VALOR Anyone??? 04/10/11 Western Caribbean Review

[Prairie_Gal]

Thank you for posting your trip review! I loved it!

[alreadypacked]

FINAL REMARKS:

 

Food – The food was good. It always is. The soups were better this time than they were in October. Desserts are always delicious. Steakhouse – phenomenal as always. Breakfast in the dining room was good each time as well. The few times I went to lido for a snack or lunch it did seem like there weren’t as many options as there usually is. I ordered from room service once, for the flan, and it took about 45 minutes. It was good though.

 

Ship – While the Miracle is my favorite ship so far, I do also love the Valor. I like the layout and I love the tiered decks on lido. We do miss the aft area of the Spirit class ships when we’re on Conquest class but the tiered decks make up for it. Valor had just had a dry dock in February I believe so we did notice a few updates. Also, as I mentioned, we learned that the Valor is a pilot ship for Carnival to test out new things (pool tables, pitchers of beer, etc.) so that was an interesting tid bit.

 

Weather – The best weather we’ve had on a cruise so far. Not too hot, no rain, it was just perfect.

 

Service – I stated in the review that our MDR team was the best I’ve had so far. They really were. I miss them so much and wish they could be our dining team on each cruise! Bogden and Ratha, you two are amazing!!! We saw our room steward whenever we were in the halls and he was always nice. The room was always clean. The bartenders and bar waiters we met were all really nice as well. The bar waiter in the sports bar was really nice and always pleasant. The staff on lido was always working so hard. The buffet line staff, the staff who clean up after guests, etc. I think the guys who are responsible for lining up the loungers each night and during the day and picking up everyone’s cups and what not are some of the unsung heroes on the cruise. They deserve some recognition.

 

Ports – Western Caribbean, what can you say? It’s definitely not as exciting as some of the eastern itineraries but always a great time nonetheless. Grand Cayman is always a nice relaxing stop, Roatan is a great day, Belize – eh, I could do without and Cozumel is always a nice day too.

 

Random Thoughts – There were 600 kids on this cruise. The most we’ve ever had. We thought we planned around spring break well but it appears that this year’s spring break spread across two months depending on where you live. Oh well. For the most part, it didn’t affect us but there were some nights that we would go up to lido to try and watch the movie but the kids were running around yelling and you couldn’t even hear the movie. Big distraction. There was one night we saw security talk to a group of kids too. Oh well, it’s their vacation as well. I’m not sure if the pool tables are going to be a success. They were empty 90% of the cruise. A few notes on that – they’re in a weird location (you wouldn’t see them unless you’re in that section of the casino by the sports bar) and it didn’t really seem that they advertised them. We’ll see. There were a lot of late diners on this cruise. I mean, we would see people walk in for dinner at 8:45. My thought is, if you want to go to dinner when you’re ready, do anytime dining.

 

Interesting Notes – One night after dinner Bogden stopped and talked to us for about 45 minutes. We learned all about how he grew up, how he got involved with Carnival, his wife, his wedding, what his life plan was, crew living, etc. He mentioned that Carnival has the best employee rights and that it treats employees the best based on what he knows of the other lines. He also talked about sharks in Antigua and Freeport. He talked about how much the wait staff used to make before Carnival started auto-tips and how much they make now. It was quite a difference. Remember to tip a little extra if you feel your wait staff excelled! The Maitre ‘D stopped and talked to us one night as well and he was telling us about the people who miss the ship in Cozumel and that the Conquest will take them on. He said that’s true for any port and any line – if there’s a Carnival ship still there when you’ve missed yours, they’ll take you on. We asked how that would work if a cruise was sold out and he said there was always a cabin somewhere… That was good to know.

 

So, that about sums it up. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Again, thanks for reading.

 

Great review!! Interesting tidbits from the crewmembers you spoke with. I have to know: What about the sharks in Antigua and Freeport?:eek:

[luvdod]

Here is Duffy's website...you can also get an MVP card! ;)

 

http://www.duffyssportsgrill.com/

 

PS: your review is awesome! Will be looking forward to some of your upcoming reviews

[TwoSue]

 

One other thing I remember Bogdan told us, he said the upper half of the Lincoln dining room is going to be for Your Time Dining. I don't know when that's going to happen but I'd think soon. Maybe that will help alleviate some of the late arrivals, if they can block off the staircases and close the doors on deck 3 after dinner has started.

 

I was on your same cruise. We had Anytime Dining and we were indeed on the upper level of the Lincoln Dining Room. Our waiter told us that they revamped the seating when it was in drydock. It was 4-tops around the middle and lots of tables for two scattered about so they could easily reconfigure them. Everyone up there had Anytime Dining, and I didn't think they were anywhere else.

[Hrdtail]

GREAT REVIEW!!!!! thanks so much. On a side note: Those were some really good hotel PR folks if they turned the CSI truck and Police "gloving up" into $200.00 stolen from a room!!:D

[MrsBlair]

I have so enjoyed reading your post for the Valor. Our family of six will be going again (2nd time) in June; the first time we did the same itinerary as you, but this time will be the Eastern Caribbean. Question for you: the Serenity Deck....is that new? I don't remember those really cool looking "palapa" round (can fit several people) chairs. Are those new? Also, do you happen to know if there is a steam room that is complimentary? Or do we have to book a spa treatment? I read something about a thalassotherapy (sp?) pool and there was a cost for that....just wondered if you knew about a steam room. Thanks again for your time (what a talent you have for details!). ;)

 

Hi! Yes, that area is new. The Valor went into dry dock in February I believe and that's when they added the Serenity area. I'm not sure about the steam room - but I have heard of day passes at the gym which I believe would allow you to use it rather than booking an actual treatment. Have a blast on your cruise!!!

[MrsBlair]

Jessica, fantastic review! I told Steve you were finished and he can't wait to see it this afternoon.

 

I'm the Sheri from Jessica's review, my camera is a Panasonic Lumix TZ5, I love it, we always get great pics unless I do something dumb.

 

One other thing I remember Bogdan told us, he said the upper half of the Lincoln dining room is going to be for Your Time Dining. I don't know when that's going to happen but I'd think soon. Maybe that will help alleviate some of the late arrivals, if they can block off the staircases and close the doors on deck 3 after dinner has started.

 

the kids that were running around and yelling? they seemed to be racing around the entire lido deck, mid to back, we saw one of them wipe out on aft Lido, fortunately he wasn't hurt. I know kids need to work off built up energy but there's got to be another way. Their parents were right there on deck chairs watching them do it. :rolleyes: the kids just seemed bored and looking for something to do.

 

Sheri!!!! You reminded me -

 

The upstairs is already YTD - what they're doing is making the WHOLE Lincoln Dining Room (upstairs and downstairs) YTD. I don't remember when they were doing that, but that's what they were going to do.

[MrsBlair]

Thank you for posting your trip review! I loved it!

 

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[MrsBlair]

Great review!! Interesting tidbits from the crewmembers you spoke with. I have to know: What about the sharks in Antigua and Freeport?:eek:

 

Haha, I guess I could have put a little more about that.

 

He said there are sharks on the other side of Antigua and that when you're pulling into Freeport you can see sharks in the water.

[MrsBlair]

Here is Duffy's website...you can also get an MVP card! ;)

 

http://www.duffyssportsgrill.com/

 

PS: your review is awesome! Will be looking forward to some of your upcoming reviews

 

Thanks for posting!! Sheri and I both have MVP cards. Such a great rewards program!!!

 

Thanks - I'll be posting again in October. ;)

[MrsBlair]

GREAT REVIEW!!!!! thanks so much. On a side note: Those were some really good hotel PR folks if they turned the CSI truck and Police "gloving up" into $200.00 stolen from a room!!:D

 

Haha, I don't think it was hotel workers though - from what I remember, Sheri overheard a cop and the "victim" talking. LOL

[workn2cruise]

Sheri!!!! You reminded me -

 

The upstairs is already YTD - what they're doing is making the WHOLE Lincoln Dining Room (upstairs and downstairs) YTD. I don't remember when they were doing that, but that's what they were going to do.

 

that's right! thanks for setting me straight :D

[workn2cruise]

Haha, I don't think it was hotel workers though - from what I remember, Sheri overheard a cop and the "victim" talking. LOL

we overheard the officer and a detective talking. The gloves did seem like overkill though

[BarbG]

Thanks for a wonderful review..Hope I get to meet you on the Panama cruise...

[MrsBlair]

Thanks for a wonderful review..Hope I get to meet you on the Panama cruise...

 

Yes, absolutely!!!

[crewsweeper]

We only received one of our bags (the small one) and a note in our mailbox saying we had to report to the naughty room. You see, I had bought a case of water for me, and Paul had purchased a bottle of cranberry juice and a bottle of powerade to go with his bottle of Grey Goose from BV. I guess when the suitcases went through the scanner they weren’t sure what the powerade or cranberry was. We were actually quite excited to go to the naughty room – especially since we hadn’t been naughty. We called Steve and Sheri and the four of us went together. It was quite a fun trip. When we got there, we were asked to “sit far away” as there was a guy in there who had been naughty. No joke – he had a cooler (big one) full of tallboys that he had packed in a cardboard box that says “Scuba Gear” on it. So funny. He was standing there with a $20 in his hand. I think it was going to take more than that. Once they finished with him, we went in with ear-to-ear smiles and pointed out our bag. They only had one, so I got worried about the other. They had Paul’s, so I reached in and showed them the cranberry and powerade and we were on our way.

 

:D:DFunny Story!! But you know there are smugglers who say the best way to get it through is to disguise it, so I guess he thought "Scuba Gear" would work.:) Too bad you didn't get a shot with your phone. I'm a bit surprised the juice and powerade made it through checked luggage. Your bags must have been locked, eh?

 

Great review keep it coming.

[MrsBlair]

:D:DFunny Story!! But you know there are smugglers who say the best way to get it through is to disguise it, so I guess he thought "Scuba Gear" would work.:) Too bad you didn't get a shot with your phone. I'm a bit surprised the juice and powerade made it through checked luggage. Your bags must have been locked, eh?

 

Great review keep it coming.

 

I wanted to take a picture but security was being very serious!!! :p

 

The juice and powerade is what caused us to go to the naughty room. Once we showed them what it was they let us go.

[SteadyCruiser]

Thanks SOO much for this review ! :) My family and i will be on this boat, same itinerary in exactly 3 weeks ! :D

[bridetobe53108]

We are going on the Valor for the first time in July and you answered questions that I didn't even know I had! ;) Thanks so much for the excellent review!! Do you happen to know what the price of the margarita picther was?

[MrsBlair]

Thanks SOO much for this review ! :) My family and i will be on this boat, same itinerary in exactly 3 weeks ! :D

 

Have a great trip!!!

[MrsBlair]

We are going on the Valor for the first time in July and you answered questions that I didn't even know I had! ;) Thanks so much for the excellent review!! Do you happen to know what the price of the margarita picther was?

 

You're welcome! Thanks for reading!

 

Gosh, you know, I don't quite remember. If I think of it I'll look at the fun times tonight and see if it's listed. I kind of remember something like $17 but don't quote me on that.

[rascalrider]

Mrs Blair, I really enjoyed your review and photos! Did you notice if any wheelchairs or small scooters got to shore in tender ports? I saw the steps leading into the tenders, but am hoping there might have been an alternate means to help the disabled board tenders.

[MzShelle2U]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am totally loving your review. I cruise the Valor in 95 days. I can't wait to get back and report on my cruise with my DH. Was the Wet Lizard at the port or do I have to leave the port area?

[MrsBlair]

Mrs Blair, I really enjoyed your review and photos! Did you notice if any wheelchairs or small scooters got to shore in tender ports? I saw the steps leading into the tenders, but am hoping there might have been an alternate means to help the disabled board tenders.

 

Hi! You know, I don't recall seeing any wheelchairs or scooters. That doesn't mean they weren't there though. I would have to ask that someone else chime in on the issue - you may even think about starting a new thread on the board about it. I'm interested to know how they do it. You go down the little steps to get on the boat, so I don't know how it work. It seems to me that Carnival has to have a way to get those guests to shore.

[MrsBlair]

I am totally loving your review. I cruise the Valor in 95 days. I can't wait to get back and report on my cruise with my DH. Was the Wet Lizard at the port or do I have to leave the port area?

 

Yes, it is within the port area. It's right along that pier area where all the shops and stuff are. When facing the port, it's to the left and is upstairs from one of the shops. Enjoy your cruise!!!