Western on Legend or Valor?

[mlthomas]

I am trying to determine which ship will fit us best. We have cruised as a couple on the Triumph and Victory and want to go back with kids now (14 and 16) on the Western Carribean. Any thoughts on the Legend vs Valor (other than Tampa vs Miami?)?? Thanks!

[LoraJ]

I vote try out the Legend.

Valor is so similar to the Triumph and Victory. So it could be nice to have a little change.

 

I loved the layout of the Legend the most of any ship I have been on.

I don't have any experience with Camp Carnival, but the Legend has a good sized game room. Better pools too.

[cruisinqt]

I don't know if ship size is important to you but the Legend is 88,500 tons and the Valor is 110,000 tons.The Valor being a Conquest class ship will have a few more extras since it's larger like the (by reservation only) supper club, the teen disco area, and there are a couple more little eateries to choose from at lunch and dinner. I tend to like the larger newer ships since they have more amenities to choose from.;) However, my parents love the smaller ships, they say it's more intimate and easier to get around. I guess it's according to what your preferences are. If you've sailed on the Victory (101,509 tons) and the Triumph (110,000 tons) it sounds like you prefer the larger newer ships and a switch to a smaller ship might be disappointing.

[LoraJ]

FYI - The Legend also has a Supper Club.

[nybumpkin]

Legend also has a teen area - of all our cruises, Club O2 on Legend was our oldest son's favorite. I think it was partially due to the Club O2 director and the group of kids on board, but he also liked the out-of-the-way location (he might run into us on the Promenade deck, where the Club O2 is located on the Conquest-class ships.:rolleyes:)

 

My own preference is for the Conquest-class ships. Yes, the layout is choppy, but once you're used to it (and if you've sailed Triumph and Victory, the layout is similar), it's pretty easy to get around. I wasn't crazy about the dining room on Legend - only two dining times available and I found there was a lot of movement/vibration when the ship was underway. I thought activities were too spread out on Legend. However, Legend has a wonderful adult pool on the fantail, which we really enjoyed.

 

Valor is going into drydock shortly; the word is that she will have the large screen on the Lido deck, along with a few other additions. That may make a difference for kids.

[swiss]

We have been on both ships with our teens and I would definitely go with the Valor. The Legend has been the least favorite Carnival ship that we have sailed. It seems very dark and worn compared to its sister ship the Miracle which was our favorite. The Valor has a lot more activities, food choices and public areas that our teens enjoyed over the Legend.

[shortstop95]

While not on the Legend, we were on the Miracle (same class) and I didn't like the way you had to walk through the casino to navigate to the front of the ship. As the main interior smoking place, it always smelled terrible walking through. Not so with the Valor class of ships where you walk along the promenade.

[doxiemomma]

I am trying to determine which ship will fit us best. We have cruised as a couple on the Triumph and Victory and want to go back with kids now (14 and 16) on the Western Carribean. Any thoughts on the Legend vs Valor (other than Tampa vs Miami?)?? Thanks!

 

 

We cruised on the Legend and it is a fabulous ship. My favorite. Great layout, food, service..........everything.

[matj2000]

The reason the Conquest ships are bigger because they add a couple decks/levels of extra cabins. There is not anymore public space than the Spirit ships.

The Legend might be smaller on paper, but the layout is so much better that it seems larger.

Especially the Lido deck goes front to back and has 3 pools.

And The lower decks go all the way front to back. Unlike the Conquest.

They have all the same features.

Don't let anyone convince you that they are small. Most people like Spirit ships better

[asader83]

While not on the Legend, we were on the Miracle (same class) and I didn't like the way you had to walk through the casino to navigate to the front of the ship. As the main interior smoking place, it always smelled terrible walking through. Not so with the Valor class of ships where you walk along the promenade.

 

I have to agree on this one. We just got off the Miracle, and I really disliked walking through the casino - and I smoke! It was pretty gross.

 

I sailed the Valor last year and really loved it. I liked the Miracle, too, but I guess I prefer the larger vessels.

 

Either way, it's a cruise! Have a great time!

[FrannyK]

We too had the same decision to make, Valor vs. Legend. When I asked on these boards, Legend won out. I do prefer sailing out of Tampa vs. Miami, and I got such positive feedback on the Legend that I decided to book and see why Legend has so many fans. The service and food on Legend seem to get higher marks than Valor, and I love that the adult only rules at the aft pool on Legend are enforced (our kids sleep late and we get up early so we can hang there in the a.m.) We've never been on a spirit class ship so I'm really looking forward to it. We have been on the Liberty (sister ship to Valor) and our kids (16,19) weren't crazy about the layout and thought everything was way too crowded, too many lines, so they voted for a smaller ship this time too. We sail in July, everybody's happy :)

 

FrannyK

 

Costa Riviera 1985

NCL Seaward 1987

CCL Fantasy 1/2000

CCL Sensation 2/2001

CCL Imagination 1/2002

RCI Explorer 6/2002

RCI Monarch 4/2003

CCL Sensation 2/2004

CCL Imagination 2/2006

CCL Liberty Thanksgiving/2006

CCL Legend 7/08

[mlthomas]

Thank you to all for providing insight as to which ship we should sail. LEGEND it is. I think the main reason, besides the great reviews of the Legend, is that the flights in and out of Tampa will be much better. Miami's airport is not the best and overwhelming. We will be booking our cruise for January 2009.

 

Again, thanks!

 

FRANNYK--please post any reviews following your July cruise on the Legend. I look forward to hearing more about it for my 2 teenagers!!!

[schndr]

Glad to hear the good comments regarding the Legend....we'll find out soon enough!!!

[FrannyK]

Mlthomas: Yes, I'd be happy to write a review when we return, no problem.

 

FrannyK

 

Costa Riviera 1985

NCL Seaward 1987

CCL Fantasy 1/2000

CCL Sensation 2/2001

CCL Imagination 1/2002

RCI Explorer 6/2002

RCI Monarch 4/2003

CCL Sensation 2/2004

CCL Imagination 2/2006

CCL Liberty Thanksgiving/2006

CCL Legend 7/08