Carnival Valor vs. Norwegian Pearl

[JennHales]

I am trying to decide between the Valor and the Pearl. And I would love your thoughts.

 

Valor goes to:

Belize

Cozumel

Grand Cayman*

Roatan

 

Pearl goes to:

Belize

Roatan

Cozumel

Great Stirrup Cay

 

The difference is Grand Cayman/Great Stirrup Cay

 

My DH and I are traveling we have been on 3 RCCL Cruises and are trying Princess for the first time to Alaska next month. I love great entertainment, smoke free areas. My husband loves Sushi and adventure. We are calm non partying people which is why I am nervous to try carnival.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank,

Jennifer

[CRUZIN TOM]

Go for the Pearl. It is not a party ship. The ship is beautiful. The only places that you will notice any smoking is in the casino. There is also a smokers lounge for those that smoke cigars. Otherwise the ship is great. Been on twice.:)

[DAGVBSB]

And remember that NCL is Freestyle and Carnival is not.

 

With Freestyle, there are no set dining times, no set table mates, larger selection of restaurants. (including one which is ASIAN and has Sushi!)

 

No mandatory formal nights and you can stay in your cabin the last morning until you color is called.

[pascalburns]

i am unableto give any information about the valor.

i believe you would like the pearl.it is almost new ship.:cool:

go enjoy your cruise,which ever ship you are on.

 

 

ncl pearl 2/08

 

grand princess 11/07

 

carnival 9/06

 

grand princess 2/06:cool:

[salty dingo]

Been on Valor - great ship! Carnival has free sushi too, most nights. NCL wants you to pay $15 for it.

 

We're on Pearl in less than 2 weeks so I can compare after that!

[texascat]

I have not been on NCL in a LONG TIME! (but, I will be going in Sept on the STAR!!!) I was on the Valor a few years ago and the ship was nice. I loved that itin and Grand Cayman is a wonderful port!

 

But, I did not believe that the service and amenities on Carnival are what I remember from my previous cruises. I am truly nervous about the Star since I have my sites set so high based on past experience. I hope that I will not be disappointed. :confused:

[Ms belp]

I loved the Pearl when we sailed on her to Alaska. That being said, I am not a big fan of GSC, NCL's private island. We were so happy when they cancelled it to go to Nassau!

 

I've never been to Grand Cayman so can't advise about it. But, I've heard it is beautiful.

 

I wouldn't do a Carnival cruise; not my style. But you did ask about itinerary, not cruise line.

[JennHales]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate your help.

Jen

[caribbeanboy]

I'll let you know when I come back. Have been on the Pearl and will go in September on the Valor. But had a very good time on the Pearl. Great ship and new.

[angelsx4]

Oh, we LOVED the Valor! I have no experience with the Pearl, but we have been on the Star. There were a lot of families on the Valor, don't know where they hid all the kids, but they came out with their families and were very well behaved, and polite! We didn't see heavy partying like we have seen before, expected. Maybe our sailing was particularly tame, I have no complaints! I really think Carnival is trying to change their image. You can read my review of the Valor in my blog in my siggy. I talked to my sil this morning, and we want to go back so bad. It was such a fun time and the ship was really much nicer than the pictures do it justice, it isn't nearly as gawdy. I'm not trying to sway you either way, but I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend the Valor to anyone. And we LOVED the itinerary! I thought Grand Cayman was gorgeous, I'd go back there too. Have fun deciding! We're going on the Spirit in April and can't wait!

[gemini g]

Never cruised Carnival, but have been on NCL numerous times as well as most of the other Lines. Am not a fan of any of the private Island stops. Did do NCL's with the Gem in Jan. and it was as bad as the others. I enjoyed all other aspects of NCL and am booked on the Pearl next April. As far as the Ports Grand Cayman is my choice as the second best stop in that part of the world. Bermuda being the first.

[Pool girl1]

I was on the star in April 2006 and I really enjoyed it. I had a balcony on the deck 10 and our cabin stewarts were wonderful. All the staff were wonderful. It depends on if you like freestyle or not. I really did. So enjoy your cruise. I hope you have as much fun as I did.

[pyrogy]

The Jewel had good quality free sushi at the buffet every day at lunch. Don`t know about the Pearl, but it is something to watch for.

[floridacruiser63]

We were on the Valor last year, doing the same route you mentioned.

Great service, great food, ok entertainment (not too good, but not bad).

Their cruise director, Chris Jefferson, still on board the Valor, is a good entertainer, however not the best we have seen on Carnival.

NCL is very comparable to Carnival, however we find their entertainment to be better than Carnival.

We sort of like to have a dining table assigned and the same waiter every night, so we like Carnival's assigned seating, however we do not mind Freestyle and will be sailing on the NCL Jewel in April 2009 doing the Southern Caribbean Route from Miami.

[rccoble]

We haven't been on the Pearl, but have sailed NCL and have two more NCL cruises planned. That said, we did sail the Valor a little over a year ago and will say that it is the only cruise I was wishing was over while onboard. The food was not good, the service was subpar and we felt like the clientele was very different than we were. That expereince really soured me on Carnival.

 

However, we loved that itinerary and had great tours and excursions (booked independently) at all of our stops. In Roatan, book a tour with Victor Bodden. It was the best and most reasonably priced day we have ever spent on a cruise!