lagoon380

Carnival legend is bigger, heavier, younger and packs more power than Legend of the seas, so it would be win for the Carnival Legend.:D

We will be hopping aboard in March:D

The deck plans have been updated on Carnival's Au site.

I was on the Legend from the 6th - 15th March, we missed Isle of pines due to dangerous conditions, Lifou, Mare & Noumea were all as planned.

The wind speed varied between 60 - 80 km/h on the worst days.

The was a 2nd cyclone off the Queensland coast as well so with 2 cyclones in the region and cyclones being some what unpredictable as in this case forecast to go one direction then changing to another, I certainly wouldn't want to be sailing in that region.

I don't like their chances but like others have said, they are likely trying to get an out of court settlement.

Each country has there own quarantine laws but I'm sure it was mentioned on the ship about not taking food ashore.

Also bags are scanned or checked when you board after being ashore can't remember if they checked them before getting off.

We took our own snorkeling gear on the last 2 cruises, you can hire it or buy it in port but if you've got it at home and have room in your luggage, I would bring it with you.

There is so much food available on board that you shouldn't need to put in snacks in the fridge but there is a small fridge in your cabin if need be.

No food is usually allowed off the ship in port only water.

You can book shore excursions online before your cruise and yes some tours do sellout.

Smoking is on deck 9 next to the sun forward pool and also on deck 10 same spot., right side, facing front of ship.

You can easily avoid the smoking section.

Kids club for younger kids is at the front of the ship, decks 4 & 5 and older kids (teenagers) deck 10 at the front next to the gym.

Deck 5 midship is great, either side would be fine.

Except for the sudden drop it's smooth, you are on a slight lean when you stand at the top then the floor drops out and you slide down, it's fast and all over in a short time. Me and my sons went on it several times it was great fun.

Smoking is only allowed on deck 9 & 10 port side next to the front pool.

Free 24hr - tea, coffee, ice water, lemon drink, ice cream & yogurt (soft serve) & pizza

Specialty coffee is extra as is specialty dining in Nouveau Restaurant

Having sailed on the Spirit twice and the Legend once but will be on the Legend in March 2016, both ships are identical in layout but are different in decor and what they offer as in bars etc.

I prefer the rock style shows on the Legend instead of the 1930's/jazz style shows on the Spirit, Music Manila in club cool (Spirit) was great, better than the band in the red frog pub (Legend).

Food wise very similar except Fat Jimmy's on the Spirit was great and was missed on the Legend.

These are only my opinion and everyone will be different but either one would be a great cruise.

One thing to keep in mind is that The Spirit is going into drydock for refurbishment with some new bars etc going in so if prices were similar I would probably lean towards the Spirit.

When I booked our cruise for March 2016 I would have prefered The Spirit but price and ports/itinerary on the Legend suited us much better.

Kids wise they are the same, kids will have a great time on either.

On Carnivals US website you need to sign up OR login to the VIFP club then you can view your past cruises with them and also add any missing cruises not listed.

When I signed up, they had our 2 most recent cruises but not our first so I got them to add it to my list of sailings with them.

You can update your VIFP points online via Carnivals website.

I was on the Legend 6 months ago and it was a great cruise, the ships decor is not to every ones taste but I didn't mind it, food, entertainment, staff etc was great.

The state of the sea will be anyone's guess but I have done a south pacific cruise in 2013, 2014 & 2015 all with average seas, not calm but not that rough either. The last one was when Cyclone Pam was around and the Captain did a great job of keeping the ship out of the worst of it.

I would suggest take some sea sickness medication with you (just in case you may need it) and have a great cruise.

Having sailed on the Spirit twice and the Legend once but will be on the Legend in March 2016, both ships are identical in layout but are different in decor and what they offer as in bars etc.

I prefer the rock style shows on the Legend instead of the 1930's/jazz style shows on the Spirit, Music Manila in club cool (Spirit) was great, better than the band in the red frog pub (Legend).

Food wise very similar except Fat Jimmy's on the Spirit was great and was missed on the Legend.

These are only my opinion and everyone will be different but either one would be a great cruise.

One thing to keep in mind is that The Spirit is going into drydock for refurbishment with some new bars etc going in so if prices were similar I would probably lean towards the Spirit.

When I booked our cruise for March 2016 I would have prefered The Spirit but price and ports/itinerary on the Legend suited us much better.

I would go with Carnival, our kids had a great time on the Spirit & Legend.

When I booked our first cruise in 2013, we just paid whatever the price was at the time of booking not knowing about the price fluctuations of the cruise industry.

With our second cruise we waited for a last minute deal on a specific cruise but it didn't go down in price but we booked it as we liked that cruise.

With our 3rd and 4th cruise we picked a 2 month window of various cruises we were interested in then kept an eye on prices and when a good deal appeared we booked.

It was on the first day of Carnival's 72 hour sale and I booked it online but prices have gone up now.

I just booked the Legend - Suva & Port Denarau.

The main reason is that I've been to Lifou & Mystery Island twice so went with the Fiji ports as I haven't been there before plus I like the way it is split up with a break between ports.

Lifou is great, the snorkeling is good where you get off the tenders but you need to go out into the deep water which is a fair distance out.

Either cruise would be good with the Spirit one being more beach orientated.

In Suva we are looking at doing the jewel of Fiji tour, not sure if we will go with the ships organized tour or not.

I was looking at cruises in early 2016 and found the Carnival legend $55 a day - quad oceanview.:)

We were on the Carnival Spirit last year with teenagers and they all had a great time, so good that we are going again next week.

I haven't been on P & O but when I was looking to choose a cruise last year the Carnival Spirit looked to be a better fit for us, Family of 5, 2 are teenagers, also the ship seemed nicer more modern than P & O but the Jewel has been refurbished since.

They do have gluten free pizza but if it's made in the same kitchen as the normal pizza it's sure to be contaminated to some degree.

I didn't see any gluten free cereal but you could give Carnival a call to ask what options they may have.

I don't eat wheat or most grains at all but I am not coaeliac though.

We were on the spirit last year,going again in april.

Best dinner option with kids would be 5.30 first sitting in the empire dining room.

Fruit and yogurt available during most of the day at the La playa restaurant - buffet, don't worry there are so many food options you won't be disappointed.

Baby sitters are available not sure on cost, kids club up till 10pm then for a fee till 3am around $8-10 p/h, as far I know there is no in cabin babysitting.

We were on a 10 night cruise with 2 formal nights and a Caribbean and a Mexican theme night.

The spa seemed expensive lots of option just go and see them after you board and yes book early as it is popular, they have some early specials on boarding day, usually package deals.

Shore excursions for Mare & Pines are usually beach/snorkelling, small markets etc, Noumea lot's of options shopping etc Amedee Is tour is popular but expensive but is a full day out.

Really depends on the age of your kids, we had 2 teenagers and a 6 year old, they all had a great time.