Review of Valor 5/29/2005

[dms_cruisers04]

Oops. Nevermind.

[dms_cruisers04]

MamaP, didn't you just get back from the Valor's Eastern Caribbean itinerary last week?

[voyagerfl]

Originally Posted by vacationaddict

The dancers are only working in the evenings.

Actually, this is NOT true. The dancers work Bingo and help out with other games/activities during the day.

 

I've seen them working in the lounges leading groups off the ship for the tenders and as many activities........no free ride for them

[BBiles]

We all have a right to our opinions. That is what I thought this board was all about. We all have different expectations when we go on vacations. I thought this was about constructive ideas.

 

Constructive ideas??? or Constructive Criticism??

 

Have yet to see either

[vacationaddict]

vacationaddict - Was it the Sante Wellness Centre you visited in Roatan Island, Honduras? I think you referred to a place called "Sante Fe Wellness Center."

Either the case may be, how did you like your time spent at the center? Thanks in advance for any & all info you can provide regarding your center visit.

It's unfortunate you didn't enjoy your cruise to the fullest, but I do understand your reasons. I wish you & yours many happy voyages in the future with whatever cruiseline(s) you choose!

Happy sailing,

T.

We went to the Sante Wellness Center. It was wonderful. I had a Hot Stone Massage and Facial and my husband had a massage. Great surroundings. We were met at the pier by Alex, who showed us our driver. It took about 20 min to reach the water taxi. Only a 5 minute water taxi ride to the spa. It is also a bed and breakfast. Angela and Leon are great hosts. Best massage I ever had. Would love to go back and stay a few days.Very romantic and peaceful. You can snorkle or kayak there also. The spa is on its own private island.

 

http://www.santewellnesscenter.com

[MamaParrotHead]

MamaP, didn't you just get back from the Valor's Eastern Caribbean itinerary last week?

 

yup.

[Mark]

Vacationaddict,

 

You are right on with your assessment of Carnival Valor! I sailed the week prior to you on May 22. I posted my comments which highlighted the disaster called embarkation and the disaster called disembarkation both of which were held in that hot humid and stuffy warehouse that they call a terminal in Miami. It took me one hour and 45 minutes to get on the ship and two hours to get off of the ship. I wrote a letter to the president of Carnival detailing my experience with his company and advised that I have never had this problem with RCCL or NCL.

 

Thank you for confirming my experience on the MAy 22 sailing and that it was not a fluke!

 

Mark

[schack74]

I was on the Valor on 5/15/05 and am also not sure why Carnival has you line up twice, once to register and then to get your keys. It was a long wait and waste of time. I'm not sure how Josh was as a cruise director but the one we had, Brent Mitchell, in my opinion was pretty bad. He was only on the ship a few weeks then and it appears he's already off so I'm not sure if he was just filling in or there were complaints. I thought the food was very good in the dining room and as far as getting off in the various ports, we were allowed off the ship on the first tender with a private tour booked. When we tendered in Grand Cayman, it went very smoothly. It's amazing how things like tendering vary so in just a few weeks.

[vacationaddict]

Mark,

 

Do you have the address of the president of Carnival. I will send them my letter also.

 

Schack74,

 

Josh as a cruise director was also pretty bad. He kept reminding us over and over again that we should also tip him at the end of the cruise. He also repeated himself over and over again. Didn't like his attitude throughout the cruise. He made some off color remarks. Especially, on the last evening "Valor Idol"

[UnVrYaN]

We all have a right to our opinions. That is what I thought this board was all about. We all have different expectations when we go on vacations. I thought this was about constructive ideas.

What was constructive about your review...looked more destructive than constructive. Look Im sorry you had a bad time on your cruise, but I have to say that any trip cruise or otherwise is only as good as you make it. No offense but you seem way too negative for anyone to satisfy. Regardless of things that have went wrong on any of my past cruises, my group and I have always had a great time. Its what you make of it. Sounds to me like you are right about one thing though....it would probably be best that you dont sail carnival again. ;)

[vacationaddict]

What was constructive about your review...looked more destructive than constructive. Look Im sorry you had a bad time on your cruise, but I have to say that any trip cruise or otherwise is only as good as you make it. No offense but you seem way too negative for anyone to satisfy. Regardless of things that have went wrong on any of my past cruises, my group and I have always had a great time. Its what you make of it. Sounds to me like you are right about one thing though....it would probably be best that you dont sail carnival again. ;)

I have travelled all over the world for the past 30 years. On my own, cruising and tours. I have never had an experience like the one on Carnival. You don't know anything about me so you have no right to tell me I seem way too negative for anyone to satisfy me. Your right I will never travel with Carnival again.

[Cruising89143]

What was constructive about your review...looked more destructive than constructive. Look Im sorry you had a bad time on your cruise, but I have to say that any trip cruise or otherwise is only as good as you make it. No offense but you seem way too negative for anyone to satisfy. Regardless of things that have went wrong on any of my past cruises, my group and I have always had a great time. Its what you make of it. Sounds to me like you are right about one thing though....it would probably be best that you dont sail carnival again. ;)

 

 

Well I guess we all read things in a different way. I found both good and bad in her comments. You're not her so how can you know what she expericenced on her cruise? Her expectations were not met in some areas. You seem to feel the need to blast people on here who have anything negative to say about Carnival. :rolleyes:

[colette5479]

I, too, found this review to be fair. She listed the good with the bad and she did not write this review with an angry tone. I am sorry she did not enjoy her experience. It sounds as if the pier has some major problems and needs to be addressed. Perhaps if she does write a letter to headquarters, it could help the experience of future cruisers.

[vacationaddict]

Well I guess we all read things in a different way. I found both good and bad in her comments. You're not her so how can you know what she expericenced on her cruise? Her expectations were not met in some areas. You seem to feel the need to blast people on here who have anything negative to say about Carnival. :rolleyes:

I appreciate you stepping in with your views. Maybe UnVrYaN works for Carnival in some capacity. I found in several forums where travel agents are writing in and praising their agency and actually giving travel reports. The only reason I know this is in the past when looking for vacations I have talked to them.

[green eyed lady]

Caviargal and vacationaddict,

 

what cabins were you guys in? I am booked for Nov on deck 8 and am getting nervous about noises from above.

[UnVrYaN]

I appreciate you stepping in with your views. Maybe UnVrYaN works for Carnival in some capacity. I found in several forums where travel agents are writing in and praising their agency and actually giving travel reports. The only reason I know this is in the past when looking for vacations I have talked to them.

Thats funny... I do not work in the travel industry at all. I was merely pointing out that your review was really negative. To the person above that said I was bashing....please read what I wrote again. I wasnt intending to bash, but there seems to be a lot of whining on here. it gets old, especially all the nit picking. Sorry, but i try to find the good in any trip....and to be honest nothing that was mentioned in the review of this cruise would make or break my entire trip. It just seems to me that some people are never happy. That is only my opinion, which last I checked I am entitled to.;)

[UnVrYaN]

Well I guess we all read things in a different way. I found both good and bad in her comments. You're not her so how can you know what she expericenced on her cruise? Her expectations were not met in some areas. You seem to feel the need to blast people on here who have anything negative to say about Carnival. :rolleyes:

For your info...(not that it is any of your business at all) But yes I do have a fondness for carnival, as my wife and I fell in love on a carnival ship. We have many happy memories aboard many carnival ships. And, while I do defend carnival, I also do not sit around here bashing other cruise lines. Y can't I like and defend carnival??? :confused:

[MamaParrotHead]

I was on the Valor on 5/15/05 and am also not sure why Carnival has you line up twice, once to register and then to get your keys. It was a long wait and waste of time. I'm not sure how Josh was as a cruise director but the one we had, Brent Mitchell, in my opinion was pretty bad. He was only on the ship a few weeks then and it appears he's already off so I'm not sure if he was just filling in or there were complaints. I thought the food was very good in the dining room and as far as getting off in the various ports, we were allowed off the ship on the first tender with a private tour booked. When we tendered in Grand Cayman, it went very smoothly. It's amazing how things like tendering vary so in just a few weeks.

 

we only lined up once...we arrived at the pier about 10:00, walked right in, got our keys and did S&S paperwork, went through security, THEN waited in line for about an hour and a half, but after that, proceeded up the terminal (had our pics taken) and were onboard.

 

we were onboard 5/22 and Brent was still the CD. I didn't mind him. I actually didn't hear him at all, except the very few times he was on the PA system (I don't know if it was even once a day) or when we tuned into the Carnival station and he was doing his "morning show".

[*CruiseFan*]

Sorry the food wasn't good...you obviously didn't drink enough ;)

 

Just teasing (sort of, because food is always better when you're tipsy for the most part).

 

Sorry you didn't have a good time! Hopefully your next cruise will be better ^_^

[LUCY55]

A final comment--both the negative and positive points presented in reviews can help future cruisers make the best decisions for themselves.

[vacationaddict]

We were booked on deck 8 aft right above Rosie's. It was really noisy. You can hear voices and the cleaning cart being rolled around on the hard floor above. Not sure what the rest of the deck is under.

[PaulMedik]

 

All in all this was the worst cruise I have taken and would never sail Carnival again nor would I recommend it to any of my friends or relatives.

 

 

Thank you.

[SomewhereBeyondTheSea]

I just returned from the Valor (5/29) and I have to say that it may have been one of the best vacations ever. This was my 6th cruise. I have sailed Disney, Carnival and Celebrity. I still feel that the food can't be compared to Celebrity but it was nothing to complain about on my part and I am a tough critic when it comes to food. I will admit that I stay away from anything with a red sauce on Carnival because it has never been my favorite. I can't say that there isn't enough variety when you have Asian food, sushi bars, nations of the world, deli and the best fish and chips that I have ever had, burgers, grilled chicken, hotdogs, steak sandwich and chili. What more can you ask for? As for the breakfas - I stuck to omlets in the morning...very good. I took the canadian bacon from the buffet and swiss and had them add it to my omlet with mushrooms. I rather not eat the chopped up ham that they use. But that is probably some useless information. I also ate brekfast in the restaurant one morning and it was very good. I thought dinner in the Lincoln Dinning room was very good and the dinner in the Supper Club was excellent.

Entertainment? There was something to do for everyone, every age. We spent most of our nights in One Step Dance Club. The club was packed every night with a great crowd. Bar service there and on deck was excellent. I only saw one show..The 80's show. It was good. There were a few performers who wernt fantastic but good. I missed the Idol show but my friends told me it was great and there was a lot of talent. I did not like the Piano Bar. It wasn't anything like the Piano Bar on the Legend which was my favorite place on that ship. They don't pass around a book with songs like they did on the legen and they don't pass around the microphone, nobody was singing along and the singer was pretty blah. There was always good music in the Eagles Lounge and the singer at the Casino bar was really good. There is a magician who walks around and does hands on tricks and magic with the guests. He left us with a loss for words...amazing.

Coffee at the Java Cafe was excellent and they even serve milkshakes.

I had an oceanview room on thwe Riviera Deck. Very spacios and comfortable. I wish I could take the bed home with me. The only problem that we had was the air conditioner didn't work the entire trip. We complained several times about that and it just never worked. We will send a complaint to Carnival. All of the ports were wonderful. My only dissapointment was the weather in Grand Cayman but we made the best of it and didn't get off the ship. In Belize we had an excursion booked with Coral Breeze - Shar and Stingray tour. It was a great time. I was on the first tender and did not have one problem getting there.

I went to the Childrens Orphanage in Hondoras and I'd have to say that was the highlight of my trip. Those kids are wonderful and so well taken care of.

Cozumel - i booked an all inclusive at Nachi Cocum Beach Club. It was absoluty beautiful...service, beach, food...everything there was wonderful. I higly recomend this to anyone who will be in Cozumel.

I must say that I never really thought anything of cruise directors untilt his cruise. The cruise director is horrible. Someone mentioned that his name was Josh but I couldn't even tell you if that was his name because he was absent the 90% of the vacation. I didn't hear much of him till the last day. Very dissapointed and now I know why cruise directors are an important part of your vacation. It would be nice to know how the weather will be and what events are going on during the day etc..

But overall I had a wonderful time. My entire group of 10 had such a wonderful time, enjoyed the cruise so much that they are ready to book the same cruise for next year.

 

P.S: The embarkation and disembarkation was a nightmare due to some problems with the people getting off the ship. Refreshemnts would have been nice since they had us standing in line for a few hours with no AC. But we got through it and enjoyed the rest of the cruise so every minute waiting on that line was worth it :D

[Joedog]

Vacationaddict,

 

Thanks for the review. Sorry you did not have a good cruise. After 26 years in the Navy it is hard for me to imagine any time at sea on a cruise ship as being "bad", but thats just me. As long as I have a flat spot to sleep on I am happy.

 

Anyhow, again thanks for the review.

[Cruising89143]

For your info...(not that it is any of your business at all) But yes I do have a fondness for carnival, as my wife and I fell in love on a carnival ship. We have many happy memories aboard many carnival ships. And, while I do defend carnival, I also do not sit around here bashing other cruise lines. Y can't I like and defend carnival??? :confused:

 

No problem with you liking or defending a cruise line but how about giving the same consideration to others on here to state their opinions without being bashed for doing so? This is a discussion board to discuss cruising both the good and bad. Nothing in life is perfect. This poster was simply stating what she experienced on a cruise with others on here. You stated that what you read would not be anything to make or break you cruise. Well fine but you are not the OP so therefore you know nothing about her expectations.