Back from Legend -Western

[mared1]

We returned from sailing on the Legend on 1/4/06. I will try to give a brief overview.

We arrived at the port at 11:15 - there was no line to speak of - we went through security, got our sail and sign cards, had our picture taken and were in our cabin before noon. I was quite impressed with the organization and speed of embarkment - much better than when we sailed on the Legend in 2004.

We had a standard balcony cabin on the Empress deck - the first forward cabin. We were pleasantly surprised as the balcony was almost twice as long as a regular balcony - this was due to the structure of the ship. It shows as a regular size balcony in the deck lay outs. Our cabin steward never introduced himself but we saw him in the hall on several occassions and he was always pleasant. The cabin itself was kept clean. This was a connecting cabin so instead of a couch we had 2 chairs.

Our wait staff in the dining room were excellent - Rommell and Alexandra.

Both provided pleasant, quick, efficient service. The food was good in the dining room - sometimes it was great -other times just good. Remember they are preparing meals for some 2,000 people.

The food on the Lido deck was good also. We found the service there to be excellent as well. I have read that people had trouble finding places to eat and that the tables were not cleared - this was not the case with us. As soon as someone left their table, staff would come over take the dishes, clean the table and put out clean silverware and napkins.

We thought the shows were okay - nothing too great. We did enjoy the talent show as well as the last night show.

As for ports, in Panama we took the Panama Canal tour. It was to leave at 7 a.m. but we were late getting into Panama so left a little later. We took a bus to the Pacific side of Panama and boarded a ferry. We went through 2 locks and 2 lakes. A lunch consisting of a turkey sandwich, muffin and mint were included in the price along with as much bottled water and soda you wanted. It was interesting to see how the locks work as well as to think that this was built by hand. When we got back to the pier we shopped a little and had a Panaman beer. The ship stayed until 6:30 since it arrived late.

In Costa Rica we were greeted with rain. It rained for almost the entire time we were there. We took a bus into the mountains to a coffee plantation where we saw how coffee grows, is harvested and processed. There were samples of coffee for us as well as a nice gift shop. From there we went to a boutique hotel on a lake - had a snack of fresh fruit and cookies along with watermelon or papaya drink. And had time to walk around the grounds - a lot of beautiful flowers, plants and birds to see. Then back to Limon. On the way back the driver stopped and bought a banana for each of us to try and we could take pictures of the banana plantation. We got back to the ship with only 20 minutes or so to shop at the vendors by the pier before we had to be back on the ship.

Our next port was Belize - we took a bus to the Maya Ruins at Altun Ha - very interesting and we were able to climb to the top of one. Then on to a road side cafe where rice, beans and chicken could be purchased for $5.00, beer for $2.00 or soda. We chose to have a beer and look at the craft vedors who were there. Then boarded a boat and went up the River Wallace. The guide would point out monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and other wildlife - the boat would slow down so all in the boat could see.

About 35 minutes into this tour we encountered a rain storm. The boat does not have a canopy so the guide gave us tarps to cover us. We still got soaked as it poured - a real down pour all the way back to the pier.

There are shops at the pier - we were so wet that we did a speed through several shops and took a tender back to the ship to change into dry clothes.

Disembarkment was smooth for us - we were the first to be called ( we did not do self disembarkment) We found our luggage and were in a taxi to the car rental center by 9:15 a.m.

All in all it was a nice cruise. If anyone has specific questions, I will try to answer them.

[cruisinbuddy]

Always glad to here about a good cruise.

[nu2me]

Thanks so much for the report Mared1!

I have a question for you:

Was the coffee plantation excursion in Costa Rica a Carnival-run tour?

Can you give me some specifics on it?

Price?

Would it be ok for kids?

Was it interesting?

How was the transportation?

Any other info or suggestions you have would be great. Thanks again.

[reefexplorer]

Hi Mared, I thought that this cruise was great. I didn't get to meet you but our room wasn't far from yours we were in room 6142. I did get to meet Jilly08 (Oscar Browns trip in Costa Rica) and pjgavanagh (My friend Mario trip Panama) and his wife, (they were also just ahead of us on the zip line in Costa Rica). Chuck and his wife.

 

We had a great cruise and I will write a review soon.

 

Linda

[vivalas]

they were also just ahead of us on the zip line in Costa Rica

 

We had a great cruise and I will write a review soon.

 

Linda

 

Hi Linda, We are going on the Legend on Feb. 5th, the same itinerary as you did, and I see you did the zip line. Which one did you do? We are going to the Jungle Breeze zip line. If you did that one, can you tell me about it? Thanks, Chris

[vivalas]

they were also just ahead of us on the zip line in Costa Rica

 

We had a great cruise and I will write a review soon.

 

Linda

 

Hi Linda, I see you did the zip line in Costa Rica. We are going on the Legend on Feb. 5th with the same intinerary. Did you do Jungle Breeze? If so, could you tell me what you thought of it? We are booked to go to that one. Thanks, Chris

[reefexplorer]

Hi Chris, we had a great time, we booked our tour with Oscar and he took us to Jungle Breezes, there are a total of 13 zip lines I believe. The first few they let you practice. They strap you in harnesses and you are never left without some kind of safety strap to the line. Even though I am afraid of heights and I never once was scared. I felt secure at all times. Once I broke to soon and was left hanging about 15 feet from the platform and the guide came out and pulled me in. These people are great. We had 2 children with us (9 and 11 years old) and they did just fine. I will do it again if I have the chance.

 

Linda

[Once a Cruiser]

Mared,

 

Am cruising the Southern Caribbean on 28th Jan with 150 of my closest friends.......

 

What bands were on board (especially in Satchmo's)?

 

Anyone playing in Casino (besides blackjack, roulette etc.)?

 

Billy's Piano Bar?

 

Was there a hypnotist on board? What comedians?

 

What was the CD like? Who was he/she?

 

Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks and looking out for your reply.

[mared1]

Thanks so much for the report Mared1!

 

I have a question for you:

 

Was the coffee plantation excursion in Costa Rica a Carnival-run tour?

 

Can you give me some specifics on it?

Price?

Would it be ok for kids?

Was it interesting?

How was the transportation?

 

Any other info or suggestions you have would be great. Thanks again.

 

Yes, it was through Carnival - cost was $45.00 for adults - not sure about cost for kids - It was interesting, but it is a 2 hour bus ride to the plantation and a 2 hour bus ride back - kind of long for adults let along kids. No problems with the transportation - an air conditioned bus and the roads were okay - kind of bumpy road from the main road to the plantation.

[nu2me]

That's exactly the info I was looking for.

My kids are pretty patient, but it's their vacation too, right?

I doubt they'd want to sit on a bus for 4 hours (when there's a perfectly good pool on board!) though I know they would've liked the coffee plantation part.

Thanks again!

Another question: Did you visit the piano bar at all?

[mared1]

Mared,

 

Am cruising the Southern Caribbean on 28th Jan with 150 of my closest friends.......

 

What bands were on board (especially in Satchmo's)?

 

Anyone playing in Casino (besides blackjack, roulette etc.)?

 

Billy's Piano Bar?

 

Was there a hypnotist on board? What comedians?

 

What was the CD like? Who was he/she?

 

Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks and looking out for your reply.

 

In Satchmo's the Music Connection played, on Deck it was the Kolorz, Atlantis lounge - Chris Martell Trio (Jazz), Greg was in the Piano Bar - Not very good. Those are the ones I know.

Yes there was a hypnotist and comedians on board - both were good. The comedian did an X rated show at midnight.

The CD was Brett Alans - I personally don't care for him - we have had him twice. I think he is a big phoney. Talks really fast. Guess I am picky.

[mared1]

That's exactly the info I was looking for.

My kids are pretty patient, but it's their vacation too, right?

I doubt they'd want to sit on a bus for 4 hours (when there's a perfectly good pool on board!) though I know they would've liked the coffee plantation part.

 

Thanks again!

 

Another question: Did you visit the piano bar at all?

Yes I did, but only for a few minutes - Greg was playing and we didn't think he was very good.