I Am 43 years old and traveled with 14 people, ages ranging from 14 to 70.we all have sailed many many cruises prior to this cruise. This was my 11th Carnival cruise.We arrived in Tampa on Saturday the day before the cruise. We stayed at the Double tree which is about 5 miles from the cruise port. The Double Tree does have a free shuttle but not to the cruise port.They will pick you up from the airport and take you anywhere within a two mile radius to eat or shop. It is a very nice and clean hotel with 3 restaurants inside so you don't have to travel for food. We ate in the bar area and I had a delicious patty melt. Everyone's meal was delicious. No complaints. Would defiantly recommend staying there pre cruise!

The next day we woke up and took taxi to the cruise port. Like I said it was cheaper than a shuttle, $20.00 per cab not per-person.Arrived at cruise port around 11:30 a.m. Got through security and had a seat until they started to board the ship. Apparently there was some fog so the carnival Legend couldn't dock until Tampa port Authority opened up the port.Weather was beautiful,I never saw fog? 4 HOURS LATER I WAS ABLE TO BOARD! AND I AM CONSIDERED PRIORITY GUESTS SO I GOT TO BOARD EARLY! People were lined up outside for a mile it seemed. They stood in that hot sun for hours waiting for the ship to get cleaned before we could board. I was lucky to be inside in the air. I spoke with security about it and they said "Tampa gets a lot of fog this time of year". From January to March. It is common. Immediately I thought "Oh GREAT!!! I have a early morning flight post cruise!

While sitting in the port I looked around and couldn't help notice all the elders there. Now this was my first time sailing out of Tampa. I usually sail from Miami ,Ft.Lauderdale or port Canaveral.So finally we were able to board and I thought the ship was pretty. Maybe outdated but elegant.The TV's are old and even though it just got refurbished I saw things that should have been replaced. Like my shower head. Very dirty dingy and old. And curtains that had seen better days. But none of that put a damper on my cruise.There was no sail-away party. No fun dance music. I was waiting for the DJ to start playing Elvis tunes or 50's music.Not the kind of cruises we are used too. I will NEVER sail out of Tampa again! It was really just a laid back low key cruise.Did I mention Lots of old people? And lots of old people in amigos that like to run over your feet?My Mother is 72 and she said there were to many old people.My friends and I went to the Disco and that was empty everyday. Not kidding! We had the dance floor to our selves every nite. By 10 or 11 every nite you could hear a pin drop. everyone was in bed.Just not my kind of cruise. To quiet for me. Read more