Pre-Cruise -- We were booked at the Best Western Bayside Inn -- as they have Stay, Park & Cruise Package. For $139, you stay the night before and park your car in their covered garage for the entire week, plus complimentary shuttle to & from the pier. This also includes continental breakfast, or a discount on a menu order. The food was pretty good and the hotel staff was wonderful. I upgraded by $10 for a bay view so I could take pictures of the Legend when we woke up Sunday morning! It was foggy, but it was still an awesome sight to see her first thing in the morning. After getting our room, which was ready for early check in, we walked down to the pier and took a gander at the USS Midway which has just opened as a HUGE museum. We didn't take the tour, but just seeing her was a sight. But if you wanted, you could take a audio tour for $13, I think it was. We then walked over to Seaport Village for a late lunch and some shopping. Then headed back to the hotel for some rest, as we had left at 3 a.m. that morning to make the very long drive.

Cruise -- We were in the terminal by 11 a.m., and boarding by 11:30 or 11:45. Check in went very smoothly and there were no lines. There is a little gift shop in the terminal to help you pass the time. The Legend is beautiful and I loved being able to take pictures before a lot of guests were on board. Our cabin was ready when we got there. We dropped off our carry-ons, met one of our two cabin stewards and then headed off to lunch in the Windjammer, and then to see where our dining room table was. We had requested a large table, but were assigned a table for 6. We were also on the inside of the dining room next to a pillar. We considered asking for a change, but I am glad we didn't. Our tablemates were wonderful and we would have never met them had we changed.

We then headed up to the VCL for an informal CC Meet & Mingle since we didn't have enough people. It was great to finally meet "Mcarnett" & his wife and adorable daughter and "Alansfreed" and his wife -- Hi Mike & Alan!!! We ended up seeing them many many times! What a treat! And as predicted, our dining room table was right next to Mcarnett!!! We had joked about it beforehand, but it really happened! We visited and took our pictures and then headed off to unpack, and then get up top for a sunny sail away! Our luggage did arrive before dinner, as we were in the lower levels of the ship. We saw sorting of luggage for the upper decks going on until much later in the evening. So if you are in the upper decks, you might want to pack pool & dinner attire in your carry-on. Read more