Just back from Legend 7/16-24

[M&M Fantasy Cruise]

Back today from a wonderful vacation. We had the aft wraparound balcony suite on the Empress Deck, 6260, and we are absolutely spoiled for any future cruises!

 

The suite was huge and our kids had made arrangements for the Anniversary decorations as a surprise! The balcony was large enough to hold all 15 of us comfortably for a sail away party! The new bedding I've read about on these boards was sooo comfortable as well. And I don't know how he did it, but our cabin steward, Dean, managed to sneak in and out while we weren't about (and with 13 people stopping in and out, twasn't easy) and kept us in excellent condition. He also helped us set up for a "last night" party and room service provided us with finger sandwiches as well.

 

The food, both in the dining room and on the Lido deck, could not be faulted. There was always a nice selection so you could always find something you liked. And I don't know how I'm going to manage now that room service is no longer a part of my daily routine. Our waiter team, Sebastian and Florian, were lots of fun and had us up dancing with them every night.

 

I know lots of posters recommend booking their own excursions but being a nervous Nellie, we booked thru Carnival and sure enough, in Tortola, we missed the 1:30 boarding time due to a shortage of taxis for the entire entourage. It was nice to stay relaxed knowing the boat would wait for our group to return....and they did....pulling up the gangplank immediately behind us.

 

Yes, there was some chair saving going on around the pool but we found plenty of open chairs one deck up. It was much quieter there too and one side of the deck was in the shade (for our easy burn relatives) and the other side was in the sun, right across from each other. Perfect! And yes, the water slide was open on all the good weather days. (We had one overcast/rainy day so I'm not sure about that day).

 

I found Brett Allen to be decent. (I've read otherwise on these boards). Being that I hadn't cruised since 1979 (The Oceanic) I actually went to the informational talks and he was amusing in his presentation and made it quite bearable. I didn't see the magic show but you MUST see the Take Two production number. It is a mini musical, the costumes were awesome and the dancing/singing numbers rivaled Broadway.

 

The casino was generous! We hit several times on both the tables and the slots, if gambling is your thing.

 

Through these boards, we managed to meet up with another cc poster and had a great time so I want to say thank you to everyone for posting roll calls, packing tips (yes! we used the duct tape several different times and ways and laughed every time) and how-to's that made our second voyage, albeit 26 years later, a great trip.

 

I have one more item to add to that ever increasing packing list - an ace bandage. Yep, I twisted an ankle (just clutzy after 2 chocolate martinis) and had to send someone searching to the infirmary but all turned out well and it didn't stop me one bit.

 

If anyone has questions, I'm happy to answer. :D

[voyagerfl]

Very Nice.......Thanks.......:)

[MrPete]

Thanks for the read!

[GLCAS]

I was wondering if you could give me some info on party set-up. We are going on the Legend for my in-laws 5oth, and was wondering what sort of things we would be able to do. Any info would be helpful.

Thanks:)

[Shelley9962]

Thanks for the post! We're sailing on the Legend in December (over New Years with our teenage daughters) and I'm realy quite excited.

 

My most pressing question at the moment... are there elliptical machines in the weight room? I have questions about the teen programs, but it sounds like you had all grown-ups in your party!

 

I'm sure I'll have more... glad to hear you had a lovely time!

[M&M Fantasy Cruise]

Glcas.... We arranged our own parties in our cabin with the help of our steward and room service. However, for a bigger bash, there are some private rooms in the common areas that would hold a larger group. There is also a private dining room right off Truffles (the reg. dining room) that we saw being used for various private parties. I would speak to your TA or Carnival themselves to see who to contact for help as it would probably be wise to try reserving something ahead of time. Many people also celebrated special events at their tables with cakes. (The waiters will sing with you!)

 

Shelley.... I walked thru the gym on my way to a massage (ahhhhh) and saw an entire line of treadmills looking out over the bow of the ship. Awesome view while exercising. Not sure what an elliptical machine is but I saw several bench/chair type machines that had weights and springs.

 

Re the teens, I'm not sure of the age range for Camp Carnival but I do know that Medusa's Lair (the dance club) was closed to all EXCEPT the teens til 11 PM at night. After that it was 18 and over only. They did have a program called O-2 for the teens but I'm not sure what was involved. You might do a search on here for more info on the O-2 club.

 

Sharon :)

[doolange]

I was on the Legend last year and there were tons of injuries due to the slippery floor by the pool... is that still a problem?

[freckles58]

hey Sharon!! You beat me to it....great review!!!

I'm still not ready to accept the fact that I'm not going to wake up in my nice, cozy cabin and be pampered all day long so I refuse to write my review yet. But I agree with Sharon...it was WONDERFUL!!!

I promise to write a nice long review VERY soon (as soon as I am done pouting)

Post any questions and I will try to answer them.

Robin

[barbaragrace]

I'm still not ready to accept the fact that I'm not going to wake up in my nice, cozy cabin and be pampered all day long

 

We got off the LEGEND on June 30 and I am STILL having withdrawls!!

[sotadragon]

M&M Fantasy Cruise - Did you sail out of NY?

[M&M Fantasy Cruise]

Yes, we did. It's very unorganized with some people being directed to sit in one area and some to stand on a different line. We were eligible for Skipper's Club but opted to stay with the other 13 people in our group. Ohh, what we do for our families, right? Next time, I'm meeting them on the Lido Deck. They'll understand.

 

LOL

[freckles58]

I can answer that....yes we did. it was an 8 day cruise to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Tortola....

Leaving out of NYC is something every American should do at least once. The sense of history and pride at being an American that you get as you pass by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is awesome..not to mention the beautiful Manhattan skyline (but maybe I am just being prejudiced?)

[M&M Fantasy Cruise]

Robin...

 

Typical. We both posted pretty much at the same time! lol Looks like we are destined to be on the same time frame from here on out. What cruise are you booked on next? ;)

 

Sharon

[jamieac]

One of my best friends got married on July 20 on the Legend :) She was the one in white:) did you see her???? they got married in port of St. Thomas but on the boat. I have not talked to her but I bet she had a ball!!

[Tsscooby]

Glad you had a wonderful time, we will be sailing on the Legend August 9th, can't wait. Could you please tell me if the waterslide was open. I have read on other post that it was closed.

[M&M Fantasy Cruise]

The water slide was open!

 

And we saw the bride who got married on the Legend while docked in NY. She came into the terminal with her veil on but dressed in street clothes. We later saw her in her gown with the photographer going up to the Lido deck for pictures. She looked beautiful. I believe she posted in this thread earlier.

Sharon

[sotadragon]

Yes, we did. It's very unorganized with some people being directed to sit in one area and some to stand on a different line. We were eligible for Skipper's Club but opted to stay with the other 13 people in our group. Ohh, what we do for our families, right? Next time, I'm meeting them on the Lido Deck. They'll understand.

 

LOL

Sounds a little like sailing from Ft Lauderdale :rolleyes: But I'll endure a lot for a cruise so I guess I could try NY sometime. :p

 

And freckles58 - you're probably right about sailing out of NY at least once in your life. :cool:

[GlenEllen]

Yes, the floors in that area is like an ice rink when wet.

I watched several people take falls while trying to navigate across that part of the Lido Deck.

One of my friends was escorted via wheelchair to meet the fine folks in the Infirmary after taking a tumble and landing on her face. She didn't look all too good for formal shots that night, and was quite sore the next day - but thank goodness - she is fine.

Despite the fall - we all had a fantastic time aboard the Legend. Sailed the Glory back in 2003 and certainly prefer the Legend (have previously been on Sensation and Celebration and Tropicale also, and enjoyed each of those ships as well) Just not a fan of the Glory - just too darn big and spread out - but that is a personal choice! :-)

To the poster who had a friend get married in St. Thomas - we did see her at the Promenade Lobby in her wedding gown! Thought maybe she had gotten married on the island - now we know!

[freckles58]

We also saw the beautiful bride in St. Thomas..sitting with her husband at the Lobby Bar.

 

Sharon,

funny you should ask about next cruise..we have done little else but talk about where to go next. It helps keep the depression away. So far the lead conteneders are; S. Caribbean(and I think it is the Legend doing that trip), the Mexican Rivieria, or..my personal favorite...Europe(but only if we win lotto). How about you?? Got pics all back and am disappointed that I have not ONE of you!!?? How could that be????

[M&M Fantasy Cruise]

I probably was weaving from those chocolate martinis when you snapped the picture and weaved myself right out of it. ;) I got mine back too and I don't see you in one of them! We'll have to trade digitals when my kids get all theirs up on Ophoto. :)

 

We're a bit limited to sailing from NY as Dennis isn't fond of flying to another city just to get on a boat. (I'll get him over that soon enough) But for now, I'd like to try going from NY again but on a different route, Southern Carribean sounds nice. I'm limited to the summer tho as I work in the NYC public schools. I know you're a nurse but I don't think I ever told you what I do. Wanna guess?

 

Sharon

[Scarlett824]

Thanks for the review! I'm heading out on the Legend in 2 weeks! :D

 

I am so looking forward to sailing out of NYC for the first time. I ride the SI ferry from time to time - but it's just not the same. ROFLMAO. :p

 

One question - Which side of the deck gets the sun most of the day? I know, very important question. :rolleyes:

[MrPete]

The Top side!

[Scarlett824]

The Top side!

 

Silly rabbit! :p

 

I would think it would probably be the port side. I need to know this information since I will be claiming a lounge chair bright & early!

[MrPete]

It really depends where you hang out, and which direction you are sailing.

 

If you like the rear lido pool, you will have sun ALL day.

 

If you are a mid deck pool person, you will have sun starboard side AM, port side PM, heading south, and the reverse coming north, depending on where you are in relation to the overhang.

 

If you go one deck up, and find the right spot, you will have sun all day as well.

[Scarlett824]

Thanks Mr. Pete!

 

I am a mid-deck pool person. I like to be one deck up from the Lido deck in the middle. ;)