My AMAZING Birthday Cruise on The Valor June 8-15

[teetee6263]

I've been eyeing this cruise for a long time. Please post more! :D

 

Following! I'm very interested in this cruise! Great start with good info. Thanks for taking the time to write it AND post pics!

 

Thanks for reading, much more to come. If you are thinking about this cruise stop thinking & book it...it is the best cruise I've been on & I really dont think anything else can top it.

[teetee6263]

This is great I would have been nervous too but I love eating alone so I'm glad it worked out!

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I don't even like eat at Mcdonalds alone lol, but I'm so glad I did it.

 

Great review Tee Tee! Can't beat the combo of OSJ and the Valor. Can't wait for the rest! kepp it coming!!!

 

Thanks for reading!! Yes OSJ + Valor = :D

[teetee6263]

Thanks for the info.n can you make them online or do we need to call. I am looking so forward to this cruise. I have had my eye on it for 5 years and the timing was not right. Love your pics!

 

Dinner reservations can be made online, but reservations for the show are only by phone. I've read that you can make your dinner res online, then call for the show. I made both by phone, because the availble dinner times online didnt work with the show times. BTW...you are gonna love this cruise:D!!!

[jjdshoe]

Great review:) I will be celebrating my birthday on the Valor in February.

[Arizonagirl14]

Thanks for the info regarding the dinner show in San Juan. It a true testament of a vacation if you book it again! Enjoy you January 4th sail away. Can't wait for more narrative and pics.

 

 

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[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review and nice photo's.

[Dirkgun]

Great start to your review.... subscribing. Love this itinerary (did it twice on the Victory) We go again in January 2015 and love reading new reviews. Thanks for doing it.

[Keith1010]

Enjoying your report and photos.

 

Keith

[dolfndreams]

Great review, I've done this itinerary a couple of times solo and loved reading your description of day one. Boy do I recognize that run through of emotions when travelling solo.

 

I actually love doing a solo trip but definitely have those akward feeling moments which pass when you just go ahead and do it anyway. Hadn't heard it described so well before.

 

Sounds like you had a great trip, you have me excited for my next round on the Southern Itinerary this time with a sister who hasn't been there before.

 

Thanks for sharing. Look forward to hearing about the rest of the adventure

[erewhon]

Enjoying your review, great photos.

Belated Birthday Greetings.

Edited July 7, 2014 by erewhon

[poundcake09]

Once back on board, I was still a little annoyed by missing Paradise Point so I headed to Serenity for some me time, until time for dinner. Now I don't usually like it over in Serenity, too quiet & serene for me but today I actually enjoyed it & stayed more than 10 minutes. Since tonight was our first night at our assigned dining we met our wait staff can’t remember any of their names for the life of me but they were all very friendly & 3 of our table mates, 3 generations...a daughter, mother & grandmother from Canada, also very nice. I don’t recall what I had for dinner but I know I enjoyed it, now as for dessert I had my favorite…Bitter n Blanc, 2 to be exact. Oh yeah, the waiters sang “Happy Birthday” tonight. After dinner is somewhat of a blur because I can't seem to figure out what the heck I did. I wanted to go to Game show Mania at 9pm, but also wanted to go to the comedy show at 9:15 & everyone knows if you seat arrive early. The comedian was Dean Gaines, he was funny. Then at 10 was the Welcome Aboard Show & the Reggae hour in the club, the majority wanted the club & honestly I had my share of Welcome Aboard shows, so club it was (even though after watching the DVD I wish I would’ve gone, because the CD did the bedtime story & I love that one). Anyway the club was ok nothing special, it was still really early. We didn’t stay the whole hour because we wanted to go back & see the next comedian Lester Bibbs & OMG he was side hurting FUNNY I laughed so hard I was crying. Afterwards the rest of the gang went to bed, while I went back to the club for a few before calling it a night.

 

Enjoying Serenity with the help of a Blue Margarita

 

Bitter & Blanc....my FAVORITE!!!

 

Making my Red Carpet entrance into the club..lol

The Bitter and Blanc is MY Favorite Desert! Happy Belated Birthday Diva!!

[INCHARGE]

I am enjoying your review, and look forward to more. I also celebrated my birthday on the Valor. The Southern itinerary is the best. I loved my solo cruises, and made several before DH got up the nerve to try it. I love your birthday shirt, it is too cute. May I ask where you got your BC Pink Ribbon hanging organizer on the hook in your cabin? I am a survivor, and would love to order one. I can't wait to read more of your review. Thanks for sharing. :)

Edited July 7, 2014 by INCHARGE

[M_GO_BLUE]

Some pics from dinner & show...

 

Me @ my under dressed table

 

Yummy Pina Colada

 

OMG...delicious roast pork

 

 

 

 

 

Alright...this is crazy. I was on this cruise with you. I also walked in circles trying to find Barrachina's. I also had a piña colada there. Oh, and we were at the same dinner show. That's my husband in the white shirt in the bottom pic. He really doesn't normally look that goofy, I swear.

 

This was a great week! We loved it so much we are doing it again in November!

 

Can't wait to read the rest of your review!

 

Oh, and I guess the police offer directions are generally terrible in OSJ...I also walked in circles to find the Coach store when we arrived back in port...only to sadly discover it was closed due to Father's Day. Next time...

[GaMtnMom]

We have this cruise booked next April for our 30th Anniversary so I am doing all the research I can. Love your style of writing and all the pics! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[ch27088]

Love, your reviews. Can't wait to read the rest!

[Honolulu Blue]

I'm liking it so far - especially the pictures. I appreciate the cameo. The cruise was good to me too.

More, please!

[teetee6263]

[quote name='jjdshoe']Great review:) I will be celebrating my birthday on the Valor in February.[/QUOTE]
Thanks...have a great cruise, it'll be here before you know it:)

[quote name='PathfinderEss'][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkred]Enjoying your review and nice photo's.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE]

Thanks for reading:D

[teetee6263]

[quote name='Dirkgun']Great start to your review.... subscribing. Love this itinerary (did it twice on the Victory) We go again in January 2015 and love reading new reviews. Thanks for doing it.[/QUOTE]
Thank you...it really is a great itinerary, isn't it:D

[quote name='Keith1010']Enjoying your report and photos.

Keith[/QUOTE]

Thanks for reading:)

[GaMtnMom]

We have this cruise booked for April 2015. Thanks so much for doing your review!! Love your style of writing and LOVING all the pictures. Sounds like you had a wonderful cruise, can't wait for more!

[teetee6263]

[quote name='dolfndreams']Great review, I've done this itinerary a couple of times solo and loved reading your description of day one. Boy do I recognize that run through of emotions when travelling solo.

I actually love doing a solo trip but definitely have those akward feeling moments which pass when you just go ahead and do it anyway. Hadn't heard it described so well before.

Sounds like you had a great trip, you have me excited for my next round on the Southern Itinerary this time with a sister who hasn't been there before.

Thanks for sharing. Look forward to hearing about the rest of the adventure[/QUOTE]

Thanks for reading:) I dont think I'm ready for a solo cruise yet, but I did enjoy the brief times that I was on my own. Once I got over the fear, it was kinda nice being able to do what I wanted without waiting on anyone.
[I]Spolier Alert....more solo adventures to come[/I]

[quote name='erewhon']Enjoying your review, great photos.
Belated Birthday Greetings.[/QUOTE]

Thanks & thanks, it was really a great birthday:D

[teetee6263]

[quote name='poundcake09']The Bitter and Blanc is MY Favorite Desert! Happy Belated Birthday Diva!![/QUOTE]

Thanks...I love B&B, think it should be on the menu everday!!:D

[quote name='INCHARGE']I am enjoying your review, and look forward to more. I also celebrated my birthday on the Valor. The Southern itinerary is the best. I loved my solo cruises, and made several before DH got up the nerve to try it. I love your birthday shirt, it is too cute. May I ask where you got your BC Pink Ribbon hanging organizer on the hook in your cabin? I am a survivor, and would love to order one. I can't wait to read more of your review. Thanks for sharing. :)[/QUOTE]

Thank you:) I had to go back & look at the picture, lol...its my BFF's. I'll ask her, but if she remembers it'll be a miracle.

[teetee6263]

[quote name='M_GO_BLUE']Alright...this is crazy. I was on this cruise with you. I also walked in circles trying to find Barrachina's. I also had a piña colada there. Oh, and we were at the same dinner show. That's my husband in the white shirt in the bottom pic. He really doesn't normally look that goofy, I swear.

This was a great week! We loved it so much we are doing it again in November!

Can't wait to read the rest of your review!

Oh, and I guess the police offer directions are generally terrible in OSJ...I also walked in circles to find the Coach store when we arrived back in port...only to sadly discover it was closed due to Father's Day. Next time...[/QUOTE]

I couldnt believe how close I really was to it, and actually I was about only a block away when the offficer sent me the long way. :eek:

Wasn't it a great week? I'm doing it again in January, for my mothers birthday. I talked about it so much, she said she wanted to go for her birthday...so ofcourse I said sure.

[teetee6263]

[quote name='GaMtnMom']We have this cruise booked next April for our 30th Anniversary so I am doing all the research I can. Love your style of writing and all the pics! Thanks for taking the time to do this.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='ch27088']Love, your reviews. Can't wait to read the rest![/QUOTE]

Thanks for reading :D

[teetee6263]

[SIZE="3"]I love sea days, whether its getting involved in all the activities or just laying out by the pool watching. Being our only sea day I should’ve gone for brunch in the MDR to get my free VIFP drink, but I really didn’t want anything on the menu, so I opted for breakfast on Lido…Wow, this had to be the best Lido breakfast I’ve had. Now would’ve been a good time to go get my free Peach Belini, because once I park my butt on a chair on deck it’s a wrap...[I]I am the chair hog, no towel needed!![/I] Its time for the Ice carving demo & I was amazed at how many people where really into it, but then again I’m sure I was too on my first couple of cruises. Surprise Surprise, it’s an Indian Head. During the demo, they were also taking signups for the Master Mixology competition so naturally I signed up, its a cruise tradition. Even if I don’t win I get 2 free drinks out of it & one is as strong as I make it, which is strong. Now its time for Mixology & not only did I make the cut, I won with my drink [B]“Gemini Birthday Punch”[/B]. After my victorious win I had a burrito for lunch & enjoyed the Hairy Chest Contest from my lounge chair where I spent the rest of the afternoon. I noticed scrapbooking & crafts in the fun times at 3:30 so I decided to check it out. They basically were promoting the scrapbooks & kit they sell, but I did get some good page ideas. They give us some craft kits for free, think it was needle point or something to that nature...but I'm not all that crafty, hence I needed page ideas.

[IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_IrULTXL6IU/U6C3DD0KJxI/AAAAAAAADxA/me3KYie3hXk/w737-h553-no/DSCN7549.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Setting up for the Mixology contest[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5HjXG16E2bE/U6C3D4jJHAI/AAAAAAAADxM/GAbNhsf6Urs/w737-h553-no/DSCN7556.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Indian Head[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oj2ComjKGWU/U6C3EG1WF6I/AAAAAAAADxQ/7M6RFSvWJc4/w737-h553-no/DSCN7565.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Freddy on Lido[/SIZE]

Now its time to get all glammed up & head to Promenade for the Captain’s Celebration. I know most people want a picture with the captain, but not me. While I don’t always see the captain I do always see the CD who’s usually stalling for him, so my customary pic is with the CD. Craig Johnson, was the CD this cruise. So if I take one with the capt I think of it as a bonus, if not oh well & since the line was ridiculously long I passed. I just sat a the bar & snapped of picture of him & the officers from a distance. Oh yeah, while talking to Craig, he asked my opinion of the shows on ships with 2.0 & the American Table since I mentioned I was just on the Glory in January and my honest opinion was it sucked.

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3oa-NjlphkE/U6C3G_HdVbI/AAAAAAAADyE/u05INcSOnEc/w415-h553-no/DSCN7597.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Glam Shot...lol[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z41ZmDpp2VQ/U6C3GitgdjI/AAAAAAAADyA/du_BtXftQyk/w737-h553-no/DSCN7586.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Captain & Senior Officers[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V33TSmOWJew/U6C3Fx290nI/AAAAAAAADxw/SQTkeCb0S4E/w415-h553-no/DSCN7579.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Striking a pose with CD Craig Johnson[/SIZE]

Dinner tonight was all of my favorites…Strawberry Bisque soup, Spaghetti Carbonara & Cherries Jubilee, followed by my favorite MDR drink Fresh Italian.

After hours I go to the Ivanhoe Theater for show time, it was Nightclub Express. Then we all went to both of the comedy shows & again Lester Bibbs was hilarious. I join the crew in making it an early night because the sooner I go to sleep the sooner we'll be in Barbados.

[I]Oh yeah...Good thing I won 4 drink coupons from the mixology contest, because I never did go get my VIFP drink.[/I]
[/SIZE]

[teetee6263]

[B][SIZE="3"]Sea Day Food Porn...[/SIZE][/B]

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3CRs7hTR10/U6DKFEHzO8I/AAAAAAAAEVk/8OcUU-WQKqU/w737-h553-no/DSCN7566.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Lunch time Burrito[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N12uAwgMr7c/U6DKFRYv8PI/AAAAAAAAEVo/lMukSzIQafg/w737-h553-no/DSCN7587.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Early stage of Strawberry Bisque[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ygDxqmKhCTE/U6DKFXA5lUI/AAAAAAAAEVw/w4VPgO_IE7I/w737-h553-no/DSCN7588.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Strawberry Bisque[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X4a31DWaJSo/U6DKGNAsETI/AAAAAAAAEV4/NH9mexmj-yQ/w737-h553-no/DSCN7589.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Spaghetti Carbonara[/SIZE]

[IMG]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l6e9w5aYTR8/U6DKGKp5sOI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/-LvFsPPoMeQ/w737-h553-no/DSCN7592.JPG[/IMG]
[SIZE="2"]Fresh Italian[/SIZE]

[SIZE="3"]Guess my Cherries Jubilee was so good I forgot to take a picture :eek:!!![/SIZE] Edited July 8, 2014 by teetee6263