TRESE

awesome review....we leave in 2 days!!! cant wait

We always book our own excursions.....you can save half, if not more, booking yourself. Unless you have a tight timeline, then book thru the ship, that way, if its late, they wont leave without you.

I've been on the Breakaway,when it was brand new, the first cruise out of NYC.... while planning another cruise this year, I saw that the Anthem goes to Bermuda and then Boston. That kept us from booking the Anthem. I went with the Breakaway again, and leave in 3 days!!! Next year, the Anthem goes to Bermuda for 3 days, that's our next cruise!! Personally, i'd rather go out from Bayonne, have done it several times, but the NYC port is nice too........comeon cruise #12!!! 3 more days!!

I bring a small fan.....I like the noise and the breeze when I sleep. A large lidded cup for coffee, theirs are too small and I enjoy making a big cup and taking it to my balcony. A small flashlight, or a night light, the room is pitch black at night and I don't disturb anyone for a nighttime bathroom break. A power strip, they only have 1 or 2 plugins in the room and if you have multiple things, you wont have to switch around........................... Heading out on the Norwegian Breakaway in 3 days.......I'm so ready!!

We have been to Trunk Bay twice. Had to swim further out to get to the underwater trail. And the second time, the water was rough, couldn't see anything!! Coki Beach is our favorite. Have been there at least 4 times. Have always snorkeled on the right side, near Coral world. One time, a dolphin swam up to us and swam around for a good half hour, under our feet. It was amazing!!! Love going there, will always go there when at St. Thomas. Next time I will try the left side!! Beach is not half as picturesque as Trunk Bay but we go for the snorkeling and I feel its better at Coki

Gapearl....thank you so much for this review. Hubby and I and 2 other couples will be on the Valor in 4 short weeks!! I could just HEAR you talking throughout your story. I may be from New York, but I have tons of family in Columbus, so I could hear that southern twang!!! LOL I love it!! Anyway, you did a great job highlighting your adventures. It was nice to see San Juan in the beginning, I've been there about 5 times and have never experienced it the way you did. Always either stopping at the port or heading straight to the ship. This time, we are going a day early so I was delighted to see that portion. I have also never been to St Kitts or St Lucia. It gave me good insight on what to expect. I agree with your statements about Carnival. This will be our 11th cruise!! All but 4 with Carnival. When people ask me if I'll ever go on Carnival again, I tell them "I'll be the first in line!!"

Philamike.......I suggest the beautiful Adirondacks in the Fall. Lake George area is surrounded by colorful mountains. Or the Lake Placid area....I'm partial to Lake George though. ( I live 10 minutes from there) :)

Great Blog.....I can't wait to board her on the 12th!! 4 more days!!

Trese

Mike.....excellent review!! Going on the may 12th cruise and this is making me so excited, I can barely contain myself...Thank You so much!!! 8 days till i'm in your shoes!! :D

In San Juan, there is a liquor store just before you board the ship. We filled a colapsable cooler with 3 big bottles of liquor and put them on the scanner table. It went right through without a glance from security. We were so shocked, that once we emptied the cooler in our cabin, hubby took the cooler back off the ship and packed it with an 18 pack of beer!! Same thing, no problem mon!! This will be my 5th cruise in March, I plan on takin a bit of my own on board again, (i mean, why should this time be different from any other?) and mixing vodka/rum with any juice. After a few strong ones, they all taste the same anyway!! My recipe? Cruise cost + expensive excursions + slot machines + FREE drinks=

Carnival still getting paid well!! :p

I also pack a large insulated cup with a flip top so i can make one giant cup of tea in the morning, that way i can enjoy my tea without having to go back for more (the cups onboard are sooo small) I take french vanilla in a soda bottle too, makes my tea taste like home. It will last all week if i keep my DH out of it!! The cabin steward always keeps ice in my bucket to keep it cold.(cover it with a plastic bag so the ice doesnt melt as fast. I also leave the cabin steward a hand written thank you with his/her tip. i also pack butter bowls with lids. Easy to pack, just put your unmentionables in them. Undies and socks fit nicely!! Plus an insulated drink cup with straw for making your own drinks for the pool area. Plug ins are nice too, my room always smells fresh.

Oceanlvr, When will you be in Tortola? We are a party of 6 going there on May 8th. Let me know, you can certainly join us on our snorkeliing excursion. (we are booked through Carnival) TRESE