8/30 cruise on the Urn....er Legend... with lots of pictures!

[beachbum6264]

(I kept a written journal of the vacation, here it is, all typed so you can read it!)

Wed. Aug 26… afternoon

Here I am, bags packed and at the door, ready to leave… waiting for dh to call and tell me he’s on the way. Leaving in the late afternoon makes for a looong day. Finally, he calls… it’s almost time! Pacing does not make him drive any faster. Car pulls in, door is open, I’m standing there with a suitcase in each hand, “Let’s GO!” (can you tell I’m ready??? ). 4:45 we pull out of the driveway… WE’RE ON VACATION! (well, he’s on vacation, I’m just going on a trip – I’m having knee replacement surgery in October so I took the school year off. The knee will limit what we do on this trip). We stop in Monteagle (Tennessee) for dinner at Highpoint – a great way to start off. After dinner we just drive to Dalton, GA – at least we are in another state! This is the “take our time and relax” trip.

Thursday, Aug. 27

We slept late, ate breakfast at the hotel, then on the road. Heading to Ocala, FL today, not a long drive (I do the driving, dh reads, and the knee will not let me go that long). Skies are cloudy and ahead of us looks dark. Sure enough, it starts to rain…

 

and rain….

 

And rain some more

 

At least one of us is resting!

Sunshine State? Not today,

but at least we are in Florida and getting closer to the beach every minute (I grew up in Florida – Indian Rocks Beach in Pinellas county).

Public service announcement: the words “I did not lock the car” do not translate to “I don’t have the keys”. We found out the hard way – he locked the car, I didn’t have the keys. Yep, locked out. We had just gotten a notice from our insurance that we had roadside assist added to our policy, I even put the numbers in my phone. Bad news, phone is in the car. Luckily we were at a gas station with helpful employees – 10 minutes on the phone, a 15 minute wait for the guy to get there and we are back on our way. While we were waiting it started to really rain for about 20 minutes, hard rain. It may have been a good thing, we missed all the wrecks on the interstate – I have never seen so many cars off the road in the ditch. One ambulance spun out, too. Could have been us, I feel bad for all those involved in the wrecks.

Stopped in Ocala, had dinner at Harry’s downtown. Great Cajun food.

Hoping for better weather tomorrow.

[beachbum6264]

Friday, Aug. 28

YEA! Woke up to some blue sky:

 

 

A quick breakfast, then back on the road… St. Pete Beach, here we come. I have always wanted to stay at the Don CeSar hotel, so this time we decided it was time. Love the place:

Checking in:

 

 

Comfy bed:

 

 

hallway off the main lobby:

 

 

view of the hotel from the beach:

 

 

The person walking in this is dh (darn knee keeps me from being where he is… but heck, one of us has to take the picture!)

 

[beachbum6264]

Saturday – the weather is looking good!

 

 

You have to love a place that brings you goodies at the pool, like frozen grapes

 

 

and chilled cucumber slices (this is one time I’m really glad dh hates technology!!! Sshh, don’t tell!)

 

 

We had dinner with our son-in-laws mom tonight and watched the Inspiration sail out during dinner ( at Crabby Bill’s on the beach, great food)

 

 

Tomorrow it’s our turn!!!

Beautiful sunset

 

 

 

Trying to sleep – it’s not working – I’m too excited to sleep!!! Let’s get this show on the road – or the Gulf!

[beachbum6264]

Sunday

Finally, the day is here. Gonna let dh drive to the port so I can take a picture of the first sighting! He thinks I’m nuts, but I know he’s secretly as excited as I am. He has a very stressful job (he’s a judge) so he really needs this vacation.

Into the car, turn on Norma (that’s the GPS, it’s named after my mother, after all, it’s an annoying voice that keeps telling you what to do) and off we go. Eyes peeled for the funnel…. Looking….. looking… finally, whale tail sighting!

 

 

 

so close… I can almost taste that Funship Special!

 

 

We dropped off the luggage and went to park in the garage. Put credit card in slot, out pops a little coin, find a parking space (not hard, plenty of room), and a short walk to the port.

We got in line at about 11:15 (after getting “wanded” – my leg brace sets off metal dectectors – so if you saw me I was not smuggling, it was just that darn brace!! Happens every time – getting on the ship is a show for everyone around). The line is pretty long, but moves… slowly, but it moves. I think this is the slowest port we’ve been to, but at least we are inside and not out in the sun. Finally it’s our turn… get our Sign and Sail cards, a hearty “Welcome Back!”, slip by the photo op (we never buy them, so why bother?) and it’s onto the ship!!!

First view:

 

[Peaceful]

Waiting for more. I love a travelog!

[beachbum6264]

Fair warning: If you have any (even minor) fear of urns, then this is NOT the ship for you… warning: upcoming urn photos, turn back now, you have been warned:

There are small urns

 

 

bigger urns

 

 

bigger urns

 

 

BIGGER urns

 

 

and REALLY big urns

 

 

Somewhere, sometime, there was a huge sale on urns and someone stocked up. I get the “legend” part of all the rest of the décor, but the urn part escapes me.

Once we have successfully gotten through all the urns, it’s off to the Lido deck for food. I didn’t take all the “food porn” pictures I usually take, but the food was pretty good all week. Embarkation day is the only time we ate a meal at the buffet – I’m a teacher and have had enough of carrying a tray at lunch time!! I had a sandwich and a salad, dh hit the Asian food. All is good.

One stop on the way to the cabin, for those who have asked if the Legend has the DOD cards, here’s your answer:

 

[beachbum6264]

Once that important task is accomplished, it’s off to find the cabin

 

 

4172, good location – close to the mid-ship elevators, no one across the hall – that’s the 2nd little window in the atrium. We could faintly hear the music from the bar, if the TV was off and the door to the balcony was closed…. Faintly, very faintly. Luckily, he was great, so we didn’t mind a bit! Our luggage was waiting for us at the door, so it was time to get unpacked and relax before the muster.

Here’s our home for the next week:

 

 

 

 

 

I like this layout for the bathroom – the toilet makes a great footrest when I am shaving my legs! Not all ship bathrooms are good for that!!

Sink area:

 

[kjeanne2001]

Enjoying your review, keep it coming....

[beachbum6264]

Soon it’s time for the muster (obligatory muster photo)

 

 

and it’s time…… off we go!

 

 

Remember that DOD card I bought?? It has already been put to use… sail away is always the Funship Special, after that it’s Blue Margaritas

 

 

Now I know I am on a cruise. We spend a little time out on deck, then down to our balcony to relax before dinner. Dh wanted to try early dinner this time, we’ve always had the late seating with 4 port days in a row we didn’t want to be out really late if we are getting up fairly early to go ashore. One thing about early seating and sailing out of Tampa, we were already in the dining room when we went under the Sunshine Skyway bridge. We’ve done this before (Inspiration), so we have had that experience and didn’t feel too bad about missing it this time. Down to dinner, table 235, - table for 6 - right in the middle of the dining room. Our waiter was Tiyo, from Indonesia (sorry, can’t remember the assistant waiter’s name, he was from India, and very good, too). Here’s Tiyo, doing the YMCA

 

 

The food was good all week, I can’t think of anything that we were not happy with. My fav’s are the lamb and the bar-b-que Cornish hens. And the escargot is always a must.

We didn’t get to the Welcome Aboard show that night… we meant to, but somehow wound up asleep. I am like a little baby in a swing or a car seat… the ship just rocks me right to sleep. Not complaining, comfy bed, slight movement, quiet cabin…. Zzzzzzzz

[beachbum6264]

Monday – at sea

We have a basic routine for sea days, and this week was no different. Breakfast in the MDR ( I love to have people wait on me!) One thing that I don’t remember from previous cruises, when we went to the MDR for breakfast or lunch they asked if we wanted to sit by ourselves or with others. Nice touch, sometimes dh does not want to deal with making small talk before coffee!

After breakfast it’s up to the aft (adult only) pool. Never had a problem finding a chair all week. This morning there were no empty chairs, so we just pulled a couple off the stacks and picked our spot. All the chairs were never put out all week – I wonder if the ship was not totally full, we saw several tables in the dining room that were empty all week. A note about the ‘adult only’ part… I saw 2 parents bring their children into this pool, both times they were promptly asked to leave by Carnival employees. One was obviously a language barrier, but the other one was a “I don’t have to follow the rules” action, I saw him read the “adults only” sign (it was pretty obvious, he was standing right in front of it, looking down at it), then let his kids get in the pool anyway. I don’t think the 2nd child even got wet before they were asked to leave. Yeah, Carnival. OK….. disclaimer: I love kids… we have 3 (well, the youngest is 20 now, but they’re still our ‘kids’) and I teach 2nd grade and LOVE my kids. But there are times when I just want to get away and relax without all the noise that kids bring. There were several kids on the ship, but I did not see any behavior that called out the teacher in me (believe me, I have been known to put a kid or 2 in their place!)

After a few hours of reading, sunning, dipping in the pool or standing under the shower to cool off (OMG, where did they find that COLD water for that shower????)… it’s off to the MDR for lunch. After lunch, back to pool, more reading, sunning, drinking, and relaxing. There was lots of stuff going on at the other pools…. We did none if it!

Tonight was the 1st “cruise elegant” night and the Captain’s reception. Got my picture made with THE MAN:

 

 

and that other guy

 

 

Plenty of drinks available – champagne for us tonight. Off to dinner (we had great tablemates this time, not a thought of asking for a change)

A quick note about the manner of dress in the MDR: I don't know if it was just the mix of people on this cruise, or if everyone is now reading Cruise Critic and has been properly educated (!!!!), but I did not see a single person not dressed in what I would call "cruise elegant" attire (and I was looking!). Only a handful of adult men without a jacket, and all those had dress shirts on. I only saw a couple of people in jeans all week, and none on the "elegant" nights. Just an observation. I do enjoy dressing up, dh just wears what he wears to work every day (the tux stays at home)

We did go to the show – Jazz Hot – pretty good. Then off to be rocked to sleep again… tomorrow – Grand Cayman.

[DGP1111]

When an informative review thread is also loads of fun to read/watch, it's a "win-win" :)

 

Thanks for posting this!! :)

[gaylensgigi]

I am really enjoying your review.This makes 3 good reviews of this ship this week,each has been different and focused on different things.Will be doing the Legend next April and this is very helpful. Gotta love CC.

[beachbum6264]

When an informative review thread is also loads of fun to read/watch, it's a "win-win" :)

 

Thanks for posting this!! :)

 

Thanks! It's fun to re-live the trip, too.

Half time is over and the Titans are tied... will finish this tomorrow!

[boaterette]

I am loving your review. I really enjoy the pictures. Thank you for posting.

[PaulMedik]

.............view of the hotel from the beach:

 

 

.............

 

 

I love that hotel! The first time we were in the area we tried to stop there, but they were hosting Vice Presidential debates.......I don't recall the year. We went back by there later on and stopped to walk around and see what people there looked like! We were amazed to find they looked like normal people! One of my most vivid memories is of the most attractive female I have ever seen and how she proceded to shower off the sand and changed out of her flashy bikini as she did so. Other people just walked on by like it was nothing, but I literally could not move. :o I am sure my eyes were like this smiley>>>>>>:eek:

 

Would you believe I sailed on Legend earlier this year and didn't really notice that all those urns were actually urns? Yes, I wondered what they were, but never concluded they were urns. :D

[tootsiebit]

Thanks! It's fun to re-live the trip, too.

Half time is over and the Titans are tied... will finish this tomorrow!

 

 

GO TITANS....Yes I am a Texas girl and in no way a Cowgirls..er Cowboys:p fan...but love those Titans!!!

Great review...I like your sense of humor...had me cracking up a few times...Hubby thinks I am nuts anyway...LOL...Can't wait for the rest!!

Tootsie

[junebug8]

I am LOVING your review.Keep it coming. I want to sail on the Legend!

Spent every summer at St. Pete Beach (GP's lived there) and have also wanted to stay at the "Pink Hotel." One day......AND I also teach 2nd grade like you.:)

Keep it coming!

Paul--had to laugh at your description of the lady showering off! too funny!

[RAVI360]

awwwwww loving your review but

what kind of roadside assistance do you have that they showed up in 15 min ..........wow,

 

paul you are toooo funny

[raytownlady]

Great review we're enjoying reading it; anxiously waiting on the rest of it.

[jester121]

Very nice review, enjoying it so far!

 

What is a DOD card? I assume nothing to do with top secret military clearance...

[topspin1267]

Thanks for your review. It's really getting us ready for our trip. Under 1 month as of today YIPPPEEEE!!

[WAcruisers]

Very nice review keep it coming.

[islahopper]

Thank-you for such a great review, I'm getting to relive our Jan cruise while at work. Can't wait to read more as it's going to be a long boring day.

[kdinkus1]

Very nice review, enjoying it so far!

 

What is a DOD card? I assume nothing to do with top secret military clearance...

 

DOD: Drink of the Day

[topspin1267]

Very nice review, enjoying it so far!

 

What is a DOD card? I assume nothing to do with top secret military clearance...

 

A discount card for drink of the days.