Uncle Deane

The Carnival website says that there is only one departure from FLL to the Port of Miami and it is 12 noon. Does anyone know if this is accurate or do they actually start earlier and have multiple departures?  (I know, I would rather take SAS, but have a specific reason that we have to take the Carnival shuttle, thanks)

Jack and Janet, the owners of Jacks Shack have posted this on FB. I think it is important that everyone who plans to visit there is aware of their request:

Janet and I are concerned about Topher. He has lots of arthritis. Lots of tourists see the videos of him jumping after sand thrown in the air. We find that after playing on the beach, his arthritis is worse. We would like our guests to stop throwing sand to see how high he jumps. We think this is effecting his joints and sore shoulders and causing him pain. Topher is no longer a puppy. He is almost 12 years old. He loves the beach and playing with our guests. We have limited his time on the beach in the hot sun lately. Every morning he is eager to come to the shack but after four hours or so he gets very tired. Please respect Topher’s age. We hope to have him for many more years
Jack and Janet.

There are plenty of vendors selling fairly cheap beer at Junkaroo. Walk down the beach (it's not that big) and you will get a feel for what they have to offer. I'll be there in 4 weeks, will post update if I think of it when we get back.

There is also a search function on Marinetraffic.com that allows you to enter the ships name and it will display it without you having to search the map for it.

Just checked on the tracker. Splendor has left Freeport and doing 17.7 knots!

It is a 8 day on 6 ports, st Thomas, Barbados, St lucia, St Kits, St Maarten and St. Croix. Sailing on Carnival Fascination.

 

So is this ship being older a real issue.

 

Is it worth the extra $$ to fly to San Juan?

I think you should check that itinerary; the 8 day/6 port is a special one on Christmas week this year. Every week the cruise from San Juan on the Fascination is 5 ports, the ones you listed minus St Croix.

We've done this cruise twice, but on the Valor. Love all the ports and you get to maximize your time in every post as they are so close together. You wont need to worry much about the ship if you spend all day in port. The biggest drawback for me would be that there isnt a mini fridge in the cabin. Other than that, it will be a great cruise.

I haven't been on the Valor and booked on her for my next cruise, I have a few questions perhaps you can help me?

 

I noticed the Valor has three grills two in the center of the ship then another on the outside aft part of the Rosie's Restaurant/buffet, do they have the same items or different items and what does the grill have for lunch there? The grill in the rear at the adult only pool is not used much, iirc.

 

Are any of the grills open late that I can get a snack late at night? They (grills) are open til 6pm. Pizza is open 24 hrs, deli sandwiches til 11pm.

 

Does anybody know whether the burrito bar has any corn tortillas, I have to be gluten free and the tortilla wrap they use for the burritos are wheat. I only had the wheat, Not sure if there is corn, but they do serve with corn chuips, so you could have it like nachos if they dont have corm .

 

Does the Valor have any late night buffet like the mexican fiesta? I think so, one night. I was in bed :rolleyes:

 

Who is the band currently on the Valor?

 

Does she have the Taste Bar? Yes

 

Is there late night music in the atrium if so, what time do they play till?

I'll answer what I can above in red. We were on the Valor in November out of SJ and will be on again in April from PC for, I think, our 7th time. Not that we choose the Valor, it just seems to follow us around:eek: Keep in mind that things may change (like the entertainment) one it moves to PC. That was more Latin? themed music on boardthen what you normally get from Florida home port ships (my opinion).

We've been on the Valor multiple times since 2005, the last time was this past November. Due to the homeport switch, we'll be back on in 10 weeks. She is well-maintained, as are all the Carnival. As for the staff, like everyone else, smile and say Hi, don't treat them like your personal servant and they will make sure you have the time of your life.

We did the Med on the Magic in 2011, can't wait to return!

As the 'vacation planner' for my DW and myself, I spent close to a year studying and planning our excursions in each port along with a 'plan B' and 'plan C' for each (which we did use, more than once). No Carnival excursions, but we did spend two days on small group tours we put together with other folks on our roll call. It was an amazing trip.

I know going by cruise ship doesn't allow time for the immersion that staying for a week or more in one spot would, but for us, it offered a chance to 'get our feet wet' in Europe but still have to comfort and familiarity of the Carnival ship to return to each night.....and have our laundry done..:D...

Or maybe why a cruise - anywhere- works for us; we NEED to be near the ocean on a regular basis. My DW says she was a viking in a past life. Her people (great grandparents) were fishermen in Newfoundland and mine were from Cape Cod.

I'll weigh in on the passport issue; I just don't understand the reluctance of people to get one. Are they reluctant to get a passport, or reluctant to travel outside the US, which is more understandable.

I have a couple of questions

 

 

2.What time is the muster drill? ~9:30 pm Just before sailaway

 

4. How do you get from airport to ship? Taxi

 

See above

I had an obstructed view on the Destiny (Sunshine) and I was looking through lifeboat machinery below the lifeboats.

Yes, looking at the deck plan, I see there is this type also. Both this type and the cabins up front behind the walkways are 4 J Interior with Picture Window.

I don't think it's any of the above. I think it's those cabins that are high up and all the way forward that has the walkway in front of the window.

 

 

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We have a winner!

These are the cabins that look out onto the 'secret decks', You will get a view of the sky (light!) and the walkway outside your window (it has a solid wall below the railing so you can't see through it). ou can access the walkway from a door in the hallway. Beware though, people can and will be walking past your window - you will probably want to keep your curtains closed some of the time ;)

Keep in mind: When the Valor changes home port in a few months, it will be in Port Canaveral, not Miami. There are factors you may want to consider: Air fare to Orland vs/ Ft Lauderdale or Miami - this depends on where you are flying from and what airline. Ground transportation: PC is a greater distance from Orlando (MCO) so we usually rent a car although there are shuttles available. Pre/post cruise hotels are cheaper near PC.

We've cruised out of all 3 ports and flown to all 3 airports, each has their own pluses and minuses We can have a great experience in any of them.

Our #1 favorite is flying to FLL and cruising from Port Everglades - just a short taxi ride between the two, plenty of hotels to choose from that are conveniently located near restaurants, love riding on the water taxi.....oh, I think I need to go soon...

Paradise x 2, back when it was 100% non-smoking

Legend x 2 Love the Spirit class 4K cabins too.

Miracle x 2

Freedom x 2

Valor x 6 plus next cruise in April = 7 This ship just follows us around! We've even stayed in the same cabin a few times. Feels like home.

We book for the itinerary and dates we can go, the ship is secondary.

I notice on the Valor's deck plans there is a Winston's Cigar bar. Is this really a cigar bar or outdated floor plan? DH would love a cigar bar.

Sharon, we were just on the Valor in November. Winstons is used for Karaoke most nights now. Also, some nights they had a Latin band in there, since it is still based in San Juan. Once they relocate the Valor to PC, I suspect the entertainment could be juggled around. Winstons is a nice place to hang out, very comfy chairs. As others have said, kind of under-utilized. Since I don't smoke I can't say if it was used more when they allowed smoking.

If you really want to save $ plus have a better experience, book your own tours independently. Use the port of call threads here and Trip Advisor to find the best, most reputable excursions at each port you'll be visiting.

In most cases, Carnival's Excursion Guarantee is useless because it is nearly impossible to match two different tours.

Although I always try to book my own tours, sometimes taking a Carnival tour can't be avoided (well it could be, but...). For instance, there is a great Catamaran tour in St Kitts called the Catamaran Fan Ta Sea. Carnival has the company contracted when there is a ship in port so it's the only way to book...at a $40 premium over the tour providers advertised price on it's website - for the same tour. Oh well...

Never a problem, I pack it in my carry on w/ my CPAP.

I agree, the two lines are more alike than most people would like to admit. It's the little differences that have tilted us toward Carnival. We wouldn't be climbing the rock wall, surfing or ice skating; maybe those features attract the families with kids.

Thanks just what I was looking for! Beautiful pics! Sailing on her April 4th to Aruba Bonaire & Grand Turk was a little Leary about the ship since she has a few years on her! You all have put my fears to rest . Thanks again[/quote

 

We're on the April 4th cruise with you. It will be our 7th time on the Valor since 2005, the latest being last month. It's a great ship, kept in excellent condition. We did notice that the carpet in our cabin was getting faded but other than that, not much to complain about.

 

We don't seek out the Valor for our cruises, it just seems to follow us around, going where we want to go when we want to go.

Off the Valor last Sunday, got the toiletry bags.

12:D and 165:(

On the Valor for both, 1st one by choice, 2nd one due to ship swap but it's all good!

Also, don't forget to account for the days you will be in port that you will likely have less time to drink on the ship.

I always relate cruise expenses and OBC back to buckets of beer. For example, we've booked balcony's in the past but find we don't get our moneys worth, so we book Ocean View cabins. Do you know how many buckets of beer that equals? :D Right now I have 2 bucket worth of OBC for an upcoming cruise in November; with any luck, we'll get more!

The short answer is yes, I've had price drops on 'peak season' cruises.

The biggest one yet was $690 total for 2 people on an ocean view cabin for an 8 day Southern cruise (Aruba, Curacao, DR and Grand Turk) in March a few years back. That itinerary is always the highest price to start so it has the biggest potential for drops.

There are many factors involved. If you book a cabin in a popular category or a cabin type in a category that has a limited # of that type of cabin, for instance, you will be less likely to see much reduction.

I think you'll have better luck with getting reductions for Spring Break cruise from San Juan then you would on one from FL, so that might help you.

All that being said, better to book a cruise with no expectation of getting reductions and just let it be an extra bonus! Enjoy your cruise!

Not to mention the ceviche and Ahi Tuna with watermelon. Got a few of those every day!

Me too, love the tuna and watermelon!