Valor Southern Caribbean review with pictures and Fun Times - better late than never

[pghsteelerfan]

My friend in Warrenton is from Manassas. Her parents are still there. Last name is Libby. I'm going to send you a email so I can save yours.

Good Luck on the job search to the hubby!! I am self employed, this time of year it's really slow. Sometimes I think I need another job this time of the year but somehow always manage to get through it.

 

I don't know anyone by the last name Libby, but this is a large area. It's very rare to even run into someone we know while out and about, maybe once a year, if that. A lot of our friends are originally from Falls Church and many have moved out this way to the Gainesville and Haymarket area (between here and Warrenton).

 

Got your email and replied and have your email address in our contact list. Thank you on the job search for hubby. It's not a bad thing to have some down time at work, especially with planning for a cruise. :)

[CMJFamily]

Awesome review!

Like you, we plan to do a lot of beach days but did you hear any feedback on things that you should absolutely not do, or do, in each port?

Thanks for your great info!

[pghsteelerfan]

Awesome review!

Like you, we plan to do a lot of beach days but did you hear any feedback on things that you should absolutely not do, or do, in each port?

Thanks for your great info!

 

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it.

 

I do have some recent feedback about Sapphire Beach and probably a "heads up". The dive shop and public restrooms there were shut down this past December due to a dispute (see attached link for details if you're interested). http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1980092 The link I attached has an article that explains all of this and also how cruise passengers are now going to Secret Harbor. I have never been to Secret Harbor, so I don't have any opinion on it. Sapphire is still possible, but you'd have to just put your towels in the sand and there will be no restrooms.

 

If you're going on Carnival Valor I can definitely think of a "should do" while in St. Kitts. Valor is usually there from 8AM - 6PM and St. Kitts is not a very large island. I'd definitely recommend an island tour there which usually ends with beach time. I read Valentinebaby1's Valor review from October and loved their day in St. Kitts. They did an island tour and the pictures they got of the rest of the island, especially from the fort, were spectacular. Once their "tour" was done, they had some decent beach time. I'm attaching the link to their review in case you'd be interested in doing something like that. When we were in St. Kitts, I really don't think we'd have been able to see much since we had a lot of heavy rain and low, heavy clouds that day with the exception of a 45 minute period where the sun briefly made an appearance, so I'm not quite kicking myself but if we ever get back, we're definitely doing an island tour. Here is the link to Valentinebaby1's review (it is very good - very informative with great pictures) http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1931793

 

If you have any other questions about any of the other beaches we went to or anything else we did, please feel free to ask. I notice you posted this question yesterday and I apologize for not answering you sooner. I haven't been on CC until a few minutes ago.

Edited January 29, 2014 by pghsteelerfan

[CMJFamily]

Thanks so much for your feedback. I will check your links!

[pghsteelerfan]

Thanks so much for your feedback. I will check your links!

 

You are quite welcome. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and hope that you love Valor as much as we did. I know I'm repeating myself, but this has to be one of the most, if not the most, scenic itineraries there is. Pictures do not do it justice, just wait until you see it! :) I'd love to do this one again.

[wrigley80]

As soon as we got on we headed up to Lido Deck 9 for something cold to drink, like a Funship Special drink of the day. This is the earliest DH and I have ever been on board a ship and we were on so early that we didn’t notice any Carnival bartenders making their rounds with trays of Funship Specials yet, but the Lido Deck bars at the Argonaut Pool (main pool, mid-ship) were open, so we got our Funship Specials and were sitting at a table, enjoying our Funship Specials by 12:40PM.

 

 

We got bored sitting there and decided to go up to Panorama Deck 10 to see more. There were several other people also checking things out, but not nearly as many as we’re used to since we’d be sailing away at 10:00PM instead of the usual 4:00PM sail away time. When we were at the railing looking out over San Juan, I noticed another couple taking turns getting pictures of each other so I asked if they’d like me to get one on their camera with both of them in it. They were happy to and offered the same to us.

 

The Panorama Deck 10 was still very wet in areas, leaving some puddles. I don’t know if it rained where Valor was docked or not, but it wasn’t raining anywhere we were that morning (hotel or cab ride to Valor). I’m guessing it was the cleaning crew and they may have been hosing the outer decks down. There is always some kind of cleaning going on. Every ship I’ve been on, they are constantly cleaning. I’ve love to hire them to come do our house because it would be done and done right. It does appear that they really do keep the ships very clean. Anyway, I noticed this puddle but in the puddle I noticed one of the coolest reflections ever – Carnival Valor’s “whale tail”! I looked down and there it was, so I’m standing there taking pictures of the deck. I’m not thinking, just taking pictures and DH comes up and asks me “what ARE you doing? Why are you taking pictures of the deck?”. I told him he needed to come stand right were I was and look. Once he did, he just said “cool!”.

 

 

 

 

Now that reflection picture with the Whale Tail is awesome. I love that hotel in San Juan. I just wrote the name down for a future stay for myself ;)

[pghsteelerfan]

Now that reflection picture with the Whale Tail is awesome. I love that hotel in San Juan. I just wrote the name down for a future stay for myself ;)

 

Thank you! I couldn't believe it when I looked down and saw that reflection. My DH thought I was nuts until I told him to come over to where I was and he just said "cool!". I'm pretty sure that the water was from the crew hosing off the decks since it didn't start raining until later. We loved the Courtyard hotel and would definitely stay there again. I hope you get a chance to do the Southern out of San Juan, just love the scenery of ALL of the islands.

[wrigley80]

Thank you! I couldn't believe it when I looked down and saw that reflection. My DH thought I was nuts until I told him to come over to where I was and he just said "cool!". I'm pretty sure that the water was from the crew hosing off the decks since it didn't start raining until later. We loved the Courtyard hotel and would definitely stay there again. I hope you get a chance to do the Southern out of San Juan, just love the scenery of ALL of the islands.

 

We did the Southern Caribbean itinerary on the Carnival Destiny in 2005 out of San Juan. Our ports of call were St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, and Aruba. The rates always tend to be the cheapest on that route. The flight to San Juan was to long though

[wrigley80]

The link to my review from the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Sensation

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1758968

 

The link to my review from the Carnival Fantasy

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1622491&highlight=fantasy

 

The link to my review from the Carnival Freedom

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1811296

[gracie65]

We did the Southern Caribbean itinerary on the Carnival Destiny in 2005 out of San Juan. Our ports of call were St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, and Aruba. The rates always tend to be the cheapest on that route. The flight to San Juan was to long though

 

I thought we were the only one's to sail The Nordic Empress. Looks like you sailed her for your first cruise. The ship was small but we still had a great time.

[pghsteelerfan]

We did the Southern Caribbean itinerary on the Carnival Destiny in 2005 out of San Juan. Our ports of call were St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, and Aruba. The rates always tend to be the cheapest on that route. The flight to San Juan was to long though

 

Our very first cruise was on Festivale, also a Southern Caribbean out of San Juan, ports of call were St. Thomas; St. Maarten; Dominica; Barbados, and Martinique. I only had a film camera then so I didn't get as many pictures as I'd have liked. We LOVED our day in Dominica - got a tour up to the rainforest and Trafalger Falls and the emerald pool for $5.00. We had no plans and didn't know what to do but the family we were seated with told us they got a cab/van and were getting a tour and needed two more people. It was so pretty. I'd love to go back to Dominica and even Martinique. Never been to Aruba - what did you think of it?

The link to my review from the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Sensation

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1758968

 

The link to my review from the Carnival Fantasy

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1622491&highlight=fantasy

 

The link to my review from the Carnival Freedom

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1811296

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Just came in from shoveling a foot of snow and now I'm not going to do anything except kick back and enjoy your other reviews. :)

[wrigley80]

I thought we were the only one's to sail The Nordic Empress. Looks like you sailed her for your first cruise. The ship was small but we still had a great time.

 

 

Hahaha yep the Nordic Empress was my very first cruise. That's the ship that truly got me hooked. Looking back on it now though that ship was really small

[gracie65]

Hahaha yep the Nordic Empress was my very first cruise. That's the ship that truly got me hooked. Looking back on it now though that ship was really small

 

 

Yes, I want to think it was around 48,000 tons. Looks like the first time you sailed on The Valor she was still shiny & new!!

[wrigley80]

Yes, I want to think it was around 48,000 tons. Looks like the first time you sailed on The Valor she was still shiny & new!!

 

 

Yeah we were on the third voyage on the Valor.....she was brand new

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Cjh1975]

DH and I LOVE the beach but I'm sure if we lived on an island or even near a beach, we'd also want to do something besides a beach. When I lived in California till I was 10, my mom always took us to the beach and when we moved to Pennsylvania, it was six years till I'd see a beach again. We get to a beach about once a year. I'd be in trouble if I lived near a beach because I'd be spending my time there and not getting things done. LOL!!! We're about three to four hours from the closest beach now. I loved Isla Verde Beach in San Juan and could get used to that. :) I'm sure they alternate between the campuses in which Spanish courses are offered. I definitely think I'd be better off starting with the beginner's class though. :)

 

I live about 2 mins from the beach and never get sick of going. It's too beautiful

[MVoelker]

We are going on Valor in April. This is my 8th cruise but I have not been on the southern cruise. Thank you for the pictures and all the information. I have been to St. Thomas and St. Maarten several times and looking forward to the other three stops. I am happy to hear about St. Lucia because I have been a bit worried about this stop. We booked with Resort For A Day for two ports because we love having the beach and the Pools. Thank you again for the great review!

[pghsteelerfan]

I live about 2 mins from the beach and never get sick of going. It's too beautiful

 

I noticed you're in CA, I lived in San Jose and we frequently went to a beach called Sea Cliff (in Aptos) which is just south of Santa Cruz. I would love to live 2 minutes from the beach and if I did, I don't think I'd get anything else accomplished. While on a cruise, we prefer the beach and I never seem to get tired of it. It IS too beautiful.

[pghsteelerfan]

We are going on Valor in April. This is my 8th cruise but I have not been on the southern cruise. Thank you for the pictures and all the information. I have been to St. Thomas and St. Maarten several times and looking forward to the other three stops. I am happy to hear about St. Lucia because I have been a bit worried about this stop. We booked with Resort For A Day for two ports because we love having the beach and the Pools. Thank you again for the great review!

 

Thank you. Your cruise is just around the corner, not long now. :) I have a feeling you are really going to enjoy the Southern itinerary, it is just so beautiful and my favorite. The only downside is that I'm afraid I will compare any future cruise with a different itinerary to this one. I'd love to do this itinerary again. My pictures don't do the scenery of these beautiful islands justice. We absolutely LOVED St. Lucia and wouldn't hesitate to go back someday. St. Kitts was very pretty too, even though it was our rainy day. I hope you have as wonderful a time as we did.

[Anyislandwilldo]

There is also plenty of shade and nice landscaping right up by the hotel

 

 

 

 

This was the best we had for a sunset

 

After we finished the fruity drinks, we decided to get a nice, cold beer. At about 5:00PM, we decided to head back up to the room to get ready for dinner. We stopped at the little bar right outside the door and each got another beer to take up with us while we were getting ready. There was a beach grill that we were planning on eating at, but when we were ready for dinner and went down, we discovered that they are only open for lunch. There were several other restaurants open for dinner and we decided on the buffet. Although they look fancy, all restaurants are listed as casual. After dinner we went outside to get a beer at the bar and walked around and looked at the pool area and it looked very nice. They also have a casino but we didn’t go in because we were tired from getting up so early that morning and didn’t want a late night. We finished the beers and got another one to take up and enjoy on our balcony before turning in. I think we were in bed by 10:00PM.

 

 

Great review BTW. Can you tell me what the average cost for dinner was? Thanks.

[ILUVCRUIZN]

Yes, we are in Northern VA (Manassas area), which is very close to Warrenton! We also have a few friends there. Small world. With the job situation my thinking is that it IS just a job and things could be worse. I do enjoy having DH home...well, for the most part. :) We've been through it before and we have friends in the same position. Saw your email in your signature. Ours is dgieh(at)Comcast(dot)net and if you ever get to this area and have time, likewise. Next time we're in your area I'll let you know and maybe we can get together at Oscar's.

 

I have many family members in the Manassas, Falls Church area. My Aunt and Uncle just moved from there to Arizona about a year ago and she is happy they did with all of the snow that you have gotten this year. My Uncle is a retired police officer and my Aunt had a wedding flower business so they were both ready for some warmth all year long. I love visiting the area, we have been going to Manassas for as long as I can remember. I LOVE IT!!! :)

 

By the way awesome review, we are on the Valor next Feb. I cannot wait!!!

Edited March 21, 2014 by ILUVCRUIZN

[pghsteelerfan]

Great review BTW. Can you tell me what the average cost for dinner was? Thanks.

 

I'll try to answer as best I can. I checked our receipt since the actual prices are now escaping my memory. :) We ate dinner in the buffet, all you can eat, for $47.90 (not including tip) for both of us. There was also an additional .48 cents for city tax and $2.87 for state tax. There was an outside restaurant just outside the buffet and we considered eating there but the prices were a lot more than we wanted to pay, it was pretty expensive and I'm thinking the average was about $30.00 per person, but again I can't remember for sure. I can't remember what the grille on the beach charged but it was definitely lower than what we paid at the buffet. I think the grille closed at 5 or 6PM, but I can't remember but our plans were to eat there and we thought it was open later and just missed it. If we do this again, we're definitely eating at the grill, some of the sandwiches we saw on the menu really looked good. We also ate breakfast in the buffet (all you can eat), for $31.90 (not including tip) for both of us with the .32 cents city tax & $1.91 state tax. I will be honest in that the buffet dinner was ok, but nothing spectacular. Unless they changed the breakfast, I'd pass on that. I've seen many complaints about the buffet eggs on the ships, but compared to those at the Courtyard, Carnival's tasted great. I'd definitely stay at the Courtyard again, we loved it, but would check out earlier and get breakfast/brunch at one of the places in Old San Juan.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the review and hope it's helpful to you in some way if you're planning a trip. It's technically spring but winter is still here with more snow in the forecast next week...I wish I was on Valor right now. :)

Edited March 21, 2014 by pghsteelerfan

[pghsteelerfan]

I have many family members in the Manassas, Falls Church area. My Aunt and Uncle just moved from there to Arizona about a year ago and she is happy they did with all of the snow that you have gotten this year. My Uncle is a retired police officer and my Aunt had a wedding flower business so they were both ready for some warmth all year long. I love visiting the area, we have been going to Manassas for as long as I can remember. I LOVE IT!!! :)

 

By the way awesome review, we are on the Valor next Feb. I cannot wait!!!

 

Small world! Falls Church...most of our friends were born and raised in Falls Church in the Pimmit Hills neighborhood. All of them now live out in either Haymarket, Warrenton, or Manassas now. They've all said that Pimmit Hills has really changed.

 

After this winter and all the snow and cold I'd LOVE to move somewhere warm and dry. This winter has been one of the worst I remember here and I've been here almost 22 years now. I'm originally from PA and remember the winters there, we'll this one compares! :) It's technically spring but winter is still here and there is yet another storm that will be coming up the coast next week with a "potential" for more snow. It will eventually warm up, but most of us here are really starting to get impatient.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the review and thank you for commenting. Have you been on Valor before or done the southern itinerary out of San Juan? Oh, if not I think you are going to LOVE it! I can't say enough about Valor, her crew and the itinerary is just spectacular and my pictures do not do it justice. I know you've got a long wait, but it will be well worth it. :)

[kimmiloulovestocruise]

Hi Holly,

 

I just wanted to chime in and say hi. Thank you for writing this in-depth review! It was a great read and I learned a great deal of information for my upcoming Valor cruise on 4/13 (11 days Woot Woot!).

 

This upcoming cruise will be my 8th. They have all been on Carnival with the exception of one on Holland America. This will be my first cruise in 5 years. During my cruise drought I explored some all-inclusives in Mexico, Turks & Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. In addition I traveled to several US cities and just last month returned from a trip to Cartagena, Colombia where I happened to sit next to "gapearl" on the flight home. I believe you alluded to her Valor review early on. She's a great gal and I admire her a lot!

 

So...I am taking my two sons with me on the Valor. They are 17 and 14. My 17 year old is a senior in high school and the three of us are celebrating his graduation a little early by taking this cruise. I promised my younger son a cruise during his senior year as well. We are discussing a European itinerary but we have plenty of time to decide.

 

Here's what we have planned:

 

San Juan-flying in at 1pm on Southwest on the day we sail. Keep your fingers crossed that we are on-time and have luggage LOL. We are leaving that day open ended and will probably walk around and explore the city and hopefully visit one of the forts.

 

St Thomas-St John/Trunk Bay snorkeling through Carnival

 

Sea Day-the boys are planning on doing the Behind the Fun tour. I toured the bridge and culinary area on my 1st cruise on Ecstasy back in 1994 when it was free! I plan on getting some R&R up on the Lido deck.

 

Barbados-taking a taxi to the Boatyard and enjoying the water fun activities and swimming with the sea turtles.

 

St Lucia-zipline/canopy tour with Spencer Ambrose. We also visit Errand Falls which looks pretty. If it is as well run as your SA tour I know we will have a great time!

 

St Kitts-city highlights tour A with Welcome Tours/Beulah Mills. Gapearl did this tour and wrote about it in her review. It has changed slightly since she went last year but still looks great. It now is a half hour longer and ends at a different (supposedly nicer beach per Beulah's email correspondence).

 

St Maarten-Mullet Bay/Maho Beach for planes and I would like to take a taxi to Orient Beach to visit the French side.

 

I too collect magnets for the fridge and I also collect postcards from the places I visit. My younger son collects pins with the names of cities he visits and displays them on his travel lanyard. We look forward to doing a little souvenir shopping at each island.

 

All ports are new to my kids, however, I have been to San Juan and St Thomas twice on prior cruises. I'm sure they will keep me exhausted the whole week. I hope they have Wheaties at the Lido buffet breakfast!! I will need them.

 

I think it is fun to read about other peoples' experiences. For me it makes the whole travel experience more complete. Thanks for your enormous time commitment. Your readers appreciate it.

 

As a closing thought I just want to share something with you. While reading your review I was so into it and involved emotionally apparently that when you discussed packing and getting off the ship I had that sad "the vacation's over" feeling right along with you. You know...that ping you get in the pit of your stomach. I was right there with you!

 

Can't wait for that 1st glimpse of Valor in port in San Juan!

[porcupyn]

Subscribing ...

[pghsteelerfan]

Hi Holly,

 

I just wanted to chime in and say hi. Thank you for writing this in-depth review! It was a great read and I learned a great deal of information for my upcoming Valor cruise on 4/13 (11 days Woot Woot!).

 

This upcoming cruise will be my 8th. They have all been on Carnival with the exception of one on Holland America. This will be my first cruise in 5 years. During my cruise drought I explored some all-inclusives in Mexico, Turks & Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. In addition I traveled to several US cities and just last month returned from a trip to Cartagena, Colombia where I happened to sit next to "gapearl" on the flight home. I believe you alluded to her Valor review early on. She's a great gal and I admire her a lot!

 

So...I am taking my two sons with me on the Valor. They are 17 and 14. My 17 year old is a senior in high school and the three of us are celebrating his graduation a little early by taking this cruise. I promised my younger son a cruise during his senior year as well. We are discussing a European itinerary but we have plenty of time to decide.

 

Here's what we have planned:

 

San Juan-flying in at 1pm on Southwest on the day we sail. Keep your fingers crossed that we are on-time and have luggage LOL. We are leaving that day open ended and will probably walk around and explore the city and hopefully visit one of the forts.

 

St Thomas-St John/Trunk Bay snorkeling through Carnival

 

Sea Day-the boys are planning on doing the Behind the Fun tour. I toured the bridge and culinary area on my 1st cruise on Ecstasy back in 1994 when it was free! I plan on getting some R&R up on the Lido deck.

 

Barbados-taking a taxi to the Boatyard and enjoying the water fun activities and swimming with the sea turtles.

 

St Lucia-zipline/canopy tour with Spencer Ambrose. We also visit Errand Falls which looks pretty. If it is as well run as your SA tour I know we will have a great time!

 

St Kitts-city highlights tour A with Welcome Tours/Beulah Mills. Gapearl did this tour and wrote about it in her review. It has changed slightly since she went last year but still looks great. It now is a half hour longer and ends at a different (supposedly nicer beach per Beulah's email correspondence).

 

St Maarten-Mullet Bay/Maho Beach for planes and I would like to take a taxi to Orient Beach to visit the French side.

 

I too collect magnets for the fridge and I also collect postcards from the places I visit. My younger son collects pins with the names of cities he visits and displays them on his travel lanyard. We look forward to doing a little souvenir shopping at each island.

 

All ports are new to my kids, however, I have been to San Juan and St Thomas twice on prior cruises. I'm sure they will keep me exhausted the whole week. I hope they have Wheaties at the Lido buffet breakfast!! I will need them.

 

I think it is fun to read about other peoples' experiences. For me it makes the whole travel experience more complete. Thanks for your enormous time commitment. Your readers appreciate it.

 

As a closing thought I just want to share something with you. While reading your review I was so into it and involved emotionally apparently that when you discussed packing and getting off the ship I had that sad "the vacation's over" feeling right along with you. You know...that ping you get in the pit of your stomach. I was right there with you!

 

Can't wait for that 1st glimpse of Valor in port in San Juan!

 

Hi Kimmilou!

 

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my review. This was my first and I had tossed the idea around then finally decided to do one. The main reason is because of the itinerary. Not only is it the most scenic (IMHO) but there is so much to see and do and I have never seen a Valor or Victory review that was the same. I am so happy that you found this helpful in planning your upcoming cruise. You must really be getting excited. I remember how I was before our cruise last year - drove DH nuts! :)

 

As you can see from my signature, this was our 5th cruise, 4th with Carnival and one on RC in 2000. We liked that one but Carnival is more for us. Our very first cruise was on Carnival Festivale (no longer with Carnival) in 1992 (our honeymoon cruise) and it was a very similar itinerary out of San Juan. We went to Dominica and Martinique instead of St. Lucia and St. Kitts. I had forgotten just how beautiful these islands were until I read Dirkgun's first Victory review and was sold and the Southern itinerary out of San Juan HAD to be the next cruise. We also stayed at an AI in Negril, Jamaica, for a week in 2007 and fell in love with that too and would love to do it again. How did you like the AI in Turks & Caicos? We were in Grand Turk on a cruise stop in May 2010 and liked it, but would love to stay at one of the AI's in Providenciales one of these days. Yes, I did mention GAPearl's review in mine. I read her whole review a couple of months before our cruise and it was the first review I saw of Valor on the Southern itinerary. She really does seem like a great gal and fun to cruise with and she's got some wonderful reviews. It was the other reviews that I found very helpful for ideas in planning our cruise.

 

I think your sons will love the Valor. We met a family last year that took their 16 year-old son to celebrate his birthday and I was talking to him a few times too and he LOVED it. It will be a great and fun experience for you sons.

 

Sounds like you've got some great plans in place for your cruise. We were in Trunk Bay, St. John on our Glory cruise in 2010 and loved it. I wanted to go back this time, but doing it on our own to allow more time there. DH wanted to stay in St. Thomas. We both wanted to do the Skyride to Paradise Point, but it closed down a few weeks before our trip for road construction and renovation of the building at the top. Next time. So glad you're doing a tour in St. Kitts - that is our only regret. Even though it was our rainy day, what we were able to see was just beautiful.

 

Oh the magnets, love collecting them. They are small, don't take up much space or weight and seeing them on our fridge brings back many happy memories. My magnet from St. Thomas is now broken. It's an iguana with a long tail. On of our 8 month old cats decided to get up there and get it, knocking it down to our ceramic tile floor and broke it (tail in 3 pieces and part of his foot). I super glued most of it but am still missing a piece of the tail and the foot. It's under furniture somewhere but I don't have time to go on a hunt for it. They broke two more, but it was just the magnets being knocked loose and I was able to glue those back.

 

I haven't had a chance to mention, but we are going on Carnival Liberty (Western Caribbean) this weekend and are so excited. It was last minute but after this cold, snowy, never ending winter, we had to do it. No family land vacation this year, so we decided to cruise. My only fear is that I loved Valor and the Southern Itinerary so much that I'm setting myself up for a let down. LOL!!! We've been to the Western before so we know what it's like. We are also flying down the day of, so I'm with you in worries about the flight being on time and getting our luggage. I've got most packed in my carry-on...just in case.

 

Oh, I know what you mean about that "vacation's over" part of the review. Honestly, when writing this, I felt the same way again. I've even gotten that feeling from other reviews I've gotten involved in too.

 

When we flew down to San Juan it was the day before but I had the window seat and I was able to see Old San Juan and the cruise docks but no Valor since she wasn't due till the next morning. My first glimpse was from the taxi from our hotel, but just that excitement.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to comment and share what you'll be doing on your Valor cruise. It's 10 days for you now and tomorrow you can start that single digit dance! I hope you all have a wonderful time, great weather and many happy memories. :)