SHayesShip

On my Valor cruise 10/31 we had a memorial service and burial at sea for my Mom. Someone overheard me say that my Mom called my sister her yellow rose of Texas. At the ceremony my sister was given a single yellow rose while my two nieces were given a red rose each. Carnival, the Valor and officers and crew members will always have a place in my heart.

Thank you for the review. My next scheduled cruise is on the Regal and I am very excited.

Just got back 2 weeks ago from Roatan. There is a great shore excursion for $30 per person (Don't know if children are less) with Victor Bodden Tours. He has a Sun N. Fun Tour which includes transportation to/from port - visit to Monkey Business(His monkey sanctuary where he has monkey rescue) and kids/adult can actually interact with young monkeys - they are vaccinated) a short tour of the island and then finish at Bananarama Resort for swimming at the West End. Both the kids and adults had a fantastic time.

Don't know which port you will be arriving at but I have rented jeeps from Alamo twice at the Puerto Maya pier that Carnival and its sister companies use. You can book online and the pricing is less than just showing up at the pier.

Agreed. I was just at the Tropicante Ameri-Mex restaurant Nov. 4th and arrived at 8 am and came back at 12:30 pm. We had lounge chairs on the beach and it was a great beach day.

We were in the same boat (yes, pun intended :p) and we made this our "downtime" port and we just took the bus to Steve's place (Tropicante) and had a very nice few hours there. Great prices and food, just email him to reserve chairs for free. It's a busier part of the Malecon but we really liked it and the water was clear and free of seagrass growth.

Great spot to chill with little planning or $!

I was just in Mahahual the week of 10/31/2015 on the CCL Valor and 6 of us had reservations for 6 chaise lounges/tables and umbrellas at Tropicante. The beach was pretty clear of seaweed - much like the picture in earlier post and further south of Tropicante there was some seaweed/trash but it was not bad. The water was great/ the breakfast burritos (We asked as not on menu) made with chorizo were amazing (BTW $7 and had egg, cheese, potato and side of guacamole and salsa). Never had a beer at 9am before until here. It was a great day! They had massage tables and offshore snorkeling along with banana boat rides right at the water's edge. Steve was a perfect host and a former Texan and we had some great discussions.

I was just there for the third time on 10/31/2015 CCL Valor cruise. You dock in Costa Maya. There are no bike rentals in Costa Maya. If you walk outside of the terminal and walk about an additional 5 minutes there are taxi's near a blue tower. It is a $2 fee per person each way to Mahahual. In Mahahual is where the malecon is and bike rentals available. However, the malecon has not been extended along the waterfront from Mahahual north to Costa Maya. The malecon is only about 1 1/2 miles long however there is a dirt road that extends south for several miles that weaves along the coastline in which there are homes, bars and businesses scattered along the water. About the only traffic you will see is an intermittent vehicle and gas powered golf carts.

I was just on the 10/31/2015 Valor cruise. Some in my group had an independent shore excursion booked and the confirmation advised the shore excursion started 90 minutes after ship arrival. The independent shorex take the timing in consideration. On the Valor they had you go to lounge and get a tender ticket and you would be on tenders after the CCL shorex.

FYI - On CCL's seaday brunch menu they do have the french toast offered covered in fruit loops BUT you can order it regular which is very good. I know because I just did it on a CCL cruise sailing of 10/31/15. The second seaday brunch I ordered their filet mignon and eggs and it was excellent. I sailed on both lines extensively and when I read that CCL is like Motel 6 all I can do is laugh. BTW, I am Platinum with CCL and 4 star with HAL.

Correct, Cozumel will be 1 hr behind ship in Oct.

I am looking at October of next year unless we decide to go in April but then we will be going on a different itinerary. But since it is October the times will be different.

Was just there on CCL Valor 10/31/2015 sailing. There were no warnings by the ship or on Roatan itself. I don't see any warnings from the CDC either so don't know what to tell you. I do use bug spray however in ports. BTW. I have seen and interacted with the monkeys of Victor Bodden three times. My understanding is that the monkeys you interact with at his facility are under 2 to 2 1/2 years old and have all been vaccinated. I would like to think the other monkey locations would be the same but do not have first hand experience.

I booked an excursion to see the monkeys in Roatan, but I've been reading about malaria there and wondering if I should cancel the excursion. (Will be with my 2 year old)

What day month is your cruise? Cozumel is now on EST and the same as Port Canaveral. However, Cozumel does not follow daylight savings time. So, right now island time is the same as ship time.

So I am trying to decide btwn 2 cruises and weighing the cost plus excursions for the 2 and I have a question about the time difference of the island vs ship. The cruise I am looking at leaves from PC and one of the stops is Cozumel. It will be stopped at this port from 7-3. So for here I was thinking about going to Paradise Beach but it says they don't open till 9 which would be 10 ship time correct? If this is the case then I would only have only about 4 hours there. Just trying to decide if it would be worth it. Weighing the pros and cons of these 2 cruises is hard :eek:

I was just on 10/31 Valor cruise with 4 ports and they only required ship card in all 4 ports. HOWEVER, I always carry my driver's license with me. I have been asked for picture ID intermittently on prior cruises. I never take my passport ashore.

I was in Cozumel on 11/2/2015 and they definitely take USD. BTW, in the shops the currency was 13.5 to 15 pesos to 1 USD.

Yes. $20.

Im sorry guess I didn't explain myself correctly, we are going on the Fascination there is no steakhouse but somebody told me we can get lobster in the MDR for a charge, my question is, can we get a steak also (other than what is offered on the current daily menu) and pay an extra charge?

There is a $20 upcharge for steakhouse quality steak or lobster tail when ordered in dining room. Just got off the Valor and it was on the always menu each night.

Would they have a steak up charge?

I know on the 3-4 day RCL cruises you do not. I am not sure about the 5 nighters.

I haven't sailed RCCL in over 7 years but have a 5 nighter coming up. Will I get lobster in the MDR or not???

I refuse to belittle your post because these appear to be real concerns of yours. These are important things to you so they are valid. I have never been loyal to only one cruise line. I will continue to cruise multiple lines and will pick out a cruise line to meet specific needs/wants for that particular cruise. Carnival will continue to be a line I will choose periodically. I just got off the 7 day Valor Western yesterday and had a great cruise. There were a few hiccups but nothing that dampened my cruise. Some food was better than others but my cabin service was top notch and I enjoyed the ports. Lobster was served because this was over 5 days. (BTW - Royal Caribbean has not served lobster on their shorter cruises in years) Several cruise lines have charged for playing cards for years. I am Platinum and the FTTF have to pay to receive some of my amenities. They still don't get free laundry, chocolate surprise formal night and the free gift, Platinum/Diamond party. The FTTF people did not effect my quality onboard at all. When I wanted tender service in Belize I went straight to VIP guest services and was escorted within 5 minutes down to tender. All cruise lines that I have went on have their plusses and minuses. BTW - besides being Platinum with Carnival, I am Elite with Princess and 4 Star Mariner with HAL and only Platinum with Royal.

What is the point of being loyal, and keep cruising with Carnival? Over the past 10 years I have been on 8 cruises. The latest one being with the Ecstasy just last week. The multiple "small" cut backs have greatly added up compromising the cruise experience that they once had. From turn down service, to lobster and the smallest paying for a deck a cards that were once free at guest services. And now with F2F, you can buy the perks that a loyal customer receives. Why would one not go to a different cruise line and receive the quality vacation with the newest and greatest that carnival once provided? Has anyone else felt the same, and thinking of being done with Carnival?

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Just an FYI but the Carnival Dream already has split baths on their deluxe oceanview categories and sleep up to 5 pax.

Perhaps in a full suite, but not a mini. You might want to consider Carnival Vista, which will be launched in Europe next year. they will have Deluxe Oceanview cabins with split baths: toilet and shower in one room, sink and junior tub in the other. EM

I will definitely give a review upon my return.

I'll be anxious to hear your reports as I'm booked in the same for February.

 

Roy

I am booked on the 9 day Dec. 14, 2016 cruise in one of the new "OO" single oceanview cabins. It will be interesting to see what it will be like.

As everyone has stated it varies with length of cruise and cabin category. I am booked in a 9 day Koningsdam cruise in one of the new single ocean view cabins. It was $300 more for the Explorer 4 package. I get the following: Drink package, Pinnacle Grill dinner and $25 OBC. I don't drink much but I decided if I have a mimosa for breakfast and a couple glasses of wine in the evening and maybe an additional drink I would probably break even so decided to keep it.

On my Carnival cruise last year there was a sign-up for people who were interested and a Rabbi volunteered his services so they set-up a small room for about 50 people who signed up.

I am on the 10/31 cruise and it is the old menu including the breakfast card.

I booked one of the new single oceanview cabins on the Koningsdam. I booked without the Explorer4 and it saved me $300. This is on a 9 day itinerary.