Carnival Valor vs Legend - Western Caribean

[MNSUE]

Which one would you recommend and why? It appears they both go to the same 4 ports. Please let me know if you have been on both.

 

MNSU

[nybumpkin]

I've been on both - Valor for the Western itinerary she currently sails, and Legend for an Eastern itinerary from 2 years ago. My own preference is for Valor - I'm not quite as fond of the Spirit-class ships. I thought there was a lot of vibration in Legend's dining room as well as in our cabin (deck 5) and I thought the public spaces were too spread out - I felt as if we were constantly going from one end of the ship to the other. I didn't care for having to walk through the casino to get to the show lounge on Legend. On the plus side, Legend has an absolutely awesome aft pool area with an open deck (Valor's aft pool area has the retractable dome, so it's closed on the sides.) Valor has the Lido deck movie screen as well as a fish n' chips station and a Mongolian barbeque in the restaurant - Legend does not have those features. Both have a supper club; while we did not have dinner in Legend's supper club, I think it has a nicer location than Valor's since it's under the glassed-in area of the funnel.

 

From everything I've read on these boards, though, a lot of people prefer the Spirit-class ships to the Conquest-class like Valor. I think the main reason is the fact that decks 3 and 4 do not go through from one end of the ship to the other, since the galley is between the two dining rooms. Personally, I've never been bothered by the layout; every other deck goes through. The Spirit-class ships do have fewer passengers since they are smaller ships.

 

While I do prefer the Conquest-class, I'm certainly not opposed to sailing a Spirit-class ship again. We're booked on Miracle for next summer, and for 2010 we're considering a cruise on the Pride out of Baltimore. In all, while my own preference for your cruise would be the Valor, I don't think you can go wrong with either ship.

[silentbob007]

Does the Legend go out of Tampa? For me, I'd always choose Tampa over Miami as the port is less hectic and flights are usually cheaper.

 

As for the ships, both classes of ships have things I like. I guess I prefer the Legend because it feels smaller yet has a lot of bells and whistles, though it is missing a few of the food options found on the Valor. It's really a toss-up ... price transportation and cruise fare ... I'd go with whichever was cheapest.

[MNSUE]

The Valor sails out of Miami and the Legend out of Tampa.

 

Thanks

[matj2000]

Legend - Legend - Legend.......... Spirit Ships are much better...

Hate the Conquest, probably the worst layout in ship design...will never go on one again........

[Jenbo57]

I also prefer the Spirit class over the Conquest class, however I'd sail again on either. We were on the Pride last year, the Valor this year. While both were beautiful, I thought the layout of the Valor was confusing (mainly due to where the galley is, as commented on by another poster), and when all was said and done, I decided that I prefer the smaller ships. Also, the Spirit class ships have some amazing extended balconies that you won't find on the Legend -- ours was three times the size of a regular balcony! :D

 

Either way you won't be dissapointed, and it's a great itinerary!

[gjvn]

I Have sailed on the Valor and the Pride (sprit class ship same as the Legend) I choose to sail on the Legend for the following reasons. Anyone that has sailed out of port Miami will tell you that it is a nightmare, as is the airport. After sailing out of Long Beach on the Pride I have seen the benifit of smaller ports with less ships and that is the best way to go.

It is a very short ride (9 ½ miles) from the Airport to the pier with a fixed rate of $ 25 for the cab ride. See the Tampa airport site: http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_transportation/taxi_services.asp

Also you tender at most of the ports in the Western Caribbean and a bigger ship (the Valor) usually means longer lines for a tender, I also found longer lines at the Purser, so although the Valor is larger and as a few more amenities then the Legend, I still think the Legend is the way to go.