Booked this holiday and paid £1600 pp for a balcony cabin. Holiday started well, very easy travelling to Southampton, excellent embarkation procedures made a very relaxed start to the fortnight (they even took our luggage out of the boot of the car!).

Great start ..... however, having seen other cruise ships leave port with bands, streamers etc. we found we were sailing and we hadn't even noticed. No announcements, no bands - no nothing.

Our cabin was OK although the bed looked like it was about 20 years old and you could tell the mattress was like a brick just by looking at it - the cabins could definately do with refurbishment. Compared with other cruise lines it came bottom again. Our balcony wasn't bad but the furniture was dirty and 'sticky'. Luggage arrived promptly which was a good point.

At dinner it was a bit chaotic - we had opted for 2nd sitting. Food was very bland and boring. Waiting staff were good and eager to please. The Windjammer restaurant was good if you liked breakfast at 6.30am and lunch at 11.30am but if you like to sleep until the ungodly hour of 8ish. and eat about 8.30-9ish then you'd would have to fight for a table - and what is it with British people with a buffet that they think it will be their last meal and they have to grab every morsel in sight. the amount of wasted food is disgusting and we witnessed people putting food in their bags etc. even though food is available on the ship 24 hours a day!

Bars on the ship were a nightmare, even if you could get a seat! I assumed that most of the people on this ship had not cruised before and weren't familiar with the concept of waiter service. People were queuing 3 deep at the bars, often with children hanging on their coattails (and this was late at night). I have no objection to children, far from it, but do object when they are left unsupervised to run riot disturbing other people's enjoyment. We witnessed quite a few exchanges between these parents and people who just wanted a quiet drink.

Can't comment on the pool area as it was virtually a no-go area. We gave up after the first day or so. People worked in 'gangs' to save sun-beds (even for toddlers!), woe betide anyone who moved a bed or dared to ask if anyone was using one. Staff did not enforce the 'no children' policy in the indoor pool area either so we had no choice but to stay on our balcony. Complaints were ignored and staff just said there was nothing they could do. Great!!

Overall - the RCI experience was about the worst we have ever had. We would not even consider travelling with this company again - I would rather stay at home. If you don't mind inconsiderate passengers, indifferent staff and a ship full of kids you'll have a fabulous holiday.

Disembarkation procedures - excellent - we could not wait to get off!! I'm sorry to say that travelling with mostly British people and putting up with their bad manners, bad language and unruly chilren made me feel ashamed to call myself British.

Sailed on the Legend of the Seas in July 05 and had a wonderful holiday. This was our first cruise and would definitely recommend it. The ship had just undergone a total refurbishment and it showed, everything was absolutely spotless and did not see anything that looked worn or tatty.

Food was excellent. We ate in the Romeo & Juliet every night and found the quality of the food to be unbelievable value for money. We had fillet steak, lobster tails, smoked salmon, nothing but the best, and the menu was not repetitive. We did not get fed up with the food, even after 14 nights. Wine was fairly expensive, but we ordered a bottle every night and were all very good. Drinks also very reasonable. The cocktails were about £3.10 including service charge and beer £2 a pint. Kids could also get a drinks package which I think was £28 for the fortnight.

We upgraded to a Junior Suite, which was brilliant, as we ate breakfast most mornings on our balcony (room service free of charge!)admiring the view.

Our kids loved the kids club - the workers were very enthusiastic and the activities seemed to be very well planned. Also, there were a few nights when the kids could eat with the kids club - wonderful.

Entertainment was mixed - but I suppose it must be difficult to find something that everybody likes. The theatre was absolutely beautiful.

All in all, a wonderful holiday - I would definitely recommend this cruise, it is especially suitable for families.

Just returned from the legend of the seas and what an excellent holiday we have had. It was 14 days of pure luxary and enjoyment from the minute we boarded in Southampton. All the staff work very hard and were a pleasure to meet especially our waiters Avinash and Vilma who made us feel very welcome. This cruise was excellent for familiys and although our son was too young for hte kids clubs he had a brilliant time. Cabins were a bit small especially with a pram in but they served the purpose of somewhere to sleep and were very clean and comfortable. We had such a brilliant holiday that we cant wait to book the next cruise.

Bottle of Wine £15.00 upwards to £50.00
Pint of Stella £2.00
Gin and Tonic £2.60
Champagne £40.00 for a good one
Soda Package (Kids) £2.00 per day

Had a great time, but a few wee niggly naggly things that got on my nerves.

Sailaway from Southampton was disappointing. No live band, just some backing music, with the Entertainment Director saying a few words. Unfortunately, the speakers were off, so we couldn't hear what he was saying. There was no pazzazz, just a quiet slip down the Solent.

Kids Clubs not very good. Some of the kids staff looked bored, and spent most of their energy telling the little kids not to go out of the door. Maybe a simple barrier like most creches have nowadays would be more effective. One person in particular (I won't name her - initials JL who was English) looked absolutely miserable and hardly cracked a smile. However, the other two girls (Kit Kat was one) seemed more lively and friendly.

Entertainment was a bit patchy. The Royal Caribbean dancers/singers did some good shows, one the first week and two the next I think. Most enjoyable. As for the other entertainers that they brought onboard, I thought they were mostly very disappointing. The only exception was Jacqui Scott (Evita, Cats, Les Mis etc etc) who was absolutely tremendous. What a voice.

Not exactly a "West End Show" every night. This is our third cruise, and the entertainment on Celebrity and Norwegian was far superior.

The pool band was very repetitive, but luckily enough, they only came on for two or three songs at a time, then disappeared again. I love reggae music, but maybe they should learn some more tunes. I don't know who chose the CD that they played at the pool, one day it was 1940's wartime Glenn Miller type stuff (on repeat, so it played over and over and over again - aarrgghhh), the next day it was screechy heavy rock stuff. Advice: Tune into any local radio station - they'll show you how it's done - nice up to date music, and non offensive to any section of your listening public.

Well, you'll be thinking that I didn't have a very good time, but that isn't the case. I had a fabulous holiday, which would have been absolutely fabulous if those wee things were just a little better.