**Carnival Valor Review 7/11-7/18 long and with pics!**

[Vianky]

Ok dudes this is my very first review of my very first cruise!! Hope you like it.

 

 

Background: This trip was made up by me, my hubs, our boys 7 and 11, my brother, his wife, his step daughter (10) and my mom who I had not seen in 6 years!! Me and my family got in from Chicago the day before the cruise. My brother, his family and my mom got in the day of. It was our first cruise!!

 

Day before the cruise: We flew into FLL because it was several hundred dollars cheaper. We got to FLL at around 1pm and we had SAS pick us up. We had Carlos from Peru as our driver and he took us to the Marriott in downtown Miami Biscayne Bay where we had a reservation. Our experience in Miami was horrible to say the least. It all started when we checked into the hotel. We waited a little less than an hour to check in and right when we are walking up because it is our turn here comes this guy (now known as platinum guy) and his wife escorted by someone in the hotel to jump in front of us. Now these people had arrived no less than a min before. We knew this because they were very loud when they arrived complaining that the line was so long. Well my husband asked very loud so the man could hear him “I would like to know why this group jumped in front of everyone else” They said that they had made reservation. My husband said we made our as well months ago. Then this guy says “well we are platinum members” little did they know that so were we but we were not about to jump in front or everyone because of this. He said nothing else after this and by that time someone was helping us. Now we go to our room. The room was very beautiful and had a very nice view.

 

It was around 4pm and we had had nothing to eat all day and were all starving so we took a look at some of the menus flyers that were under our door. The first place we called did not answer and had a personal voice mail nothing like a restaurant. The second place we called we placed our order of one large pizza and one Gyro platter. Total was about $50. While we wait we try to watch some TV and it would make this loud noise. Called Maintenance and the phone was not working so went to another phone. Maintenance said it was the channel and they could do nothing about it. Two hours go by and here is the food! Very excited since we were so hungry and it took them 2 hours. When we set everything out it turns out that their large is more like a personal size pizza and the Gyro platter is a little meat and one pita bread. We needed more food. My hub goes out in search for more and after asking around finds a Checkers. He is standing in line when this junkie comes up to him and asks for money. Hubs says he has no change to give him. The junkie asks then why he is standing there and my hubs tells him well because I am going to get MYSELF some food. The guy keeps asking for money and the hubs says no. The guy comes back with another guy and say what do you mean no and stood there trying to intimidate my husband but it did not work. He comes back to the room we eat and head to the pool. My boys and hubs get in to come up with a bunch of hair on them from the pool. The water was pretty nasty.

The room was pretty, the view and the bed were really comfy but we were ready to get out of there and could not wait for morning to come so we went to bed. Thankfully that was the only negative part of the trip.

[CRU1Z1N]

Thanks for the review so far!! Looking forward to more!

[Vianky]

Day one embarkation:

We wake up the next day ready to be out of there and head to check out and my hubs then gives them an earful of everything that went wrong and we grabbed a taxi and we were on our way! Right when we got off the Taxi the porters were there ready to get our bags even though it was around 9:30am. We had planned to have some breakfast and have to take our entire luggage with us but it worked out just fine. We went right across the port to Seamen J Café and had some good food for pretty cheap. By that time my brother, his family and my mom were on their way from the airport and I waited outside for what seemed like hours for them!! It was only really like 30 min. I was just so excited to see my mom!! And here came my mom and we had a very nice hug!

Now it’s time to check in! We started the process around 10:30am everything was going pretty smooth. The ship was delayed a while since they debarked the last passengers later than normal but that was ok with us. We were all catching up and having a chat. A few hours go by and I start to notice people with this cards. They said zone1, 2 or 3. Made me think..Why don’t we have one of those? I asked one of the people who had them and they said there was a person handing them out while we entered to register! We never say this person. So here I go to find this person and explain the situation and they tell me that well we are all getting on the ship it does not matter what number we get Blah! Well after being there since like 10:30am we get zone 22. That’s ok more time to talk and catch up I guess. They finally call our number and make our way on this ship!! Oh and guess who we run into getting on the ship! Platnium guy!! he was on our cruise and we saw him everyday

 

We went right to the Lido to eat. The food was great, my husband especially loved the burritos with the lime/cilantro rice, steak, beans, sautéed onions and salsa rosa, by the time we were done, the rooms were ready. My mom had a porthole room my brother a window room and I had a balcony room (6441) and It is true I would not do it any other way now! We LOVED our room. Many said to save that money that we would not be in our room that much to enjoy it but we sure did enjoy it! Every morning we would sit out there, every afternoon after ports we would and right before bed to. I would not trade my balcony for anything!

Everyone went to their rooms to unpack and relax then we met up for dinner in the Lincoln dining room. Some time there in between we had the drill. Pretty painless. It was just so very hot and humid!! I saw one child get sick but other then that it was done pretty fast. We had anytime dinning and we also loved that. Our waiters were Mate and Mitchell and we asked for a table with them every night and never had a problem. We loved them both and our bartender Colin! I was worried that since we did not have and assigned seating we would end up with different waiters every night but that was not the case. The food was amazing and it was just overall fun experience every night. After dinner we walked around and explored the ship a bit more and ate some late night ice cream yummy! Then off to bed to get some rest for our first sea day!

[Vianky]

First day at sea:

We woke up and met the rest of our party on the lido for breakfast. Everything was good but I especial loved the yummy Danish they had! I had them every morning! After that we went to the pool and the chair hogs were out in full force. I took the advice of several of you and waited and looked for 30 min some chars and let security know. We were able to get 1 for my mom since she was the only one not in the pool. The pool was nice and the boys went down the slide and loved it. There lots of people in the pool but that’s I guess to be expected on a sea day I just can’t for the life of me understand why the pools are so tiny! That was the only day we used them all trip long. We got to see the hilarious hairy chest contest and that was fun!

After then it was off to lunch at the lido again. If we were on the ship that is where we ate breakfast and lunch. Dinner was always at the dining room. After that I took my 7 year old to do the build a bear thing at camp carnival. Total was $28 for a bear and a outfit. Not too bad. Then it was off to the room to enjoy our balcony and take a nap. Then it was off to get ready for formal night! The men in my family hate to dress up but they did it for me :P they call it the “monkey” suit.

That night was lobster night and it was all so yummy I had 2 of them! We went to dinner a bit late that night and by the time we were done it was like 10:30pm so we walked around a bit more then we all went to hang out in my room and then to get ready for Cayman the next day!

[Vianky]

I will start the ports tomorrow!! I already have it all done I just need to add the pics. If you have any questions ask away!

[h_blond2]

 

Your boys are so cute! And I love their faces in this picture! It's like "Geez Mom! We dressed up and now you're making us take pictures! Not fair!" :D Can't wait for the rest of your review!

[dknight1021]

Enjoying your review. Will be on the Valor in Oct. with Dh and DS who is 22 with three of his friends, how was the night life? Do you know if there were any good rock bands playing in any of the clubs?

[Purplehaze21]

Wonderful review so far! I agree with the post with the boys. Priceless :) Can't wait to read more!!

[Vianky]

Enjoying your review. Will be on the Valor in Oct. with Dh and DS who is 22 with three of his friends, how was the night life? Do you know if there were any good rock bands playing in any of the clubs?

 

Night life was great! Always something to do. I really liked going to the comedy club and shows. I did see some good rock bands. I some clubs but not ever night. They have like 8 dif types of music going on all around the ship so there is something for everyone

[Vianky]

Cayman: Here we booked the stingrays and snorkel with Soto’s for $30PP and I’m very glad we did. It was a pretty small group. First we went to snorkel and that was beautiful. My husband had never done it before and after that he was hooked. For his first experience he got to see so much and even a stingray the size of him swan right under him! It was very neat. Next came Stingray City (sorry not many pics. We have not developed the films form the underwater cameras) my mom came along with us and swore she would not get in the water with those things. By the end of the day she had kissed 3, held one and even got a back massage from one! She was very happy she came

This is where the stingray gave my hubs to long of a kiss! LOL

The only thing I would change is that I wish it would have been a bit longer. Both things were like 30 min each. When we got to port we did some shopping and got a tender back to the ship. It was now nap time! That night in the dining room they celebrated my sons Bday and he felt so special!! After dinner we took the kids to the camp and we went off to the casino and the Comedy show. His name was Hall and was VERY funny! We explored the ship some more and then off to bed

[Vianky]

Roatan:

We arrived in Roatan a little later in the day at around noon so we ate a late breakfast and then headed out. We had reserved a tour with Victor Bodden and after much research asked to have TEX for our guide since we saw so many good reviews about him! To get to our guide we had to walk a pretty bad hill. I am not in shape AT ALL so this was bad lol the kids did not like it one bit at all but in the end we had so much fun it did not matter. We meet Tex and he is just such a nice guy! First we did Zip line. It was me, my hubs and my 7 year old that did it. My 11 year was not really up for it. I had never done anything like this before and I was amazing! And I was so proud of my brave little boy! The guys from the zip line did an awesome job making me feel safe and making sure we had lots of fun.

After the zip line we went to see the monkeys!! They were so darn cute but we noticed that they wanted water in the worst way! My hubs gave them his and refilled the bottle once more to give them more as we did not see any container with water for them and we felt bad. Word of advice take nothing in those cages that you want to keep! The go through everything and even you pockets! We also saw the babies and I want to just take one home! They all cuddle together and when you pick one up its like picking up a little ball of curdled up monkeys.

After this we wanted to go to the beach and we let Tex know that we wanted to snorkel and would need gear and vests for the boys. He told us we could find the gear at the beach but not the vests. So he takes us to his house to get the vests that he has at home for his own children! That was really nice of him. By coincidence his backyard is right behind the place the do the swimming with the dolphins so we got to look at them for a while.

We went to snorkel and swim for a bit then back to the ship at around 6.

 

Went and got ready for dinner. Then do our nightly routine of dropping of the kids at the camp for some adult time.

[Vianky]

Ok be back later with some more. Here is the link to my album if you want to kill some time :P

 

http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz84/viankyd/Cruise/

[KCMarie]

Ok dudes this is my very first review of my very first cruise!! Hope you like it.

 

'head to the pool. My boys and hubs get in to come up with a bunch of hair on them from the pool. The water was pretty nasty.'

 

Ugh....this helps reduce my list of options on where to stay in Miami! Thank you for the heads up.

Great review so far, looking forward to more!

 

(waving at dknight too from our Valor 10/31 roll call)

[lemansz20]

Great review, I thought the fact that you had to see the platinum guy would ruin it, but you guys made out great.

[hillcountry]

Love your review. Great job!!! Your family is beautiful and I even teared up a little when I saw the hug between you and your mom. I know that feeling. :)

 

Can't wait to read the rest.

[hayesktrm]

Day one embarkation:

 

It is so great to relive the cruise. We got home last night around 1:30 AM (stayed the night in Pompano Beach and then our flight got delayed). We are exhausted!

 

We also saw the zone cards and weren't given them. I think they could have more organized, but once we got aboard, we had a great time.

 

I may have to steal your stingray pictures. I don't have any good ones to show how big they were. That was the highlight for me on the cruise. Those creatures are amazing!

 

I am glad you had a great cruise and I look forward to the rest of your review.

[reeree313]

I love your review. More please ;)

[dknight1021]

Wow I feel like I made a great decision to redo this itinerary in Oct. Sailed the Legend back in May 09, Cozumel (swine flu) and Roatan (civil unrest) ports were canceled. We did get to swim with the stingrays, unforgettable experience.

 

We also have booked Tex through Victor for the our day in Roatan. Can't wait:D

 

Marie - here's a wave right back at ya. Roll calls been kinda quite, I'm sure it will pick up soon. See ya on the high seas!!!

[veryhappy2cruz]

Regarding "the bad hill" in Roatan, will someone with bad knees able to navigate this hill? Concerned about this...please advise! Thanks!

[Hailbriliz3]

Thanks for the great review! We leave Sunday and reading this just builds the excitement!

[2 Dinks]

Thanks for the fun review and the great pictures-we sail on the Valor in Oct and reading this makes it all the more fun to look forward to. You have a beautiful family!

[Vianky]

Regarding "the bad hill" in Roatan, will someone with bad knees able to navigate this hill? Concerned about this...please advise! Thanks!

 

If you take it VERY slow I think you should be fine. We tried to get it done really fast and I wish we had taken our time!

[Vianky]

Belize: In Belize we booked and excursion through carnival because I had hear such not so nice things about the area and wanted to play it safe. We did the Altun Ha and river Wallace excursion. First came the river part of it and we got to see some Manatee, Crocs, monkeys and bats after that we had some lunch and then it was off to the Mayan ruins.

I LOVED the ruins so much! Our guide name was Tony and I liked Tony it’s just that he talked SOOOO much! Yes I want to know the history but I don’t want to spend 1hours listening you and like 30 min in the actual ruins! They we so beautiful!

That night was our second formal night

[Vianky]

Cozumel: I really liked Cozumel and so did the rest of the family. It was fun and colorful place. In Cozumel we took a taxi to paradise beach where you pay $12pp and get to play with all their water toys. They boys had lots of fun with the toys, swimming and cannoning. The water was not clear at all. There were a lot of rocks too. We stayed there for a few hours and then asked the taxi to take us on a little tour. He took us to some shops in town and some nice picture taking places. We got back to port and it was shop shop shop!! By this day we were very tired. This cruise was very port intensive and being our first cruise I don’t think we were ready! It was such a blast though. After lots of shopping we head back to the ship and while we were in line a fight broke out right in front of us!! Something about a guy going to get his wife and coming back to the same place and the guy that was there behind him did not like it. It even got physical and security had to come. It’s very sad when people cannot relax even on an awesome vacation like this.

 

 

 

[Vianky]

Last day at sea: This day we took things very slow lol this day I was finally able to go the Fish and Chips place that I was hoping to go all week! But I was very disappointed. Everything was just so greasy. The only thing I did like was the Calamari but after taking most of the batter off after lunch the kids wanted to go to the kids club where they spent most of their day and even night. They loved that place! I would call a few times to see if they wanted to be picked up and the answer was always no. So we went to the casino for a bit and then did some shopping around. Looked at the photos and bought some. Went to the room to get our things ready to pack and get ready ourselves for dinner. This day 2 of the 3 kids wanted to eat dinner at the camp so it was a smaller table. The waiters sang that “leaving On an airplane” song for us with a few changes and that was cute. We took pics with the staff that we loved and gave them their extra tips each. And that’s it! Then it’s ready to sleep to leave the next day L