Just back from the Legend

[Cruisinita]

Just back from the Legend. Don’t want to repeat what others have said before in reviews. Just want to give a few comments on the good and what to watch out for.

 

Embarkation – Hurry up and Wait

 

It was not as smooth as on other cruises we have taken from NY. We arrived about 11:30 AM and passengers were still disembarking from the prior cruise. Plenty of parking in the secure area was available. Our luggage was checked and we were directed up a set of stairs to a second floor waiting room. We were told that the line to begin the boarding process would start there. Do not go to the second floor or you will end up at the END of that line. Find a place to wait on the first floor near the double doors on the same side of the terminal as the ship is docked. You will save a lot of time.

 

Cabins

 

We upgraded from a Cat. 8 to an 11 and were very glad we did. The extra cost was worth it to us. It made our cruise that much more enjoyable to have the extra space in the cabin and on the balcony. Not everyone would want to spend more for their cabin, but if you are on the fence and can afford it,

go for it!

 

Food

 

Food is not what Carnival is known for and we didn’t expect great food. Meals in the Unicorn Café were sometimes confusing. The flow is not good in this area and it can get quite crowded. There was not a great variety for breakfast, but they did have omelets made to order. The other egg choice – scrambled – seemed to be powdered. For lunch there was a lot of variety, some very good – some so-so. Dinners in the dining room were better. You don’t go on a Carnival cruise for gourmet dining. The best surprise was in the Golden Fleece supper club, the optional dining experience for a $25.00 PP charge. Unbelievable! The food was as on par with any fine dining restaurant. Don’t miss it.

 

Disembarkation

 

Here was a surprise. At the port of NY, cruisers can now disembark first if they carry their entire luggage off the ship with them. Doesn’t matter which category you are in, everyone gets in line and leaves when the announcement is made. On our cruise, more than half of the passengers did just that. For those who didn’t, the wait was long, suites and handicapped included. After all the carry-offs have disembarked, they begin calling others by the color of your luggage tags, dark blue first.

 

Overall opinion – Would we do it again – yes. It is not as luxurious as some cruise lines, but if you enjoy all the ship has to offer, you won’t be disappointed.

[staceyvols]

We are going on Legend in August. We have an 8I (extended balcony) booked, we booked one that has an extra long balcony(next to the handicap). We were thinking about moving up to an 11 category. Did you have a wrap around balcony? The main reason we were thinking about upgrading is the wrap around but I think our's may be pretty close. Thanks for any info.

[finoky]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. One comment is that they will scramble you some fresh eggs at the omelet station. Our daughter did this each morning when we sailed the Legend.

[serene56]

If the only reason you are upgrading is because of the wrap around... your extended balcony will be very large compared to regular balconies. I would stay put. But thats my opinion.

Besides with your cruise date so close do you think there is any more corner balconies available??

[staceyvols]

There are 2 left but it would be on the 5th deck, we are on 8 now. I'm also assuming the aft balconies are at an angle so several floors would be looking down on us. Is this true? Yeah, I think we'll probably stay put, just researching the possbilities. Kills time until time to go! Thanks!

[NTB06]

This was my first cruise and I enjoyed it very much. The food was good, the shows were good...everything was good. I am 16 years old so I was in the arcade a lot playing air hockey or either at Maduca's Lair(the club). I am trying to contact some of the other teens I met they havn't posted any messages. The only thing was that the ride was kind of rough on the way back to NY. I started getting a little dizzy at one point.

Nick:cool:

[Cruisinita]

I found the rear of the ship had a lot of vibration when we were in the dining room, top level at the windows overlooking the rear of the ship. That is deck 3. If not sure how much you will feel two decks higher. The cabins are much, much nicer in Cat 11. Friends had a cat 8I and I was very happy we upgraded.

[Jett456]

Can I be nosy and ask how much more did you pay? Did you upgrade at the pier or beforehand with your TA?. I am considering doing this too. I have an 8G right now (started with an 8c and got upgraded due to price change). The Cat 11s have a whirlpool tub and that might be nice to relax in at night.

[Laurab23]

STACY- is your room 8232? If yes we had this room and it is great. It is three times the normal size of an extended balcony. The only thing I would have traded it for would be a wraparound on the same floor. We saw one of those and it was very nice. Otherwise 8232 is the best room. Close to the upper deck and the food. I have a picture of it,if you want me to send it post your email here an d I will. I really,really,really loved this room. If I ever go on the Legend again I will book 8232 for sure.Can't affort that wraparound!

Laura

[serene56]

The wrap arounds on the legend are cat 11. those extend balconies like that one I would keep. We took the one on deck 6 on the Miracle in Feb- all the other big ones are gone. I would NEVER take the up grade to a 11 if I had that cabin.

aft picture of the legend http://community.webshots.com/s/image2/1/1/35/119510135xeBnfk_fs.jpg

a picture of the aft of the conquest that can explain the step effect where people above can look down into your balcony.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/93847874/93853128svWgyq

[staceyvols]

STACY- is your room 8232? If yes we had this room and it is great. It is three times the normal size of an extended balcony. The only thing I would have traded it for would be a wraparound on the same floor. We saw one of those and it was very nice. Otherwise 8232 is the best room. Close to the upper deck and the food. I have a picture of it,if you want me to send it post your email here an d I will. I really,really,really loved this room. If I ever go on the Legend again I will book 8232 for sure.Can't affort that wraparound!

Laura

 

 

Yes, it is 8232. We have had a balcony before but not an extended. Then we found that cabin after looking closely at the ship plans. And we did purposely book this floor to be closer to the pools. I think we have decided not to change it because the wrap around available is on the 5th floor-like you said if it were on the 8th maybe. I'd love a picture. My email is staceyvols@comcast.net. Thanks for all the info from everyone.

[partman57]

Hi

We were in 8270 aft just too our right was a wrap around. Funny we never did see the couple on the damn balcony. what a loss

she loved the casino...lol

I liked our room but you do feel some vibration. and you have to get use to the lido deck crowd. They can drop trash on your balcony and see you. So be Good.

[Cruisinita]

We paid 300 more per person. If we had booked through Carnival, we would be been able to take advantage of price drops after we paid the final payments. Whirlpool tub was nice, but not too deep. Most hot tubs were filled with kids during the day on our cruise, but the water was on the cool side. We did not regret our descision to upgrade no matter what the price!

[staceyvols]

Lisa, I think I forwarded that picture to you, hope the address was right. Thanks again Laura! Stacey