Live from the Legend!! December 19-26, 2021 with Kmom.

[Hogladyrider]

@KmomChicago.......sorry to hear what's happening on the ship....thank Santa you got to have a lovely day at HMC.

 

I've been reading online about all the outbreaks on various cruise lines but have not posted so as not to interrupt anyone's vacation.

 

My heart goes out to the staff, they seem to be the ones affected the most and winding up with the most restrictions.

 

I suspect it is the increase in capacity that is bringing this outbreak to light.  Maybe if the cruise lines pull back on capacity things will even out.  Sure hope so as I'd hate to see a halt in cruising again....for everyone's sake.

 

Enjoy the rest of your time on Legend you are doing a great job with the review!

[RoperDK]

8 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Leigh is telling us they have stopped all shore leave again due to the current surge and Captain will not appear live at any social events for the time being to reduce risk of falling ill. Crew are going to work each day then back to their rooms rather than out and about and eating in the buffet with us. Crew are starting to ration their toiletries immediately.

 

How horrible for the crew.  I felt so bad for them having to wear masks all day, every day.  We just had to do it for a week.  Everyone needs to have some fun to keep their sanity.   They are understaffed, overworked, and also can't rotate home when their contract is up right now.   

[KmomChicago]

1 minute ago, RoperDK said:

I have enjoyed this review very much!  I also enjoyed your Mardi Gras review and relished every word since we were set to cruise on MG a few months later.  I was wondering how you would compare the two cruises.  I know it's apples to oranges, but did you enjoy the entire experience better on one over the other?  We enjoyed MG, but didn't love it.  There were staffing and service issues, but I expected a bit of that.  My husband wants to give MG another try, but I find myself wanting to go back to a more traditional ship.  I just felt something was a bit off. Merry Christmas. You have me thinking of trying to organize a holiday family cruise now. 

Overall I liked Mardi Gras slightly more. This is about a very personal preference, however which boils down to: Novelty. 
 

In my years I have found more joy from trying new things rather than repeating familiar things. Simply because MG is the big new shiny object, we just loved it. 
 

By slight contrast, Legend is the epitome of exactly what Carnival has perfected over decades, which is to say, more of what we’ve already experienced (and enjoyed greatly). 
 

So it depends which you like. Repeating the perfect vacation over and over more or less verbatim, or an altered, updated (in ways both good and less than great) version of those memories? We lean just a bit towards the latter. 

[dcwalker]

6 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

Tear splattered spectacles. 🙄 

Don't you just hate that?

[dcwalker]

4 hours ago, mcgore83 said:

I agree with your Mormon coworker.  I can feel your spirit while reading your fantastic review.

Funny. My first thought was nope, atheists can be plenty spiritual, thoughtful, humble, and  guided by an overriding belief in right and wrong. Hmm. Either way, Kmom comes across as all of that, atheist or no.

[KmomChicago]

1 hour ago, RoperDK said:

 

How horrible for the crew.  I felt so bad for them having to wear masks all day, every day.  We just had to do it for a week.  Everyone needs to have some fun to keep their sanity.   They are understaffed, overworked, and also can't rotate home when their contract is up right now.   

They are not complaining. They are glad to be working and more worried about more shutdowns or permanent damage to their industry and livelihood. Also they’re all wearing N95 masks, not the flimsy stuff we have. 

[ninjacat123]

2 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

They are not complaining. They are glad to be working and more worried about more shutdowns or permanent damage to their industry and livelihood. Also they’re all wearing N95 masks, not the flimsy stuff we have. 

I was working outside during the summer dealing with customers in their cars and I started out wearing a K95 mask but eventually found out I couldn't get enough oxygen.  I started wearing the surgical masks and was more comfortable being able to breathe.  Makes me appreciate workers who wear masks day in, day out for their job.  It's rough.

[RoperDK]

2 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

I was working outside during the summer dealing with customers in their cars and I started out wearing a K95 mask but eventually found out I couldn't get enough oxygen.  I started wearing the surgical masks and was more comfortable being able to breathe.  Makes me appreciate workers who wear masks day in, day out for their job.  It's rough.

Oh my, those K95 masks really do affect your breathing.  I wore them for a while but changed over to the 3 layer surgical type mask and do much better.  I watched the poor lifeguards out in the sun wearing those masks on our MG cruise.  It must have been a challenge.  The crew used to go unmasked outside, but that changed.  I wonder if it is for show or really necessary.  At least they could go to a surgical type mask.  At some point the stress that is imposed on the crew has to be relieved.  Why hasn't Carnival brought in more crew in the last 6 months?  Is it logistics or just $$$?   

[KmomChicago]

5 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

When you bought a suite even though you didn’t really want it and needa complain about the Wi-Fi.

 

And a big mean guest literally pitched a fit because I walked right up. Right when  I, Kmom, walked up.

 

BTW they gave us back 25% on the internet package.

Quoting my own post here. I went back and looked and this grand suite cost significantly more than two balcony cabins would have cost at single occupancy each. 
 

Yes that’s right. I said significantly. It’s fine, it’s water under the bridge, I got a nice bonus this year and it’s strange times we’re living in, and at the time we booked the decision was a good one, I think.  And yes I knew the math then too. I was a little slap happy after MG was such a success maybe.
 

I frankly can’t imagine a scenario in any future where this will happen again. No matter how long I live or if I ever become a Jeff Bezos type rich person, which I won’t. It’s a nice room. Which is to say, it’s a room. Are y’all following me here?

 

NO I DID NOT SAY IT ISN’T WORTH IT. Just that it won’t happen quite like this again but then, as noted previously, I’m not really a repeater so this fits the general modus operandi anyway. Good to have tried it once.

[RoperDK]

22 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Quoting my own post here. I went back and looked and this grand suite cost significantly more than two balcony cabins would have cost at single occupancy each. 
 

Yes that’s right. I said significantly. It’s fine, it’s water under the bridge, I got a nice bonus this year and it’s strange times we’re living in, and at the time we booked the decision was a good one, I think.  And yes I knew the math then too. I was a little slap happy after MG was such a success maybe.
 

I frankly can’t imagine a scenario in any future where this will happen again. No matter how long I live or if I ever become a Jeff Bezos type rich person, which I won’t. It’s a nice room. Which is to say, it’s a room. Are y’all following me here?

 

NO I DID NOT SAY IT ISN’T WORTH IT. Just that it won’t happen quite like this again but then, as noted previously, I’m not really a repeater so this fits the general modus operandi anyway. Good to have tried it once.

We do like to cruise in the smaller suites, but my husband and I have both had free balcony cabin casino offers.  I have to admit thinking....what if we could book adjoining balcony rooms and have soooo much extra space and TWO full baths.  It is a thought that some could consider instead of the much higher grand suite prices.

[KmomChicago]

28 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

We do like to cruise in the smaller suites, but my husband and I have both had free balcony cabin casino offers.  I have to admit thinking....what if we could book adjoining balcony rooms and have soooo much extra space and TWO full baths.  It is a thought that some could consider instead of the much higher grand suite prices.

Right with you. You’d miss out on a larger total balcony space and it’s not broken up by a divider but is that a big deal? I personally don’t much use the balcony anyway and I like interior rooms and their tomblike silence. We have more floor space in here but not like tons more. Instead of two tiny bathrooms we have one biggish one and enough dresser and closet space for a year long cruise so it’s just silly overkill.  There’s no more privacy than any other room. Personally a wall to make it a one bedroom would be an improvement IMHO but maybe breaking it up like that would end up feeling just as cramped as two double rooms. 
 

I guess I’m unequivocally saying this room is not a good deal for me but it was the only thing mom would consider.  My best rooms on cruise ships have typically not ended up being my favorite cruises so what’s that tell us?

 

Other factors are way more important, to me anyway. The only terrible room was on Sensation because we had a king and a “trundle” out the entire cruise. This stupid extra bed took up the only floor space in an already tight cabin and had to be a total fire hazard as there was literally about 8 inches of space left. It was still an okay cruise experience but the only time I was ever actually irritated or inconvenienced by a stateroom layout. 
 

We had a premium interior on Mardi Gras which was ALMOST too small but just barely worked comfortably for us and we loved the ship otherwise. We had an interior on Oasis of the Seas which was a similar layout but maybe a foot or 2 larger and again we loved the ship. 
 

This is by far the most expensive room I’ve ever been in and honestly I like it about 10% more than most other rooms I’ve had and probably 50% more than that Sensation room, which I think might’ve been fine with an upper berth instead of the trundle. 

[KmomChicago]

There it is on the Sensation. I had seen a layout online where they could separate the king and arrange the beds against the 3 walls to allow a small center space in the room. But our steward was whining that whole cruise so no I didn’t want to ask him to rearrange it. 

[BabyJacks17]

23 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

There it is on the Sensation. I had seen a layout online where they could separate the king and arrange the beds against the 3 walls to allow a small center space in the room. But our steward was whining that whole cruise so no I didn’t want to ask him to rearrange it. 

 

This brought me back fond memories from my cruise on the Fantasy in 2008.   My mom booked a 4 day cruise for (5) adults into 1 room of this exact size.   She was very excited about the "suite" she had reserved for this trip.  

 

I remember sleeping in the bunk above the head of the king size bed below and in order to get down I'd have to step onto the bed between my parents. Another memory was if someone was standing at closet but the restroom door needed to be opened so one of us would have to step into the hall.   Not sure if they even allow so many people to be booked 5 pax into the fantasy class rooms anymore.  

 

Since then we've had many different rooms from Port Hole all the way to Captain Suites - but my fondest memories will be from that trip and the memories we made. However, with all that being said, this was also the last time we allowed my mom to control any of our cruise bookings, lol. 

Edited December 26, 2021 by BabyJacks17

[KmomChicago]

30 minutes ago, BabyJacks17 said:

 

This brought me back fond memories from my cruise on the Fantasy in 2008.   My mom booked a 4 day cruise for (5) adults into 1 room of this exact size.   She was very excited about the "suite" she had reserved for this trip.  

 

I remember sleeping in the bunk above the head of the king size bed below and in order to get down I'd have to step onto the bed between my parents. Another memory was if someone was standing at closet but the restroom door needed to be opened so one of us would have to step into the hall.   Not sure if they even allow so many people to be booked 5 pax into the fantasy class rooms anymore.  

 

Since then we've had many different rooms from Port Hole all the way to Captain Suites - but my fondest memories will be from that trip and the memories we made. However, with all that being said, this was also the last time we allowed my mom to control any of our cruise bookings, lol. 

Thanks for sharing that story. That suite with 5 adults doesn’t sound very comfortable. But I’m glad you have great memories! 

[sparks1093]

On 12/24/2021 at 11:34 AM, KmomChicago said:

it’s a good design and layout. I like the forward theatre and the lack of a midship dining room chopping up deck 3. I can see why people like Spirit class. The ship rarely feels crowded anywhere. 

 

We did borrow a doorstop wedge from our steward which made 100% difference.

 

 

We debated that if we ever return. Obviously more cost effective and still provides shade. A possible downside of the cabana is you do feel like you need to stay until the bitter end when shelling out this kind of $$.

That's what sold us on one for Princess Cay and the fact others in the party chipped in to spread out the cost. DW has no issue with bitter end staying but this time out it's just us and step-grandaughter and she's been unemployed for 6 years so will be no help. (Of course she's only 6 to begin with but still...).

[KmomChicago]

Sailing along Chesapeake in the dark this morning with just the faintest line of light over at the far eastern horizon. Just passed under a bridge before I got a chance to photograph it. It’s cool up here on deck but not freezing. Quiet with little activity except breakfast chefs cooking pancakes on the Guy’s flat grill. 
 

After weeks of anticipation, I skipped the special Christmas dinner menu in the MDR last night as I was feeling just enough off to be slightly concerned. I had enjoyed the signature tower at brunch and not sure if all that raw fish didn’t agree with me but the belly at 6pm was saying: nothing more for you today, Kmom. Family said it was good.
 

I was also feeling I might be teetering on the edge of fever and chills, with fatigue and the same allergy congestion I have normally. All of which are, of course, symptoms of the current variant that shall not be named. 
 

I feel pretty normal now after fairly decent sleep. Trying to take in the last moments and wondering about debarking as we have to get out of the rooms by 9, but DH got 1130 debark zone tags. Is every lounge full with nothing going on for 2 plus hours? Every ship we’ve sailed was docked by 6ish am so this late time seems odd but maybe due to labor hour times at the port or something. We checked more bags out than in so we have relatively little to deal with except the return of the Scootaround.

[KmomChicago]

4 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

That's what sold us on one for Princess Cay and the fact others in the party chipped in to spread out the cost. DW has no issue with bitter end staying but this time out it's just us and step-grandaughter and she's been unemployed for 6 years so will be no help. (Of course she's only 6 to begin with but still...).

I appreciate Carnival’s low base fares and the option to pay for upgrades a la carte. However it is possible to get looser than intended with the upgrades and end up with buyer’s remorse if you’re not careful and paying attention. Cheers here, sushi there, cabana, fun shops, etc. We don’t even get near the spa as that would be dangerous! 

 

Oh well. We’re not usually a great revenue source but would like the industry to survive and it’s fun to live like money is no object for once, particularly as this was our Christmas present to each other. This was definitely the most extravagant we’ve ever been. The family has had a great time. Life feels a bit like The Before, doing fun stuff just because we can.

 

The warm sunshine was a great treat. Even with learning the layout of a new ship class, Carnival is familiar and comfortable. 
 

But I’m ready to see Bailey and Shiloh, our pet kitties, and Fighter if he’s still fighting when I get back tonight or tomorrow. If he’s moved along, I’ll grieve and cry and hope our time together eased his last chapter, but we have other permanent and elder residents who swarm me and follow me around whenever they hear/ or probably smell my arrival. They have been the greatest gift of the pandemic for me. 
 

Just a short Sunday drive through MD, PA, OH and IN, and into their little furry world a few miles past the last state line.

[KmomChicago]

We don’t have rooms booked for the drive and we’ll just see how far and long we want to go. I’m the only one who has to work Tuesday and can do it remotely anyway. Likely we’ll end up somewhere in that state that’s round on the ends and high in the middle. 

[KmomChicago]

Good morning Baltimore!

[KmomChicago]

When I switched off the ship Wi-Fi this morning I received a text from yesterday from the rescue with a pic of my boy Fighter wishing me Merry Christmas and looking pretty good. Hopefully I’ll be giving him many more warm sponge baths to his very soft little meow. That’s one way to gauge their prior contact with humans. Adult cats don’t meow to each other but they notice humans of all ages communicate vocally so they continue meowing for us. Fighter has just a very quiet and rare meow so it’s not likely he spent any time in a human home, though I believe he was in a mobile home park with some on and off outdoor human interaction. He would have been a delightful housecat. Unfortunately It’s not feasible for me to take him home but I am only 5 minutes from the rescue and visit twice daily. 
 

in other news I’ve had several eggs Benedicts  in the unicorn and the poach was right every time! In the past there have been a few solid yolks but not on the Legend, baby!

[dcwalker]

Thanks for this, Kmom. Have a safe trip home and Happy New Year.

[AKR2011]

Thanks for all of your posts, and safe travels back to Chicago 😊

[IntrepidFromDC]

3 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

I appreciate Carnival’s low base fares and the option to pay for upgrades a la carte. However it is possible to get looser than intended with the upgrades and end up with buyer’s remorse if you’re not careful and paying attention. Cheers here, sushi there, cabana, fun shops, etc. We don’t even get near the spa as that would be dangerous! 

 

Oh well. We’re not usually a great revenue source but would like the industry to survive and it’s fun to live like money is no object for once, particularly as this was our Christmas present to each other. This was definitely the most extravagant we’ve ever been. The family has had a great time. Life feels a bit like The Before, doing fun stuff just because we can.

 

The warm sunshine was a great treat. Even with learning the layout of a new ship class, Carnival is familiar and comfortable. 
 

But I’m ready to see Bailey and Shiloh, our pet kitties, and Fighter if he’s still fighting when I get back tonight or tomorrow. If he’s moved along, I’ll grieve and cry and hope our time together eased his last chapter, but we have other permanent and elder residents who swarm me and follow me around whenever they hear/ or probably smell my arrival. They have been the greatest gift of the pandemic for me. 
 

Just a short Sunday drive through MD, PA, OH and IN, and into their little furry world a few miles past the last state line.

Entire post was enjoyable, but I'll comment just on the part I bolded.  It's awkward to suggest to others how to grieve, but I do it anyway, based on my experiences with dogs all my life.  As for Fighter, when the time comes, grieve honestly - remembering there are overlapping phases to surviving the loss of a loved one (shock, denial, anger, confusion, acceptance, becoming whole again) but there will always be another hospice or other kitty in need of your love.  I also volunteer for a dog rescue.  I do interviews and home inspections.  

 

Thanks for a great, well-written review.

[Cscomedygrl]

Safe travels home. Thanks for letting us tag along with you through the whole cruise. 

[KmomChicago]

1120 and we’re about last off the good ship.