Valor Review April 5-12 Day By Day

Sunday, April 5 - Embarkation Day

We used Carnival Air (Fly Aweigh). They booked us on the 6 AM flight from DC to Miami. Arrived at 8:30 AM. We went to Burger King in the airport for breakfast, bought some last minute items, then got in line for the Carnival transfer shuttle at 9:30 AM. The bus started loading at 10:10 AM, took off at 10:20 AM half full, stopped at another terminal and left there at 10:45 AM. We were inside the Carnival cruise terminal at the Port of Miami at 11:10 AM. We gave the porter $5 for our two bags and our bags were "VIP'd" (given priority service). He announced that VERY LOUDLY for all the other passengers, which we thought was pretty funny. Not much of an incentive, who needs their bags right away???

There was no line inside, we checked in and were given zone 17. They were currently boarding zone 1. Shortly thereafter there was a LONG line to check in. When zone 17 was called, zone 25 cards were being given out. We were on board by noon. :D

Our dining assignment was for the mid-ship Lincoln room. We went by to check it out and saw that we had a table for 2, which wasn't really our preference. However, we decided to just roll with it rather than request a change. The lady asked us repeatedly if we wanted to change, so it was obviously not a problem to do so. We didn't really like our table much. The tables for two feel like they are in the middle of the aisle, with people walking by you on both sides. We always felt like we were in everyone's way. And my chair got bumped a lot. :mad:

After that, we went straight to the lobby bar and got a strawberry daiquiri. It was soooo yummy, but I felt completely drunk after drinking it. I was tripping all over the place.

At 1:15 PM, we went to Rosie's for lunch. I had a salad, some grilled fish, and two items from the oriental station - shrimp & tempura. Yum, yum, and yum.

OH MY GOSH WOULD THE SERVERS PLEASE STOP ASKING ME IF I WANT ONE OF THEIR PREMADE MIXED DRINKS? I stopped counting after being asked TEN times. Sooooooo annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was wishing we had red/green flags for them. Green means come on over, I want to buy a drink. Red means I swear to pete, do not ask me again!

1:40 PM, headed to the room. Our bags were already there. Nap time, ahhh.

3:00, the muster announcements started, giving general instruction about what to expect. Nap time over. :( Muster began at 3:45 (was scheduled for 4 PM) and lasted about 20 minutes. There was no roll call or anything, it was super duper relaxed and not very hot.

4:20 was sail away. Four ships were sailing -- Carnival Triumph, Carnival Pride, Carnival Valor, and RCCL Freedom of the Seas. We went first. Watched sail away from the balcony. Some kid on a balcony above us was screaming "losers!!!" at the people doing muster on the other ships. Ahhh, breathe deep...

At 5:15 PM we went to the spa raffle. The card says winners will be notified within 24 hours of winning but it's a lie, you have to be present to win. They called at least 30 names to give out the 10 prizes. We didn't win. Shame!

6:00 PM, went down and grabbed some suhi and brought it up to our room. Totally hit the spot. Sat on the balcony and listened to the bon voyage festivities on the Lido.

8:15 PM dinner in the Lincoln. DH had shrimp cocktail, beef & barley soup, and chicken (greek style). I had gaspacho, iceberg lettuce wedge & pan fried tilapia. We got a bottle of wine which we didn't finish so we brought it back to our room. We both had vanilla creme brulee for dessert. Everything was delicious, truly.

DH was very tired and wanted to hit the sack (that 6 AM flight is a killer!). I went to check out karaoke night which was realllyyyy slow, so I headded back to the room. Sat on the balcony for a while, watching the dark sea go by. There was another cruise ship some distance away, all lit up -- really beautiful. Went to bed by 11 so I can get up realllyyyy early and snag pool chairs before the chair hogs show up!!!!!!!!!!!!

Notes:

- Carnival Fly Aweigh worked really well for us (cheaper, more convenient due to Spring Break price increases). There was some waiting, but with a flight arriving at 8:30, you're going to wait no matter what.

- Food so far is GREAT!

- Ship is a pain to navigate. Always seem to be hitting dead ends. That said, being on floor 7 is great b/c it's 2 up or 2 down to get to the decks that go all the way across.

- Servers were Suchada from Thailand and Kingalex from Indonesia. Very nice and attentive.

- Haven't met our cabin steward yet but we are big fans of the "do not disturb" sign!

Stay Tuned: Tomorrow - Fun Day at Sea!

Monday, April 6 - Fun Day at Sea

So, I had read so much on these boards about how all the chairs are "claimed" or "hogged" by 7 AM. Told DH I was going to get up mad early, watch the sunrise and get a lounge chair before the hogs showed up. So, I got up there just before 7. I wanted a chair in the aft section (by the adult only pool). Walked around the Lido and Panorama decks for a bit taking pics. The deck chairs were set up first by the Argonaut pool (the forward pool with the movie screen and waterslide). They were ALL EMPTY still at 7 AM. Next they were set up on Panorama aft (above the Prometheus pool). At 7:30 AM, the crew finally started setting up chairs by the adult-only Prometheus pool. I sat and drank coffee and ate cereal until the chairs were set up, then grabbed my chair right by the pool at just past 7:30 AM, right as the roof opened. Yay, let the fun day at sea begin! :D

At 7:50 AM there were still few chairs taken. The ones being taken were being "hogged." Everyone dropped something on a chair and walked off. One lady did sit in a chair, but she hogged three others for family. At 9:15 AM I had my second breakfast, 1/2 grapefruit and plain yogurt. The deck is starting to fill in, a few people are in the pool, all the lower level chairs are claimed and even 25% of them have actual PEOPLE in them! Sat and read my book, did sudoku, and swam. What a perfect morning. At 11:30 AM, had salmon & cream cheese bagel from the deli, then went back to the room to shower and get ready for afternoon events.

Went to the art auction at 12:30. It was too long, lasted 2.5 hours. But it was great. Saw some incredible art. Felt bad for the crew that had to walk behind me mopping up my drool as I walked through the Peter Max section. We got one free glass of champagne. There were a bunch of raffles for $100 of bid money, which we didn't win, which was fine b/c $100 isn't going to get me much closer to a $8k Peter Max painting.

DH grabbed some pizza on the Lido for lunch, then we went to afternoon tea. Was so sweet of DH to come with me. Tea was awesome, delicious scones and fruit. The tea was Lipton, but ah well, the desserts were yum. :cool: There was also very nice piano music during tea.

4 PM, back to the balcony for a glass of wine. Nap time, ahhhh.

Woke up just in time to get ready for formal night. Got all dolled up and went to captain's party. SO glad my DH didn't bring his tux. I think I saw three tuxes TOTAL. Captains party had CONSTANT free drinks. And they were STRONG. Captain came out and introduced the head staff. Very nice. Off to dinner!

DH had spaghetti carbonara starter, stuffed mushrooms, and the lobster/shrimp. I had the strawberry bisque, stuffed mushrooms, and the lobster/shrimp. The strawberry bisque was AMAZING, tasted like strawberry milk but so much better. When I told my server how much I liked it, she put some in a mug for me to take back to my room with me to enjoy later. All the food was really good. The lobsters are very small, but tasted good. For dessert I had chocolate melting cake which was very rich. I was too full to really enjoy it.

After dinner went to the Bronx sports bar to check the score of the NCAA title game. UNC was killing Michigan State. Went to the casino to play blackjack. We both won, hoorah! Went to bed at 2:30 AM. Late.

Notes:

- Really enjoy the casino, and they have plenty of non-smoking tables. The poker table is non-smoking too. The servers come around constantly. The dealers are mostly friendly. Met some very lovely people at the casino each night.

Stay tuned: Tomorrow - Costa Maya, Mexico!

Love your review! We were on the Valor, Western Caribbean March 22-29, and had a fabulous time! Can't wait to read the rest of your review!

Enjoying your review. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for your review Murphalina. We are going in July. I enjoy reading all the onboard details! More please!

we are headed out on the Valor July 5 and I am loving your review. This is our first carnival trip and I want to know EVERY detail about the ship, food, ports etc.

Do you see lots of kids? I am concerned about my three. Ages 16, 14 and 12. I would like them to meet new friends in the kids zone but I am afraid they will not want to seperate.

Tell me what day you don't care for dinner options in the dining room. We want to go to the supper club but don't want to miss a good meal in the dining room.

Thanks again-

Liz

Can't wait for the next installment. Glad to hear that the casino has non smoking sections. Do you know if the Craps table is smoke-free?

I'm loving your review. We were on the Valor in March, and I miss her!!! Your review is bringing back happy memories!! :) I tried the casino for the first time on our cruise. Loved the non-smoking blackjack table!!! And it seemed to love my money!! I did well the first night, but Carnival got my money back the remaining nights. Still enjoyed it though!! :)

Hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise as much as we did!

Great review! keep it coming! I am sailing out on the Valor on the 26th and can't get enough of reviews!

Did you happen to notice if they had Cuervo Black?

I was on this sailing as well and I can't wait to how our reviews compare - I'm still working on mine. :) We had a great week and it sounds like - so far- you did to.

As for kids on the ship. LOL! This ship sailed over Spring Break - the ship was packed with kids. If you are sailing a time when school is out your kids will have no problem finding new friends!

Great start! We're leaving tomorrow and will be on Valor on Sunday! I hope I get a chance to read more of your review before we sail away!

Great review! keep it coming! I am sailing out on the Valor on the 26th and can't get enough of reviews!

 

Did you happen to notice if they had Cuervo Black?

I am pretty sure the bar offerings are much the same on all of the ships.

Here's a listing of the tequilas offered:

Margaritaville

1800 Reposado

Sauza, Hornitos, Reposado

Patron, Silver

You could check with Bon Voyage ( 1-800-522-7648 ) to see if they have it and if they do you can purchase a bottle ahead of time and it will be waiting for you in your cabin.

If they don't have it, you'll have to bring one in your checked luggage, if you dare! No flames, please!

I am pretty sure the bar offerings are much the same on all of the ships.

 

Here's a listing of the tequilas offered:

 

 

Margaritaville

1800 Reposado

Sauza, Hornitos, Reposado

Patron, Silver

 

You could check with Bon Voyage ( 1-800-522-7648 ) to see if they have it and if they do you can purchase a bottle ahead of time and it will be waiting for you in your cabin.

 

If they don't have it, you'll have to bring one in your checked luggage, if you dare! No flames, please!

Ah that sucks. Thanks for this though I have been asking around the board for a while and nobody seemed to know the answer.

I would smuggle it, but I am flying down and I'm not planning on checking my bag at the airport.

Oh well, guess it's rum and diet coke for me instead!

I always love reading peoples' reviews especially if its for a ship that I am going to be sailing on!!

Hope that you will post some pics!! :D

Enjoying your review - can't wait to read more :o)

we are headed out on the Valor July 5 and I am loving your review. This is our first carnival trip and I want to know EVERY detail about the ship, food, ports etc.

Do you see lots of kids? I am concerned about my three. Ages 16, 14 and 12. I would like them to meet new friends in the kids zone but I am afraid they will not want to seperate.

Tell me what day you don't care for dinner options in the dining room. We want to go to the supper club but don't want to miss a good meal in the dining room.

 

Thanks again-

Liz

There were TONS of kids on our ship due to spring break. The teenagers were EVERYWHERE. Fortunately, they were well behaved. Annoying at times but well behaved. Your kids will enjoy the teen programs I'm sure. I'd recommend Wednesday or Thursday for Scarlett's. Monday and Friday are formal nights and have excellent food in the dining room. The food was good every night though, seriously.

The first and last nights they had baby back ribs. I had them the last night and they were finger lickin' good.

Can't wait for the next installment. Glad to hear that the casino has non smoking sections. Do you know if the Craps table is smoke-free?

I don't think I saw anyone smoking near Craps, but it's not my game so I wasn't paying attention. There was not much smoke in the casino, or on board for that matter, at all.

Great review! keep it coming! I am sailing out on the Valor on the 26th and can't get enough of reviews!

 

Did you happen to notice if they had Cuervo Black?

Nope, sorry :o

I am just starting to upload photos. Here are a few from the first two days. :p

The Lido deck at 7:15 AM:

The adult-only pool area at 7:15 AM:

Me on formal night, wishing there was lobster on my plate:

Tuesday, April 7 - Costa Maya, Mexico

Got room service and had breakfast on the balcony as we docked in Costa Maya. With the direction the ship docked, couldn't see much. :( Had toast and orange marmalade, citrus segments, and coffee. The coffee is not good at all, but I manage to choke down a cup for fuel. DH heard an announcmeent and went inside to listen. Thank goodness he did b/c it was Charlie the cruise director saying that anyone with an excursion before 9:30 AM needed to get off the ship immediately, becuase they were closing the gangway so another ship could dock. :eek: We threw our stuff in a bag and headed downstairs.

Costa Maya:

Still a lot of hurricane damage:

Debrkation was super fast. The other ship in port was the one we took for our last cruise, NCL Spirit. It was so fun to see her again! She looks beautiful.

The NCL Spirit:

Free pool/bar/beach area:

We walked down the pier, through the shopping area, past the beautiful free pool/bar/beach area, to meet Ivan from Native Choice for our Chacchoben Ruins tour. The tour was incredible. I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

Continuing in a new reply b/c images are restricted...

Continued. On Native Choice Chacchoben ruins tour with Ivan:

Ivan:

The Chacchoben ruins:

After the tour, Native Choice dropped us off in Majahual, right next to El Delfin, which is the restaurant I wanted to try otu after reading about it on CC. It was everything I hoped for -- open, airy, friendly, with excellent views and delicious food. We sat on the upper level for drinks and lunch. We got the whole fish in garlic sauce (YUM!), guacamole and chips (DOUBLE YUM!), and tacos (meh, not my favorite). We saw them walking through the restaurant towards the kitchen with our fish on a platter. I swear, I think they went out and bought it at the fish market after we ordered it. That along with three beers and a margarita cost $40 including tip.

Our view from El Delfin:

I definitely recommend the whole red snapper with garlic sauce

After that we walked around a bit and bought some liquor. Grabbed a cab back to the ship for $2 a person. Bought some vanilla and a magnet at the pier, then got back on the ship. Quick nap (ahhh) then ready for dinner at Scarlett's!!!

Scarlett's was amazing, I cannot even put it into words. One of the best meals I have ever had. The service was 5-star. Presentation was creative, food was outstanding. I had escargots, caesar salad, and surf & turf (6 oz lobster tail and a 4 oz filet mignon). Oh my gosh every bite was delicious. My husband had the filet mignon which was HUUUUGE. The desserts didn't look that interesting, and we were so full, so we split an apple tart which we just picked at.

After dinner, we finally made it to the casino and each did well. We stayed there until about midnight then hit the sack.

Stay tuned: Tomorrow - Belize!

I am really enjoying your review and can't wait to read the rest. Thank you for taking the time to do this. :)

im going on the valor for my honeymoon in october and am really enjoying your review....youre making me laugh..loved the kid shouting losers lol

Thanks for sharing your review and photos - I'm really enjoying it! They have done a great job rebuilding Mahajual. I was there pre-hurricane and there wasn't much there and looked a bit on the drab side. (Although we loved Pez Quadro.) It looks nice now.

Can't wait to read more. :)

so glad you are posting a review of your time on the ship. we are leaving May 17.

Thanks for the detailed review and pics - we'll be on the Valor next month :D, 2nd time for me.

Question about teatime, which I didn't attend last year, I understand it is in Winston's....where I think they normally allow smoking. Do they allow smoking during tea time?

Ah that sucks. Thanks for this though I have been asking around the board for a while and nobody seemed to know the answer.

 

I would smuggle it, but I am flying down and I'm not planning on checking my bag at the airport.

 

Oh well, guess it's rum and diet coke for me instead!

Bon Voyage doesn't have the Cuervo Black either?