Ship Visit: Legend of the Seas

Legend of the Seas in the middle

Earlier today I visited Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas as she called in my hometown. I was kindly invited by a crew member whom I had met while at work a few weeks before. The first shock for me was the security at and around the gangway. First of all we had to exchange our documents for visitor cards and on the ship the cards were immediately checked and we had to pass through security gates. After doing that, we spent well over an hour just looking around the ship's public areas. Although Legend of the Seas is one of the oldest ships in the fleet, she has been fully renovated not long ago, therefore she didn't feel outdated at all.

One of the first areas we were shown was the Romeo & Juliet dining hall.

The Romeo & Juliet dining hall was quite large, extending through two decks with a nice central stage that had a piano. In fact, I saw quite a lot of pianos on board - pity I didn't count. On the upper deck in the middle, behind the wooden decorations, is the chef's table - a table for 12 people, where 5-course meals are served to groups every evening and the chef himself introduces the dishes.

Next up was the Schooner bar - a Royal Caribbean signature bar with, what a surprise, another piano.

Casino Royale, open only when the ship is at sea. 

The theatre. The chairs look extremely comfortable, though I didn't sit to judge that. While we were there, dancers were rehearsing for tonight's show.

One of the most impressive places was the Centrum. Extending through several decks, aerobatic shows are often held there. 

It's impossible to show the place in just one photo.

So here's more.

Oh and guess what was on the stage.

Close to the centrum there was a nice shopping area, also open only while ship is at sea. 

It was just as lovely on the uppermost deck - Izumi sushi bar had possibly one of the best views you could get.

Chops Grille, located right next to Izumi.

There was plenty to do on board for the young as well - for example a nursery for kids under three years of age.

Adventure Ocean kids' club for older kids.

I found this poster in the kids' area and I think it's really cute.

In addition to dining rooms and venues, which can be found on board lots of passenger ships, there were many other things to do and ways to spend time. Here's the beauty salon. It's a pity pictures can't deliver scents - the smell there was heavenly. 

To keep fit during the cruise, there's a nice gym.

And a jogging track.

And even different related services, such as personal training sessions.

There's a mini golf course outside.

As well as a rock climbing wall that looks three times as high once you're near it.

The sundecks are quite nice for sunbathing, though there's probably much more people on sunny days while at sea.

If I were to cruise with the Legend of the Seas, I would probably spend most time in the solarium - a nice, quiet 16+ pool area with a cafe.

I really liked the look and feel of the place. The roof is, apparently, removable, although my hostess said she has never seen it removed.

What caught my eye quite soon after getting on board was ads for an upcoming art auction. My inner Mart Sander was feeling really tempted. 

The ship was actually filled with art - beautiful decorations, paintings and even statues.

Builder's plate

Mandatory funnel picture

Getting to go on board the ship gave me quite interesting views to the port and other ships as well, for example Celebrity Eclipse on our port side

.. and Norwegian Star on our starboard side.

After getting familiar with the public areas we were taken to the bridge by the chief safety officer. The bridge was quite large and not very old, although still old enough to have open wings. The officer said that he prefers open wings and in today's lovely weather it indeed felt like a blessing.

About a quarter of the bridge

The wheel

Control panel of the ship's horn.

Open bridge wing

Bridge cam

Port of Tallinn from the bridge

After the bridge visit we had a nice lunch in the buffet and I was given a model of the ship as a present. 

Now that I have something fancy to put on my office table, all that's left to do is to get an office.

Shirrelle and Carlos, if you're reading this - I know you are - thanks a million for this wonderful experience. You rule.

Experience: Juku

Yesterday I had a rather spontaneous sea trip after helping some acquaintances out with advertising the ship. The trip itself, which was a neat, almost perfect circle in Tallinn Bay, wasn't anything special enough to make up for a separate blog post, but the ship was.

Neat round

Juku, first built in 1954 as a fishing boat, was almost totally rebuilt into a training vessel between 1976 and 1982. When I stepped on board, it felt as if time had stopped in 1982. Despite serving several purposes ever since, most notably transportation between the center of Tallinn and Aegna island until 2013, little seems to have changed ever since. Juku has three masts and can hold 7 sails, although that hasn't been seen for a long time - I failed to find any pictures. The distinctively noisy machinery isn't very powerful either, so the top speed remains a single digit.

The mandatory bow picture before boarding

Leaving the Pirita harbour

Leaving the Pirita harbour II

Princess Anastasia leaving

The bridge

Captain's cabin. Pardon the visible altering; the original photo was way too dark.

Crew cabin

Machine room. While at sea it was nowhere near as noisy as on the Gann, but apparently the generator alone is still noisy enough to require hearing protection.