Carnival Cruises Reviews
Thursday 9th Feb 2012
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Carnival - Not So Good |
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Reviewed By: Cowell, Hull on 1st Feb 2010
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| Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises |
Times cruised before: 10+ |
| Cruise Ship: Carnival Legend |
Sailed:
January,
2010 |
| Destination:
Caribbean
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Age: 46-55 |
| Cabin: Balcony |
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Carnival Legend. 17th-24th Jan 2010
7 Day Western Caribbean from Tampa, Florida
Spending a holiday in Florida we included the above cruise, we booked independently direct via the USA web site saving a great amount, ending up with a restricted view balcony. Do not be afraid of booking direct it is quite easy. We flew into Orlando, hire cars are dropped off at the airport and they offer free transfers to the port.
We are very experienced cruisers, judging every cruise independently, but by far this was our worst. We may have been unlucky. The ship passengers is 99.5% American & Canadians
The ship is a stunning with over the top mirrors and glass.
Ports of call:
Grand Cayman, Tender Port, a firm favorite of ours, if you want to do a tour these are easily available from the port much cheaper than the official tours
Cozumel, Large shopping area on pier, taxi into town around $10. Advisable to use official tours
Belize Tender Port, be warned large run in around 4miles due to Coral Barrier Reef, great for snortling. Belize town very run down not advisable to tour yourself. We happily stayed on board having been before
Isla Roatan, Honduras. New docking pier (Carnival Group) with manmade beach and novel ski lift to beach area($5), it’s only a very short walk if you do not want to use lift. Some nice shops being built here most are open. Here are some of the best beaches. There are a number of taxis/ mini buses at the port but make sure you agree a fixed price and pay when you get back. Although we did prefer the other docking area used by other cruise lines
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| Quality of Food |  |
| We eat in the main restaurant most nights, but found selection very limited, not what you usually expect from major cruise lines. Our waitress was terrible and very dis-organised, The menu main course ready plated so difficult to change, always included beef, but was usually offered as, rare/medium (just had horns removed), medium/well (at time like shoe leather) Dessert selection limited to 3 choices
The buffet selection on lunch times offered great selection and usually of good quality. But in the evening usually packed up earlier than advertised. Burger grill closed at 6pm, Pizzas available 24hrs
The on board steakhouse offered excellent steaks & lobster, but all the starters were offered during the week in the main dining room, desserts limited, Cost $30 a head.
| | Entertainment |  |
| There was a variety of shows each night and the show was shown twice so no one missed it, The ships resident show team put on 2 very good shows, the headline shows was 3 American comedians of not the best quality. The on board entertainment staff were nearly all British led by Jan Baxter from Liverpool. | | Shore Excursions |  |
| As we have done many cruises we did our own thing. But looking at the available tours there was a great variety available.
Carnival offer a behind the scenes tour to visit the Bridge, Engine Control Room, Kitchen, Staff Areas, this is limited to 20 so if you want to go book on the 1st day, as when its advertised its fully booked (expensive $90)
| | Staff | |
| Our room cabin staff was one of the best,
But as they now add the gratuities ($10 per person per day) to your on board account feel that some staff have a could not care attitude. But do not be afraid to go to remove this and tip the staff as you wish. They then send you tip envelope for the maître de, when the breakdown shows just over 60% of the added gratuities go to the dining room staff. 10% to food & beverage staff So the cabin staff get around 27%, so unfair.
Do not forget that they also add 15% to all drinks purchased on board including in cabin water & mini bar
| | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| A bit limited | | Cabins |  |
| Very spacious and clean and well kept the towel animals every night was amusing. | | Overall Rating | |
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