Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Legend Cruise Review
Western Caribbean

Jim McFaul

My family of five just returned from the Legend trip June 17- June 24, 2007. It was our first cruise and we attended a family reunion with 20 people total. To say the least a cruise is like no other vacation. We are still talking about and when our family gets together again I’m sure we’ll continue to share the great moments.

Legend has nice staterooms with a view. Easy to get around and the crew was great. Fabulous food with the formal meals each night and highlighted by the servers and staff’s “Showtime” with song and dance. What fun to see our servers singing and dancing on tables and leading us in a conga line!

Plenty to do on board with games, trivia contest, shows, comedians, galley tour, casino, midnight buffet, bath rope party, and a fantastic band that performs every night during their nightly performances. The Follies Lounge. Captain’s reception had complimentary drinks and food. Plenty of shops on board with sales on jewelry, clothes, etc. Also nightly drink specials, but beware - drinks are pricey. Expect to pay $5.75 for domestic beer.

Regarding shore excursions…Grand Cayman was unique with the British influence. We decided to just go to 7 mile beach and relax. Then lunch at Senor Frog’s for lively entertainment. Cozumel was clear kayaking and snorkeling. I was amazed by the clear waters and beautiful sea life. Belize we did city tour and zoo with a local tour guide in a mini-van. Costa Maya we visited the Mayan ruins and were intrigued by the culture and excavated ruins. All ports have a variety of shops to choose from right at the pier, but most piers are close to local stores and restaurants outside the perimeter of the pier. So in Cozumel you can get a Mexican beer for $1.50 and a large bottle of Kaluha for only $12 (duty free.)

Days at sea there is time for games, pool or just relaxation. And of course more great food.

NOTES:

--My children are 18, 16 and 12 and did not participate in any organized kids’ programs. They just enjoyed the freedom of being onboard doing there own thing with the cousins and other relatives.

--Shore excursion can be booked anytime on board with Carnival. Plenty to choose from. Might be a bit cheaper on shore with local providers but it can become confusing when you really don’t know what you want to do and you are approached by so many local people to sell their own packages.

--Snorkeling is fantastic in the Caribbean but you should consider the Barrier Reef, which we did NOT do. Ours was from the shore and did not see the best. So in Belize or Costa Maya take the excursion that includes shuttle to the reefs.

-- Rough seas out of Belize with 50 mph winds so being on deck was kind of exciting, but several us became slightly seasick.

In closing the best vacation I have ever had! Can’t really compare it with the traditional vacation on land. Was it perfect? Almost!! Do it again? I hope so!