Every cruise with a Carnival ship is truly a different experience - and that's not an overstatement. Carnival prides in providing aesthetic variety across its lines, and even onboard separate ships, with themes as varied as your imagination permits. Carnival Legend stays true to the multi-theme approach of the cruise line, and the name provides a hint to what is offered onboard; a tribute to the timeless symbols which have etched their place in history, from the ancient past to the relatively recent yesteryears.
Legend is a mid-sized ship which belongs to the line's Spirit class, and it is large enough to sport a nine-deck atrium, an onboard duty-free mall, and an activity area which is just beneath two thousand square feet. With twelve passenger decks, sixteen lounges and both indoor and open-air promenades, Carnival Legend is large enough so as not to be cramped, even on a full-packed voyage. There are three dining areas onboard, actually specialty restaurants. An extensive dining area is also located by the pool, offering food buffets for all three scheduled meals, and a round-the-clock pizzeria is available as well. The full-service dining area seats 1250 guests, and offers an ample menu and wine selection.
There is a wide variety of lounges and public rooms onboard (sixteen in total), enough to suit your mood. The bar beside the Colossus Atrium is easily noticeable, and the nine-deck high replica of the Colossus of Rhodes serves as a crowd pleaser which attracts casual walk-ins. Pre-dinner hangout favorites such as the Odyssey and the Atlantis lounge offer more muted, albeit live musical entertainment. The gaming venue follows a medieval theme - Club Merlin Casino overwhelms with a 'Middle Ages' atmosphere, with a suggestion of castle battlements, a knight's suit of armor flanking the bar, heraldry shields, and a knight's headgear mounting the walls.
Follies is the main onboard show lounge, and is built around a Mediterranean theme. Located on Promenade Deck, the lounge pays tribute to the pre-depression movie houses of bygone days, and the onstage productions are either as nostalgic or completely over the top. Get into the blues vibe with Satchmo's Club, a New Orleans-inspired bar, or keep up with sporting events at the Dream Team lounge, with uber-comfy sofas and bar stools. For those who want to really unwind, Billie's (from Billie Holiday) sports a proficient piano player and crooning performers. The comedy shows are held at the Firebird Lounge, aft deck.
The usual cabin amenities are here ('usual' in the more recent sense), with eighty percent of staterooms having private balconies. Inside and outside cabins are available, all furbished with queen-convertible twin beds, ample closet and drawer space, tubs, safes, TVs, and refrigerators. The spa area (more likely a compound) covers for almost 15,000 square feet, with ample weights and stationary exercise machines. A Steiner spa offers varied treatments, and the four swimming and whirl pools ensure that everyone is amply accommodated on sea days. Carnival Legend offers a solid experience for those who are looking for value instead of flash, and is a recommended first voyage for cruising newbies.