MotheringInstinct

I picked up a few of those 3M removable hooks and cheap window clings. We traveled last year over Halloween so I had clings in that theme. I had also brought magnets and literally cried when I discovered the door was not metal after all.... :(

Im going on the Carnival Valor in January on the southern caribbean itinerary. has anyone ever done that itinerary? what is the crowd like on the ship and what time do the bars close? did i pick the right choice of picking this ship over the adventure?

There are some great reviews here on cruise critic about this cruise. It was my first cruise ever just 3 weeks ago. I read every review and planned out our excursion ideas in advance since it is such a busy cruise. Lots of folks recommended Cosol Tours in St Lucia. We paid $75 each for a full day and amazing tour of that beautiful island with food and drinks throughout the day. I highly recommend that to you!!! Also, in Barbados we got a taxi to The Boatyard Bar/beach. Cost $15 there for a drink, chairs, umbrella, and taxi ride back. We rented a locker for $5 so we could relax without worrying. Best afternoon of our trip!

Also, if you like seviche or other seafood, upstairs from Rosie's buffet on the Lido deck is the Fish and Chips place. It is only open at lunch but had great seafood! Not just fish and chips! It is up the staircase that has a big picture of Rosie the Rivetor.

Enjoy!!!

And remember -- woohoo!!!

Andrea

What are the port stops on this itinerary?

LuLu

You leave from San Juan. Stops at St Thomas, sea day, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Maarten. Amazing trip!!! Just did it October 25 and yes I need a vacation now to recover.

Saw somewhere they went back to $49.95 a day per person... Any truth behind it?? What are the current prices???? Thanks

We were on the Valor Oct 25 out of San Juan. They gave the $37.50 price to us and one other storeroom. Could not believe that the website didn't give a one month warning or something! Won't buy it next time at $49.95!

Hi, thanks for the quick replies, but really wondering if anyone out there has actually done this trip from the San Juan airport to the pier, and how long it takes.

 

As I say, we have already opted to take O air, and trust that what they book for us will work.

 

BUT it does seem like a very short time. Then again, I don't know if the airport is right next door to the airport and it is an quick ride??

 

thanks

 

......oooops....I reposted my next reply before my computer updated me on all your replies. Sorry, did not want it to seem like I had not read them all.

 

Yes, we are taking O air, as our holiday is short.

 

Yes, we will go via YYZ, but was unclear if US Customs would apply to Puerto Rico,

We were just in San Juan 2 weeks ago. The airport is only 15-20 minutes from the port. The taxi service is all lined up and well organized. Our luggage was checked by TSA but there wasn't any customs with which we had to deal. I think you should make it but if O did this to you, they should wait.

Sharing a cruising laundry trick that I learned a few years ago. At home pour the amount of detergent for a load of laundry onto a washcloth top with a dryer sheet and fold. Seal the washcloth in a ziplock. On the ship toss the washcloth/dryer sheet (will act like fabric softener in wash) combo in with your clothes. You'll have detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheet all in one :). Less space in your luggage.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Wow!!! I am so doing that!!!!

Hello,

A few weeks ago I read a review of the Valor cruise and saw a restaurant we want to try. This review was by someone who was with another couple I think. They mentioned a restaurant they took a taxi to in San Juan but I can't remember the name. It was 2 Spanish words I know (so nothing too difficult) and one of them was a color...I think white. And I think the menu might have been written on a board and brought to the table or hanging on the wall. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

This was by far the best beach bar I have been to. I believe a bucket of beer was $20 that was for imports, domestic I think was $15. The food is amazing!! My group still talks about the food. This is not a busy place, when we were there it was actually more local people then cruisers. The beach is marked well on where to go in, and they have a platform you can swim out and lounge on. There are monkeys that roam free there, however they mainly hang out over by the bathrooms. We also walked down to the other side of the beach which is a beach club that was way more crowded then the bar. To get a taxi you just walk to the end of the pier and they will have taxi people waiting for you. Ours was more of a van/bus and made a few stops on the way out because we were the last stop. We took the taxi drivers card and set a meeting time for him to come back and get us. After being there most of the day we called to have him come later, but he was already on his way to get us. He thankfully got some food and hung out till we were ready to leave!!! Shipwrecked Bar will be one of the main reasons I go back to St. Kitts.

Thanks for sharing! Just what I have been looking for!!!

When we signed up for our cruise, our travel agent sent us a link to an excursion company called Shore Trips. They advertise a trip to brewery and a couple other stops for $89.00. We are thinking of grabbing a taxi and trying it on our own.

My hubby and I are sailing on the Valor out of San Juan on Oct 26. It will be our first cruise. I have been reading lots of reviews, travel guides, and excursion ads but can't decide what to do on St Kitts. Is it easy to just grab a taxi to a nice beach? Or is there a ferry to Nevis that is tourist friendly? What do you experienced cruisers recommend?

We are on the Valor on October 26. Can't wait!! Thanks for the review.

We were on a 7 day cruise, bought Cheers on day 2 and were charged $37.50 for 6 days plus the 15% gratuity. I have our itemized bill right here and the total for two of us was $517.50. That breaks down to $225 each (37.50 x 6)for Cheers plus 33.75 for the gratuity. Hope that helps everyone!

Thanks so much!!!!! I think my hubby and I can stop arguing now!

15 days!!!

We bought it the 2nd day on the Pride. There were signs near the main bars (Atrium, Lido, Casino) advertising it and saying it was the last day to purchase it. Your signs will probably be similar. You just tell a bartender you want to buy it (you probably both have to be present because they put a sticker on your card and probably activate something in the computer as well) and they will hook you up.

So if you buy on day 2, they don't just charge all 7 days anyway? We leave San Juan at 10pm and I plan on sipping wine from home on the balcony that night.

So why bring a cooler? Do you take it to pool area? Or just leave it in the room?

I was thinking about doing this earlier in my planning but with a fridge in the room -why?

What am I missing?

Subscribed! I've booked this cruise for Halloween next year. I love seeing the experiences of others! Can't wait for more! Great review and pics so far :)

If you sail Oct 26, we will be on the same trip. I love these reviews so I can hopefully not miss anything!!!

Ok. I just have to clarify. The 2 Cheers passes for a seven day cruise cost $525.00. Carnival will charge me 15% on that amount so I will pay that and $78ish more or the gratuities are already in the $525?

I don't mean to seem dense just really trying to figure out if Cheers is worth it when we will be at so many ports.

Thanks!

Thanks so much for your details and tips. My first cruise is Oct 26 on the Valor. I chose it for all the stops. I came home from dinner out with my hubby about 8pm thinking I was going straight to bed. Instead I found your review and couldn't stop reading! It is now 11pm and I have to get to bed! Please finish up before Oct 21 so I can be fully prepared for my trip. :)

Also, how did you get those 5 bottles of liquor home? Does the store box them?

Andrea

Thanks

My husband and I are going on our first cruise in 3 weeks. We have a balcony room on deck 8. Will our room have a fridge? I want to bring wine from my favorite vineyard here at home.

Thanks for all the great advice!!!! October 26 is our first cruise!!!

I thought there is a gratuity added to your sail charge with every drink you buy using your Cheers card...? My husband are debating/arguing about getting the cheers program or not.