Just off the Valor on 1/24

[chukeee]

We did have to wait along time at the airport for the hotel shuttle (probably 45 min to 1 hr.) The hotel apologized for this stating that alot of their guests flights were getting in at the same time. We did have the torn luggage thing to straighten out and took this time to do that. The first shuttle that came for us, was grabbed by another group of guests that were also staying there, so when I called back they took my name. When the second shuttle came, he wouldn't take us until I gave our name. He was also apologetic about the delay.

the lobby area of the hotel was beautiful and modern, there were booth type areas to sit and a beautiful clean breakfast area along with a separate Internet room. The people at the front desk were very helpful and pleasant. There is a small bar area, and some snack items and sandwiches for sale (expensive but convenient).

After the second half of our group arrived, we discussed where to go for supper and inquired at the desk about a liquor store. A car/cab is needed for the liquor store as it is several blocks. There was a small mini-market across the street from the hotel along with probably 10-20 restaurants within walking distance. I don't know them all but there was a Mexican, Chinese, Boston Market, Burger King, and an Italian place (can't remember the name). We chose the Italian place which was probably a block- block and a half at the most. It was FABULOUS!

Back to the hotel, the only negative was a loud group of ignorant people across the hall from us. And no we did not complain as I'm sure the front desk would have handled it, but we were so tired we just went to bed. Some of our group went to the pool to swim and liked the pool (heck anyone from PA who gets to swim outside in Jan. will like the pool ;)). I didn't use it or the exercise room, so I won't comment.

I will comment on the Continental breakfast the next morning. It was very fresh fruit, cereal, bagels, toast, muffins, hardboiled eggs, coffee, juice, milk, etc. and the service people were constantly cleaning, restocking, and keeping items stocked. So, all in all, this hotel gets a big A+ from me. Our friend did take advantage of leaving his car there vs parking at the port and was picked up efficiently and speedily following the cruise. In fact, they stayed there another night before heading back to PA.

I had requested that we leave for the port by 10 a.m. and the hotel director of sales gave me the shuttle driver's name and phone # and told me to call him several days before our arrival to ensure that we would get the early shuttle. I did so and Frank came right on time with 2 vans to take our group of 16 to the port. We are off, woohoo:D!!!

[chukeee]

I wanted to add one thing, the room rate was $139 for 4 people in a room including all taxes and fees. There was, however a $12 fee for the third and fourth person per room for the shuttle.

[chukeee]

PLEASE, someone tell me how to post pictures!!!!:confused:

[GranthamMommy]

When you post, you will see a paper clip for attachement in the tool bar. There is a drop down next to it. Then you can browse to your computer to get the photos.

 

If they are on a website, you can choose the icon with the mountains (below the undo icon) and link to a url.

 

I haven't done this before, but was interested in finding out. I'll have my June 2010 Valor pictures someday

 

Thanks for the review.

[loan_girl]

Thanks for all your details, we are heading out in 2 weeks and I really like reviews with all the info!

[shadowyone]

Hey Chukeee,

 

We're going on the Valor Feb 7, would you be willing to scan the capers from your cruise so we can kinda get an idea of whats going on before we get there.

 

THANKS a BUNCH!!

[tess18]

Siennagirl, You will LOVE the ship. Not as gaudy as some in the past. Our service was great. If you are doing the same itenerary (Coz. Grand Cayman, Belize, Roatan), I can give you great tour info. (I booked everything privately.)

dkb363: Unfortunately my answer to your question is one of the very few negatives about the cruise. We did go to the piano bar and Larry is AWFUL. No one was there and those that did come, walked out in the middle of the first song. I even wrote about him on the comment card.

 

More coming soon, I promise.

Chukeee: We are sailing on this ship on April 4th - what tours did you book - where they good and who did you use.

Tess18

Not cruise critic savvy - I guess I will find your answer on this thread????

[GranthamMommy]

Chukeee: We are sailing on this ship on April 4th - what tours did you book - where they good and who did you use.

Tess18

Not cruise critic savvy - I guess I will find your answer on this thread????

 

tess18 I would love information on the tours. Will you/have you posted it anywhere? Or I can send you my email address. Thanks.

[chukeee]

I will be glad to post all of my tour info. I booked at 3 of the four ports and picked up a tour on the pier at Grand Cayman. They were all wonderful. In four cruises, I have never had a bad experience on a private tour and have never booked through carnival. Just lots and lots of research on these boards, trip advisor, the tour guides' websites, etc.

Shadowyone, unfortunately I don't have a scanner. I did however save all the capers and will see if my friend or granddaughter can scan them.

[tess18]

I will be glad to post all of my tour info. I booked at 3 of the four ports and picked up a tour on the pier at Grand Cayman. They were all wonderful. In four cruises, I have never had a bad experience on a private tour and have never booked through carnival. Just lots and lots of research on these boards, trip advisor, the tour guides' websites, etc.

Shadowyone, unfortunately I don't have a scanner. I did however save all the capers and will see if my friend or granddaughter can scan them.

 

I would love it if you could give me the info on the tours. I'll look back on this thread for your answer.

Thanks Tess

[chukeee]

Ok, so we leave the hotel by 10:20, get to the POM by 10:30-10:40. Let me tell you, by getting to the port this early, you see a lot of sad people just off the last cruise standing on the curb waiting for rides. (Ugh, that will be us in a week! :eek:)

We entered the port and there were very few people there, probably 2 doz. or so. There were no lines so up we went to check in. Everyone in our group of 16 got checked in within 10-15 min. Except for us......... To back up a little, our granddaughter had a friend that was going with us so she was booked in a cabin with DH and the friend was booked with me. The friend backed out and a friend of mine took her place, but this didn't happen until the middle of Dec. We paid the $50 for a name change and knew we would have to switch room on the ship.

We told the rep. this and she originally said we would have to wait until we got on the ship. Then she left for the longest time and came back to tell us she could take care of the switch at this time. Everything was switched, we put cash down on our account, and cash down on granddaughter's account and she printed our cards. When she got to DH and friends' cards, she could not print them. After several minutes spent with her supervisor, she gave my DH and friend a paper and told them to take it to the purser's desk on the ship and they would issue him his card after having his photo taken when boarding. During this time, they began boarding platinum guests and announced that people should look under their seats for an early board pass for their group. Hardly anyone was seated yet, but a lucky family did get to board at that time. We just went to take a seat to await our boarding time when a woman came and told my DH, DF and our family to come with her. She said she was letting us on early so DH and DF could get their cards. Woohoo:D! so up the steps we go, waving at the rest of our group (who got on within 10 min. anyhow) got our picture taken and boarded. We get on the ship, they take my photo, and husband gives them the paper. they tell him he has to go to the purser's desk first so off we go. We are on the ship at 11:30. Amazing!

We went right to the purser's desk. (FYI the purser's desk is now called Guest Services.) There is no line so we think we will get this over with quick when they tell us the computers are down and won't be up until 12.

We decided to wait because i knew the line would just get longer and longer. We probably ended up waiting about 35 min. but it was worth it. When they opened, we got our issue straightened out, put cash on our S&S account and cash on the GD's account. They still couldn't get the picture taken for DH and DF and told them to check back throughout the day or to get it taken in the am before leaving the ship.

 

I am going to stop here:o for a moment and try to get the picture thing figured out.

[Pinque]

Sat., Jan 16.

 

We booked our airfare in May and were fully prepared to pay the $20 first checked bag fee. When we were checking in, the man said "Well, you don't have to pay the fee because of your status so that saved you some money." We all exchanged glances like "What status?" since we had never even flown Delta before. I'm still not sure what that was all about?!?

 

I think I may have figured out what status you fell into. It's the "no need to pay us to tear up your luggage status"...:D

 

Enjoying your review so far...keep it going...I will be going solo in April. I will be flying in from Texas the day before staying at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Miami...any suggestions for a solo person to check out Downtown would be great!!!!

 

Pinque

[chukeee]

Oh my God, this picture thing is driving me crazy!

[chukeee]

Well, that is my GD and I getting our S&S cards. Dont ask me how I did it:rolleyes:. Here is another one

Just some of our group waiting to board the ship.

 

So, while waiting in line at Guest Services, I took this picture of the American Lobby

Being a very patriotic person (my heart just beats faster when I see our flag, hear our anthem, see a parade, etc.) I LOVE the theme of the Valor. It is not gaudy at all and the American theme is subtle, at times. but there are beautiful murals, eagles, statues etc. that just made me feel really proud to be an American. there were some things that didn't seem to fit the theme. Like the Ivanhoe theater or the casino with it's Shogun warriors?!? Didn't bother me in the least, just didn't seen to fit.

[chukeee]

Sorry, I don't know why that one picture posted twice.

We finished up at Guest Services and decided to hit the lido deck for some lunch. It wasn't too crowded yet but we decided to jump in line for some burgers since this was the first line we came to and we were starving. I love the salsa and chips so I got some of that and a burger. The burger was very good. I didn't get any later in the week so I don't know if this is just because I was hungry or that it was actually that good.

I ate part of it,and then discovered, right around the corner the burrito bar. These were great and we made one or two more visits back during the week.

I wished I would have taken pictures of dd and boyfriend's faces when we entered the lobby and on the lido deck. I remember on my first cruise that feeling of seeing the ship for the first time and not realizing until I was standing on it, how big it would be. I was in awe then and so were they now. We left them to look around and we headed to our rooms to see if they were ready. They were! We were in aft balcony rm #8359 with GD and DF next door in #8363, DD and BF in #8377. All of our friends were on this deck. The location of the rooms were fantastic. Just a few steps to the elevators in either direction and two doors away from the laundry. We were on the starboard side of the ship.

Ok, granddaughter Amanda is peeking at me from her balcony. Don't know how to turn the picture, so just tilt your head to the right and it will look good,lol.And here is her and my friend Cheryl...

The rooms were the standard balcony room that we have always had. Last year on the triumph, we had no minibar(fridge), this year we did. We also had one straight balcony chair, a table, and one reclining chair. Last year on the triumph, we just had 2 straight chairs.

While we were checking out the balcony, here comes the boat to fill up the gas tank........wouldn't want that bill.

It was a very dreary day with showers, but honestly, this is the last of the bad weather for the entire trip! Here are some shots of Miami

and...

Ahh, I'm here at last:

[chukeee]

Shortly after checking out the room, our room steward appeared and introduced himself. His name was Louis. He did a great job throughout the week. We always had a nice clean room and lots of ice. We would see him 3-4 times throughout each day and he would always inquire if everything was satisfactory or if we needed anything. We didn't really request anything above and beyond, but if we had, I'm sure he would have done his best to take care of it. We did bring some alcohol onboard in our checked luggage. We brought 1 bottle of rum, our doughter brought a 12 pk of beer and friends brought some wine and alcohol. We didn't hide it in the room and nothing was said. We asked Louis to unlock the mini bar and we simply removed the items. Each morning we would fill our large cups with the orange and guava/passion fruit juice and put that in the mini-fridge for our drinks the rest of the day. (Don't start yelling,please. We filled our cups from the little ones in the buffet area, not from the spigot directly into our cups:rolleyes:)

Amazingly our luggage started to arrive around 3:15. I had the first suitcase put away when they called for the muster drill. This went very smoothly with not having to take the lifejackets. Afterward, we came back to the room, put items from the second suitcase away and headed to the deck for sailaway. We had one small bag that did not arrive until after 5, but definitely the fastest we have ever gotten our luggage in 4 cruises.

On the deck for sailaway:

DH enjoying his sailaway drink!

[chukeee]

More sail away pics:

DD and boyfriend

 

Perfect start to a great week!

[chukeee]

Tess18, I am going to post my excursion info. soon, I promise.

[chukeee]

After sail away, we went to our rooms and freshened up for the dining room. We then explored the ship a little until it was time for dinner. We walked around, guessed the price of a Peter Max print that was to be given away later in the week, checked out the piano player in the American Lobby (he ws good, far better that Larry in the piano bar who I will discuss later), and got a few casual pics taken.

the American Lobby

[jdbmga]

We are set to sail on her for the 7/4 sailing. We are so excited as this is a long awaited vacation.

 

We are on the July 4 sailing as well. :)

[Green Boy]

I don't leave on the Valor until Sept 5th..

man oh man.. I can't wait... love the review !!!

[daddybuff]

Great review. I'll be on her in afew days:D

[chukeee]

We had early seating in the Washington Dining Room on the second floor at table #533 which was a 10 top. My family set with our friends Cheryl, Bill, Barb, Gary and Amy. What a great group. Our head waiter Lucio and assistant Neptali were wonderful. Lucio was very outgoing and a little crazy and Neptali was very quiet and polite. They worked well together. Lucio and I became great friends as the week went on as I like to joke around also. He is the best waiter we have ever had....oh right, I said that every year :). All 50+ of us were seated in the same area, some had good waiters, some not.

This is the first year I did not take pictures of all the food, now I am kicking myself because I cant really remember what we had each night.

I know that I started off with a shrimp cocktail and had the steak. Many of our group got the steak this night. I loved mine, but I order rare and so did one other person. The 3 or 4 other that ordered them ordered med./well or well. They said they were not good. My husband ordered ribs and always is happy with them. I introduced my daughter to the cheese plate for dessert and it is what she ordered every night. She is like me (not big on sweets) and loved it. I ordered it also but it was a toss up because I always get the chocolate melting cake at least once. GD got the choc melting cake, DH got a banana split off the children's menu (one of many) and other than the steaks, everyone thought it was a good meal with great friends, great waiters, great fun.

My granddaughter left to go to her meet and greet at Club o2. As i said, she was scheduled to do this cruise with her friend who backed out at the last moment. This left her as the only kid in our group and I was worried that there wouldn't be anyone her age (17). Well not to worry about this kid. She is so outgoing and social and had no problems checking out club o2 bu herself. I am SO glad she did. They actually combined Club o2 and Circle C because there were not that many. She made many friends and had a blast all week. We told her she could stay out until 1 am but had to call us every night. She did so without fail. Here I will give a shout out to her friend Lindsay from Canada. They are already making plans to meet when we go to Canada in the summer.

After dinner, with time to kill before the Welcome Aboard Show, we decided to check out the piano bar. When wearrived,there was only 2 other people sitting there and I though that we really lucked out before the crowd arrived. WRONG! Larry was awful! I really mean awful......driving the crowd away awful. It was so bad there was no one even serving drinks in there. Finally a girl wandered in and asked if we wanted anything, a couple wandered in and sat down at the bar and we decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for a few more minutes. After about 3 songs we walked out. I dont really base my cruise on the entertainment, I make my own. However, I did have to comment about him on the comment card. I paid attention to the piano bar all week and it never had a crowd like other ships. Heck, I saw Larry at the buffet on Lido more than I saw him in the piano bar. Something creepy about him!:confused:

Off to play bingo and lose. Then, to watch the Welcome Aboard Show. I thought the 2 lead singers were the best in 4 cruises. One of the male dancers was on the triumph last year when we cruised. All in all a great day. And here is my favorite end to that day

[chukeee]

One last note about last night's show. Percy Crews was the comic and he was great! We went to see him again for his midnight show and really liked him.

 

Mondy, Fun day at sea:

 

Up early and drinking my room service coffee in my robe on the balcony. I LOVE my balcony. We booked one on the first cruise and don't know if I could go without since I am an early riser. If I was a late night partin' girl, I probably wouldn't book one but I absolutely love the mornings on the balcony! Wasnt' on the right side for the sunrise, but I enjoyed the peace and quiet for a while. About an hour later, call DH and he came out and had coffee with me. Me, my love, a balcony, the ocean, and family and friends nearby. I am blessed :)

We headed up to Lido deck for breakfast and met our friend Cheryl. There were no lines yet so I opted for sunny side up eggs, the greasy little hashbrowns, salsa and fruit. I don't know what it is but I love those little potatoes with the salsa. Yep, had it every day. I happen to like the bacon also, but many people don't. DH had a variety of buffet items and DF had a ham and cheese omelet that she said was yummy. Love the guava/passion fruit juice and filled our cups for drinks in the room later. Alot of people do this, however please refrain from putting the kind of cup that you put your mouth directly on under the spigot. Just fill the cups provided and fill your cup from that. If you are going to make smuggled drinks at least be a clean smuggler like me ;).

After breakfast, we wondered around the ship and met up with sleepyhead, party girl GD who was just starting her day.

 

The arcade:

 

PopPop Bud and Amanda outside the Caboose: (Check out the eagle and the American decor)

 

Deck is getting busy:

[Bermuda C]

Chuckeee..

 

My family was also on the Valor with you. We also had the early dining in the Washington on the second floor. I believe we were either table 535 or 536. So we were close by.. Igusti was our head waiter.