My review of the Valor 5/29 sailing

[ShanB42]

It's so funny how I have read negative reviews for this sailing and yet I have really no complaints!!!! In fact...I had a BLAST and it really was one of the best cruises I have ever been on.

 

Here's my take....

 

Day 1 (5/28) Miami

When we arrived it was overcast. I was a little bummed because I had hoped to spend the day at the beach. However, by the time we got in the taxi to the hotel...it was clear and beautiful.

 

Arrived at the Tides at about 9:50 am and was immedately greated by a bellman. Our rooms were not ready but they upgraded us to room higher up that were ready. VERY NICE!!! The Tides is beautiful. Staff really go out of their way to make your stay great. And the bed....OMG. the most comfy I have ever been in. And I have stayed at some pretty nice hotels. This bed....THE BEST!

 

We changed and grabbed a bite to eat at the new cafe. DELISH!!!

 

Spent the rest of the day at the beach.

 

That night we had dinner at Tuscan Steak. Not as good as the one in NYC. But still yummy. We thought it would be nice to walk back to the hotel. BIG MISTAKE!!!!! We had no clue memorial day weekend was hip hop weekend or something. I guess all the rappers come to town. I don't know. All I know is...it was impossible to move. People elbow to elbow in the street fights EVERYWHERE. It was a mess and I was literally scared. So we cought a cab and spend the rest of the evening in oour room watching fights down on Ocean Drive. It was very unsettling!

 

Day 2 (5/29)

We woke up at 10 am and had breakfast downstairs at the tides. It was VERY good. Took a cab to the peir. Got there probably at 12:30. There was already a long line. After about 20 minutes of waiting we notice a group of about 10 white trash looking people trying to cut. We wouldn't let them and told the people behind us to watch out. Well, the person behind us said something to one of them and cutter told him to Shut the F up and watch who he is talking to if he didn't want to loose his teeth. NICE WAY TO START A VACATION!!!! I was pissed. So I went over to security and told him there were 10 people trying to cut and also threating to punch people who say something. Security did NOTHING. Told me if he don't see or heard it there is nothing he can do. NICE!

 

By 2:00 we were on the ship. Had a drink at the lobby bar and then went to drop off our carry ons in the rooms. We had room 7404 and inlaws had 7405. Rooms were great. VERY CLEAN. but smaller than I had remembered. Especially the bathroom. Balcony was nice. I loved the chairs on the balcony. Very comfy.

 

Spend most of the aftrenoon walking around the ship. Then showered and got ready for dinner.

 

We were at table 409 at the 5:45 seating in the Washington Dining room. OUr wait staff was AWESOME! Very personable. Kept us laughing. Always had a great time at dinner.

 

Day 3 (5/30) SEA DAY

Woke up at about 9 and had breakfast on the lido deck. After we ate we walked around to find deck chairs. Almost all taken by towels...of course...no people on them...just towels. They really need to figure out a way to nip this in the bud. It is crazy! Spend most of the day out in the sun which wiped us out. So we went back to the room at about 2 to nap while my inlaws went to play the slot tournament. My MIL won!!! Dinner (again) was Awesome. The show we has seen a million times so we skipped it for the casino. I won $100 on Wheel of fortune.

 

Day 4 (5/31) Belize

We did the Goff's Caye Excursion. It was GREAT! Beach was rocky...but beautiful. I found some of the best shells I have ever seen. Lunch was great. Snorkeling was great!!! Loved this excursion. Would definitely reccomend it to others.

 

Dinner AGAIN was GREAT....Ya know what....it was GREAT everynight...so I won't mention it again. YUMMY YUMMY!!!

 

The comedian that night was hillarious. I could not stop laughing. I beleive this was the night of the blackjack tournament. Guess who one that.....MY HUBBY! WOO HOO!

 

Day 5 (6/1) Honduras

We did the Tabyanna Beach Break. OMG....BEAUTIFUL!!! Like a postcard. We had such a great time relaxing the the calm clear water. Another excursion I would highly reccomend!!!!

 

I think the show this night was a juggler. EHH...Could have done without seeing it. I am sure kids liked it...but not for me.

 

Day 6 (6/2) Grand Cayman

Not such a nice day. RAIN RAIN AND MORE RAIN. We stayed on the ship. Slept late (noon) had lunch in the room and watched movies. Entered a few trivia games. Did quite well with them actually. It was a lot of fun.

 

The 80s show in the theater was a nice change. Didn't think it was outta this world. But I enjoyed it. OK...I messed up somewhere. Forgetting what night they had a hypotist.....days all blur together when on vacation!!! I'll just say THIS about THAT show....HILL-AIR-RE-US! OMG! Best show all week.

 

Day 7 (6/3) Cozumel

We went to Mr. Sanchos beach. BEAUTIFUL!!! Friendly staff! Clean! Never pressured to do water sports. We really enjoyed ourselves. Another place I would highly reccommend!!!

Had dinner and drinks that night at Senior Frogs in downtown Cozumel. Not as crazy as carlos and charlies...but sti;; ery much a party atmosphere. They played more dance/ 70s / 80s music rather than top 40 which was fine by us. Did way to many shots that night...which meant........

 

Day 8 (6/4) SEA DAY

Didn't get out of bed until 1 in the afternoon. YIKES! Lunch in the room again and more movies. But we needed the R&R!

 

Valor Idol was cute! We enjoyed that show. Stayed up late in the casino....got our last taste of yummy pizza then off to bed to dream about our next cruise.

 

Day 9 (6/5) Debarkation

Got up at 8. Showered and got off the ship....or at least waited in line after line to get off the ship. I lost our birth certs at some point on the trip so an hour that morning was spent in a panic. But customs let us through no problem.

 

 

Grade by categories

 

Embarkation: C-

Lines STINK! Cutters STINK WORSE!!!! This is an area that can be imporved.

 

Breakfast Buffet: B-

It's good but not much for variety.

 

The Grill: A+++

LOVE the burgers! LOVE THEM!!!

 

The Deli: A+++

Yummy Yummy Yummy!

 

Pizza: B

Would be an A+++ if they used more sauce on it.

 

Rosie's: A

Aside from the lines...it was AWESOME. Always something new to try. Very Yummy!!!

 

Dining room: A++++++++++

Never a bad meal.

 

Cruise director: B-

Hated him at first. Wanted to tell him top shut up and get to the point. The man babbles!!!! But his sence of humopr grew on me throught the week.

 

Ship Excursions: A

Not too overpriced and very well organized.

 

Room: A

Nthing bad to say about the room

 

Shows: B-

Time to revamp your shows Carnival. If I see that damn red couch one more time I am going to scream!!!!

 

Debarkation: C

Lines after line after line. I realize there really is no quite way to get 3000 people on and off the ship without lines...but just stinks.

 

 

Overall cruise rating: A

Good times, good food, and spending time with people I love......Can't beat that!!!!

[Snowball]

Thanks for the review Shannon!!! :)

[becky14]

What Hotel Did U Stay

 

The Bed Sounds Like Th Westin :)

[ShanB42]

We stayed at the Tides on Ocean Drive.

[sotadragon]

Thanks for a great review! :) Some other people's reviews had me a little bit worried about the Valor :eek: , but you've made me feel a lot better about it! :D Who was the Cruise Director? You didn't mention anything about tendering at any ports, how did that go? Did you try the fish 'n chips or sushi? Thanks again! :D

[ShanB42]

Tendering in Belize was FINE. We were on an excursion so we had no wait. We didn't get off in grand cayman because of the rain. They kept suspending tender service. I heard (becuase of the weather) it was a nightmare.

 

Didn't try the fish and chips or sushi. But heard they were both delish.

[mnsawyer]

Great review and it's good to read one about the Valor! We sailed the Glory 4/9 and did the Goff's Caye excursion in Belize. Worked out perfect for us in that we did the am tour - back on the ship around noon for lunch and then could take a tender into town. Did you have any of the kabobs the locals were cooking on Goff's Caye? I couldn't believe my husband actually did since he's pretty particular about cleanliness, etc. but they were great!

 

Was the cost of the Tabayna Beach break worth it? Seems like a lot for transportation and a lounge chair? Are there any tiki huts, shade, etc., What about restrooms, drinks, etc.? Was it crowded? What was the charge for snorkeling equipment? Have heard the snorkeling is good there? How long could you stay there?

 

We're potentially thinking about the Valor next spring and would love to take this itinerary especially since there are 4 ports.

[ShanB42]

OMG the Kabobs were AWESOME!!! And I don't normally eat anything with BBQ sauce. But I loved them.

 

Tabyanna beach was very nice. A little crowded. Sorta like Magen's Bay in ST. Thomas when a bunch of ships are in port. It is a bit overpriced...but what is the alternative really? We paid really for the peice of mind of knowing we were on a ship's excursion. Gift shop is really small. But there are bathrooms and a bar with BBQ type food.

[ShanB42]

I didn't Snorkle at Tabyanna. So I don't know much about that but there were signs all over saying "please don't stand on the coral". So I assume it must have been pretty good.

 

You could leave whenever. Only catch was a bus needed to be full to leave. We got there at 9 and left at about 1. No wait to leave at all.

[pacerzfan]

Thanks for a great review! We have a group taking this trip in September. So thank you for all the info!

[ShanB42]

Did you just try IMing me? I didn't recognize the name so I clicked ignore. Sorry!

[gatorclaw]

I'll field the Tabyana snorkel question:

 

Good snorekling- not much variety in coral type life, but lots of fish and lots of

diverse terrain- meaning lots of shallow coral, deep trenches, etc.

 

Yes, there is a cost to rent. I believe it was $5 for each piece (snorkel/mask, fins, life jacket) but I'm not sure how long or if they will negotiate.

 

As far as the cost of the Tabyana Beach break- I think it's a fine tradeoff. Especially since the Valor leaves Roatan at 3:30- you don't want to be messing around there. You have the piece of mind being on the Carnival excursion.

 

Also- if you go to Tabyana early in the morning, I highly recommend booking the Canopy Tour (you book on your own at the Tabyana gift shop, $35, I think) and you'd still be done in plenty of time to enjoy Tabyana Beach.

[LostFan#1]

For either of you who mentioned the Goff's Caye excursion above. We're sailing Elation on 6/19 and have booked this. I want to be sure we have enough time to snorkel - here is what I understand to be true. Please correct and/or amend:

 

1. We're picked up right off the ship; no tendering.

 

2. We snorkel first off the boat. How long?

 

3. Boat takes us back to island - snorkel there. QUESTION: Can we stay and snorkel from the boat if we're enjoying that?

 

4. I understand the snorkeling is good from both boat and shore. Is that what you found?

 

Additional question - what if we're enjoing this morning excursion so much that we'd like to stay on Goff's and go back to the ship with the afternoon excursion. Possibility?

 

Thanks,

Debbie

[sotadragon]

Tendering in Belize was FINE. We were on an excursion so we had no wait. We didn't get off in grand cayman because of the rain. They kept suspending tender service. I heard (becuase of the weather) it was a nightmare.

 

Didn't try the fish and chips or sushi. But heard they were both delish.

Thanks for the quick response! Good to hear tendering isn't always so disorganized, etc.

 

I hope I won't insult you by asking this. How old are you? I'm just curious. I'm 26 myself. I was just wondering if we're around the same age and so would maybe enjoy the cruise in similar ways. :)

[Mrsdeedee]

Great review. I was getting worried witht the other reviews about how things didn't go so well.

 

One comment I do have to make is my girlfriends were down Miami for Memorial week and yes that time of year is a hang out for African Americans not rappers. I'm surprised you mention there were fights because none of my friends told me about any of this. Yes it was crowed the way us young people like but you make it seem as though there were fights every where and they were acting unruly. I really can't picture it being no worse than MTV's spring break.

[cruisercathy]

After reading someone else's very negative review of the same cruise here on the boards, I was so worried...............but now I am happy :) after reading yours. The only thing I am worried about is embarkation....my parents are in their mid seventies and cannot stand for long periods.........Last Carnival cruise they offered them a wheel chair but said they had to wait to board till 1PM with the wheel chair....My Dad said no thanks........as we had arrived in the terminal at 11AM. I think this is something Carnival has to improve as last year we sailed on the Navigator....arrived at the port at 11.........put Dad in a wheel chair and we were all taken to a lounge with drinks and cookies and the porter.....checked us in while we relaxed....then directly on to the ship...........That embarkation and their adult only pool with a stairway entrance were the only 2 things we enjoyed about the Navigator of the Seas.

[Kylie]

We were also on the 5/29/05 Valor cruise and really had a good time. Nice review, Shannon!

Our excursions: Nacho and Cynthia cave tubing in Belize - very personalized service, good food at the Jaguar Paw Resort, and tour of the city. Excellent tour if anyone wants the information, just ask.

Roatan - Victor Bodden tour and zip lining.

GC - Stringray Sandbar and Island tour with Nativeway - we still saw the Stingrays even though Carnival canceled their tour because of the weather.

Cozumel - Chankanaab

 

Self-disembarking was the easiest ever. From start (in our cabin) to sitting waiting for the plane at the airport not even 50 minutes and no lines!!

MANY more positives than negatives on this cruise - the 4 people in our group enjoyed the Valor.

[lhall85917]

Kylie and Shannon, its nice to read such great reviews. We leave Sunday - hope we have as good of a time as you did! :D

[cruzn buckeye]

Thanks Shannon!

 

On Goffs Caye, do you need water shoes or aqua sandals because of the rocky beach? Is there much shade? Is lunch included?

Also, who was your cruise director?

 

And, I too, am tired of seeing that RED COUCH! But, there are a lot of first time cruisers that probably enjoy it!

[ShanB42]

I would reccommend water shoes for Goff's Caye. It is very rocky. Lunch is NOT included. We saw some people with ziplock bags of ships food. I say pay the 5 bucks and enjoy the kabobs. They were SO YUMMY!

[BettyB2]

thanks for the great review and all the additional information..its great! We are planning to sail the Valor next December and your review has helped me out a LOT~thanks again:)