Live from the Valor 5/7-12/2022

[IslandHppy]

We'll give this a try.  The fare for an ouside cabin was silly low.  Like $163.  We decided to drive.  Experts warned us this was Jazz Festival week- so hotel prices are silly.  We stayed in Hattiesburg at the Indigo the night before which was cute and classy.

I had to dig for my Carnival member number- we are dancers and like a promenade deck so phased out Carnival.  But the price was too good and the timing worked.  

I had two goals- be at sea and avoid catching any illnesses.  We did buy the insurance.  The pre cruise testing was led by my DW who said enough study and got out her iPad and we found the eMed kits were easy.  

Parking was super easy- we arrived at 9 for our 11- and organized.  We dropped into the mall and came back at 11. Each person needs a paper boarding pass.  The Verifly app was a bit of a pain. But we got the green check marks.   We showed our phones to the staff - vaccine cards were not examined there.  The total check in was quick and painless.  Once aboard drop into your muster station for a scan.  

Edited May 7, 2022 by IslandHppy

[IslandHppy]

So far so good.  Unlike the Fantasy class ships, this one has some lovely deck spaces.  Ten port is deep and shady (Starboard is smoking) and both sides of deck three have loungers and some chairs and tables.  The inside layout is choppy but workable.  This is a happy ship- the crew are uniformly jolly.  The outside cabin was large and had a couch and side chair.

The Main Dining room was organized and speedy.  I solved a mystery I had - how did 66% of my friends who have cruised lately catch you know what- we were initially seated at a table of eight.  We were cheerfully moved to a table for two.  The food was good not five star.  I did not try the soup yet.  Bring your phone to scan the menus.   The crew are 99% masked the passengers 1%.  

Edited May 8, 2022 by IslandHppy

[Guest BasicSailor]

Off to a great start 👍

[IslandHppy]

We found the Duo in the Red Frog Pub and a couple were dancing.  There is a decent sized floor way in the back.  After a while we convinced them to play a Rumba and were very good at classic country.  So far so good.  Up at 0615 and the only food venue open is soft serve 🙂 In a bit Eggs Benedict are in my future   The bed was extra soft like a pillow top but worked.  I can recommend the aft facing window cabins.  

Edited May 8, 2022 by IslandHppy
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[IslandHppy]

The Blue Iguana called to us at 0730.  We answered.  Outdoor dining seeems sensible in this perfect weather.   Rolls and tea were found at Rosies at least by 0630. The main pool is a nice space.  Carnival gets points for driving the craft beer trend aboard.  Looking at the restock cart most sales are probably the normal big brands however.  We saw the first chair hogs placing towels and flip flops.  Deck 10 is just lovely.  

Edited May 8, 2022 by IslandHppy

[IslandHppy]

Some things have not changed recently in cruising.  Fortunately.  Fuad our waiter and his boss Haris are old school by the book folks.  Remember names and preferences that kind of thing.  The MDR is speedy and organized.  The decor is Farcus goes to Williamsburg.  I am not sure it works but it's not boring.  We found a spot away from crowds that works for us.  The Carbonara was good - not just like Florian's near Termini in Rome makes it, but we are in the Gulf of Mexico having dinner for over a thousand.  

Edy our Steward is equally a pro.  Took in our bags and called in the sticky drain stopper before we did.

The Hub App did not list the Cantina as being open for lunch.  It was.  I love technology.  Fuad had paper menus waiting for us as we forgot our phones yesterday.   We found more open deck spaces.  And my DW was sad she was out of Jelly Belly fruit flavors as we left the dock yesterday.  No worries.

 

[IslandHppy]

I ran into Josh, the Hotel Director, who was on his rounds.  I thanked him for having a happy ship and for the duo in the pub who were amazingly good at classic country covers.  It is always fun on a cruise when you can connect with crew or entertainers.  I saw some crew shopping the closeout rack at the mall before we left.  The argument for not tipping - that they are well paid -is not correct. 

I missed Eggs Benedict yesterday but some made with salmon filled in nicely today.  I did not observe or photograph any US style bacon in the buffet.  It was however on the MDR menu.  

The Blue Iguana again did not disappoint for breakfast.  The key is the well appointed sauce and salsa bar.  

You could feel a rumbling aft as we docked in Progresso as we are down on deck two.  But that seems normal on a ship.  We are hoping many elect shore excursions today 🙂 The new all day Internet plans are a nice upgrade, as are places on the decks without supermarket music 🙂 The satellite system has been good - not pokey at all.  I don't miss the stern warnings to not leave cell phones charging unattended from a few years back.  Two minor thoughts - I had to hunt for the hand sanitizer stands (Noro) and after an engine room tour on the Pride way back when too many big double doors were left open which seems a waste of AC /fuel.  

 

[IslandHppy]

An important part of the guest experience on a cruise is the crew.  We were at our noon table- a breezy but shaded table on the main pool deck.  I just finished my burrito and Junrey our Assistant Waiter from dinner greeted me by name and took my empty plate.  That was pretty impressive for any cruise line.  The burritos were popular with officers and staff- we joked it was like a restaurant where the police go every day- they know.  

I went to the pier market in Progreso in search of a cell phone USB battery.  You could find t shirts and shot glasses and painted figures and even lunch but no electronics.  One of the vendors said there was a shop in town for cell phone stuff a block from the bus station.  I saw an EMS rig off in the corner and armed Federal police.  This is a safe spot.  The MDR was good again - the cheese soup had a hint of gouda and was just right.  We tried the movie by the pool.  We noticed minimal sales pressure aboard- heads might roll back at HQ for this but complaints about Carnival not being classy seem made up.  I ate but failed to photograph the Carnival 50th birthday cake which appeared on the first day only.  Edy was rocking the towel animals.

[IslandHppy]

No crew problems on the Valor this week.  I wonder if they got into the rum overnight.  Kudos to Willy from Housekeeping.   

Edited May 10, 2022 by IslandHppy

[wareaglefan444]

i leave on the valor Monday, cant wait

[IslandHppy]

We gave up our table by the Blue  Iguana and moved aft for lunch.  The $5 Clam Chowder was calling.  It was unsuccessful.  The bread was dry as was the soup- cubed potatoes.  The potato salad nearby was good though. 

I went ashore to the Cozumel port area.  It was tidy and felt safe.  This is not an electronics port- cell phone accessories were rare.  A guess is a 15-20% import duty ruins that.  

Engineers were wrestling with the broken door on the pool deck.  I saw the stash of spare electric cables on deck two - the door is more of a hatch.  There is possibly a guest laundry nearby.  Any storage on a ship is valuable.   No bacon could be observed in the buffet.  DW tried the Mongolian place and got a custom made noodle bowl. 

I asked Edy how many towel animals this morning by the pool were his - four 🙂

Edited May 10, 2022 by IslandHppy

[cruisingguy007]

Is that a computer monitor? Where is the TV? 😁

[IslandHppy]

6 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Is that a computer monitor? Where is the TV? 😁

It appears to be a flat screen TV.  So has an antenna input.  I have not tried to plug things into it.

[peteandpris]

Nice review thank you.

[IslandHppy]

I ran into Jason a few times on his rounds - he remembered my name - I kept calling him Scott.  Some people are in the right job for reason.  

We put our MDR team to the test - the movie at 6:30.  I alerted Fuad and Junrey zipped the orders in and we were in our lounge chairs the exact moment the film started.  I did forget to order the alligator now that I think about it.  Extra tips on top of the prepaid pool are in order. 

Someone here on CC suggested ice milk in coffee.  Mmmm.  We got in a dance or two.  If I ran the place I would redo the Island pub as Cajun.  The ship is very clean and the relaxation factor is high. The Cruise Director just reminded us we are on vacation.  What day is it again?  My idea of a great cruise is to pay discount to fill prices and get best suite on the ship service.  Shhh.  There was an article recently - companies need to sell value not just products.  The big door is fixed 🙂 Deck light repairs seem to be on the agenda today.  

Edited May 11, 2022 by IslandHppy

[Titan_Cruiser]

Enjoying your review. What is this? 

[IslandHppy]

Thanks so much.  It was a baked savory pumpkin cheese pie.  Quite good with a flaky crust.  

Edited May 11, 2022 by IslandHppy

[wareaglefan444]

Can you verify if they have splenda packets on board. That's the yellow sugar replacements at the tea and coffee stations. Thanks

[IslandHppy]

Splenda, Equal and Sweet n Low were observed.  

[DeniD]

I will have to pack some stevia now.. 😋

[IslandHppy]

The last night of a cruise can be difficult.  You say goodbye to new friends and have to go back to reality.  

We saw Jason a few more times.  I developed a theory he was using a proven technique- Management By Wandering Around- which was why the crew seemed happy and there were not the usual array of empty coffee cups on the decks every morning. The survey scores for the Valor are reported to be good - I did some asking around 🙂

We had the 100% home made tacos for lunch.  And our MDR crew was happy to see us for dinner.

There is a guest laundry - we saw it.  And getting off the ship seems easy.  We spotted the Captain and Cruise Director on the pool deck - they were not in line for the burritos 🙂

[IslandHppy]

10 hours ago, DeniD said:

I will have to pack some stevia now.. 😋

 

Edited May 12, 2022 by IslandHppy

[IslandHppy]

Stevia was located ....Rosies port side. 

[CruisinNana]

Thank you for the excellent, informative report.  You filled in lots of blanks for me in thinking about my future cruise on the Valor!  This has been one of the best reviews ever!

[wareaglefan444]

12 hours ago, IslandHppy said:

Splenda, Equal and Sweet n Low were observed.  

thanks so much for your help