Disappointed by Valor

[evandbob]

Far from the worst ship, probably one the best ships. So far the only complaints have really came from one group. If that group really did have that bad of an experience, sorry for your luck. But this has been by far the best ship I have been on.

 

 

I've sailed Valor 6 times I think. Primarily cost, accessibility and itinerary were the main reasons I repeatedly sailed this ship. I found that Valor was usually about $50 less than similar CCL cruises, I can get to Miami easy enough from LGA or JFK, and I generally prefer Belize, Roatan and Cozumel as ports of call. On the other hand, the decor is outrageously in your face and over the top Farcus, the service and atmosphere in the MDR has declined, and the menu selection is weakening. I've never hit a jackpot on the slots on Valor, but I've witnessed other pax who have.

 

It ain't the Queen Mary, nor is it the SS Minnow. It was a relatively cheap solo vacation for me back in the days of the 150% single supplement. I got what I paid for, and I didn't expect more than 2 1/2 or 3* service, so it suited my purpose to get a week away in a warm tropical climate.

[nitro2448]

I've sailed Valor 6 times I think. Primarily cost, accessibility and itinerary were the main reasons I repeatedly sailed this ship. I found that Valor was usually about $50 less than similar CCL cruises, I can get to Miami easy enough from LGA or JFK, and I generally prefer Belize, Roatan and Cozumel as ports of call. On the other hand, the decor is outrageously in your face and over the top Farcus, the service and atmosphere in the MDR has declined, and the menu selection is weakening. I've never hit a jackpot on the slots on Valor, but I've witnessed other pax who have.

 

It ain't the Queen Mary, nor is it the SS Minnow. It was a relatively cheap solo vacation for me back in the days of the 150% single supplement. I got what I paid for, and I didn't expect more than 2 1/2 or 3* service, so it suited my purpose to get a week away in a warm tropical climate.

 

If you have been in her 6 times, then you obviously don't think she is the " worst " ship either. I didn't say she was perfect, but not the worst. I didn't have any problems when I was in her, and the decor you didn't like, I did. You will never find a " perfect " ship, perfect for you, maybe, but not perfect to EVERYBODY. So again, not the worst ship. I also think when you get that many people together in one group, you will have some who are dissatisfied, and will just infect the rest of the group

[clackey]

Woohoo, guess that means the world doesn't end in December

And to think that I booked a cruise for December as a swan song.:rolleyes:

[nitro2448]

And to think that I booked a cruise for December as a swan song.:rolleyes:

Lol, I have two booked in December :)

[Snostar]

I would be very interested to find out what the OP disliked about the Valor since I am booked for New Years

Ditto.....No matter what we are going to have a fantastic time!;)

[Koval]

I was on the valor 10/27/2012 sailing and the security team treated our singles group of 620 people like criminals and followed us around all the time. While i will cruise carnival again, I will never cruise the valor ever!

This is not a "SHIP" issue it is a "GROUP" issue.

Any ship with a group of 600+ could have the same response to the group who may be a bit over the top? Loud?

Who knows because you have not really said, you just say go read something else. Not saying it didn't happen, as I am sure it did or why the sad posts. Others on the ship must have complained.

Maybe the group needs to take some of the responsibility for the actions that would cause others guests on their Vacation to feel the need to complain.

Never the less, what was wrong with the SHIP? Why would you sail Carnival again but not the Valor?

The reasoning makes no sense on this.

 

[Jocia]

I can respond to this as well. I was on the ship, part of the group and have 8 previous cruised under my belt.

 

 

1. As always, the room stewards and casino staff were amazing. Always friendly with smiles on their faces and a wave for you. I have no complaints of them. The bar staff on the aft lido deck was kept busy because that's where the group congregated daily. I applaud them for their efforts.
   
2. The dining room wait staff all depended on where you sat. Our group was in the Washington Dining Room and two nights I sat in the rear by the windows and one night I sat entering right, by the windows. The second night, I wish I got his name, cause that man and his staff were on POINT. We were out by 10/10:30 and it was elegant night and my table mate ordered 5 lobster tails (she's a confessed pig). The first and third nights it was slow. That third night I didn't leave til well after 11.The other nights I ate on Lido or in the Steak House.
   
3. Felipe, the Cruise Director, had to be the worst I've ever sailed under. I'm use to seeing CD's around the ship, I only saw him on TV during the replays of the previous nights shows.
   
4. The smoking on the ship was ridiculous, it was like living in an episode of Mad Men. Yet looking around, only a couple of people were smoking so the only issue is bad ventilation. I was on the Dream and my dress kept flying up from the back draft!
   
5. All activities that the group has planned on ship cabin crawls, eg, are approved by Carnival before we even board the ship, so that's a non-issue.
   
6. Security? I don't know what was up their craw. Their behavior can only be likened to racial profiling. They expected trouble from anyone identified as part of our group so some of the guards tried to get that behavior out of those that 'appeared' to want to exhibit it.
   
7. Debarkation was a cluster. I was in group 26. I didn't get off the ship til and through customs til 10am. And that wasn't even with my group. I only got off then because I happened to go downstairs and ask cause I lost track of the numbers and the girl said I could go cause my bags were already down. It's almost like after a certain point, they just forgot to call people to leave.
   

 

This was my 2nd trip on the Valor, my last one left a lot to be desired as well, but after this trip, I'm not willing to give it a 3rd try.

 

I suggested to Carnival on my survey that they post what groups are booked on which ships. I think cruise lines would find they'd have a lot more revenue coming in adjusting to this policy.

 

I'm 2 cruises away from Platinum. This trip and the treatment that I saw from Carnival's upper management on board and the customer service on land has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Depending on what happens over the next few days, I may be trying NCL and RCL soon.

 

D

 

This is not a "SHIP" issue it is a "GROUP" issue.

Any ship with a group of 600+ could have the same response to the group who may be a bit over the top? Loud?

Who knows because you have not really said, you just say go read something else. Not saying it didn't happen, as I am sure it did or why the sad posts. Others on the ship must have complained.

Maybe the group needs to take some of the responsibility for the actions that would cause others guests on their Vacation to feel the need to complain.

Never the less, what was wrong with the SHIP? Why would you sail Carnival again but not the Valor?

The reasoning makes no sense on this.

 

[nitro2448]

I can respond to this as well. I was on the ship, part of the group and have 8 previous cruised under my belt.

 

 

1. As always, the room stewards and casino staff were amazing. Always friendly with smiles on their faces and a wave for you. I have no complaints of them. The bar staff on the aft lido deck was kept busy because that's where the group congregated daily. I applaud them for their efforts.
   
2. The dining room wait staff all depended on where you sat. Our group was in the Washington Dining Room and two nights I sat in the rear by the windows and one night I sat entering right, by the windows. The second night, I wish I got his name, cause that man and his staff were on POINT. We were out by 10/10:30 and it was elegant night and my table mate ordered 5 lobster tails (she's a confessed pig). The first and third nights it was slow. That third night I didn't leave til well after 11.The other nights I ate on Lido or in the Steak House.
   
3. Felipe, the Cruise Director, had to be the worst I've ever sailed under. I'm use to seeing CD's around the ship, I only saw him on TV during the replays of the previous nights shows.
   
4. The smoking on the ship was ridiculous, it was like living in an episode of Mad Men. Yet looking around, only a couple of people were smoking so the only issue is bad ventilation. I was on the Dream and my dress kept flying up from the back draft!
   
5. All activities that the group has planned on ship cabin crawls, eg, are approved by Carnival before we even board the ship, so that's a non-issue.
   
6. Security? I don't know what was up their craw. Their behavior can only be likened to racial profiling. They expected trouble from anyone identified as part of our group so some of the guards tried to get that behavior out of those that 'appeared' to want to exhibit it.
   
7. Debarkation was a cluster. I was in group 26. I didn't get off the ship til and through customs til 10am. And that wasn't even with my group. I only got off then because I happened to go downstairs and ask cause I lost track of the numbers and the girl said I could go cause my bags were already down. It's almost like after a certain point, they just forgot to call people to leave.
   

 

This was my 2nd trip on the Valor, my last one left a lot to be desired as well, but after this trip, I'm not willing to give it a 3rd try.

 

I suggested to Carnival on my survey that they post what groups are booked on which ships. I think cruise lines would find they'd have a lot more revenue coming in adjusting to this policy.

 

I'm 2 cruises away from Platinum. This trip and the treatment that I saw from Carnival's upper management on board and the customer service on land has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Depending on what happens over the next few days, I may be trying NCL and RCL soon.

 

D

 

I can't comment on most of your complaints as I was not there. But as far as your cabin crawl being pre-approved so it should have been a non-issue, that's wrong. Carnival may have approved it, but if they were receiving complaints from other passengers then they had to react to them. If you don't like the ship then you just don't like it, but the personnel on the ship is constantly changing. And don't through out the race card, workers on these ships are from all over the world.

[Jocia]

From what I understand, there are many debates as to exactly where the complaints of the cabin crawl came from. So who, if anyone, actually complained I can't say.

 

But after 10 years, at least 5 groups of 200+ people a year and no warnings about noise (cause the group leaders DO tell people), yet Carnival jumps out now to shut them now? I smell something rotten in Denmark.

 

Umm, that wasn't throwing out a race card, please read again. I stated that what Security had done on the ship in targeting the group could be likened to racial profiling. I did not say Security did what they did because the group was of a certain race, that would be a race card. That would also be a lie because the diversity of the group.

 

D

 

I can't comment on most of your complaints as I was not there. But as far as your cabin crawl being pre-approved so it should have been a non-issue, that's wrong. Carnival may have approved it, but if they were receiving complaints from other passengers then they had to react to them. If you don't like the ship then you just don't like it, but the personnel on the ship is constantly changing. And don't through out the race card, workers on these ships are from all over the world.

[Stilles]

Woohoo, guess that means the world doesn't end in December

 

 

Well i just lost a bet...

[ronandannette]

Just following along with this thread out of mild interest; I don't have any stock in either side. One thing that strikes me as VERY odd though, is that in years of reading these boards I don't think I've ever heard of a charter group complaining about the way they were treated by a cruiseline. Lots and lots of cases of individuals coming back from cruises that had large groups booked on saying that their vacation suffered due to the groups, but really I can't remember it ever going the other way. Special-interest charters are usually quite a bit more expensive that the regular cruise fare and groups are considered KING. :confused:

[Jane2357]

I wasn't on this cruise so I have no dog in the hunt so to speak but I'll chime in and say that I would be P.O.ed IF I had been on it. 620 people in a group is about 420 too many. I can see just how this all came down - the sheer numbers would freak out the security people and I'm sure that "Joe Average Cruiser" was pretty much shoved out of the way of a group this size. MHO - it should not be allowed. I can see it now - open up your cabin door to try to make your way to dinner and there are HUNREDS of people milling outside a few cabins, think of the noise! Yikes. How would you even move in a crowd that size. A total safety issue.

[Katikat23]

I was on this sailing as well - but not a part of the singles group. I have to say that DH and I were very impressed by the ship and the staff. The waitstaff in the MDR wasn't the best we've had as they always seemed rushed. Other than that, we have no complaints about the ship or staff.

 

If there were problems with the staff or with the singles group being singled out, why blame the specific ship and not Carnival? Often times some of the staff will end up on a different ship eventually anyway so choosing a different ship in the same fleet really doesn't fix anything. If that were the case, I could easily say that I am disappointed by Valor because they allowed such a large group of singles to be on board. That's just silly.

 

We did find the singles group to be a bit obnoxious at times but we ignored it the best we could and had a great time. Personally, if I were in a group that large, I would be expecting to have some sort of problems. There's no avoiding it.

[valancy1]

We were on the Valor 10-13-21 and loved it!!!

 

We were on this same cruise (2nd time in a row, actually) and it was our favorite cruise ever! We had such a great time on this ship--the extra sea day and all the fun stuff to do during the day. I can't explain it but it was our best cruise yet!

[CapeCodCruiser]

I just got of the Valor.

This was my fifth Carnival cruise.

While I will cruise with Carnival again I will avoid Valor.

 

I was on that cruise as well and actually posted a mini review about how pleasantly surprised I was with many things.

 

When we were in the airport on our way home we were talking with a guy who was part of the singles group. He told us about the cabin crawl - there were only about 12 cabins that were "hosts" and a major portion of the 620 singles participated in the crawling part. so figure 500 folks "crawling" thru 12 cabins - can you say SAFETY ISSUE? That's 40 people per cabin - which is about 30 too many!

 

They would also continue the party on deck after the clubs shut down - a couple nights they got a little rowdy and security broke it up and sent folks to bed. The were reluctant to leave the clubs at night so they would turn up the house lights and ask folks to leave.

 

Those are the two things I know about. For the most part the singles were pretty good but I think if you were among the ones who were the die hard late-nighters you might "feel" you were being targeted but I think Carnival's security was trying to give the singles some leeway but keeping all of the passenger's safety in mind. I know one very late night 4 am or so abunch of singles were on the aft getting pizza and the ship's Chef de Cuisine (Head Chef) was serving them pizza!

 

Most of the singles we spoke to - and there were many were having a great time.

[cruzinlisa]

Doesn't look like the OP wants to elaborate. I personally think you will like it. It's my favorite ship so far

 

Mine too. My best cruise to date. My least favorite was my last cruise, on Conquest. But I am sailing her again in April, so we will see.

[nitro2448]

Mine too. My best cruise to date. My least favorite was my last cruise, on Conquest. But I am sailing her again in April, so we will see.

 

Maybe with upgrades she will be better. When you going in April? I will be on her to

[airhead22]

Thank goodness all we had was a bunch if drooling groupies with the lousy Elvis crowd and some obnoxious family reunion groups. I had no problem just avoiding both. It was dumb to jam up the casino bar with events and the ever present rabid photographers. I just came in via the back and threw my money away:)

[bruce925]

I have seen MANY groups on the many cruises I have taken over the years. So there was this group of over 600 single people. I have seen MUCH worse, and I will say this. They were the most well behaved LARGE group I have ever seen, and I personally noticed the security people getting "in their faces" repeatedly. Nor I talked to a bunch of these very friendly, fun loving people. Apparently they had a pre-approved Halloween "cabin crawl" which was from 6pm to 8pm while most of the non-singles were at dinner. I had the pleasure to attend several of their events and they were cordial, and seemed to be mostly professional people and I witnessed nothing outrageous.

 

In my conversations, anyone wearing their name beads was being harassed by the security people. They were forced to hand over personal posessions that security knew "listed" the cabin crawl room numbers with the threat of being thrown off the ship. There is more to this as I understand a person named Roger Sipple posted a LOT more details than I can convey here. I found problems on the ship...uncontrolled CHILDREN screaming in the hallways, babies crying, kids in the hot tubs...where was security? Oh and the threat to be kicked off the ship come the next port because a couple was "kissing" while in the hot tub!! Really now!

 

I found the ship to be filthy and the crew morale seemed down. Food quality mediocre. They even ran out of hot chocolate half way through the cruise. But I hope Mr. Sipple re-posts so you who praise the Valor or are not sure what really went on last week will know. It just appears to me that there is some "oh it was the best ship ever" fake postings on here, and I am saying what I noticed. Whether or not this posting is allowed to remain is in question, perhaps this is all cruise-line promotions and hard hitting, factual reporting is not allowed here.

 

I do believe that when there is a LARGE group booked on a ship, Carnival should respect the other passengers and let them know ahead of time. But for those saying things such as "oh those single people should never be allowed on OUR cruise ship should head for the snooze cruise of Holland America and sleep on the lido deck all week. Let the FUN Ship be a FUN SHIP or go somewhere else!

 

Lastly, they tell me they had an event scheduled for their group and that it was cancelled "to punish the group". I would venture to say that Carnival went out of its way to RUIN their experience.

[cruiserpdx]

I have seen MANY groups on the many cruises I have taken over the years. So there was this group of over 600 single people. I have seen MUCH worse, and I will say this. They were the most well behaved LARGE group I have ever seen, and I personally noticed the security people getting "in their faces" repeatedly. Nor I talked to a bunch of these very friendly, fun loving people. Apparently they had a pre-approved Halloween "cabin crawl" which was from 6pm to 8pm while most of the non-singles were at dinner. I had the pleasure to attend several of their events and they were cordial, and seemed to be mostly professional people and I witnessed nothing outrageous.

 

In my conversations, anyone wearing their name beads was being harassed by the security people. They were forced to hand over personal posessions that security knew "listed" the cabin crawl room numbers with the threat of being thrown off the ship. There is more to this as I understand a person named Roger Sipple posted a LOT more details than I can convey here. I found problems on the ship...uncontrolled CHILDREN screaming in the hallways, babies crying, kids in the hot tubs...where was security? Oh and the threat to be kicked off the ship come the next port because a couple was "kissing" while in the hot tub!! Really now!

 

I found the ship to be filthy and the crew morale seemed down. Food quality mediocre. They even ran out of hot chocolate half way through the cruise. But I hope Mr. Sipple re-posts so you who praise the Valor or are not sure what really went on last week will know. It just appears to me that there is some "oh it was the best ship ever" fake postings on here, and I am saying what I noticed. Whether or not this posting is allowed to remain is in question, perhaps this is all cruise-line promotions and hard hitting, factual reporting is not allowed here.

 

I do believe that when there is a LARGE group booked on a ship, Carnival should respect the other passengers and let them know ahead of time. But for those saying things such as "oh those single people should never be allowed on OUR cruise ship should head for the snooze cruise of Holland America and sleep on the lido deck all week. Let the FUN Ship be a FUN SHIP or go somewhere else!

 

Lastly, they tell me they had an event scheduled for their group and that it was cancelled "to punish the group". I would venture to say that Carnival went out of its way to RUIN their experience.

 

 

I read and follow but never post, but reading this thread has forced my fingers to the keys. Let's put another spin on all the negativity of this singles group. I too was on this ship...single but not with the group. I saw inappropriate behavior from some of the security staff as well. They followed me around but in a flirtatious way not intimidating. I could not tell you who my steward was til I made 3 calls the 2nd day for service and then slipped him a $20 so he would return. I am VIP so I have many cruises under my belt and know what is good service or not. This was by far the worst experience ever. Back to the singles...I saw only a group of people of all ages traveling and having a wonderful time. The smoking in the casino I witnessed was mostly folks w/o beads. But most importantly what I witnessed was the most admirable and profound professionalism of one them helping in a medical emergency (while her beads dangled around her neck) of cabin neighbor for what must have been an hour. She heald and comforted a family member of the ill instead of 'partying' as many of you think went on. This is what I saw and experienced and only speak the truth.

[airhead22]

I read and follow but never post, but reading this thread has forced my fingers to the keys. Let's put another spin on all the negativity of this singles group. I too was on this ship...single but not with the group. I saw inappropriate behavior from some of the security staff as well. They followed me around but in a flirtatious way not intimidating. I could not tell you who my steward was til I made 3 calls the 2nd day for service and then slipped him a $20 so he would return. I am VIP so I have many cruises under my belt and know what is good service or not. This was by far the worst experience ever. Back to the singles...I saw only a group of people of all ages traveling and having a wonderful time. The smoking in the casino I witnessed was mostly folks w/o beads. But most importantly what I witnessed was the most admirable and profound professionalism of one them helping in a medical emergency (while her beads dangled around her neck) of cabin neighbor for what must have been an hour. She heald and comforted a family member of the ill instead of 'partying' as many of you think went on. This is what I saw and experienced and only speak the truth.

 

 

 

So, with that being said, does this make the Valor a ship to be avoided in your opinion?

[malapaduci]

I too was on this cruise. This is my 10th with the group and 4th Halloween Cruise all quite large. An example of the security itimidation was in the disco. in the 27 cruises I have been on (most Carnival) I have never seen a security guard stare at you pointedly and walk circles on the dance floor over and over even when it was not full.

We have always had cabin crawls. Usually we are in formal wear. This cruise we we had a neon theme...not scary. Usually we get some fun comments on the Halloween decorations. It is just suprising their reaction. Basically telling the group that if they have ANYONE in their cabin they will be kicked of the ship. REALLY? Several in the group spent BIG BUCKs on the captain's suite and other grand suites on board.

I am not sure how dancing in the casino bar to the LIVE band right there could be considered "hijacking" the casino bar (in response to a prior comment).

I spoke to many couples that were not in the group and they said that they enjoyed talking to many in the group.

As to other disappointments I would say this one need significant upgrading and in particular the dinner kitchen. Some food was just plain awful. I used to love the Flat Iron steak. What they served was NOT flat iron steak. The lobster & prime rib were great but most of the other food was blase'.

It was great that the ship gave us venues for some of our parties and for the most part the group was spread around the ship. Not all the group in one place at one time.

The piano bar was empty because the piano player was not really very good at all. Sorry for the rambling but it is for those on this thread who don't understand or believe the issues that happened:eek:

[nitro2448]

Let's just say everything happened just as the single cruises say it did, I'm saying it did or didn't, I wasn't there. But why do you single cruisers think it happened ?

[houstontaylor]

I too was on this sailing, and have cruised with Carnival, Princess, RC, Celebrity, and several others. The ship was disappointing... The SMOKE was TERRIBLE! I honestly couldn't even walk through the Casino to the shops without my eyes burning. My throat hurt after the cruise, and I couldn't STAND to even sit at the Casino bar without getting sick from the smoke. The ventilation had to be broke, because it was disgusting....If you are sensitive to smoke or a non smoker you may want to rethink this ship.

 

Yes, the group was large, (over 600) but Carnival had no problem booking them as a group but had every problem with the group. The security on the ship was horrible. My fiancé and I were watched constantly, and I felt like they were waiting for us to steal something... My massage was terrible, the young lady actually HURT me, and it was far from relaxing.... The food wasn't that great, as experienced on other cruises....The disembarkation was a JOKE! I purchased the faster to fun, and it took over an HOUR to get my luggage, aside from getting OFF the ship early, once you were off, it was complete disorganization, with not a Carnival rep in site....

[deedle7544]

I read and follow but never post, but reading this thread has forced my fingers to the keys. Let's put another spin on all the negativity of this singles group. I too was on this ship...single but not with the group. I saw inappropriate behavior from some of the security staff as well. They followed me around but in a flirtatious way not intimidating. I could not tell you who my steward was til I made 3 calls the 2nd day for service and then slipped him a $20 so he would return. I am VIP so I have many cruises under my belt and know what is good service or not. This was by far the worst experience ever. Back to the singles...I saw only a group of people of all ages traveling and having a wonderful time. The smoking in the casino I witnessed was mostly folks w/o beads. But most importantly what I witnessed was the most admirable and profound professionalism of one them helping in a medical emergency (while her beads dangled around her neck) of cabin neighbor for what must have been an hour. She heald and comforted a family member of the ill instead of 'partying' as many of you think went on. This is what I saw and experienced and only speak the truth.

 

Like. Well Said.

 

Truth is, we can be on the same cruise and have very different experiences. DOesn't make anyone right or wrong. Personally, I am a "make lemonade" type, and nothing ruins my day. Ever. Its a choice, people.