Happy Holidays!!!!

Recent Review of the legend

One word can describe our cruise PERFECT! Couldn't have been better. One of best cruise experiences we've ever had. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Legend to anyone. Beautiful ship, friendly crew, awesome service---and the food was the best I've ever had on a ship!

We had sunny skies and calm seas the whole cruise. Just a little rocky Saturday night while we were boogeying on home. Just made us sleep better.

Our group was, Me (poptart) my dh Charlie and his brother Steve with his wife Gloria. We're all 58 except Charlie who is 61.

Embarkation:
Charlies 1st platinum (mine is next time) and let me tell you that platinum rocks! The crew really takes note of that card.
Since we only took one vehicle to the port we opted for valay parking. They load our luggage out of the van and off it went and they took the car to where ever it needed to be and we were heading inside. Charlie showed his vip tags and they said "how many in your party?" Answer 4--so they whisked us all away to the VIP embarkation room. We were 2nd in line--Charles asked if it was okay for Steve and Gloria to stay with us since they were in the cabin next door and he was told "since there are only 4 of you no problem, if it were 10 it would be a different story. Got processed thru and recieved our sign and sail cards, walked past lots of others who were waiting to "our" special area. We were on the ship by about 11:20--only 20 minutes after ariving at the port.

First order of business--go to the purser to get on the list to get our balcony divider opened.

2nd order of business--head to lido for 1st DOD and lunch.

CABIN
We had side by side extended balcony cabins on deck 5. 5115 and 5117. On the 1st sea day they opened the partition for us and it was great.

Since we were so far forward we did a lot of walking and just as I had hoped it took care of most of those extra calories. I lost 2.5 lbs and Charlie only gained 4 lbs. (10 was his high) We will definately book in the same area again. Very quiet, great ride. We enjoyed the extra motion.

Our room steward Frank was awesome and took excellent care of us all week. Provided extra pillows and plenty of ice for the box of wine we brought with us.

In one suitcase we had 1 box of wine, 2 water bottles--one of vodka one of rum and about 18 diets cokes. We drank about 2 or 3 cokes. Never opened the rum or vodka. But we drank almost all of the wine. It was awesome having it in our cabin and being able to sit on the balcony and enjoy it when ever we wanted. We'd also carry a glass to dinner. We'd leave the glasses in the dining room and new one would always take their place in our cabin.

Dining room—

due to Steve's diabetes we had early dinner at 6:00--a booth for 4 table #200 and we got the best waiter ever EDWIN. We really enjoyed him and the food all week. We kept talking about going to the upcharge resturant but honestly we were so happy with the food and service in the dining room that we never got around to it.
Some highlights
Josef the marti di---Ittttttttttttttt showtime!" He was awesome and always into the shows and dancing. We enjoy them and always get up and dance with them.
Some of my favorite foods were (I'm not a big foody--never eat breakfast or lunch)
I had 2 lobster tails (and I eat the least of the crowd) not rubbery at all--yummy! I had seafood every night but two when I had the lambchops--WOW! and the veal parmsean also very good.
I had the creme brulee one night and other than that I stuck with my favorite chocolate melting cake. mmm mmm good!

The others had tons of different stuff--
shrimp cocktails every night, sometimes 2. Salads, soups.
Prime rib on two different nights. Filet mignon--they ordered 2 each. Of the 4 one was a little tough the other 3 perfectly medium rare. Charleis said the chateubriand was awesome. Flat iron steak, grilled salmon. It was all good. and Edwin did an awesome job of keeping them filled up.

They also went to the dining room all but 2 mornings for breakfast. I slept in or headed to the pool on lido.

Ports--

Grand Cayman--We arrived at 7 a.m. We left the ship around 9 and walked straight off and onto a tender. We've been here several times before and had planned to go to the beach, but decided to skip that and just shop a little and get back on the ship and enjoy the lido deck for another afternoon. It was a good plan and a very relaxing day.
We did take one the bicycle taxi tours around the town for $10 each. It was fun. It was hot hot hot in Grand Cayman. Shawn the cruise director said our day there was the 1st time it hadn't rained while in Grand Cayman in over a month while they were in port.

Oh yeah, the last tender back to the ship broke down and had to be towed to the ship. It was a funny sight! We were about 30 minutes late leaving because of that.


Oh and I just remember our 1st sea day we came upon another boat ( I think it was a fishing boat--I didn't see it) anyhow they had run out of gas so Captain Alcaras stopped and gave them some gas.

Cozumel--always a favorite stop for us--but today was the best ever. For the first time we went to Chankanaab Park. I did the Royal dolphin swim. Steve and Gloria did the encounter and Charles watched.
I can't say enough good things about this park and experience It was a day to remember.
Ship arrived at 10 my swim was for 12 (ships time) and Steve and Gloria's encounter was for 2 (ships time) we got off the ship right when we docked (at Carnival's rebuilt port that just re-opened) taxi was $10 for the 4 of us. Maybe a 5 minute ride. When we got there and registered they asked if we wanted to have our turn now or wait until our scheduled time--well of course we opted to go NOW!
Wow! what a wonderful experience. We all got our footpush and dorsal pull rides, petted and played with dolphins. Fun fun fun!!!
I paid $77 for 4 pictures and the DVD--Steve and Gloria paid $74 for 6 pictures and their DVD---guess I didn't bargain as well. To tell the truth I didn't even ask I just paid what they asked for. Too excited and happy to think about getting a price break.
We then had lunch at the park. I had a huge load nacho platter that we all shared. The guacomole was outstanding. I could have eaten a whole bowlful. Charles had a cheeseburger and fries with a diet coke. We gave our server $20 although our meal was only about $12--outstanding service.

Everyone who worked at the park seemed genuinely happy that we were there and went out of their way to be friendly to us. Even the bathroom attendants This whole park was pristine and beautiful. You'll love the pictures. I will definately go back.

We swam in the gorgeous pool for a while and then we went to find Manuel whe we'd met when we entered the park. He had offered us a walking tour of the ground. We found him and asked how much--and he said no charge. I just enjoy doing it. He is a wealth of knowledge and wonderful ambassador for his country. We tipped him and signed his book at the end.

Anyhow Manuel took us to the "ruins" they are actually replicas of the real thing but with all of his knowledge of the Mayans they seem real and were beautiful. He also showed us around the rest of the park. The lagoon, beach area and snorkling area.

We were sad to say goodbye and head back to the ship--we were tired but happy. We did some shopping in the port area--they don't bargain there--you'd do better with that downtown. But I did get some nice silver bracelets for my daughter and granddaughters.

It was a wonderful day.


Next stop Belize--

Another beautiful day! This was the only excursion we booked thru the ship--The city tour and Airboat ride. We had to meet in Follies lounge at 7:15---we were led straight to tender and then to a bus for the city tour--poor poor people.

Skinny dogs, pitiful. I saw one dog walking along in the surf looking for something to eat--every bone in his poor body showing thru. And my spoiled rotten dog is on a diet because he's too fat.

Someone asked the tour leader about unemployment and wages and she said that anyone who wanted a job could get one but that lots of people were too lazy to work!

Any way we soon arrived at the airboats and the mangroves and swamp. We were given time to go potty and they had free bottled drinks for us--water and other different things. Everything was clean and everyone was friendly.

Then we were put onto the airboat--about 15 per boat. I would say the ride was about an hour long.

We didn't see any manatees but saw lots of birds and beautiful scenery. She gave us all a "field guide" showing the different birds and would point them out as we passed. We stopped several times. Once to see a crocodile and another time to see some bubbles coming up that might have been from a manatee.
It was a fun relaxing ride.

Not the best excursiion I've ever done but not the worst either.

We shopped for just a little while in the port area and then headed back to the ship for lunch and a dip in the pool.

Roatan Honduras--
my 2nd favorite stop (can't top swimming with the dolphins in coz)

We had a private "Best of Roatan" tour booked with Viktor Bodden tours. We followed his directions--out the gate and to the left and they were waiting for us. Our guide for day was William, Vicktor's brother and he did an awesome job. Steve's knee was bothering him so we told him we wanted to change our plans a little so there would be less walking--no problem! So we did mostly a van tour and looked at the sights--and got out for photo opportunities--which were plenty. Roatan is a beautiful island.
We stopped at the Iguana farm. I was the only one brave enough to pet the iguanas but we all fed them. There were turtles, parrots, monkeys and a big old turkey. A beautiful ocean view at the bottom of the hill.
We saw two ship wreck sites. Went to the top of the mountain on one side and got some great pictures, then headed to Victor's house.
You're gonna love the pictures of me holding the monkey and getting bit! Yup, a little piece of advice--let the monkey hold you--do not try to hold on to the monkey he didn't bite me hard--just enough to say "let go"
We didn't zip line but the people there who did said they really enjoyed it. Viktor has a nice picnic table in the shade and we got us some cokes and just enjoyed talking to the folks around us. It was just a comfortable place to hang out for a while.
I wanted to call home so William took us to (the west end maybe??) lots of motels, bed and breakfasts and tourist right on the ocean and a place to make phone calls for 50 cents a minute. He said this was the poor side--but the beaches looker better to me here than they did on the richer side.

On the richer side there is a lot of trash in the surf. William said it floats over from the mainland. He hates it and I don't blame him.

On the other side of the island William took us to a rental house his cousin was looking after it was right on the ocean with a pier in the back looking over to where cruisers were doing the dolphin encounter. William whistled across to his friend to make the dolphins jump and I got a couple of good pictures.

There was beautiful starfish in the water by the pier--William went and got a broom and used the handle to flip it over on it's back so we could watch it turn itself back over. took a really long time.

We went up on the mountain where the airport tower is. Awesome views from there too. I've got a picture of "Fins & Flippers Island" that lots of cruisers go to. You can see the beach area and a little of the pool.

We also went to the cameo factory.

We had a little time to shop before heading back home to the Legend.

This day long excursion cost us only $25 each (plus a generous tip) and was more than worth the money. It was an awesome day. All 4 of us really enjoyed ourselves and we felt like we really got to see the country and how the people live.


Entertainment---
Four port days--3 with early arrivals--so we didn't do as much at night as we usually do. Never even made it into the piano bar!

The casino was tight. I won a total of $16.50 playing 50 cent roulette the first night. I'm not a big gamber. DH plays the slots and lost about 30 bucks over the course of the week--down one day and up the next. He won back most of it the last sea day though.

Karoke in the Firebird lounge---we spent a lot of time here and had a ball! Vitali is the best karoke host we've ever encountered. Vacationnnnnnnnnn!!! Whoo Hooo!!!! You could hear him holler that out 2 decks up! We made special mention of him on our comment card.

It became our battle cry where ever we were all week--and still is. Sometimes dh and I still just look at each other and shout it out.
dh--Charlie did sing once and ta daaaaaa I sang a solo for the the first time ever. And didn't do too shabby if I say so myself.
I've sang several times with a group (that how I got my nickname poptart--I sang the words Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, very loudly and very wrong poptart instead of poptop)

Follies Lounge,
We saw "Jazz Hot" on Monday--I always love the shows and thought this one was outstanding. The Legend has 4 lead singers and they were all pretty good. We actually recognized one of the male dancers from another ship--he was outstanding on the Holiday and also on the Legend. We got a chance to talk to him and he was very pleased that we had noticed and remembered him.

Tuesday was "A balancing act by Lubo" (I honestly don't remembe what he did) and Happy Cole--comedian, he was very funny. My bil bought his CD. MIssed his adult show--we were having too much fun at Karoke.

Wednesday--Max Winfrey---per capers "hysterical physical comedy" and it was. Don't miss this one!!!

Thursday--we were pooped, missed the show to take a nap and be ready for the deck party and Mexican buffet--when the alarm went off around 10:30 we just turned it off and rolled over and went back to sleep.

Friday--the show was "Take II"--also excellent show by the Carnival dancers and singers.

Saturday--one of the ships singers did a solo country music show--mmmmm sorry, I love country music--but I left he wasn't very good. (decided my time was better spent getting my bags ready and out in the hallway) but we made it back in time for the Legends show and we really enjoyed it.

Pool and spa--

We enjoyed Energy the lido deck band. And the mid ship pool. Love sitting in the shallow water on the edge and letting it wash back and forth over you as the ship moves.

We enjoyed the hot tub too. No problem with kids at all. That's why we like to sail at this time of the year. There were a few but they were well behaved and never a problem.

Never a problem getting a lounger either--for all 4 of us even.

We used the hot tub in the spa several times too--awesome. And the showers up there are like a car wash for your body. ooooo la la

Did use any of the other services.

We did go to the "Love and Marriage" show one afternoon. It was the most "unfunny" one I've ever seen. I don't usually take time to go to the actual show I just catch it on TV later--this time I wished I hadn't wasted my time. Of course the cruise director can't control who's cruising that weeka and whether they're funny or not.

I spend sea days on the lido deck and DH spends them in the casino, eating and napping.

Debarkation

--we chose to put our luggage out the night before--with the magic platinum card we had the #1. We met in Satchmo's lounge at 8:15 on Sunday morning--we were led past everyone else and off the ship and in the car by 8:40!
It was like magic. Our bags were even lined up all together and not scattered all over. We went down the escalator, a porter was waiting he grabbed our bags, we barely paused at customs, a quick glance at our passports out the door, quick stop at entrance to the parking garage gave them our ticket for the van, elevator up to 4th floor the van pulled up, porter loaded it and were off.
Got back to Steve and Gloria's house loaded up our car and headed to Georgia, we were home by 7:00 p.m. and freezing!!! It has unusually cold and rainy ever since we got home.

Videos from our last cruise. Holland America Noordam 2008

From Noordam March 2008 VIDEOS

Our port!

Putt Putt anyone?

Going under the Bridge out of Tampa !

WHO IS IN PORT WITH US?

From CRUZERWANNABE - Thanks Carol!

Grand Cayman

Carnival Legend 7am-4pm
Disney Magic 7:30am-4:30pm
MSC Orchestra 10:30am-5:30pm
Ruby Princess 7am-4pm

Cozumel

Carnival Legend 10am-6pm
Carnival Imagination 1pm-10pm
Carnival Holiday 8am-6pm
Celebrity Constellation 10am-8pm
Disney Magic 9:30am-6:30pm
Ruby Princess 8am-6pm
Navigator of the Seas 8am-5pm

Belize

Navigator of the seas 8am-5pm
Norwegian Spirit 8am-6pm
Carnival Legend 8am-5pm

Roatan

Carnival Legend 8am-3pm

Up the glass elevator!

Legend Pictures (Click for Larger!)

Our Schedule

Sunday, Mar 22
Tampa, FL depart 4:00pm

Monday, Mar 23 Fun Day At Sea

Tuesday, Mar 24 Grand Cayman
7:00am to 4:00pm

Wednesday, Mar 25 Cozumel
10:00am to 6:00pm

Thursday, Mar 26 Belize
8:00am to 5:00pm

Friday, Mar 27 Roatan Island
8:00am to 3:00pm

Saturday, Mar 28 Fun Day At Sea

Sunday, Mar 29 Tampa, FL
Arrive 8:00am

WELCOME

Welcome to the Carnival Legend Blog for the March 22nd sailing. I will be posting some interesting links and pictures.