We sailed on the Legend of the Seas. I can't compare to
DCL because we have not sailed DCL yet (SEPT!!!!). We have sailed on
RCCL Voyager which we enjoyed.
The Legend was a medium size ship. It was older and we booked Cat B suites which were the second nicest cabins you could buy. The furniture was worn and our room steward was beyond rude. We had three B cabins in a row and my sister and I had the same steward, our parents had someone else. He was extremely rude to ALL of us, and I have to say that I am a very undemanding person. My kids would say "good morning" and he would glare at them. We complained because the room was hardly cleaned every day but nothing was done.
When we boarded they had our family of eleven at three different tables. We had booked this cruise 16 months ahead. They had my daughter (age 4) at a table of six with no other family member. We asked the dining manager as soon as we discovered this, to change it. He stated "Come back at 5 p.m. and I will try..but there may be nothing I can do". So I said to him "well I hope the five people my daughter is dining with won't mind cutting her meat for her". He was beyond rude. My sister, who is a diamond repeat passenger, went to the hotel manager and he finally took care of it. But the point was that we had to scurry around for hours trying to get it fixed.
Our waiter was nice but meals took so long and the food was HORRIBLE. My husband did 26 years in the USMC and he can eat anything and even he was not pleased. There were a few nights that were okay, but overall it was dismal. They had powdered eggs at the breakfast buffet (they stated it was for "health reasons") The clam chowder was pure liquid. I could go on and on. Even the waiter would say "You don't want to order that. Try the steak, okay?"
The kids programs were not that good. The Voyager was amazing. The Legend was just okay. Nothing special.
But the final insult was the icebergs. The cruise itinerary included an up close and personal cruise through Hubbard Bay. This was on the last day of the cruise. The icebergs are truly the highlight of many people's cruise. It was listed on the itinerary as being from 8 to 10:00 a.m. Our entire family woke up at 6:30, had breakfast, and then gathered in my parents suite to sit together and watch these million year old icebergs. The ship approached the Bay and stopped. We sat there for a while. An announcement came over the loud speaker that stated "Please come up on deck 10 to see the beautiful Hubbard Bay". We were literally a few miles from the Bay. The ship never went in. No icebergs. No prior notice. People on the ship became hysterical. Keep in mind that the majority of people on this ship were older and this was a trip of a lifetime for most. Imagine hundreds of people bundled up with their cameras waiting for this magical experience. Then NOTHING. Later the captain put out a pre-printed notice stating that we did not enter the bay because the "sea pups" were there and it would be dangerous for them during the month of June. Sounds good, right? I bought it. Well, we were a little suspicious when the HOlland America ship right behind us entered the Bay after we had set sail away from it. Later I found out that the sea pup excuse was a lie. We talked to a naturalist who explained that the ships don't get close enough to the wildlife. The REAL reason the captain skipped the two hour detour was that he had to have the ship back in Seward three hours early for repairs. He was pressed for time. Those notes were printed in advance. And the following week I emailed some RCCL cruisers who stated they sailed into the bay (and it was still JUNE!)
Personally, if I ever sail in Alaska again I would sail Holland America, Princess or Celebrity. RCCL is okay but not for such a huge trip. Alaska is expensive and should be carefully planned.
