Anyone just back from Valor ?

[travel12]

I'm interested in opinions of the post dry dock Valor? Any obvious changes? Any glitches to be ironed out? Did you go to Belize.... Looking forward to our February 27 sailing .

[ourtimenow]

I keep checking the boards too. How dare they not post while sitting in the airport!! ;) Can't wait to hear all about it.

[CruiserKid]

I see I'm not the only one waiting for a review. I've been checking all week hoping someone onboard posted something right after boarding the Valor after drydock. Lord willing, I'll be on the Valor on March 20th; but want to read current reviews NOW!!!

 

Thank you in advance for all who posts review. I really enjoy reading them wether they are about the good or the bad. Honest reviews are always appreciated. Thanks!!!

[moran4carnival]

I would love to hear too! Hopefully someone will post. I want to see pictures of the new serenity area

[ourtimenow]

I would love to hear too! Hopefully someone will post. I want to see pictures of the new serenity area

If you are on fb, you can see pics on John Heald's page. Its just gorgeous!!!!!

[Cruisin Together]

I signed on today just for this review. Now what to do with the rest of my day? :(

[Cattie]

If you are on fb, you can see pics on John Heald's page. Its just gorgeous!!!!!

 

Make sure you don't take the lounger with my name on it!

[ourtimenow]

Make sure you don't take the lounger with my name on it!

Kathy, I reserved mine already!!

[Cattie]

Kathy, I reserved mine already!!

 

Me too! I hope we didn't reserve the same one!

 

I'm wondering if they put flat screens in the cabins? Not like I'm actually in my cabin long enough to enjoy it but ya know!

[Mike22]

I have been waiting to. My first is on the Valor in just 7 days!!!!!!!!!!

[travel12]

Still looking for those returning sailors

[blue ridge]

Just returned, will do a review later. Ship was in great shape. Only problem was hot water was very cool most days.

No new flat screen in our room. Deck 7 aft.

No problems after dry dock. Evrything was up and running.

Getting on the boat was a zoo. No instructions, took 1 1/2 hours. We got there at 11:15.

Did go to Belize. Worked great. No tender issues.

[Mick sunfun]

I'm sailing on the Valor next week. I will post as soon as I get home.

[larryo]

We arrived for departure about 10:00. We were on board in group 7 about 11:15. No flat screen tv in our room, level 1. We had no problems with water temps, tendering in Belize went off with out a hitch. Belize was great, 3rd time there.

[travel12]

Hi Larryo .... What things have you done on Belize? Did you find the ship smokey? Was the pool area overly noisy? Will be on the 27th sailing and this is the first Carnival ship... 9 others , and I'm a little nervous

[ThaiDiver]

What time did you end up docking in Belize? Did you use an outside operator or stick with Carnival's excursions?

[Harveycm]

Hi Larryo .... What things have you done on Belize? Did you find the ship smokey? Was the pool area overly noisy? Will be on the 27th sailing and this is the first Carnival ship... 9 others , and I'm a little nervous

 

I went cave Tubbing in belize, before all the tender drama, in sept 2010. I didn't think cave Tubbing was worth the money or the time. Cave Tubbing was over an hour each way. And I would say we were on the tube for maybe 45 minutes. We didn't go ziplining because of the driving time. I was very disappointed. Two and a half hours spent in a bus is not how I would spend it again.

[csaeroach]

looking forward to review and hopefully some pictures! We are on the Valor March 20th... counting down the days until we are out of all this snow! :D

[bagelmom6]

We arrived for departure about 10:00. We were on board in group 7 about 11:15.

 

Why does boarding take so long? Last year I sailed on the Imagination and we arrived around 11'ish and were on board within about 20 minutes. Is the boarding group thing new?

[kema1987]

Just got off the Valor..had a great time! No new flat screen TV's on Deck 6, but we spent very little time in the cabin anyway so it wasn't an issue. Some in our party had cool water issues but was quickly resolved. The new Serenity area was very nice but if you didn't get there early you were out of luck.

 

Only two negatives, the hot tub water was too cold and being on Deck 6, we were over the casino and could hear all the bells and whistles. ( Our travel agent assured us we would not be able to hear anything...wrong) Fortunately, we were so exhausted we had no problem sleeping.

 

I didn't think the ship was too smokey, and I am a big anti-smoker. Just avoid the designated smoking areas.

 

We had no problem getting on or off the ship. We got there before the doors opened and were in zone 1. We boarded about noon.

 

The food was good, no complaints. The Mongolian bar was one of my favorites. The ice cream bar was also a hit by everyone.

 

The highlight of the trip was the Punchliner Comedy shows. The comedians were hilarious, especially Frank Delpizzo. Make sure you get there early.

 

Also a big hit with my kids, 23 year old twins was the piano bar (Lindy Hop). I think his name was John Liu.

 

We did 7 mile beach in Cayman on our own and had a nice day.

 

Booked with Victor Bodden in Roaton and had a great time. Did the Ziplining had a blast.

 

Stayed on the ship in Belize.

 

Did Paradise Beach in Cozumel. One of the best days, definitely recommend it.

 

Just a brief overview, any questions, feel free!

[csaeroach]

Just got off the Valor..had a great time! No new flat screen TV's on Deck 6, but we spent very little time in the cabin anyway so it wasn't an issue. Some in our party had cool water issues but was quickly resolved. The new Serenity area was very nice but if you didn't get there early you were out of luck.

 

Only two negatives, the hot tub water was too cold and being on Deck 6, we were over the casino and could hear all the bells and whistles. ( Our travel agent assured us we would not be able to hear anything...wrong) Fortunately, we were so exhausted we had no problem sleeping.

 

I didn't think the ship was too smokey, and I am a big anti-smoker. Just avoid the designated smoking areas.

 

We had no problem getting on or off the ship. We got there before the doors opened and were in zone 1. We boarded about noon.

 

The food was good, no complaints. The Mongolian bar was one of my favorites. The ice cream bar was also a hit by everyone.

 

The highlight of the trip was the Punchliner Comedy shows. The comedians were hilarious, especially Frank Delpizzo. Make sure you get there early.

 

Also a big hit with my kids, 23 year old twins was the piano bar (Lindy Hop). I think his name was John Liu.

 

We did 7 mile beach in Cayman on our own and had a nice day.

 

Booked with Victor Bodden in Roaton and had a great time. Did the Ziplining had a blast.

 

Stayed on the ship in Belize.

 

Did Paradise Beach in Cozumel. One of the best days, definitely recommend it.

 

Just a brief overview, any questions, feel free!

 

 

Thanks so much for your review!!

Just wondering what cabin # you were in? My parents are also travelling with us and currently booked in 6316 - I will get them moved to aft deck 7 if this was close to your cabin, as I know my father will not be impressed if he can hear the casino ringing all night long!

 

thanks!

Shelley

[kema1987]

We were in cabin 6314. It certainly didn't ruin our trip, but next time we will be more careful where we book our cabin. Have a great time.

[scott_gallant]

Just got off the Valor..had a great time! No new flat screen TV's on Deck 6, but we spent very little time in the cabin anyway so it wasn't an issue. Some in our party had cool water issues but was quickly resolved. The new Serenity area was very nice but if you didn't get there early you were out of luck.

 

Only two negatives, the hot tub water was too cold and being on Deck 6, we were over the casino and could hear all the bells and whistles. ( Our travel agent assured us we would not be able to hear anything...wrong) Fortunately, we were so exhausted we had no problem sleeping.

 

I didn't think the ship was too smokey, and I am a big anti-smoker. Just avoid the designated smoking areas.

 

We had no problem getting on or off the ship. We got there before the doors opened and were in zone 1. We boarded about noon.

 

The food was good, no complaints. The Mongolian bar was one of my favorites. The ice cream bar was also a hit by everyone.

 

The highlight of the trip was the Punchliner Comedy shows. The comedians were hilarious, especially Frank Delpizzo. Make sure you get there early.

 

Also a big hit with my kids, 23 year old twins was the piano bar (Lindy Hop). I think his name was John Liu.

 

We did 7 mile beach in Cayman on our own and had a nice day.

 

Booked with Victor Bodden in Roaton and had a great time. Did the Ziplining had a blast.

 

Stayed on the ship in Belize.

 

Did Paradise Beach in Cozumel. One of the best days, definitely recommend it.

 

Just a brief overview, any questions, feel free!

 

Anyone know why no new tvs in the rooms? It was stated that flat screen tvs woudl be added to all guestrooms.

[larryo]

The only places we found smoky were the Sports bar and the Cigar bar which allow smoking. Even the casino which allows smoking did not seem bad.

 

In Belize we signed up with Cavetubing.biz. The staff were very friendly, we were met a the gate and escorted to a van where they had cold water waiting for us. The drive out is about 60 minutes but they were very informative about Belize. They keep offering us water to keep hydrated during the walk which takes about 45 minutes to the site where you get in the water. Afterwards, they brought us to the owners home where we were served a meal and our choice of beverages including rum punch. They also provided ample punch on the ride back to the ship. The cost was $50 and their slogan is "twice the fun for half the price". The tubing trip with them stays in the river longer.

 

On previous trips we also did cave tubing, visited the ruins and went cave zip-lining and rapelling.

 

In Roatan we went zip-lining with Victor Bodden. This was our 4th time in Roatan and our second time with Victor. Previously we spent a day with Victor doing an island tour, went on our own with gifts to an orphanage and about 10 years ago did an island tour with the cruise line. Back than the highlights were the airport tower and the iguana farm.

 

The comedy shows were okay, both the family and "R" verssions. The room filled up fast and even arriving a half hour early was not a guarantee of a seat.

[travel12]

Thanks all for your responses. I hope that my worries of booking a Carnival cruise will not come true. Looking forward ( I hope ! ) to a great experience .