Random Thoughts/Legend 12/4-12/11

[myangel]

Just got back yesterday.................. cruise depression.......... not much of a writer, so............ will just post some thoughts (??)

My husband and I are "young" 51 year olds.......well I am anyway!!!!!

This was our 2nd time on the Legend, Loved it so much last year I wanted a "do-over"!!! I can honestly say this was my FAVORITE cruise, (11 on Carnival and 4 on Princess)

 

My Hubby and I have highly stressful jobs working with the public. We love it, but nonetheless is is sostressful, so this cruise we decided to just do nothing but relax, no getting off of ports, (except Cozumel to pick up that good Mexican vanilla!!) Some might say this was a boring way to spend a cruise, but sometimes people need a no stress, no time constraints, etc.......... it was PERFECT. The only thing we had to be on time was for dinner. We do prefer traditional first seating.

We spend our days reading, talking, people watching, etc mostly in the Serenity area. This was expanded from last year................so happy about that! We saw Diane Ford in the Punchliner Comedy Club for the family show, and she was so funny we went back for the 11pm adult only show, and we are glad we did! We spent time in the casino, and donated alot.......... watched sunrises and sunsets, etc...... The food and the new menu's were fantastic! The service in all areas of the ship were fantastic also.

 

* so glad they have draft now! Budlite draft was $4.50 for 16oz, and Pitchers (60 oz) were 14.95 (plus grat)

 

* Cigarettes were good prices, a 5 carton pack (for my sons disgusting habit) for $108. We know the rule of one carton per person, but have always gotten 5 cartons, we have always written down 5 cartons on the customs form and we were never charged any extra duty. I think if you are honest and not abusing it, they do not say anything.

 

* We did bring 2 bottles of wine on board, because we were allowed too! lol. I do not like smuggling, only because we own a restaurant and we do not allow outside food or drinks, or allow free refills if you share one drink, etc. That is just MY opinion, and I also think it lacks alot of class, again that is just MY opinion.

 

* We noticed all sorts of attire, none which bothered us, it is none of my business what people wear. I did notice a teenager who wore the EXACT same thing every night. Jeans and a blue Polo shirt. He was male, probably 16 or 17 and we have two sons and I completely understood.............. Choose the battles wisely.... ;)

 

* We Thoroughly enjoyed being alone together, without any outside distractions. My ONLY complaint is that they made us get off!!! :):)

 

* Now it is time to save up for next year.................

 

If anyone has any specific questions, I will be happy to answer if I can. I have gotten so much advice, helpful hints, etc over the years, and I am grateful for that! Thank you to all who have helped me become a cruise addict!!!

 

 

 

* I have seen plenty of hairy chest contests, but this one they ALL had hairy ( and I mean hairy) chests! That was fun to watch, as ALL the contestants were extremely funny

 

* Wee Jimmy was fine, not intrusive at all.

 

* The past Guest party was great too, they even had Budlite drafts on their trays along with the usual run punch, wine, whiskey sours.

 

* Someone has to come up with a way to prevent fellow passengers from thinking they can claim a deck chair for the entire week, lol

 

*I Wish the formal pictures would be 5x7 instead of 8x10. They are way too big, in my opinion. They are also 21.99.

 

* Got a nice nylon insulated cooler this time for Platinum! Last year we got a Funchip Freddie frame and I found a little girl on the ship who gladly took it off our hands! :)

 

* In cabin phone calls were only .99 a minute. Last year they were 1.99 LOVE IT!

 

* For Sprint users that have a Blackberry phone, when you get to each port, you will recieve a text whebn you turn your phone on that tells you exactly how much calls, texting, and data rates are. All ports were .50 to text and .15 to receive, and I do believe Belize was the most expensive for phone calls at 3.69 a minute.

 

* For anyone wanting one of those yarn type bracelets with a name on it made right in front of you, my neice requested one so we got one for 5.00 ( they origionally wanted 11.50............)

 

* I also purched one of those shell type necklaces ( I call it the David Cassidy kind, haha) The "vendor' in Cozumel said 29.00 when I asked, I told him I only had 5.00 and he said "American?" I said yes, and he said ok. It probsbly was worh less than 5.00 but thats ok, I was chuckling about the origional 29.00......

 

*I am an internet addict, do paid 89.00 for 240 minutes. Came out to be .37 cents a minute.

 

* I actually read an entire book, The Killing of Lincoln by Bill O'Reily, which I highly recommend, and 6 magazines! I do nto get to do that at home!

 

* Teared up like I always do during the farewell song in the dining room, and my Husband just looks at me like I am silly.

 

*Cannot comment about the shows except the one comedy show that we went to, as we did not see any. I loved, loved, loved being on our extended Balcony late at night drinking wine and talking.

 

* There were only 2 sunny days the entire time ( the first 2 days) but It did not bother me one bit, I was there to relax!!!

 

* We brought a pack of 50 one dollar bills to hand out randomly to the bar, coffee bar,room service, etc.

 

* I am platinum and my husband is not, he has 2 more to go. Most of the time he used his card to purchase things, but there were times we were not together and I did notice that when I used my card, they all addressed me by my name. I think that is nice, but I also think maybe it would be cool do that to ALL passengers and not just Platinum and above.

 

* We do LOVE the perks, but would still cruise on Carnival even if we did not have any perks.

 

Looking for someone to turn down my bed and put chocolates on my bed!!!!

[rhcpchika1]

Glad you had a nice time and thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits :) Thanks for posting

[thecruisers723]

We were on this cruise with you and absolutely loved Diane Ford and seen her twice also. I understand the wanting to relax concept. Sometime it would be nice to just do that on a cruise. We had to go do something at every single port which was fun and I didn't mind. But I was tired at the end of the day and on sea days and don't like the feeling of having to participate in every activity or show that you can fit in your schedule. I would have been happy to just sit on our balcony during all non-port hours reading and relaxing. But hubby isn't to that point yet, so I go, go, go to please him. And now that we're home, I'm so wore out that I can barely get up (had to work 10 hrs. today) and can barely keep my eyes open. I need a vacation to recover from my vacation and I'm not sure I like that part so much. I will say that it was an awesome vacation overall, I loved the Legend and with the exception of Belize being so cold & rainy and being a beach day for us, we had an excellent time and did a lot of fun things in every port and multiple things in some ports. I would do this same cruise on this same ship again in a heartbeat.

[DancerOT]

Question about your extended balcony. What kind of furniture is on it? We have one on our upcoming trip and I cannot wait!!!

[crusinpsychRN]

I forgot about the farewell song and left the MDR the last night without hearing it.

 

Did you attend the Farewell party?

 

How was the food?

[gelo7]

Glad that you had a good cruise.

[icruz]

Question about your extended balcony. What kind of furniture is on it? We have one on our upcoming trip and I cannot wait!!!

 

DW and I had an extended balcony (7209) cabin on the 12/11 cruise...two regular web-type chairs (not the lounge type of chair) and a very small round table (would hold a couple of drinks, pack of cig., and maybe an ashtray)

[Irishlinny]

Glad you had a good cruise! The Legend is our favorite ship (tied with the Miracle). We haven't sailed either of them when they had the Serenity area (Miracle gets hers in Jan and we will be on her in May)...what do you mean when you say that they expanded that area?

[dotheyes]

we were on this cruise also. Our 6th time on the Legend; I guess you can say we love it. We only got off at Belize and that was to enjoy the 15 min tender ride (this time it was very rough, but made it more fun)

We really enjoyed the shows The Big Easy was especially enjoyable. We also got to see all the Christmas decorations and the Special Holiday Show with all the kids singing and dancing. what fun.

One of our special places is the Enchanted Forest; hardly anyone goes there and it is very serene.

We had an obstructed view 60 foot balcony, which was great and like the OP said only two days of sun, but we still saw some great sunsets. there were four chairs and two tables on our balcony. we have booked the Legend again for Sept 2012 with the large balcony.

dot

[SkyMaster]

REALLY enjoyed your summation of the "Legend" cruise. We too, have sailed "Legend" over and over, and since "Miracle" has the worlds worst Cruise Director, "Legend" is now my favorite ship. We'll be sailing her again in February, and can't wait to get aboard again. We haven't been aboard "Legend" since the upgrades, and the new Serenity Area. We too, rarely leave the ship, and enjoy the "down time" when in port.

THANKS again for posting.

 

"SKY"

[deborahjo]

Love your review. We to like to relax and people watch. Destressing is why we cruise.