CARNIVAL VALOR Eastern Caribbean (September 11, 2011 (with Pictures))

[valancy1]

Hello all,

 

We returned from our cruise on the 18th. IT WAS WONDERFUL!! I am starting this thread to come and build my review/travel diary. I have lots of pictures of the ship and the ports.

 

I will work on this more throughout the day and tonight after work. I hope you enjoy it!

[LBumb]

sounds good. ready for photos.

[valancy1]

Preliminary info... we had been watching Tropical Storm Maria. It did not look promising for our eastern itinerary. I was anxiously awaiting updates from John Heald on Facebook (Carnival's website wasn't showing anything despite my calling Carnival directly and asking them how we could see this information).

 

On Saturday, we flew down to Miami (NOTE: For new cruisers, NEVER fly down the same day as the cruise. Ok, you can if you want, but you risk a flight problem and I can't tell you how many times I've seen people miss their ship because of a flight snafu. There's no law prohibiting you from flying in the day of... I just couldn't stand the anxiety. The cost of a hotel is worth the peace of mind, IMVHO.)

 

John Heald talked about 2 ships (Destiny and one other) that Saturday's itineraries were changed. I felt so badly for them, and knew we were headed for a re-route ourselves the next day.

 

Though I don't remember when exactly (I believe it was Sunday morning or late Saturday night), John posted that the weather was no longer a concern and Destiny and the other ship were going back to their original itineraries. There never was an announcement about a change to Valor's Eastern Caribbean itinerary or schedule.

 

HALF MOON CAY, HERE WE COME!!!

 

I also know that the likelihood of John reading this post is nil; however, I want to thank him for his tireless work to make sure we understand what is going on during a turbulent weather season. He doesn't have to do it, but he does, and I am so grateful to him for his exceptional dedication.

[MustSailNOW]

Yay!! We leave in a little over a week on the Valor! Can't wait to read your review!

[New2Cruising24]

:D So looking forward to your review :) We're on the Valor in 11 days, same itinerary!! YAY!!

 

Thanks for taking the time to review and post pics!!!

[valancy1]

So we flew without incident from DCA to Ft. Lauderdale. We had changes in our flights so we got there earlier than originally anticipated, but there were no problems. My sister and her friend were coming from Milwaukee. We rented a car for the day and I had an errand to run in Pompano Beach, so while we waited for my sister and her friend to arrive in a couple hours we went and ran our errands.

 

After everyone was together, we went over to the Downtown Miami Hilton. So many people recommend the Intercontinental or the Holiday Inn. When we cruise out of Miami, we choose the Hilton because the prices are better, and this is what we got for $89.00:

 

 

 

 

 

We got a huge suite. It was fabulous. You might want to consider this hotel if you stay in Miami. They have port views, so you can see the ships and south Miami right from your floor-to-ceiling windows. It was AWEsome!

[TakeMeAway1001]

Great start, looking forward to the rest :)

[bagelmom6]

I'm excited to read your review. I sailed on the Valor in May and adored it and I love reliving the trip with other people's reviews.

 

The Hilton looks great. Can you walk to the Bayside Marketplace from there? Thanks.

[valancy1]

That night, we went to J. Alexander's in Fort Lauderdale for dinner. The food there is FANTASTIC. It was worth the drive to me. YUM.

 

(NOTE: Many people like Bayside Marketplace; however, we are not Bayside people ourselves. You can decide for yourselves. I find it to be a tourist trap and I can't stand all those people hawking at us, so we don't go there.)

 

The next morning, we see our beautiful ship waiting for our arrival:

 

 

It finally felt like we were on vacation!

 

We finally got on the ship (pays to be early. The buses come in and these people load last it seems... we were number 6).

 

OH! New boarding "stuff" at the Miami terminal! From the last time we were there, and they asked us which credit card, and verified our information, went and got us our keys, they now have you check in on a kiosk. Someone then calls you to get your keys. It was REALLY fast!

 

So when we got to get on the ship, the "ding ding" machine gave an alert for me to go to the Excursion Desk right away. I was excited because I knew that it had to do with the CABANA I reserved for Half Moon Cay.

 

Sure enough, the kind gentleman at the Excursion Desk said it was time for me to pick out my cabana! I told him promptly that I wanted Cabana #12! He laughed and said, "You must've done this before!" and I told him that I had researched it on my own so I was hopeful they still had it. Only #15 had been selected (again, pays to get on the ship early to have the best choices)!

 

We told them what sort of soft drinks we wanted, and I signed a paper, and off we went.

 

Here are some pictures of the ship. It has an Americana theme (sort of). It's weird... the Casino is the "SHOGUN" casino, and the theatre is the "IVANHOE"... so we aren't in the Americana theme when in the casino or the theatre. The comediens made fun of it.

 

 

 

 

The ship has been retro-fitted with a Serenity deck:

 

[valancy1]

The lights on the Promenade Deck

 

This is from the Fish 'n Chips level of the Rosie's Cafe:

 

We got into our stateroom. I am sorry--I didn't take pictures of the state room, but because it's a Conquest-class ship, it looked exactly like our room on Carnival Liberty. We had a balcony stateroom. My sister and her friend had an Ocean view. We were situated on Empress Deck, just aft (almost mid-ship). It was a great location--sandwiched between 2 other passenger floors, we experienced NO noise with the exception of one morning at 5-ish, someone was dragging a utility bucket up and down the hallway. I was almost ready to poke my head out of our cabin and ask if that was necessary, but then the bucket trundled away and I got to go back to sleep. LOL.

[valancy1]

I'm excited to read your review. I sailed on the Valor in May and adored it and I love reliving the trip with other people's reviews.

 

The Hilton looks great. Can you walk to the Bayside Marketplace from there? Thanks.

 

You *could* but it would be a bit of a walk. However, a block away from the Hilton is that free "Tram/train" thingie that lets you off right at Bayside. So you can easily get there without hiring a cab.

[gelo7]

So we flew without incident from DCA to Ft. Lauderdale. We had changes in our flights so we got there earlier than originally anticipated, but there were no problems. My sister and her friend were coming from Milwaukee. We rented a car for the day and I had an errand to run in Pompano Beach, so while we waited for my sister and her friend to arrive in a couple hours we went and ran our errands.

 

After everyone was together, we went over to the Downtown Miami Hilton. So many people recommend the Intercontinental or the Holiday Inn. When we cruise out of Miami, we choose the Hilton because the prices are better, and this is what we got for $89.00:

 

 

 

 

 

We got a huge suite. It was fabulous. You might want to consider this hotel if you stay in Miami. They have port views, so you can see the ships and south Miami right from your floor-to-ceiling windows. It was AWEsome!

OK, you have sold me on my next Miami pre-cruise hotel.

[valancy1]

While we were waiting for our luggage (this was the first time ever that when we got to our cabin our luggage wasn't there. It wasn't there by the time muster occurred, but it came during muster, if I remember correctly.)

 

Now there is some narrative here without pictures, but pictures will be coming again, promise. I am trying to do this in order (hey, I'm a Virgo... lol).

 

So we went on the Spa tour. I'd never done the Spa thing this time and I wanted to treat myself for being only 5 lbs. from my weight loss goal, so I wanted to see what they offered.

 

We also did a tour of the gym, and being in pretty good physical shape, I signed up for the boot camp to be held 3 different times while at sea. I thought it might be fun even though I was scared.

 

So I signed up for an Ionithermie treatment--thinking it might be nice to lose a few inches and some cellulite. I also signed up for a facial, thinking it would be a nice pampering thing, and I was hoping that later in the cruise, the cost of the ginger and lime scrub/massage would be "on sale" (it never did go on sale).

 

While I had my treatment, I missed Sail-Away. (I will never do that again!) They had a spa drawing for "A" $500 prize. NOT. They gave away $500 in treatments to DIFFERENT people. It's misleading. Yes, I won a facial, which was nice, but it sort of annoyed me that they made it sound like this big grand prize, which it wasn't. They said if you were in the spa having a treatment, you didn't need to be present to win. THEY said that; I didn't. There were people that were upset that I won the facial even though I wasn't there. Sorry!

 

Also while having my treatment, I totally forgot they were going to try and sell me products. I nearly choked with laughter when the spa lady told me that to continue the Ionithermie treatments at home for another 270 would be $3,600!!!!!!!

 

The facial girl tried to tell me that I needed HER products, even though she couldn't pinpoint anything that was wrong with my skin (I have been blessed with nice skin, sorry facial lady!). So her products were over $400. LOL. Um, that would be a NO.

 

So I was pretty disappointed in the whole spa experience. While they didn't PUSH after I said NO, they still tried to really lay it on thick during their explanation.

 

They also were very overt in their asking for a gratuity. When you don't give one, their demeanor changes to one of iciness.

 

When I went to the boot camp, I did my best. But I didn't like being yelled at and even though I can do a 4-mile walk/run with resistance training, I had NO ability to walk afterwards. They were mean. I didn't return, and again, when I didn't give a tip, their attitudes toward me changed again.

 

I say all this of course to just inform. You all make your own decisions, but personally, I would never sign up for a class or a spa service again.

 

I MISSED SAIL AWAY and the CUPID SHUFFLE for that!! LOL...

[valancy1]

I took a couple pictures while at Muster Drill. When we sailed on Carnival Dream last year, we sat in a comfy dining room and they demonstrated their life vest "donning" and did it all while we were in air conditioning.

 

The Valor's muster is like when we were on all the other ships... cheek by jowl on Deck 3 with the lifeboats perched right before us:

 

 

 

[Ositabear]

Great so far, Debra! I love the pictures! We will be sailing on the Valor for the first time in April, so I will come back often to check your updates. Thank you for sharing! PS: I will also look into staying at the Hilton. Your room looked great and the view amazing!

[valancy1]

Sail Away:

 

 

Kathy (sister), Susan (friend) and me:

 

 

 

 

[valancy1]

Great so far, Debra! I love the pictures! We will be sailing on the Valor for the first time in April, so I will come back often to check your updates. Thank you for sharing! PS: I will also look into staying at the Hilton. Your room looked great and the view amazing!

 

When you (or anyone reading this) choose to book, go directly to Hilton's website. Here's what I did:

 

I got the lowest rate room for a BAYSIDE ROOM. I paid $89.00. It was a pre-paid room. It then asked me if they had rooms available to UPGRADE on the day of arrival, if I would be interested in upgrading and what the charge would be. I was upgraded and WAS NEVER CHARGED.

 

I am an Hilton HHONORS member, HOWEVER I do NOT have status with them anymore, so that didn't play a part in that. It was FABULOUS.

 

(Just more FYI... hope you don't mind :))

[Froufie]

Loving the review and pics - and I have the same' bling' cruise shirt as you! How cute:D

 

...and you sure lucked out with your Hilton rate - but I guess it's off season? Just checked and rate for my next cruise is $233/night!!!! no thanks (altho it does look lovely)

[valancy1]

And evening and the morning were the first day... lol.

 

We had dinner in the dining room. I'm sure you're aware there were new menu items. We had some of them, but don't remember which item we had on which specific day.

 

I also don't know if you know that I had gastric bypass 11 months ago, so my eating and food porn interest just wasn't "there" this time, so I didn't take a lot of pictures of food. I do have SOME, just not like I did on my Liberty review.

 

Some of the new offerings:

 

Bacon Mac & Cheese (with a chicken breast on top)

Sushi

Alligator

Meatloaf (which was, surprisingly, good)

Baked chicken

Braised short ribs

 

The baked chicken came with what I thought was sweet potatoes, but it might have been acorn squash. Either way it was laced with sugar, so I promptly got sick from eating it. Nothing was wrong with it and it tasted delish... just mentioning it for anyone that reads this and might have sugar sensitivities.

 

The food, to me, didn't disappoint. They clumped everything in as "Starters", rather than a separate soup course and separate salad course. But you can have any number of starters that you want.

 

I couldn't get over how FRESH the fruit was on the ship. It was amazingly delicious. It didn't matter if it was the Lido or the dining room. It was wonderful.

 

One thing I will say (and I'm sure it's been discussed): They put the BBQ Ribs on the first formal night. Who wants to eat ribs when all dressed up? They should move that off of formal night, imho. Besides, when it is served with Lobster, it makes it a hard choice for some, I'm sure.

 

Everyday in the Lido, they had something different at the "hot line". One day it was Italian. One day it was American, etc.

 

They had the mongolian wok, Fish 'n Chips, Deli Bar, and Burrito Bar every day. YUM. It looked lovely. The burrito bar was delish. Barry enjoyed the Fish 'n Chips.

 

There was the ever-present grill areas out by the pool (hamburgers, hot dogs and so on). One day in the Lido, they had tacos and they were really good!

 

The lobster was delicious. Nice and tender and sweet.

 

We in no way were disappointed about the food. Always had something available that we liked. We all were disappointed in the Chateau Briand (sp?)... it wasn't like what we remembered from past cruises and Barry said it was tough. I didn't even try it because of my new eating.

[valancy1]

Loving the review and pics - and I have the same' bling' cruise shirt as you! How cute:D

 

...and you sure lucked out with your Hilton rate - but I guess it's off season? Just checked and rate for my next cruise is $233/night!!!! no thanks (altho it does look lovely)

 

Froufie, I am honored to have the same bling bling shirt as you!

 

I would keep checking on the hotels. Those rates change all the time. Depending on what's in town and what time of year it is, I'm sure that helps determine the rates they ask for.

[valancy1]

OK, before I go on to the next thing, I feel remiss in mentioning our departure date... SEPTEMBER 11, 2011. Ten years ago that day....

 

Well, we were waiting to get on the ship inside the terminal. Just before they started boarding, someone came over the loud speaker and said we would be observing a moment of silence. You could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet.

 

Then the Star Spangled Banner started to play and we ALL stood up and sang the Star Spangled Banner. At the end, the place erupted into such glorious applause and cheering... I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. It was one of those times I got goose bumps. Very proud to be an American.

 

When we were on the ship--we also had another moment of silence and words from our captain, who spoke wonderful English with his Italian accent.

 

It was such a nice (and not over done) way to mark the day. Respectful and proper.

[qshari]

valancy-

 

What time were you off the ship in Miami? I am trying to decide how late of a flight to book home. Thank you so much.

[valancy1]

DAY TWO: HALF MOON CAY

 

Let me just say that whatever you've read about Half Moon Cay being wonderful and amazing is WRONG.

 

IT IS BETTER. LOL.

 

This paradise, to me, was heaven on earth. We had such a beautiful day there weather-wise. We couldn't have asked for more.

 

Let me also say that I've never walked on such luxurious sand. It felt like walking on suede. Soft and never burn-your-feet hot.

 

Words do fail me.

 

We did order a cabana. When we got there, we got a tram down to our cabana and for us, I was so glad we chose a higher number. There were SO MANY PEOPLE down toward the lower-numbered cabanas. There were people down by us that didn't have one, but they were so sparse, it never felt like they were on top of us in any way.

 

Because we had an "excursion", we didn't need a tender number. We got to go down to Deck 0 right away and get on one of the first tenders. They were pretty strict about having tender numbers for this port, so be aware of this. Get to the Eagles Nest lounge on 5 (or listen to Goose for specific directions) as soon as you can to get a lower number. You don't want to miss a possible moment in this beautiful place.

 

I took pictures of all the cabanas... get ready...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[valancy1]

valancy-

 

What time were you off the ship in Miami? I am trying to decide how late of a flight to book home. Thank you so much.

 

We were off the ship by 8:30. Susan's flight was the earliest one at 11 out of FLL. I felt that was tight. If you are booking out of Miami, you'd have a little more wiggle room.

[valancy1]