Review: Legend 3/2/14-3/9/14

[Mrs.C05]

This review is for a 7 Day Western Caribbean cruise on board Carnival Legend. Passengers are: My Dad, step-mom Maria, my husband Tommy, me Kimberly and our son who is/was 1 week shy of 2yrs old, Ethan. Ports are Embarkation in Tampa, Sea Day, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman, Sea Day, Debarkation in Tampa.

 

Many people were curious and/or worried about what was or was not open since sailing after the dry-dock completion. The Bonsai Sushi is open, as well as Red Frog Pub, Green Thunder and the other slide. The only "weird" thing is a huge generator that's on the deck below the slides (on the right side of the boat when looking at the front).

 

Drive to Tampa from Orlando was perfect. Perfect weather, no traffic really and we were ready for a cruise. This is my son's first long cruise. He's only been on short ones. We had 2 checked bags, and 1 carry on each, plus his diaper bag, and my purse, and his stroller. Getting to the port was easy however dropping off your checked bags was a little bit of crazy. The police directing traffic weren't that nice, however we got what we needed dropped off, then parked the car in the parking garage. It was $105 for the whole week. We arrived right at 11am after parking and unloading. We noticed a lot of people were still getting off the boat......more on this at the end of the review.......

 

Check in was a breeze, but they weren't ready for us to get on. We were given a "Priority Boarding" card and waited with everyone until we could get on. It was about a 20 minute wait. Then once we could get on, we lined up. Many people still gathered to get on that weren't Priority. They had to keep making announcements that it was Priority Boarding passengers only at the moment.

[Mrs.C05]

Once we got on board, we went our room to put our stuff down. Lunch was ready on Lido deck. We all got the food from "Italian" except my husband who went to "The Grill". After eating we walked around to check out the ship. I have to say it's a bit of a different layout than we're used to. Lido is on deck 9, as are the 2 pools (which are separated by glass walls/doors), and the Green Thunder is up top. The shops and Cherry on Top, are on Deck 3, Casino and Red Frog Pub is on deck 2. We went into Red Frog Pub. Tarek helped me pick out a drink and was really helpful, as was the other bartender Danesh. Tarek poured the rest of my drink in another glass for Tommy instead of pouring it out. Danesh gave Tommy a sample of "Thirsty Frog" and a "Jamaican Tea". He had 3 small drinks, plus his own "Rum Jumper". The drinks were awesome! I plan to go back. Oh, and my son loved the plaintain chips they gave him to munch on.

After taking our drinks with us, we went to find "The Enchanted Forest", I am not sure what or how it's to be incorporated with the ship theme, but it's pretty cool to just walk down. There are cushioned benches on one side, and table and chairs on the other.

[Mrs.C05]

We headed back to the room to take a nap with my son before the Muster Drill.

 

For the muster drill, this time, we didn't have to go from a lounge to outside like we did on our Thanksgiving and January cruise. We directly went outside, out of the sun, and listen to instructions. Took all of 10 minutes and we were done. While waiting, we had some entertainment of a boater with about 10 people on board, and one lady who was probably tipsy, and if not, a "partier". She was screaming, and I think even flashed the top and bottom half of herself. Once we were released, we went up top to for sail away. We watched Norwegian Dawn leave, and then we started to pull away from the dock, however pulled back in shortly thereafter. Then we watched Holland America leave was well. Come to find out, someone had a medical emergency, and they were transported off. My Dad was next to a guy in the muster drill that went down to one knee but he figured he had too much to drink. He was the one they took off the boat, so I am guessing he had some medical problems. I heard some "rumors" of why, but I don't want say on here for privacy. It stinks that he didn't get his cruise, however I am sure he'd rather get off now than be flown home from Mexico or Central America. The captain came on about 5pm and said we missed our slot to leave on time, and now were not cleared to leave until 7pm.

 

After hearing that announcement, we went to the room for my son to try and eat but didn't work, so we tried Anytime dining in "Truffles Restaurant". Ethan has become quite the picky/non-eater on cruises. NOT GOOD! I brought 2 cans of black beans, several cereal bars and goldfish, knowing he'll eat those. Also, we brought Borden whole milk and apple juice onboard with us. We've learned from our first cruise with Ethan that they DO NOT have whole milk in the cartons, only in the canisters by the coffee. I do not feel comfortable giving that to him, knowing it's been sitting out a while. Dinner, I chose 2 shrimp cocktails, and their grilled chicken and steamed veggies. I ordered Ethan chicken nuggets with steamed veggies and white rice. Tommy ordered beef brisket soup, sweet & sour shrimp. Ethan ate some black beans, and 1 chicken nugget. *Sigh* He was being a bit unruly. We quickly ate and left. Oh, and they still have the table clothes on the tables in this dining room. No dessert tonight. I just wanted to get Ethan back to the room. Henry our waiter was excellent. After leaving the dining room, I got a call from the Maitr'D to come pick up the black beans because once they're opened, they need to be consumed, discarded or I take them to the room. They didn't want the liability of an opened container of food. I don't really get that because Carnival Sensation was able and willing to do it with my nephew who has severe food allergies. Oh well, no biggie. It's actually better that I have them so I can give them to him when he wants. I brought plenty of baggies since on our last cruise something in my toiletry bag leaked and I had to rebag everything. We hung out with my Dad and Maria for a bit, going to their room, which is quite large for an interior room. They loved the room. I wonder if it used to be a wheelchair accessible room, but put a regular door on it? Then they wanted to hang out on our balcony and see how close we were to the Skyway Bridge. It took us a while to reach the bridge, but they left before we got to it. Tommy took some pictures as we passed it, and then going to bed at 9:30. We ordered room service at 9pm. I ordered a mixed greens salad and a fruit salad, Tommy ordered a ham & cheese sandwich. THEN we went to bed around 10pm.

Edited March 22, 2014 by Mrs.C05

[Kfoot]

OMG! Those drinks are making me thirsty. We are looking at possibly the Legend or Sunshine for an August Western cruise. So I'm definitely looking forward to your review and pics.

Maybe it's my computer.. But the color you are writing with is very pale on my screen. Just an observation.

Edited March 22, 2014 by Kfoot

[Mrs.C05]

Day 2 Sea Day………

Ethan woke up at 4am but went back to bed, in our bed, til 7am. We all got up and went to grab breakfast. I had an egg-white veggie omlet, and Tommy had a bacon omlet, along with some pancakes and sausage. Ethan loves to walk around, and being active, so once we were done, we went walking around - went to the Enchanted Forest, the Arcade and played a few games, and then ended at the shops waiting for them to open at 9am. Tommy took Ethan back to the room for an early nap, and then I went to the gym for 30 minutes. Got a treadmill, jogged a mile, and walked a mile, and rowed for a bit. After getting back to the room, and hoping in the shower, I discovered our shower pressure was a dribble. It wasn't just low pressure, it was a dribble. I called our Room Steward Artha (a male) and maintenance came right away to fix it. They got it fixed and were on their way. I re-started my shower, and then re-dressed after I was done. Ethan's been napping for almost an hour now with Tommy.

 

It's now 12 noon and we're going to grab some lunch. We headed up to Lido and of course it was packed. Prime time lunch at 12 noon with it being a sea day. I grabbed some white rice, shrimp fried rice and chicken something at "The Chopsticks", as well as a salad, and turkey wrap from "The Carnival Deli". Ethan wouldn't really eat so I took him back to the room. Eventually ate 2 buddy fruits and some black beans. SIDE NOTE: He really isn't this bad of an eater. He does good at home, and even better at daycare/school. However on cruises, with everything going on and so many people, he'd much rather be taking all the different people, things to see and do, than food. Once getting some food in, we went "to walk", and also splash in the ankle deep water by the pool. He stood there splashing with his feet and hands. I would not allow him to sit down in it. After 10-15 minutes we went up to the room to slowly get ready for dinner. Thinking ahead, we knew it'd be busy with it being formal night. After getting ourselves ready, and heading down, the line to ATD moved pretty quickly. I brought the black beans to dinner, which he mostly ate with some picking at a hot dog. I ordered 2 shrimp cocktail and a minestrone soup for appetizers, and spaghetti carbonara, as did my husband. Dessert was fresh fruit and vanilla ice cream for myself, and an apple pie crisp thing for Tommy. Right before they started singing "Amore" we were done and walked out. Tommy went to the casino, and my night was mostly spent in the Red Frog Pub with Ethan being a small highlight of the singer James' performance. I really can't believe I didn't take a picture of him with how often we were in here.

 

James was great with is singing and guitar skills. Ethan was very intrigued with the guitar. At 8:45 I took Ethan down to the room to get ready for bed and drink his bottle. He's down for the count now, and we're in Cozumel tomorrow.

The plan for Cozumel is to get off whenever and grab a taxi to Pancho's Backyard, and finding a beach for a little bit.

Edited March 22, 2014 by Mrs.C05

[Mrs.C05]

Red Frog Pub: (I know these weren't taken the first day or two, but figured I'd throw them in here now....)

[mommom of 7]

Good start love your review so far. We spent eight weeks on her this past winter, love that ship & crew.

just a couple of questions was ROCKY THE MAGICIAN STILL THERE ? Also WILLIE LEE ? He was a step above Brent & Mike the ass c d worked very well with Wilie & brent. Also did you see the hipmotist show. Did you believe? We were on a B2B2B & SAW ALL THREE OF THE SHOWS & STILL DON'T KNOW.

CHAR

[Mrs.C05]

Atrium:

 

Picture painting....Male Statue of Liberty?

This was on Deck 9, right below the Steakhouse (which we ate at for free the 2nd to last night of the cruise.....more on this later....)

 

Looking in the Steakhouse:

 

 

And a very large generator that they have onboard all ships (from what my husband researched) for all cruises that are 7 days or longer:

[Mrs.C05]

I'll start Day 3 tomorrow night. If anyone has any questions, please ask away. I will say though that we did not attend any shows, bingo, tea time, etc., except for 1 show one night. I'll have to look through the Fun Times to see which show it was, if I can remember what night it was.

[roxyNC]

Thanks for your review so far! We love the Legend and have sailed 3 times on her. The last time at Thanksgiving. We have been anxious to see some pictures since the upgrades! I will keep following, thanks!

[Mrs.C05]

Good start love your review so far. We spent eight weeks on her this past winter, love that ship & crew.

just a couple of questions was ROCKY THE MAGICIAN STILL THERE ? Also WILLIE LEE ? He was a step above Brent & Mike the ass c d worked very well with Wilie & brent. Also did you see the hipmotist show. Did you believe? We were on a B2B2B & SAW ALL THREE OF THE SHOWS & STILL DON'T KNOW.

CHAR

 

We did not see the Hipmotist show but heard it was really good.Willie Lee was our CD, and saw in the Fun Times that there was a magic show but didn't go. It started late, and past Ethan's bedtime. I was the nightly bedtime person.

[mishka422]

Keep it coming. I'll be on Legend for the second time on 6Apr can't wait!

 

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

[keith75]

Great info! Going on this ship for the first time in June. How is the Legend compared to the Dream? Just curious because I've heard nothing but good things about her. Thanks

[deepdish1082]

can u post funtimes please:)

[CruiseAwesome]

LOVE Legend!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[djr88]

Loving this review, thank you. Board Legend in 8 days. Cant wait! :)

[MzMelissa26]

Following. .. Thanks! Will be on in 8 days! !

[Tutontow]

Does the Thirsty Red Frog on The Legend serve bar food? I have seen a menu that shows, chicken wings, fritters and the like but then I heard the Red Frog on The Legend is drinks only.

 

Also do they charge for the foosball, darts and shuffleboard?

 

Do they have entertainment during the day in The Frog?

 

Being that I really don't hang out in the sun I think we will be spending some time in The Frog.

 

Thanks, and loving your review.

[shoppingfever]

We will be on her April 13th! I cannot wait! Thank you for posting a review.

[dfmeeks]

Hoping to be on the Legend in May! Loving your review! Keep it coming! Also, do you have Fun Times?

[laurenpie]

Really looking forward to this one... Going on the Legend in August from Long Beach to Australia..

 

Keep the pictures & rest of the review coming :D

[092306]

Enjoying your review and pictures of the Legend. It was our first ship and honeymoon cruise and we forgot what the ship looked like. Also, your little one might be a picky eater, but it's great that he eats black beans! Our son wouldn't touch them. It would be nice if they'd at least try different things, I can relate!

[Mrs.C05]

Does the Thirsty Red Frog on The Legend serve bar food? I have seen a menu that shows, chicken wings, fritters and the like but then I heard the Red Frog on The Legend is drinks only.

 

Also do they charge for the foosball, darts and shuffleboard?

 

Do they have entertainment during the day in The Frog?

 

Being that I really don't hang out in the sun I think we will be spending some time in The Frog.

 

Thanks, and loving your review.

 

The Red Frog Pub does NOT serve food on the Legend. I have heard of it serving food on other ships, but the Legend did not. For the games, they do not charge and during the day it was pretty dull, but the bartenders and waiters kept you entertained. They had country music playing, and the workers sang along. It was only the evenings that James would play in there, or one night there was a young lady in there singing but didn't catch her name.

 

For those asking for the FunTimes, I need to scan them in.

[Whenisdinner]

Picture painting....Male Statue of Liberty?

 

The legendary Colossus of Rhodes. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_of_Rhodes

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Edited March 23, 2014 by Whenisdinner

[Mrs.C05]

Cozumel, Day 2.....

(Ethan slept through the night) We arrived in Cozumel right on time at 9am, and docked at Puerta Maya. Inching up to our pier....

Dad, Maria, Tommy, Ethan and I all go off together at around 10:30am, most people were already off, or didn't get off. Either way there was no line to get off, we just walked right off the boat.

 

We stayed in the port area, walking around shopping until we went separate ways. Maria wasn't feeling to good so her and Dad went back to the ship.

This guy was real, and enjoyed moving when women walked by, resulting in scaring them, making them jump or scream, etc. Lol!