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

[valancy1]

So our cabana came with the pre-arranged sodas and water (we sort of got "robbed" because no one drinks soda except Susan and they offer 8 sodas and 2 waters. She asked for 2 sodas (ok, not a problem) and we asked if we could have the difference in water. No go. They wouldn't do it.

 

We also got veggies and fruit. We got salsa and veggie dip and a bag of Tostitos.

 

We also had these floatie mats--one for each person--and they delivered fins, masks and snorkels to us. We had our own private (out on the deck) shower as well as an air conditioner and a fan.

 

Two wicker chaise lounges and a huge wicker table and ample-sized chairs to eat lunch or have our crudite, etc. We set our stuff on the table since it was set back in the shady part of the cabana.

 

NO ONE bothered us or wondered why we were in the cabana. There was a sign that said that it belonged to a private party and see guest services if they wanted one of their own.

 

 

 

 

 

This lizard was our pal during our stay. He got so friendly, he crawled across my leg... not quite the surprise I was looking for. LOL

[valancy1]

 

It's crowded down by Cabana 1:

 

And Cabana 2:

 

 

 

Here's where you can rent kayaks and stuff.

[valancy1]

 

 

 

 

 

[valancy1]

Lunch was served in this huge covered pavilion. They had many different cafeteria lines all serving the same thing. You'd load up a plate and then walk to a different covered pavilion to eat. We took our food back to the cabana and ate there.

 

They offered picnic-type food. Potato salad and other types of salads; hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, sweets (like cookies and such), chips, etc. It was simple fare but tasty. If you went hungry, it was your own fault. :)

 

The rest rooms were conveniently located. They were old but clean and everything was in working order. It wasn't fancy or luxurious, but it was acceptable and nothing smelled or looked uncared for.

[valancy1]

We had little friends come and visit us...

 

We noticed a hole in our bag of chips. Couldn't figure it out, and then...

 

When we arrived at our cabana, we promptly took our floaties out on the water. How fun it was to lay out in the sun ON the water, holding hands with my husband. TOTAL relaxation.

 

Oh, and they offered (through the spa) massages on the beach. I believe you could get those at Grand Turk from the locals as well, but you paid Spa prices in Half Moon Cay.

 

 

As we were tendering back... We truly didn't want to leave. What a wonderful day. It was probably my favorite port of all we've visited to date.

 

[valancy1]

DAY THREE: DAY AT SEA

 

More pictures of the ship. If you are sailing on the Valor (upcoming), here's a scavenger hunt for you... see if you can find these things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jebby]

Thank you so much for sharing your cruise with us. I am enjoying the review. I can't wait for the rest.

 

Joyce

[valancy1]

Scavenger hunt continues:

 

 

 

 

Oh... well here are more pictures of the ship:

 

One of the dancers was teaching people how to do the "Thriller" dance. It was so much fun to watch.

 

 

We spent quite some time in the Eagle's Lounge... the Punchliner Comedy Club is there, and there were some VERY funny comedians... Frank Di Pizzo made my sides ache with laughter. We went to some of the family friendly ones and we also went to some of the adult ones. SO incredibly fun.

 

 

I will say that either the crowd wasn't feeling it, or the piano bar guy stunk because he was singin' to himself. I never--NEVER saw anyone in there. In fact, one night it was completely deserted--even Ron the piano guy wasn't in there.

 

[valancy1]

You'd never know that just a few days before, there was a tropical storm...

 

We went up...way up and played mini golf. It was FUN.

 

 

 

 

[valancy1]

So on our sea day, we slept in (sleeping in for us=7:30 or 8:00 a.m.). I went and got my latte from the coffee bar on the lido deck, and we had breakfast after a 2-mile walk on the running deck.

 

We played golf, I donated at the casino, we went to the shopping talk (yeah, we like to do it and Susan had never cruised before, so she wanted to go anyway). We wandered around outside, and just relaxed the day away. It was a WONDERFUL sea day. Not too scorchingly hot, which was nice. Still got sun; just not fried.

 

Dinner was formal that night and we had the frivolity in the dining room:

 

LOVE those dancing waiters!!!!

[deetrayn]

I am loving your review, and feeling sad at the same time. My cruise last year was scheduled for HMC, but our itinerary changed due to weather. I want to go there soooo bad!

[valancy1]

I am loving your review, and feeling sad at the same time. My cruise last year was scheduled for HMC, but our itinerary changed due to weather. I want to go there soooo bad!

 

Deetrayn,

 

I feel for you... I hope you'll try again! I see you're sailing on Carnival Dream in just a few short weeks. You are going to LOVE that ship. I did a review from our sailing last year if you want a sneek peak! :)

[valancy1]

DAY THREE: ST. THOMAS

 

We originally thought with this stop we would ferry over to St. John's. But I was concerned about the timeframe to get over there and back and be on time.

 

We went with Godfrey Tours instead of going to St. John's... we got 3 hours of shopping, some time on a driving tour to see the island, and then some time for swimming. All for $29!! We thought that was great. A little bit of everything.

 

Well the night before, for the first time on a cruise vacation, we heard aircraft--loudly--outside. I went out to our balcony in my jammies and nearly right in front of me was a helicopter! It then shifted left and hovered over the ship. Evidently it was a medical emergency and they got the person in one of those basket thingies. We never heard anything about it on the ship. No one mentioned it officially, but there was buzz about it by other passengers. We hope that everything is ok with that person.

 

Because of the medical evacuation, we came into St. Thomas late. Because of that, our shopping time was decreased by an hour. Oh well.

 

Here are some pictures of us coming into St. Thomas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[valancy1]

 

 

 

[valancy1]

We went into downtown and it is a shopping mecca just like others have said. I went to Mr. Tablecloth and bought two GORGEOUS tops (no, they are not made of table cloths... lol). That is a fun store!

 

But we had barely enough time to do much because we didn't have enough time on the tour to do so. We had to gather in the town square. The police do NOT like people parking around the square. They gave out tickets to these tour operators like nothing I've ever seen before. So people would load up and they'd have to go around the block before others could load onto their "taxi".

 

Chickens freely roam around there like pigeons.

 

 

Barry at the town square

 

 

Our taxi:

 

It is CRAZY when all these tourists come in... Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas was in port with us (only port on our cruise where we "shared" the port with another ship) and so there were people everywhere...

 

One of the high points on the island... it really was very pretty

 

This is our first cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. I personally loved it... It is so different to me than the landscape of the Western Caribbean. I asked Barry, "What took us so long..." Now I can't wait to book another Eastern to see some of the other islands.

[valancy1]

More pictures of our tour...

 

 

Godfrey giving his talk about what we were seeing and local folklore:

 

Cute little kids in the school yard...

 

Megyn's Bay (sp?) This is supposed to be one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. IMVHO, it was prettier from this view than being ON it. After Half Moon Cay, nothing in my personal experience comes close.

[valancy1]

The Whitman's Sampler of the Virgin Islands..

 

Lots of pretty sights to see. It was a nice driving tour. When Godfrey gave us his talks, we learned things about the island. We like that sorta thing; it gives us a flavor of the local history, culture, customs, etc.

 

They then took us down to Megyn's Bay where we swam. I had my waterproof camera, which I haven't developed yet, so can't show much of that. Compared to HMC, it was OK, but nothing like that beautiful beach in the Bahamas.

 

Plus, I had mistakenly tried to eat a hot dog and that didn't sit well with Grouchy Pouch, so I was not feeling that time at the beach there.

 

We eventually made it back to the ship and time for photos and dinner. :)

[CRUISING71]

Debra,

 

You rented a car...did you return the car at the port? Or you have to drive to MIA airport to return? Did the rental company transfer you back to port? Or do you take a taxi?

[valancy1]

Debra,

 

You rented a car...did you return the car at the port? Or you have to drive to MIA airport to return? Did the rental company transfer you back to port? Or do you take a taxi?

 

You can't return a car at the port. There are no rental car companies at the POM. So we returned it and took a taxi back to the hotel.

 

When we got back from our cruise, I took a taxi to South Miami Beach; HOWEVER, I later discovered that my rental car company also had buses that came to the POM (different from the last time we cruised in Miami) that took passengers to the MIA airport for FREE.

 

A couple I saw: NATIONAL, ALAMO, DOLLAR, THRIFTY. (Note: This is from Port of Miami).

 

Hope that helps...

[oncruisecontrol]

Great photos, thanks for posting. Looks like you had a great time. We were on the Valor last year, and we just got off the Liberty this past Saturday.

[valancy1]

Great photos, thanks for posting. Looks like you had a great time. We were on the Valor last year, and we just got off the Liberty this past Saturday.

 

We did have a great time, thanks! I hope you enjoyed Liberty as much as we did. What a great ship and what a great time. I got to meet Don, Brent & Sally, and Mona & Kenny (from Cruise Critic) on that one sailing alone. It was great!

[laceydog]

Hi Debra, love the review so far! Just read where you said you went to South Beach after your cruise. Wondering if you stayed there and where or did you just visit for the day? We plan on doing SB before our cruise and it has been so difficult trying to choose a hotel. We will be on the Valor in Feb, glad to hear you had fun!

[MustSailNOW]

Great pictures! Love the picture of the school children.

 

Quick question about St. Thomas. We were originally going to book a tour with Air Force One Tours, but was told they are booked solid that day. Were there vendors recruiting passengers for tours when you got off the ship or do you have to have something booked before hand?

[Boston_Cruiser]

Awesome review. Thank you!!!!

[JinxyB]

Hi Debra,

 

We were on the same sailing on the Valor-I'm enjoying your review! The night of the medical evacuation was strange-I watched the helicopter fly away from the ship that night, but then saw it come back? I didn't hear much about the emergency, but figured if they flew back then the person died (I hope not). Loved Half Moon Cay and want to go back!!