Carnival Valor in July 2013 - questions

My adult daughter and I have a mother/daughter cruise scheduled for July on Carnival Valor leaving out of San Juan. I have a few questions if anyone knows.

First, where is the Valor docked? Trying to figure out if the Comfort Inn is a good choice for the night before. How early can we get on board and then, since it doesn't leave until 10 pm, can we get back off and sightsee? How close is Old San Juan to the ship and is it within walking distance?

Secondly, for each of the ports of call, can anyone tell me if we are tendered for any of them? Our ports of call are: St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Maarten.

This is our first cruising experience. Are there any must do activities for the two of us in any of our port locations?

Finally, should we do early dine, late dine or anytime dine? We would like to meet other folks. What is the wait time for anytime dining on Valor?

Thank you in advance!

My adult daughter and I have a mother/daughter cruise scheduled for July on Carnival Valor leaving out of San Juan. I have a few questions if anyone knows.

 

First, where is the Valor docked? Trying to figure out if the Comfort Inn is a good choice for the night before. How early can we get on board and then, since it doesn't leave until 10 pm, can we get back off and sightsee? How close is Old San Juan to the ship and is it within walking distance?

 

Secondly, for each of the ports of call, can anyone tell me if we are tendered for any of them? Our ports of call are: St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Maarten.

 

This is our first cruising experience. Are there any must do activities for the two of us in any of our port locations?

 

Finally, should we do early dine, late dine or anytime dine? We would like to meet other folks. What is the wait time for anytime dining on Valor?

 

Thank you in advance!

I don't know the name of the pier, but it's across from the Sheraton OSJ. I don't know where Comfort Suites is located, so I can't tell you if that's a good choice.

None of the ports are tender ports. If you're planning to do something in each port, I would suggest late dining or anytime. I did anytime (but this was on Victory) and didn't have long waits; 5-10 min tops, with the exception of the 2nd formal night and it was a 30 min wait. But the time you go plays a factor in that.

If you do anytime dining and you want to be seated with others, let the hostess know that. We were a party of 3 and were always seated at our own table.

Yes, the ship is in walking distance of OSJ; I think we boarded around 12:30 or 1:00, but embarkation begins at 2:30. You can get off the ship to explore more of OSJ; just be back by 8pm or 8:30pm (read your documents).

As for things to do in OSJ and each port, you can read my review found in my signature and you may want to search for GAPearl's review.

Also, the port of calls board will be your best friend too.

Have fun on this cruise; you will need a vacation after this one. :D

I stayed in Condado last year. I took a cab for $2 per person (not the standard rate, the guy cut us a deal because several of us were waiting on the bus) into OSJ so I could explore. The day of embarkation, it was a total of $15 for 3 of us to get to OSJ via taxi.

This year I'm staying at the Sheraton OSJ so I can already be there and just walk across to the pier from the hotel.

Here's the ports of call board

Click on each port you'll be visiting to get ideas. What suits me may not suit you. But I can say the must see for me was Maho Beach for the take off and landings of the planes. This was in St. Maarten.

So, like I said in my previous post; you can read my review; there are no pictures, and you can read GAPearl's review. Do a search for her name. I don't recall the title of her review. You'll fall in love with it.

 

If you do anytime dining and you want to be seated with others' date=' let the hostess know that. We were a party of 3 and were always seated at our own table.[/quote']

 

If you want to be seated with others, then I would choose traditional. I wanted early and got late and they moved me to any time. They asked me if I wanted to be seated by myself or others.. I said others. They sat me by myself as the poster above said. There were no others who wanted to be seated with others who ate at anytime when I was there.

 

Generally, any time is good for couples who want tables for 2.

 

You might want to check out the ports of call to get a idea of some private excursions. I went to some of those ports with Princess and did the tram and some heights for a ship's excursion, had lunch in town and then we went to a beach. We did a whole island tour in St. Marteen to see both sides of the island .. but you could just pick a beach too. There is a well known nude beach in St. Marteen. Without knowing what you are looking for, hard to make excursion suggestions.

If you want to be seated with others, then I would choose traditional. I wanted early and got late and they moved me to any time. They asked me if I wanted to be seated by myself or others.. I said others. They sat me by myself as the poster above said. There were no others who wanted to be seated with others who ate at anytime when I was there.

 

Generally, any time is good for couples who want tables for 2.

 

You might want to check out the ports of call to get a idea of some private excursions. I went to some of those ports with Princess and did the tram and some heights for a ship's excursion, had lunch in town and then we went to a beach. We did a whole island tour in St. Marteen to see both sides of the island .. but you could just pick a beach too. There is a well known nude beach in St. Marteen. Without knowing what you are looking for, hard to make excursion suggestions.

I guess it depends on each ship; or the time of arrival to the dining room. For her to be guaranteed to be seated with others, traditional is the way to go, but I do know on Destiny my mom and I were always seated with others for ATD and maybe once or twice on Triumph.

Another question that I had...when you are on an excursion that involves the water (ie, the swimming with the dolphins and/or snuba), how do you secure your things such as wallet, camera, passport?

Another question that I had...when you are on an excursion that involves the water (ie, the swimming with the dolphins and/or snuba), how do you secure your things such as wallet, camera, passport?

I have a waterproof little thing to hold some things. I dont bring my passport off the ship, only my plastic drivers license. You only need a photo ID at times to reboard, which does not have to be your passport. I got my passport wet once and after that I leave it in the safe now.

Get a waterproof disposable camera at walgrens if you dont have someone to hold it.. or put it in a bag to keep it dry.

There usually isnt a safe place to check things at most beaches.

do a search for dive bags and water proof bags, and see if you find something the right size.

My adult daughter and I have a mother/daughter cruise scheduled for July on Carnival Valor leaving out of San Juan. I have a few questions if anyone knows.

 

First, where is the Valor docked? Trying to figure out if the Comfort Inn is a good choice for the night before. How early can we get on board and then, since it doesn't leave until 10 pm, can we get back off and sightsee? How close is Old San Juan to the ship and is it within walking distance?

 

Secondly, for each of the ports of call, can anyone tell me if we are tendered for any of them? Our ports of call are: St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Maarten.

 

This is our first cruising experience. Are there any must do activities for the two of us in any of our port locations?

 

Finally, should we do early dine, late dine or anytime dine? We would like to meet other folks. What is the wait time for anytime dining on Valor?

 

Thank you in advance!

Hi Ladybug! Welcome to cruise critic and the wonderful world of cruising! :)

The Valor is docked in Old San Juan. You can walk everywhere from the ship, and there's a free trolley you can take too. I arrived at noon to check in and people were already on the ship. You can drop off your carry ons in your room, grab some lunch, and head back out into town for a bit. Each of you are allowed to bring on board a case of water or soda and a 750 ml bottle of wine. There's a CVS across the street from the ship and to the left where you can buy these if you choose.

I don't know anything about the Comfort Inn where you're staying, but I looked it up online and it appears to be in the Condado area. That's at least 3-4 miles from Old San Juan, so you might want to get a taxi (unless you feel like getting your exercise for the day). Here are some reviews of the Comfort Inn-

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147320-d249485-Reviews-Comfort_Inn-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

Here's what I did at each port:

St. Thomas- taxi to Magen's Bay (I also recommend Sunny Liston tours, took his tour on a previous cruise)

Barbados- taxi to The Boatyard and snorkeled with the sea turtles

St. Lucia- climbed the Gros Piton mountain with Spencer Ambrose (he has many other tours)

St. Kitts- Welcome Tours with Beulah and beach (black sand beaches here, don't miss)

St. Maarten- taxi to Maho Beach to watch the planes land (you tube Maho Beach if you have no idea what I'm talking about)

Booking private excursions is much cheaper than booking through Carnival. Since it's your first cruise, you might want to consider doing that though. As Leo's Rule suggested, spend some time reading the ports of call board for ideas and recommendations on beaches, tours, etc.

I prefer late dining. That gives me the chance to take a long shower and a nap before dinner and heading to the late night activities. There's a ton to do after dinner (production shows, comedy club, piano bar, casino, nightclub, etc). If you don't plan to participate in any of those, you might want to do early dining. I always request to be seated at large table as I enjoy meeting other people as well.

I wrote a very LONG and LENGTHY review of my Valor cruise 3 months ago. It's full of pictures and you'll need at least an hour to read it all. Hopefully it will give you some ideas and a better understanding of what you can expect from your cruise. :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1801810

The tables for two on the Valor for ATD are so close to each other you are the next best thing to a table for 6 (a couple on either side of your two top). Also when you check in for ATD you may ask the hostess to be seated with others. I prefer this option. Instead of traditional where you are seated with the same table-mates each night, you get a few new table-mates each night.

Yes' date=' the ship is in walking distance of OSJ; I think we boarded around 12:30 or 1:00, but embarkation begins at 2:30. You can get off the ship to explore more of OSJ; just be back by 8pm or 8:30pm (read your documents).[/quote']

 

So how early do you think we can board prior to the official embarkation? We'd like to drop off our carry ons in our cabin and explore OSJ for the day. I don't want to show up too early if our cabin isn't ready. Any suggestions?

 

Sent from my Samsung GS3

So how early do you think we can board prior to the official embarkation? We'd like to drop off our carry ons in our cabin and explore OSJ for the day. I don't want to show up too early if our cabin isn't ready. Any suggestions?

 

Sent from my Samsung GS3

I arrived around 12:30 or 1:00. We ate first, but surprisingly the room was ready when we went to drop off the carry on. So, you'd be fine arriving at those times. But it did take 30 minutes before we were officially on the ship.

You should be fine.

I arrived around 12:30 or 1:00. We ate first' date=' but surprisingly the room was ready when we went to drop off the carry on. So, you'd be fine arriving at those times. But it did take 30 minutes before we were officially on the ship.

 

You should be fine.[/quote']

 

Ok, that's what we'll plan on. Thanks!

Cell phone usage? Does anyone have Verizon and do you have any idea of the cost to use Verizon either text or phone service in San Juan or any of our ports of call? Just don't want to end up with an outrageous cell bill at the end of our cruise. I have an LG Octane (not a smart phone), so I think I'll be out of luck using it most places. My daughter is bringing her IPhone4S that I think we can use if needed.

We have only Consumer Cellular but even they said that in San Juan, and St. Thomas, they are considered the US and we could use our phones there under our plan. (Can't use them anywhere else though, not even if we wanted to).

Cell phone usage? Does anyone have Verizon and do you have any idea of the cost to use Verizon either text or phone service in San Juan or any of our ports of call? Just don't want to end up with an outrageous cell bill at the end of our cruise. I have an LG Octane (not a smart phone), so I think I'll be out of luck using it most places. My daughter is bringing her IPhone4S that I think we can use if needed.

I know you can use your phones in P.R. and St. Thomas since it's consider US. The other islands no. Make sure you put your phone on airplane mode once out to sea so you won't get charges for any text, phone calls, are roaming. I do not have Verizon I have Metropcs.

i have Verizon and am going on the same itinerary. I checked first to see if my phone will work which it does in international ports. You can check on their website for all the information regarding if your phone will work and what the costs are. The other posters are correct in San Juan and St. Thomas it is considered 'on your regular plan'. But be aware that I do not think that it is covered while you are between the islands on the ship. Only when you are on shore. If I recall when I looked up the plan, you can get an international plan to work on the other islands and it wasn't that expensive. It is ONLY for when you are on shore. On the ship you I believe are using their satellite connection and THEN you are talking $$$$. So always when you get on the ship, turn it off.

My adult daughter and I have a mother/daughter cruise scheduled for July on Carnival Valor leaving out of San Juan. I have a few questions if anyone knows.

 

First, where is the Valor docked? Trying to figure out if the Comfort Inn is a good choice for the night before. How early can we get on board and then, since it doesn't leave until 10 pm, can we get back off and sightsee? How close is Old San Juan to the ship and is it within walking distance?

 

Secondly, for each of the ports of call, can anyone tell me if we are tendered for any of them? Our ports of call are: St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Maarten.

 

This is our first cruising experience. Are there any must do activities for the two of us in any of our port locations?

 

Finally, should we do early dine, late dine or anytime dine? We would like to meet other folks. What is the wait time for anytime dining on Valor?

 

Thank you in advance!

Old San Juan is close to the ship - yes you can walk it and even drop off bags and go explore. It is maybe a 10 minute walk but we forewarned - we were there 3 weeks ago and it hit 90 degrees before 10a! You melt out there!

No tendering for any of those ports. You WILL have a blast though!

I wrote a review (link below) and included pictures and descriptions of all the activities we did. We are avid snorkelers and had a blast at every port!

We did anytime dining and never waited. With so many ports, we wanted to be able to eat when we wanted - if we were tired, we napped then went, etc. We found a great waitstaff the 3rd day and just requested their section each time, no issues. We went at 5:45p (opening) and as late at 7:45p.

Enjoy the cruise!

Cell phone usage? Does anyone have Verizon and do you have any idea of the cost to use Verizon either text or phone service in San Juan or any of our ports of call? Just don't want to end up with an outrageous cell bill at the end of our cruise. I have an LG Octane (not a smart phone), so I think I'll be out of luck using it most places. My daughter is bringing her IPhone4S that I think we can use if needed.

San Juan and St. Thomas are US Territories, so you should be fine; however, it is always best to call you carrier and confirm.

I left everything in tact while in both places, but after we left St. Thomas, all data was turned off and my phone was placed in Airplane mode. If I felt the urge to text or post something on FB in the other ports, I made sure I had a WiFi connection and posted that way; I had no fees when I made it home.

I used to be a Verizon customer and Verizon nickels and dimes you for everything, so I don't know if they'll charge you for WiFi calling.

And I will say that a guide on one of my excursions in St. Thomas told me he switched to AT&T because he would have huge bills with Verizon when using his phone. Verizon kept picking up the cell tower on the British side. And the only reason he told me that is because I happened to share with him that T-Mobile kept picking up some Caribbean tower and when I searched for a local tower, it kept picking up AT&T; eventually it found T-Mobile.

Verizon may have corrected that problem, but you should definitely call them and verify. And besides, that was 5 months ago and I'm not sure how long ago it happened to the guy with Verizon.

Puerto Rico is part of the US so you should be able to use your phone there without any additional charges. I have an iPhone with AT&T and have downloaded an app called "Viber". As long as you and the person you wish to communicate with both have the app you can text and call through that app without any charges although you will need WiFi access.

I just got off the Valor two weeks ago and loved it! Great crew and itinerary.

I do want to add my two cents for excursions:

We booked two fantastic tours (not through Carnival). For Barbados, we booked Thriller Ocean Tours (run by Steven and his daughter Kim). His boat holds up to about 13 or 15..nice small group. He takes you to four sites..first one swimming with sea turtles..alot of them..and then snorkel over reef and then shipwreck and then free swim at the end. They are great hosts and what is nice is that he takes you to the sites not crowded with tons of other tour groups. His rate is only $60 per person..very reasonable. He stocks boat with complementary drinks (soda/water/beer)..and provides snack. He typically does not come get you at the pier, but he did for our group. Since such a small group and smaller boat, we felt comfortable leaving our bags/belongings right under our seats.

For St. Lucia..we did Spencer Ambrose's land and sea tour which was absolutely fantastic. We saw so many things by land and then by boat, including the Pitons.

For St. Kitts..if you go to Friars Bay for the beach, be sure you get dropped off down the far right (facing the ocean) to the restauarant. I think it is called Corambo (or begins with a "C")..it is gorgeous there. You cut through the restaurant and walk right onto the beach. Has a gorgeous resort look to it...wooden beach chairs (you can rent for $5 each and another $5 for the umbrella). The views of the mountains and Nevis are in the background..stunning. It wasn't crowded at all. Some people further down at Shipwreck Beach said it wasn't great there and walked down to our end and said it was so much nicer. My husband said it reminded him of a Corona commercial. their facilities are clean..large changing areas with showers. You could get a massage on the beach too, and there were those lovely "beds" with white sheets on them that you could rent instead of a chair.

Enjoy your cruise!