much of a drinker of mixed drinks, but how could I not get this cup?)

 

(I had to include at least one pic of me on a formal night)

[Tahmay]

Day 6: Grand Cayman

 

We were going to go check out the Sting Ray Bar, but my husband was just a little freaked out about being surrounded by Sting Rays so we bumped that excursion. I didnt really mind because I enjoy staying back on port days. Thats the best time to go to the pool! But more importantly, it was time for the "Grand Cayman Classic 2012". Last year I beat my husband at mini golf when we were in GC and he has sworn ever since to beat me! Not today my love, not today! I am proud to say that I am STILL the reigning Grand Cayman putt putt CHAMPION!!!

 

We had lunch and headed to the tender. It took 5 minutes, which was great and we just walked around going into a lot of the different shops. Also spent some time admiring all of the banks located on every corner! Crazy! Stopped by Margaritaville, and had to get some hot sauce!

 

Headed back to the boat. Had dinner at MDR. Went to casino and won a little money on the slot machines, then spent the rest of the night checking out karoake.

 

 

(Oh yeeaaah! Can you say hole in ONE!!!)

 

(Tender to the shore)

 

 

(Mike dry humping a statue. Boys?!)

[Tahmay]

(How can you NOT buy this?)

 

 

(View of the ship from Grand Cayman. It was the first time that I didnt see any other ships in port)

[Tahmay]

Day 7: Sea Day

 

I again let Mike sleep in, (I'm such a great wife) and I headed up to Lido and had breakfast. I had read from other cruise critic reviewers on how to make a homemade frappacino. So I mixed coffee with soft serve ice cream and it was AWESOME!

 

Around 9am I went to get a chair on Serenity, but of course they were all taken. So I tried the Lido deck. All taken. So I thought forget this, and I went back to my cabin and just got sun out on my balcony.

 

Once Mike woke up, we had lunch, and went to the casino. I dont gamble. I feel like its a waste of money. But they did have a coin machine, like I play with at Dave & Busters where you put in quarters and slowly/painfully it will push the quarters down the chute. I took my winnings of $20 from the previous day at the slot machine and just sat there for a good 30 minutes waiting for Mike to finish his last attempt to win another Slots Tournament... he came in second. :(

 

Mike told me to save a few dollars to play "The Vault". Apparently it was a big hit with everyone on the ship the whole week. If you have never seen it before it's kind of a crane game where you position a key to go into a slot, and if it fits you can win money and/or an iPad. I am not very good at "crane games", but to appease him I played. After 2 attempts I was very close. Sure enough on my 3rd try I won $1,000. Mike was so excited! I just stood there thinking, "should I scream or something"? People asked me if they could take my picture. It was very odd, but all in good fun. We then went back to the room to get ready for dinner.

 

After dinner I thought that I was big and bad, and wondered why no one else had won anything, because it was so easy? We went back to play again because I wanted to win the iPad! I got $10 worth of quarters, but I was soon recognized as winning earlier, a large group of people formed around me. I again came very close a few times, but I have to admit all of the people made me feel very nervous/anxious, so I just gave up. Maybe it was just luck, but maybe next trip I will try for an iPad!

 

We got dessert and brought it back to our room. We spent the rest of the night packing, and taking pictures on the balcony.

 

(We love this picture because we thought that the cloud in the background looked like a cruise ship!!)

 

 

(Dessert out on the balcony)

 

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*Closing Summary*

 

Aside from me being seasick the first couple of days, we had a great cruise!! The ship was the easiest I have ever been on to navigate and for the most part all of the passengers were nice and respectful of those around them.

 

The crew, our room steward and wait staff were wonderful. We had a great time, and cant wait till next year on the Liberty to do it again!!

 

(As you can tell, we had a pretty successful trip!)

[Malinger]

Great report and CONGRATS on the win! Love the pics!

I saw you mention sports bottles a few times. What exactly was it? It $eemed like a lot of money for what I am picturing!

[Elmo31]

Thanks for the review, I really enjoyed it. We were also on this sailing and I do agree it was alot of fun. The week went by way to fast :mad:

[vivavegas]

Great review! Nice pictures too! Sounds like you had a good trip!:)

[RedbirdFL]

Loved your review! We just got back yesterday from the Legend and it was nice to re-live the week through your review.

 

That's terrific that you won something at the Vault. We only saw people playing it a few times on ours and no one won anything (that I saw). It didn't seem to be a big hit at all on our cruise.

[lizjoemom]

Great Review! Congratulations on your big win too!

We are sailing her in August so I am really loving these Legend reviews, Thanks!

[gelo7]

Nice review.

[Andoria]

Wonderful review, thanks!

 

I found it amusing that you went back to try for an Ipad after winning $1,000.00. Can't you just buy one with your windfall?:)

 

I'm curious about the sport's bottles too!

[pcrum]

Great review. I especially loved that it was posted all in one day, with photos to boot. Soo annoying to get invested in a review that is never finished or takes 6 months to complete!

 

Sounds like you had a great time and congratulations on your casino winnings!!

[ElvisAndretti]

Thanks for the review, well done on the Vault too!

[reerun25]

Really enjoyed the review!!

[elgato2]

Great review..we're going in Dec...makes the wait a little more bearable!

My DH is DYING to try out the vault..he is VERY GOOD at crane games...we'll see!

[KRW71]

Great review. Congrats on your anniversary.

[MsMot]

Very well done reivew! Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your winnings! Geese, your hubby won $500 and you won $1000! Good for you guys. I really didn't think any of those machines paid off. I think I'll try my luck on the Freedom. ;) ;)

[Tahmay]

Thanks everyone! I dont know if the cups are called "sports bottle's" but thats what they look like to me. I will make sure to take a picture and post it when I get home from work later on tonight! :o