Start to Finish Valor Blog/Review

Thanks to billys5764 for the inspiration to do a pre-cruise blog and trip review. I often find reviews of others trips starting at embarkation and separate threads with various questions of price reductions, packing lists, suggestions and other such things. So with that lets began!

Initial Research

I began my research way back in November. My first thought was I knew I wanted Carnival or Norwegian and most certainly a caribbean Itinerary. Then came the how should I book question of PVP, TA or online myself.

It took until mid January to finally narrow down everything.

Booking

I booked a Balcony room on the Valor Sailing from San Juan on May 25th. We decided to go with Priceline.com because I got am email from them offering a $100 hotel voucher if we booked though them with $50/pp deposit. The booking went very well. Then I checked the mail, I had received an offer from Carnival for Past Guest to receive $500 OBC for the cabin. I called priceline who was more than happy to switch the rate for us which also came with a $50 reduction in price. Well it must have been too good to be true because 3 days later I got an urgent call from the TA saying I had 24 hours to pay the full deposit or Carnival would cancel the booking. We ended up switching back to the original rate.

Price Reduction/hotel voucher

Our trip was paid off in mid March. Well I never thought to look into price reductions until I found cruise critic, so i signed up for the notifications. I began to receive notices and finally April 18 I saw a reduction of about $60 so I called the TA. That called ended sadly :( when I was told that Carnival refused to honor the drop and couldn't offer me anything else because the trip was already paid off and the drop was such a small amount. The following week came another drop came so I called back (by this time I was well aware that carnival will give you a different answer every time you call:mad:) So this time the TA was able to get Carnival to upgrade our room. It wasn't an upgrade in the since we went from a balcony to suite but we did move from the Upper deck to Veranda Aft room.:D But what makes this even funnier and exciting, it was to the exact same room from our first cruise 3 years ago.

The hotel voucher finally came via email on May 1. The only issue was that we had to book using their "Express Deals". Express deals are great deals however you don't get to select your hotel. You pick a general area and hotel based on the Star rating and amenities. We lucked out and got the LaConcha for one night for only $31. I hear that the rooms can go for upwards of $200 a night.:eek:

Airfare

I forgot to mention in the first post the airfare. I did book us direct flights from DC via Jet blue for about $700 round trip for the two of us.I am told that is the best pricing for that type of flight.

I also for got to mention that we are flying in the day of departure because the ship leaves so late. I am fairly sure that even if we are delayed for weather we would get there in time to make "All Aboard".

On a funnier note I have been partially packed since we paid of the trip. I mean at least the things I have specifically made to wear, purchased and don't need before vacation. Yes i said made, I recently took up sewing and have made several tops and bottoms, even a swim coverup. But more about my packing in another day.

Thanks for reading.

Can you tell me where or how to sign up for price drop notifications? I got a huge one today only because I saw the price drop threads on here. Thanks

just go to the home page and click price drops. You will see the banner to "Send Me Price Drops" and you're all set.

Shopping for Vacation

Went on a mini spree recently that includes the Olympus Tough 630i camera (it takes beautiful pictures). And to make vlogging easier I also bought the ipad camera adapter set so I can upload while in port with wifi (also plan to get a package of minutes from carnival so BF can check his stock and investments). I also got a luggage scale; since I don't own a regular house scale and we are only taking 1 checked bag. Last and best purchase I think I made so far is the Dry Pak waist belt. It's about 6" x 5" to hold our phones, little cash and cards. It has amazing reviews but I will be taking the extra precaution of also putting everything in Ziploc bags so I can even snorkel with my things on me. I am fiercely afraid of having my things stolen while at the beach (had a bad experience at six flags years ago).

Price Drops

Haven't received anymore price drops but the hotel did call to confirm our reservation.

just go to the home page and click price drops. You will see the banner to "Send Me Price Drops" and you're all set.

Home page of what website?

Home page of what website?

the home page of Cruise Critic

Currently finalizing my suitcase and awaiting the last 2 packages to arrive. The dry PAC I ordered came Saturday and it was the wrong item. Needless to say I had to call and pay an additional $5 to ensure I would get it by Thursday but I can keep the incorrect item for free.

I am still doing research on wifi on the ship and ports. We have a wifi/midi type thing and trying to figure out if that will work in port in leau of hunting for free wifi. If we can't figure it out our review will be finished when we return.

We are booked on this cruise with you. Can't wait to read your highlights and opinions.

Well We Got back on Monday night but jumped straight back to work Tuesday morning. Please bear with me until the weekend when I can complete the review with pictures and videos.

are you going to finish your review here on tis link or start a new one?? Just wondering where to subscribe.... Hope you had a great time.

Looking forward to this too!

I am sorry I have left you all hanging. I had some persona/medical things to tend to. I will finish the review sometime this week, as I have also just learned how to add pictures as well.

I'm so subscribing to this!!!

After some serious thought I decided to move the review because I have changed the style. Check it out here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=43497230#post43497230