Carnival Legend Eastern Review 2013

[CruiseTeacher7]

We just got back from our cruise on the Carnival Liberty to the Eastern Caribbean. Our family is DW (38), DS(13), DD(11), and myself (39). This was our 5th cruise as a family, and the 8th cruise together for my wife and I.

 

Pre-Cruise

We have been looking forward to this cruise for many months now. DW and I are both teachers and our school year ended just a few days before the cruise. For me I had to bust my tail on the day before the cruise to get all of my end of the year stuff done so that we could leave for S. Fla by 4 pm. My post-planning day was on a Monday and I had to get everything done early.

 

My parents live in Boca Raton and we were able to stay with them the night before the cruise. We pulled into Boca around 9 pm after a very long day and long drive.

 

Day 1 Embarkation

 

We left Boca around 9:30 a.m. The weather was not very promising as there was a nasty batch of the thunderstorms. Fortunately they moved north as we drove south. By the time we got to Miami the skies had cleared and the weather was beautiful.

 

The cruise terminal did not have too many people leaving and it was pretty empty in the waiting area. We paid for the FTTF and it was the best $40 we have ever spent. We had priority check in and priority boarding. Prior to boarding we met up with the "Motley Cruisers" facebook group that we are a part of.

 

We didn't have to wait very long to board as they called us by 11 ish and we were on board by 11:15. I always love that first moment when you step into the lobby atrium. The cool air conditioning and that cruise ship smell hit you right away. You know that you are on vacation.

 

 

Our first priority was to stop by our room which of course was open and ready to go. We dropped off our stuff and checked out the view from the balcony.

 

 

Our room was 9274. Located on the Lido deck, this room was very convenient as we didn't have to travel far to the pool, buffet, or elevators. The only downside was that it was right next to the elevators so it was noisy at night (but ear plugs solved that problem).

 

The next stop was the Lido deck buffet. I totally forgot that we had Guy's Burger Joint and the Blue Iguana Cantina. From the pictures that I have seen I wasn't impressed with Guy's Burgers--they looked totally sloppy! Let me put that to rest.

 

GUY'S BURGERS ARE AWESOME!

 

Let me tell you why. First they are so much quicker to serve you then the standard grill on any Carnival ship. I thought they had to custom cook them for you, but no they have a steady stream coming off the grill. Second you begin enjoying the burger before it gets into your mouth. As you pull it close you begin to enjoy the savory scents and smells. Third, these burgers melt in your mouth. There are many choices, many toppings, etc. They are just that good. I cannot go back to those burgers they give you off the standard grill.

 

I didn't eat much for lunch this day but DS hit the buffet with a gusto. He is going through his growth spurt and he is an eating machine.

 

After lunch we got changed and hit the swimming pool.

 

 

One of the advantages of getting on early is that you basically have a 7th full day of cruising. We spent the entire afternoon on deck swimming, going down the slides, and working on our tans. DW and I ordered a few drinks to help us get our vacation going. We both love that feeling of sitting out in the sun, listening to music, and enjoying that cruise vibe that you just can't get anywhere else. This is why we cruise!

 

The 3:30 safety drill came and for some reason it seemed to go by pretty fast. After this we went back on deck to enjoy the sail away party. We met up with our Motley Cruisers group to enjoy the sail away. Fortunately the weather cooperated as our last Miami cruise gave us a nice rain shower.

 

Back to the cabin we cleaned up a bit and headed off to dinner. I ordered the chicken breast plate--very moist and the vegetables were cooked just right. I had the Chocolate Gauteaux dessert as well--very tasty, which is rare considering the Carnival does a good job screwing up cakes. Seriously though they get about 1 out of every 10 cakes right.

 

Post dinner DW headed out to hit the casino while DD and I relaxed in the cabin. DS was already off with his Circle C group and he was kept very entertained by this. I was pretty tired this night and skipped the welcome aboard show (which I've seen many a times). DW and DD went and they said it was pretty good, especially the comedians. I was pretty wiped out from working all week (I normally have a few days off before a cruise but not this time) so I hit the rack early.

 

Okay more to come soon. DW will also be tandem posting on this thread and she does a better job on the reviews than I do.

[CruiseTeacher7]

I made a mistake, it is the Liberty. I started a new Liberty thread so please go see that.