Legend review Jan 18-27...very long

[dansu]

Flew from Ottawa to Toronto, and then on to Fort. Thursday, one day before our cruise. Flight left 35 minutes late but arrived 10 minutes early. Had our luggage, rental car, and was checked in at the Sleep Inn in Dania within an hour and three-quarters. Our room was nice, big, and very clean. Next stop Sawgrass Mills for little shopping and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Quick stop at Walgreens, which was at the entrance to the Sleep Inn parking lot, and we turned in for the night.

Next morning a quick trip to Target for diet soda, water, wine, snackies, and a small suitcase to carry it all onboard, and we were ready to sit at the pool for a few hours.

Returned our car to Budget at 1:00pm, and were in line at the pier by 1:15. A porter took our bags curbside, and I watched as he checked out the tip I gave him before he tossed our bags on the trolley. We checked in, had our sign and sail cards, photos taken and by 2:00 pm we were on our balcony calling the kids to say our good-byes for 8 days, as our cellulars would not work at sea. Embarkation was fast and painless, very well organized.

The Legend is spotless, they are constantly cleaning, shining, clearing dishes, washing floors, vacuuming carpets, washing stairs, washing rails, polishing the glass as well as maintaining the cabins.

The 1st thing I checked out in my cabin after the balcony was the bathroom, spotlessly clean, big and no strange smells. The cabin was spotless, lots of closet space; good lighting to do my make-up and hair, comfy bed, and the TV picked up CNN. I was happy.

Next stop Lido Deck for the infamous Reuben sandwich, I’ve had better but not bad, and a cold ice tea. Hubby bought the soda card, which cost him just under $54.00 (tax included) for 8 days. Carnival lost money on that deal, as he had many and often. The servers were wonderful, as they kept his soda filled. We had wonderful Lido deck server, Sarah.

Went back to our cabin to find only our small suitcase with drinks had arrived. We grabbed our life jackets, and were off to the muster drill, which took about 30 minutes. It was extremely sunny and very hot. I took the jacket off and held it for the last 10 minutes. No one cared.

Hubby’s luggage was waiting at cabin door when we got back. Sat on balcony to watch sail away, and then headed off to explore the ship and the meet Margaritagirl (rollcall) and Steve for drinks. My luggage showed up around dinner time.

Dinner late seating 8:15: table set for 4 every night, but only 2 of us at table, they offered to move us to a table with other guests, but we chose to stay where we were. People at next table adopted us, for the duration of the cruise, so we had the pleasure of good company at dinner, as well as the privacy of our own table. Head waiter Barry from South Africa was amazing, as well as his assistant Welly, Indonesia. Service was quick, and extremely efficient. We were planning to dine one night at the dinner club, but chose to use the money as a tip to our servers instead.

I had smoked Alaskan smoked salmon, Caesar salad, rack of New Zealand spring lamb dijonaisse the 1st night. The lamb could have been a little warmer, but was done to perfection, so I chose not to send it back. Hubby had wedge of iceberg lettuce grilled New York sirloin the 1st of many, and baked potato. We tried the warm chocolate melting cake. It was like eating a partially baked fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream. Not my favourite, but hubby liked it, as he continued to order it every night. Ordered a diet soda for hubby and Shiraz for myself. She brought me a Merlot, and insisted it was a Shiraz. Not wowed by her.

Met Margaritagirl, Steve, and their table companions for drinks in the casino. Great sour apple martinis. Hubby went to check his email, and send the boys a quick note. Turned in about midnight, and sat on the balcony for a while to unwind, as we had been up for 20+ hours. We both fell asleep as our heads hit the pillow…great bedding. No towel animal just chocolates and next day capers.

Saturday, I woke up early, and ordered a pot of decaf. Hubby got up and went up to Lido to put out our towels. Now before you can say chair savers….he only returned to the cabin to tell me where we were sitting. Hubby worships the sun…I call it the George Hamilton complex. Had my decaf on the balcony, and went to join hubby. It was sun and cloud, but very windy. Being my 1st cruise, I didn’t know this wasn’t normal, and was actually enjoying it until the person next to me pointed out that she had never seen such bad weather on any of her past cruises…pop…the sound of my bubble bursting. Then I remembered that it was cold and snowy at home…back to vacation mode. About 11:50 the captain came on with his daily report…rain expected. It started to rain around noon, so we went and had lunch. By 2:00 it was nice again and the wind was gone. Went to buy some earrings for formal night, and came back to find hubby sandwiched between to buxomly blondes in scant bikinis, and no chair for me. We won’t go there.

Formal night and captains’ party: everything from Granny Clampett to Lovey Howell. No jeans at the party, only visible on those who chose not to attend…The dining room revealed everything from golf shirts to tuxedos. I wore a silk taffeta wrap blouse with cuffed dress capris, and hubby wore a dark suit. I wore my hair up with extensions. We met the captain, had drinks in the Follies lounge, and then headed to dinner. Welly held my chair, as Barry unfolded the napkin into my lap, and placed the menu in my hand. He called me madam, and my husband sir. Both servers were dressed formally, and just as the night before their manners were impeccable.

I ordered baked white stuffed mushrooms, cheesy but not bad, and Caesar salad. I couldn’t decide between the lobster tail and the prime rib…so he brought me both. The lobster tail was cooked perfectly and my prime rib medium rare juicy, and hot. Hubby had 2 grilled New York sirloin steaks. I had cherries jubilee, it was just okay, for dessert, and hubby had his warm chocolate melting cake. Barry’s service was perfectly timed, and Welly kept my decaf hot and my cup full.

Drink server didn’t impress me, as she forgot my husband’s diet soda, but didn’t take my wine order. After 40 minutes of waiting, Barry our waiter, actually left the Dining room and returned with a diet soda for my hubby, and I drank water. Barry and hubby chatted through out the evening. Very nice young man.

Had a drink in the casino, and went to see the show. It was very entertaining. Met up with people we met earlier for drinks in the casino, and then went to see David Sayh, for the midnight adult comedy show in the Firebird lounge. He was okay.

1st towel animal….really cute. Took pictures. Bought the book next day.

Sunday morning same routine, hubby placed towels, came back to tell me where. I had my decaf on the balcony….hot, sunny and not a cloud in the sky. I joined hubby for a fun day of sunshine, and conversation, and yes he had a chair for me. My towel laid out, and no bikini clad blondes in sight. It was a perfect morning…no wind, pure blue sky, not a cloud in sight. The chairs filled up fast.

Attended the shopping talk.…waste of time.. They replayed it regularly on the TV as well as everything they gave out was available at the shopping desk, and also left in the cabin with your capers the night before port.

 

Cooled off at the edge of the aft pool and sipped white wine spritzers, while hubby sipped his diet soda. Sarah our server was terrific. She brought my drink to the pool, and the sign and sail chit to my hubby. Hubby enjoyed the ice cream. I brought lunch out to our chairs. Had burgers from the grill, and enjoyed them. We tried to stay away from the buffet lines, as it would be real easy to indulge.

Everyday at 4:00 the ice toppings appeared, and a server to make banana splits and sundaes. Took a bowl of walnuts, chocolate thingy’s, pistachio nuts and mini MM toppings back to the cabin to snack on. Had a glass of wine on my balcony before dressing for dinner. It was a perfect day…a girl could really learn to enjoy this life style.

Wrote an Email to the kids on my laptop, and we went to the internet café to send them. Kevin in the café said we should be able to get internet in our cabin. Hubby tried it out on the stairs, and it worked, so I opened the cabin door and tried it out in the hall…it worked. Hubby, or I, wrote the message in our cabin and sat on the foot stool in our cabin doorway and sent them off daily.

Walked around the fun shops, but hubby started to feel the motion, as we were rocking a bit. He asked if this is what it felt like to be drunk, and started to turn green. He went to lie down for an hour, and I headed back downstairs. I had a drink in the casino before dinner, and amazing sushi. Don’t miss the sushi bar, found it Sunday night, and enjoyed almost every night before dinner. The captain either changed his course or turned on the stabilizers, as the ship stopped rocking within the hour. Went back to get hubby and headed off for dinner.

Dinner was great as usual. I had the duet of mussels and shrimp provincale, Caesar salad, Beef Wellington, and Tiramisu. Hubby had grilled New York sirloin steak, baked potato and warm chocolate melting cake. Diet soda waiting for hubby on table, and server present to take my wine order. By day three hubby’s dinner order became a standing joke. Hubby would ask Barry what he would suggest for dinner, and Barry would replied “perhaps sir might enjoy the grilled New York sirloin, and baked potato with warm chocolate melting cake for dessert.” When hubby would order…Barry would reply…”good choice sir.” Our table mates at the next table included us in all their conversations so we really weren’t dining alone. It was nice. Saw a few jeans, but not many….no shorts.

We headed to the casino for hubby to smoke before the show, and he sat down a $1.00 slot machine. After losing $10.00 he tried to insert another, which the machine did not like, so I opened my wallet and gave him $10.00, which he did not replace. Wait for it…it’s coming. I sat down at a machine not too far a way, and dropped $5.00….then $20.00….this is where hubby approached and said your losing, cash out, and pushed the button to cash me out. He reached own and grabbed a handful of my quarters, and off he went to play some more…it’s coming. He then starts calling me to his new machine as it says he won but he doesn’t know what to do next, as it was a video poker machine. I walk over to take a look and a passerby says you need to push this button. WRONG answer he lost it all…and then I turn to look and someone has just sat down at my machine….dropped in a quarter…only one quarter…and won $62.00. I told hubby I was going in to wait for the hypnotist show to start, and left. I had just lost $35.00 between hubby and the slot machine. I was approached to purchase a BINGO card, but I was still ticked about hubby and my loss, which may be small to most, but wasn’t necessary, and told the girl no thank you. The lady behind me leaned down and says to me, you’re on vacation…enjoy yourself…so I raised my hand and bought a card from a different server.My hubby now appears, and I ask him for $20.00 to cover my losses…..because yes, I blamed him.

 

I28….. BINGO! Hubby asks what WE won I told him HE could have back his $20.00, and I pocketed the remaining $580.00. We used it yesterday for the deposit on our next CCL cruise.

Cute towel animal waiting for us on the bed, with our 2 chocolates, and our next day capers. Took another picture.

Monday morning Colon, Panama. Pre-ordered room service to ensure I had my decaf for the morning and a back up wake up call incase the one I set on the phone didn’t work. Filled my Carnival insolated cup with the remaining decaf and set off to the Follies Lounge. We disembarked to the waiting buses for our 1 ½ hour drive to Balboa Port. The tour guide was very informative, the bus was air conditioned and comfortable, we drove through the free trade zone, a very pretty country but the roads and highways were very bad and extremely bumpy, and the poverty was visible and humbling.

We boarded the ferry for our transit through the Panama Canal. I chose to sit under the canopy, as it was extremely hot, humid, and very sunny, with some people I had met on board, and hubby went to sit on the back deck, where he could take the sun ….and smoke. There was plenty of cold water, and local cola. I brought some diet soda for myself. The transit was wonderful and informative. I have transited canal locks in the past, but never of this magnitude. They served a turkey sandwich and a muffin, which I tried by didn’t finish….too hot to eat. We learned all about the history of the Panama Canal, transited two sets of locks with a huge tanker, passed through the continental divide, and exited before the last set of locks, to our awaiting buses. I deposited our tip in an awaiting basket, and boarded a different bus for our return to the port. Slept most of the way back, as this guide wasn’t very good. H eactually woke me up to ask me if I had any questions!

At the port we picked up the usual souvenir fare for our boys t-shirts, shot glass, and a Panama hat. We visited Super 99 a massive supermarket for a bottle of local rum, $2.68.

It took about 20 minutes in line before we were able to board. They scanned my bag, but didn’t take the rum. We ordered a sandwich for hubby and a fruit plate for me from room service, and relaxed on our balcony until sail away. Room service was fast, and the food excellent. Make sure you bring a lot of singles if you plan to order room service.

Had wine on the balcony before dinner…real struggle to get ready for dinner.

Ordered French onion soup, Caesar salad, Penne Maricos (shrimp, scallops in tomato cream sauce) and strawberry cheesecake and more wine. Too tired to eat…made sure I only ordered food easy to eat, with very little chewing action required. Hubby had his usual Chopped lettuce salad, grilled New York sirloin, baked potato and warm chocolate melting cake. All very good. Barry and Welly were great.

Headed back to the room for an early night. Bed turned down, darling towel animal, 2 CCL chocolates and the next day capers were waiting on our bed. Took another picture Asleep before I hit the pillow.

If it’s Tuesday this must be Costa Rica. Filled my cup with ice tea from the Lido Deck, and headed to the pier to meet our CCL tour guide. We boarded the bus for another very bumpy ride on unpaved roads through thousands of banana plants, enroute to our canal tour. It started to rain lightly, but being that we were in the rain forest, it only added to the ambience. We boarded a covered boat and traveled through the man-made canal in search of flora and fauna. We saw 3 kinds of monkeys, various birds, and a lady milking a cow in her back yard. We were served local coffee, pineapple, bananas, coconut and papaya, and entertained by local musicians for 15 minutes, and then boarded our bus for a bumpy trip to the banana plantation. At the banana plantation we saw the bananas being transported from the plantation, washed, divided and packed. It was very rural, no automation whatsoever. Then we boarded the bus again for a short bumpy ride to the green train, which was blue. We then traveled through the rain forest along the coast, to a junction where we met our bus, and were driven back to the port with 35 minutes to go before we set sail. The trip was 2 hours longer than advertised. No time to buy souvenirs for the boys, and Costa Rica was one port that CCL did not carry in their fun shop. Costa Rica was a very beautiful country, but again the poverty really made you sit back and take notice. The sun was now shining, as we boarded the ship, and headed to the Lido for deli, this had been a long day, and we were tired and hungry. I went back to the cabin for a nap. Hubby emailed the boys. Woke up at 6:30, when hubby said “look dear, the captain has turned back to Costa Rica for you to buy the boys their t-shirts.” I look up at the GPS on the TV…and we were headed back. I went out on the balcony, and saw the lights of Costa Rica. I called reception, and was informed we had headed back a there was a medical emergency on board. A pilot boat pulled up alongside the ship, and they took the passenger off.

Dinner, Southwestern egg roll and lobster bisque...couldn’t decide…enjoyed both, Caesar salad, grilled filet mignon done to perfection, and diet pumpkin pie for dessert. Could have lived without the diet pumpkin pie…okay but not memorable. Everything else very good. Hubby had 2 filet mignon, which he truly enjoyed, baked potato, and the chocolate melting cake. Again Barry and Welly were great, and our table mates at the next table included us in all their conversations.

Had drinks in the casino served by Juan, and headed to see the guest talent show….okay…nothing I would sit through twice. Went back to the cabin to change to my jeans, and headed to the Lido deck for the deck party. Tonight like very other night there was a midnight buffet…but I really wasn’t hungry. Had a couple sour apple martinis…they are very addictive.

Returned to the cabin to find our Monkey towel animal hanging over the mirror…very cute.Another photo moment.

Wednesday sea day, hubby headed up to Lido to sit out, I joined him a little later. Had my morning decaf on the balcony, and was ready to enjoy the day. Not a cloud in the clear blue sky, very hot, no wind…pure heaven. Spent the day in the sunshine, sipping ice tea and some foo foo drink. Couldn’t tell you what it was called….but it was rather tasty! Our Lido deck server, Sarah, kept our drinks full all day on the Lido deck and at night in the Follies lounge. She was always smiling, and never ceased to amaze me. On Sunday night just after I won the BINGO, she came right over and asked if I needed a drink, she then brought my a white wine spritzer, which she had served me earlier on Lido, and handed hubby the sign and sail. Not only did she remember what I drank earlier in the day, but our names as well.

The Captain gave his daily report just before noon, about our GPS location, and the expected weather for the remainder of the day, and for our last port of call Belize.

It was another perfect day in paradise. My thoughts turned to home, my boys up north in the snowy frigid climate…for about 30 seconds, and then I focused again on the horizon, the clear blue sky, applied more sunscreen, and sipped my ice tea.

Entered hubby in ‘Mens Hairy Chest Competition’…he lost to a man with no hair. No ship on a stick for us, just a consolation medal.

Had my 1st banana split with caramel sauce…yummy. Very glad that I hadn’t tried one sooner, and then returned to the cabin for a glass of wine on the balcony, and to get ready for the 2nd formal night. Chiffon swirl skirt, simple top, hair up with extensions for me, and hubby wore his dark suit again.

Had drinks in the casino, Juan served me another perfect sour apple martini, and I got my sushi from the sushi bar.

Dinner started with Delice of the Ocean (serviche with caviar), Caesar salad, Chateaubriand and baked Alaska. Hubby tried a Chateaubriand and the black angus jumbo burger, French fried potatoes, and yes the warm chocolate melting cake. All was served at the perfect temperature and well prepared. Like usual Barry and Welly were in true form and wonderful. Again our table mates at the next table included us in all their conversations. Hubby’s diet soda was waiting on the table, but she never came by to take my wine order.

Went back to the cabin to change out of my formal wear and grab the camera, and then on to the Follies for the Singing with the Band Show. I enjoyed it. But hubby stepped out for a smoke.

Festivale Grand Gala Buffet with amazing food sculptures, ice sculptures, and chocolate to die for. We took pictures and went to bed. No more food for us. We’re not big eaters, and the cruise was taking it’s toll.

Towel animal waiting as usual, and very cute, with 2 chocolates and next day capers. Took another photo.

Thursday, Belize. We had breakfast in the dining room, as we had not done this before and our tour left late. The eggs benedict were okay, not worth going back for. We met up with Margaritagirl in the Follies, and went on CCL Belize City tour. Another beautiful country but we saw a lot of poverty, again makes you very thankful for what you have and take for granted every day. Our tour guide was excellent. Hubby went back to the ship to take the sun, and I shopped at the port for a few hours. Picked up the usual souvenir fare, t-shirts, shot glass, water globe, hot sauce and yes folks a couple really good Fendi knock offs, for my mom. This place puts Canal Street to shame.

I took the tender back to the ship, dropped off my bags of loot, and sought out hubby, sitting on the Lido deck aft taking the last sun of the day, as the clouds were starting to roll in and a few showers were materializing. We went and had a late lunch, and watched the sail away. There was the most beautiful little island with a nice size house off the starboard side on sail away. Belize is one port I would return to.

Went back to the cabin to start packing and have my pre-dinner wine on the balcony. We dressed for dinner, and headed to the casino to have drinks, and my sushi. I walked to the Atrium to buy my yummy sour apple martini, as they had a $4.95 ice martini special, and then back again a second time to try the infamous chocolate martini…good but very sweet.

Dinner was Steamed Alaskan snow crabs legs, Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail and ribeye steak, and apple tarte. All very good with the exception of the apple tarte…it was just okay. I’m not a big sweet eater. Hubby had 2 ribeye steaks, a baked potato, and another warm chocolate melting cake. Barry and Welly were exceptional again. Drink server brought hubby his diet coke, and I ordered my wine.

We headed to the casino for drinks, and then to see the Village Idiots…don’t waste your time, as they were jugglers who kept dropping everything. Their jokes were not very funny either.

Went back to the cabin to pack some more, and enjoy the balcony. It wasn’t as warm out as it had been on previous nights. We were heading north!

Towel was animal cute as usual. Another photo oportunity.

Friday, last day at sea, and hubby went up to Lido with the towels. I sat out on the balcony, but it just wasn’t the same. The air was cooler, the sky showed tell tale clouds. We weren’t far from the end…..paradise was over in less than 24 hours. I joined hubby on the Lido deck, but it was windy and cool. Went to get my jacket and sat out for a few hours. Packed it in and went to have lunch. Walked around the ship, and went down to buy the boys CCL souvenirs. Hubby took off, as he was restless. He walked around the ship taking pictures, and left me to shop…bad plan, as I had forgotten my sign and sail in the cabin. I was supposed to shop and then go change before the afternoon tea. Barry was working it today, and had asked me to attend. But I wasn’t dressed to go, and hubby was off taking pictures. So I wandered back to the Lido, moved a chair out of the wind, but in full sun, and sat there undisturbed for 2 hours. Got up to have banana split, as eating something high carb would surely cause hubby to appear just as the spoon hit my mouth. Just like clock work…he arrived, and he was ticked, as he had spent the last hour and a half walking the ship looking for me, as I was supposed to be having tea, not taking the sun with a banana split in my hand. Oh well….I offered him a spoonful of ice cream. I then called Sarah over, as she had brought me a couple diet sodas when Danny was MIA, and very discreetly tucked an offering of my appreciation in her hand. Sarah’s face lit up, and then she asked why. I told her she had helped to make our trip wonderful. To which she replied it’s my job. She thanked us both, and ran off to show the other server.

Went back to the cabin, finished packing and dressed for dinner. We did our last walk of the ship, bought our embarkation photo, and the CLL DVD of the events staring my hubby. Had drinks in the casino, and my last sushi. Then headed in to have dinner with Barry and Welly for the last time. Lots of jeans tonight. The server brought hubby his diet soda, and appeared later to take my wine order. Dinner was New England lobster and crab cake, and wild mushroom cream soup, Caesar salad, prime rib done to perfection and diet apple pie for dessert. Hubby had the heart of iceberg salad, a massive end cut of prime rib, and warm chocolate melting cake. We shared email addresses with the people at the next table who we talked to every night. Took pictures and said our good-byes. I showed Barry and Welly that they were very much appreciated, and they thanked us a wished us a safe journey. They are missed.

Went back to the cabin to drop off the camera, and change into our jeans. Packed the last of our stuff we wouldn’t be using in the morning, and put out our luggage for pick up. We were heading to the last show, when we ran into somebody we met, and she insisted we join them in Billy’s for a good-bye drink. Only caught the last act of the show, but it looked like we missed a good one.

Went back to the cabin, took our last towel animal picture, and sat out for one last time.

Saturday morning, we were out of the cabin by 8:00am, and up to the Lido for breakfast, as we had a long day ahead of us, and weren’t expected to be back in Ottawa until 1:00am the next morning.

Went down to the casino so hubby could smoke, and no sooner had he lit up, they asked us if we were ready to go, if so than we could leave before our colour was called, as they needed to close the casino for cleaning. We were off the ship, and through customs and immigration in 45 minutes. Our ride picked us up and we were at their hotel by 10:00am.

Our flight was scheduled for 7:35 pm. I checked online at 3:30pm to see if we were on time and found out our flight was cancelled. Called to find out Toronto was closed, and that we were on a direct flight to Ottawa the next day at noon…so we booked a room in the hotel, relaxed a while, went shopping and for late dinner.

Airport not fun:eek: …Air Canada cancelled our return ticket and rebooked us as a one-way ticket, one day in advance to a destination different from that we had arrived, and forgot to override the security clearance, which flagged us as a possible security risk. Took over an hour, as they questioned, screened, swabbed, scanned, fondled and humiliated us in full view of all to see. They placed us in a glass cube and vacuumed us for explosive dust. The let my hubby go through, but chose to fondle and grope me in a glass enclosed area for all to see. The screeners last words to me were next time honey you’ll learn not to wear an under wire bra when going through airport security. They swabbed by shoes, my credit cards, my lap top keys, and handled everything I had in my purse. I felt thoroughly violated. TSA and Air Canada gate rep told us they had no choice as it was Air Canada reservations who had made the mistake, and that everyone that had their flight cancelled from Toronto, and were rebooked on our flight had this code on their boarding pass, and yes we have a complaint in to Air Canada. Upon arriving in Ottawa, after going through immigration, the immigration officer followed me and called over his supervisor. I was asked for my ticket, which of course I didn’t have and offered him my original Carnival e-ticket, explaining about my flight the previous day being cancelled, and what had happened in Fort Lauderdale. He actually apologized to me, and walked away.

Well the cruise out shone the flight….hubby phoned and rebooked us yesterday. Carnival Liberty February 2, 2008.

Would I sail on the Carnival Legend again…in a heart beat. :D

[asoutherngal]

Thank you so much for your review. Leaving on the 12th on the Legend and now really, really looking forward to it!!:)

[tektron]

Excellent review, thanks for sharing. Sounds like you had a much better time on this itinerary on the Legend than I did a month ago. :)

[afdds]

Hello,

Thanks for the wonderful review of the Legend. I can't wait to go in April. I have two DD that I will need to keep in touch with while on the cruise. Can you tell me more about how you used your lap top. Did the lap top have something special and what plan did you buy at the internet cafe.

 

Thank so much for the help!

[dansu]

Hello,

Thanks for the wonderful review of the Legend. I can't wait to go in April. I have two DD that I will need to keep in touch with while on the cruise. Can you tell me more about how you used your lap top. Did the lap top have something special and what plan did you buy at the internet cafe.

 

Thank so much for the help!

 

We brought my laptop, wrote all our emails offline, saved them as drafts, and only went online to send them. We bought a package of 100 minutes for $55.oo with a one time charge of $3.95 set up fee, and topped them up at no charge when specials were offered. Connection speed was very slow, so we only went online to send and receive, and then read them offline. We had wifi access in our cabin doorway and out in the hall, as well as the internet cafe. You can use your laptop or their desktops in the internet cafe.

[CBXRAY]

Hey afdds..I'm in tampa also, and going on the legend the same time. Weird;)

 

 

 

 

Thx poster for the great review....

 

Take care

[rucruizin]

Thanks for your review.

 

I'm curious??? How would you have felt on that Saturday morning if you were staying on the ship for the next 8 days and a new itinerary? This is a serious question. I have never done B2B's and I'm curious as to how it will feel to have everyone getting off, knowing that my next one is just beginning. It's different when you are still out at sea, I think.

 

I can tell you this much, I won't miss packing on that last sea day, it is depressing. I know it will have to happen later but I'm sure after 16 days I'll be READY to go home...not back to work, just home.

 

The little guy in the upper lefthand corner, as well as the other 4 will miss mommy. Probably the daughter too, but mostly the dogs:D

[Marmarjudy]

We were on the same cruise and our dining experience was not near as enjoyable as yours. (I previously posted a mini-review.) It was a major disappointment.

 

Since your husband ate so much beef, steaks, etc., I'm curious if he preferred, and then was able, to get beef medium rare? Our inept (and that is being kind) waiter told me that all the beef would come out medium well, no chance of getting rare or medium rare. That was the first time ever on a cruise that the beef was so overcooked that it was dead....what a shame! When I questioned the waiter he just shrugged his shoulders and said that's how it comes....UGH!!! What a waste (in my opinion.) I couldn't eat it, especially the beautiful rib eye that ended up tasting like shoe leather because it had no hint of pink, anywhere.

 

I wish we would have had your wait team. I'm sure it would have made a difference for us. Our bad dining room experience really tainted the cruise for us, and also our opinion of Carnival's dining, especially after hearing rave reviews about Carnival's improvement since we sailed 7 years ago. We had a great cruise (more good than bad) but we missed Princess (our last 7 cruises) while in the dining room, for sure, no comparison.

 

We're sailing Carnival again in November, one more try, and if I can get rare/medium rare beef, it will be a great improvement from our experience on the Legend.

 

So, pink beef, available, or not?

 

Judy

[rucruizin]

Hmmm, I've really never had a problem with the meat being over cooked, not consistently. I'm sure it's happened a time or two but not at every meal. I like mine medium and have had more meat that was a little too rare, than over cooked. I just switched with the DH. I actually am excited about coming back to Carnival because the food is so much better than HAL, or Princess.

 

We had a couple at our table on a New Years cruise, who's food was never right. Our food was great, no one else at the table had a problem either. It's strange to me that people on the same cruise, even at the same table can have such totally opposite experiences. Maybe you should have mentioned it to the head waiter?

[Corsair41]

Dansu,

 

Thank you for the review! My DW & I will be on Legend in Dec., and your review makes me feel much better about the choice.:)

 

Again, Thanks!

[dansu]

We were on the same cruise and our dining experience was not near as enjoyable as yours. (I previously posted a mini-review.) It was a major disappointment.

 

Since your husband ate so much beef, steaks, etc., I'm curious if he preferred, and then was able, to get beef medium rare? Our inept (and that is being kind) waiter told me that all the beef would come out medium well, no chance of getting rare or medium rare. That was the first time ever on a cruise that the beef was so overcooked that it was dead....what a shame! When I questioned the waiter he just shrugged his shoulders and said that's how it comes....UGH!!! What a waste (in my opinion.) I couldn't eat it, especially the beautiful rib eye that ended up tasting like shoe leather because it had no hint of pink, anywhere.

 

I wish we would have had your wait team. I'm sure it would have made a difference for us. Our bad dining room experience really tainted the cruise for us, and also our opinion of Carnival's dining, especially after hearing rave reviews about Carnival's improvement since we sailed 7 years ago. We had a great cruise (more good than bad) but we missed Princess (our last 7 cruises) while in the dining room, for sure, no comparison.

 

We're sailing Carnival again in November, one more try, and if I can get rare/medium rare beef, it will be a great improvement from our experience on the Legend.

 

So, pink beef, available, or not?

 

Judy

 

My husband eats his meat well done, but had no complaints about his meat being tough or dry, and sometimes ordered another. I eat mine medium rare. My Chateaubriand was done to absolute perfection. My ribeye was bordering on rare to medium rare and yes sitting in it's own juices, tender , hot, and wonderfully enjoyable, as was my prime rib. Barry, our server indicated that the ribeye was pre-made, and may be a little over done for my liking but he would do his best the find me the right steak...and he did. Our service was beyond amazing. Barry and his assistant Welly made our mealtimes fun and entertaining. And at 9:30 when the lights flickered and they all started to sing and dance, they joined right in with huge grins, and didn't care how silly they looked. Yes the servers really did make the dining difference, as they selected the meal they were going to serve you. Our dining experience really added to the cruise experience for us, as we really didn't eat much during the day maybe a hamburger, or a deli sandwich and the occasional spring roll or ice cream, we chose to stay out of the buffet lines, so a bad meal at dinner would have really been noticed...and they were all excellent. If I selected an item that was in Barry's opinion not prepared well that evening...he would smile sweetly and quietly say you don't want that tonight. I learned to trust his judgement.....and for this fine service Barry and Welly were well rewarded. I gave them what I would have spent if I had eaten in the Dinner Club with wine and tips included, and still wonder if that was enough.

 

So to answer you question yes, my meat was perfectly done medium-rare, tender, juicy....and delicious:p

[TakeMeAway1001]

Good morning~

Thanks for the reviews, cannot wait for our turn on the Legend in April.

Take care~

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

On our recent (Thanksgiving) Legend sailing - we had THE BEST waiter. BUT, the big problem was that his assistant could not be found on the first night. So he was REALLY huffing it. By the 8th evening, he had been "helped" by THREE DIFFERENT assistants on different nights. All appeared to be IN TRAINING. OUCH. We saw the assistant (while he watched) deliver plates to the wrong table. WOW, the look on the head waiters face as he slapped his own forehead and shook his head. We really felt for that guy. He had something near/on his nametag indicating that he was the waiter "of the month or quarter" or something like that. He did the best he could given the situation. We ate in the supper club on 3 (4?) nights - courtesy of the casino on two occasions... incredible, as always!

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...I'm curious??? How would you have felt on that Saturday morning if you were staying on the ship for the next 8 days and a new itinerary? This is a serious question. I have never done B2B's and I'm curious as to how it will feel to have everyone getting off, knowing that my next one is just beginning. It's different when you are still out at sea, I think.

 

I can tell you this much, I won't miss packing on that last sea day, it is depressing. I know it will have to happen later but I'm sure after 16 days I'll be READY to go home...not back to work, just home.

 

The little guy in the upper lefthand corner, as well as the other 4 will miss mommy. Probably the daughter too, but mostly the dogs:D

 

Guys - just to let you know, in advance, than when we are packing on the last night of our (3/24/07) Legend cruise, we will be THINKING ABOUT YOU... not having to pack, and looking forward to 8 more days... GRRRRRRR... :mad:

 

;) :D

 

Tom

[EricaLovesCats]

Great review...

 

And like you I have also learned the hard way not to wear a bra with underwire in it...what a horrible experience! Lol, funny how they don't just add underwire bras to the "do not bring through security" list. :D

[Knights on the Beach]

We were on the same cruise and our dining experience was not near as enjoyable as yours. (I previously posted a mini-review.) It was a major disappointment.

 

Since your husband ate so much beef, steaks, etc., I'm curious if he preferred, and then was able, to get beef medium rare? Our inept (and that is being kind) waiter told me that all the beef would come out medium well, no chance of getting rare or medium rare. That was the first time ever on a cruise that the beef was so overcooked that it was dead....what a shame! When I questioned the waiter he just shrugged his shoulders and said that's how it comes....UGH!!! What a waste (in my opinion.) I couldn't eat it, especially the beautiful rib eye that ended up tasting like shoe leather because it had no hint of pink, anywhere.

 

I wish we would have had your wait team. I'm sure it would have made a difference for us. Our bad dining room experience really tainted the cruise for us, and also our opinion of Carnival's dining, especially after hearing rave reviews about Carnival's improvement since we sailed 7 years ago. We had a great cruise (more good than bad) but we missed Princess (our last 7 cruises) while in the dining room, for sure, no comparison.

 

We're sailing Carnival again in November, one more try, and if I can get rare/medium rare beef, it will be a great improvement from our experience on the Legend.

 

So, pink beef, available, or not?

 

Judy

Our dining room experience on the 12/10 Legend cruise was similar to yours. We had pieces of beef on at least two different nights that we just couldn't finish -- very tough and overcooked, difficult to "saw" through it. This has NEVER been our experience on Carnival before. We've always had no problem ordering -- and getting -- medium rare Chateaubriand, steak, and prime rib. Sadly, that was not the case on two or three nights on the Legend.

[CruiseCentric]

We headed to the casino for hubby to smoke before the show, and he sat down a $1.00 slot machine. After losing $10.00 he tried to insert another, which the machine did not like, so I opened my wallet and gave him $10.00, which he did not replace. Wait for it…it’s coming. I sat down at a machine not too far a way, and dropped $5.00….then $20.00….this is where hubby approached and said your losing, cash out, and pushed the button to cash me out. He reached own and grabbed a handful of my quarters, and off he went to play some more…it’s coming. He then starts calling me to his new machine as it says he won but he doesn’t know what to do next, as it was a video poker machine. I walk over to take a look and a passerby says you need to push this button. WRONG answer he lost it all…and then I turn to look and someone has just sat down at my machine….dropped in a quarter…only one quarter…and won $62.00. I told hubby I was going in to wait for the hypnotist show to start, and left. I had just lost $35.00 between hubby and the slot machine. I was approached to purchase a BINGO card, but I was still ticked about hubby and my loss, which may be small to most, but wasn’t necessary, and told the girl no thank you. The lady behind me leaned down and says to me, you’re on vacation…enjoy yourself…so I raised my hand and bought a card from a different server.My hubby now appears, and I ask him for $20.00 to cover my losses…..because yes, I blamed him.

 

I28….. BINGO! Hubby asks what WE won I told him HE could have back his $20.00, and I pocketed the remaining $580.00. We used it yesterday for the deposit on our next CCL cruise.

 

 

lol...great story!!! Congrats on the bingo win!!!:p

[barbevrn]

One of the best reviews I've ever read! Just enough information, not too much....................aaaaaahhhhhhhhh Back to earth now.

[showe0208]

Thanks for the great review. I felt like I was up on Lido deck with you. I'm sailing on the Legend on March 8th and your review was just the reassurance I needed since this will be my first Carnival cruise. Cant wait!

[micdee]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thorough review.:)

[WorldCruzer]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thorough review.:)

 

WOOOHOOO! Micdee, can you believe it! Only 23 days left before we cruise!!! :D :D :D :D