Carnival Legend Review 6/28-7/5 (Lots of Pics!)

[OV8]

we just got off the legend (7/5 cruise) and i have to admit, i loved it!. i had heard some negative things about carnival in general but we were in the tampa area for a family reunion and this cruise just fit into our plans...

 

tampa is a very nice place and an easy port to leave from from. great cruising down the channel to the ocean and going under the bridge was cool....

 

the boat is exactly the same as costa mediteranea which we were on twice, the food was great (warm chocolate melting cake!!!!) and the service was very good (dessi...HELLOOOOOO!)....

 

ports were okay (we were at many before) but if you go to roatan, make sure you spend the time on anthony key resort. look them up online...its 20 bucks and its the best place to snorkle and swim. great beach and pool and wild monkeys!!!!!

 

all-in-all i was completely pleased with this cruise. nothing like the stories i heard of concerning carnival. if anyone wants more info, you can contact me here of directly at lorbo@aol.com

 

we had room 6141. balcony cabin.

 

Thanks for the nice comments about your cruise.

 

I keep hearing Tampa is a nice place to depart...not sure why the cruise lines don't have more ships leave from there as Tampa has a very modern & easy to use airport & hwy system for ppl to go in & out.

 

I was waffling between CCL vs RCL but @ $300/pp cheaper than RCL for the same itinerary & room & cheaper flight to TPA, well it was a no brainer.

 

Plus - we are active folks so whether we like the interior decor of CCL is not a determinant in this case. The ports & pool is all we care about.

 

Cheers.

[PinkJellyFish06]

First Day At Sea :

We slept in a little, since we were tired from the day before. Got up and had breakfast in the Unicorn Cafe. Then at 11am we headed down to the Follies lounge for the Shore Excursion's Talk with Jen. She just went over different shore excursion's that Carnival offered. I don't really remember much of what we did that day. Basically we just explored the ship, at in the Unicorn Cafe for all our meals, went to the shops, and I think we went to the Casino. We also went to see Dominica, who can tell you all about all the shopping in the ports. We had missed her show but she was set up in one of the hallways. She asked us what we were shopping for and gave us alot of coupons. We went to sleep early that night because we were going to get up EARLY the next morning so that we could watch Grand Cayman come into view.

 

*The Enchanted Forest*

 

*One of the MANY pictures & works of art on board*

 

*One of the pool area's*

 

 

*Our deck*

 

*Even the stairs are pretty : )*

[PinkJellyFish06]

Just a few more pictures from our First Day At Sea.

 

*Almost raining*

 

*Elevator*

 

*I can't remember where this was, but it was REALLY pretty."

 

 

*2nd Towel Animal. We think it was a pig.*

[cpacheco212121]

Your review and pixs are awsome. I am going to grand cayman and jamacia in november and am so excited. Umm how did you get the pixs to come out? i am trying to figure it out for the longest:confused:

[Deano88]

*Bingo.*

 

*Welcome Aboard show.*

 

*Some of the shops.*

 

*Our first TOWEL ANIMAL.*

 

What is this towell animal suppose to be? It dont look right in this picture.

[Tinksbuddy]

I'm seeing it too! LOL. But I think it's a walrus, you just can't see his eyes.

[PinkJellyFish06]

Thanks again for all the comments : )

 

Cpacheco : I upload all of my pictures to photobucket.com. You can set up an account for free. Once you upload your pictures there will be links under them that you can post. Use the one that says IMG code.

 

Deano88 : I think it was either a walrus or a seal. The picture isn't a very good one, he had eyes on the top of his head that I didn't get.

 

Im working on the next part of the review... GRAND CAYMAN, one of my new FAVORITE places !

[PinkJellyFish06]

Grand Cayman : I can't remember what time we woke up, but it was VERY early and still dark. After we got our backpack packed and ready for the day, we went up to the Lido deck for breakfast. When we got back to our room, we sat on the balcony and watched us come into port. A little while later we made our way down to Deck 1 to join the long line of people who were waiting to get to Deck A. We just happend to be at the right place at the right time (by one set of the stairs) when they said that it was ok for everybody to come down to the next deck because we had been cleared. It didn't take long to get off the boat and onto the tender. I don't remember how long the tender ride was, but I know it was probably less than 10mins.

 

*Coming into Grand Cayman*

 

*Leaving the ship, on the tender*

 

After we got off the tender there was alot of people holding up signs for tours. We had booked with Nativeway and were told to look for their sign, even though our tour wasn't supposed to meet for another hour. A few people asked us to take their tours, but when we told them that we had already booked they asked us who with and helped us look for them. After two people had helped us look, another woman called a man over to us and told him what we were looking for. I told him that our tour wasn't supposed to start for awhile so I was sure they wouldn't be there yet. But he called Nativeway to make sure they were coming. He was so nice and helpful. (as was everybody else we talked to). They told him to tell us to meet them in about an hour. So we went to walk around, hoping to do a little shopping. Well nothing was open since they were an hour behind our time. We went into a place that sold Rum cakes and that was about all. Walked around for a little while, then just sat down to wait.

 

*At the port entrance.*

 

*Margarittaville.*

 

 

[PinkJellyFish06]

Ray, Reef, & Rumpoint with Nativeway : A little while later a woman came to where we were sitting and said that everyone who was with Nativeway should follow her. We walked just a little ways down the road to a parking lot full of taxis and buses. The split us into two groups and we boarded the school buses that were waiting. (They DID have AC, thanks goodness.) The bus ride was about 15-20mins to where we would get on the boat. I enjoyed the bus ride because we got to see a little more of GC than just inside the port.

 

 

*From the bus.*

 

As soon as we got on the boat our captain/tour guide introudced himself as Thomas and then introuduced the other guy who was Moses. They were both GREAT! Thomas talked a little about what we were going to do on the tour and then he passed out some menus. He came and got our order and phoned it in to Rum Point beach, so that when we got there it would be ready. The boat ride was about 35mins to where the stingrays were. During the ride Thomas came around to each family/group and talked to them.

 

*We saw alot of pretty houses on the boat ride.*

 

When we got to where the stingrays were there were already alot of people there. Thomas gave us a few instructions then we all got into the water. The water was about 4-5 ft deep in some places, but deeper in others. He caught one of the stingrays and told us all to make a circle around him. He gave us a few facts about stingrays and showed us it's barb. He came around to each person and let them hold the stingray for a little while and give it a kiss. While everybody was having a turn more stingrays showed up. They just glide around you and they aren't even bothered by people being there. Moses gave everybody squid so that we could feed them. They will come up to you and just suck it right out of your hand. A few of them even tried to climb up me and my mom (who did NOT like that very much, but it was funny). They just smell the squid and are trying to find it.

 

 

*Stingrays!*

 

*Me kissing the stingray.*

 

*Thomas and the stingray.*

[PinkJellyFish06]

After the stingrays we went just a few minutes over to a reef to snorkle. They provide you with all your snorkeling gear and a lifejacket. Even though I usually don't use a lifejacket, I got one to float on, which made it a LOT easier. There was alot of coral and quite a few fish. The water is about 15ft deep (maybe a little under) here, but the water was crystal clear. It was beautiful. Here are a few pictures from the reef. Keep in mind that we just used a throw away camera, nothing special. These pictures hardly do the reef justice.

 

 

 

 

 

*This is one of my favorite pictures of the trip. You can tell where the water get's deep. This is around where we went snorkeling.*

[PinkJellyFish06]

After snorkeling we got back aboard the boat and headed to Rum Point Beach, which was about a 15min ride. As soon as we got there Thomas took us to the little restraunt where our food was already waiting. I had the Jerked Pork sandwich and fries. It just ok. My dad had a hamburger that he said was just ok, and mom had the fish & chips which she really liked. We walked around for a little while after we ate and took some pictures. Right before it was time to get back to the boat we found a gift shop. We really didn't have time to look around so we ended up not buying anything.

 

*Rum Point Beach.*

 

*A painted iguana.*

 

 

 

 

 

We got back on the boat and it was about a 45min ride back to the dock where we got on the boat. Then there was another 10min bus ride back to port. There was a LONG line of people waiting on a tender so we had to wait a little while.

 

When we got back on the ship we went straight to our room to unpack our stuff and take showers. We had dinner on the Lido deck again. After dinner we went to the comedy show. Ronnie Ballard was the comedian and he was really funny. After the show we went back to the room and went to sleep because we had to be up bright and early for Cozumel the next day.

 

Grand Cayman - I LOVED GC. I would love to go back there. The only problem I had was that there wasn't enough time to do everything we would have liked. I strongly recommend Nativeway to anybody who wants to try a tour that isn't through Carnival. We were a little worried about booking through somebody else, because this was our first cruise. BUT Nativeway was awesome. This was the best tour that we took on the cruise. Thomas and Moses were nice, helpful, and were just really great people. Also, even though we would have liked to spend weeks on the island, I feel that this tour has alot to offer. You get to swim with the stingrays, snorkle at a reef, eat a nice lunch, and have time on Rum Point Beach.

[PinkJellyFish06]

Here are a few more pictures from when we were leaving GC.

 

 

*When we were on the tender the waves kept crashing into the rocks right next to me, just wanted to take a pic.*

 

 

*Turquoise water*

 

*From our balcony.*

 

*Leaving GC : (*

[cathyoo]

Beautiful pictures. thank you for sharing them.

[myacuna]

Still loving this review!! I check it every day!! Just 9 more days until I sail her!!

[Crafti2750]

we are going on the legend aug.9 and we can't wait

nice pictures.

[BigDoug]

Great review. Keep up the good work. We will probably be on the Legend (again) in February.:D We have some new cruisers with us that are really enjoying your review.

[Cruise_Q]

Nice review...we have Native Way booked for our day at GC too...we are going on the Stingray and Island tour

[grandcayman10]

Great review, thanks!!

[ronrythm]

I was on the Legend the same week and had a great time. I posted some pictures of the ship at http://www.ronrythm.com/Legend091.html, the Capers at http://www.ronrythm.com/Legend09C.html and some other papers (Shore Excursion prices, Luggage Exprexx, maps etc.) at http://www.ronrythm.com/Legend09P.html

Photos from my waverunner trip with Ebanks to Sting Ray City.

http://www.ronrythm.com/Cayman2009.html

and Jungle Bke excursion through Carnival at

http://www.ronrythm.com/Belize2009.html

Sorry to interrupt, please go back to our regularly scheduled thread.

Enjoy

Ron

[winakork]

:)Great cruise review. We are leaving on the 16th for the same cruise. Our first one. You really made us super excited with all the details. The kids are chomping at the bit.

 

Ronrythym,

 

Thanks for all of the forms(capers, maps etc.) very helpful and informative as we prepare.

[PinkJellyFish06]

Almost forgot to put these pics up. These are just a few from the ship, after we left Grand Cayman.

 

 

 

* I ment to take pictures of food, but we only ate in the Main Dining room once & I completely forgot to take some. This is just from the buffet, but yes, that is the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake.

[PinkJellyFish06]

Cozumel : Today we woke up around 8, since we didn't have to catch a tender and we could just walk off onto the pier. We had breakfast on the Lido Deck (like every other morning). Then we went back to the room and packed our stuff to take. I think it was around 10 when we got onto the pier.

 

*Coming into Cozumel.*

 

*Front of the Ship.*

 

*The Pier.*

 

 

 

We had made reservations online to go to Nachi Cocoum. We walked through the shops and finally found where the taxis were. I can't remember how much it cost for a taxi ride. The taxi's definitely do not go slow here!

 

*Not sure what this was, but we seen it on the Taxi ride.

[crystalight33]

I'm enjoying reading your review as well!! You got some GREAT shots of the ship! It looks like you and your family had a great time.

[PinkJellyFish06]

Nachi Cocom : When we pulled in to the entrance of Nachi Cocom you couldn't see any of the resort. It looked like a little pathway leading back into nothing. A girl met us at the entrance and took a picture of us in sombreros. Then we walked around a turn and there was the resort. The lady checked us in. There were only two other people there when we checked in. (You have to have reservations because they only allow a certain amount of people there a day.) Our server introuduced himself to us, showed us around, and then took us to our beach chairs. I got in the water for a little bit but there was quite a bit of seaweed but I found alot of seashells. We ended up spending a little time on the beach then walking a short distance to the pool. After swimming and laying out for a little while we ordered something to eat. I ate my appetizer of fried cheese (cheese sticks) out by the pool. Then we moved under the shade for lunch. They brough out salsa & chips while we waited on our food. I had the chicken fajitas, which were delicious. Mom had the chicken tacos, she said they were ok, but she loved the guacamole. Dad didn't eat, he just drank Coronas. Mom had a few Margaritas, and she said they were pretty strong. This is a great place to relax and it is BEAUTIFUL. I can't remember how much exactly it cost per person, but it was under 60$. This price includes the use of the beach, pool (with a swim up bar), hot tub, and bathrooms. Also included is your lunch (appetizer, main course, and dessert) and all the drinks you want (yes, alcohol included). You could also rent jet skis, get a massage, and there were a few other tours that you could do for an extra price. Our server was great. He was always there to answer any questions and he made sure we always had something to drink. The girl who had took our picture came back while we were eating to see if we wanted to buy it. She had printed it out and put Nachi Cocom, Cozumel 2009. After that we were ready to go back to the pier so that we could shop before it was time to be back on the boat. Our server called a cab for us and in no time it was there.

 

*The beach of Nachi Cocom.*

 

*This was taken from the pool. Looks like a postcard.*

 

*Coconut trees.*

 

*The bar, & the pool behind that.*

 

*Like the corona commercials.*

 

*Where we ate lunch & the chefs.*

[PinkJellyFish06]

As soon as we got back to the shops Dad went onboard to put up all of our beach stuff so that we wouldn't have to carry it around. We shopped around for awhile and bought some souvenirs. Most of the stuff was over priced but you can barger with them. I payed full price for a shirt from Senor Frogs and Mom payed full price for a shirt from Pirana Joe's. Then we both got silver rings which we payed about 10$ less than what they wanted for them. I also payed full price (5$) for a bracelet that a woman was making. You could get your name put on them and I thought they were well worth 5$. I also bought a picture frame which I payed about 10$ less than what they wanted. We shopped around untill it was time to get back on the ship.

 

*Wish we could have went in here.*

 

*I like the ship in the background.*

 

*These guys were so nice, lol.*

 

*Ron Jon Surf Shop.*

 

 

*This guy was REAL!*

 

We went straight back to our room so that we could relax for awhile. I don't remember exactly what we did that night. We didn't go to any show or anything. After dinner I believe we went to the casino for a little while.

 

Cozumel : I really enjoyed our time in Cozumel, Mexico. If we ever go again I would love to snorkel there. Nachi Cocom was a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful views and the great service.