Legend vs Spirit (Leaving Sydney- Dec 2015)

[Ellie D]

I am looking at 2 cruises from Carnival, both leaving Sydney in December 2015:

 

- 11 Night Pacific Islands- Legend

(Sydney, Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Vila, Santo, Noumea, Sydney)

 

- 10 Night Pacific Islands- Spirit

(Sydney, Mare, Noumea, Lifou Isle, Vila, Sydney)

 

I was hoping to get some feedback on what people thought of the Legend and/ or Spirit. We are a young couple, looking for a mix of fun and relaxation on- board, and wanted to hear about peoples experiences. I have looked at the deck plans of both ships and the layout looks similar.

Edited April 17, 2015 by Ellie D

[april_jb]

Been on both out of Sydney to the South Pacific. Just booked the legend again for Alaska August this year, and have done the legend a couple of years ago in the Caribbean, Only done the spirit once. Both ships have basically the same layout. Legend had Bonsai Sushi which I believe Spirit is having added in its refurb in Singapore this year, along with some other changes like a movie screen outside by the main pool. Had great fun on both ships , met great people, relaxed and had a great time. As for the choice of Islands Loved Mystery Island, Santo, Vila, Mare and Lifou Is. Noumea I have been to but if I had a choice probably wouldn't bother to go again. Do a bit of research before you go with what you might like to do ashore.

[Ellie D]

Been on both out of Sydney to the South Pacific. Just booked the legend again for Alaska August this year, and have done the legend a couple of years ago in the Caribbean, Only done the spirit once. Both ships have basically the same layout. Legend had Bonsai Sushi which I believe Spirit is having added in its refurb in Singapore this year, along with some other changes like a movie screen outside by the main pool. Had great fun on both ships , met great people, relaxed and had a great time. As for the choice of Islands Loved Mystery Island, Santo, Vila, Mare and Lifou Is. Noumea I have been to but if I had a choice probably wouldn't bother to go again. Do a bit of research before you go with what you might like to do ashore.

 

Thank you very much for your response april_jb, it's great to have a response from someone who has travelled on both ships. You touched on the movie screen; so does the Legend already have that onboard? Would you be able to speak a bit about the entertainment on both ships, and what you thought about it?

 

Thanks for including your opinion on the different ports, as that is definitely something we are considering when picking between the cruises.

[Velvetwater]

11 night cruise with and extra port would be my choice regardless...especially if the price is similar....go for the Legend!

 

I have been on the Legend only (we are a young couple too) and adored her although the Legend and Spirit are essentially the same ship with different decor...the only difference being that the Spirit has Jimmy's BBQ and the Legend has Bonsai sushi (although that will change with the dry dock). The Legend is a slightly newer ship who had upgrades in spring last year but there will not be a marked difference.

 

Whichever one you book the best bargain cabins are 4k french door ones (in the inside category) as if you snag one between lifeboats you get fresh and a view for an inside price.

[Ellie D]

11 night cruise with and extra port would be my choice regardless...especially if the price is similar....go for the Legend!

 

I have been on the Legend only (we are a young couple too) and adored her although the Legend and Spirit are essentially the same ship with different decor...the only difference being that the Spirit has Jimmy's BBQ and the Legend has Bonsai sushi (although that will change with the dry dock). The Legend is a slightly newer ship who had upgrades in spring last year but there will not be a marked difference.

 

Whichever one you book the best bargain cabins are 4k french door ones (in the inside category) as if you snag one between lifeboats you get fresh and a view for an inside price.

 

Thanks for your comment Velvetwater. The price is similar, so I agree, that may be the one to go! Like you said, they are the same ship- I looked both on the deck plans and was stunned at the similarities!

 

As a young couple also, did you find the entertainment/ activities sufficient? What did you love about the ship? Thank you for the cabin tip; certainly something to look at when we book shortly. :)

[Velvetwater]

Thanks for your comment Velvetwater. The price is similar, so I agree, that may be the one to go! Like you said, they are the same ship- I looked both on the deck plans and was stunned at the similarities!

 

As a young couple also, did you find the entertainment/ activities sufficient? What did you love about the ship? Thank you for the cabin tip; certainly something to look at when we book shortly. :)

 

I am not sure how much they change stuff for the Aussie market but:

 

Both times we have been on our cruises we joined facebook groups and chatted with folks out age and then met hung out on the ship together and had drinks a lot (we still talk to them today) so that really helped! We also met people in the nightclub which if a good laugh even when people are not in it. It is generally open most evenings and has themed nights for a certain time then general requests after that.

 

We love hanging out by the pool and slides so enjoyed that and we really like trivia (another place we met folks ours age) in the day as we won champagne and trophies and we went to some battle of the sexes shows. When we were not drinking with friends we went to comedy most nights which we loved and the odd main theatre shows but they were a bit cheesy.

 

Carnival is line not known for its entertainment/activities but as stand up, clubbing and trivia fans we were fine and some late night shows can be ok but they are mostly cabaret style.

 

Here are some pictures of the 4k cabins (supposedly inside haha) between lifeboats (there are about 10 or so so you gotta be quick :))

 

Edited April 17, 2015 by Velvetwater

[april_jb]

Thank you very much for your response april_jb, it's great to have a response from someone who has travelled on both ships. You touched on the movie screen; so does the Legend already have that onboard? Would you be able to speak a bit about the entertainment on both ships, and what you thought about it?

 

Thanks for including your opinion on the different ports, as that is definitely something we are considering when picking between the cruises.

 

 

Ellie D

We enjoyed the Piano bar on both ships most nights. Had great piano players/entertainers. Didn't go much on the "shows" in the theatres they were pretty B grade, comedy clubs were usually good on both I don't care about the swearing etc but some people may get offended thou they warn you before the start of the shows! Had fun with some of the stage shows - marriage show / hasbro game show etc. and Trivia shows. The red frog pub has good entertainment which is on the Legend and I believe also to be put on the Spirit at the Singapore refurb. Played a little bit in the casino we,re not big gamblers. Crew will show/teach you how to play. Also loved to relax on the serenity deck . The water slides are great fun also for young and old! Even had a few games on mini golf !

The behind the fun tour offered on all carnival ships is great. Costs about $100 pp but goes about 4hrs and is limited to 16 people (book on the first day) It's listed with the shore excursions. Takes you to crew areas, engineering, bridge, meet the captain, galley (taste the food) etc. Usually done on the last day at sea.

My advice is get out and explore the ship - have a look at everything if your not enjoying one show move on to something else. Always something or nothing to do depending on how you feel.

Oh and no movie screen by the pool on the legend but they show movies on sea afternoons in the show room.

[GUT2407]

Those French Door cabins look sweet.

 

I am a Balcony fan but have always sad that I'd look long and hard at a cabin with floor to ceiling windows that open.

[Ellie D]

Ellie D

We enjoyed the Piano bar on both ships most nights. Had great piano players/entertainers. Didn't go much on the "shows" in the theatres they were pretty B grade, comedy clubs were usually good on both I don't care about the swearing etc but some people may get offended thou they warn you before the start of the shows! Had fun with some of the stage shows - marriage show / hasbro game show etc. and Trivia shows. The red frog pub has good entertainment which is on the Legend and I believe also to be put on the Spirit at the Singapore refurb. Played a little bit in the casino we,re not big gamblers. Crew will show/teach you how to play. Also loved to relax on the serenity deck . The water slides are great fun also for young and old! Even had a few games on mini golf !

The behind the fun tour offered on all carnival ships is great. Costs about $100 pp but goes about 4hrs and is limited to 16 people (book on the first day) It's listed with the shore excursions. Takes you to crew areas, engineering, bridge, meet the captain, galley (taste the food) etc. Usually done on the last day at sea.

My advice is get out and explore the ship - have a look at everything if your not enjoying one show move on to something else. Always something or nothing to do depending on how you feel.

Oh and no movie screen by the pool on the legend but they show movies on sea afternoons in the show room.

 

Thank you for your rundown on the activities and entertainment onboard the Legend. :) I'm sure we would love the comedy club (we aren't phased with swearing) as well as the Serenity deck. Does the Serenity deck cost any extra? The waterslides and mini golf are right up our alley- the boyfriend likes to think he is a golf pro. :D

 

The behind the scenes tour sounds very interesting also! Like you say, a cruise is what you make it. I'm sure we'll love whichever cruise we do choose (which is looking more and more like the 11 Night cruise on the Legend), but as first- time cruisers want to gain as much information as possible.

 

Would you be able to speak a bit more about the ports? Did you do any tours? Were they shore excursions through Carnival? Would love some advice on what is and isn't worth doing. Thanks for your help. :)

[Ellie D]

I am not sure how much they change stuff for the Aussie market but:

 

Both times we have been on our cruises we joined facebook groups and chatted with folks out age and then met hung out on the ship together and had drinks a lot (we still talk to them today) so that really helped! We also met people in the nightclub which if a good laugh even when people are not in it. It is generally open most evenings and has themed nights for a certain time then general requests after that.

 

We love hanging out by the pool and slides so enjoyed that and we really like trivia (another place we met folks ours age) in the day as we won champagne and trophies and we went to some battle of the sexes shows. When we were not drinking with friends we went to comedy most nights which we loved and the odd main theatre shows but they were a bit cheesy.

 

Carnival is line not known for its entertainment/activities but as stand up, clubbing and trivia fans we were fine and some late night shows can be ok but they are mostly cabaret style.

 

Here are some pictures of the 4k cabins (supposedly inside haha) between lifeboats (there are about 10 or so so you gotta be quick :))

 

 

Thanks for the advice on what you enjoyed onboard. It all sounds like lots of fun, seems like we'll never be bored. :) I really appreciate the cabin tip and pictures- I hope they're still available!

[Ellie D]

Those French Door cabins look sweet.

 

I am a Balcony fan but have always sad that I'd look long and hard at a cabin with floor to ceiling windows that open.

 

I know right! Fingers crossed that there will be one available.

[Velvetwater]

There are lots of 4ks on spirit ships but only a few in between lifeboats...so look at the deck plans here on CC before you book. In between lifeboat ones are adjacent to an oblong and not a oval (lifeboat shape)

 

4149, 4148, 4141 and 4197 are good examples.

 

[Royalty X]

I've been on, and enjoyed, both ships. But I would go with the Spirit. She'll be getting a heap of Funship 2.0 upgrades during her dry dock which inches her ahead of Legend. Definitely try for one of the inside with French door cabins. They're a great, affordable option.

[april_jb]

Thank you for your rundown on the activities and entertainment onboard the Legend. :) I'm sure we would love the comedy club (we aren't phased with swearing) as well as the Serenity deck. Does the Serenity deck cost any extra? The waterslides and mini golf are right up our alley- the boyfriend likes to think he is a golf pro. :D

 

The behind the scenes tour sounds very interesting also! Like you say, a cruise is what you make it. I'm sure we'll love whichever cruise we do choose (which is looking more and more like the 11 Night cruise on the Legend), but as first- time cruisers want to gain as much information as possible.

 

Would you be able to speak a bit more about the ports? Did you do any tours? Were they shore excursions through Carnival? Would love some advice on what is and isn't worth doing. Thanks for your help. :)

 

 

Ok - port info. We tend not to book thru the cruise ship these days as often you can get same or cheaper price on shore and they can be tailored more to what you want to do. If it's a full day tour you want to do ie first off the ship last back (we did one of these in Cozumel Mexico to see Mayan Ruins) then I book thru the ship as if you get delayed the ship will wait for you on a ship booked tour. If you go out on a private tour and are delayed (broken down vehicle etc) and don't make it back to port the ship may not wait for you!

 

Noumea - last time just did a walk around markets etc and took bus to Limon Bay to swim - 10-15 min public bus trip. First time we took a morning tour from on shore which was cheaper than ship and a better tour from what we heard. Can pay in AUS $ on shore. Tour went to lookout , church, cultural centre beaches etc and we also got free return trip back to beach in the afternoon included. Pretty dirty in the city area itself

 

Mare - beautiful island . Pay the $20 on the ship to go to the beach and walk to the very far end as most people won't walk that far, the are some nice quiet little private beach areas if you wade around the shore line in the water. Take your own flippers/ snorkelling gear on the cruise as most islands have great snorkelling.

 

Lifou- Here we took a private "taxi" on shore and negotiated a price for about an hour and a half drive around the local sights, went to the chiefs hut etc. then we found a walk to a fresh water swimming cave, it's next to the church on the main road (not the one on the hill) cost $10 to go Great if it's hot weather as water is cold and fresh. Take the walk up the hill to the church as the views are amazing. Didn't both with the Natural aquarium as even thou it's limited to the amount of people there are better snorkelling places on other islands (Mare, Mystery Is, etc)

 

Isle of Pines - here we walked to the french prison ruins (about a 8km round trip) and up the hill behind them past the old water storage tower to a great lookout then back to beach to swim around the sacred rock. At one time the ship did trips to the natural aquarium but due to 'native unrest' I believe the ship stopped these tours.

 

Mystery is- small walk around island but great snorkelling. Walk past all the markets etc to the other rockier end of the island and there is great snorkelling - lots of fish, saw a small eel, starfish, sea snakes etc (the sea snakes are fine just don't touch them they are usually more afraid of you!)

 

Vila - hired our own driver at the port ( there is heaps of them! ) we shared with another couple and paid $150 for the day (ended up paying him $200 as he was great staying with us nearly all day which we only expected to have him till after lunch) Went to the Cascade waterfalls - don't miss this as walk up to the falls is beautiful and the falls are fabulous. Wear reef shoes as thongs just don't cut it thigh the slippery walk ways. Costs about $25 AUS to get in at the falls. Then the driver took us around town showing us the locals areas - markets, housing (very basic) etc. took us to the beach areas that had more local markets/ bar for lunch etc. Later took us back to town and waited for us while we did some duty free shopping before returning us to the ship. Found that alcohol was very cheap but electrical goods and perfumes etc not so cheap and in some cases better price on board ship.

 

Santo - we again hired our own driver on the dock, haggle and get a price you are happy with. Think we paid $50 a couple (3couples) and jumped in a twin cab ute Best thing is no road rules so you can ride in the back of the ute! Went out to the Blue hole (Blue Lagoon) Fantastic spot! Swam out there for about and hour and a half then the driver came back for us (don't pay till the end of the day) drove us back around the town a bit and dropped us at the markets were we chose to walk back to the ship after buying some souvenirs.

In Vila and Santo you can also go on zip lines or kayaks etc depends on what you like to do and the drivers will wait / come back for you.

Bit long but I hope this helps!

[flowers12155]

We prefer the Spirit over the Legend the crew was much better and the ship although the exact same floor plan and size felt larger. We cruised them both in Alaska, it was the Spirits last season before its new home. I have been wanting to do the Australia Cruise but we just are not ready to fly internationally and don't have enough time. Hope you have a wonderful voyage. If I can be of any assistance check out my blog www.atouristlife.com