Legend of the Seas- Transatlantic April 15th -28th 2006 Tampa to Southampton (first solo cruise)
As this voyage was a little different from normal cruising with 8 sea days and only 4 ports I am going to divide the review up into sections namely: 1. Journey to Tampa and getting to the ship 2. Embarkation 3. Stateroom, dining room, Windjammer, Food, state of the ship and sea conditions. 4. Ports 5. Sea days 6. Everything else such as Meet and Mingle, Welcome back party, Platinum and Diamond Reception. 7. Disembarkation
1. Journey to Tampa -- I left work at 2.50 on the Thursday and with heavy traffic I was happy to make it to Gatwick Airport by 7 oclock. I stayed at the Gatwick Moat house, pleasant enough hotel with nice room and restaurant for a meal. Left the hotel at 8 and drove to the North Terminal short stay car park. I had checked into my flight with BA online lunchtime on Thursday so only needed to take my bags to the fast bag drop. This indeed was fast and I was back at my car by 8.30, except I couldnt find it where I thought Id left it but soon realised I was on the wrong floor of the car park. So panic over I drove to the Long Stay car park, left my car, took my carry-on bag and felt very smug that everyone else had to lug their large cases onto and off the bus. Spent a little time and money in the duty free and then saw that my flight was showing a 90 minute delay. Not unusual for me every flight I have taken in the past year has been delayed, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Paris. Anyway, left 2 hours late but we did make up 30 minutes. Uneventful flight, jam packed as again every flight I have taken recently has been. Arrived at Tampa and then had an encounter with the Immigration guy. How long are you staying in the USA? Well, actually I leave on a cruise tomorrow and the last day in the US will be Sunday.( this clearly got him suspicious) Next questions were: How much money do you have with you? Any credit cards? What was my job? Was I travelling with a group? Was I married?