Why I am so Nervous to Sail on the Largest Ship in the World

Most people about to embark on Legend of the Seas might be worried about long lines and crowds. I’ve heard that can be a problem with more than 5,000 people on board.

I’m not concerned about that. We eat at odd times, so lines aren’t an issue for us. And we don’t hang out at bars or wait in line for shows. My husband and I like to walk. Whether it’s on the jogging path or simply through the “neighborhoods” which I have yet to experience on a cruise ship.

Since we spend so much time walking, and the track is our go-to place to count steps, will we run into a lot of people? Either getting in our way (gasp!) or us getting in their way? Or possibly receive menacing looks because the track is for running, not walking.

We spent our last two cruises on the Enchanted Princess where we basically had the jogging path to ourselves. Sure, there were runners, but they stayed on their side and we stayed on ours. Also, the track was located on the very top of the ship and went all the way around.

I have read on Reddit forums that people have trouble walking and running on these gigantic ships because of bottlenecks and passengers going the opposite direction on the path, even though directional signs are clear.

Also, even though the track is almost a half mile long, the path doesn’t go entirely around the ship, like it did on Princess.

I realize these are completely different ships, and trying to compare them is fruitless. One friend suggested we walk in the hallways in front of people’s cabins! She said, “Well, at least the corridor goes all the way around the ship.”

I don’t think so. We book these cruises so that my husband and I can get our steps in and view the ocean at the same time!

Realizing this ship is enormous, we will likely find areas where we can walk through, and so what if we get blocked by someone taking a photo of a sunset. That is all part of the fun. Maybe we will stop and chat with a fellow traveler. Or maybe stop into a restaurant in “Central Park.”

I have never been on a mega ship. And I assume simply climbing the stairs will give us plenty of exercise. (We never once used the elevator on our previous cruises.)

I’m not bragging. But since walking is such a part of our routine at home, why should we have to take a break if we don’t want to?

I read on one forum where a man was training for a marathon and didn’t miss a single run on board. Between the treadmill and the jogging path, he didn’t get behind.

We don’t even own a treadmill. So heading to the gym is not an option. Although the ships’ fitness centers are alluring. I remember on our first cruise in the 90’s the gym was shoved into a corner somewhere on a lower deck. Now, it is massive and offers floor to ceiling windows where you can access any piece of equipment and get your cardio or weights in while enjoying a fantastic ocean view.

Worst comes to worst, we simply walk where we can and people watch. Then hike up seven or eight flights of stairs to the buffet…Or in our case, the Coastal Kitchen (because we booked a suite.) Not a bad problem to have. You won’t hear me complaining.

Then there is always a little beach combing on CocoCay. Don’t really want to come home.