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16th Jun 2024 | 12 nights | Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Legend
Join the fantastic Carnival Legend as she explores the beauty of Iceland. Expect dramatic landscapes, gushing waterfalls and thermal baths. This fantastic itinerary is rounded off with a visit to Belfast and Dublin too.
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 7 point charter:
Iceland & British Isles with FREE Car Parking
7th Jul 24 | 12 nights
Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Legend
from £849.00
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British Isles from Dover with FREE Car Parking
28th Jun 24 | 9 nights
Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Legend
from £929.00
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This beautiful 19th-century Norwegian village on the east coast of Iceland is the terminus for the ferry from Shetland. Visit the nearby town of Egilsstaðir set on Lake Lögurinn surrounded by forests and Hengifoss, the third-highest waterfall in the country. Regarded as one of the most picturesque towns in Iceland, the remote, stark location makes the visit even more memorable.
The second-largest city in Iceland (yet still small, with fewer than 18,000 residents), Akureyri has become a regular stop for cruise ships visiting the island on a Norwegian fjords cruise, as well as those on transatlantic repositionings. Located on Iceland's longest fjord, Eyjafjörður, Akureyri has been settled since Vikings arrived in the 9th century and has long been dominant in fishing, thanks to an ice-free port. Although cruise ships only visit during the summer, the town has a healthy winter tourism scene, with several ski resorts close by. Thus, you'll find many outdoor clothing stores, as well as restaurants, cafes and bars, in the city's downtown. A call in Akureyri provides cruisers with a cute town to explore and makes a perfect gateway to northern Iceland's geothermal phenomena. Lake Mývatn, home to bubbling hotpots, thermal baths, craters and lava formations, is less than two hours away. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, consider a flightseeing trip over this geothermal wonderland; if an eruption is going on, you might even see lava spurting into the air (as tourists did in fall 2014, when a fissure developed in nearby Holuhraun). Akureyri is also a good place to hire an independent tour operator for outdoor pursuits, such as whale watching, horseback riding, hiking and Jeep adventures. Or you can rent a car and explore the country's Ring Road. Make sure you wear layers and bring a raincoat; Iceland's weather is notoriously fickle even though Akureyri generally has warmer temperatures than other parts of the island.
The imposing landscape as you approach Grundarfjörður provides a dramatic setting for one of the oldest settlements on the island. Barren mountains, volcanoes and lava fields bore witness to a dramatic history of migration, settlement, war and religious conflict.
Europe's northernmost and westernmost capital is a delightful destination, part old Norse, part modern city, with a quirky personality of its own. The puffin, troll and elf souvenirs found in gift stores are apt mascots for a city with a decidedly playful streak. More than half of Iceland's population lives in Reykjavík (or nearby), in one of the world's smallest capital cities -- some 190,000 people. Cruise ships are increasingly paying calls on Reykjavík from late May to early October, especially during the summer months, when the daylight literally lasts 'round the clock. Visitors and residents alike seem to stay awake, golfing, strolling the compact town's picturesque streets, drinking Gull beer at sidewalk cafes and cycling along the seafront promenade. Many believe that Reykjavík's character is more defined in winter, when daunting weather and 20-hour nights are defied by rollicking pubs and a sense of humour. But, locals laugh at the climate, whether calm or tempestuous. They keep warm in the iconic handsome sweaters for which Iceland is well known; the long hours indoors and out inspire artisans, evidenced by many shops that display lovely local art and clothing. This is a city that has learned to make the best of things. The Iceland landscape is bare and covered with volcanic rock. With no trees for building houses, 18th-century settlers used driftwood that floated in from the sea, covering the wood in sheets of corrugated tin and painting walls and roofs in vivid colours to brighten the scene. The rock that abounds was turned into material for a fine stone Parliament building, erected in 1881. Citizens have planted and nurtured welcome oases of green. The geothermal springs that bubble underground have been put to work to provide hot water for residents. Reykjavík has experienced much advancement in the past few years. Progress is plain to see in the sleek, contemporary buildings that are changing the cityscape. Several worthwhile museums salute local history and art, and whimsical street murals dot the city centre. With fishing still a dominant occupation, restaurants serve up delectable seafood, and gourmet dining of all kinds is plentiful and popular. But, if you ask natives for their favourite eating place, the answer most often will be a simple hot dog stand near the harbour. Reykjavík is a safe city, compact and easy to navigate on foot. As charming as it is, no visit to Iceland is complete without getting out into the vast interior, which lies at the city's doorstep. Seriously, how can you not love a place where sheep have the right of way? Cruise lines often assign ships to overnight in Reykjavík, offering passengers more than the typical eight-hour port experience, but my greatest regret is that visitors don't have even more time to explore this charming land, where the balance of urban sophistication and nature at its most rugged is unique. If you regard cruise travel as a chance to sample places you might want to return to later for longer stays, I can't think of a better recommendation than Reykjavík.
At just four miles in length, Heimaey Island is the largest of all the 16 islands and 30 tiny islets that comprise the Westman Islands archipelago. The islands' inhabitants are rugged and independent, traits passed down from generations of isolation, natural disasters and brutal living conditions. Today Heimaey is the largest fishing centre in all of Iceland, and the islanders prosper from extensive fish processing. The Westman Islands are among the world's youngest volcanic creations. As recently as 1973, Heimaey's shape and size were dramatically changed by a volcanic flow. The raw volcanic beauty of the islands has resulted in their being one of Iceland's most popular destinations. The young Westmans are home to a multitude of sea birds, including the puffins who are attracted to the steep cliffs and lush vegetation that ring the islands' coastlines. Heimaey Island offers the perfect opportunity to experience the rugged scenery and wildlife of the North Atlantic - either by land or by sea. Either way, you are sure to delight in Heimaey's natural treasures.
There was a time when the name Belfast raised an immediate red flag to visitors, but these days, the town's highly publicised political unrest has greatly subsided. Curiosity-seekers can still find elaborate murals and other relics from turbulent times lingering in certain neighbourhoods, but for the most part, Belfast is now safer than many other European capitals, and its new image is one of both progress and hospitality. If you've been to Dublin, the differences between that city and Belfast may seem striking. Belfast, of course, is part of Northern Ireland, which itself is part of the United Kingdom; the Republic of Ireland is part of... just the Republic of Ireland. So British influence seems to have coated Belfast with a more polished veneer and a Victorian elegance that's evident in the town's shops, restaurants and even its pubs. The omnipresent Irish charm still exists, but Belfast also projects a cosmopolitan flair that's rarely seen elsewhere on the Emerald Isle. The glittering row of boutiques lining the Golden Mile, Belfast's premier shopping district, is more reminiscent of Paris or Milan, while a new wave of trendy restaurants now offers visitors haute cuisine in addition to local favourites. The city has come a long way since the days of security checkpoints and armoured patrols, and Belfast now appears poised to shed its unfortunate past and take its place among Europe's new hot spots.
Imagine Dublin and visions of Guinness, Leopold Bloom, and hearty breakfast plates piled high with Irish bacon and farm-fresh eggs might spring to mind, backed by a U2 soundtrack. Dublin is all that, and so much more; in fact, Ireland's largest city (and capital for more than a thousand years) is currently enjoying its status as one of the hottest, most livable cities not just in Europe, but in the world. Set on Ireland's central east coast along the banks of the Liffey River, where so many literary greats were born (James Joyce, yes, but also Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett, to name a few), Dublin now shows off trendy coffee houses, foodie-friendly restaurants and smart boutiques filled with Burberry-clad shoppers. However, there's still much to see from days gone by in this historical city. The city centre is bisected by the River Liffey, which makes a good orientation point for visitors. The Royal Canal forms a skirt through the northern half, and the Grand Canal does the same through the southern half, which is where most of the major sights are found. Within the south portion, aim for the triangle between O'Connell Bridge, St. Stephen's Green, and Christchurch Cathedral, where you'll find Trinity College, Grafton Street (for shopping), Temple Bar (for hot nightlife), and Dublin Castle. The city's upscale neighbourhoods and the majority of hotels, restaurants, shops and sights lie south of the river. The main shopping thoroughfare is Grafton Street, but you'll find the more exclusive shops along the side streets. Dublin's most beautiful squares -- St. Stephen's Green, Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square -- are within 10 minutes' walking distance of Grafton Street. Temple Bar lies along the Liffey near Ha'penny Bridge. North of the river is working-class Dublin, but also Dublin's most important theatres, the Gate and the Abbey. There is also a pocket of fine Georgian townhouses on and around North Great George's Street. Dublin has a mild, temperate climate, and though showers can come up suddenly at any time of the year, they usually pass just as quickly. Average temperatures in summer range from 16 to 20 degrees Celsius (60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit) and in winter from 4 to 7 degrees Celsius (39 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit).
Carnival Legend is the third ship in the Spirit Class, which introduced some significant firsts for Carnival, including alternative restaurants and onboard wedding chapels. Spirit-class ships also offer an impressive 80 percent ratio of outside cabins, as well as lots of nice little touches like museum-quality artwork and "designer" martinis.
The ship offers an active onboard atmosphere with the Green Thunder and Splashdown children's water slides, a drenching bucket, RedFrog Pub that sells Aussie beers (including the specially crafted Thirsty Frog Summer Ale) when its sailing in Australia, and the Cherry on Top candy store. On the entertainment side, Carnival Legend features Playlist Production music shows (think Motown and Epic Rock shows), as well as family entertainment that includes Seuss at Sea and Hasbro, the Game Show.
Australian cruisers will find Australian power outlets in cabins, and poker machines (slot machines) in the casino.
Although refreshed in 2014, the decor of the main public areas remains unchanged, and the central theme onboard Carnival Legend -- great legends of the world -- is carried throughout the ship's 12 passenger decks, 16 lounges and indoor and outdoor promenades. Many Australians not used to the glitz and neon of Carnival Cruise Line's ships are likely to find the "legends" and the Grecian urn motif a bit much, not to mention the huge painting of Colossus straddling the central atrium area (rather than Rhodes).
At 88,500 tons and carrying 2,124 passengers (2,680 at full capacity), Carnival Legend just skirts the high side of midsized -- large enough, but not particularly crowded, except at breakfast and lunch in the buffet. We found it quite easy to find our way around soon after boarding, and the Carnival crew were always ready to lend a helping hand when needed.
Daytime: Carnival has a pretty laid-back dress policy with jeans, shorts, T-shirts and bathing suits common throughout the ship.
Evening: Most evenings are Cruise Casual, where passengers can wear anything from smart jeans (no cutoffs) and dress shorts to trousers and casual skirts or sundresses. One or two nights per cruise will be designated Cruise Elegant. Men are requested to wear dress trousers and dress shirts, with jackets optional. If men want to wear suits or tuxedos, then they are free to do so. Suggested attire for women is cocktail dresses or gowns, or dressy trouser suits or skirts. Many people do like to dress to the nines on these Cruise Elegant occasions and pose for photos while other passengers watch these proceedings in the Atrium Bar. With that said, we've seen plenty of folks show up to dinner on these nights in their usual casual attire. A two- to five-night cruise will have one Cruise Elegant night. Cruises of six nights or longer will have two.
Not permitted: As long as you're not wearing swimwear and workout clothes, and men don't wear sleeveless T-shirts or tank tops, you won't be turned away from the dining room.
Theatre
Catch one of the original productions created especially for Carnival Legend in Follies, the two-level main show lounge on Decks 2 and 3 at the front of the ship. Recalling the days of the magnificent movie houses of the 1920s, Follies evokes the feeling of an open courtyard in a Mediterranean villa. Arches, turrets and stained-glass chandeliers create an opulent, expansive space while providing excellent sightlines.
Carnival Legend offers a range of shows from Playlist Productions, which specializes in taking tunes that everyone knows, putting them on stage and transforming them into full-blown, but short (typically about 30 minutes) musical productions. The collection of productions includes Epic Rock, featuring songs from the glam bands of the 1970s and 1980s like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith, as well as big arena rock performers like Bon Jovi. Other shows in the Playlist collection you might get to see are Motor City (R&B sounds of the 60s, 70s and 80s), The Brits (songs from British Invasion bands like The Beatles, The Who and Herman's Hermits) and Studio VIP (NYC's music scene in the 1970s).
The family-friendly, Hasbro, the Game Show, is held in Follies once per weeklong cruise.
Daily Fun
There's lots to do to keep busy during the day on Carnival Legend, from multiple trivia sessions to dance classes, bingo (for an extra fee), art seminars and auctions and various retail events when the ship is at sea. Other activities might include beanbag or ring toss competitions, dodge ball tournaments and free-throw challenges.
At Night
Live entertainment is the main draw at night on Carnival Legend, whether it's a Playlist Productions show in the Follies Theatre or live music in the RedFrog Pub, Billie's Piano Bar, or Atlantis and Odyssey lounges.
For people who like to laugh, the Punchliner Comedy Club is open most nights with three to five shows from two comedians, starting with a PG-rated show in the early evening and adults-only shows that kick off around 8:30 p.m.
Club Merlin Casino, the medieval-themed gaming area, is popular at night as well, with its castle-like atmosphere complete with a suit of armour standing sentinel at the bar and shields bearing crossed swords and a knight's helmet mounted on the walls. You'll also find a couple of pool tables right off of the casino.
A DJ starts spinning in Medusa's Lair Nightclub around 10 p.m. though it doesn't really getting rocking until close to midnight.
(During a May 2018 refurbishment, Carnival Legend received the Alchemy Bar.)
Firebird Lounge (Deck 1): Late-night comedy acts from the Punchliner Comedy Club lineup appear in the Firebird Lounge, a grand salon that takes its theme from the old Russian folktale of a talented seamstress from a small village who is turned into a bird by an evil sorcerer. A striking red- and pink-hued room, Firebird is decorated with replica hand-painted Russian lacquered boxes, accented by lamps with frosted glass globes painted on the inside to create a soft glow. You'll also find karaoke here on select nights, as well as lectures during the day.
Medusa's Lair Nightclub (Deck 2): Don't let the 3.5-foot-high Medusa heads (complete with strands of snake-like hair, capped with snake heads that have lighted eyes) keep you out of the rockin' Medusa's Lair dance club. The wall of closed-circuit televisions flashes images from the dance floor mixed with videos and special effects, while the sound system plays the latest dance music. Meanwhile, a sophisticated light system makes the Medusa heads appear to move and change expression. The nightclub is open from 10 p.m. until about 1 a.m. (or later depending on demand).
RedFrog Pub (Deck 2): The RedFrog Pub is a combination of a Caribbean bar and Irish pub, and apart from its beers (including a specially brewed RedFrog Aussie beer), it offers foosball (or table football) and a bean bag toss.
Dream Team Bar (Deck 2): The Dream Team bar offers overstuffed sofas and comfortable bar stools -- the perfect vantage points to quaff a brew and catch up on the latest sporting events.
Lobby Bar (Deck 2): As you enter the ship, you are greeted by the bar in the nine-deck-high Colossus Atrium, which is dominated by a towering mural of the Colossus of Rhodes. It's the perfect spot to grab a drink before or after dinner, or in the evening while watching live music.
Atlantis Lounge (Deck 2): This open lounge was built around the main thoroughfare cruisers must walk to get from the front of the ship to the back of the ship. Located right next to the aft elevator bank, it's got cushy sofas and chairs on one side of where people are walking and the bar and a small stage on the other side; it also features the same Greek neoclassical design elements found in the atrium. Although the bar is not an official Alchemy Bar, the bartenders wear Alchemy's signature white pharmacy jackets and mix drinks off of the Alchemy Bar menu. Live music, mostly lite-style instrumental and soft-voiced songs start up about 5 p.m. and continues on and off until 10 or so.
Billie's Piano Bar (Deck 3): Billie's Piano Bar is an intimate art deco club, where the piano player is the centre of attention and everybody is a crooner. A stylish tribute to blues singer Billie Holiday, the centrepiece of the room is the stainless-steel musical bar lined with notes, and a faux 1930s-era oversized microphone decorates each table.
Odyssey Lounge (Deck 3): The Odyssey Lounge is similar to Atlantis Lounge in that it's located along Deck 3's main thoroughfare. In Odyssey, however, the seating, bar and a piano are located on one side of the walkway. As at the Atlantis Lounge, lite evening music begins around 5 p.m. most nights and ends around 10.
Enchanted Forest (Deck 3): Located right outside the Circle C kids' club, this hallway lounge features faux-wood accents, including fake trees popping out of the walls, and has an "I've got a secret vibe" with its out-of-the-way location and dim lighting. We never saw any adults here, just teenagers.
Avalon and Camelot Bars (Deck 9): These poolside bars are for cruisers hanging by the midship Avalon or forward Camelot pools, or for people dining in the Unicorn Cafe buffet to grab a drink to go with lunch or dinner.
Serenity Bar (Deck 9): A small bar dedicated to cruisers lounging in the adults-only Serenity area.
Pools
Carnival Legend has three pools: the main Avalon pool, the quieter Camelot forward pool and the adults-only Serenity pool. Each pool also has one or two hot tubs nearby. Camelot Pool has a retractable domed ceiling for use during inclement weather.
Recreation
Carnival Legend WaterWorks is a top-deck area containing the exhilarating Green Thunder water slide, Carnival's signature Twister water slide (a much tamer ride) and the little kids' SplashZone. First introduced on Carnival Spirit in October 2012, Green Thunder is billed as the fastest and highest water slide at sea. The fun begins when the floor of the slide drops away and the rider freefalls for a few seconds before whipping around the curves at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (65 kilometres per hour). The ride itself takes just 10 seconds, but it's a heart-stopping 10 seconds, we're told.
SplashZone features two little purple water slides that descend into a wading pool and a big dipping bucket that spills water over the kids.
Cruisers looking for drier recreational fun can hit the mini-golf course on Deck 11 or shoot some hoops in the next door half-basketball court. A jogging track circles the front half of Deck 11; 15 laps equals 1 mile.
Sun Decks
Carnival Legend's main sun deck spaces are on Decks 9 and 10, right next to or right above the Avalon pool.
You'll also find loungers on Deck 10 in the adults-only Serenity lounge. It's furnished with cane sun loungers with blue padded cushions, a series of two-person cone-shaded cane and padded pods and a few hammocks. Those in the know say that a pod and hammock have been hard to come by, and many passengers get up quite early to grab them -- although seat/lounge minding is frowned upon. Serenity is child-free, but it's only a deck away (via a few stairs) from the kids SplashZone on the top deck and is often the place parents go to chill out when their children are at play. There's a bar offering waiter service, and it's only a walk away from the Unicorn Cafe buffet restaurant. Hence, folks like to hang out there all day.
The main passenger services desks are located in the Atrium on Deck 2, including the guest services and shore excursions desks. You'll also find an ATM on Deck 2, located just outside the casino, as well as a SAS (sail and sign) kiosk for checking your account balance. Right next door is the ship's quasi-internet cafe with five computers and a printer. We rarely saw anyone use it as the ship offers front-to-back Wi-Fi with three packages available. Also on Deck 2, in between Legend Cafe and the Follies Theatre is the Trump Card Room; the Holmes Library is one deck up.
Next to the library is the ship's chapel. Much of the midship space on Deck 3, however, is taken up by shops including the line's fun candy shop, Cherry on Top, as well as places to buy jewellery, perfume, designer and Carnival-branded clothing and Carnival-branded souvenirs.
Further toward the back of the ship on Deck 3 is Pixel Gallery, where you'll find all the photos of you taken by the ship's photographers throughout the cruise. The gallery also offers scrapbooking needs, professional landscape and cityscape prints and a portrait studio.
Carnival Legend has four DIY launderettes onboard, on Decks 4, 5, 6 and 7. Washing machines and dryers cost $3 each, as does laundry detergent.
There's a medical centre on Deck A.
Spa
The Carnival Spa, a 14,500-square-foot (1,347-square-meter) two-level health centre, encompasses the forward area of the Lido and Sun Decks, (Decks 9 and 10), providing ocean views to exercisers. The Steiner-operated spa offers a variety of treatments, including aroma stone therapy, full-body and scalp massages, seaweed wraps, mudpacks and various slimming and toning therapies in 10 private treatment rooms. Also housed within the spa are complete locker facilities, saunas and steam rooms, and a full-service beauty salon.
Prices are hefty; a 75-minute Thai herbal poultice massage costs $215; a 50-minute Elemis Pro-Collagen quartz lift facial is $160; and a Fire & Ice Pedicure is $77. There are also select treatments designed just for men, and just for teens. All treatments incur an automatic 5 percent gratuity.
Fitness
The tiered gym, located next to the spa, features the latest cardio equipment, including a top range of treadmills and stair climbers, as well as stationary bicycles and free weights. A great feature of the gym is the chill-out hot tub or whirlpool (often called a spa bath by Australians) in the middle of the room, to ease those aching limbs post workout.
While most cruise ship fitness centers tend to look the same, Carnival Legend's is an original, tiered like a Roman amphitheater so you get a view of the ocean from every piece of its state-of-the-art equipment.
Adjacent to the workout area is a mirrored aerobics room, used for a series of exercise classes including low- and high-impact aerobics, yoga, spinning, and stretching and relaxation sessions. Some of these classes have an additional fee per person, so check prior to sign-up.
Carnival Legend has several restaurants and quick-bite eateries from the ostentatious Truffles main dining room to the grab-and-go Legends Cafe. At most meals (particularly on sea days), there are several options to choose from, with about half included in the base price of your cruise. Meals can be hit or miss, though at worst were never worse than "just OK." Portions on our Australia sailing were smaller than we expected, though if you choose two entrees, a main and dessert, chances are you'll be full by the time dinner is over. We were also surprised to find many of the offerings in the buffet to be on the spicy side. (Our buffet chefs seemed to enjoy cooking lots of Thai dishes.)
Carnival Legend chefs can cater for cruisers with special dietary needs; it's always best to let the cruise line know before your sailing what your specific needs are. But generally speaking, there are always at least two vegetarian dishes offered at every meal, gluten-free bread is available all the time and at least one dessert is "no sugar added." For gluten-free meals, you'll need to work with the maitre d' in your dining room each night to pick out which menu item you want for the next night's dinner. Gluten-free pizza is also available 24/7 at Pizza Pirate in the buffet.
Truffles (Decks 2 & 3): The full-service restaurant, Truffles, is a two-level 1,250-seat dining room with extensive three-course menus and wine lists.
Truffles is open most days for breakfast, lunch and dinner -- though on select sea days, breakfast may be replaced by a Sea Day Brunch.
Breakfast features all the usually morning options from cereals and pastries to varied egg dishes and pancakes and French toast. Lunch is a bit heartier with sandwiches, hot dishes and desserts. The Sea Day Brunch is a mix of the two.
Also on select sea days is the "Long Lunch at Sea," which is a three-course lunch costing an extra $30 a head. It features dishes like grilled cold-water lobster tail and blue-crab salad, while a fresh seafood platter can be enjoyed for another $20 per person. A selection of wines to pair with the dishes will cost an extra $20 per person.
For dinner passengers can dine at set meal times (the "traditional" early seating or a late seating) on Deck 2 or opt for open dining and then eat anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Deck 3.
Dinner menus are divided into several sections: appetizers (called entrees in Australia), rare finds, mains, every day favourites, side dishes and international flavours.
Appetizers always feature a Caesar salad, vegetable spring rolls, a hot and cold soup selection, and also might feature diced melon, Thai beef salad, jumbo prawns and spinach and ricotta crepes, among other options. Rare finds are appetizers that Carnival believes might be a new experience for cruisers with meats on offer that include rabbit, venison, wild boar and escargot.
Mains might include such items as teriyaki salmon, veal Marsala, corned beef and cabbage, chicken pot pie, grilled fish and filet mignon. There is always an Indian vegetarian dish, as well as one other vegetarian dish. The everyday favourites are available on a daily basis. In Australia, the choices are salmon filet, chicken schnitzel, meat pie and grilled sirloin steak (more of a skirt steak than anything else). Sides typically include steamed broccoli or green beans, baked potato, French fries or mashed potatoes (in Australia, chips or mash), caramelized carrots and fried noodles.
International flavours are typically inspired by the destinations you're sailing in; they comprise one appetizer and one main choice.
Also on the menu are "Steakhouse Selections," through which diners can sample dishes normally served in the fine-dining steakhouse restaurant, Nouveau. The choices, such as lobster and filet mignon, cost an extra $25 each.
The dessert menu always features Carnival's signature chocolate melting cake, as well as a rotating selection of ice creams, sorbets, cakes, pies and pastries.
Unicorn Cafe (Deck 9): The ship's buffet restaurant, Unicorn Cafe, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also serves free 24-hour pizza and ice cream.
Meal choices at breakfast include bacon, pancakes and a variety of eggs. Lunch and dinner choices include salad fixings, a soup of the day, pies and sausages, cold meats, hot dishes like beef stroganoff and chicken satay, Asian noodle or fried rice dishes, and deli sandwiches.
Free lemonade, sugarless iced tea and water are available at beverage stations throughout the buffet.
Off the Grill (Deck 9): Located midship, near the Avalon Pool, this poolside grill offers hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken schnitzel and veggie burgers (on request), along with sides like chips (French fries when in Alaska), lettuce, tomato, onion, grilled pineapple and pickled beetroot. (This venue was changed to Guy's Burger Joint during a May 2018 refurbishment.)
Nouveau Restaurant (Deck 11); $45: Situated on a top deck and accessed via an elevator or jaw-dropping glass staircase, Nouveau is the ship's steakhouse, and an excellent choice for a date night or to celebrate a special occasion (though its proximity to the atrium, just nine open decks down, means the music rising from the lobby might not be the most romantic -- much of our dinner was accompanied by American folk and pop songs.)
Starters (entrees in Australia) include escargot, beef carpaccio, ahi tuna tartare, jumbo prawns, Australian blue crab cake, baked onion soup and four salad choices. But, it's the main courses that are the restaurant's prime draw with filet mignon, grilled lamb chops, prime strip of loin steak, broiled lobster tail, Maine lobster ravioli, surf and turf, rosemary-infused chicken and the fish fillet of the day (usually a Chilean sea bass) on offer, among several other steak options. Side dishes available include baked potato, sauteed medley of mushrooms, potato mash with wasabi horseradish, creamed spinach with garlic and steamed broccoli. Desserts include a cheesecake, caramelized apples baked in a puff pastry and the indulgent chocolate sampler with four small servings of bittersweet chocolate cake, banana panna cotta, tiramisu and chocolate marquise. Also available are fresh fruits, a cheese plate and select ice cream and sorbet flavours.
Bonsai Sushi (Deck 2); a la carte: At Bonsai Sushi, passengers can sit at the bar or at tables for two and four and choose from a menu featuring sushi rolls, sashimi, bento boxes (or larger sushi/sashimi meals for two, called shiploads), along with miso soup, Japanese desserts and sake. Items are priced from as little as $2 apiece, with most in the $5 to $8 range. Bonsai Sushi is open for lunch (on sea days) and dinner.
Seafood Corner (Deck 9); a la carte: Located outside of the Unicorn Cafe, just steps away from the main pool is this seafood counter loaded with lobster rolls, oysters, crab cakes, chowders and platters plus lobster, crab and prawns by the pound or half-kilo ($22 for a half-kilo of snow crab, as an example). In Australia, prices start at $2.50 for a single oyster or $5 for New England clam chowder in a bread bowl. The fried seafood platter featuring fish, prawn, clams, calamari and fries is $13. Open from noon until late.
The Chef's Table; $75: Also available on all of Carnival's ships is The Chef's Table dining experience, which affords a dozen passengers an eight-course dinner with a master chef, a private cocktail reception and a tour of the galley and its operations. This dining option usually takes place in a non-traditional venue, such as the galley or library, and it can be booked onboard at the information desk. It happens twice on most cruises, or according to passenger demand.
Legends Cafe (Deck 2); a la carte: Just near the pub is Legends Cafe, offering espresso coffees (flat whites, long blacks, short blacks and cappuccinos that Aussies love), cakes and pastries at extra cost. Australians, who are coffee fanatics, will be pleased to hear that baristas hail from the Australian Coffee Academy.
Room Service: On Australian sailings, the free room service items are removed from the menu and selections are priced individually from about $3 for breakfast items (such as fruit and cereal), $4 for breakfast breads and pastries, $4 for soups and salads, and about $7 for pizza, sandwiches, pies and chicken wraps. Desserts are $4. It's a limited menu.
There are 1,062 staterooms on Carnival Legend, of which 80 percent are outside staterooms; 80 percent of those have private balconies (which may also be referred to as verandas). All staterooms and suites are tastefully furnished with twin beds that convert to queens, three side-by-side closets (two of which have room for hanging clothes), plenty of drawer space, flat-screen televisions and mini-refrigerators, telephones, private safes, and a shower or shower/tub combo depending on category. Most rooms also have just two outlets (one 110V and one 220V). Bathrooms in all categories except suites have three small glass shelves by the sink, and liquid shower gel and shampoo dispensers inside the shower units. Bathrooms in all accommodations, apart from suites, have shower curtains. Suite shower stalls are equipped with glass enclosures.
Of interest to families are the 53 sets (106 staterooms in total) of interconnecting cabins; 25 sets were added in the renovation. There are 17 wheelchair-accessible staterooms.
Inside: Inside cabins measure 185 square feet (17.10 square meters), but good design and soft lighting add to a feeling of spaciousness. Each inside room has bedside tables with three drawers, a narrow desk with a stool tucked underneath and a single armchair.
Ocean-view: Despite also measuring 185 square feet (17.10 square meters), outside cabins add a sofa to the room's furnishings, along with a porthole or picture window. There are also 64 ocean-view staterooms with French doors that open, but views are obstructed and you can't actually walk out anywhere.
Balcony: Balcony cabins are 225 square feet (20.0 square meters), including the verandas but have pretty much the same furnishings as outside rooms. Balconies are each big enough to hold two chairs and a small table, with room to spare.
Suites: There are 50 suites, including Junior, Grand and Vista suites; the Vista Suites have partial wraparound balconies. Both Grand and Vista suites are located aft, overlooking the wake. Sizes of suites (all suites) range from 360 square feet (33.45 square meters) to around 465 square feet (42.20 square meters) including the balconies.
Suites include walk-in wardrobes with a dressing space, separate sitting area, refrigerators, double sinks, spa bathtubs (i.e., whirlpools) in addition to showers and large balconies each big enough for two tables, two sun loungers and one or two sitting chairs, depending on passenger requirements.
Extra services for suite passengers are priority embarkation and disembarkation.
Budget-conscious, gregarious families, couples and solos looking for an unpretentious vibe that's all about having fun
Anyone who doesn't appreciate off-color humor, lively hairy chest contests, burgers and BBQ, and thumping music
Carnival Cruise Line sells itself as the "fun" cruise line, and it attracts cruisers who are looking to have a good time with little to no pretensions. Carnival cruisers, who range from young to old, tend to be quite friendly, looking to strike up conversations with other people in the buffet, by the pool and, really, anywhere. Carnival is also one of the most family-oriented lines in the industry, and you're bound to see lots of kids onboard, even during the school year. When school is out, you can expect the number of kids to be well into the hundreds. The line is also popular for family reunions, and bachelor and bachelorette parties. People on Carnival cruise ships hail primarily from the United States, mainly the south and Midwest, but you'll also meet folks from Canada, England and usually a handful of other European countries.
Carnival cruises are casual, with shorts, tee shirts, capris, swimsuits or swim cover-ups de rigueur during the day (no bathing suites in the dining venues, however). Most nights the dress code remains much the same, minus the swimwear, though technically the cruise line asks that people not wear shorts into the main dining room. The policy is inconsistently upheld. On "elegant" nights, you'll see a range of clothing from ball gowns, dresses that leave little to the imagination, tuxes and suits to the same shorts and tees people sport all day long. Most men, however, opt for long trousers and collared shirts, while women don sundresses, or a skirt or trousers with a blouse. Men are not required to wear a suit jacket or tie in any venue.
No. While Carnival is one of the more inclusive cruise lines when it comes to dining, you will still have to pay extra for some specialty dining, all drinks (alcoholic and non, except water, select juice at breakfast, and coffee and tea), shore excursions, visits to the spa and any retail purchases, including photos.
Aside from the main pool, which is the hub of much of the line's fun activities, almost every Carnival cruise ship also has at least one waterslide, with several having multi-slide water parks. Additionally, several have a top-deck SportSquare that features a colourful collection of outdoor amusements, including Ping-Pong, billiards, foosball, mini-golf, Twister and a SkyCourse ropes course. On the line's newest ships (Vista and Horizon), there's also the SkyRide, a recumbent bike attraction suspended 150 feet up in the air, requiring riders to pedal their way around an 800-foot track that wraps around the outer decks. Inside, you'll find activities that range from trivia and Bingo during the day to comedy shows and high-tech song-and-dance revues at night. Carnival ships also have lively bar nightlife, especially on ships with a RedFrog Pub; there's also an always-busy casino.
