ValerieLynn

Junkanroo Beach is walking distance. Just google it and wealth of information will come up. We were there last June. We rented chairs and did the drink package from the tiki hut guy - affordable and fun. Beach is okay and it was neat to watch the other ships leave port.

We just got off the Valor yesterday and we were in the Lincoln dining room with YTD - if we didn't wait in line by 5:30 p.m. (opened at 5:45) we could expect to wait about 1-2 hours for a table to open up. We were a family of 12 and were told that there were only two tables in the dining room that could accommodate us as a group. If people were already seated at one of those two tables, our group was split up. When this happened, we never finished at the same time despite seating at the same time and by the same server. One of our tables had finished the meal (including dessert) before the other table had their dinner plates taken away. This wasn't due to any special orders or requests, just normal dining. Diner lasted about 2 hours every night and this was without dessert, as we started skipping it after the first couple of nights to make room for guests who were waiting. Service was slow and poor. Bread not refilled, butter dishes empty (this was even upon sitting down at the table), drinks only refilled for half the table. Mistakes every night/day - waitress poured coffee creamer into my husbands dish that called for a dessert cream - she apologized but didn't bring a new dessert to make it right. The pizza line was usually a 30-45 minute wait and service was given with grumbles - we actually saw one of the cooks mouth an obscene word when pizza was ordered. My 18 yo son asked for water from the bartender near the pizza bar (the bar was empty as it was late at night). He was told to walk across the dining room for the self-service stand. He did and they were out of cups. He walked back to the bartender, who noticed him coming and went into his little cubby room to hide out, not returning to the bar for at least 5 minutes when my son gave up waiting and just went to his room for a cup of water. I am not a very picky person and usually easily forgive service glitches, but these were glaring and repetitive. It was as if the quality control officer were on vacation this week. I will not travel on the Valor again.

I just got off the Valor yesterday and it would be my last choice - but admittedly I've not sailed on the other ships. It really needs an overhaul - not just the decor but the staff too. It took us about 2 hours to eat every night in the dining room... and that is without dessert, we started skipping it so that we could leave the dining room a little early, plus make room for the folks waiting for a table. If we didn't show up at 5:30 (dining room opened at 5:45) we could expect an 1.5 - 2 hour wait for a table. This was "your time dining." We didn't book a regular time dining because the early booking was full and my dad can't wait until 8 p.m. to eat. Every meal had a "glitch" - wrong food, not cooked properly (I'm not a foodie or picky), ran out of bread/butter, drinks not refilled, and bones or parts of cooking utensils found in the food (brush bristle). I could deal with the decor not being updated. But the staff were not particularly friendly nor helpful. On most cruises it feels like 90% of the staff are excellent and 10% could use a little training - on this cruise it was the opposite. The housekeeping staff seemed to be on par with other ships we have traveled, but the rest of the staff needed some work. This was my fifth cruise, and if it had been my first, it would have been my last. Fortunately, I know that this experience was not typical and I will try again, but most likely with a different cruise line.

We had the same question. Just booked a last minute cruise and because of some glitches spent WAY more than we wanted to... that means port calls need to be next to nothing cost wise. I appreciate all the advice and tips. And the beach is what I really love anyway!