Carnival Valor...The Great, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[macyray]

Just returned from the 2/18 sailing of the VALOR (Western Caribbean). Overall, the vacation was spectacular. Simply put, it is hard to beat the value of a Cruise vacation. In the hopes to help others considering this cruise, I will share here what I consider to be Great, good, bad and ugly during the cruise. As way of background, I have a family of 7 (children aged 16, 9, 8, 6, and 3) , and this is our third cruise.

 

GREAT - -

 

1) The VALOR. It is an impressive, newer ship. Rooms are clean, well lit, and relatively large.

 

2) Roatan. Hired a private tour company called Roatan Best Tours (www.roatanbesttours.com). Outstanding quality and service. The island is underdeveloped and feels "authentic." In other words, I felt like I was experiencing something new, which is not usually the case in most Ports. The lush green, and sheer beauty is amazing.

 

3) Snorkeling off Caye Caulker (Belize). Took a water taxi to Caye Caulker. Hired a local business to take us snorkeling. The barrier reef, water, and aquatic life was a site to behold.

 

4) Comedian Jimmy Brick. This guy preformed the fourth night, and was hilarious.

 

5) The staff. From the dining rooms to the room stewards, could not ask for better service.

 

THE GOOD

 

1) Dining Room food. It was way better than average, but not great. Overall very pleased. The pork selections were great. Not impressed with the steak. The desserts were very good.

 

2) Nochi Cocum (Cozumel). Bought an all-inclusive beach day at Nochi Cocum. It was a nice place, but a little pricey. Got a massage (which was great and should be included above). Kids loved the fresh water pool. I enjoyed the swim-up bar.

 

3) Carnival Spa Facial. Won this at the shop talk. It was nice. Wouldn't have been worth the $59 charge though.

 

4) Pizza, Deli sandwhiches, and fish and chips were all good.

 

THE BAD

 

1) Port of Miami. A bit hard to navigate, and definetly hectic. Porters were helpful. Weather was bad (no one's fault, I know). To be fair, the Port is "average" not bad. However, I didn't allow for an "average" category in my review.

 

2) Funpass. A disappointment. We had friends who neglected/failed to complete theirs a head of time. They were sent to a different line for non-funpassers. And they beat us on the ship by 10 minutes. Something not right about that.

 

3) Ship's golfing instructer. This guy was a real tool. After Cozumel he and 2 golfers believed because they were carrying golf clubs they should break to the front of the tender line for the return to the ship. Someone said something to the guy, and he had a smart aleck reply. Definetly not the type response Carnival would appreciate.

 

4) The area outside the gates of Belize Port. We had to walk to the water taxi to catch a ride to Caye Caulker. Once leaving the tourist shop area, it was a bit uncomfortable. We were approached probably 50 times. Not so bad for me, but for the family, especially with children, it was a bit unnerving. However, we survived just fine.

 

THE UGLY

 

1) There was a "gentleman" who showed up for two of the dining room dinners wearing a tank top, shorts.... and, one night, NO SHOES. I am not a stickler at all, but having no shoes in the dining room was too much for me.

 

2) Chair hogs. I become agitated with people who believe it is fine to throw a towell on three chairs, leave for hours, and return expecting "thier chair" empty.

 

Again, it was a spectacular vacation. Anyone considering this ship/itineray will be pleased. It is a great vacation value. I hope to return next year.

 

I will be happy to answer any questions.

[caribbean dreams]

Thanks for the review, i felt the same way in Belize, so many people following you are around outside the gates, but the prices were so much better than the pier area that it was worth it, if my DH would tell them no thanks, some would call us names as we walked down the street.

 

We also loved Roatan, we hired Cynthia & Diane, i have never heard of anyone having a bad tour guide in Roatan.

 

I would do the Valor again in a heartbeat:)

[maddea20]

Hi, thanks for ur quick to the point review. I'd like to know about the Dining Rooms. Which one were you in and how would you rate where u and ur family were sitting? I keep hearing that the Lincoln Dining room's balcony area should be avoided.

[kellygirl3]

Thanks for the great review. I am nineteen days away until I board the Valor and I can't wait!

 

I have scoured these posts looking for information about the kids but most people don't really elaborate. Since you had kids of all ages, I am curious about their experiences. What they liked and did not like. We are a large group traveling with about 12 kids - ages 4-18. I am curious if your kids were bored? What activities they did in Camp Carnival? All I can seem to find is people saying that there was tons to do but no real details. Was the teen dance club busy? My 16 year old daughter is worried she will be the only one there.

 

Any insights you have would be great.

 

Also - did you try the Sushi?

[kellygirl3]

I just wrote a really long post and it dumped. I hate that. Anyway - I basically wanted some details from your kids. I am traveling with a large group with kids of various ages. Can you give me some details on what your kids liked and disliked - and loved? Camp Carnival? The teen Disco? Were they bored on the Sea days?

 

Any insights would be great. We are nineteen days away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kellygirl3]

I guess it did not dump - sorry

[createmem]

I was on the same sailing of the Valor - and I guess everyone has their opinions, mine is not as positive. I just don't think it should take so long to tender at all - and I feel the way it was done on this ship was quite inefficient. It took 2.5 hours to get off the ship in Cozumel - plus the ship was late getting in.

 

Sushi was awesome every single night! Definitely take advantage of that.

[macyray]

Maddea20 - - Our dining room was Washington Upper (5:45). We were in the rear corner, which was perfect. We had large window views from two angles. We saw sunset each night. Though my children were pretty well behaved, it was nice to not be in the middle of everyone.

 

Kellygirl - - I do not believe your children will be bored. With 4 port days, there just isn't a lot of ship time. There are plenty of activities. Throw in some shopping, dining, and swimming/sunning - - and there is no time for boredom. There is a basketball court, as well as a ping pong table which was usually available. There is a full arcade (though we didn't use it).

 

The Camp Carnival on the Valor is impressive. It is a very large room, lots of toys and activities, with several computer games. My 6 year old son loved it. My three year old son did not. My girls (16,9,&8) didn't give it a chance. They were happier doing there own thing.

 

I believe the children generally enjoyed some of the early shows (including the magic show), the kids talent show, and people watching. My six year old (who apparently is born to cruise) loved the ice cream, and the massive water slide.

 

Createman - - I hear you. Having to tender at three ports was probably the worst part of the cruise. Lines, and more lines. However, if you have a private excursion, you can leave on the first tenders with the cruise sponsored excursions (just show them your printout if they ask). I don't believe most people know this. This avoided having to wait in line for tender tickets, as well as waiting for the later tenders. Saved a ton of time.

[florida cruiser girl]

Thanks for the great concise review.

Question...we are looking at going to the beach in Belize. By reading the posts on here, it seems like we should go through the ships excursion. I have never since my 1st cruise gone through the ship, prefer to do my own thing on my own time. Anyway, how much is it? and how difficult to get to the water taxis to get to the Caye? How far away once you are off the ship? How much time is spent riding the tenders & taxis? I want to plan that day ahead & unsure which way to go. Compare cost & time.

Thanks for any input.

[macyray]

Floridacruisergirl:

 

Caye Caulker is beautiful. It was one of the highlights of our trip, and you should seriously consider going there. The ships do not have any excursions there. It is a laid back island, with sand roads, and no cars. Water is great. Snorkeling among the best. Once we got to Caulker, we used Tsuanimi tours to take us out to the reef. They will meet you at the pier. Good people.

 

The tender to the Belize port took about 10 minutes.

 

The water taxi is about a 7 minute walk from the port gates. Just be ready to smile, and explain you are on the way to the water taxi. Most should leave you alone after that. It's not a big deal, but it does get old. Once you get to the "swinging bridge" you can buy your ticket ($15 round trip, half price for children).

 

If I had to do it over again I would have made sure I got off the VALOR on the first tender. We almost made the 9am taxi (and we were on the 5th or 6th tender). We caught the 10:30 taxi (Belize time, which is one hour behind). It was about a 40 minute ride. But being the first port, and not having gotten used to the ocean, it was a nice ride. Looking out on the beautiful water, made for a pleasant trip.

 

We had time for a two hour snorkel, and lunch. If we had made the 9 am we could have snorkled longer. The snorkeling is great there. I had never seed so many fish species, and stingrays were aplenty. We did have a scare or two by some sharks and barricudas.

 

We caught the 3:00 water taxi back, which gave us not a lot of time to catch a tender back to the ship. My spouse was a nervous wreck for part of the trip, but we made it just fine.

 

I believe we spent half as much, and had twice as good a time, as others who booked an excursion through the ship.

[jetsfan]

macyray,

 

Great review! Which ports did you tender at? We have been too many of these islands in the past, but would still like to get off fairly early? Thanks

[ESR24]

What company did you use in Belize?

[DqALEX]

Thank you for your review. I really want to try the Valor out soon. The ship looks good.

[florida cruiser girl]

Floridacruisergirl:

 

My spouse was a nervous wreck for part of the trip, but we made it just fine.

 

 

Why? Is there something I should worry about? What was spouse nervous wreck about? Fish? Water? Area? Timing?

Do the water taxis leave every 1.5 hrs? What about on the way back? Do you remember what times are available to go back? Sure don't want to worry about missing the ship.

Thanks so much for the help, that is the first really straight honest answer to all my questions I can find. I really appreciate it!

I agree with you as most all my cruises I end up spending less and having more fun than the ship excursions, that is why I was so worried about possibly having to book through the ship. If it's the same or better, I need to save my money.

Thanks again and I think you have convinced me.

[wack001]

Thanks for the post and good info. I love the way you stick to the facts.

1. How easy is it to get off the Valor(I am on 13 May) on the tender in your stop to Belize. last time they would not let anyone off till the ship excursion groups got off, so i waited 2hrs,, any thoughts.

2. Do u have any email for "Tsuanimi tours" did u contact them before u left the U.S?

3. Did they have karokee every night?

Thanks

The Wack

[macyray]

My spouse was nervous due to time. The last tender is said to be 5:30 ship time. The water taxi was at 4 (ship time) - - meaning we arrived at the taxi dock at around 4:45. this left 45 minutes to walk back to the tender pier. Cutting it close, I know. Checkout http://www.gocayecaulker.com/index.html for more info on water taxi times.

 

We used tsunami tours, I'll provide their website address when I locate it.

 

We tendered into 3 ports (Belize, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel), luckily Roatan we did not need a tender. If you are doing Roatan, a gentleman named Emsley with Roatanbesttours.com would be an excellent choice.

 

We got to the point where we would go on the earliest tenders with the ship tours. All you had to do was let them know you had an early excursion. This gave us a whole lot more port time, and saved a lot of waiting around time. (again, I don't believe most people know you can do this, so keep it quiet so they don't change it ;) . Just make sure the tender is going to the port, because some were going elsewhere.

[florida cruiser girl]

Is this the site? http://www.tsunamiadventures.com/

Looking at the link (thanks so much!!) of the times...we don't get into Belize until 9am, so I guess 10:30? Will be over there in time? Can we arrange to be sure to get on the 3:00 taxi back ahead of time or is it first come first served? I am guessing 4 hours there is enough to get some lunch? sun? I don't want to be a nervous wreck either! Ha!

Is there any kind of shopping there at the port?

Trying not to get totally exhausted & have a relaxing day as we will be horseback riding bright & early in Roatan the next AM!

[macyray]

Is this the site? http://www.tsunamiadventures.com/

 

Looking at the link (thanks so much!!) of the times...we don't get into Belize until 9am, so I guess 10:30? Will be over there in time? Can we arrange to be sure to get on the 3:00 taxi back ahead of time or is it first come first served? I am guessing 4 hours there is enough to get some lunch? sun? I don't want to be a nervous wreck either! Ha!

Is there any kind of shopping there at the port?

 

Trying not to get totally exhausted & have a relaxing day as we will be horseback riding bright & early in Roatan the next AM!

 

That is the correct website.

 

Ship time is one hour earlier than land time (When daylight savings time kicks in, it may be two - - I don't know. Thus we arrived at 8am Belize time. If I had gotten the first tender (which in hindsight I could have), be could have made the 9am water taxi.

 

I too was worried about making sure we were on the 3pm taxi. I was told they keep an extra boat available should the first one fill up. I saw the extra boat, and spoke to the driver/captain who confirmed that was what he was there for.

 

The trip takes some planning, but is worth it. Good luck.

[sweetlife]

Have you determined why the fun pass line was slower? I would like to know if others have had a similar experience (actually being slowed down because you had completed the fun pass)?????/

[ugogirl]

Thanks for the great review. You mentioned that since you had info showing that you had a private tour that you didn't wait in line for tender tickets. Could you please say more about this. We have a private tour in Belize (with Fab Tours). If I understand you correctly you skipped the waiting in line for tender tickets and went directly to where tenders board. Also, can one person get tender tickets for a party of four or does everyone have to be present to get tickets? Thanks!

[desperatehousewife]

I wanted to know what the Maitre'D did, if anything, about the "gentleman"?:eek:

That is disgusting and I am shocked they would allow something like that, the no shoes part.

Did anyone question it do you know?

Some people just floor me and are a class all by themselves.

[ce2000]

Thanks for your honest review. I am booked on the Valor for the May 13 sailing. I have not been to Belize or Costa Maya before, but am really looking forward to visiting those places now.

[Scoutcat]

Thanks for the great review. I am nineteen days away until I board the Valor and I can't wait!

 

I have scoured these posts looking for information about the kids but most people don't really elaborate. Since you had kids of all ages, I am curious about their experiences. What they liked and did not like. We are a large group traveling with about 12 kids - ages 4-18. I am curious if your kids were bored? What activities they did in Camp Carnival? All I can seem to find is people saying that there was tons to do but no real details. Was the teen dance club busy? My 16 year old daughter is worried she will be the only one there.

 

Any insights you have would be great.

 

Also - did you try the Sushi?

 

We cruised on the Valor just prior to Christmas of 2005 with our twins.....boy and girl just a couple months shy of 17.

 

Carmp Carnival activities are available to kids 2-14. You can find lots of info on CC activities if you do a search on this forum. Most people seem to have had good experiences with it.

 

Club O2 is for 15-17 years olds, and is an extension of the hospitality activites rather than Camp Carnival. There is not as much "organized fun", but there will be several events during the day and a dance club restricted to their age group for several hours in the evening. My kids did a few of the Club O2 activities, but found it a little juvenile for their tastes....so they mostly hung out with other kids they had met.

 

Anyone 18 or over is considered an adult for all purposes except drinking. There are no special events directed at the older teen/college age crowd....tho' many folks have expressed an interest in them. Guess we need to keep bugging Carnival :p .

 

The sushi was OK...we are all sushi fanatics, and it was not what we would have found in a decent Japanese restaurant. It was good enough to satisfy the craving, however. Very little, if any, truly raw items....I really missed that.

 

Hope that helps a little.

 

"Scout" aka Carol

Dayton, OH

 

Carnival Valor~December 2005

[showe0208]

Thanks for your honest review. I am booked on the Valor for the May 13 sailing. I have not been to Belize or Costa Maya before, but am really looking forward to visiting those places now.

 

I am also curious as to why they would have let the guy in the dining room. There will always be someone looking to push the limits but its up to the Maitdre'D to decide what is appropiate dress and to enforce it.

[caribbean dreams]

After reading the different post of ships that i have recently sailed on, i have come to the conclusion that every sailing is totally different.

I was on Valor a few months ago and the Madre'd was turning people out of dress code away constantly, there was even someone posted at the back door checking for dress code.

 

We had a private excursion in belize and could not go directly to the tenders, we had to meet in the aft lounge to be given a tender ticket and everone in the party had to be present to get them, our DD's were late meeting us and we had to wait for them to get our tickets, once we got them, there was just a short wait before we were escorted to the tenders.

 

 

So don't go thinking something is going to be the same as someone elses cruise because it may not be.

Just go and have a great time:)