Carnival Legend cruise ship assessment: Outsize enjoyable on a midsize, made-over ship

My first stroll by Carnival Legend left me considering, “Girrrl, 22 seems to be good on you!”

A well-used ship over 20 years previous usually begins to indicate a number of wrinkles, not solely in minor harm and dated colour palettes but in addition in lagging improvements and enhancements. Carnival Cruise Line did a great job of overhauling each visible and useful attraction throughout Legend’s 2024 dry dock in Marseille, France, which added extra accessible options to deliver the ship according to People with Disabilities Act pointers, expanded the on line casino by eradicating the bar, and added trendy cabin touches like bedside lamps with USB retailers.

The environment of the ship is a bit unique, particularly in massive areas just like the foyer on the base of the Colossus Atrium, which options darkish decor with an sudden Egyptian aptitude. Even with such a grand entrance, soft seating lining nearly each open house creates a welcoming vibe.

Company on my 15-night transatlantic crusing from Rome to Tampa have been primarily North People, with a heavy share hailing from southern U.S. states. Many had hung out exploring Europe earlier than boarding their sluggish experience again to the States. Roughly 500 of the two,000 company had additionally sailed on the earlier 10-night cruise.

A lot of the passengers have been adults within the 55-plus class, with fairly a number of a number of many years older; a big share have been repeat Carnival cruisers. I noticed a handful of 30-somethings and even a number of youngsters and teenagers, however they have been uncommon sufficient to trigger heads to show as they handed in the course of the first few days. I cruised with my husband and my 70-something aunt. Hubs and I’ve beforehand cruised with Carnival, nevertheless it had been greater than twenty years since our final cruise on the road. My aunt has been a quite frequent Carnival cruiser of late, principally from Galveston, Texas.

In case you favor a midsize ship decked out with a number of the similar bells and whistles of newer fleetmates, this is what to anticipate from Carnival Legend.

Associated: The last word information to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries

Overview of Carnival Legend

The 88,500-ton Carnival Legend stretches 963 toes in size. It carries 2,124 passengers at double occupancy — lower than half the capability of newer Excel Class ships, comparable to Carnival Jubilee. Legend was launched in 2002 because the third Spirit Class ship within the fleet. Updates by the years have allowed it to maintain tempo with onboard eating venues and actions. The most recent dry dock within the spring of 2024 continued that development.

Like all Carnival ships, Legend is a mass-market ship, interesting to budget-conscious cruisers of all ages. Passenger composition is considerably depending on the itinerary size and residential port, however the ship is fashionable with Carnival regulars, regardless of the place it sails.

It has a sturdy children program in newly refreshed areas, two waterslides and a splash park, making it ultimate for households touring with youngsters and teenagers. For these seeking to escape the kids, the Serenity sundeck is outfitted with a pool, clamshell daybeds and cushioned loungers, and its personal bar — all off-limits to anybody underneath age 21. The Punchliner Comedy Membership, held within the Firebird Lounge on Deck 1, hosts PG-rated exhibits within the early night in addition to a lot raunchier late-night exhibits.

The most recent enhancements to the ship included changing the Nouveau Restaurant into the road’s fan-favorite steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555, and offering The Chef’s Desk with its personal venue on Deck 1 subsequent to the galley. The lodge supervisor advised me that no a part of the ship went untouched in the course of the refurb, with a lot of the ship getting refreshed paint, carpets and fabric.

The ship was not with out imperfections, nevertheless it actually had a clear and glossy look to it total.

What I liked about Carnival Legend

The meals

We loved a mixture of eateries included within the cruise fare in addition to for-fee specialty eating. Each have been above common in meals style and presentation.

Dinner in the primary eating room (Truffles Restaurant, decks 2 and three) featured sufficient number of meat, poultry, fish and pasta to fulfill the three of us most nights. The truth is, we discovered ourselves checking the menus within the Carnival Hub app properly forward of time to schedule specialty eating choices round dishes we wished to strive in the primary restaurant.

We additionally headed to the eating room for breakfast a number of instances, afternoon tea as soon as and Seaday Brunch twice. The brunch menu is a little more elaborate than the breakfast menu, that includes 12-hour French toast and a Skillet Cake — type of a thick pancake. Brunch additionally included lunch specialties like a chicken-and-waffles combo.

The Lido buffet (named the Unicorn Cafe, Deck 9) was a bit skimpy on selections, however issues like one of the best cinnamon swirl pastries at sea, a number of customized egg-cooking stations and sizzling chocolate machines quite than do-it-yourself packets locked within the Lido as our favourite breakfast spot. Auntie was even capable of get her morning latte on the Espresso Bar proper there in the midst of the buffet space.

Within the added-fee class, Carnival Legend shines. We loved dinner at Fahrenheit 555, The Chef’s Desk and the Seafood Nook.

Associated: Carnival cruise meals: The last word information to eating places and eating on board

The abundance and number of seating

On a ship with a lot squeezed right into a small footprint, I used to be happy to seek out greater than sufficient seating, each indoors and out. Early within the cruise, we had a number of days of inclement climate, forcing everybody to hang around indoors. I by no means as soon as walked by the ship with out seeing a spot to sit down.

As soon as the climate warmed, it was even attainable to seek out seats open air in most locations. I used to be thrilled to seek out vacant clamshell daybeds in sudden locations, notably on Deck 10 above the pool decks. The exception gave the impression to be the Serenity sundeck, the place chair hogs usually descended on the primo spots early within the day and held their floor till late afternoon. With just a few youngsters on board, it was ironic that the world drew such a crowd, making it far much less serene than different spots on the ship.

Different fascinating sitting areas we took benefit of included the Enchanted Forest inside walkway on Deck 3 ahead, which we loved for each indoor strolling laps and as a super-quiet spot to sit down and stare out the home windows. The Odyssey Lounge on Deck 3 aft exterior the primary eating room grew to become our go-to spot to satisfy earlier than dinner. Even on crowded evenings, we nearly at all times discovered seats for the three of us instantly.

At mealtime, we particularly loved the booth-style seating in the primary eating room and the buffet restaurant. It offered a extra intimate eating expertise, bettering our means to converse over the chatter of a crowded eating house.

The dome roof over the primary pool

I like an indoor-outdoor pool as a result of you may benefit from the sea breezes on a heat day and nonetheless take a dip when it is raining. Previous to our stretch of seven sea days, the crew closed the primary pool’s dome midway, offering a considerably sheltered house.

Throughout an open Q&A session, the lodge supervisor defined that the roof can’t be moved whereas the ship is underway, and whereas it was chilly at that second in time, the forecast was for heat, sunny days and rising temperatures. By the third day, it was clear that company would have been roasting round that pool had it been totally closed. Because it was, the half roof offered a windbreak, a little bit of shade and a stunning solarium really feel.

What I did not love about Carnival Legend

Pizza, doughnuts and bacations

I do know this falls underneath the heading of first-world issues, however this ship lacked a number of of the enjoyable cruise options that make mass-market cruising really feel indulgent.

A cruise that doesn’t serve fast slices of pizza, whether or not throughout mealtime or as a snack, is an issue for me. Even my optimistic aunt was sad concerning the incapacity to stroll up and get a slice on Carnival Legend.

The pizza counter, situated within the buffet space on this ship, was manned by only one crew member. Company might order a pie from an inventory on a menu board. Behind the counter, one buffet pan underneath a warmth lamp was supposed to supply slices, however solely twice throughout our complete cruise have been any of us capable of procure a single slice of premade pizza. And once I say single slice, I imply a single, lonely, dried-up slice was sitting within the metallic pan once we handed by. No different pizza existed on the buffet.

We ordered half a pie as soon as and acquired a snarly look from the pizza maker, who cooked our pie and served us half however clearly felt he was solely there for whole-pie orders. Our different half was snapped up by a passerby who clearly couldn’t imagine his luck. Whereas I am thrilled that made-to-order complete pizzas can be found, I do not perceive why Carnival wasn’t providing slices of at the very least pepperoni and cheese pizza within the buffet throughout lunches on our cruise.

I hardly ever deal with myself to doughnuts, however I like to indulge on a cruise — when the doughnuts are free. Alas, Carnival Legend supplied no free doughnuts on any of the 15 days of our cruise. The one doughnuts I discovered on the ship value $4 on the Espresso Bar, they usually have been solely accessible within the afternoon and night, not within the morning.

Lastly, we come to what fellow cruisers (and the onboard comedians) referred to as “bacations.” Bacon was solely accessible on the buffet each different day on our cruise. Southerners love their bacon, so there have been complaints.

My aunt and different frequent cruisers assured me alternating bacon days had been customary process on their earlier cruises with Carnival, nevertheless it nonetheless got here as an disagreeable shock to many vacationers.

On the plus aspect, when bacon was accessible on the buffet, it was crispy and scrumptious. I appreciated that it was served by employees members, which appeared to maintain it from quickly breaking right into a pile of crumbles. Bacon was additionally accessible on each the usual breakfast menu and the brunch menu in the primary eating room, so if you happen to wanted a day by day repair, you can get one. You simply needed to sit down and order the breakfast meat every time it was a bacation day within the buffet.

Carnival Legend cabins and suites

Legend has 1,067 cabins, with balcony cabins making up the biggest share of lodging on board. The ship additionally has windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins with image home windows that do not open and 4 classes of suites.

Attention-grabbing classes to search for are rooms designated as inside cabins which have home windows with obstructed views. These are sometimes larger than customary inside rooms and the home windows might be fairly massive. Some pure gentle will sneak in, however exterior gear like lifeboats obstructs all or a part of the view.

Households or bigger journey teams can even wish to search for connecting cabins, that are primarily balcony rooms. However there are a number of fascinating, mismatched pairs of connecting cabins, just like the pairs of balcony rooms with a linked inside, situated ahead on decks 5, 6 and seven. Deck 4 additionally has two pairs of aft Vista Suites that hook up with balcony cabins.

Our cabin was an Prolonged Balcony cabin, class 8K, midship on Deck 7. The room had a pair of dual beds transformed right into a king (close to the balcony door), nightstands on each side of the mattress, a small couch, a espresso desk and a desk, and a rest room with a bathe. The balcony had two chairs and a single footstool.

The lighting was greater than ample, with oblique overhead lighting and lamps on each side of the mattress and at one finish of the couch. A motion-sensitive undercabinet gentle close to the lavatory door was helpful if you happen to needed to rise up in the midst of the night time.

The lavatory was an honest dimension, as was the bathe, which had dispensers for a shampoo-conditioner combo and bathe gel. Storage all through the cabin included 5 drawers, two closets with higher rods, and a 3rd closet with cabinets that could possibly be flipped as much as reveal extra hanging house.

The room’s furnishings didn’t present apparent put on. The supplies and colours weren’t the muted neutrals you’d count on to see on a brand new ship, however they did not shout “early 2000s” both — aside from the turquoise rest room sink and countertop. On-line images of earlier durations in Carnival Legend’s life depict orange carpet and fabric within the cabins. I am glad these days are behind us.

There was one European 220-volt outlet and one U.S. 110-volt outlet on the desk, and the bedside lamps featured each USB-A and USB-C retailers on the entrance of the bottom, plus a 110-volt electrical outlet on the again of the bottom.

My aunt stayed in an inside cabin, ahead on Deck 7, that includes two twin beds that could possibly be transformed to a king mattress and two higher Pullman beds, for a complete capability of 4. Her room didn’t have a settee or chair, however all different facilities have been just like ours.

I used to be capable of go to a number of of the aft suites on decks 7 and eight. The Ocean and Vista suites each had massive balconies with loungers and upgraded furnishings and supplies, together with marble counter tops, hardwood entryways, tiled rest room flooring and bigger televisions.

Accessible cabins embrace one extra-large ocean-view cabin on Deck 1, seven Prolonged Balcony rooms (discovered on decks 6, 7 and eight), and one accessible Grand Suite and two expanded inside cabins on Deck 6.

Associated: All the pieces you wish to learn about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Carnival Legend eating places and bars

For a midsize ship, Carnival Legend has a strong vary of restaurant and bar choices. It is attainable to skip paying an extra price to eat on the specialty eating places and have loads of nice meals, however on any itinerary of per week or longer, they add a pleasant change of environment and menu choices. Additionally they provide a step up in presentation, even to the purpose of spectacle within the case of The Chef’s Desk.

Eating places

Included-in-fare eating

Carnival Legend’s most important eating room is Truffles Restaurant. Company choosing early (5:30 p.m.) or late (7:45 p.m.) set eating instances are seated on Deck 2. Those that e-book Your Time Eating are served on Deck 3 between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. and use the Carnival Hub app to verify in.

Menus provide a variety of selections nightly, together with an Emeril Selects appetizer and entree with a Cajun aptitude. The consensus at our desk was that the brief rib was one of the best entree of the cruise. Desserts have been motive sufficient to dine in the primary eating room. Our favorites have been the chocolate melting cake, the Bitter and Blanc bread pudding with darkish and white chocolate, and the Grand Marnier souffle.

Breakfast and lunch have been served in the primary eating room on port days and each different sea day in the course of the Atlantic crossing. On alternate sea days, the ship would host Seaday Brunch from mid-morning to early afternoon.

The Unicorn Cafe on Deck 9 midship is the ship’s pool deck buffet. The house is split into two most important areas, every with a self-serve central drink station surrounded by seating and multipurpose meals counters. Hand-washing stations are offered. Some meals is plated by servers, whereas different dishes are self-serve.

At breakfast, there are 5 stations serving cooked-to-order omelets and eggs. Different counters serve breads and pastries (however no doughnuts), fruit, cold and warm cereals, meats, potatoes, pancakes, French toast and generally waffles, and precooked eggs (scrambled and sorts of Benedict). Meals high quality was good aside from the sausages, pancakes and waffles, which all wanted an improve. The massive hits for us have been the cinnamon swirl Danishes, sticky buns, the new chocolate machine (which could possibly be used so as to add a splash of mocha to a daily cup of espresso) and contemporary omelets.

Throughout lunch and dinner, search for sizzling dishes, greens, cheeses, chilly cuts, salads and carved meats. The night fare mirrors a number of the menu selections being served in the primary eating room.

Chopsticks, open for lunch, is a self-serve Asian hot-food counter on the port aspect throughout the buffet close to the midship elevators. The choices range day by day however at all times embrace a soup, fried and white rice, egg or spring rolls, and a number of meat and vegetable selections.

The Pizza Pirate counter is throughout the buffet space on the starboard aspect, nearest the midship elevators. Throughout our cruise there was no ready-made pizza buffet permitting you to stroll up and seize a slice. All pizza was cooked to order in roughly 10-inch pies. The menu board lists 4 pizzas, however you may combine and match components if you would like and request additional sauce, cheese or toppings. Prolonged hours made this a sizzling spot late into the night time, assuming you had the time to attend for pizza to be cooked.

Carnival introduced following our cruise that Pizza Pirate hours throughout the fleet would finish at midnight, changed by a late-night snack buffet with a very totally different sq. pizza served by the slice. We didn’t expertise that pizza on our cruise however did see a snack buffet that included chips and salsa, which have been additionally talked about as a part of the brand new late-night snack lineup.

The deli counter was my favourite lunch spot all through the cruise. As at any deli, you stand in line, give your order to the counter employees, they usually make your sandwich to order. The menu board options 11 sandwiches, sizzling canines, a veggie burger and a wrap, however company use these as a beginning place to construct any sandwich they need. For instance, the turkey and Swiss on a pretzel bun is listed as a chilly sandwich, however belief me once I let you know to have it toasted for a gooey delight. I discovered issues from different company each time I stood in line, like having something you need made right into a wrap, or asking for a aspect scoop of the rooster salad sans bread.

Man’s Burger Joint is simply exterior the Unicorn Cafe buffet on the starboard aspect of the Avalon pool deck. There is a motive this counter-service hamburger joint is legendary throughout Carnival’s fleet: It has one of many finest burgers at sea. The menu consists of 4 burger choices, together with the Plain Jane, which lets you construct your burger your manner utilizing the topping and sauce bar. The burgers have been thick, juicy and positively higher than your common cruise ship hamburger.

BlueIguana Cantina is reverse Man’s on the Avalon pool deck. Breakfast choices embrace burritos, arepas and huevos rancheros. The burritos come along with your selection of cheese, bacon, sausage, potatoes and both common or Mexican scrambled eggs, wrapped in a plain flour tortilla or a jalapeno model. The lunch menu is a selection between burritos and street-style tacos. With both, you select your filling, then gown it up on the close by topping and salsa bar.

Whether or not you favor frozen yogurt or ice cream, cups or cones, a single taste or a mixture, you may discover your deal with with two pairs of soft-serve machines, one subsequent to Man’s Burgers and one other simply past BlueIguana on the pool deck. Each provide a selection of frozen yogurt or ice cream. We grabbed cones in any respect hours of the day and night time.

Room service provides a continental breakfast of fruit, bread, pastries, yogurt and drinks at no cost from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. You may place your order over the telephone or within the Carnival Hub app. Breakfast sandwiches can be found for $5-$6 (plus an 18% gratuity).

Between 10 a.m. and 6 a.m., the in-room-dining menu contains salads, sandwiches, desserts, pizzas, burgers and varied rooster finger meals (wings, quesadillas and tenders), all with a la carte pricing from $3-$8. Among the room service menu gadgets might be delivered to your location wherever on the ship by the app.

Added-fee eating

Throughout dinner, the Chopsticks counter on the buffet turns into the Seafood Nook, that includes counter service and a la carte menu pricing. We loved a diffusion of steamed snow crab legs, big peel-and-eat boiled shrimp, and the form of crabcakes goals are fabricated from. Each chunk was scrumptious. Different choices embrace fried calamari, oysters and fish-and-chips. Every meal is cooked to order. You will be given a pager to return to the counter when your meals is prepared.

The Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse is the ship’s date night time restaurant. The expertise begins with its location underneath a purple glass dome, simply ahead of the acquainted Carnival purple, white and blue whale-tale smokestack.

The meal features a selection of starter, entree, sauce, sides and dessert. The chef stunned us with an amuse-bouche of a half-dollar-size, totally decked-out hamburger. It was a decadent begin to the meal. My aunt and I selected the filet mignon, whereas my husband ordered the surf and turf (filet mignon and lobster tail). The meal might be ordered with a chef-selected wine pairing for every course for an additional cost, which we did, after all.

The one factor more likely to outshine the steakhouse for meals and presentation is The Chef’s Desk. The newly created house on Deck 1 subsequent to the galley offered a quiet and stylish escape from the remainder of the ship. The house accommodates 14 company who’re handled to a seemingly unending array of small gourmand programs.

After a quick introduction of the cooks and sous-chefs who have been serving us, and some fast bites to get us began, we have been ushered by an entry door straight into the bustling galley. I’ve been on galley excursions on different ships prior to now, however by no means in the course of the crush of the dinner hour. It was eye-opening. Our tour ended with an indication of learn how to make the road’s well-known chocolate melting cake by the dessert chef. The tour, the meal and its presentation surpassed expectations and related experiences on different cruise strains — proper right down to the final sip of port wine.

The one specialty eating venue we didn’t pattern was Bonsai Sushi. It’s discovered proper exterior the on line casino on Deck 2. The menu incorporates a la carte selections of sushi, sashimi, saki and Japanese beer. Our cruise didn’t characteristic a Inexperienced Eggs and Ham Dr. Seuss Breakfast, more than likely as a result of there have been so few kids onboard. When it’s accessible, there’s a nominal per-person cost to attend.

Associated: Why it’s best to deal with your self to a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Bars and lounges

Whether or not you’re on the lookout for an herbal-infused cocktail for what ails you, a chocolatini shaken and drizzled excellent, or an Irish spiked espresso, you’ll find a bar serving it on Carnival Legend.

The Espresso Bar on Deck 2 between the on line casino and the Follies Fundamental Lounge provides specialty and spiked coffees, specialty teas, milkshakes (the Black and White Chocolate shake is delish, full with a chocolate sweet straw), bottled water, sports activities drinks and canned Coke merchandise.

The espresso counter additionally serves because the Legend Cafe snack counter, that includes free croissants and cinnamon swirl pastries throughout the primary breakfast hours. Snacks — doughnuts, cupcakes and yummy soft-baked massive cookies — are offered for an additional price within the afternoon and night. A second Espresso Bar location is contained in the Unicorn Cafe, serving specialty and spiked coffees till late night.

The RedFrog Pub (Deck 3) on Carnival Legend has an off-the-cuff Caribbean environment with recreation tables, a private-label home beer referred to as ThirstyFrog Purple and a rum-laced drink menu to make the rolling of the ship indistinguishable from the roll in your step. Throughout daytime hours, the pub is the spot for trivia and guess-that-song competitions, whereas nighttime enjoyable ranges from dwell music to karaoke. The scaled-down model is the RedFrog Rum Bar on the primary pool deck, which is precisely the place it’s best to search for a fruity, frozen rum drink on a sizzling afternoon within the solar.

Different pool bars are the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, in your drink-all-the-margaritas sea days, and the Serenity Bar, for a mango Kiss on the Lips and different thirst-quenching concoctions.

The Legend Foyer Bar is the rocking, swaying, swooning spot to bop, snicker and drink most evenings. Reside performers and DJs deliver the tunes from the stage perched above and behind the bar. It is the place to be after darkish till the late-night crowd shifts to Billie’s Piano Bar and Medusa’s Lair Dance Membership. Daytime actions like dance classes maintain sea days hopping across the bar as properly.

The bar group on the Firebird Lounge retains the juices flowing for the Punchliner Comedy Membership performances and grownup video games like Liars Membership (which was a belly-aching hilarious present on our cruise).

The 2 most fascinating bars on Carnival Legend proved to be the Alchemy Bar and Heroes Tribute Bar. Alchemy options potions and treatments handcrafted by an entertaining duo of mixologists. Alchemy matches properly into an open house on the way in which to the primary eating room entrance on Deck 2, making it a night sizzling spot, usually with delicate dwell music. We additionally observed it offered a enjoyable day-drinking and cube hangout for these so inclined.

In addition to its designed function as a hangout for veterans and repair members after they sail on the ship, Heroes is the go-to sports activities bar, with screens tuned to soccer, System One racing and tennis throughout our cruise. The decor options real navy mementos, together with the Military boots of Deshauna Barber, godmother of Carnival Vista and a captain within the U.S. Military Reserve. It was the one bar we visited the place the environment acquired rowdy, however that was on the one Sunday of the cruise once we have been in a time zone that made NFL video games viewable — and the Cowboys have been taking part in.

Carnival Legend actions

Out of doors enjoyable on Carnival Legend contains pickleball (free play and tournaments), basketball, desk tennis, a brand new minigolf course, swimming pools, waterslides and a splash park. On our cruise, the water points of interest have been enjoyable to take a look at, however few folks used them till the ultimate sea day once we have been again in heat Bahamian waters.

We gave the minigolf a strive on a peaceful sea day and would rank it as a mean cruise ship course. It’s a good excuse to benefit from the view from Deck 12. Motion pictures on the newly put in seaside theater have been a nightly attraction for the handful of teenagers onboard.

We additionally loved strolling and viewing sailaways on the wraparound promenade on Deck 3. It has been a very long time since I sailed on a ship with a midship promenade that encircled the ship. The bow portion on Carnival Legend is enclosed by the Enchanted Forest. Exterior doorways lead into the forest straight from the promenade, however they have been closed all through our cruise. The workaround is to step inside on the most ahead set of doorways, stroll the forest loop and are available out on the other aspect the place you may step again exterior.

Indoors, the go-to enjoyable on our lengthy cruise gave the impression to be day by day dance courses and trivia of all types. The ship had a resident caricature artist offering his drawings for ideas. We additionally attended a few nature lectures in the primary theater, and my aunt watched a cooking demonstration.

The Cloud 9 Spa, salon and health room on Deck 9 have been refreshed and rebranded to match the remainder of the fleet in the course of the dry dock. My aunt loved a Fireplace and Ice pedicure, which concerned a cooling gel and a sizzling stone therapeutic massage. Carnival Legend doesn’t have a full thermal suite within the spa, and whereas there is no cost for coming into the spa, all providers include a price. The health middle is out there to be used for free of charge, apart from courses and particular person coaching providers.

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Carnival’s on line casino, on Deck 2, gained flooring house and new slot machines in the course of the ship’s latest dry dock when the on line casino bar was eliminated. No worries, although: Bar servers can be found all through the on line casino for service on the machines and tables.

Carnival has a wholesome Gamers Membership program, and Legend had on line casino hosts on obligation for many hours of operation throughout our cruise. They held nightly video games and drawings for prizes and will change membership factors for reward playing cards for specialty eating, photograph packages or the Cherry on Prime sweet retailer. I notably appreciated that there have been nonsmoking recreation tables and slot machines and loads of employees members who saved busy cleansing all surfaces.

Carnival Legend exhibits

Carnival Legend places on plenty of huge song-and-dance productions. Whereas these are usually not my favourite sort of leisure, we attended a number of. My aunt liked the homage to the ’50s. Hubs was decidedly not a fan of the onerous rock efficiency — however truthfully, any try by any manufacturing forged to hit Freddie Mercury’s excessive notes is considerably futile. We applaud the manufacturing group for its improbable units and costumes. A magician, a juggler and “Household Feud Reside” offered good breaks from the musical exhibits.

We discovered leisure that suited us higher within the smaller, divey, underground-feeling Firebird Lounge on Deck 1, which doubles because the Punchliner Comedy Membership. Despite the fact that we had the identical three comedians for all seven sea days crossing the Atlantic, the exhibits have been hardly ever repeated and at all times full of guffaws. The membership grew to become our go-to spot following a little bit of after-dinner enjoyable within the on line casino.

Carnival Legend itineraries and pricing

Whereas Carnival Legend would not house port in anybody place for very lengthy, it is a common within the Caribbean (alternating between departures from Tampa and from Galveston) most winters and provides European sailings in season. The upcoming schedule contains the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Europe and Mexico.

Crusing from Tampa, Miami and Galveston, the ship provides four- to 14-night cruises to Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. From San Francisco, Legend visits Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii and transits the Panama Canal. European sailings embrace Northern Europe in addition to the Mediterranean.

On the time of writing, fares for four-night cruises from Galveston to Cozumel, Mexico, begin as little as $539 per particular person for an inside cabin and $739 for a balcony room. Seven-night Caribbean cruises from Tampa begin at $734 for inside cabins and $999 for balcony cabins. Twelve-night Mediterranean cruises from Civitavecchia, Italy (the port for Rome), begin at $1,384 for an inside cabin or $1,924 for a balcony.

What to know earlier than you go

Required paperwork

U.S. residents on closed-loop cruises that start and finish in a U.S. port want a present passport or start certificates (the official form from the state) plus a driver’s license or different government-issued photograph identification. Passport playing cards are additionally acceptable.

When cruising from a non-U.S. port, U.S. residents should have a passport that doesn’t expire inside six months of your journey dates. Some international locations might impose further entry necessities. It is best to at all times verify the Carnival web site for up-to-date info.

Gratuities

Each day gratuities that cowl cabin attendants and eating room employees might be paid upfront on-line. The quantity ranges from $16 to $18 per particular person, per day, relying in your cabin class. You probably have not paid upfront, the quantity shall be added day by day to your cabin’s onboard account. You’re free to tip further quantities; envelopes are offered on the Visitor Companies counter.

Bar orders, room service orders, spa and salon providers, and meals at The Chef’s Desk have an computerized 18% service cost added. You might regulate it at your discretion, both on the cost slip while you signal it or in money.

Wi-Fi

After including Starlink Web, Carnival Legend has all-new Premium Wi-Fi accessible on the worth of $23.80 per particular person, per day for a single gadget. I examined the Premium service and located it quicker and extra dependable than what we have been used to on most cruise ships, notably in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, the place many previous cruisers have reported a complete lack of service. I used to be not, nevertheless, capable of make Wi-Fi calls as anticipated.

Slower and decrease bandwidth packages are additionally accessible, together with a Social plan with entry to social media channels and messaging providers. The Worth plan supplies a bit extra entry, together with the power to surf the Web and obtain emails. Solely the Premium plan is appropriate for streaming and Wi-Fi calling, after which solely the place sign power is out there.

Carry-on drinks coverage

On most cruises, Carnival permits passengers to deliver one bottle of wine or Champagne of their carry-on baggage on embarkation day solely. In any respect different ports of name, beer, wine or liquor shall be confiscated and returned on the ultimate day of the cruise.

On our transatlantic crusing, the crew didn’t restrict beer, wine or alcohol introduced on board in European ports so long as we consumed the drinks in our cabins (or at the very least poured it there). Bringing a bottle to any restaurant incurs a corkage price.

Carnival doesn’t permit any water, sports activities drinks or delicate drinks to be introduced on board in plastic bottles at any time. You might deliver as much as one dozen standard-size cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks on embarkation day. You may be requested to get rid of plastic bottles at safety earlier than you board.

Smoking coverage

Smoking, together with the usage of e-cigarettes and vape gadgets, is allowed solely in designated areas of Carnival Legend. Smoking is allowed on the starboard-side outside promenade on Deck 3 and on the starboard-side most important pool space on Deck 9. Smoking is allowed at designated recreation tables and slot machines within the on line casino, however just for lively gamers. The on line casino will not be a smoking lounge the place anybody can sit and smoke with out taking part in. (I am quoting from the frequent overhead bulletins.) Smoking will not be allowed in cabins or balconies.

Associated: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line information

Laundry

Self-service laundry services can be found on cabin decks, every with a pair of washers, a pair of dryers, a merchandising machine with detergent, and an iron and ironing board. Self-serve laundry on our cruise value $3.50 for every load of washing or drying and $2.50 for detergent.

Ship-out laundry service is priced by the piece until you may have Platinum or Diamond VIFP standing, which comes with complimentary wash-and-fold providers.

Electrical retailers

The most recent updates on Carnival Legend included including USB and 110-volt retailers on the bedside lamps. Bogs have low-voltage retailers for shavers solely. The dressing desk has a 110-volt outlet and a European two-prong outlet.

Foreign money

Carnival Legend makes use of the U.S. greenback as its foreign money. The ship makes use of a cashless system the place prices to your Sail & Signal card (additionally your cabin key) go on to your cabin’s account, which might be settled both with a bank card on file or money.

Consuming age

Solely company age 21 or older might eat alcohol on board.

Gown code

Carnival has a relaxed gown code, however with steered apparel for every night’s meal and actions. Shirts and sneakers are required in all indoor consuming institutions. Swimsuits with out coverups are usually not allowed in indoor eateries.

Acceptable apparel for the primary eating room and specialty eating places is primarily informal, however not sloppy or offensive. The night’s steered apparel is out there within the Hub app and on the entrance of the day by day FunTimes schedule. On our cruise, most nights have been listed as cruise informal, with three nights listed as cruise elegant. We noticed shorts, flip-flops and T-shirts within the evenings, even in the primary eating room and even on elegant nights.

Backside line

Our journey on Carnival Legend proved to be a surprisingly subtle cruise. I went anticipating to have enjoyable as a result of that is what the Carnival model guarantees. What I didn’t count on was the extent of service we encountered in all areas.

Employees members weren’t solely pleasant and useful however labored onerous to be a part of the enjoyable environment. The meals was higher total than I’ve skilled lately on competing strains, with flavors and displays that have been memorable. Even the general public restrooms impressed me. They have been plentiful and at all times clear and useful, with additional little towels for touch-free opening of the door.

The ship’s 2024 makeover gave it the up to date look of a far newer ship whereas bettering accessibility and including fashionable options like a brand new Chef’s Desk venue and the Heroes Tribute Bar. I’d look ahead to crusing on Carnival Legend once more.

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