CCL Valor 5/2-5/9 review w/ pics!!

[LoveTravel23]

The small island of Cozumel. The white lines tells the trail we followed.

 

After that we went to a Tequila Factory!!! You don't actually see how they make it but you do get to sample tequila's =). We get to the tequila factory and Jorge tells us we can either follow him to start w/ the samplings or we can follow Person X (the guy that owns the factory) for a history of tequila and how its processed & all. My dad & I quickly followed Jorge. We first went to a barrel that had 3 tequila's. The 1st one is the clear color (think Patron) after the tequila has been processed and the 2nd one was a darker one after being in the barrel for 10-20yrs. I'm a fan of Patron so that was good but that 2nd one-eww!!! The taste of alcohol was just to much for me. After that he gave us Margarita-sweet & I was hooked!!! The little sippy cup was being filled by me every 5 secs. =) After a while I tasted amaretto tequila-umm no and cherry which tasted like medicine-literally!! So I stuck with the Margarita and I bought a bottle for $12. Dad bought a beer.

 

The 1st thing u see when you enter.

 

My bottle!!

 

Where it all begins!

 

The outside of the factory.

 

After this tour we went to downtown for more shopping and for anybody that wanted to grab lunch. Downtown is right by the bay w/ plenty of shops. We first went to the Museum of Cozumel because my dad had to make a call to the business back home to see how everything was going and while we there ppl from the excursion Amazing Race came in printing out their next clue so I def. want to do that tour next time. My dad had to make another call and I believe that in the end it was a 10min call total & he was charged $20. After that we walked to Pancho's Backyard (Jorge's recommendation) for lunch but the hour Jorge gave us was coming to an end, it was 1 when we sat down. So we only had time for nacho's/salsa/guacamole and my mango margarita-strong & good! & a beer. We had to be back @ the bus by 1:35 so by 1:25 we left the restaurant to walk back to Museum of Cozumel (a 5min. walk) to get on the bus.

 

Downtown Cozumel

[LoveTravel23]

The entrance to Pancho's Backyard.

 

My Mango Margarita

 

Going back to the pier we saw Royal docked @ the other pier.

 

Outside the gates...

 

So back @ the pier we did more shopping-def. cheap stuff!! I bought tequila shots for $1.00 each and dad bought 4 small tequila bottles @ $4.00 each. Like we werent able to have lunch @ Pancho's we stopped @ Three Amigo's but it was sooo crazy (great place to go w/ friends but not w/ parents-my view of things anyway) that we sat down just to have quesadillas and a beer. While seated there we were able to see this:

 

 

[LoveTravel23]

 

Cheese quesadilla was good!

 

Outside the restaurant...

 

Walking back to the ship-that's the CCL Conquest parked next to us.

 

 

We were back on the ship by 2:30pm. Tired & sweaty went back to cabin to shower & nap. Woke up @ 5pm when the horn sounded & walked to the balcony to say good-bye to the CCL Conquest.

 

[LoveTravel23]

So I went back to sleep & then back up for dinner & more shopping. This night the waiter's danced to an India song, again Danilo can dance! =)

 

Beef Salad as an appetizer-good!

 

Dad had this-wasn't what he expected but he still liked!

 

This was good!

 

Butter Pecan 4 dessert.

 

Mom w/ Juan.

 

I got a MONKEY!!! I was excited when I saw this!!

[LoveTravel23]

While mom & I were doing our late night walking we were able to catch them set up this ice carving for the ice carving presentation 4 tomorrow.

 

Ladies & gents the Chocolate buffet!! =)

 

Last Sea Day coming up in a bit....

[oncruisecontrol]

Very nice. Keep the photos coming!

[LoveTravel23]

Last Sea Day =(

 

Woke up @ 10am & chilled until 11 & that's when we went to go get breakfast. We walked around after that & enter the gift shop to buy my aunt a souvenir cup & I bought a bottle of Parrot Bay @ $12. @ 2:30 I went to the Marriage Show-hilarious!! I always wonder why is it that the oldest couple always give us a laugh!??

 

The participators

 

Cruise director Gary was def. enjoying them! Once the show ended the men came out dancing like Chip-n-Dale guys-hilarious!!!

 

 

Big thumbs for the men doing this. The highlight of the show was when Gary asked the oldest couple this: "Sir what did your wife answer to this. Which one of these holidays represent last night for you?! A-4th of July-full of fireworks. B-Halloween-full of tricks & treats or C-Thanksgiving-thankful for anything." The married man answered, "D-Memorial Day-in honor of the dead!" When he said that the whole audience started rolling that even Gary fell down to the floor of how hard he was laughing! After that I went to go get mom for that we could go to tea time @ 3:30 (if I didn't mention it I did go to the 1st on on the 1st Sea Day)-she def. got hooked like I did =).

 

Tea Time

 

Later we went to the watch sale-$20. The box came w/ a watch and necklace or earrings-maker Costa d' Azur. The store was packed!!!

 

 

We didn't get anything so we went back to the cabin to chill before dinner. We left room @ 7 to walk around before dinner time. We went back to the shop and dad bought himself a Guess watch for $180.

 

He couldn't stop looking @ his watch!

 

After that we went to @ the lounge right outside the casino. Dad ordered a beer & I got the funship special w/ the souvenir of the funnel.

 

Right across 4rm us.

[LoveTravel23]

My Funnel Drink =)

 

 

Last lunch on the ship.

 

After sitting there I stated I wanted to get a pic of the sunset (which I always get on the day of the cruise) but I missed it by a min!!! So these were the only pics I was able to get:

 

 

 

[LoveTravel23]

So I went to the other side of the ship to get this last pic:

 

 

& 4rm the walking to the other side I lost my parents. They state they never saw me crossing to the other end & I'm like you were behind me how could you not have seen me!?? I ended up in the dining room before they did & they arrived 15mins. later stating they went to the Lincoln Dining room & even sat down before noticing they were in the wrong one...oh boy! So they finally arrived & we sat down to order:

 

Lobster Bisque-I love this!! My dad ate his, mine, and another order.

 

I ordered this which is was good but I didn't finish it.

 

Prts ordered the ribs-were good!

 

For dessert I had my final WMC =( That night the waiters sang to us and we took our final pics w/ the waiters:

 

Danilo-asst. waiter

 

Danilo & Juan

 

After that mom & I went to pick up the bracelets & necklace we bought @ the shop. The $1 per inch jewelry thing-thats what we did. @ 1st for everything it was $122!!! I was like no way my dad would kill me so he gave me the necklace only for $89 and the 2 bracelets for free. So I took it. Then we headed to the Guest Services cuz my dad said he wasn't going to pay $70p/p of grats. so we put it down to $100 totals. Now before you start telling me this is wrong let me 1st state that my dad was paying the bill 4 this so it was up to what he said when I cruise I always leave it to how it is. Then we got the final bill. He was like it's not going to be nomore than $500 right?! Umm yea dad...the bill for a 7day cruise totaled to $1,072.00. Yup! I thought he was going to have a heart attack but no. He was just like I'm not doing this again but I would do a Europe cruise! I was like, "Dad if you thought this was expensive wait until you do a Europe cruise!" Mom said never again because of the too much food but yea right she'll be back! In the end they enjoyed it though. We went back to cabin to pack & chill.

[LoveTravel23]

Getting comfy to pack....

 

While us ladies were packing dad was finishing his Chiva in the balcony watching the Glory ahead of us. We went to sleep @ midnight. I woke up @ 5am to go to deck 9 to see the ship arrive into Miami. I love the view & this time I was able to get some good pics w/ my camera:

 

 

 

 

 

[LoveTravel23]

 

After that I went up to Lido deck to get my last ice cream & to take some last pics of the ship:

 

 

If I hadn't said it before the theme of the ship-Hero/Heroic theme.

 

 

 

[LoveTravel23]

BTW this is all on my floor-deck 7.

 

Back in the cabin by 6. By 7 we were on our way out. By 8:15 we were off the ship (us taking our own lugguage btw), by 8:30 we were leaving the pier =(. Great cruise, great time!!

 

Wanted to mention-yes Capers are different & I believe these are better. Bigger/better to read/gives you the top 10 for that day & I have the capers incase of any questions.

 

Well this is it!! Feel free to ask/comment on anything!

 

Miami morning =(

 

 

 

 

[Morebeer]

Thanks so much LoveTravel23 for the review of the Valor. Will be boarding her next weekend May 30th for the same itinerary you were on. I noticed you mentioned the cruise directors name of Gary I had thought I had read the CD was a man named BigTex is this the same person do you know? Thanks again.

[Froufie]

Loved the review and it brought back many memories (see my review in signature link below).

 

As for the CD question - I believe Big Tex is the 'usual' CD but away now (vacation?) and Gary is replacing him!

[Binky66]

Hey Cruizin......

I know we are on the same cruise cause of the 8/25 Roll call. We're goin go Miami 2 days earlier for some port fun. Staying at the Holiday Inn across from Bayside Market. Stayed there last year and had a great time. Not too much activity on the Roll Call.

[sunshine002]

Loved your review. I will be doing this cruise in June and wondered where you book your (non CCL) first 2 port tours. They sounded very reasonable.

Thanks

[LoveTravel23]

Loved your review. I will be doing this cruise in June and wondered where you book your (non CCL) first 2 port tours. They sounded very reasonable.

Thanks

 

Thanx!! For Grand Cayman we did it w/ one of the tour guides once you enter the port area. For Isla Roatan we did it through Ronys Tours his website is:ronystours.com. His website gives you the information for what type of tour you want & prices. Rony is very friendly so you'll def. have a great time w/ him or any of his workers like we did. Enjoy!!

 

Regarding the cruise director-not the same Big Tex is on vacation & Gary is now the cruise director for the time being and he's good-Canadian.

[Hawkthalas]

Nice Pics!

 

Hawk

Playas Peru

[ciera123]

You did such a great job! Thank you for taking the time to write your review. :) We leave Sunday on the Valor and we can't wait!!!

[blondeonboard]

Thank you for a great review and all the amazing pictures. I'm on the Valor in Septemeber and was wondering, did they take your curling iron/flat iron. I will be a mess if they do.

[LoveTravel23]

Thank you for a great review and all the amazing pictures. I'm on the Valor in Septemeber and was wondering, did they take your curling iron/flat iron. I will be a mess if they do.

 

No they don't take it & they didn't. Have fun!