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My initial experience aboard Carnival Legend left me pondering, “Girrrl, 22 truly looks fabulous on you!”
A frequently sailed vessel over two decades old often begins to reveal a few signs of age, not solely in minor wear and outdated color schemes but also in sluggish advancements and enhancements. Carnival Cruise Line effectively revamped both aesthetic and functional allure during Legend’s 2024 dry dock in Marseille, France, which introduced more accessible features to align the ship with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, enlarged the casino by eliminating the bar, and incorporated modern cabin upgrades like bedside lamps featuring USB outlets.
The ambiance aboard the ship is somewhat exotic, particularly in expansive areas like the lobby at the foot of the Colossus Atrium, which showcases dark décor with an unexpected Egyptian influence. Even with such a magnificent entrance, plush seating adorning nearly every open area fosters a friendly atmosphere.
Travelers on my 15-night transatlantic journey from Rome to Tampa were mainly North Americans, predominantly from southern U.S. states. Numerous guests had spent time exploring Europe before embarking on their leisurely voyage back to the States. Approximately 500 of the 2,000 passengers had also been aboard the prior 10-night cruise.
The majority of travelers were adults aged 55 and above, with several being a few decades older; a significant portion were returning Carnival cruisers. I noticed a select few in their 30s and even a couple of young children and teenagers, but they were scarce enough to attract attention as they moved about during the initial days. I traveled with my husband and my aunt in her 70s. My husband and I had previously sailed with Carnival, but it had been over twenty years since our last trip with the line. My aunt has been quite the regular Carnival traveler recently, mainly from Galveston, Texas.
If you favor a mid-sized ship equipped with some of the same features and amenities as newer fleet members, here’s what to anticipate from Carnival Legend.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
The 88,500-ton Carnival Legend measures 963 feet in length. It accommodates 2,124 passengers at double occupancy — less than half the capacity of newer Excel Class vessels, such as Carnival Jubilee. Legend was inaugurated in 2002 as the third Spirit Class ship in the fleet. Updates over the years have enabled it to maintain pace with onboard dining options and activities. The most recent dry dock in the spring of 2024 continued this trend.
Similar to all Carnival ships, Legend is a mass-market vessel, appealing to travelers on a budget across all age demographics. Passenger demographics vary based on the length of the itinerary and embarkation port, yet the ship is favored by Carnival regulars, regardless of its sailing destination.
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It features an extensive children’s program in recently revamped areas, two waterslides, and a splash park, making it perfect for families vacationing with kids and teenagers. For those wishing to avoid the younger crowd, the Serenity sundeck is equipped with a pool, clamshell daybeds, and cushioned loungers, along with its own bar — exclusively for those over 21. The Punchliner Comedy Club, located in the Firebird Lounge on Deck 1, offers PG-rated performances in the earlier evening as well as considerably risqué late-night shows.
The most recent enhancements to the vessel included transforming the Nouveau Restaurant into the cruise line’s beloved steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555, and allocating The Chef’s Table its own space on Deck 1 adjacent to the galley. The hotel manager mentioned that no area of the ship was left untouched during the renovation, with nearly all parts of the ship receiving refreshed paint, carpets, and upholstery.
Although the ship had its flaws, it undeniably presented a clean and polished appearance overall.
We relished a combination of dining establishments included in the cruise price as well as additional specialty restaurants. Both options were above average in flavor and presentation.
Dinner in the primary dining room (Truffles Restaurant, decks 2 and 3) offered sufficient variety of meat, poultry, seafood, and pasta to satisfy the three of us on most evenings. In fact, we often found ourselves reviewing the menus in the Carnival Hub application well in advance to arrange specialty dining around choices we wished to sample in the main restaurant.
We also visited the dining room for breakfast on several occasions, afternoon tea once, and Seaday Brunch twice. The brunch selection is somewhat more intricate than the breakfast offerings, featuring 12-hour French toast and a Skillet Cake — akin to a thick pancake. The brunch menu also included lunch specialties like a chicken-and-waffles combination.
The Lido buffet (designated the Unicorn Cafe, Deck 9) offered somewhat limited options, but standout items included the finest cinnamon swirl pastries at sea, multiple personalized egg-cooking stations, and hot chocolate machines instead of do-it-yourself packets secured in the Lido, making it our favored breakfast venue. Auntie was also able to get her morning latte at the Coffee Bar situated right in the heart of the buffet area.
In the additional-charge category, Carnival Legend excels. We relished dining at Fahrenheit 555, The Chef’s Table and the Seafood Corner.
Related: Carnival cruise cuisine: The ultimate guide to eateries and dining on board
On a vessel with so much compacted into a limited space, I was delighted to discover ample seating, both inside and outside. Early in our voyage, we experienced a few days of poor weather, which compelled everyone to remain indoors. Not once did I traverse the ship without spotting a place to sit.
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Once the weather improved, it became possible to find seats outside in most areas. I was excited to discover unoccupied clamshell daybeds in surprising locations, particularly on Deck 10 above the pool areas. However, the Serenity sundeck appeared to be the exception, where seat hogs frequently occupied the prime spots early in the day and maintained their position until late afternoon. With only a handful of children on board, it was amusing that the area attracted such a crowd, rendering it significantly less peaceful than other areas on the ship.
Other notable sitting areas we utilized included the Enchanted Forest indoor walkway on Deck 3 towards the front, which we appreciated for both indoor walking laps and as a wonderfully quiet spot to sit and gaze out the windows. The Odyssey Lounge on Deck 3 towards the back, outside the primary dining room, became our regular meeting place before meals. Even on busy nights, we almost always found seats for the three of us right away.
During mealtimes, we particularly enjoyed the booth-style seating in the main dining area and the buffet. It created a more intimate dining experience, enhancing our ability to converse amidst the noise of a packed dining space.
I appreciate an indoor-outdoor pool because it allows you to savor the sea breezes on a warm day while still being able to swim when it rains. Before our sequence of seven sea days, the crew partially closed the dome over the main pool, creating a somewhat sheltered environment.
During an open Q&A session, the hotel manager clarified that the roof cannot be adjusted while the ship is in motion, and although it was chilly at that moment, the forecast predicted warm, sunny days and rising temperatures. By the third day, it became evident that guests would have been sweltering around that pool had it been entirely closed. As it was, the semi-closed roof offered a wind barrier, a bit of shade, and a delightful solarium ambiance.
I recognize this falls under the category of first-world issues, but this ship was missing several of the enjoyable cruise features that elevate mass-market cruising to feel lavish.
A cruise that does not offer quick slices of pizza—whether during meal times or as a snack—is an issue for me. Even my optimistic aunt expressed dissatisfaction over the unavailability of grabbing a slice on Carnival Legend.
The pizza station, situated in the buffet section of this ship, was staffed by only one crew member. Guests could place an order from a list on a menu board. Behind the counter, one buffet pan under a heat lamp was supposed to provide slices, but only twice throughout our entire cruise were we able to obtain a single slice of pre-made pizza. And when I mention a single slice, I mean a solitary, neglected, dried-up slice was present in the metal pan when we wandered by. No other pizza was available in the buffet.
We ordered half a pizza once and received a disgruntled expression from the pizza maker, who cooked our pizza and handed us half but clearly felt he was only there for whole-pizza orders. The other half was swiftly taken by a passerby who evidentlycould hardly fathom his fortune. While I’m excited that customized whole pizzas can be ordered, I fail to see why Carnival didn’t provide slices of at least pepperoni and cheese pizza in the buffet during lunch hours on our voyage.
I seldom pamper myself with doughnuts, but I enjoy treating myself on a cruise — especially when the doughnuts are complimentary. Unfortunately, Carnival Legend served no complimentary doughnuts throughout the entire 15 days of our journey. The only doughnuts available on the ship were priced at $4 at the Coffee Bar, and they could be found only in the afternoon and evening, not the morning.
At last, we arrive at what fellow passengers (and the onboard entertainers) referred to as “bacations.” Bacon was served in the buffet only every other day during our trip. Southerners take their bacon seriously, leading to a number of complaints.
My aunt and other seasoned cruisers reassured me that alternating bacon days had been standard practice on their past voyages with Carnival, yet it still caught many travelers off guard.
On the upside, when bacon was present in the buffet, it was crispy and scrumptious. I loved that it was offered by staff, which seemed to prevent it from quickly crumbling into bits. Bacon was also featured on both the regular breakfast menu and the brunch menu in the main dining hall, so if you sought your daily fix, it was attainable. You just needed to sit down and request the breakfast meat on days designated as bacation in the buffet.
Legend boasts 1,067 cabins, with balcony accommodations forming the largest share of lodging onboard. The vessel also features windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins with large picture windows that do not open, and four types of suites.
Noteworthy categories to consider are rooms classified as inside cabins with obstructed view windows. These are generally larger than standard inside rooms, and the windows can be quite expansive. While some natural light may seep in, external apparatus like lifeboats blocks all or parts of the view.
Families or larger travel parties might also want to search for connecting cabins, which mainly consist of balcony rooms. However, there are a few interesting, mismatched pairs of connecting cabins, such as the balcony rooms with a connected interior, located towards the front on decks 5, 6, and 7. Deck 4 also houses two pairs of aft Vista Suites that link to balcony cabins.
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Our accommodation was an Extended Balcony cabin, category 8K, situated midship on Deck 7. The area featured a pair of twin beds that were converted into a king (near the balcony entrance), nightstands on either side of the bed, a small couch, a coffee table, and a desk, along with a bathroom equipped with a shower. The balcony included two chairs and one footstool.
The illumination was more than sufficient, with indirect overhead lighting and lamps situated on each side of the bed and at one end of the sofa. A motion-sensitive under-cabinet light near the bathroom entry was handy for those midnight excursions.
The washroom was a reasonable size, as was the shower, which provided dispensers for a shampoo-conditioner blend and shower gel. Storage options throughout the room included five drawers, two wardrobes with upper rods, and a third wardrobe with shelves that could be flipped up to revealmore hanging space.
The room’s decor did not exhibit noticeable signs of usage. The textiles and hues were not the subdued neutrals you might anticipate on a modern vessel, but they also didn’t scream “early 2000s” — with the exception of the turquoise sink and countertop in the bathroom. Online images from earlier times in Carnival Legend’s existence showcase vibrant orange carpets and upholstery in the cabins. I’m thankful those times are in the past.
There was one European 220-volt outlet and one U.S. 110-volt outlet located at the desk, and the bedside lamps included both USB-A and USB-C ports on the front of the base, along with a 110-volt electrical outlet located at the back of the base.
My aunt occupied an inside cabin, situated forward on Deck 7, which contained two twin beds that could be transformed into a king bed and two upper Pullman beds, accommodating a total of four individuals. Her room lacked a sofa or chair, but all other features were comparable to ours.
I managed to tour a few of the aft suites on decks 7 and 8. Both the Ocean and Vista suites boasted expansive balconies equipped with loungers and enhanced furnishings and materials, including marble countertops, hardwood entranceways, tiled bathroom floors, and larger televisions.
Accessible cabins feature one extra-large ocean-view cabin on Deck 1, seven Extended Balcony rooms (located on decks 6, 7, and 8), along with one accessible Grand Suite and two expanded inside cabins on Deck 6.
Related: All you need to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships
For a mid-sized ship, Carnival Legend provides a strong selection of dining and bar choices. It is feasible to avoid paying extra fees for dining at the specialty restaurants and still enjoy a plethora of excellent cuisine, though on any itinerary lasting a week or longer, they provide a refreshing change of setting and menu selections. Furthermore, they present an enhancement in presentation, reaching a level of spectacle in the case of The Chef’s Table.
Complimentary dining
The primary dining space aboard Carnival Legend is known as Truffles Restaurant. Patrons selecting early (5:30 p.m.) or late (7:45 p.m.) dining options are accommodated on Deck 2. Those who opt for Your Time Dining are served on Deck 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and utilize the Carnival Hub app for check-in.
The menus present a diverse selection each evening, featuring an Emeril Selects appetizer and main course exhibiting a Cajun touch. The agreement at our table concluded that the short rib was the standout main course of the trip. The desserts alone justified dining in the primary restaurant. Our favorites included the chocolate melting cake, the Bitter and Blanc bread pudding combining dark and white chocolate, and the Grand Marnier souffle.
Breakfast and lunch were provided in the main dining room on port days and on alternate sea days during the Atlantic passage. On alternating sea days, the vessel hosted Seaday Brunch from late morning until early afternoon.
The Unicorn Cafe on Deck 9 midship is the buffet for the pool deck. The area is separated into two main sections, each featuring a self-serve central beverage station encircled by seating and multipurpose food counters. Hand-washing stations are available. Some dishes are served by staff, while others are self-serve.
During breakfast, five stations offer made-to-order omelets and eggs. Additional counters present various breads and pastries (excluding doughnuts), fruits, hot and cold cereals, meats, potatoes, pancakes, French toast, and occasionally waffles, along with pre-cooked eggs (scrambled and different varieties of Benedict). The quality of food was commendable, except for the sausages, pancakes, and waffles, all of which could benefit from improvements. Our favorites were the cinnamon swirl Danishes, sticky buns, the hot chocolate machine (which could add a hint of mocha to regular coffee), and fresh omelets.
At lunch and dinner, expect hot dishes, vegetables, cheeses, cold cuts, salads, and carved meats. The evening selection reflects some of the dishes available in the main dining area.
Chopsticks, which operates during lunch, is a self-serve Asian hot-food station located on the port side within the buffet near the midship elevators. The offerings change daily but consistently feature soup, fried rice, white rice, egg or spring rolls, and various meat and vegetable selections.
The Pizza Pirate station can be found within the buffet area on the starboard side, closest to the midship elevators. Throughout our cruise, there wasn’t a ready-made pizza buffet where you could walk up and grab a slice. All pizzas were made to order in approximately 10-inch rounds. The menu board lists four pizza varieties, but you can customize ingredients as desired and request additional sauce, cheese, or toppings. Extended hours made this a popular spot late into the night, provided you had the patience to wait for your pizza.
Following our cruise, Carnival announced that Pizza Pirate hours across the fleet would end at midnight, replaced by a late-night snack buffet featuring a distinct square pizza served by the slice. We did not try that pizza during our cruise, but we did see a snack buffet that included chips and salsa, which were also noted as part of the new late-night snack offerings.
The deli counter was my preferred lunch destination throughout the journey. Like any deli, you queue up, place your order with the staff, and they prepare your sandwich on the spot. The menu board showcases 11 sandwiches, hot dogs, a veggie burger, and a wrap, but guests take those as a base to create any sandwich they desire. For instance, the turkey and Swiss on a pretzel bun is listed as a cold sandwich, but trust me when I say it’s a treat when toasted to a gooey perfection. Every time I queued up, I learned something new from fellow guests, such as turning anything you want into a wrap or requesting a side scoop of chicken salad without bread.
Guy’s Burger Joint is conveniently located just outside the Unicorn Cafe buffet on the starboard side of the Avalon pool deck. There’s a reason this counter-service hamburger establishment is renowned across Carnival’s fleet: it serves one of the finest burgers at sea. The menu features four burger options, including the Plain Jane, which allows you to customize your burger using the toppings and sauces available. The burgers were substantial, juicy, and noticeably superior to your typical cruise ship hamburger.
BlueIguana Cantina is situated opposite Guy’s on the Avalon pool deck. Breakfast selections encompass burritos, arepas, and huevos rancheros. The burritos come with a choice of cheese, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and either regular or Mexican scrambled eggs, all wrapped in a plain flour tortilla or a jalapeno variant. The lunch menu consists of either burritos or street-style tacos. With both options, you select your filling, then embellish it at the nearby toppings and salsa bar.
Whether you prefer frozen yogurt or ice cream, in cups or cones, a single flavor or a mix, you’ll discover your treat with two sets of soft-serve machines—one adjacent to Guy’s Burgers and another just past BlueIguana on the pool deck. Both provide a selection of frozen yogurt or ice cream. We indulged in cones at various hours throughout the day and night.
Room service furnishes a complimentary continental breakfast featuring fruit, bread, pastries, yogurt, and beverages from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Orders can be placed via phone or through the Carnival Hub app. Breakfast sandwiches are available for $5-$6 (plus an 18% gratuity).
Between 10 a.m. and 6 a.m., the in-room dining menu encompasses salads, sandwiches, desserts, pizzas, burgers, and an assortment of chicken finger foods (wings, quesadillas, and tenders), all priced a la carte from $3-$8. Some items on the room service menu can be delivered to your location anywhere on the ship using the app.
Dining with extra fees
During dinner, the Chopsticks station at the buffet transforms into the Seafood Corner, offering counter service and a la carte pricing. We indulged in a feast of steamed snow crab legs, enormous peel-and-eat boiled shrimp, and crabcakes that are the stuff of dreams. Each bite was divine. Other choices include fried calamari, oysters, and fish-and-chips. All meals are prepared to order, and you’ll receive a pager to notify you when your food is ready.
The Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse serves as the ship’s ideal date-night restaurant. The experience commences at its location beneath a red glass dome, positioned just before the recognizable Carnival red, white, and blue whale-tail smokestack.
The meal comprises a selection of starter, entrée, sauce, sides, and dessert. The chef treated us with an amuse-bouche of a half-dollar-size, completely adorned hamburger. It was an extravagant beginning to the dinner. My aunt and I opted for the filet mignon, while my husband chose the surf and turf (filet mignon along with lobster tail). The meal can be accompanied by a chef-recommended wine pairing for each course at an additional cost, which we, of course, took advantage of.
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The single element likely to eclipse the steakhouse in terms of cuisine and presentation is The Chef’s Table. This newly designed area on Deck 1 adjacent to the galley offers a serene and sophisticated retreat from the remainder of the vessel. The environment accommodates 14 diners who are indulged with an apparently endless sequence of small gourmet dishes.
Following a concise introduction of the chefs and sous-chefs attending to us, along with a few quick bites to commence our meal, we were escorted through a private entrance directly into the lively galley. I have participated in galley tours on other ships previously, but never amidst the hustle and bustle of the dinner rush. It was enlightening. Our tour concluded with a demonstration by the dessert chef on how to prepare the line’s renowned chocolate melting cake. The tour, the dining experience, and its display exceeded expectations when compared to similar endeavors on other cruise lines — right down to the final sip of port wine.
The sole specialty dining venue we did not explore was Bonsai Sushi. It is located just outside the casino on Deck 2. The menu showcases a la carte selections of sushi, sashimi, sake, and Japanese beer. Our voyage did not include a Green Eggs and Ham Dr. Seuss Breakfast, probably due to the small number of children on board. When offered, there is a nominal fee per person to participate.
Related: Why you should pamper yourself at a cruise ship specialty restaurant
Whether you seek an herbal-infused cocktail for your ailments, a chocolatini perfectly shaken and drizzled, or an Irish coffee with a kick, you will discover a bar offering it on the Carnival Legend.
The Coffee Bar located on Deck 2, positioned between the casino and the Follies Main Lounge, provides specialty and spiked coffees, unique teas, milkshakes (the Black and White Chocolate shake is delightful, complete with a chocolate candy straw), bottled water, sports drinks, and canned Coca-Cola products.
This coffee counter additionally functions as the Legend Cafe snack counter, offering complimentary croissants and cinnamon swirl pastries during primary breakfast hours. For an additional cost, afternoon and evening snacks — including doughnuts, cupcakes, and delicious soft-baked large cookies — are available for purchase. A second Coffee Bar location can be found within the Unicorn Cafe, providing specialty and spiked coffees until late night.
The RedFrog Pub (Deck 3) aboard Carnival Legend boasts a relaxed Caribbean ambiance with gaming tables, a proprietary house beer named ThirstyFrog Red, and a drink menu infused with rum, ensuring the vessel’s sway feels akin to the bounce in your stride. Throughout the daytime, the pub serves as the venue for trivia and music guessing contests, while the evening entertainment oscillates from live performances to karaoke. The smaller counterpart is the RedFrog Rum Bar located on the primary pool deck, which is precisely where you should seek out a fruity, frozen rum concoction on a sweltering afternoon under the sun.
Other poolside bars include the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, perfect for those margarita-filled days at sea, and the Serenity Bar, where you can enjoy a mango Kiss on the Lips and additional refreshing creations.
The Legend Lobby Bar transforms into a vibrant hub to dance, chuckle, and sip drinks most evenings. Live entertainers and DJs present music from the elevated stage positioned above and beyond the bar. It’s the prime destination after sundown until late-night patrons make their way to Billie’s Piano Bar and Medusa’s Lair Dance Club. During the day, activities such as dance tutorials keep the atmosphere lively around the bar as well.
The bar staff at the Firebird Lounge ensures the beverages keep flowing for the Punchliner Comedy Club events and adult games like Liars Club (which provided a side-splittingly hilarious experience during our cruise).
The two most intriguing bars aboard Carnival Legend appeared to be the Alchemy Bar and Heroes Tribute Bar. Alchemy showcases concoctions and elixirs expertly crafted by a duo of engaging mixologists. Alchemy fits seamlessly into an open area leading to the main dining room entrance on Deck 2, making it a popular evening locale, frequently accompanied by soft live music. We also observed it as a lively spot for day-drinking and dice games for those inclined.
Aside from its intended role as a gathering place for veterans and service members while sailing, Heroes serves as the favored sports bar, with screens tuned to football, Formula One racing, and tennis throughout our voyage. The decor includes authentic military memorabilia, such as the Army boots of Deshauna Barber, godmother of Carnival Vista and a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. It was the only bar we visited where the atmosphere grew rowdy, but that coincided with the sole Sunday of the cruise when we found ourselves in a time zone that allowed for NFL games to be viewed — and the Cowboys were competing.
Outdoor activities aboard Carnival Legend feature pickleball (both free play and tournaments), basketball, table tennis, a newly introduced minigolf course, swimming pools, waterslides, and a splash park. On our voyage, the aquatic attractions were appealing to observe, yet few passengers utilized them until the last day at sea when we returned to the warm Bahamian waters.
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We experimented with the minigolf course on a tranquil sea day and rated it as an average cruise ship course. It provided a perfect opportunity to appreciate the scenery from Deck 12. Films at the newly established seaside cinema attracted a small number of teens each evening.
We relished leisurely walks while watching the sailaways from the wraparound promenade on Deck 3. It had been quite some time since I had sailed on a vessel with a midship promenade encircling the entire ship. The bow section of Carnival Legend is surrounded by the Enchanted Forest. Exterior doors open into the forest directly from the promenade, but they remained closed throughout our cruise. The alternative is to enter through the foremost set of doors, traverse the forest loop, and exit on the other side where you can step back outside.
Indoors, the most popular activities during our extended cruise appeared to be daily dance classes and a variety of trivia. The ship featured a resident caricature artist who offered his sketches for gratuities. We also participated in a couple of nature lectures at the main theater, while my aunt observed a cooking demonstration.
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Carnival’s casino, located on Deck 2, expanded its floor area and introduced new slot machines during the recent dry dock, with the casino bar being removed. But there’s no need for concern: bar servers are present throughout the casino to assist at the machines and tables.
Carnival boasts a robust Players Club program, and Legend had casino hosts available for the majority of operational hours during our voyage. They organized nightly games and drawings for prizes, and guests could redeem club points for gift cards to specialty dining, photo packages, or the Cherry on Top candy store. I particularly appreciated the existence of nonsmoking gaming tables and slot machines, alongside numerous staff members diligently cleaning all surfaces.
Carnival Legend showcases numerous grand song-and-dance spectacles. Although such entertainment may not be my preferred choice, we went to a few performances. My aunt thoroughly enjoyed the tribute to the ’50s. My husband was definitely not a supporter of the hard rock show — yet honestly, any effort by a cast to emulate Freddie Mercury’s vocal range seems rather hopeless. We commend the production crew for their outstanding sets and attire. A magician, a juggler, and “Family Feud Live” offered delightful respites from the musical events.
We discovered more suitable entertainment in the intimate, divey, underground-like Firebird Lounge situated on Deck 1, which also serves as the Punchliner Comedy Club. Despite having the same trio of comedians for all seven days at sea across the Atlantic, the acts were rarely duplicated and were consistently filled with humor. The club became our favored location after a bit of post-dinner amusement in the casino.
Although Carnival Legend does not maintain a single home port for an extended duration, it frequently visits the Caribbean (alternating between departures from Tampa and Galveston) most winters and offers voyages to Europe during the season. The upcoming itinerary features the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Europe, and Mexico.
Departing from Tampa, Miami, and Galveston, the vessel offers cruises ranging from four to 14 nights to Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. From San Francisco, Legend travels to Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii, while also crossing the Panama Canal. European voyages cover Northern Europe as well as the Mediterranean.
As of this moment, fares for four-night cruises from Galveston to Cozumel, Mexico, begin at just $539 per person for an inside cabin and $739 for a balcony room. Seven-night Caribbean cruises from Tampa start at $734 for inside cabins and $999 for balcony accommodations. 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.
U.S. citizens cruising on closed-loop journeys that start and finish at a U.S. port must possess a valid passport or birth certificate (the official version from the state) alongside a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID. Passport cards are also permitted.
When setting sail from a non-U.S. port, U.S. citizens are required to ensure their passport does not expire within six months of their travel dates. Certain nations may enforce additional entry prerequisites. It’s wise to routinely verify the Carnival website for current details.
Daily gratuities covering cabin attendants and dining room personnel can be settled in advance online. The amount varies from $16 to $18 per individual, per day, depending on the cabin category. If you haven’t settled the amount in advance, it will be charged daily to your onboard cabin account. You are welcome to grant extra tips; envelopes are available at the Guest Services desk.
Bar orders, room service requests, spa and salon treatments, and meals at The Chef’s Table incur an automatic 18% service fee. You can modify this amount at your discretion, either on the charge slip upon signing or by cash.
With the addition of Starlink Internet, Carnival Legend now offers a brand-new Premium Wi-Fi service priced at $23.80 per person, per day for a single device. I tested the Premium option and found it quicker and more dependable than what we typically experience on most cruise liners, especially in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, where many previous cruisers have reported an absence of service. However, I was unable to make Wi-Fi calls as anticipated.
Slow and lower bandwidth packages are also offered, including a Social plan providing access to social media platforms and messaging services. The Value plan allows somewhat more access, with the opportunity to browse the Internet and receive emails. Only the Premium plan is viable for streaming and Wi-Fi calling and then only if there is adequate signal strength.
On most cruises, Carnival permits travelers to carry one bottle of wine or champagne in their carry-on luggage exclusively on embarkation day. At all subsequent ports, beer, wine, or spirits will be confiscated and returned on the final day of the voyage.
During our transatlantic journey, the crew did not restrict beer, wine, or spirits taken on board at European ports as long as we consumed the beverages in our cabins (or at the very least poured them there). Bringing a bottle to any restaurant incurs a corkage fee.
Carnival prohibits any water, sports drinks, or sodas from being brought on board in plastic bottles at any time. You may take up to a dozen standard-sized cans or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages on embarkation day. You will be asked to discard plastic bottles at security before boarding.
Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes and vape devices, is permitted solely in designated sections of Carnival Legend. Smoking is allowed on the starboard-side outdoor promenade on Deck 3 and within the main pool area on Deck 9 on the starboard side. Designated gaming tables and slot machines in the casino permit smoking, but only for active players. The casino is not designated as a smoking lounge where anyone can sit and smoke without engaging in gameplay. (I reference the frequent overhead announcements.) Smoking is not permitted in cabins or balconies.
Related: Is smoking permitted on cruise ships? A detailed guide
Self-service laundry amenities are located on cabin decks, each equipped with a pair of washers, a pair of dryers, and a vending machine stocked with detergent, and
“`an iron and ironing board. Self-service laundry aboard our cruise charged $3.50 for each load of washing or drying and $2.50 for detergent.
Send-out laundry service is charged per item unless you possess Platinum or Diamond VIFP status, which provides complimentary wash-and-fold services.
The recent enhancements on Carnival Legend involved the inclusion of USB and 110-volt sockets on the bedside lamps. Bathrooms feature low-voltage outlets designated for shavers only. The dressing table is equipped with a 110-volt socket and a European two-prong outlet.
Carnival Legend utilizes the U.S. dollar as its monetary unit. The vessel operates a cashless system where expenses charged to your Sail & Sign card (which also serves as your cabin key) are directly billed to your cabin’s account, which can be settled either with a credit card on file or cash.
Only passengers aged 21 or older are permitted to consume alcohol on board.
Carnival maintains a casual dress policy, yet suggests appropriate attire for each evening’s meals and activities. Shirts and shoes are mandatory in all indoor dining locations. Swimsuits without proper cover-ups are not allowed in indoor restaurants.
Acceptable dress for the main dining and specialty restaurants is largely casual, though not careless or inappropriate. The evening’s recommended attire can be found in the Hub app and on the front of the daily FunTimes schedule. On our voyage, most nights were categorized as cruise casual, with three evenings designated as cruise elegant. We observed shorts, flip-flops, and T-shirts in the evenings, even in the main dining area and during elegant nights.
Our experience on Carnival Legend turned out to be an unexpectedly refined cruise. I anticipated having a good time because that’s the promise of the Carnival brand. What I did not foresee was the exceptional level of service we received in all aspects.
Staff members were not only cordial and accommodating but also made efforts to contribute to the enjoyable atmosphere. The cuisine was notably superior to what I have encountered recently on rival lines, featuring memorable flavors and presentations. Even the public restrooms left a positive impression on me. They were abundant, always clean, and functional, with additional small towels for touch-free door opening.
The ship’s 2024 refurbishment provided it with the refreshed appearance of a much newer vessel while enhancing accessibility and introducing sought-after features like a new Chef’s Table venue and the Heroes Tribute Bar. I would eagerly anticipate sailing on Carnival Legend once more.
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