A Sold Out Valiant Lady. A Pleasant Surprise

[CruisingWalter]

Currently sailing on the November 18th Thanksgiving cruise on Valiant that has been sold out for some time now. We're on here with a group of about 30 or so, many their first time on VV. Everyone has commented on how this does not feel like a sold out ship.  Even we have been pleasantly surprised with this being our 3rd sailing but first with a full ship. The Galley service has been great, no excessive queues anywhere other than the Red Room for Bingo but that's normal. The pool deck is full on a sea day but that's normal.

 

But getting around the ship, getting services, getting food, enjoying the entertainment hasn't really been an issue. Sure there are a lot more people in On The Rocks and I wish it was a larger venue, but that is to be expected on a full ship. I'm really happy to see that the service and quality has scaled up nicely with a full ship, at least on our sailing. 

[crusinthrough]

How crowded is the pool and seating around the pool?

[cantgetin]

When we got off Valiant earlier this month, a crew member commented that the cruise boarding that day had 2600 on board.  I expressed my sympathy to the crew.n. They are the ones who are most impacted by high numbers of sailors as what they are allowed to do in guest areas during their "off time" is determined by then number of sailors on board.

[CruisingWalter]

7 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

How crowded is the pool and seating around the pool?

 

Doesn't matter how full the ship is, the pool area will be completely full during sea days. Very small pool and small seating around around it. Much more room up on the sun deck above. So for this cruise, it's typical during a sea day. 

[cantgetin]

Lots of seating generally up on deck 16 around the hot tubs, the net, etc.

 

[conandrob240]

Scarlet was almost full on 11/5. We sailed 1/2 full on Valiant last year. Didn’t feel any substantial difference. Other than ease of getting/changing dining reservations. It holds capacity well

[happy cruzer]

12 hours ago, conandrob240 said:

Scarlet was almost full on 11/5. We sailed 1/2 full on Valiant last year. Didn’t feel any substantial difference. Other than ease of getting/changing dining reservations. It holds capacity well

What about getting reservations for shows or classes?

 

Not getting into events/dining would be a substantial difference IMHO.

 

Thanks for the reports.

[conandrob240]

8 minutes ago, happy cruzer said:

What about getting reservations for shows or classes?

 

Not getting into events/dining would be a substantial difference IMHO.

 

Thanks for the reports.

I found it fine for initial bookings. Got everything we wanted once connected to ship Wifi on both cruises. It seemed easier on 1/2 full Valiant to walk up or find a new time for dining real time. It seemed a lot harder this time if you wanted to change dining day of.

[CruisingWalter]

On 11/21/2023 at 3:17 AM, happy cruzer said:

What about getting reservations for shows or classes?

 

Not getting into events/dining would be a substantial difference IMHO.

 

Thanks for the reports.

 

It was honestly no different than any other sailing. Popular classes fill up fast, many people are no-shows so you can just show up and probably get in. Dining reservations were not much different. No problem being a walk-up if you were willing to eat later in the evening. 

 

We were in a group of about 30 with many first time Virgins. Everyone remarked how it didn't feel like a sold out ship. The ship is much larger than it needs to be for 2770 passengers so you have a lot of public space to move around. And when you don't have 2000 people queuing up for one big dining room, the dining crowds are spread out throughout the ship. 

 

The most popular location on our 8 night sailing was the Social Club. That place was hopping all day and night with folks playing games, game challenges, Karaoke and more. It was incredible how many folks were just relaxing playing games and making new friends. 

[happy cruzer]

On 11/27/2023 at 6:38 AM, CruisingWalter said:

 

It was honestly no different than any other sailing. Popular classes fill up fast, many people are no-shows so you can just show up and probably get in. Dining reservations were not much different. No problem being a walk-up if you were willing to eat later in the evening. 

 

We were in a group of about 30 with many first time Virgins. Everyone remarked how it didn't feel like a sold out ship. The ship is much larger than it needs to be for 2770 passengers so you have a lot of public space to move around. And when you don't have 2000 people queuing up for one big dining room, the dining crowds are spread out throughout the ship. 

 

The most popular location on our 8 night sailing was the Social Club. That place was hopping all day and night with folks playing games, game challenges, Karaoke and more. It was incredible how many folks were just relaxing playing games and making new friends. 

Your report helped set our expectations.  We were on the week after you.  Thank you.

 

Agree that "on the rocks" was crowded.  Lots of folks standing and sitting on the floor.  They need more seating.

 

The restaurants seemed to accommodate changes well, we only did one.

 

Shows booked up but seemed to have enough to handle most of the waitlist at the door.

 

Exercise classes all booked up early ( our APP and many other's was down until about 4pm) then had to be reloaded twice more on the first night.  All classes stayed sold out the entire cruise.  Did not try to walk up.  Not interested in getting dressed and excited about a class to only possibly get in. 

 

Also the weight area was crowded most mornings from 8 to 11.  One day every machine was in use with people waiting.  That happens on other lines the first sea day but later not so much.  Outdoor areas for working out and the running trail were used but not crowed.

 

Just a small snapshot.

[-The-True-North-]

Currently on Valiant Lady.

 

Asked and was told we're were slightly over 2300.  Tomorrow I can confirm when we get off at Roatan and can ask security.

 

First day was pretty packed. Then everyone spread out.  Today was a little overcast and boats been rocky, so A LOT of the free fun activities have been a gong show. Running out of pens papers, happenings cast is asking everyone to find or accept people to make a party of 6.

 

Still having a blast. Just noticably busy when you have something to compare it to.

[Fogcityca13]

Just got off Valiant on Sunday and talked to a crew member that was on Resilient with us this summer. According to that person about 50% of the Valiant crew is from Resilient’s launch crew. Things went very well, it definitely felt like a busy ship. On the Rocks was difficult to find seating if a band was playing. The new trick is Draft House sometimes has the music piped in from downstairs.

 

One downside is Pink Agave After Dark was a total bust. The restaurant was packed at 9pm and they were still seating folks after 9:30, so that only left the very small bar area. We had dinner reservations at 9 due to a late excursion in San Juan. Not sure if this event will work with night capacity ships, especially with a late departure port like San Juan.

[Freelancer1]

Last week, Valiant was at capacity for the first time since launch- over 2600.  

Edited December 12, 2023 by Freelancer1