Just back from Valor - Stay away from this cabin and other thoughts

[cherbear4000]

I sailed the 7/8 Valor 8 day cruise to St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan, Grand Turk. Over all, I would rate this cruise as average. The service was great as usual. It never really seemed overcrowded considering it was a sold out sailing. The lines were never overly long and we never had a problem finding a seat on the lido. The food quality has seemed to go downhill, but was edible. Of course Guy's and the steakhouse were delicious as always, but the MDR (still on old menus) and lido buffet were less than stellar. There was a juggler named Dana Tison one night for the main show. He was fantastic.

 

I want to mention a problem we had with our first cabin. This was the first time in all my cruises I had to visit guest services to make a complaint. We had cabin 6371. I did not realize at the time of booking that this cabin was directly over the stage area next to the casino. The band was so loud in our cabin that we had to shout to speak to each other. I could hear the band perfectly even while in the shower. In order to hear our TV over the band we had to turn the volume up to a deafening level. Our cabin and bed shook from the bass. Finally at 11, we went down to guest services to complain. I knew the ship was sold out so I was concerned about what they could do. Luckily, there was a no show so we were able to get our cabin switched. The guest services employee told us that he wished they would stop selling our cabin because the occupants complain almost every cruise. He also told us that guest services has talked to the entertainment director numerous times about the complaints and they refuse to lower the volume.

 

Another thing that I really didn't like was the Miss Carnival Valor competition. I have seen these competitions on numerous sailings, my sister even won one year, and I have never had an issue, but this one seemed degrading. First the girls all had to dance while being introduced, which was typical. Then they had to play musical chairs, but using a man on all fours as a chair. Then they had to do a sexy shower scene. It made me sad that these young women would subject themselves to this behavior just for a cheap plastic trophy and $3 bottle of champagne. The girls looked uncomfortable to me.

 

The ports were fine. We were late getting into St. Maarten and Grand Turk due to having to disembark medical emergencies twice. Our port time was extended though, so we didn't lose any time in port.

 

One thing regarding the medical emergencies, my nephew had an ear infection the first sea day and was in pain. My sister tried going down to the clinic 3 different times during the day and each time was told the doctor was working on an emergency and could not see him, which was understandable. Then at around 6pm, the announcement was made that the ship was diverting to San Salvador to evacuate the medical emergency. After the crew member was off the ship, my sister went back down to see if her son could be looked at. She was told she would be charged the emergency fee because it was now after hours. The doctor was right there, so it wasn't as though they had to summon him. We didn't think this was fair to be charged the emergency fee when she tried to have him seen during regular hours 3 times, but the doctor was unavailable. Again, we are not complaining that the doctor was working on an emergency, just that they now wanted to charge extra because of it.

Edited July 19, 2016 by cherbear4000

[nchikk]

Sorry to hear of your troubles on the ship. We sail her in a couple of months and are looking forward to a great time.

 

Regarding your cabin's location, deck plans are available online and I use them before booking any cruise. I select a cabin that has another cabin above and below us. If this is not available, I prefer gift shops or the photo gallery. I have had luck with this.

 

I have never seen the Miss Carnival show, but I suppose the contestants could have stopped at any time. Girls do far more at Spring Break for far less. Let me re-iterate, I'm not condoning anything, just saying the girls could have opted out. Could you have left this show if it offended you? The new CD is a woman so if there something she feels is offencive to women, I trust she'll make a change.

 

Glad to know there were some positives.

[rtap23]

We were on the same sailing as you and had a great time. The staff did an excellent job and the ship was in very good shape. The only thing we did not enjoy was the CD Cassie. We felt like she was only to be found in the theater and had her staff doing everything for her.

[riclop]

I sailed the 7/8 Valor 8 day cruise to St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan, Grand Turk. Over all, I would rate this cruise as average. The service was great as usual. It never really seemed overcrowded considering it was a sold out sailing. The lines were never overly long and we never had a problem finding a seat on the lido. The food quality has seemed to go downhill, but was edible. Of course Guy's and the steakhouse were delicious as always, but the MDR (still on old menus) and lido buffet were less than stellar. There was a juggler named Dana Tison one night for the main show. He was fantastic.

 

I want to mention a problem we had with our first cabin. This was the first time in all my cruises I had to visit guest services to make a complaint. We had cabin 6371. I did not realize at the time of booking that this cabin was directly over the stage area next to the casino. The band was so loud in our cabin that we had to shout to speak to each other. I could hear the band perfectly even while in the shower. In order to hear our TV over the band we had to turn the volume up to a deafening level. Our cabin and bed shook from the bass. Finally at 11, we went down to guest services to complain. I knew the ship was sold out so I was concerned about what they could do. Luckily, there was a no show so we were able to get our cabin switched. The guest services employee told us that he wished they would stop selling our cabin because the occupants complain almost every cruise. He also told us that guest services has talked to the entertainment director numerous times about the complaints and they refuse to lower the volume.

 

Another thing that I really didn't like was the Miss Carnival Valor competition. I have seen these competitions on numerous sailings, my sister even won one year, and I have never had an issue, but this one seemed degrading. First the girls all had to dance while being introduced, which was typical. Then they had to play musical chairs, but using a man on all fours as a chair. Then they had to do a sexy shower scene. It made me sad that these young women would subject themselves to this behavior just for a cheap plastic trophy and $3 bottle of champagne. The girls looked uncomfortable to me.

 

The ports were fine. We were late getting into St. Maarten and Grand Turk due to having to disembark medical emergencies twice. Our port time was extended though, so we didn't lose any time in port.

 

One thing regarding the medical emergencies, my nephew had an ear infection the first sea day and was in pain. My sister tried going down to the clinic 3 different times during the day and each time was told the doctor was working on an emergency and could not see him, which was understandable. Then at around 6pm, the announcement was made that the ship was diverting to San Salvador to evacuate the medical emergency. After the crew member was off the ship, my sister went back down to see if her son could be looked at. She was told she would be charged the emergency fee because it was now after hours. The doctor was right there, so it wasn't as though they had to summon him. We didn't think this was fair to be charged the emergency fee when she tried to have him seen during regular hours 3 times, but the doctor was unavailable. Again, we are not complaining that the doctor was working on an emergency, just that they now wanted to charge extra because of it.

 

Glad they moved you.

[Tapi]

I've only attended one of these Miss Carnival "beauty pageants", and yes, it made me feel a bit uncomfortable to watch since it looked demeaning. But all the ladies on the stage were willful participants, and based on the hoots and hollers from the audience, it was thoroughly enjoyed by many.

 

Carnival's entertainment, from hairy chest contests, to bartending competitions, to these beauty pageants, are not everyone's cup of tea, but they do appeal to a large percentage of its cruisers which is why these activities have remained over the years (if not decades). For those of us who couldn't care less for them, we have two choices: Either steer clear of these activities, or select a cruise line that provides a bit more cerebral forms of entertainment.

Edited July 20, 2016 by Tapi

[RjayB]

Which cabin did they give you? I hope it also a balcony? :)

We had a bad cabin on our 2nd cruise, so I am very careful and gladly pay extra to be in a better location!

[NCTribeFan]

In the future, I recommend using cruisedeckplans dot com to see where your cabin is located. They have a "drag deck" feature so you would know if you're under a stage/pool/bar/whatever.

 

I never book without having that site open when talking to whomever is doing the booking for me. And it's the reason I don't book guarantees unless I assure myself that none of the cabins in the category would have a noise problem.

 

These days, there's no reason to not know these things so you can make informed decisions.

 

Agree about the Miss Carnival thing. But, to be fair, they make the guys do demeaning stuff for hairy chest competition, too. I simply don't attend. If you felt strongly about it, you should've said something to the CD or left him/her a message at the service desk. You can send an email to Carnival after-the-fact via their website. I've used that service to contact them after sailing and always received a prompt response.

[cherbear4000]

Just to respond to a couple of comments, I did know my cabin was over the casino. I have had cabins on the 6th deck before and have never had an issue. It just never occurred to me that I would be directly over a stage in which the music would be that loud. I have heard music off into the distance from my cabin before and it has never been an issue. This was ridiculously loud. We had to shout to talk to each other and since the music went until at least 1 AM, there was no way we could sleep. Like I said, guest services told me that almost every cruise the occupants of my cabin complain. They moved us to 1062, also a balcony and it was a great location too.

 

As for the Miss Valor competition, what I wrote was just my observation. In no way do I care enough to complain to Carnival or was I so offended that I wanted to leave the deck. We just happened to be hanging out on the Lido when the competition started so I watched it. It just seemed different than the similar competitions I have seen on other ships. I have never witnessed the women having to jump on strange men who were on all fours or having to do a sexy scene in the shower before. I did hear other women near me making comments about how they couldn't believe these young women were going along with it, so I know it wasn't just me that thought it was over the top.

 

I saw a poster on this cruise mention he did not like the cruise director, Cassie. I felt the same way. She was one of the worst I have had. I rarely saw her on the ship, where on past cruises I would run into the cruise director all the time.

 

I am in no way complaining about my cruise, since overall I had a great time. I am just sharing my thoughts.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[asalligo]

I always worry about getting a bad cabin, but I wonder how often I have had a cabin like this that is noisy and never even knew it. I am very seldom in my cabin at all between dinner and midnight.

[amyh13]

Just to respond to a couple of comments, I did know my cabin was over the casino. I have had cabins on the 6th deck before and have never had an issue. It just never occurred to me that I would be directly over a stage in which the music would be that loud. I have heard music off into the distance from my cabin before and it has never been an issue. This was ridiculously loud. We had to shout to talk to each other and since the music went until at least 1 AM, there was no way we could sleep. Like I said, guest services told me that almost every cruise the occupants of my cabin complain. They moved us to 1062, also a balcony and it was a great location too.

 

As for the Miss Valor competition, what I wrote was just my observation. In no way do I care enough to complain to Carnival or was I so offended that I wanted to leave the deck. We just happened to be hanging out on the Lido when the competition started so I watched it. It just seemed different than the similar competitions I have seen on other ships. I have never witnessed the women having to jump on strange men who were on all fours or having to do a sexy scene in the shower before. I did hear other women near me making comments about how they couldn't believe these young women were going along with it, so I know it wasn't just me that thought it was over the top.

 

I saw a poster on this cruise mention he did not like the cruise director, Cassie. I felt the same way. She was one of the worst I have had. I rarely saw her on the ship, where on past cruises I would run into the cruise director all the time.

 

I am in no way complaining about my cruise, since overall I had a great time. I am just sharing my thoughts.

 

Sorry about your cabin. I am glad they moved you.

 

We had Cassie on our April Valor cruise and I liked her fine. Not as good as Calvyn but fine. I don't pay much attention to the CD

 

I hate to sound old but I kind of agree with you on the Miss Valor contest. We were on a Spring Break cruise with our DS 10 and DD6. We are now spending more time around the pools as our kids are good swimmers and it provides easy access to food, slides, ice cream, mini-golf, etc. It was basically girls in bikinis dancing like strippers. Lap dances and all. I am certainly no prude but I was very uncomfortable looking at my 10 year old son who was completely mesmerized with the whole thing and understandably so. Luckily my DD wanted to go to Camp so she didn't see much but was certainly trying to copy some of the dance moves.

 

I think if Carnival is going to encourage the family friendly atmosphere, they could come up with something in between strip club and Disney. Especially on weeks with lots of young kids.

[rtap23]

Just to respond to a couple of comments, I did know my cabin was over the casino. I have had cabins on the 6th deck before and have never had an issue. It just never occurred to me that I would be directly over a stage in which the music would be that loud. I have heard music off into the distance from my cabin before and it has never been an issue. This was ridiculously loud. We had to shout to talk to each other and since the music went until at least 1 AM, there was no way we could sleep. Like I said, guest services told me that almost every cruise the occupants of my cabin complain. They moved us to 1062, also a balcony and it was a great location too.

 

 

 

As for the Miss Valor competition, what I wrote was just my observation. In no way do I care enough to complain to Carnival or was I so offended that I wanted to leave the deck. We just happened to be hanging out on the Lido when the competition started so I watched it. It just seemed different than the similar competitions I have seen on other ships. I have never witnessed the women having to jump on strange men who were on all fours or having to do a sexy scene in the shower before. I did hear other women near me making comments about how they couldn't believe these young women were going along with it, so I know it wasn't just me that thought it was over the top.

 

 

 

I saw a poster on this cruise mention he did not like the cruise director, Cassie. I felt the same way. She was one of the worst I have had. I rarely saw her on the ship, where on past cruises I would run into the cruise director all the time.

 

 

 

I am in no way complaining about my cruise, since overall I had a great time. I am just sharing my thoughts.

 

 

Funny I was your neighbor after your move. I was in 1064.

[caitmac1]

I think this is an issue in all the Conquest-class ships. On our March cruise, we were in 6379 on the Liberty (IIRC) and had the same problem. It was marked as being over the casino, and since we're night owls, I thought that'd be fine. (On our previous cruise on the Miracle, the casino didn't have a band playing in it, justin the atrium outside it, I think.) The place where the band sets up isn't marked in any way, it's just a wide spot in the room on the plans.

[sfaaa]

Live music is usually shut down by midnight. Not a major problem unless one is an early sleeper.

[micro yaya]

We were on the same sailing as you and had a great time. The staff did an excellent job and the ship was in very good shape. The only thing we did not enjoy was the CD Cassie. We felt like she was only to be found in the theater and had her staff doing everything for her.

 

the worst cd ever

[springs741]

cherbear4000, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I love your type of review. No drama, no outrageous claims about a ruined cruise. You simply shared your experience and observations.

 

And now for a shameless plug for using a PVP. A good PVP (and likely an experienced TA) will have info regarding the "bad" staterooms. Cherbear knew they were located above the casino and were OK with the stateroom. What they didn't know is the band, at an inflated volume, would be right under them. My PVP(10 plus years with Carnival) keeps a list of all kinds of crazy things ....above crew bars, people expired, under galley office areas as opposed to prep areas. She keeps me informed.