Carnival Valor, 9/25/11: A "pink" review of the Eastern Caribbean.... PICTURES!!!

[gapearl]

Great review. I'm really enjoying. You look like you are having so much fun!!

 

Thanks so much! I had a blast!

 

Hey Kim, loving your review girl. It always brings me to a happy place seeing pictures of HMC, it's such a pretty place and one of my all time favorite beach stop.

 

Joining all the ladies complimenting you on the dresses and shoes pictures and all the guys too on the bikini pictures, so, all I got to say is that you work hard for that body girl so enjoy it, AMEN.

 

I am enjoying your review as I did you 2 previous ones and looking forwarding to the rest.

 

Thanks for reading and the compliments! HMC was the most beautiful place....besides Grand Turk (coming soon). Not only am I a gym rat, but I was training for a half marathon in the weeks prior, so all that running helped me tone up even more. I'm gonna try to squeeze in the first sea day this morning before I had to the gym. Glad you're enjoying it!

[cynt]

Ok GApearl you are rocking those heels. Love them!

 

I'm enjoying your review. I'm training for my 1st 5K sometime this fall. I get excited and motivated when I see others training. I hope to run the Princess half marathon @ Disney World in 2013.

 

Happy training and I'm hooked on your report. Thanks for the pics and details.

[gapearl]

Ok GApearl you are rocking those heels. Love them!

 

I'm enjoying your review. I'm training for my 1st 5K sometime this fall. I get excited and motivated when I see others training. I hope to run the Princess half marathon @ Disney World in 2013.

 

Happy training and I'm hooked on your report. Thanks for the pics and details.

 

Thank you! I'm as ready as I'm gonna be. My gym friends have more confidence than I do right now and I'm so thankful for their encouragement because I'm sooooooooo nervous! I'm doing this race to raise money for breast cancer. So far, I've raised almost $1,200 for Susan G. Komen! :) Good luck with your race and keep reading, much more to come!

[Froufie]

Thanks for reading and for the compliments! I have a Sony Cybershot. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend it. It's the second one I've had in 5 years. The first one had a malfunction after a year and a half and because it was still under warranty, I got a new one. This one has been dying a slow death for a year and I'm trying to hold on to it as long as I can. It takes good pictures, but it's a piece of crap.

 

Loving the review and 'reliving' my Valor cruises.

 

But have to disagree on the camera? I have had my Sony Cybershot for a few years now and it's doing great!!! Still taking great pics and working fine! Sorry yours are not up to par! :(

[MustSailNOW]

Thank you! I'm as ready as I'm gonna be. My gym friends have more confidence than I do right now and I'm so thankful for their encouragement because I'm sooooooooo nervous! I'm doing this race to raise money for breast cancer. So far, I've raised almost $1,200 for Susan G. Komen! :) Good luck with your race and keep reading, much more to come!

 

That is SO awesome! I have always wanted to run for breast cancer. I used to live in the gym as well until I had my little guy. Now, I can barely workout at home, lol. Maybe once we're out of the toddler years I can go back and consider training. Best wishes on your race!

[gapearl]

Loving the review and 'reliving' my Valor cruises.

 

But have to disagree on the camera? I have had my Sony Cybershot for a few years now and it's doing great!!! Still taking great pics and working fine! Sorry yours are not up to par! :(

 

Thanks a lot! I'm glad you had a better experience than I did. Maybe I just got a bad one, or maybe I've just worn it out. My next camera will be something a little higher than a point and shoot.

 

That is SO awesome! I have always wanted to run for breast cancer. I used to live in the gym as well until I had my little guy. Now, I can barely workout at home, lol. Maybe once we're out of the toddler years I can go back and consider training. Best wishes on your race!

 

I'm sure you'll get back at it when the time is right. Thanks for the well wishes!

[gapearl]

DAY 3- SEA DAY

 

I had such a good time the previous night. Lots of cruise ship shenanigans. I met so many awesome people and was glad this was a 7 day cruise. I would hate for it to have been a 4 day with only 1 more day left. My mom unintentionally woke me at 8:15 when she went to breakfast. I tried for 30 minutes to get back to sleep but couldn’t, so I got up and hopped in the shower. I went up to the lido for some French toast, breakfast potatoes, fruit and cereal.

Note: I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wish Carnival offered turkey sausage. I don’t eat pork and I know there have to be many other passengers that don’t eat pork either. Carnival, if you’re reading, PLEASE consider adding turkey sausage to your breakfast buffet!

I saw in the Fun Times they had $2 blackjack, so I went to see what I could do with $20. It was video blackjack btw, not an actual person dealing. I was betting the $2 minimum and started winning, so I started betting $5. My $20 became almost $60 in a few minutes, then it went down to $39, so I stopped while I was slightly ahead. I headed out to the serenity deck around 10 and spent the day reading a new book, napping, and getting sunburned. :eek: I did see some chair hogs, but there were always chairs available, both on the decks and even on serenity.

Serenity is on 2 levels, decks 12 and 14 forward. It's huge! Sorry I didn’t get a picture of the hammocks or hot tubs. I actually took these the last day right before debarkation and couldn’t get up there.

 

 

 

 

I wanted to participate in the master mixology contest, but didn’t get around to signing up for it the day before. The hairy chest contest was next. I watched for a few minutes, but got enough of hairy chests on the last cruise. Back to my chair for another Miami Vice.

 

 

[Inklight]

I am enjoying your review ... thank you for taking the time to write and post it! I will be cruising the Valor in just a few weeks and couldn't be more excited. We are doing the Western Caribbean run but I have been to both HMC and Grand Turk, so I'm loving your view of those ports. Can't wait to see what happens next! :)

[gapearl]

The lido lunch theme today was American food. Part of that buffet was cornbread, or at least Carnival’s interpretation of what they think cornbread is. I have lived in Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia. I’m 110% southern girl. I know good cornbread. I need my southern folks to back me up here.

 

This is cornbread.

 

This is also cornbread.

 

THIS IS NOT CORNBREAD!!!

 

 

 

Ok, technically it is cornbread because it’s bread with corn on top. However, you can’t put that in front of someone from the south and not expect to get flamed. Paula Deen would have a fit if she tasted this. Even without the corn on top, the bread wasn’t that good. It tasted very “doughy”, like it wasn’t baked long enough.

I’d like to make a deal with the Carnival chefs. Feel free to fly into Atlanta one day. I’ll pick you up from the airport and drive you up 85N to Peachtree Street, where our final destination will be Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles. We’ll order a basket of cornbread and dish on Dancing With The Stars and you can show me pictures of your kids. On the drive back to the airport, I’ll take you around the 285 loop to This Is It Soul Food and get you a couple dozen corn muffins to snack on for your plane ride back. You’ll be back in Florida in time for sailaway. This will give you a taste of good, southern cornbread.

I never thought I’d be writing a dissertation on cornbread, but this needed to be said. :)

[PartyAnimal]

I was on the Valor the week before you and I must say this was one of the best cruises I have been on (14). I loved Goose and Everson, I also had a personal server (on Lido) who went above and beyond. His name was Di or Danger as he liked to be called. I'am really enjoying your review and it is bringing back so many great memories. Keep it coming, came wait to read more.

[gapearl]

I finally had enough sun and left the Serenity area around 4ish. I went back to the casino and the video blackjack table, where I lost the last of my $39 that was on my card. I relaxed in my room for a little while and then went to the gym for a workout with Romy.

Tonight was elegant night. Food porn!

 

 

 

I think this is the Indian vegetarian dish.

 

 

They have this new “Didja Ever?” part of their menu, where you can try new foods you would not likely try at home. Tonight was the alligator fritters everyone has been raving about. Just to tell you a little about me, I’m a picky eater, have been my entire life, and I don’t like trying new foods. I don’t need to go to the newest, fanciest restaurant in town. Give me a chicken breast, baked potato, salad and I’m happy. Also, I don’t eat any meat other than poultry. So, ask me, “Kim, didja ever think you’d try alligator?” HECK NO! But I did. Well, sort of. I had 2 small bites. It was ok. I’m just proud to say I did give it a shot.

 

 

Edited October 4, 2011 by gapearl

[gapearl]

Everyone was really dressed up. I did see 3 or 4 people allowed in the MDR in jeans. I know this bothers a lot of people, and I do agree the staff should enforce the dress code, but I don’t worry about what other people are wearing. Our waiters sang “That’s Amore” for us.

 

 

God I love this stuff!

 

 

 

After dinner, I headed to each picture station for some professional pics in my dress. I also finally met April (aprill121) from our roll call. I missed the first 2 comedy shows because I was sitting at the Martini Bar running my mouth. I did make it for the 12 am show of Lewis Nixon and stayed for 10 minutes. I wasn’t feeling it. I headed to the disco for a while but it was pretty slow. It was the slowest night of the entire cruise. Lots of people had big excursions planned for St. Thomas the next day and went to bed early. I headed back to my room around 2 am.

 

Up next: St. Thomas!

[Oakman58]

I'm loving your review. I think you're right on with the idea of offering turkey sausage as an alternative to pork sausage.

It's obvious you're a smart gambler, you quit while you're ahead. Casinos must hate you.

You had me LOL with your review of Carnival's cornbread. Perhaps you really should send an email to Carnival with your offer of taking the chefs out for some REAL cornbread.

I really appreciate you taking the time to do this review and including all the photos. We will be on the Valor in December and can't get enough of the photos on the ship.

[rtfnl]

I was just about to ask if you ever went to Ms. Marys(not Hamburger Mary) in Atlanta for her hamburgers and then I saw where you only eat poultry. I agree that isn't cornbread. It looks more like some kind of bread with corn. I'm loving your review.

[gapearl]

I am enjoying your review ... thank you for taking the time to write and post it! I will be cruising the Valor in just a few weeks and couldn't be more excited. We are doing the Western Caribbean run but I have been to both HMC and Grand Turk, so I'm loving your view of those ports. Can't wait to see what happens next! :)

 

You're so welcome! I'll be posting more ship pictures later. Thanks for reading!

 

I was on the Valor the week before you and I must say this was one of the best cruises I have been on (14). I loved Goose and Everson, I also had a personal server (on Lido) who went above and beyond. His name was Di or Danger as he liked to be called. I'am really enjoying your review and it is bringing back so many great memories. Keep it coming, came wait to read more.

 

I don't remember anyone named Danger, but I do agree about the staff. They were great and most really did go above and beyond anything I've ever experienced on another cruise. Everson is also from Atlanta and it's always cool to meet someone from your neck of the woods. More coming later!

[gapearl]

I was just about to ask if you ever went to Ms. Marys(not Hamburger Mary) in Atlanta for her hamburgers and then I saw where you only eat poultry. I agree that isn't cornbread. It looks more like some kind of bread with corn. I'm loving your review.

 

Nope, sorry, I can't say I've heard of Ms. Mary's. I'll have to google it. Thanks for backing me up with the cornbread. LOL

 

I'm loving your review. I think you're right on with the idea of offering turkey sausage as an alternative to pork sausage.

It's obvious you're a smart gambler, you quit while you're ahead. Casinos must hate you.

You had me LOL with your review of Carnival's cornbread. Perhaps you really should send an email to Carnival with your offer of taking the chefs out for some REAL cornbread.

I really appreciate you taking the time to do this review and including all the photos. We will be on the Valor in December and can't get enough of the photos on the ship.

 

I just got a comment card in my email. I think I'll be sure to put that in there, and maybe I'll write John Heald about it too. Glad my review is entertaining you. :p

[deetrayn]

The cornbread pic was too funny! And you're right. That last pic was not cornbread! LOL

 

I also loved the HMC pics. I am still heartbroken about not getting there on my first cruise. The weather was not cooperating that day. :(

I do enjoy feeling like I was there when I see other traveler's vacation pics. :D

[pbmsmile]

Thanks for the great review...did you get any pictures of the Fish and Chips station??

[Winterstale]

Ok, technically it is cornbread because it’s bread with corn on top. However, you can’t put that in front of someone from the south and not expect to get flamed. Paula Deen would have a fit if she tasted this.

 

OMG I laughed out loud reading this....great review! Keep it coming! :D

[navybaby1113]

Loving your review. The dress you wore on formal night was gorgeous!

 

And that is so not cornbread.

[cynt]

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!

 

Girl they know that is NOT cornbread. I'm at work reading this review and nearly fell out of my chair when you referenced what they refer to as cornbread. And after you take them on an Atlanta tour, I'll take them to TX and make them some hot water cornbread. My auntie makes the best in town. LOL!!

 

If they tried and served that with a pot of greens they would be kindly escorted away. LOL!!!:D

Edited October 4, 2011 by cynt

[gapearl]

The cornbread pic was too funny! And you're right. That last pic was not cornbread! LOL

 

I also loved the HMC pics. I am still heartbroken about not getting there on my first cruise. The weather was not cooperating that day. :(

I do enjoy feeling like I was there when I see other traveler's vacation pics. :D

 

Ohhhh I'm so sorry you missed HMC! It's so beautiful there! Lots more to come. I'm going to work on St. Thomas tonight.

 

Thanks for the great review...did you get any pictures of the Fish and Chips station??

 

You're welcome, thanks for reading. I actually never found Fish & Chips. I heard about it and knew it was there and where it was, but I just never made it to that area. Sorry. :(

[gapearl]

OMG I laughed out loud reading this....great review! Keep it coming! :D

 

Oh, it gets better! Don't go anywhere. :D

 

Loving your review. The dress you wore on formal night was gorgeous!

 

And that is so not cornbread.

 

Thanks girl! I'll be finally posting pics on facebook tomorrow so be on the lookout for those. I've been so busy doing this review I haven't gotten around to them yet.

[gapearl]

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!

 

Girl they know that is NOT cornbread. I'm at work reading this review and nearly fell out of my chair when you referenced what they refer to as cornbread. And after you take them on an Atlanta tour, I'll take them to TX and make them some hot water cornbread. My auntie makes the best in town. LOL!!

 

If they tried and served that with a pot of greens they would be kindly escorted away. LOL!!!:D

 

Oh no you didn't take it there with the hot water cornbread AND a pot of collard greens! Don't let them put that at the buffet..... :D :p :eek:

 

Stick around to read about the fried chicken.

[gapearl]

DAY 4- ST. THOMAS

“KIMMMM!” my mom said in a not so quiet inside voice. “WHAT TIME ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GET OFF THE BOAT?” I looked at my phone laying next to me. It was 6:42 am. You’re kidding, right? You have GOT to be kidding me. I’m very cranky when I’m tired and/or hungry, and I was tired. Plus I was at the beginning of what was about to be a good dream. :D Cranky, half sleep, and with a little attitude, I went over to the window and pulled open the curtains. “LOOK! We’re not even close to land yet! We’ll be getting off the ship at 10.” I know I told her that a dozen times the day before. I got back in the bed and pulled the covers over my head. Strike 1 for her.

I got up again around 8:30, showered, and headed up to the lido where she was already eating breakfast. On my way out, I spotted Juan, my cabin steward. I hadn’t seen any towel animals the previous 3 nights and asked him if we’d be getting one tonight. He said he had been leaving them all week. I got to the lido and asked my mom if she had seen the towel animals. She said yes, she hung them on the towel racks in the bathroom. I never got to see them or take pictures of them. :mad: I told her not to do that any more and leave them for me to see. Strike 2.

Strike 3 and she’s getting left here.

 

We were off the ship at 10 am sharp. The Freedom of the Seas and a Disney ship were also in port. This was my second trip to St. Thomas. My first trip was 3 years ago on a land vacation. I made a reservation in advance to do a tour with Sunny Liston Tours after reading so many great things about him on CC. I booked us for tour #2, shopping and sightseeing. It was $30 per person. A $10 deposit pp was required and the balance had to be paid in cash. He dropped us and 4 other people off for shopping and we would begin our tour at 12.

 

View of St. Thomas from my 4J window.

 

 

View of St. Thomas from the secret deck.

 

 

Long street full of souvenir shops, jewelry stores, and duty free.

 

 

Flea market.

 

Edited October 5, 2011 by gapearl