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

[Oakman58]

Your trip report is so interesting, I can't wait for more. Thanks for sharing so many photos of your trip.

[CozumelCastaway]

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

[cuted126]

I also talked to Nathan (and another local later at the beach) about their former Premier, Michael Misick. He was in the news a lot because he married an American actress, LisaRaye, and was accused of cheating on her and getting another woman pregnant while they were married. I remember one of the major networks (either NBC or ABC) had an hour long special on their wedding. It was a huge, lavish affair! They’re divorced now and he’s facing jail time for embezzlement. I got some local inside scoop that didn’t make it to the news. All I can say is wow.

 

Oooooohhhh,I wanna hear the scoop!!!! We need to facebook each other or something cause I would love to hear about it! Yes,I am so nosey lol

Edited October 8, 2011 by cuted126

[snow52408]

DAY 4- ST. THOMAS CONCLUSION

 

We headed back to the ship and Sunny continued to play island music for us. I love Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” and everyone that knew the words sang along. We passed lots of homes for sale and Sunny said they start around $250K. A gallon of regular gas was $4.59 (currently $3.19 by my house). We passed Mahogany Run Golf Course, the only one on the island. It’s $150 for fees and to play. We made it back to the ship around 2:45 pm. I tipped him $5 and he gave me a complimentary cd of all the island music he played. I absolutely LOVED Sunny! His tour was a lot of fun. There are literally dozens of similar tours offered and we passed many of them on the roads. They looked quite boring compared to the fun we were having! A lot of people looked at us, singing and having a good time, like they wanted to leave the jeep they were on and join our tour. I would definitely recommend Sunny Liston to anyone wanting to experience St. Thomas in a fun way. Once back on the ship, we headed up to the lido for lunch. French food was today’s theme. Then I bought a few pictures, took a nap, and headed up to the gym for a quick run on the treadmill and some sauna time.

 

Dinner was good tonight. I loved the farfalle with turkey and peas. I tried to cook something similar at home after my last cruise, and it tasted nothing like Carnival’s. LOL Sorry I don't have any food porn because photobucket is not cooperating with those 6 pictures, but I do have dessert porn!

 

 

Bitter and blanc was offered tonight. I’ve been wanting to try it for a long time because CC members rave about how awesomely fabulous it is. Sorry, don’t flame me, but I didn’t like it. Neither did my mom or Romy. It wasn’t bad, I just didn’t care for it.

 

 

 

Shamalee, the hostess for our dining room, was a beautiful lady from Sri Lanka that came by every night to chat with us. My cruise was her last one before going home for her vacation, so those of you sailing soon won’t have the pleasure of getting to know her. Tonight was the night I fell in love with my head waiter, Rex. He’s a very good magician and did a magic trick for us. For the life in me, I can’t figure out how he made that sugar disappear!

 

 

Dennis and Rex.

 

 

 

 

The red dress is my fave! I love it! You're making me wanna go all out for our next cruise! =)

[mama_2_boys]

I always love your reviews. Great pics...great info...and great clothes! Love all your outfits as usual...you looked beautiful! Can't wait for the rest :)

[StingRaysfan]

oh my... I laughed SO hard about the cornbread!!!!!

 

Loving this review! We did this same itinerary on the Liberty and had a great time!

I try to dress up for dinner now too, but I don't look as glamorous as you do! I had a lady one night ask me if there was something special going on around the ship because there were more then a few of us dressed nicely. LOL

[sunshine&shiningstar]

Gapearl, love the review i was schedule for this trip before i was diagnose with breast cancer. thank you for all the support. its been 7 yrs strong now so hopefully i will get there in 2013 have bahamas book for 2112:)

[Delta Dear]

Congratulations on your 7 years of survival. You do INDEED deserve to go ! Enjoy each day and the future cruises you have planned. I also appreciate GA Pearl for supporting the cause for breast cancer.

[SenatorsFan]

Great review. I'm enjoying all your pictures, especially the one with your 7 "boyfriends" in Grand Turk!:D What cute kids. Valor was our first Carnival cruise, so I'm reliving here, although we did Eastern that time.

Heather

Edited October 9, 2011 by SenatorsFan

[emmysmommy]

I am loving your review! You have great photos and the dresses at dinner are adorable! Did you have to bring different shoes for each of the dresses? :D:D

[gapearl]

Wow, I'm in awe of all the comments! Thank you all so much for the positive feedback. As soon as I respond to everyone's comments, I'll finish up Grand Turk. :)

 

Looking forward to the rest. :D

 

Thanks Krystal! It's on the way.

 

LOVE it ! I am a Class of '64 Buckeye ! I would have flipped out to see this !

 

LOL I tried to get a picture of it as we were passing by. You Ohio State people sure do LOVE your school. :)

[gapearl]

WOuld love to see a picture of the painting. Really great review im loving it.

 

Hi Jaiybaby! Here's the picture of the canvas artwork I bought. I can't wait to get it framed and on display in my house.

 

[gapearl]

Your trip report is so interesting, I can't wait for more. Thanks for sharing so many photos of your trip.

 

Thanks Oakman! Hopefully this is getting you excited for your Valor cruise.

 

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

 

You're so welcome Cozumel!

[gapearl]

Oooooohhhh,I wanna hear the scoop!!!! We need to facebook each other or something cause I would love to hear about it! Yes,I am so nosey lol

 

Email me- gapearlcruiser@yahoo.com

[gapearl]

The red dress is my fave! I love it! You're making me wanna go all out for our next cruise! =)

 

Thank you! I"m happy I could still fit it after all the warm chocolate melting cakes. You should definitely go all out for your next cruise. :D

 

I always love your reviews. Great pics...great info...and great clothes! Love all your outfits as usual...you looked beautiful! Can't wait for the rest :)

 

Thanks mama! So glad you're enjoying it.

Edited October 9, 2011 by gapearl

[gapearl]

oh my... I laughed SO hard about the cornbread!!!!!

 

Loving this review! We did this same itinerary on the Liberty and had a great time!

I try to dress up for dinner now too, but I don't look as glamorous as you do! I had a lady one night ask me if there was something special going on around the ship because there were more then a few of us dressed nicely. LOL

 

I remember following your review! Angry Bird on Vacation! LOL I love dressing up on my cruises because I don't get out much at home. I mean, it's a Saturday night and I'm sitting here in bed watching Titantic for the 1,437th time after working a 12 1/2 hour day. Some of my friends just don't get why I loooooooove cruising so much. Well that's part of it. I love getting dressed up and enjoying a nice dinner, comedy show, drinks and dancing into the wee hours of the morning with new friends.

 

Thanks for reading! :)

[gapearl]

Gapearl, love the review i was schedule for this trip before i was diagnose with breast cancer. thank you for all the support. its been 7 yrs strong now so hopefully i will get there in 2013 have bahamas book for 2112:)

 

That is so awesome! Congratulations! Girl get that cruised booked before 2112! ;)

 

Congratulations on your 7 years of survival. You do INDEED deserve to go ! Enjoy each day and the future cruises you have planned. I also appreciate GA Pearl for supporting the cause for breast cancer.

 

Thanks Delta Dear! I feel honored to be able to do what I can for a good cause. Raising this money for Susan G. Komen has been very fulfilling and I'm proud to be able to raise awareness for an important issue that affects so people.

[gapearl]

Great review. I'm enjoying all your pictures, especially the one with your 7 "boyfriends" in Grand Turk!:D What cute kids. Valor was our first Carnival cruise, so I'm reliving here, although we did Eastern that time.

Heather

 

Thanks Heather! I think I'm going to have to frame the one of me and the 7 little guys. Keep reading!

 

I am loving your review! You have great photos and the dresses at dinner are adorable! Did you have to bring different shoes for each of the dresses? :D:D

 

Thanks Brenda! My original plan was to bring 2 pair of heels- one black, one pink, and each of those could work with all 12 (:eek:) of the dresses I brought. I didn't stick to the plan and brought like 5 pair of heels! Of course, I didn't wear all of the shoes or dresses, but I needed to have options. ;)

Edited October 9, 2011 by gapearl

[gapearl]

DAY 6- GRAND TURK, TURKS & CAICOS, PART 2

 

After our tour, my mom had once again had enough of the heat, so I got her back on the ship. I had no intentions of spending the day here, but I wanted to see what the big deal was about Margaritaville. I passed through just for a few minutes, and it was loud. I mean LOUD. Definitely the spring break atmosphere I heard it was. I walked in on a beer chugging competition that was about to begin. The beach here is so beautiful and I wanted to enjoy it a little more peacefully, so I headed down to Jack’s Shack.

 

 

Pictures from the walk down to Jack's.

 

 

[gapearl]

I read about Jack’s on CC and some roll call members were planning to go there as well. After you get off the ship, head to your left. It’s about a 5-10 minute walk down the beach. I sat at the bar with April (from the roll call), her fiancé, and her cousin. They had just ordered their food when I got to them. I ordered a rum punch and the jerk chicken with fries. If you plan on going to Jack’s, go to their website and print the coupon for a free rum sample of some locally made rum. It was very smooth. I paid $21 with tip for my meal and it was worth it. That was some of the best jerk chicken I’ve ever had.

 

Jack's food and drink menus.

 

 

 

Rum punch. GOOD.

 

 

Before.

 

 

After. LOL

 

 

Yes, the food was THAT good. Keep in mind though that by this point it was about 2 pm and I had worked out, gone on an island tour, and had an alcoholic drink by the time I got my food. I was famished. April and her crew got their food before I did. It was obvious how hungry I was, so she offered me a generous bite of her chicken while I waited for mine. Not only did I clean my plate, but I helped April clear hers as well. :p

[gapearl]

That's Jack.

 

 

 

Jack's has a volleyball net and a few beach chairs for you to enjoy.

 

 

Free rum sample. Don't forget your coupon!

 

 

Jack’s dog Topher loves to swim in the water, is very social, and is so cute!

 

 

[gapearl]

I saw some guys that I thought were doing a tour come to shore in a small boat. I asked them how much for a quick boat ride. “For you? FREE!” Turns out they weren’t tour operators, but were off work and were just out enjoying their day. My roll call friends that were also there in the water stepped in like big brothers and sisters and made sure the guys knew they were keeping an eye on them. :) We just made a big loop in the water, getting pretty close to the Valor. It was a fun little 10 minute ride. Romy and I chatted with them and a few other local guys out on the beach. Lots of them spent time living in the states and moved back home to the island. We talked about island life and how much they love it. One guy worked for his uncle’s diving business and loved only having to work a few hours a day doing something he loved. As much as I’d love to live in a beautiful place like this, I don’t know if I could. Island life is soooooooo slow and I’m such a city girl. No malls, movie theaters, TGI Friday’s, gyms, and no Walmarts! How do you survive without Walmart? :eek:

 

This picture was not zoomed in. That's how close we got to the ship.

 

 

 

View of the beach from the boat.

 

 

My new friends.

 

Edited October 9, 2011 by gapearl

[scgamecock]

 

Topher is such a cool dog! He looks like he enjoys the water so much.

[gapearl]

All aboard was 5 for a 5:30 departure. Romy and I headed back to the ship and were back on board around 4:45. We watched for runners from the secret deck but there were none. Sauna and a nap before dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

Tonight was our second elegant night. Once again, everyone really dressed up. Rex did some more magic tricks for us. I’m still baffled. I mean, these were the kind of tricks you see on tv. He made 2 red balls disappear and then pulled 3 from my hair. WTH? Simply amazing. You’ll be very lucky if Rex is your server. There was another magician on board, Elton (not the Sir). He came around and did some card tricks for us. My mom still has the card with her name and code word on it he used for her scrapbook. Needless to say, I’m VERY happy I switched tables after the service I received on day 1.

 

I think this was Romy's escargot appetizer.

 

 

My mom's grilled shrimp something. She said it was ok, but wouldn't order it again. She only ate about half of it.

 

 

My grilled chicken breast with veggies and an extra side of veggies.

 

 

Mmmmmmm, cheesecake.

 

 

My outfit of the night.

 

 

What in the world is this? A gorilla maybe?

 

 

The 10 pm comedy show of John Knight was packed and I couldn't find a seat, so I skipped it and went to the photo stations for some more pictures. I caught the 11 pm show of Frank Del Pizzo and the midnight show of John Knight. John was funny, but my goodness, I caught a stomach cramp from laughing so hard at Frank. He was HILARIOUS! We headed to the disco where I danced and danced and danced until 3:30 am.

 

Up next: Fun day at sea and last day of the cruise!

Edited October 9, 2011 by gapearl