Carnival Legend -1/29/12 - 02/05/12

[travellover39]

I'm really enjoying your tips and observations. Good stuff to know since never cruised Carnival before.

 

I like to try new foods too. Thanks for sharing.:D

 

 

Will you be writing about the port stops?

[Sparky2]

Dining: we were given Any Time Dining.

There was 7 of us and I wanted us to dine together so I wanted to see the Maitre D first thing after lunch.

 

There were also 7 of us. After dropping off our luggage, Ken & I went to the DR to check out which table we'd been assigned. Great location. Only 1 problem. It was a table for 6 and there were 7 of us! Decided to see the Maitre'd and discovered our group was at 3 different tables!

 

I know our PVP did not screw up and had all of us linked together. He said the only way he could seat us together is if we ate at 8:15. Unacceptable.

 

The other two groups went to the Purser's desk & complained also.

 

We ate with our new tablemates who were very nice. The biggest problem is that sometimes we only see our friends at dinner so we were still disappointed.

 

The next day there was a "table request" card in our mail box and we were all assigned a new table.

 

Situation solved. We did have a long table for 13 perpendicular to a window on the left side of the DR. We ate with parents, son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, also from Michigan. They had been asked to change so another group could be at the table next to ones they were cruising with. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting with them and rotated our seat each night so we got to know all of them.

 

We had a fantastic waitstaff - team leader + 2 assistants.

 

My understanding is that they had to do a lot of juggling to accommodate their screw-ups. Maybe the computer went crazy.

[Sparky2]

Print out a copy of the Room service menu. They no longer have them in the cabin.

 

They had the room service menu on the back of a flyer that was in the room with info on how to set a wakeup call, etc. Our alarm clock didn't work (worked the last time it was used) and that was why I was reading the "Info" flyer.

 

If I hadn't turned it over I never would have discovered the room service menu. Meant to get the shrimp sandwich but didn't get around to it. Ate lunch on the Lido everyday.

 

Re. b'fast at Lido. We ate in the MDR the first 2 days, then 2 days at the buffet. Surprisingly, after that we ate the rest of the time in the MDR at Ken's suggestion. Usually I have to ask if we can eat b'fast in the MDR at least twice. Guess it was too crowded for him, although he didn't mention that as the reason & I never questioned it. I love having b'fast in the MDR.

[boowaaccaa]

 

another tip for anytime dining-- you do not want to go to dinner around 7pm as it will be some time between some course as this is when the waiters do their singing and dancing routine. (and yes it is done in the anytime dining room on the Legend)

.

 

We love anytime dining becuase we like a 7pm dinner time. We have never found the song and dance portion of the waiters evening is an issue beucase they usually are sure to take care of their tables first then go dance.

[Hogladyrider]

So glad to read you had another great cruise! We sailed on Legend Jan 8th and love that ship!

 

Sorry to hear the weather was crappy for you. We felt the water temperatures were a bit chilly for us Floridians but we had fun once we were in.

 

We had very few kids on our sailing, we also sailed with a full ship and I'd say the ages were mixed....only saw one out of control "drunk" guy all week and I mean he was so drunk he could not function, I wasn't sure if he was a "special needs" person or drunk, then I saw security come and escort him to his room.

 

Other than chair hogs in Serenity and people just leaving their messes behind it was a fabulous week for us as well.

 

Looking forward to reading the rest of your review and seeing what else you did on your week on the Legend.

Susan

[serene56]

PORTS:

 

We arrived on time at EVERY port. The view from the port side was amazing at each port.

 

We stayed on Ship time each port. Pay attention to ship time. Do not use your cell phone and do NOT ask any one what time it is.

 

Grand Cayman:

Arrival is at 7am. We had a private tour using NAtivewaysSports and meeting up at 9:30 (ship time so we had plenty of time to get off.)

 

We got up, had breakfast at the Lido Buffet and had to make our way down tot he Follies Lounge since they were still doing the tender ticket stuff.

 

Took about 15 minutes for our row to be called so it was not a big deal. Was off and on the pier before 8:45 which gave my family time to look around- cross the street and look in those stores and make it back to the Gazebo by 9:30.

 

Honey and I have been to Grand Cayman many times before. All we were doing was shopping and back on the ship before noon.

The ship was very crowded as I guess many people did not get off at this port.

 

My family stated: the tour operator came to see them at 9:30 and they were waiting for 2 people. Which did show up in a few minutes. But they were still waiting for the tour operator and the time is now 10am.

They said the entire day felt rushed.

The tour was an Island Tour, Sting Ray City, Turtle Farm, Rum Factory and Hell.

 

The thought the Island Tour was a joke-- as you only get glimpses out the window-- "here is the governors house" 30 seconds and they were on their way.

Rum Factory- they were given 15 minutes and dropped off to a sea of people. You couldnt even get in the door. They were not able to make any purchases as the line was way too long for their limited stop.

 

Turtle Farm. 30 minutes. (my niece was also upset AFTER the fact that I told her the farm raises turtles for consumption- poor thing)

 

Hell- again 15 minutes. My older family could not understand how you can go here-- buy post cards, fill them out, get them mailed and take pictures in 15 minutes when it was so crowded.

 

Stingrays-- the water was very cool and very choppy. 30 minutes.

 

It was a 60.00 per person tour and they felt ripped off. Especially when people hawking their tours at the pier for 25.00 and would probably had the same time at each stuff.

---------------------------

Cozumel.

 

 

We debated long and hard what to do at this port. Was watching Nachi Cocum for 55.00 per person all inclusive.

But we own a time share with Occidental so I called and requested information for a day pass there.

 

For us it ws 25.00 per person- all inclusive. Towels, Chairs, bars and all our drinks Plus food. So we booked Occidental Grand Occidental.

 

The weather was not cooperating with us this day. Rained off and on most of the day. Poured at intervals. The ocean was very cold.

but we made the most of it. We sat under our Palapa and stayed dry. We headed to the pool which was a lot warmer then the ocean so we stayed up there. There is a pool bar located there and bar waiters around the pool area. Honey and I do not drink, Nor does my dad. So for 25.00 our day was good.

We ate lunch at the buffet area located on the beach. Very nice, clean and the choices for food was good from chicken and fish to hot dogs and burgers. Every kind of imaginable salads, fruits plus ice cream with toppings and jello and puddings.

 

We arrived about 11am. and left about 3:30 so we can shop at the duty free store located on the pier.

 

Again you need to head to the Follies lounge to make your way off the ship. With arrival at this port so late it keeps the embarkation process running smooth with everyone trying to get off at the same time. Youjust go to the lounge and sit in a row- which gets dismissed one row at a time.

You can not butt into the line as the cruise directors staff will not allow that to happen. If you have an early tour-- I suggest going early.

It took us about a 15 minute wait to start heading off the ship.

 

This is where we saw cigarettes 3 for 66.00

Much perfumes, alcohol, candy etc. etc.

 

Be careful with the taxi- make sure you know the price going in. We had the dispatcher show us the price ont he board before we got in. Quoted price was 24.00 for 5 of us to Occidental Grand. When we arrived the driver tried to tell us 35.00. Told him sorry the dispatcher told us 24.00 so here is 31. (24.00 plus $1.00 per person tip)

 

going back the price of the taxi was 28.00 (we sked the dispatcher at the podium) (we paid 35. with tip)

 

considering the rain-- it was still a good day.

 

My aunt/Uncle did the full submarine ride through carnival this day. They had a wonderful time and would do it again.

 

----

Belize:

No tours here-- just got off the ship in a leisurely fashion and shopped the stores located at the pier. Tender is long- about 20 minutes. Do not sit in the front-- you will get very wet from the sea spray.

I dont know if the process for debarking in Belize is the same as the other ports-- we did not start getting off until 10am and headed directly down to the loading area.

(deck A midship was where were were getting off on the ports)

Last tender is at 4pm and I was amazed at the number of people on that last tender which came back at about 4:25. (that is cutting it way to close for me)

 

--

Roatan:

 

We have booked a tour using Victor Bodden's tour. He wanted us to head off the ship as soon as it cleared and make our way over the "mountain" ASAP. We paid the 2.00 per person cab fare to get over that "mountain" coz no way was I gonna make it with all my family people.

 

I posted on the roll call regarding this excursion- the more people we get the cheaper it will become. I had it down to 25. pp but if we got 20 people it will only be 20.00pp (I found two people on the ship that was interested and when the bus left we had 21. people-- woo hoo. I am all about saving money.

 

It was raining-- really misty for our island tour. Couldnt see out the windows-- or get good photos. The driver stopped and wiped them off and said he would stop at the gas station to squeegee it off- Made a world of difference for sure. This is a very poor country. My dad was upset with the rusted out cars sitting on peoples property among other trash. He wondered if they just threw it out there back door and hoped the wind/rain will take it away.

Annie was our tour guide. She lived about an hour away in a 1 bedroom apartment with 9 kids and paid 200 a month rent. (yep two hundred dollars. She stated that tourism is the biggest ecomomy thing for her country. And relies heavy on cruise ships- when the ships cant make it in because of the wind-- she feels the brunt of that.

 

My aunt / uncle did ziplining at victors place- they had an amazing time and it was the highlight of their trip. The guide took pictures and sold them a CD for 20 bucks. Got home and it had 108 photos on it. That CD was an Awesome copy and photos were upclose and cropped nicely.

 

While they zipped their day we spent the time with the monkees, birds, some deer. (all in various cages - is how you visit with the animals)

we were all fine until someone got bit-- 3 times and scared her heck outta me. (the guide tells you when you have food in your hand do not close your hand and he did that) also if the monkey wants your personal stuff just give it to them and the guide will get it back for you.

The Monkees were a high light of our trip and for that alone was worth the price of the tour. (I also think we spent a longer amount of time compared to other groups)

You got to hold monkees- (they jump on you too--lol scared the beejesus outta me with that one)

you got to hold birds. (wear a hat in there) a lady had beads in her hair and one of the birds were trying to peak at the beads. The lady said it hurt--lol

(i think some of the people were disappointed that we did not go snorkling. nothing in the literature or website states that there is a 10.00 per person to go to West Bay beach. For less then an hour, it just was not worth it.

Lots of construction happening at the beach-- look like a giant sink hole as we turned the corner. Driver was fabulous as I thought we were gonna go over that edge with the roads being so wet and this road being so muddy.

 

The tour ended at the bottom of the mountain so no paying for a taxi to get back down. We spent about an hour shopping at the stores located at the pier. This is where I got my Tree ornament for 6.00 (a cruise ship with the palm trees and a wreath on the top and Roatan written on the wreath. We also picked up a nice hand woven name bracelet that he made while we waited (5 bucks) awesome photo opportunities at this port

--

 

Tampa

Ship arrived on time. We have a 12:20 flight today- started calling self embarkation from deck 1 about 8:10. (the day before i asked at the guest services for early off tags-- was given #1 and a meeting in the Dining room deck 3 at 9am.. where we would be escorted off. Damn,- right at 9am here she comes and escorted us down to deck 2 (the line waiting to get off the ship was horrendous. It went from the atrium lobby allt he way back through the Atlantis Lounge. (when we got out to our bags I was surprised to see many people with higher zone numbers. (I saw a lot of #11.

 

We were off and at our gate before 10:30 (the lady showing people to the immigration/customs put us in a line with no security officer and we were told to wait til he comes back (about 15 minutes)

when the lady is showing you what line to get in--make sure there is a security person there. (we were not in a hurry so it did not matter to us.)

 

Since we had 7 people we needed to take 2 cabs. (the price is about the same either way. with getting a van we were told it will cost 7.00 per person. or 25.00 per cab so we opted to do the two cabs.

 

Airport security was long. Why do people wait til the last minute to take off belts or carry liquids in the carry on which holds up the lines.

 

Smoking sections are at the gates. (is this the only airport that has these today?

--

 

there ya have my port sections done

[serene56]

whew- I thought i lost all that typing above because it would not let me post

[Familyfuncruise !]

Thanks for sharing, Were on the legend 08/04/12. We have a tour with VB booked as well and from everything I keep hearing Im looking forward to this excursion. Good to know its worth it to take the taxi over the hill, we have some older people with us and Im an outa shape "big" girl :) so im not sure I want to be heaving to get up the hill. I like all your little tips at each of the ports as a first time cruiser these will certainly come in handy ! Thanks for sharing..... I want to hear more I cant get enough hearing about the ship and counting down the days right now I have become a CC addict and a fare checker addict LOL !

[serene56]

as soon as things settle down I will get some photos posted.

Lots of food photos--LOL

[mere08]

This is an awesome review. We sail on the Legend Feb 19-26 and are so excited. We are signed up with Nativeway in GC but a different tour so I hope it works out a little better. We are also doing a Victor Bodden tour in Roatan and can't wait. Thanks for the Cozumel tips, too.

 

Also good information about dining. We have 9 of us booked together for early dining. We will be sure to confirm our dining room seating as soon as we embark.

 

Again, thanks for the review!!

[serene56]

This is an awesome review. We sail on the Legend Feb 19-26 and are so excited. We are signed up with Nativeway in GC but a different tour so I hope it works out a little better. We are also doing a Victor Bodden tour in Roatan and can't wait. Thanks for the Cozumel tips, too.

 

Also good information about dining. We have 9 of us booked together for early dining. We will be sure to confirm our dining room seating as soon as we embark.

 

Again, thanks for the review!!

 

for the 9 of you-- I would keep the traditional early dining- at least you all will know where you are supposed to be at what time.

Dinner starts at 6. and that is when the doors open. wait a few minutes after 6 for that line to die down. Why people stand there for long periods of time-- I have no idea. Its not like they will run out of food.

 

Make sure all your booking numbers are linked together- the Legend is really hard to make changes with dining.

[travellover39]

whew- I thought i lost all that typing above because it would not let me post

 

Happy for you that you didn't lose that post.

 

Lots of good information @ the different ports. Thank you for sharing and I'm looking forward to your food porn.:D

 

I have so many notes but plenty of time to condense all the info I have been reading about. Love the trip reports, so much good information.

 

keep it going.:)

[serene56]

I am VERY happy to say that I weighed myself on Monday and lost 5 1/2 pounds. Let me tell you I ate like no tomorrow.

[sabretooth]

Thanks for the great review. I just have had a question regarding disembarkation and the taxi cabs. Did you prearrange for the taxis or did you just get the taxis waiting once you got off the ship? I just am nervouse about getting to airport on time.

[serene56]

Thanks for the great review. I just have had a question regarding disembarkation and the taxi cabs. Did you prearrange for the taxis or did you just get the taxis waiting once you got off the ship? I just am nervouse about getting to airport on time.

 

 

taxis are waiting at the port of tampa-- they will be dropping off passengers and picking up new ones.

 

(we grab a porter who takes us through the custom / immigration and to the front of the taxi line in other ports-- in Tampa really didnt need all that.

 

walked off and there they are. Officers are directing the entire time.

 

 

What time is your flight?

[KirkWN737]

This is a great review. I love your writing/organizational style. We are looking at a Legend cruise in June. We loved the Miracle a couple years ago and want to sail on one in the same class.

 

P.S. This is my first post on here... woo!

[serene56]

one thing that bothered me in Belieze in the amount of pharmacies located at the pier--and the amount of young people buying what they thought were narcotics.

 

My son and niece were hanging with two young adults who bought a whole "boatload" of zanacs and valium and started popping them like they were candy.

 

Dont know what happened to them as the kids stopped hanging around the two guys.

 

PLEASE watch your older teens in this port.

[serene56]

Another thing for those that use sugar substitute. -> they do NOT have the sweet and low pink packets.

They do have Equal. Seems the sweet and low is too expensive.

I use Splenda and it was hard to find later in the week. I found some in the buffet and carried it with me for coffee or iced tea in the dining room.

 

They do have two different Equals-- one is a Aspartame and the other is Saccharin (which is what Sweet and Low is)

 

They also carry Raw sugar and regular sugar

[sabretooth]

What time is your flight?

 

 

Our flight is at 12:00

[serene56]

What time is your flight?

 

 

Our flight is at 12:00

 

 

 

with even getting a number 3 tag- if you dock as early as it is supposed to you will have plenty of time sitting at the gate.

 

On Saturday- take your flight information with you to guest services. (go early in the day) ask for early off tags-- number 3 please.

 

Self embarkation and VIP will be getting off before you.

[sabretooth]

Our flight is at 12:00

 

 

 

with even getting a number 3 tag- if you dock as early as it is supposed to you will have plenty of time sitting at the gate.

 

On Saturday- take your flight information with you to guest services. (go early in the day) ask for early off tags-- number 3 please.

 

Self embarkation and VIP will be getting off before you.

 

Thanks! We can't wait to get on the ship.