Here ya go.....another Legend review, another perspective

[ericrz]

Thanks for a great trip report!!! We sail on the Legend (for the second time) on September 30, and we're greatly looking forward to it.

 

We're doing a dolphin excursion in Cozumel, hanging out on the Mahogany Bay beach in Roatan, and planning to "waste away" at Margaritaville in GC. :) We have been planning to just stay on the ship in Belize. Last time, my wife and her folks did the Altun Ha ruins tour in Belize, which they enjoyed. It didn't seem appropriate for kids, so I stayed onboard with our daughter (who turned 4 on that cruise, March 2010) and the rest of our family members.

 

Your review of the mini-submersible and Rendezvous bay beach is making me think twice, however. It's interesting to hear your positive impression, as the reviews on carnival.com are pretty uniformly awful!!

 

Anyway, thanks again. And glad you got to stop in Micanopy -- that's a beautiful little town!!

[travelinduo5]

• We arrived at 11am and did not wait in line at all to embark
  
• Used porter to take our checked bags...easy
  
• They checked our case of water, saw it was in original plastic wrap and let everything go through
  
• We brought on 12 packs of soda, 24 bottles of water and rum runners. Don't hate or judge.
  
• Broke away from our 2 18 year olds who wanted to explore their first cruise ship....we ordered a drink of the day and Appletons and Coke from the Casino bar - great drinks
  
• Walked to our room (8263 balcony aft) and room was ready at 1pm with suitcases waiting outside room
  
• Unpacked, took pictures, called kids to come unpack and checked out FunTimes
  
• Met I Made....our Steward for the week. Amazing. Tipped him and asked for our mini bar in refrigerator be unpacked and put away giving us room in the refrigerator. He did so for both rooms and kept our ice bucket filled all week
  
• Safety drill - easy but hot. Had to wait for those that were already feeling quite happy and those that did not want to get out of their rooms or pool. Just follow directions please and let everyone start their vacations. All good.
  
• Went up to the sky deck to watch us set sail. Explored ship until 6pm when we went under the Skyway bridge. Always cool.
  
• Late dinner 8:15. Everton was our waiter. Table for the 4 of us. Service was a little slow all week. Food ok. chocolate melting cake consistently good.
  
• Comedians were great and we enjoyed all the adult shows
  
• G Dog and X man...our bar waiters were fantastic and never an empty glass....and yes, we bought lots of alcohol besides our in the room rum runners beverages.
  
• The seas were as smooth as I have ever seen them
  
• Room was under the serenity deck and under the hammock area which meant no chair moving and oh so close to the Lido deck. Loved it.
  
• Saw flying fish, dolphin
  
• Cozumel - Went to Mr. Sanchos. Water was amazing. Food and beer were good. Toured the organic tequila factory with our cab driver, bought tequila to bring home and shopped.
  
• Belize - Cave tubing with Major and Minor Tom. Amazing history and they take pride in their country. Good lunch and no prob. getting back to the ship on time.
  
• Roatan - Laura was our driver from Bodden tours. She is from the island and was so great. We bought her breakfast at the gas station where we ate where the locals ate, bought her lunch and waters all day. She was great and we had a great time. Dropped kids off at the beach at the Princess and we toured the island with Laura.
  
• Grand Cayman - Stingray tours did a catamaran trip to stingray city and snorkeling. cool fish. great visibility. calm sees. beautiful water and sun. Drank Swankey (Cayman limes and made with brown sugar)
  
• days at sea were fun. Afternoon tea, casino, naps, pool, meeting new friends, hammocks, naps, drinks, naps, thoughts of the gym, naps, watching the olympics, karaoke, eating, watching people, etc.
  
• Kids met other high school graduates from England, Utah, and other parts of the country. They stayed out really late, were well behaved, and had a cruise of a lifetime. The night before we got back to Tampa they all stayed out all night just talking.
  
• Marcus Anthony was great...motown
  
• Singer (Tom, John or something like that) was horrible and insulted people walking by and thought he was funny.
  
• Had Zumba lessons, scrapbooking, dancing, etc. Plenty to do.
  
• Beautiful sunsets from balcony. No trouble sleeping.
  
• Omlets from buffet every day. I had fried eggs with spray...no oil. perfect.
  
• This was my second Western Caribbean trip on the Legend and each time new memories made...love the ship. Is ready for an overhaul but no real complaints.
  
• Glad we brought hangers, water and soda.
  
• No need for the fan
  

Perfect weather, cabin, seas, and memories.......

[BettyPC]

thanks so much for helping us learn more about life - not just the cruise. I got teary when you son was smiling & your DD was on the table!

 

We live in Raleigh - so we are almost neighbors too! Thanks for the journey!

[GeorgiaMomof4]

the swim area beside the dock

 

 

DS got brave enough to take a single kayak out....again' date=' amazing! I was so proud, as this is something he normally wouldn't consider! And yet he was so brave and so proud of himself!

 

[img']http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/pmain13/DSCF2412.jpg[/img]

 

All too soon, we had to head back to the ship. The tender ride was pretty easy (still long), and the guides served fruit punch and rum punch on the way back. They also cranked up the music and even danced with the passengers. Before too long, we spotted the Legend, and DS decided to let me try to take a fun picture.

 

 

There she is

 

 

 

And here's a pic while getting back on board from the tender. That's the tender that goes to the mainland. Both doors were opened for reloading, which saved a little time.

 

 

 

 

This is the picture I think i need - the full length one right before the split bow one

 

Can you email it to me at agrant@dpp.us.com?

 

Also, you said the excursion you did to Rendevous Cay was available through Carnival without the sub portion. The only thing i saw was one to Bannister Island. Are they one and the same or am i overlooking something?

 

We are doing lots of beaches on the islands too. I woulld love to do cavetubing in Belize but not all my family want to, so we may just opt to go to a beach through Carnival.

 

Loved your review and I'm sure I will have more questions when I read back through it. Thanks for taking the time to do it for all of us future Legend cruisers.

[marshhawk]

Just re read the last two pages-you can get on your soapbox anytime-it was right on!

Cruise Critic Port information does list a day pass at the Marriot in Grand Cayman, so I contacted them knowing that sometimes prices change-and I am glad they did-they no longer offer the day pass. To who ever had the 14 mo old child and wanted a hotel-you would really have to book a room for one night on 7 mile beach to get that kind of situation you are looking for. The Bahamas Sheritan offers a room for the day, but not Grand Cayman, they want your money.

If you are looking for Rendevous Cay, it is listed as one of the snorkeling adventures. You do not go into Belize at all. You are picked up from the ship by a boat, and taken directly to the island. We did this type of adventure when Carnival went to Goff's Caye, so we never saw Belize at all. But knew we were helping their economy by doing an excursion on a cay. And you did not have to snorkel once you got to the island, if you wanted to lay out on the beach you could. Since there is no beach on the mainland this really is the safest way to go.

Summer, thanks again. Cruise Happy:)

[summercruisin']

Sorry I disappeared for a few days. Had surgery yesterday, but all is well so I'm back to answer a few questions...

 

 

I enjoyed your review immensely!

 

If you could, could you tell me what time trivia was on first sea day? I sail in Sept. and the roll call wants to do a M&G on that day, but not during trivia!

Monday's trivia schedule: at 9:30, "fun challenge" in Follies Lounge; at 1:00, "Super Duper Trivia" in Legends Cafe; at 2:00 Harry Potter trivia in Legends Cafe; and at 4:30 sports trivia in Legends Cafe. Lots of trivia!

 

Thank you for this pic!!! We sailed her three years ago, but just DH and I. This time we are going with our children and have one of these rooms. We wondered what it looked like.

Glad to help! It was a little crowded, but we did move the ladder our of the walkway during the day (propped it up against the wall in a corner) and that helped.

Great review. Thanks for taking the time to do it. We don't sail Legend until march of 2014 but I always like like looking. One question: how tdo you find the houses to rent when you travel? Any particular website? Thanks!

I use all kinds of sources depending on where we are going. For Orlando rentals, I count on vrbo and homeaway, but I also check tripadvisor (they actually have vacation rentals on there!) and sometimes get started just by googling "home rentals in..." I have rented at least 7 "private homes" in different locations so far, and checked into countless more with no problems at all. I hope our next rental will be in Hawaii!!!

[summercruisin']

This is the picture I think i need - the full length one right before the split bow one

 

Can you email it to me at agrant@dpp.us.com?

 

Also, you said the excursion you did to Rendevous Cay was available through Carnival without the sub portion. The only thing i saw was one to Bannister Island. Are they one and the same or am i overlooking something?

 

We are doing lots of beaches on the islands too. I woulld love to do cavetubing in Belize but not all my family want to, so we may just opt to go to a beach through Carnival.

 

Loved your review and I'm sure I will have more questions when I read back through it. Thanks for taking the time to do it for all of us future Legend cruisers.

 

 

I'll try to send it to you in a bit. And if I find any others, I'll send them on too.

 

The tour without the sub is listed as Snorkel and Beach Break at Rendezvous Cay. And, like marshhawk mentioned, you do not have to snorkle (you might choose to, though!).

 

For what it's worth, cavetubing in Belize is a must-do-at-least-once kind of thing, IMO. We would have done that, but DD is too little, we thought, and DS would probably not handle it well. It would not be fun having to get a guide to carry him out of the caves while he was having an anxiety attack. But, if your famiy can be convinced, it is definitely worth doing!

 

Have fun!

[summercruisin']

thanks so much for helping us learn more about life - not just the cruise. I got teary when you son was smiling & your DD was on the table!

 

We live in Raleigh - so we are almost neighbors too! Thanks for the journey!

 

Thank you, neighbor! I get all teary eyed over his smiles and also when I see him enjoying a beach. He has come so far, many thanks to cruising. Before his first cruise, DS wouldn't even WALK on sand. Every time we went to the beach, we would literally carry him out onto the beach, set him on a beach chair where he would hold his legs up the whole time (wouldn't touch the sand or water with any part of him), and then carry him back to the house or car. It was no fun. When he cruised for the first time, at 4 years old, he finally loosened up a bit. I specifically remember almost crying at Sapphire Beach in St. Thomas, because it was the first time he would walk on sand and get in the ocean. It was amazing!

[QLUVS2CRUZ]

Great review! I might have to go on the Legend now:D Thanks for all the details and pictures. It is great you are so positive, even about the changes. I don't think I've ever seen as many complainers as I do now on Cruise Critic, about the very things you mentioned.

 

Hope you get that Platinum cruise in soon!

[summercruisin']

Thanks for a great trip report!!! We sail on the Legend (for the second time) on September 30, and we're greatly looking forward to it.

 

We're doing a dolphin excursion in Cozumel, hanging out on the Mahogany Bay beach in Roatan, and planning to "waste away" at Margaritaville in GC. :) We have been planning to just stay on the ship in Belize. Last time, my wife and her folks did the Altun Ha ruins tour in Belize, which they enjoyed. It didn't seem appropriate for kids, so I stayed onboard with our daughter (who turned 4 on that cruise, March 2010) and the rest of our family members.

 

Your review of the mini-submersible and Rendezvous bay beach is making me think twice, however. It's interesting to hear your positive impression, as the reviews on carnival.com are pretty uniformly awful!!

 

Anyway, thanks again. And glad you got to stop in Micanopy -- that's a beautiful little town!!

 

You have a lot to look forward to!

 

 

I saw those reviews, many of which are recent, and I think I just see things differently than a lot of people. I hope I haven't misrepresented the excursion for people who are more like those and have certain expectations that I did not. I tend to believe that it is up to me to make every day work out just right (not anyone else, tour guide or travel companions), so I plan ahead to be sure I have what I need and I savor the moments with my kids. I may not have seen a lot of fish among the coral, but I saw the look of wonder in my kids' eyes as they realized they were under water on a boat. And, the water isn't very deep around the island, making it difficult to really swim, but it was perfect for splashing around with DD, cooling off, and even kayaking. And people complained about having to drink warm water and not having many food choices. I was thrilled not to have to drink out of a school water fountain and scarf down school food while sitting in a hard chair in a room with artificial lighting (no windows) while waving away needy teenagers (and I DO love my students). Instead, I got soft sand, gorgeous ocean, cool breeze, and my family whom I adore and want to spend all my just-right moments with. It's all about perspective. I don't begrudge theirs, but I do very much have my own.

 

 

And, Micanopy is indeed lovely! DH and I said we may change our minds about where to retire in Florida :D but I might need them to get cell phone and internet service first :cool:

[summercruisin']

• We arrived at 11am and did not wait in line at all to embark
  
• Used porter to take our checked bags...easy
  
• They checked our case of water, saw it was in original plastic wrap and let everything go through
  
• We brought on 12 packs of soda, 24 bottles of water and rum runners. Don't hate or judge.
  
• Broke away from our 2 18 year olds who wanted to explore their first cruise ship....we ordered a drink of the day and Appletons and Coke from the Casino bar - great drinks
  
• Walked to our room (8263 balcony aft) and room was ready at 1pm with suitcases waiting outside room
  
• Unpacked, took pictures, called kids to come unpack and checked out FunTimes
  
• Met I Made....our Steward for the week. Amazing. Tipped him and asked for our mini bar in refrigerator be unpacked and put away giving us room in the refrigerator. He did so for both rooms and kept our ice bucket filled all week
  
• Safety drill - easy but hot. Had to wait for those that were already feeling quite happy and those that did not want to get out of their rooms or pool. Just follow directions please and let everyone start their vacations. All good.
  
• Went up to the sky deck to watch us set sail. Explored ship until 6pm when we went under the Skyway bridge. Always cool.
  
• Late dinner 8:15. Everton was our waiter. Table for the 4 of us. Service was a little slow all week. Food ok. chocolate melting cake consistently good.
  
• Comedians were great and we enjoyed all the adult shows
  
• G Dog and X man...our bar waiters were fantastic and never an empty glass....and yes, we bought lots of alcohol besides our in the room rum runners beverages.
  
• The seas were as smooth as I have ever seen them
  
• Room was under the serenity deck and under the hammock area which meant no chair moving and oh so close to the Lido deck. Loved it.
  
• Saw flying fish, dolphin
  
• Cozumel - Went to Mr. Sanchos. Water was amazing. Food and beer were good. Toured the organic tequila factory with our cab driver, bought tequila to bring home and shopped.
  
• Belize - Cave tubing with Major and Minor Tom. Amazing history and they take pride in their country. Good lunch and no prob. getting back to the ship on time.
  
• Roatan - Laura was our driver from Bodden tours. She is from the island and was so great. We bought her breakfast at the gas station where we ate where the locals ate, bought her lunch and waters all day. She was great and we had a great time. Dropped kids off at the beach at the Princess and we toured the island with Laura.
  
• Grand Cayman - Stingray tours did a catamaran trip to stingray city and snorkeling. cool fish. great visibility. calm sees. beautiful water and sun. Drank Swankey (Cayman limes and made with brown sugar)
  
• days at sea were fun. Afternoon tea, casino, naps, pool, meeting new friends, hammocks, naps, drinks, naps, thoughts of the gym, naps, watching the olympics, karaoke, eating, watching people, etc.
  
• Kids met other high school graduates from England, Utah, and other parts of the country. They stayed out really late, were well behaved, and had a cruise of a lifetime. The night before we got back to Tampa they all stayed out all night just talking.
  
• Marcus Anthony was great...motown
  
• Singer (Tom, John or something like that) was horrible and insulted people walking by and thought he was funny.
  
• Had Zumba lessons, scrapbooking, dancing, etc. Plenty to do.
  
• Beautiful sunsets from balcony. No trouble sleeping.
  
• Omlets from buffet every day. I had fried eggs with spray...no oil. perfect.
  
• This was my second Western Caribbean trip on the Legend and each time new memories made...love the ship. Is ready for an overhaul but no real complaints.
  
• Glad we brought hangers, water and soda.
  
• No need for the fan
  

Perfect weather, cabin, seas, and memories.......

 

Glad to hear you had a great trip, too. And you got to do lots of things I couldn't fit in. I really hated I missed the motown show. And I'm glad you mentioned seeing flying fish and dolphins; I meant to include that. We saw flying fish all over the place and saw dolphins on our last day at sea near the tip of Florida. Very fun! We had pretty rough seas, though (meant to mention that too!), especially during the 2nd half of our week. In fact, there was one evening we were rocking so hard that water was pouring out of the hot tubs :eek:. It was fun, though! I don't mind a little motion in the ocean :p. I agree about bringing extra hangers and no need for a fan. Welcome home! I'm sure you miss the Legend already as well!

[summercruisin']

My very first post and you brought it out.

 

You are a very awesome Mother and Person. You are very strong and kind hearted. You seem like a very genuine person that don't let the little things get you down and I admire you for that. A lot of what you posted before the bullet points are the same way I feel. We go on our first cruise on the Legend in October. It will br my wife, 2 DS(15 and 13), and me. I will be going with the same attitude you described yourself as having and I feel I will have a great time!:cool:

 

Thank you for your WONNDERFUL review! You have an amazing family.

 

 

I am so incredibly humbled by this. Thank you. I DO have an amazing family, and I cherish them so very much. Everything that life has thrown at me makes me love them more and that gives me strength to keep doing the best I can for them. And I sure can't let the little things get to me, because I really hope to model for DS how to navigate our pretty tough world with grace and find happiness along the way. DD was born with that gift, and she has given me hope that one day DS will understand.

 

You and your family will have a great time! Your DSs are at a perfect age to really enjoy all of the ports you will visit. Wishing you safe travels...

Edited August 11, 2012 by summercruisin'

[pcrum]

 

I saw those reviews' date=' many of which are recent, and I think I just see things differently than a lot of people. I hope I haven't misrepresented the excursion for people who are more like those and have certain expectations that I did not. I tend to believe that it is up to me to make every day work out just right (not anyone else, tour guide or travel companions), so I plan ahead to be sure I have what I need and I savor the moments with my kids. I may not have seen a lot of fish among the coral, but I saw the look of wonder in my kids' eyes as they realized they were under water on a boat. And, the water isn't very deep around the island, making it difficult to really swim, but it was perfect for splashing around with DD, cooling off, and even kayaking. And people complained about having to drink warm water and not having many food choices. I was thrilled not to have to drink out of a school water fountain and scarf down school food while sitting in a hard chair in a room with artificial lighting (no windows) while waving away needy teenagers (and I DO love my students). Instead, I got soft sand, gorgeous ocean, cool breeze, and my family whom I adore and want to spend all my just-right moments with. It's all about perspective. I don't begrudge theirs, but I do very much have my own.

 

 

[/quote']

 

I read the reviews of your beach excursion in Belize on carnival.com and if I had not seen your lovely photos, I'd surely bypass this excursion. However, your photos are so beautiful that I think we might give this a try. I have just a few questions: I see palapas in your photos, but no beach chairs. Is the only seating under a palapa or spreading down your towel in the sand (fine for me, but DH will want a chair and shade, lol)? If the only seating is under a palapa, how hard was it to get seating...are you fighting others for a seat?

 

The reviews on carnival.com indicate that bar and food service is very slow. I think we can certainly go 4 hours without eating, so no worries with food, but I wonder if we brought a small cooler with drinks, if that would be acceptable? I'm not thinking alcoholic drinks, but a few bottles of water and cans of soda in a small soft sided cooler? I wonder if that would be allowed?

 

Thanks for any information you can provide. Hope you are feeling better after your surgery!

[summercruisin']

I read the reviews of your beach excursion in Belize on carnival.com and if I had not seen your lovely photos, I'd surely bypass this excursion. However, your photos are so beautiful that I think we might give this a try. I have just a few questions: I see palapas in your photos, but no beach chairs. Is the only seating under a palapa or spreading down your towel in the sand (fine for me, but DH will want a chair and shade, lol)? If the only seating is under a palapa, how hard was it to get seating...are you fighting others for a seat?

 

The reviews on carnival.com indicate that bar and food service is very slow. I think we can certainly go 4 hours without eating, so no worries with food, but I wonder if we brought a small cooler with drinks, if that would be acceptable? I'm not thinking alcoholic drinks, but a few bottles of water and cans of soda in a small soft sided cooler? I wonder if that would be allowed?

 

Thanks for any information you can provide. Hope you are feeling better after your surgery!

 

I had a whole bunch more pictures, and I had to look back to find your answer about chairs. We never missed them, because we were either in the water or sitting on our mats in the sand. I do remember each palapa had several benches under them and after looking back, I saw several picnic tables and a few plastic chairs (like you see with backyard dining sets). There weren't any beach chairs. The palapas are pretty big and provide lots of shade. There are also several shady spots under palm trees big enough to sit in and right by the water :). There is plenty of "real" seating if one doesn't mind sitting on a bench or at a picnic table - no fighting necessary :D. Also, they do provide mats, so you can keep your towel sand free :)

 

I can't comment on the bar/food service at all because we didn't use either. I don't think there is much to either. It looks like they haul a few coolers out there, cook some burgers and such on a grill, and set out bags of chips. Knowing we would be back fairly early, we decided to wait for the hot free food on the ship. We did take a few bottles of water and DHs meds (he's diabetic) in a soft sided cooler. No one asked what we had, searched it, or said anything about it. Before we left the ship, we filled two ziploc bags with ice at the buffet and shoved each in another ziploc bag to help prevent leaks to keep the stuff in the cooler cold. It worked beautifully. So, I think you'll have no problems carrying a few sodas/waters. You could carry a few pre-packaged snacks, too, with no problems.

 

Have fun! (oh, and I am feeling better, thanks! Still sore, but that's to be expected! Glad I put it off until after the cruise, since the doc told me AFTER surgery that he had to cut more than he thought - I had to get actual stitches instead of just the glue stuff - so I won't be able to go in the ocean for a few weeks! That would have been a downer.)

Edited August 11, 2012 by summercruisin'

[pcrum]

I had a whole bunch more pictures' date=' and I had to look back to find your answer about chairs. We never missed them, because we were either in the water or sitting on our mats in the sand. I do remember each palapa had several benches under them and after looking back, I saw several picnic tables and a few plastic chairs (like you see with backyard dining sets). There weren't any beach chairs. The palapas are pretty big and provide lots of shade. There are also several shady spots under palm trees big enough to sit in and right by the water :). There is plenty of "real" seating if one doesn't mind sitting on a bench or at a picnic table - no fighting necessary :D. Also, they do provide mats, so you can keep your towel sand free :)

 

I can't comment on the bar/food service at all because we didn't use either. I don't think there is much to either. It looks like they haul a few coolers out there, cook some burgers and such on a grill, and set out bags of chips. Knowing we would be back fairly early, we decided to wait for the hot free food on the ship. We did take a few bottles of water and DHs meds (he's diabetic) in a soft sided cooler. No one asked what we had, searched it, or said anything about it. Before we left the ship, we filled two ziploc bags with ice at the buffet and shoved each in another ziploc bag to help prevent leaks to keep the stuff in the cooler cold. It worked beautifully. So, I think you'll have no problems carrying a few sodas/waters. You could carry a few pre-packaged snacks, too, with no problems.

 

Have fun! (oh, and I am feeling better, thanks! Still sore, but that's to be expected! Glad I put it off until after the cruise, since the doc told me AFTER getting to the hospital that I won't be able to go in the ocean for a few weeks! That would have been a downer)[/quote']

 

Thanks so much. Knowing there is seating for DH in the shade is a big plus! I also like the idea of taking a few drinks with us so we are not dependent on slow bar service!

 

Glad you are feeling better and so glad you did this surgery after the cruise! That would NOT have been a good week if you had to miss the ocean on your cruise!!

[Sarapdot]

I totatlly feel your DS's pain!! I tear up at that song the last night too! I think I may try to run out of the dining room before they sing it this year. :p

[javamom]

 

Put life in perspective....free drinks' date=' being first in line, how many loads of laundry you get for free, whether your card is the "right" color and you have to wait in line with those with a less-valuable color, whether or not the tips are fair....NONE of this matters when you are faced with and charged with helping the people you love make a positive difference in this world. Yes, it sucks that there used to be more than one free drinking opportunity and now there are not plus now your free drinks are at an inconvenient time, and it sucks that Carnival doesn't pay the good people who make our trip memorable nearly enough, and it sucks that Carnival is letting people buy their way into YOUR just desserts when you have EARNED it by being so wealthy as to cruise 10 or more times, and, heck, it really sucks that your food isn't awesome every. single. time., and it sucks that sometimes people break in line or act rude or fail to "control their bratty kids".....but really? If these are your complaints, you are soooooooo lucky compared to the VAST majority of the world (and even to your neighbors!).

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

Very well said. Thank you!

[GeorgiaMomof4]

I'll try to send it to you in a bit. And if I find any others' date=' I'll send them on too.

 

The tour without the sub is listed as Snorkel and Beach Break at Rendezvous Cay. And, like marshhawk mentioned, you do not have to snorkle (you might choose to, though!).

 

For what it's worth, cavetubing in Belize is a must-do-at-least-once kind of thing, IMO. We would have done that, but DD is too little, we thought, and DS would probably not handle it well. It would not be fun having to get a guide to carry him out of the caves while he was having an anxiety attack. But, if your famiy can be convinced, it is definitely worth doing!

 

Have fun![/quote']

 

 

I just checked my email and still don't have the pictures unless they went to my spam folder. Just wanted to double check and see if you had sent them. If you haven't had a chance, no problem. Just wanted to be sure there were no issues with receiving them. I had surgery Friday too and I'm still recovering too. Going to try and get back to work tomorrow for a few hours though. Hope your recovery is going well.

 

I really hope I can convince all my family to do the cavetubing. If not, the ones of us who want to go just may go without them!

[summercruisin']

I just checked my email and still don't have the pictures unless they went to my spam folder. Just wanted to double check and see if you had sent them. If you haven't had a chance, no problem. Just wanted to be sure there were no issues with receiving them. I had surgery Friday too and I'm still recovering too. Going to try and get back to work tomorrow for a few hours though. Hope your recovery is going well.

 

I really hope I can convince all my family to do the cavetubing. If not, the ones of us who want to go just may go without them!

 

 

Hey! Sorry! Sending some right now! Hope you find something you can use.

[proudpatriot07]

Just finished your review and loved it! My husband and I are going to do this cruise later this year, probably in November (booking soon, we just finished a move to Charleston, SC, so we've been a little too busy to cruise this summer). I really enjoyed following it and reading about your family. Glad you guys had a great time and it was such a learning experience for your kids.

[crusinpsychRN]

Just finished your review and loved it! My husband and I are going to do this cruise later this year, probably in November (booking soon, we just finished a move to Charleston, SC, so we've been a little too busy to cruise this summer). I really enjoyed following it and reading about your family. Glad you guys had a great time and it was such a learning experience for your kids.

 

We've got a good roll call for the week after Thanksgiving. Join us! Legend is a great ship.

[YankeeFan4Ever]

A few final thoughts' date=' as promised...

 

First (and bear with me here - and if you can't bear a little mushy stuff, feel free to skip to the bulleted items), I have read many complaints here on CC, and in my 9 cruises spread over 13 years I have seen lots of changes, which one might label as good and bad. Sometimes things go perfectly; sometimes not so much so. If you are not happy with something, please, please....for the sake of your own personal well-being.....let it go. Life is so very short (losing my mom and three babies tells me this!) and so very precious. We hear it all the time and tend to disregard it as trite, but it is so very true, and there is not much worse than regret when you realize you didn't take advantage of what you have! Each and every one of us is given challenges and blessings. I take every advantage I have to remind my high school students.....we are mere humans. We can choose to learn from the challenges we are given. I embrace life without my mom (even though it sucks!) and life with an autistic child, because without my support and love, what will he have? Most importantly, I focus on the blessings - My mom had a lasting impact on me and left me well equipped to handle life. I am able to help my son and celebrate the many wonderful things about him....in fact, if it weren't for him, I would not seek out graduate level eduation to help both him and others and I simply wouldn't be who I am today. I wouldn't have a greater appreciation (and PATIENCE!) for the special differences in each and every person. And I am so lucky to have DD, who is without a doubt my sunshine in life, plus family and health and enough money to travel but not much else! Tonight, like every night, we snuggled before she went to bed (she demands that and I wouldn't have it any other way), and she wrapped her tiny arm around me and whispered, "I LOVE you, mama." There is nothing you or Carnival can give me.....nothing that money can buy....that can even TOUCH the value of this....and nothing you take away from me matters in comparison either. A cruise, with freebies or without, is just icing on the proverbial cake of life.

 

 

Put life in perspective....free drinks, being first in line, how many loads of laundry you get for free, whether your card is the "right" color and you have to wait in line with those with a less-valuable color, whether or not the tips are fair....NONE of this matters when you are faced with and charged with helping the people you love make a positive difference in this world. Yes, it sucks that there used to be more than one free drinking opportunity and now there are not plus now your free drinks are at an inconvenient time, and it sucks that Carnival doesn't pay the good people who make our trip memorable nearly enough, and it sucks that Carnival is letting people buy their way into YOUR just desserts when you have EARNED it by being so wealthy as to cruise 10 or more times, and, heck, it really sucks that your food isn't awesome every. single. time., and it sucks that sometimes people break in line or act rude or fail to "control their bratty kids".....but really? If these are your complaints, you are soooooooo lucky compared to the VAST majority of the world (and even to your neighbors!).

 

First of all, thank you for taking the time to post your review and pictures. I LOVED it! :)

 

You have a beautiful family!

 

I've highlighted your post above because everyone should re-read it. I've been surfing the net since 1992, and over the last twenty years, I've read many, many, many, many, many, many things. Your words above are my favourite.

 

Thank you.

[kenrod]

summercrusin'

I thoroughly enjoyed your review! Thank you for sharing your family vacation, and the personal stuff, with us.

[summercruisin']

Thanks again, friends. :) I just finished putting together a movie of our trip (I had a lot of live footage too), and oh, how I wish I could share it! It's a little long but full of so many good, good memories created by a family willing to put the real world away for a while and enjoy life (we do that well :D).

 

I came back today to respond to whomever put the post about stressing about Belize. Caught myself looking at the pictures again.....if that doesn't relieve stress, well, what can you do?

 

Happy sailing, everyone!

[LibratPDX]

Summer; I really enjoyed this trip report. Most of all I have learned something as I have "lived" vicariously through you concerning your sons autism. I feel like I am an intelligent, educated person, but I honestly I am afraid there might be times when I judge a kids behavior without considering that there might be underlying causes I know nothing about. I am humbled by your grace as you describe the looks, comments, and lack of understanding you experience on a daily basis. I know that I will think more before I react in the future. I am glad your family can enjoy cruising, and I hope your adventures continue to enrich your son and your precious daughter. God's speed.

 

Very succinctly said, I agree!

 

I am not sailing on this ship any time soon, but this review is a joy to read. I am always touched when parents are so in love and attentive to the needs of their children, and Summer's review includes a lot of helpful hints and details.