Valor vs. Triumph??

[hockeymom97]

I currently have the Destiny booked for this Dec (5 night) but we have just decided to cancel the Destiny and bump our vacation up to a 7 night :D wooohoo!! But here's my situation - while waiting for some bids from a cruise web site, I was shopping for airfare. I found (what I think) is a pretty good deal, and since I don't envision airfares droipping anytime soon, not to mention there were only 7 seats left on the flight I wanted, I booked it!! So now we have air booked to MIA, but no cruise booked yet, lol. So we are leaving on the 6th - with one night pre-cruise stay in MIA, and I now have to find a 7 night cruise that fits in this timeframe. So we need to leave on Dec 7 and return on the 14th.

I think I have it narrowed down to the Triumph or the Valor. Triumph visits San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Valor visits Grand Cayman, Roatan Island, Belize, and Cozumel. If I had to pick right now without doing much research, I think I'd go with the Valor so I can go back to Cozumel and visit Tom! :p

I am looking for opinions of people who have sailed on BOTH the Valor and the Triumph to give me so feedback/comparisons on both ships. I'm sure there are many of you who have went on one or the other, but I'd really like to hear from people who have been on both ships to give an honets comparison of the two. What did you think of both ships? Which did you like better? Which would you sail on again? Pros/Cons?

Thanks in advance!

[MamaParrotHead]

I've sailed both. I definately preferred the Valor over the Triumph. It's quite a bit newer (I don't care when ships have drydocks scheduled, mileage is mileage and thousands of pax definately leave their mark). I'd sail both again, but would do Valor before Triumph. Plus I preferred the Conquest class ships because of the more "bells and whistles" (as far as sushi counter, fish and chips, basketball court for DH, specialty restaurants), plus I preferred the decor of Valor over Triumph.

 

See detailed reviews and pics in my signature. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer.:)

[sailaway2010]

While I agree with the previous poster that the Valor being a newer ship has a lot of bells and whistles, there are some advantages to the older ships. For one (and my favorite thing) is the older ships have more open space on the decks. You can find shady quiet spots away from the busy, noisey pool area to read, listen to music or just veg and still be outside. You can take your meals right at the rail with no glass enclosures as the newer ships must have due their increased travel speeds.

 

It all depends on what you're in the mood for. I started six cruises ago with the Sensation and moved up the ladder with each cruise. This year I'm going back to the Triumph in July and then on to the Miracle in November.

 

All the ships will show some wear and tear after a few trips but Carnival does try to keep the ships in good shape.

[sailaway2010]

While I agree with the previous poster that the Valor being a newer ship has a lot of bells and whistles, there are some advantages to the older ships. For one (and my favorite thing) is the older ships have more open space on the decks. You can find shady quiet spots away from the busy, noisey pool area to read, listen to music or just veg and still be outside. You can take your meals right at the rail with no glass enclosures as the newer ships must have due their increased travel speeds.

 

It all depends on what you're in the mood for. I started six cruises ago with the Sensation and moved up the ladder with each cruise. This year I'm going back to the Triumph in July and then on to the Miracle in November.

 

All the ships will show some wear and tear after a few trips but Carnival does try to keep the ships in good shape.

[MamaParrotHead]

While I agree with the previous poster that the Valor being a newer ship has a lot of bells and whistles, there are some advantages to the older ships. For one (and my favorite thing) is the older ships have more open space on the decks. You can find shady quiet spots away from the busy, noisey pool area to read, listen to music or just veg and still be outside. You can take your meals right at the rail with no glass enclosures as the newer ships must have due their increased travel speeds.

 

It all depends on what you're in the mood for. I started six cruises ago with the Sensation and moved up the ladder with each cruise. This year I'm going back to the Triumph in July and then on to the Miracle in November.

 

All the ships will show some wear and tear after a few trips but Carnival does try to keep the ships in good shape.

 

Neither Valor nor Triumph have the plexiglass rails...just the standard white metal ones. We hung out on Deck 10, aft, overlooking the aft pool and thoroughly enjoyed a quiet afternoon with great access to the bar, the lido food and restrooms.

[PINEVIEW01]

I've done the same class ship as the Valor and the Triumph. While I enjoyed my Triumph cruise, it is my less favority class of ship. I would booke the Valor myself if these were my two options.

[POOLBOY53]

You are leaving Chicago in December to go to the Caribbean. As I see it, you can't go wrong!

[hockeymom97]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm still leaning towards the Valor since our last cruise was on the Victory, which is the same class as Triumph, and I'd like to try a different ship class. I think that since the Triumph is a little less expensive I was trying to myself into it, lol. Either way we'll be on a ship that week :p

[capeboy96]

I have sailed on both the Triumph and the Valor. Didn't find too many differences between the 2 classes of ships and would sail on either one again in a heartbeat. The only major difference is the decor. The Triumph features "great cities of the world" while Valor features "heros." I prefered the decor of the Triumph, but recognize that everyone has different tastes. If I was choosing between the 2, I would base my decision on itinerary first (have you done these ports before), and then cost. Either way, both ships are great.

[Sweetest Sin]

I have sailed both Triumph and Valor. I don't think Triumph has a supper club, or it didn't when I went. Both ships are nice. I would pick based on ports. Which route do you prefer?

[neverpar]

We will be on the Triumph on Dec 7th, got a great deal, I'm not really a fan of the Western Caribbean.......I would much rather go to St. Thomas, St. Marteen and San Juan....I pick the cruise for the ports not for the ship..:D

[floridacruiser63]

The Valor without a doubt. It is newer and their service is excellent.

[hockeymom97]

I have sailed both Triumph and Valor. I don't think Triumph has a supper club, or it didn't when I went. Both ships are nice. I would pick based on ports. Which route do you prefer?

 

We have been to all of the ports (either on previous cruises or on land vacations) except Belize and Roatan - so the Valor would take us to 2 new ports! Of course I think I could be just as happy going to St Thomas and visiting Maegan's Bay again as well :)

[samiam0403]

I've been on both, and agree with all of the comments above. The Valor has the supper club (yum!) and is newer, but the Triumph is great as well. We did a B2B on the Valor and had a great time, went on the Triumph last Dec and are booked again for this Dec. I will say that the Triumph hands-down had the better crew. Friendliest crew we've had yet. That being said, both are very similar, so if you're looking for new ports and a new ship class, I would recommend the Valor. All things being equal however, I'd book the Triumph simply for the crew. I wanted to put them all in my pocket and take them all home with me. It's the only cruise I've ever been on where I still remember my waiter's name, assistant waiter's name, casino host's name, and several of the bartenders and casino workers. So as you can tell, they made quite the impression on me!

[Lidolounger]

I would book the Valor. Been on the Triumph twice and agree with other posters it has the best crew of any ship I've sailed...but the Valor intinerary looks better to me - San Juan at night seems like a wasted port. I like the Movies Under the Stars and the Triumph doesn't have this, but the Valor does.

[hockeymom97]

Thank you to everyone for the comments / opinions and suggestions :) I've made my decision and have booked the Valor!