My Southern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Valor

[Sten0127]

Love the review so far - thank you for taking the time to write it!!

[FreezingInMichigan]

Subscribed! Thanks for posting this review. We're on this ship/itinerary in November and really looking forward to it. :)

 

~ Sheryl

[vc562894]

Have you done St. John on your own or with the cruise ship before??? We have an excursion booked with Carnival right now and were wondering how difficult it would be to cancel and do on our own.

 

We are traveling with our 6 year old son, so we weren't sure.

 

How much is the cruise excursion? It was really simple to get to St. John. Taxi about 2 minutes from ship in Havensight. Taxi ride to ferry teriminal, hop on ferry, arrive in St. John, get taxi to Trunk Bay. We spent $55 per person that included all taxis, ferries, entrance fee to Trunk Bay, snorkel gear (no fins just mask and snorkel) and a chair rental.

 

I would do it with a child (I dont have any but I am a teacher so I understand child/travel/moving around often)

 

We arrived BEFORE the cruise excursion got there and left AFTER they left. So its all about your comfortable with not doing a cruise ship excursion. We never choose theirs due to the fact that they are overpriced and overcrowded. Hope that helps!

[vc562894]

I'm soooo excited for this review...best friend and I are doing this cruise over Halloween! :eek::eek::eek:

 

Hope you are thinking of a costume now! Everyone dresses up for the Halloween cruises! We did the Liberty last Halloween and had so much fun!

[vc562894]

After our slight delay with waking up, and having to catch the 10 am ferry, we arrived at Trunk Bay, got our rentals and settled down around 11:00-11:15am. We went right into the water, which was a little chilly but by 12-1pm it was PERFECT to cool off.

 

 

As I said before we rented snorkel gear. We attempted to snorkel right at the beach, which we saw some small fish.

 

Trunk Bay is known for their underwater trail which is a short swim from the beach. After I swam out and began snorkeling, I decided that I should of rented a lifejacket so I could LEISURELY snorkel instead of having to swim and doggie paddle to stay afloat. This is obviously personal preference but I was definitely tired when I got back on board.

 

 

On the beach, we enjoyed a Gasolina, which I forgot to mention in my San Juan portion. Gasolina (which I found out about on CC) is like a Capri Sun for adults! It is a mixed drink in a pouch and includes a straw. We got them in a 5 pack box in San Juan at the pharmacy, for $4.99 for 5 pouches. We choose Mojito, but they had Seabreeze, Original, Sangria. They were a perfect beach drink. Definitely worth it!

 

 

 

We hung out on the beach until about 1:15pm when we decided to dry off and head back to the ferry terminal area to shop around and wait for the 2pm ferry. We had been told to shoot for the 2-3pm from previous Cruise Critic guests. It was $6 per person for the taxi back to the ferry.

 

After shopping on around the ferry terminal, we hopped aboard the 2pm ferry back to St. Thomas.

[vc562894]

After we got back to Havensight, we decided to try this small bar/restaurant my inlaws had found last year on our cruise to St. Thomas. It is called The Doghouse Pub. It is right near where the taxis drop you off (Behind the Harley store/Next to Shipwreck Restaurant).

 

We went for a light lunch before shopping/browsing around Havensight (which is the shopping center next to the pier). We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. My DH, Mom and Dad enjoy 1/4lb hot dog for $5 and I enjoyed a hamburger for $5. The burger was cooked perfectly and the buns were grilled/toasted. It was delicious. Beers were $3.50. My DH, my Dad and I tried the local beers.

 

My mom had a B.B.C. (similar to a mudslide) and it was $6. It was a small place but a relaxed island atmosphere that we loved.

 

After lunch we browsed around Havensight, as state before is that shopping center surrounding the pier, then headed back to the boat to get ready for our first official dinner time.

[vc562894]

We were ready for dinner early so we decided to meet at Jeanne's Wine Bar (Martini Bar on Deck 5 in the back by Piano Bar/Comedy Club).

 

I ordered the Pineapple Chipolte Martini and DH ordered Florida Squeeze.

 

The pineapple Chipolte quickly became my favorite!

 

The bartender's name was Maria from Serbia. She was super sweet and we found out how she ended up on the Carnival Valor which was a cool story to hear.

 

We headed to dinner at 6pm. I am a sunset person, and I was sad to find out due to the time of year and the time of our dinner, I would miss it but atleast we were at the back of the ship so I could see it through the back windows.

 

 

As dinner is going on, servers will come around with shots in the souvenirs shot glasses. We asked if they were included in the Cheers Program and the server said YES. So we ordered it. The receipt is not the official one, it is the carbon copy type, so we went with it. Later, we found out the shots are normally $8, with the Cheers program they become $5.75. Anything in a souvenir cup/glass is 25% off with the Cheers program. It wasn't big deal but I wish we would of been told the RIGHT information.

 

We explored the ship some and headed to the shows. We retreated back to our room and found our first towel animal waiting for us!

[vc562894]

Tuesday was our day at sea... AHH I could smell relaxation!!!

 

 

We decided to head to the main dining room to have breakfast. It was a brunch menu, I settled on my favorite breakfast item to eat out, Eggs Benedict.

 

 

After breakfast, we went out to the Lido to secure some seats to spend the day relaxing. After we got our seats, DH decided to enter the ping pong tournament and ended up winning first place! He got his very own Ship on a Stick!

 

The morning was spent relaxing with dips in the pool to cool off and drinks on the Lido deck. At 1pm, we watched the ice carving demonstration, which still amazes me after all times I have seen it.

 

Around 3pm, we went back to our rooms to shower and grab a nap from our "tiring" day. Tonight was our first formal night and we wanted to meet the Captain at 5pm.

 

We headed down the the Casino area to meet the Captain at 5pm.

 

We don't have the opportunity to dress up that often so we took the opportunity for some pre-dinner photos.

 

Dinner was delicious, I had the prime rib which was cooked PERFECTLY to Medium (which is rare for me).

 

Again the server with shots came around, tonight it was Lemoncello. Even though we said we werent going to spend the $5.75 again, we did.

 

I believe the white/clear completes our color set available so that makes it worth it, right?

 

We watched the show, my favorite act was the YMCA.

 

We went back to our room and received another towel animal which we werent certain as to what it was.

[ashmac8]

How much is the cruise excursion? It was really simple to get to St. John. Taxi about 2 minutes from ship in Havensight. Taxi ride to ferry teriminal, hop on ferry, arrive in St. John, get taxi to Trunk Bay. We spent $55 per person that included all taxis, ferries, entrance fee to Trunk Bay, snorkel gear (no fins just mask and snorkel) and a chair rental.

 

I would do it with a child (I dont have any but I am a teacher so I understand child/travel/moving around often)

 

We arrived BEFORE the cruise excursion got there and left AFTER they left. So its all about your comfortable with not doing a cruise ship excursion. We never choose theirs due to the fact that they are overpriced and overcrowded. Hope that helps!

I think for the 3 of us I am paying about $210 with a slight discount for My little boy. Appreciate the vote of confidence. He is a good traveller and goes with the flow, maybe I'll try to talk my husband into it.

[MagneticMags]

Are you flying in the day of? Hope you don't have any problems! :eek:

 

I'm starting to stress out about this! Thinking of calling my travel agent tomorrow to see if I can switch flights so that we arrive the day before...

[jlk806]

Loving it so far! Will be on this cruise 1 month and 1 week from now!

[SwellBee]

Subscribed! :) Can't wait to hear all about this itinerary and ship since I'm booked for February! :D

[vc562894]

I'm starting to stress out about this! Thinking of calling my travel agent tomorrow to see if I can switch flights so that we arrive the day before...

 

We flew in day of. The boat doesn't leave until 10pm. You should be fine. Like I said it took less than one hour to land, get a taxi, check in and get to our room.

[TrqoisWtrs]

The boat doesn't leave until 10pm.

 

True - but what time do they want you on board, I thought somebody said like 90 min before sailaway? Just search these boards and 99% of peeps say to fly in the day of, especially if there is a connection.

 

Anyway, don't want to hijack the OP's thread; back to our regularly scheduled programming... :)

[k9_Cop]

Great to see a review like this... My fiancee and I are planning on this cruise for our honeymoon next april.

[MzOhioLady]

I am Loving the Review!! Especially with Pics I can see from Work. The Southern Caribbean is my favorite.

[Marina222]

Great review. Am really enjoying the pictures! Sailing in August.

[kshawks]

Hope you are thinking of a costume now! Everyone dresses up for the Halloween cruises! We did the Liberty last Halloween and had so much fun!

 

....really? I thought/was hoping, I was too old to wear a costume. I love Halloween, but never dress up.

[Leo's Rule]

True - but what time do they want you on board, I thought somebody said like 90 min before sailaway? Just search these boards and 99% of peeps say to fly in the day of, especially if there is a connection.

 

Anyway, don't want to hijack the OP's thread; back to our regularly scheduled programming... :)

 

You need to be onboard no later than 8 or 8:30.

 

Depending on the time of your flight, I wouldn't risk it, but that's just my preference. If you can only fly in the day of, make sure there are other flights you can take if something should go wrong with yours.

[abisha]

True - but what time do they want you on board, I thought somebody said like 90 min before sailaway? Just search these boards and 99% of peeps say to fly in the day of, especially if there is a connection.

 

Anyway, don't want to hijack the OP's thread; back to our regularly scheduled programming... :)

 

FunTimes said to be on ship by 8:30 PM. Muster drill is at 9:30. We flew in day of. Was supposed to land in San Juan at 1:45, but flight was delayed on our connection by an hour. I wasn't nervous flying in day of as I knew we had all day.

Edited May 23, 2013 by abisha

[sooner33]

You need to be onboard no later than 8 or 8:30.

 

Depending on the time of your flight' date=' I wouldn't risk it, but that's just my preference. If you can only fly in the day of, make sure there are other flights you can take if something should go wrong with yours.[/quote']

 

 

I like to fly in the day before but on this cruise I have no choice but to fly in the day of the cruise and we dont land until 6pm , since we are getting married the day before :) , But I have allready checked , there are plenty of flights from San Juan to the first stop in St Thomas. they are around 80pp , so if something really bad happens that is a alternate option

 

Just wanted to throw that info out there

[inlinesick]

trunk bay is really stunning! we only been there for like a hour! we didn't wanted to leave!

Really enjoying your photos! keep em coming please!

[gapearl]

On the beach, we enjoyed a Gasolina, which I forgot to mention in my San Juan portion. Gasolina (which I found out about on CC) is like a Capri Sun for adults! It is a mixed drink in a pouch and includes a straw. We got them in a 5 pack box in San Juan at the pharmacy, for $4.99 for 5 pouches. We choose Mojito, but they had Seabreeze, Original, Sangria. They were a perfect beach drink. Definitely worth it!

 

 

 

Oh yeah!!!!! :D:D:D

[tsunshine]

Great review and pics so far can't wait for the rest. we are going in July and can not wait!

[usmcgunman]

On the beach, we enjoyed a Gasolina, which I forgot to mention in my San Juan portion. Gasolina (which I found out about on CC) is like a Capri Sun for adults! It is a mixed drink in a pouch and includes a straw. We got them in a 5 pack box in San Juan at the pharmacy, for $4.99 for 5 pouches. We choose Mojito, but they had Seabreeze, Original, Sangria. They were a perfect beach drink. Definitely worth it!

 

 

 

 

Carnival let you bring a 5 pack box of this on board? PLEASE say that they did and that you didn't have to smuggle it on board!!!