From: Ohioguy on
Anybody know if the Carnival Legend has been retrofitted with one of
those "movie screens under the stars", or whatever they call them? I
saw some reviews saying it didn't have this, but then someone said a
bunch of Carnival's ships got them in 2008 and 2009. I'm kind of a
movie buff, and I LOVE going to drive-ins and watching movies outdoors,
under the stars.

I really like the "theme" of the Legend, and if it has the screen, I
think I'll focus on this ship. If not, still thinking about Victory or
Liberty.
From: Tom K on
On 6/7/10 7:00 PM, Ohioguy wrote:
> Anybody know if the Carnival Legend has been retrofitted with one of
> those "movie screens under the stars", or whatever they call them? I saw
> some reviews saying it didn't have this, but then someone said a bunch
> of Carnival's ships got them in 2008 and 2009. I'm kind of a movie buff,
> and I LOVE going to drive-ins and watching movies outdoors, under the
> stars.
>
> I really like the "theme" of the Legend, and if it has the screen, I
> think I'll focus on this ship. If not, still thinking about Victory or
> Liberty.

Not sure whether Legend has the screen, but it's one of the newer design
Spirit Class ships that they also use for HAL and Cunard. Most consider
those the Best of the Carnival ships. Victory and Liberty are based on
the older Carnival Density design hull, and are much higher density
ships (more crowded, longer lines, etc.).

--Tom
From: Charles on
In article <aTePn.2431$1Q5.2225(a)newsfe08.iad>, Ohioguy <none(a)none.net>
wrote:

> Anybody know if the Carnival Legend has been retrofitted with one of
> those "movie screens under the stars", or whatever they call them? I
> saw some reviews saying it didn't have this, but then someone said a
> bunch of Carnival's ships got them in 2008 and 2009. I'm kind of a
> movie buff, and I LOVE going to drive-ins and watching movies outdoors,
> under the stars.

They don't have the screens on that class of Carnival ship.

> I really like the "theme" of the Legend, and if it has the screen, I
> think I'll focus on this ship. If not, still thinking about Victory or
> Liberty.

Isn't the Legend the one with urns all over ship?

The Victory does not have the screen. The Liberty does have it.

--
Charles
From: Rosalie B. on
Frank from Deeeetroit <dadurweird(a)voyager.net> wrote:

>On Jun 6, 11:43�am, Tom K <tkani...(a)optonline.net> wrote:
>> On 6/6/10 10:52 AM, Frank from Deeeetroit wrote:
>>
>> > Do it your self and call the cruise line, you will
>> > receive the best service at the least cost. Spend your money on the
>> > ship and on shore excursions.
>> > <snip>
>>
>> > Frank
>>
>> Cruise lines do not give you the "least cost" if you book with them.
>> All the cruise lines do is give you the same price as a travel agent
>> would get you, and they keep the commission that would have been paid to
>> a travel agent. �But what you lose is having someone look out for
>> getting you possible upgrades and who will keep an eye out for price
>> reductions (what's the chance that the cruise line will call you and say
>> that there has been a price reduction and you're getting a lower cost?).
>>
>> --Tom
>
Tom is correct

>Tom, We found that if we book our cruise through a web based discount
>agent, then call the cruise line for advice, offers, shore excursions,
>etc. this offers the most service to our needs than dealing through a
>third party.
>
I have done this too and it worked ... until there was a glitch and
then there was no one looking out for us.

Specifically, I booked a specific cabin for back to back cruises
because my husband did not want to transfer rooms. And because I had
a discount agency with no one looking out for me, the cruise line
upgraded us on the first part of the cruise. They would not put us
back in our original room. Instead they "upgraded" us to a room on
the same deck so we wouldn't have to move so far. Except that was a
room under the kitchen and they started rolling metal carts around at
four in the morning right over our heads - impossible to sleep.

>We do the looking out for ourselves by dealing directly with the
>cruise line. Our method has worked well for us, to the point of one
>of the cruise line agents calls us and has offered a last minute
>cruise special that was well below any advertised rate by a discount
>web-site or cruise line.
>
We have had this too, except that the 'specials', weren't really
specials. "Upgrade" from an inside cabin in a prime location low in
the ship to higher up in the ship. "Upgrade" for an additional fee.

>Once a relationship is made with a cruise line, they wan you back.
>All they care about is leaving port with a ship that is s close to
>full as possible.
>
No - they want your money with the least possible effort and time on
their part. They don't care whether you are on the ship or not.

>Oh, no one mentions the huge last minute discounts offered to local
>residents of the beginning port of the cruise just to fill the boat.
>These discounts are only learned by talking to our fellow cruise
>guests.
>
My agent gets me those discounts when they apply. Plus I know about
them, and not by talking to fellow cruisers.
From: Rosalie B. on
Ohioguy <none(a)none.net> wrote:

>> I would suggest checking cruises from NY, New Jersey, Baltimore,
>> Virginia or The Carolinas to avoid air fare. Even Florida would be
>> drivable, saving money and hassles. Whatever turns you on.
>
> Harry, thanks for the suggestion, I'm looking into it. I think
>Florida is just too far, though, considering that I can fly down there
>for $94 one way.

My husband refuses to fly anymore because of the hassle. So we do
drive. But if you don't mind flying, I think you can fly SW into BWI
for cheap.
>
> Someone said that room service on the cruises is free. Is that true
>for all cruise lines, or just for some of them?
>
The food is free - sometimes you tip the person who brings it a small
amount. Sometimes they are in and out so fast that you can't
>
> For tipping, I read that the cruise line automatically sets aside a
>certain daily amount to take care of that. Can we tip with cash if we
>prefer?
>
Yes but it is much easier to have it on the bill and just give a
little extra to those that you are particularly appreciative of. Some
cruise lines give you envelopes to put voucher slips in and you can
add money to this as well. The charge takes care of some people that
you never see (or not to tip anyway) like the servers at the buffet.
If you take the service charge off the bill, I have been told that the
people that you do tip have to give the money to the tip pool and
don't get to keep it. I don't know how they enforce this
>
> I tried calling a local travel agency that I saw in the strip mall by
>the movie theater, but the message on the telephone said the number was
>disconnected. I drove by there, and although I could have sworn there
>was a sign up just a month ago, there is nothing now but an empty spot.
> I figured it would be nice to have someone local, so I could stop by
>to talk to them. Strike one, I guess.

I would NOT use either a local travel agency unless they have a cruise
specialist or an online discount agency. Use a real cruise oriented
travel agent (not John Sisker, but any of the others will be good).