Mike & Tracy’s Excellent Adventure: B2B2B2B on Destiny, Imagination, Valor, Freedom

[flgojo]

I just read from the beginning to here and what a great review. No matter how long it takes I hope you finish. We can't miss the proposal and wedding!

 

When someone asked about the mustache I was smiling because the agency I work at here in Florida we have a lot of "shaved" heads. Then a couple of posts down I saw my first picture of you and your handsome dome. I truly lol'd. :D

[MikeyA53]

Carnival Valor

 

Sunday, Aug 29th : Embarkation

 

We got up early to get a workout in before breakfast. At 10:00 a.m we all left (9 of us) in three taxis to the port of Miami. Cost $25 plus tip per taxi.

 

We arrived at 10:15, tipped the porter and proceeded through security. I told them about the liquor bottle I’ve been carrying since the first cruise (won’t do that again, next time I’ll buy it on the last cruise) and the two extra wine bottles for the next cruise on the Freedom. I was hoping they would allow me to bring a large and a small bottle of wine onboard but alas I was denied. I ended up bringing the two small bottles and they seized the two big bottles along with the liquor bottle.

 

 

 

 

Tracy and Nathalie (dental assistant)

 

 

 

 

 

Rick ( also a mountie)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the far left, Nick (14)

 

[poptart]

I am GREEN with envy! What a wonderful family vacation, you will all remember and talk about it forever.

 

Looking forward the rest of the story :D

[MikeyA53]

We checked in, got our sail & sign cards and we were given zone 7 for the group. They started boarding at 11:50 a.m and our zone was called at 12:01 p.m. Once onboard we headed to the lido deck for lunch.

This was Tracy’s parents first cruise while our friends had been on a carnival ship approximately 15 years ago but it felt like a new experience for them also. Their son Nick was on his first cruise and we teased him by calling him a cruise virgin.

 

As usual Tracy looked after the carry ons while my buddy and I went photographing/exploring the ship. The Valor is a beautiful ship, easy to get around.

 

Cruisers with their carry ons heading towards the buffet

 

 

 

Cloudy day

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty of the sea

 

 

 

[MikeyA53]

American Atrium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around the Atrium

 

 

 

Elevators

 

[Crusin Karen]

We live about 20 minutes doorstep to Manhattan cruise terminal. We used to do winter cruises from FL but in these "economic times" we have had to cut back to one cruise/year (& very grateful that we CAN do them) and always leave from our "home base" because it just saves so much $ and time...but I have ALWAYS wanted to sail on the Valor. Just heard so many good things about her. So I am really looking forward to seeing these upcoming pictures. Atrium looks kind of subdued; not the glitzy atriums I am used to on Carnival! :cool: I am trying to figure out whose faces are in the cameos...only one I recognize is Honest Abe....maybe Susan B. Anthony? :confused:

[MikeyA53]

Ivanhoe Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shogun Casino

 

 

 

Camp Carnival ages 2-11

 

[MikeyA53]

The Scarlett's Steakhouse was where I proposed to Tracy, asking her to marry me again. This occured on Sept 1st (the review is currently on Aug 29th)

 

 

Scarlett's Steakhouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Washington Dining Room ( the first two photos displays the small atrium as you enter the dining room)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MikeyA53]

The caboose in the photo is the entrance into the video arcade room. It's huge compared to the one on the Destiny and Imagination. The room continues around and joins the O2 Club for ages 15-17.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O2 Club

 

[MikeyA53]

Winston's Cigar Bar (Very nice room but dark)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet room ( you must go through Winton's Cigar Bar to get to it)

 

[tattoos]

Mike, are you referring to my post about remembering to pack your brain when you go on a cruise? Ha! Ha!

 

Rose

[MikeyA53]

Mike, are you referring to my post about remembering to pack your brain when you go on a cruise? Ha! Ha!

 

Rose

 

 

Yes Rose, it's a good reminder for all of us. Do you know what happened to your post.

[MikeyA53]

One Small Step Dance Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MikeyA53]

I wanted to get photos of the Eagles Lounge when I first boarded but there was a wedding in progress and I then I forgot to return. The Eagles Lounge features the Punchliner Comedy Club and Karaoke. Karaoke moves from the Eagles Lounge to Paris Hot bar and back depending on what's going on.

 

Paris Hot Bar ( live band, karaoke)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitness Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ATL2LAS]

You sir, are a master story teller. I have to check a few times a day for all the updates. Keep up the great review.

[MikeyA53]

You sir, are a master story teller. I have to check a few times a day for all the updates. Keep up the great review.

 

 

Thanks ATL2LAS.

[MikeyA53]

American Lobby

 

 

 

 

The Fun Shops

 

 

 

Dream bar with Shogun Casino in background

 

 

 

 

Jeanne's Wine Bar

 

 

 

Stairs

 

 

 

Exploring the Ship

 

[lollylew]

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane on the Valor! I'm not one to really take many inside photos so it's nice to see your pictures and remember where I what I was doing in the photos that you shared. Looking forward to the rest of the review! :D

[MikeyA53]

Our rooms were ready at 1:30 p.m. We met our room steward Oka, what a sweetheart.We asked her to open up our balconies between the two rooms, normally you have to go to guest services but she said she would do it.

 

We were in cabin 8355 while Tracy’s parents, Peter and Rosemary were in 8353. Mitch and Arielle were across from us in an A1 inside cabin, 8357.

 

Our friends Rick and Nathalie also had a balcony just down the hall.

 

We were very excited on having our first balcony. The rooms were very nice, sofa with two large drawers underneath, a small frig, a television with an interactive menu that showed your sail & sign bill, dinner menu each night, the ship locations etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MikeyA53]

The kids room ( A1 Inside Stateroom)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tattoos]

Just my thoughts about making your cruise a pleasant experience...

 

Pull out that childlike awe and playfulness buried deep inside you, plan well before you cruise, choose your stateroom carefully, don't let small inconveniences upset you, explore new adventures, try new foods, talk with total strangers, participate, let yourself go and you will enjoy yourself. Be realistic about your cruise expectations, nothing is perfect, things do happen. If you cruise with a sense of entitlement, you will be disappointed. Pack your humor, imagination, childlike curiosity, flexibility and your brain. Leave your negativity and bad attitude home.

 

Someone will be cleaning up after you all week, making your bed, delivering room service, cooking all your food and washing all your dishes, leaving cute towel animals to greet you, dazzle you with shows and demonstrations, then transport you to exotic ports of call.

 

I follow my own suggestions whenever I cruise and ALWAYS have a great time.

 

Rose

[MikeyA53]

Then it was the dreaded muster drill followed by sail away. We brought our friends up on an upper deck to enjoy the view. Our last piece of luggage arrived at 4:30 p.m. and we started getting ready for dinner. We all had ‘your time dining’ and we agreed that we would all meet each night at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Safety Briefing (muster)

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying sailaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had arranged to have bon voyage cakes delivered to Tracy's parents and our friends.

 

[jerseygirl79]

I am falling in love with Valor from all of your beautiful pics! Looks like Carnival really got it right with the Conquest class.

[disneyden]

Just my thoughts about making your cruise a pleasant experience...

 

Pull out that childlike awe and playfulness buried deep inside you, plan well before you cruise, choose your stateroom carefully, don't let small inconveniences upset you, explore new adventures, try new foods, talk with total strangers, participate, let yourself go and you will enjoy yourself. Be realistic about your cruise expectations, nothing is perfect, things do happen. If you cruise with a sense of entitlement, you will be disappointed. Pack your humor, imagination, childlike curiosity, flexibility and your brain. Leave your negativity and bad attitude home.

 

Someone will be cleaning up after you all week, making your bed, delivering room service, cooking all your food and washing all your dishes, leaving cute towel animals to greet you, dazzle you with shows and demonstrations, then transport you to exotic ports of call.

 

I follow my own suggestions whenever I cruise and ALWAYS have a great time.

 

Rose

 

It is what you make of it. I am a "cup half full" kind of person.

I always try to find something positive out of every situation.

VERY well said, Rose! :)

[emosewa]

Do your kids remember how much it was per game in the arcade, and did you play laser tag and how much was that?

Thanks

EMOSEWA:cool: