Our Carnival Legend Pictorial Review--August 12-19, 2012

[dz63]

Sorry folks. After I posted our day in Grand Cayman last night I realized I made a mistake :eek:. I inadvertently recorded our day in Grand Cayman as Day 5 of our cruise vacation. That was incorrect. Our day in Grand Cayman was Day 6 (this just goes to show you how fast time goes by on a cruise)! With that being said, I will now continue on with Day 6--Our Day in Grand Cayman.

Edited September 16, 2012 by dz63

[dz63]

Day 6--Grand Cayman continued...

 

 

While I was taking pictures from the front of the ship, a fellow passenger mentioned that a waterspout had moved right across the back of the ship. Since I have never seen a real “live” waterspout before, I went to the back of the ship to check it out. In the distance I could see dark and rainy, luminous clouds descending from the sky right into the water. I could also see a white foaming area churning on the water, indicating the waterspout was way out there.

 

 

Stairway descending from the Sun Deck down to the Lido Deck.

 

 

The Carnival Legend was scheduled to set sail at 6:00, with the last tender departing at 5:00. However for some reason the ship departed from Grand Cayman half an hour early. Maybe the inclement weather off in the distance had something to do with it? Anyway, as the ship was already moving and turning around, a tender arrived and 2 people quickly hopped onboard. These people arrived at 5:30 and almost missed the ship. Anyone thinking they had until 6:00 to still get on board would definitely be left behind! All I can say is I am glad we were on the ship!

[dz63]

Since it was overcast and the temperatures cooled down, we walked around the ship and tried to find the Carnival Legend coins. Apparently all the Carnival ships have these coins. These coins are based on an old tradition promising good luck to the ship.

 

We went up to the Mini Golf area on the Sports Deck (Deck 11)...

 

...and yes, we found the “lucky” coins. They are located forward on the starboard side of the ship by the mini golf.

 

The Carnival Legend "lucky" coins.

[rjrice1]

No, the Legend does not have the pool side theatre. However there were some afternoons when a movie was played in the Firebird Lounge.

 

BTW how did you like your cave tubing with VIV? They were our next choice.

 

VIVtours was awesome. I booked nine people from CC and we end up saving an extra $5.00. Going to do them again in Feb. Very small groups and nice people

Cathy

[dz63]

Heading down to the Sun Deck as the Carnival Legend sails away from Grand Cayman.

 

Looking forward towards the bridge. We can see the storm clouds off to the left.

(It is a good thing we are heading the opposite direction!)

 

Looking forward from deck 9. It is very windy here!

 

Then on the Starboard side, we saw this rainbow.

[dz63]

At 6:30 we watched the comedy of Diane Ford in the Firebird Lounge. Following this show, we went up to the Follies Lounge for Showtime. The show tonight was “Motown and More” staring Marcus Anthony. He sang well and was funny too. By the time this show was over, it was time...you guessed it..to eat again!

 

Our starters in the MDR that night included:

 

Lasagna Bolognese (also available as a main entrée).

 

Wild Mushroom Cream Soup.

 

Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup.

 

For dinner my middle DS enjoyed the oven roasted turkey.

 

My youngest DS ordered the grilled chicken from the Everyday Menu with a side order of fries.

 

The rest of us relished the petite filet mignon and braised boneless short-rib—very tender and very delicious!

[dz63]

After the waiter’s song and dance...

 

It was time for dessert!

Chocolate, raspberry and vanilla cream cake for DH and I.

 

Old-fashioned apple pie with ice-cream for my second DS.

Butter pecan ice-cream for my eldest DS and the usual warm chocolate melting cake for my youngest DS.

 

 

That night Dragan (our favorite photographer), was in the Atrium Lobby taking Pirate photos.

We couldn’t resist and got our Pirate photo taken.

 

Arrr, Matey!

[dz63]

As we reflect back on our week, we realize we had so many fun and exciting adventures—from jumping and sliding on water toys to floating through ancient Mayan caves, to ziplining on the longest and highest lines in the Americans and then having monkeys crawl all over us, from relaxing on tropical, white-sand beaches and even getting up close and personal with prehistoric-looking stingrays! Although the size of the stingrays was a little intimating at first, our stingray encounter was truly a once in a life time, amazing experience. Well, it’s not everyday you can go in the ocean and be surrounded by giant stingrays, yet live to talk about it!

 

It is also hard to believe that this was our last port stop—where did the week go? Tomorrow is our last day at sea and then we will back in Tampa.

 

As we return to our staterooms that night, tired from a full and exciting day of adventure, we find this towel frog, wide awake, sitting on our beds!

 

Coming up—our last day at sea and chocolate!

[dz63]

Yes they did sing! Monday was Colleen's birthday so my DH ordered a cake for her. I just need to get him to learn to spell check when he orders something. When the cake came to the table her name was spelled "Colean".

Oh no...I guess it was the thought that counts!

 

I did notice during the course of this course that it appeared as if every table in the MDR had a turn when the waiters sang either "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Anniversary." Either that or people just enjoy hearing the waiters sing!;)

 

I am enjoying this so much, and really don't want it to end, just as I won't want our cruise on the Legend this coming March to end. We have a group of family and friends...a family reunion with relatives we have never met in person before coming all the way from Sweden to go with us so I am excited to share this review with them and let them see all the fun that is in store~~~ Thank you so much for taking all the time and trouble to do this!!!

 

Thank you for the complement. I am sure you will all have a great time. Have a fantastic family reunion cruise!

 

Thank you so much for for taking the time to post your vacation review. Loving the pictures! I have done this itinerary in the past so I know how much fun it was. This will be my first time ever sailing on the Legend. I can't wait to board her! We start our cruise Oct 21st. It will be extra special because after all these years of going on cruises.... I finally got my husband to go!! I think he plans on going,and and after the cruise say "see I told you I wouln't like it" He is in for a big shock ( I hope) I hope he has the time of his life.

Thanks again, really am enjoying this

Lisa

 

Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you are finding this review helpful. I am sure both you and your husband will have an awesome cruising adventure together. Have a wonderful cruise!

[dz63]

VIVtours was awesome. I booked nine people from CC and we end up saving an extra $5.00. Going to do them again in Feb. Very small groups and nice people

Cathy

 

Glad to hear you had a great time!

[AndrewD65]

Great review...

[Love2travel4]

35 days andi will be enjoying our sail away dinner!

[KroozFoolz]

Thanks for the review and pictures!

Our next cruise is 7 weeks from today on Legend.

We are doing the same excursion you did on Grand Cayman so I especially enjoyed your pictures and report for that day.

[janet4ky]

Thanks so much for this wonderful review! We do not sail until March 2013, so this gives me something to use as a guide for our own trip!

[oncruisecontrol]

Day 6--Grand Cayman continued...

 

 

 

While I was taking pictures from the front of the ship, a fellow passenger mentioned that a waterspout had moved right across the back of the ship. Since I have never seen a real “live” waterspout before, I went to the back of the ship to check it out. In the distance I could see dark and rainy, luminous clouds descending from the sky right into the water. I could also see a white foaming area churning on the water, indicating the waterspout was way out there.

 

 

 

Coincidentally, I was on the Legend way back in 2006 and saw a waterspout some distance ahead of the bow of the ship. It was an incredible sight, as I'd never seen one before except on TV. Thanks for your review; I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

[lucky13elec]

Great pictures

[threeoldcruisers]

Thank you for your postings and your pictures you did a great job. I will be on the Legend on October 14th and your postings will be very helpful.

[Love Hawaii]

As we reflect back on our week, we realize we had so many fun and exciting adventures—from jumping and sliding on water toys to floating through ancient Mayan caves, to ziplining on the longest and highest lines in the Americans and then having monkeys crawl all over us, from relaxing on tropical, white-sand beaches and even getting up close and personal with prehistoric-looking stingrays! Although the size of the stingrays was a little intimating at first, our stingray encounter was truly a once in a life time, amazing experience. Well, it’s not everyday you can go in the ocean and be surrounded by giant stingrays, yet live to talk about it!

 

It is also hard to believe that this was our last port stop—where did the week go? Tomorrow is our last day at sea and then we will back in Tampa.

 

As we return to our staterooms that night, tired from a full and exciting day of adventure, we find this towel frog, wide awake, sitting on our beds!

 

 

Coming up—our last day at sea and chocolate!

 

 

Great review, and great pictures. We have been on the Legend twice now, once out of Fort Lauderdale and once out of Tampa. Seeing these pictures take us back to our cruises on the Legend and makes us want to go again. I love the Spirit class of ship.

[dz63]

Day 7--Sea Day

 

 

Could this really be our last day? Please say it’s not!

We woke to another hot and sunny day—perfect conditions for a tropical day at sea. Since there was no need to get up early, we all enjoyed sleeping in and ate a late breakfast.

 

I am sure you can tell by the unicorns, where we went for breakfast.

 

We never did make it to the MDR for breakfast or lunch. We usually enjoyed omelets, pancakes or waffles, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, sausage or cereal for breakfast from the Unicorn Buffet on the Lido Deck. Although hard pears, apples and bananas were available everyday, I personally would have liked some fresh cut fruit at breakfast (ie: melon, pineapple…). Towards the end of the cruise I did find grapefruit halves—now that made me happy!

 

 

[dz63]

Don’t forget the banana bread (very good) and some breakfast pastries too!

 

Breakfast in the Unicorn Café.

 

After breakfast, what could be finer than feeling the warm Caribbean breeze blowing through your hair while strolling along the Exterior Promenade?

 

(ok, I admit, with my longer hair I felt the breeze blowing through my hair more than my DS did—but still an enjoyable thing to do though!)

Basketball area on the Sports Deck...

 

…and a Stonehead!

 

[dz63]

Today the final Art Auction was held in Satchmo’s. Satchmo’s is a Jazz Club located below Billie’s Piano Bar and behind these stairs…

 

 

Satchmo’s décor is inspired from Louis Armstrong. From the beams across the ceiling to the walls that reveal bricks where plaster has broken off, this lounge is designed to look like a run-down New Orleans hotspot. We strolled through Satchmo’s and looked at the art work on display. Had we come one hour later, we would have received a complimentary glass of champagne. See what happens when you don’t read your Fun Times more thoroughly!

 

Art display in Satchmo’s.

[dz63]

Of course, no cruise ship is complete without its casino facilities. On the Legend, the casino is called Club Merlin. As the name suggests, Club Merlin is named after King Arthur’s wizard. Club Merlin is decorated in a Medieval castle design, complete with medieval shields, helmets and weaponry which adorn the walls!

 

 

 

One thing I noticed about Club Merlin is that it is much larger than the casino area on the Destiny class ships. In fact, Club Merlin is so large that it spans right across the entire width of the ship--from portside to starboard side.

 

 

We walked along the shiny tiled path through Club Merlin everyday on our way to and from the Truffles Diningroom.

 

 

For pool lovers, there is even a pool table in Club Merlin.

[dz63]

On the other end of Club Merlin and just outside the lower level of the Truffles Diningroom is the Atlantic Lounge. I posted a picture of the Atlantis Lounge on Day 1, but now I will say more about it. As you can guess from its name, the Atlantis Lounge is inspired after the lost city of Atlantis. Separating the seating areas are paintings depicting scenes from the 19th century. Karaoke was held in the Atlantis Lounge every night, except on the day we were in Belize.

 

As you can see from the massive urn columns, urn railings and urn lamp stands, the décor here depicts ancient Greece.

 

(If you look down the far end of the hall, you can see part of Club Merlin.)

 

The Dreamteam/Sports Bar is another lounge area on the Legend. This bar contains photos of famous athletics and houses big screen TV’s playing sporting events.

 

Edited September 18, 2012 by dz63

[dz63]

Now for the part that all you chocolate lovers have been waiting for!

 

This afternoon, as part of the lunch buffet…are you ready for this?...was the Chocolate Extravaganza!

 

 

You choose the fresh cut fruit you would like (watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple and apple already skewered) and a server dips your fruit into the sweet, chocolate fountain…

 

 

…and then…voila! It’s ooey, gooey, fruity, chocolately goodness time!

 

Fruit display at the chocolate extravaganza.

[dz63]

At 1:30 there was an ice-carving demonstration in front of the stage by the Avalon Pool. The ice-carver was Ronny from the Philippines.

 

 

Can you guess what Ronny will carve out of this 150 lb block of ice?

 

 

If you guessed an Indian chief head, then you guessed correctly!

(Ronny carved out this Indian head in under 15 minutes—that’s incredibly fast!)