Legend of the Seas 2013 - Newly refurbished by Royal Caribbean Part 2

Okay this part covers the fancy restaurants, shore excursions, and the Cruise Compass.

Romeo and Juliet Restaurant

is where you want to go to dine in respite from the buffet crowd. Not that Windjammer was really crowded on our trip. But if you would like to be served and have a waiter recommend you what's good to eat, Romeo and Juliet is the place to go. 

The food was delicious too, and we were impressed with the recommendations. The same waiters Jose and Manuel served us each night. They were really great.

Oh yes, you can go there for breakfast and lunch too. 

I was particularly touched by the fact that our waiters were so concerned when I didn't want to eat on the last night, although I reassured them that it was because I made a dinner reservation at one of the specialty restaurants Izumi. They kept asking if I was hungry, and said that I should eat more at Izumi. So nice right?

Cruise Compass

So this is a daily guide they leave in your room every day. It's VERY comprehensive and consists of all the things you can do each day, the special programmes going on, and the opening hours of all the facilities. You can save this in a higher resolution if you know how to (just click on it and save).

They have all these shopping deals in the Shopping Arcade whenever the ship sets sail. One day there were all these pretty bracelets and the next day Citizen watches were going for 40% off.

My partner bought a pair of Harley Davidson sunglasses for USD29.90.

Out on the deck

That's the running track, I love this area on deck 10 because it's quiet and breezy.

Just a comment, you know all those people who say there's nothing to do on a cruise ship, well there is! It's about whether you can be bothered to do them. 

For example, you can go to the gym, climb the rock wall, play golf, swim, go to the sauna (very nice), jacuzzi, casino (even if you don't gamble, you can get the staff to teach you how to play), take some classes, read a book, play some games, take part in the ship's many activities... I mean if you are too lazy to do them, then that's really your problem.

Besides you can always chill out!

The dynamic duo performing. They are really good. Playing and singing all the Ace of Base and similar songs.

Gym

It's a nice decent sized gym over looking the sea. Pretty.

This is a studio next to the gym, for workout classes.

Library and Cafe Lattitudes

Tucked away on the 6th floor. Nice quiet area to chill and watch the performances below at the centrum.

I ordered a latte for US$3.80. The pastries were free. 

Nice chairs huh

The books are all in cupboards and shelves at the corner

The ballet of Legend

Malacca Boat Ride

So..the partner did not want to go to Malacca, but our lovely waiter told him that all the shops and attractions were just a short walk away. So eventually we went. 

The ship couldn't dock at Malacca so we had to take a 15 min boat ride there.

A crummy looking boat with stained windows. Yuck.

He was right! Mahkota Parade, a humongous shopping centre was only a 5min walk from the docking point.

Because I'm nice, here's a personalised map on how to get there. Just keep walking perpendicular to the jetty.

Being cheapskates, we bought everything that was considerably cheaper compared to Singapore.

No foodstuff allowed on board though.

The boat ride was much more scenic because it was open-air. 

Oh yes, boats depart to and fro every 20 mins.

Here's the reason why the ship couldn't fit the jetty

Our ship from afar

Back to the ship

Pretty views from the ship!

Night activities

There's this new large screen by the poolside that plays music videos by the day. I think they haven't figured out the screening schedule yet. The screen is quite impressive because it's weather proof and it's also bright and clear during the day. Good audio system too.

This is a nice nautical themed bar, it's a pity hardly anyone sits there because everyone just goes right through to the casino next door. My  partner was hoping to play Guess the Tune at about 7.45pm but it was cancelled because no one showed up. There was this opening ceremony with a orchestra playing right outside at this time because they were celebrating the opening of the Centrum area. Free champagne was given out too. Guess it's just poor scheduling.

There's a nightly show at the theatre shown at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Each show spans about an hour. We loved the show by Russian acrobats on the first night. The second night there was a ballroom show called Invitation to Dance. Even though I love dancing, I didn't find this very appealing, maybe it's the choreography or the coordination of the dancers that I found lacking.

We woke up at 4am on the last day and took a stroll around the ship. This is the Viking Crown Lounge, on the 11th deck. It's a nice place with twinkly lights.

The Bar at Viking Crown Lounge

Viking Crown lounge is also occupied by 2 new restaurants -Chops Grille and Izumi.

I've been wanting to try Izumi because I'm craving for sashimi.

Finally got to try it on the second night. I wanted to make a reservation for lunch (cheaper cover charge) but was told it was closed. 

I must say the service was excellent, and we met Yao, a waiter (from China) who previously worked for Star Cruises. His English is excellent, and we were talking to him quite a bit about his hometown and how he learnt his English. Apparently he picked it up while he was working. Wow.

I asked for green tea and it was served in this really heavy iron(?) teapot (see picture). I'm not kidding, it's really heavy. It must be like 2kg? I wonder how the waitresses can carry this.. what if a table orders 4 pots? 

On to the food.. the sashimi was obviously thawed from the freezer. Can't blame them being a cruise ship. Tasted quite decent. And the sizes were nice and quite thick too. But my stomach wasn't feeling good that night so I didn't finish the sashimi.

I know. What I waste right?

Chops Grille. Looks like a nice place for steak. The menu looks super yummy. But too bad my partner has gout.. so we will have to pass this one.

Chops Grille has outdoor seating too. Nice huh.

Last day breakfast at Windjammer. I call it the last day Cheong! (it's a Cantonese word)

We tried to eat as much as we can.

Departure Information

This was left in our room the night before.

Overall we had a very enjoyable cruise and I can't wait for the next one!

Click here for Part 1 of my Royal Caribbean Legend of the Seas 2013 Experience!