Review of our Spring Break cruise on Carnival Legend

[Thirsty Cruiser]

Great review, Paul. It is funny how similar the Legend is to the Miracle, another spirit-class ship.

Can't wait to see the rest (there is more?)

 

Cruisin*tigger,

 

It's the Olympus Stylus 1050SW.

 

If you plan to use it for snorkeling I'd recommend a few trips to the pool to practice using it. I didn't practice before the cruise and I'm sure it can take better pictures than what I got with it. It has a lot of settings and adjustments and being familiar with them would have helped.

 

It would have also helped for me to not have a mustache so I could get a seal on my snorkel mask so I could see the LCD view finder. As it was, I just aimed and hit the button without seeing what I was aiming at. I'm glad it was digital instead of film or I would be broke from developing bad pics.

 

 

 

I have a 720 and found it very difficult to see the screen on a sunny day, so your approach is actually a good one. You can also crank up the LCD screen brightness to max, which really helps. The pics are so much better than those throwaways, too.

 

After we were underway Karen came out and was unaware we had pulled away from the pier. Legend's aft has way less vibration than Conquest class or she'd have been out there much earlier;

…

I hate it when I have vibration aft...:eek: :D

[PaulMedik]

I made a quick egress to the hot tub and lined Britt out. The boy he was beating on apologized and Britt told him he didn't mind.

 

On the way back up I snapped a couple of pics that are confusing to someone used to Conquest ships. I left the pool and was in the atrium and by the funnel at the same time;

 

 

 

 

Looking down through the glass steps;

 

 

When I made it back up to where Karen was, I check the hot tub and noted that the fighting had ended;

 

[PaulMedik]

Time to seek out ice cream;

 

 

 

 

 

I like the view on those side steps. It's kind of out over the ocean and more scenic for sure than the similar steps on Conquest class;

 

 

Ice Cream!;

 

 

We were to have our CC M&G at 2:00 by the aft bar so I headed back there and found nobody. I then proceeded up the port side and checked each bar and nobody. To be sure, I came back the starboard side checking each bar and found them right where they were supposed to be; At the aft bar, but on the starboard side that I didn't check; (Terrible pics, but the only ones I got)

 

[As You Wish]

Loving your review, as always. I can't wait to see the rest of it.

[PaulMedik]

It's a great location for a M&G, but sit with the sunlight at your back if you plan to take pics, not facing the sun. The area has a blue tarp covering it in case of inclement weather;

 

 

 

After a while Bryson and Spencer showed up and asked for Soda Cards. We had planned to activate their S&S cards so they could buy soda instead of paying for the Soda Cards. Because of the four port days we knew it would be cheaper to pay for each drink. By this time I was on my third margarita so I just agreed with getting them Soda Cards.;

 

 

The cards are always either blue or red. On our B2B last summer a bar tender asked me the second week why I bought new ones. He said most people just use their old ones especially when they're on board for two weeks. I bring my own diet coke on board, but I can't use previous soda cards from previous cruises.

 

 

Cruise Elegant night rushed up on us quickly so we got dressed and headed down for some pics. All the Carnival Photogs were backed up so we just used Legends own backgrounds for some pics;

 

[cruisebie]

Paul, did you have to load any additional Carribean maps to use with your Garmin Nuvi while on the ship? I hadn't thought of taking ours, but it looks like it might be kind of neat to be able to check your position.

 

Edited to add--

I love that Britt has on his shades in the picture above. He looks like 007 in training. Very cool! You have a very handsome family. :)

[PaulMedik]

 

 

 

MIB;

 

 

 

[PaulMedik]

Paul, did you have to load any additional Carribean maps to use with your Garmin Nuvi while on the ship? I hadn't thought of taking ours, but it looks like it might be kind of neat to be able to check your position.

 

 

Jeanie,

 

It comes loaded with North America which included Cozumel, Belize, and Honduras roads, but not Grand Cayman. On Grand Cayman it jumped all over the island trying to pinpoint our location. I wish I'd have known to download Grand Cayman maps. For the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, it performed perfectly. I would also have liked to download an ship or boat icon instead of a car.

 

It looked like it had all the roads for Cuba as well, but I of course didn't get to verify that on this trip. Soon though I hope!

 

 

 

____________________________________________________

 

 

We did find one Carnival photog who wasn't swamped before dinner;

 

 

They did a great job, but I would like to see them use Legends' own scenery more for pics;

 

 

We had to rearrange our seating for the formal dinner pic. Britt was at the end so we had him slide around so we could all fit in one pic;

 

 

[PaulMedik]

I do love Lobster;

 

 

 

 

As we were leaving the waiters were singing happy anniversary to CC members PunkinsDad (Mike) and ChrisRN (Chris).;

 

 

After dinner strolls on the Promenade deck near sunset are perfect;

 

[tbjl24]

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They have coal in Florida? Bryson assumed it was, and I don't have an answer for what it was so do they have coal in Florida? I'm guessing they had it shipped in for use in Florida or is it not really coal? I majored in Mining Engineering quite a few years ago, but I don't recall studying anything in Geology about Florida having coal. In fact, I don't see how they could and if they did wouldn't it be way below sea level?

 

 

 

Hi Paul

 

They actually bring in the coal by ship. We have 2 coal burning power plants on the shores of the Tampa Bay. One is very close to where you took this pic and the other is probably about 10 miles south in an area called Apollo Beach. You may have seen the Big Bend plant(Apollo Beach) smokestakes, they are quite large.

[PaulMedik]

 

 

Karen's hair about beat her to death due to the wind in this pic;

 

 

 

 

 

Our private staircase from Promenade to our room was always nice. (I never once saw anyone use the stair case besides us) ;

 

 

Capers for Grand Cayman were waiting for us along with an animal;

 

[PaulMedik]

Hi Paul

 

They actually bring in the coal by ship. We have 2 coal burning power plants on the shores of the Tampa Bay. One is very close to where you took this pic and the other is probably about 10 miles south in an area called Apollo Beach. You may have seen the Big Bend plant(Apollo Beach) smokestakes, they are quite large.

 

 

tbjl24,

 

Thank you for the info!

 

I know it would be cheaper and less environmentally damaging to bring it in via transmission lines; but the environmentalists go up in arms about lines and right of way issues. I wonder what the ground water sulfur content is near those stock piles?

 

One thing that confused me about the coal pile was the abundance of storage silos nearby. They don't use those for coal too do they? In WV, we just use silos to pile the coal higher and not for storage.

 

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

The sun had set and the sky was glowing once we got out on our balcony;

 

 

 

 

Karen and I headed out to the casino and to the photo gallery to buy our boarding photo. Along the way I got some pics of the Legends' walls;

 

 

Joe sure was in to naked women when he designed the Legend;

 

[KroozFoolz]

Joe sure was in to naked women when he designed the Legend

 

 

LOL, wait til you are on Pride!

 

Loving your review, Paul!

[PaulMedik]

They also have a pic taken on our favorite port of call; Half Moon Cay;

 

 

While in the photo gallery we found a pic of Britt with the Easter Bunny;

 

 

 

With our photo purchases we also got a two free albums and free pictures of Legend. The sales clerk asked us to choose between two 8x10s and when we couldn't choose, he said that was OK, he'd just include both for free;

 

 

 

After visiting the photo gallery I stopped by the casino and made a donation to the BlackJack dealer. I managed to play for an hour on $50 and should have left when I was up to $150, but I didn't.

 

Britt and Spencer both stayed at Camp until midnight. Karen, Bryson and I spent the rest of the late evening on our balcony.

 

Our first full day and first day at sea was over VERY quickly.

 

I woke up the next morning at 6:45 and this was the sight from our balcony; Valor closing fast from the distance while we eased in to the bay at Georgetown Grand Cayman;

 

[tbjl24]

tbjl24,

 

Thank you for the info!

 

I know it would be cheaper and less environmentally damaging to bring it in via transmission lines; but the environmentalists go up in arms about lines and right of way issues. I wonder what the ground water sulfur content is near those stock piles?

 

One thing that confused me about the coal pile was the abundance of storage silos nearby. They don't use those for coal too do they? In WV, we just use silos to pile the coal higher and not for storage.

 

I believe the silos you are referring to are for gasoline, maybe? Were they taller or shorter, but very wide? The short, wide silos are for gasoline storage. The tanker trucks fill up there.

 

If it was taller silos, not sure what it is in those. I know they do truck sulphur loads into/out of the port, so it could be that.

[PaulMedik]

I believe the silos you are referring to are for gasoline, maybe? Were they taller or shorter, but very wide? The short, wide silos are for gasoline storage. The tanker trucks fill up there.

 

If it was taller silos, not sure what it is in those. I know they do truck sulphur loads into/out of the port, so it could be that.

 

tbjl24,

 

The tall silos behind and to the left of the coal pile in this pic;

 

 

 

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Valor went from shimmering lights in the distance to shining lights as she approached;

 

 

 

The moon was still high in the sky above her;

 

 

 

Karen and I went to the Lido Buffet as Valor passed us. It looked like she was going to run up on to shore;

 

[PaulMedik]

We brought breakfast back to the boys and found one in bed and one asleep between the beds;

 

 

I'm not sure why we didn't order breakfast from room service, but we didnt;

 

 

 

Valor from our balcony;

 

 

 

Two more ships approaching from the distance;

 

 

[PaulMedik]

I think I got more pics of Ruby Princess on this trip than I did of the Legend;

 

 

 

 

Ruby Princess is big, but I couldn't get an angle where she would fill up our entire balcony view;

 

 

 

We boarded the first tender to shore at 8:08AM;

 

 

I don't think anyone was fully awake yet;

 

[surfclam2003]

those Cat 11 pics you took look very big more like Cat 12's.

 

I'm going on the Liberty for the first time on the 5/2 and booked a Cat 11 and if it's that hugh I'm going to be a happy camper.

 

By the way your review is great.

 

Brinda

[PaulMedik]

Seating was scarce so Spencer and Britt opted to sit on the stairs;

 

 

We found a cab to Seven Mile Beach for $4 per person;

 

 

Just a few trips like this and the cab driver could retire;

 

 

 

We opted to disembark the cab at his first stop of Royal Palm;

 

 

Royal Palm proved to be a good choice;

 

[PaulMedik]

 

 

Our cab was the first to arrive at Royal Palm and I think every one chose to get off there too. As you can see by the sign, beach chairs were $6;

 

 

The ships always look close by no matter how far you go down Seven Mile Beach;

 

 

 

As expected, the boys hit the water as soon as their sun screen was on;

 

[PaulMedik]

Britt digging for treasure;

 

 

Then heading back out to the water;

 

 

 

Cruise Critic member walking by. Cruise Critic members are such snobs aren't we?;

 

 

 

Cruise Critic member's husband following behind her;

 

 

 

Pirate ship;

 

[PaulMedik]

Whoops, I forgot to mention that the Carnival Photogs were already set up when we arrived on shore;

 

 

They even had a Pirate girl ready to plunder our gold;

 

 

 

Meanwhile, back on Seven Mile Beach I was demonstrating my lack of aiming skills with our new camera;

 

 

 

I could line them up fine on the surface;

 

 

 

And still miss them when they dove under;

 

[PaulMedik]

One of Charlotte NC's finest rowing by;

 

 

 

After a morning of snorkeling, the boys were ready for some relaxation;

 

 

 

While the boys were resting, Karen and I walked down the beach;

 

 

I don't remember sneezing, but it sure looks like that's what I'm doing;

 

 

[PaulMedik]

When we returned, the boys were still out cold;

 

 

 

We woke them up and headed for the Royal Palm grill for lunch;

 

 

When the food arrived, it was apparent that everyone was hungry and that I had my margarita in front of me as well;

 

 

 

After our $94 plus tip lunch we headed back down on to the beach and the boys had new sunblock applied;

 

 

 

Another Cruise Critic member wandered by and stopped to chat. Nice seein ya Walley;