Legend 12 Dec or Inspiration 23 Dec for Xmas

[shrews1]

What would you do? We are flying unto Orlando on 11 Dec and have a 2 week timeshare on Lido Key from 11 Dec to 25 Dec, then 3 days spare and fly back to UK on 28th.

Haven't cruised before but have looked at lots of options and now very tempted to spend some of our Florida time on a Carnival cruise from Tampa.

I've narrowed it down to either -

Legend for 7 nights Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Isla Roatan. OR Inspiration 4 nights just going to Cozumel and back.

The Legend means we'd need to trade in our first week at Lido but the Inspiration, although only 4 nights,is over Xmas with Xmas day in Cozumel.

We are early 50's with 2 teenage boys 15 and 16 and would all be in one cabin. Balcony on Legend and OV on Inspiration.

I'd love some advice please as just can't choose!

[NeedATan]

I'd do the Legend hands down. The Legend is my all-time favorite ship. The Inspiration is ok too, but the Legend is better on every level. And you'll get so much more of the cruising experience with 4 ports versus just 1 port and a balcony cabin versus an outside. The Legend itinerary is awesome - and I would think teenage boys would really enjoy it.

[StPeteCruiser5400]

Hello, I have been on the Legend 3 times and the Inspiration once, as I live in Tampa. For you and your husband, I think you would enjoy the Legend better. It also had great clubs and activites for your kids. If they don't go to the Ship sponsored clubs, they will mostly hang at the pool. The Inspiration has a completely different set of demographics - more local people, younger people, seemed like a more laid back crew. I enjoyed both. Hard decision. I would base the decision on whether you want a 7-day vacation or a 4-day vacation. Either ship is great. Food equally good. Casino on the Inspiration was the best-paying and most comfortable casino I have seen on a ship.

[mykiddiewinks]

Why not do the Legend over Christmas?

[okwriter]

Why not do the Legend over Christmas?

 

I don't know if price is a factor or not, but Legend is quite a bit higher that week than the week of the 12th. DH and I are going the 12th. :D

[PROCRUISE]

You'll be very please with The Legend, our favorite CCL ship!

[falkcor]

+1 vote for the legend - that'd be a no-brainer for me...

 

the spirit class ships are great, i've been on sister ship carnival pride... and 7 days instead of 4... 4 ports, instead of 1... balcony, versus an OV - that's a simple choice right there!

 

i think that as long as you're flying all the way over, and want the cruise experience, you'd be selling yourself short with only 4 days... and i bet your kids may have more fun onboard than at the timeshare... they've got great kids programs, activities and facilities... and, you're going to be spending a week at the timeshare anyhow, so why not switch it up...

 

also, maybe consider how much you'd be spending on food, entertainment, transportation, etc. for that extra week at the timeshare - it may make the cruise seem quite a bit less expensive when you add it all up :D

 

let us know what you decide!

[xitappers2bx]

What would you do? We are flying unto Orlando on 11 Dec and have a 2 week timeshare on Lido Key from 11 Dec to 25 Dec, then 3 days spare and fly back to UK on 28th.

Haven't cruised before but have looked at lots of options and now very tempted to spend some of our Florida time on a Carnival cruise from Tampa.

I've narrowed it down to either -

Legend for 7 nights Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Isla Roatan. OR Inspiration 4 nights just going to Cozumel and back.

The Legend means we'd need to trade in our first week at Lido but the Inspiration, although only 4 nights,is over Xmas with Xmas day in Cozumel.

We are early 50's with 2 teenage boys 15 and 16 and would all be in one cabin. Balcony on Legend and OV on Inspiration.

I'd love some advice please as just can't choose!

 

i'd trade in a week in the timeshare, and go on the legend... i've cruised on one of her sisters (the pride) and going on another 2 july (the miracle) and love everything about the ship. and the ports of call are pretty great (maybe not cozumel).

[paper1122]

My choice would be the Legend just because it is a longer cruise. That being said, we took the Inspiration last year and it was fantastic (of course I am a sucker for the Fantasy class ships). The ship is not as "grand" as others out there but the service is great and the ship is well kept. Good luck with your decision!

[Charleyann]

The Legend intinery is awesome. My teenage son loved it . We too went in December and it was beautiful.

 

In Grand Cayman we did - Captain Marvin's stingray city with snorkling and then then tour of the island which included Hell, turtle farm, rum factory, governor's house and 7 mile beach. Loved this tour and he was much cheaper then booking with Carnival...

 

Belize we did a combo - walk through the rainforest and caves to a river for tube-caving through caves ! Then we did a atv advenure through the woods ! Lovied this as well. Booked through tubecaving.com

 

Cozumel - Discover scuba at Chankanaab Park , the year before snuba and royal dolphin swim.

 

Roatan, Honduras - I loved this place. Went to Gumbilmba park. I always wanted to hold a monkey. I did. At one time I had 3 climbing on me. They were so cute ! They had a swimming rope bridge you crossed over and parrotts, a beautiful beach and swimming pool.

Then we went back to the pier and took the ski lift to the beach where you could swim with the ship in the background !!!!

 

I am from Canada and this has been my favorite intinery thus far....

 

Charleyann

[CorvetteLady]

I would choose the Legend for two reasons, the balcony and the Xmas cruise will have way too many children.

 

As others have said 7 days is way more fun with more ports.

[SkyMaster]

Although "Inspiration" is great, I too vote for the "Legend" and the earlier 7 day cruise. The others have spelled out the major reasons, and both ships are wonderful, but especially with the kiddos, and in view of the balcony as opposed to an OV, I'd go "LEGEND"!

 

 

"SKY"

[shrews1]

Thanks for all your helpful comments and advice which made the decision easy. It seemed a no brainer so I did book the Legend and can't wait to go in less than 2 months! Having a great time looking at all the excursions and deciding what to do.