Carnival Valor--tell All Thread !!!!

[popcorngal]

The only minor thing that happened was when we sailed out of Miami the first night was rough.....we took ginger pills and that helped. After that first night, the rest of the time was smooth sailing. .

 

Unfortunately, sailing from Miami to Nassau is notoriously famous for being rough. It has to do with cutting across the Gulf of Florida and the winds coming up around the tip of the state. You know when the crew is taking bonine before you even sail, you're in for a bumpy ride!

 

Back in the day before the "patch" I quickly learned that the only way for me to survive was to head to bed shortly after sailing and when I'd wake up around 10 PM, it would be calm again and time to party. I know most people say don't go to your cabin, but even staying up on deck in the air didn't keep me from getting really sick. Sure glad the patch is available again, and for this trip I might even supplement it with some ginger caps too!:o

[geauxgirl]

I look forward to reading any and everything about the valor. I'm anxious to read about the different excursions and the capers from the ship.I hope people read these threads and writes in!

[Amandez]

Oceanlvr1016,

 

In my opinion she was pretty ambitious. I really dont judge my cruises on how well the cruise director does. My main concern is the quality of the food, entertainment, & cleaniest of the ship. And all three of those I gave

A+++++. I would say that when I was on the Conquest the cruise director was better because he had a sense of humor. He was more of a peoples person. I think everyone that chooses to go on the Valor will have a great time. Thanks

[Love-to-ride]

Just booked the Valor for 10/08/2006. :D Only 213 days to go!!! Can't wait to read all about the Valor..

[caribbean dreams]

Hello sunfuncruiser, do you mean you will be on the valor on July 23? i will also be one the ship that date, Have a great time and maybe we will meet.

[Love-to-ride]

Ok, I think the thing my husband is looking forward to the most is the chocolate buffet. :D Haven't been on a ship that had it before. When is it held and for my info do they have anything sugar free or no sugar added at this buffet ? I know they always have something like that at dinner each night but its never chocolate. And at the Grand midnight buffets with all the wonderful desserts there is never anything sugar free. I'm guessing the answer is no but just thought I would ask. Thanks.

[dromMOM]

Ok, I think the thing my husband is looking forward to the most is the chocolate buffet. :D Haven't been on a ship that had it before. When is it held and for my info do they have anything sugar free or no sugar added at this buffet ? I know they always have something like that at dinner each night but its never chocolate. And at the Grand midnight buffets with all the wonderful desserts there is never anything sugar free. I'm guessing the answer is no but just thought I would ask. Thanks.

 

dont know about the Sugar Free... but this is held during an at sea day in the Afternoon.

 

And honestly.. after a few tastes of 4 items.. it became a bit too MUCH CHOCOLATE!!

[chrly]

Here is something that we found useful on our Valor cruise last may. I made deck plan cards that fit behind our sail and sign card on our lanyards. Everyone in our group loved these as they did not get lost on the ship. They were quite simple to make, and one piece of paper could hold 3 sets of plans. All you do once you have finished making these is put a hole between the 2nd and 3rd column.

 

My deck plans were set up by floor, from Forward to Aft. All you need to do is put the following in a Microsoft Word Document. Format in Normal 8pt bold: Times New Roman: 8pt and divide into 4 equal columns. Trim the excess paper, fold in half and then laminate it. Were the divided lines are is where the next column begins. The fininshed product will be about the size of a credit card.

 

Rivera 1

All Rooms

Main 2

All Rooms

Lobby 3

Ivanhoe Theater

Shore Tours

Information

American Lobby

Betsy Ross Room

John Paul Room

Lincoln Dining

Galley

Washington Dining

Atlantic 4

Ivanhoe Theater

Iliad Library

Heroes Club

The Gallery

Lincoln Dining

Capitol Room

-----------------

Atlantic 4 (Cont.)

The Web

Winston's

Washington Dining

Promenade 5

Ivanhoe Theater

Boulevard Shops

Bronx Bar

Formalities

Shogun Casino

King Boulevard

Dream Bar

Kiosk

Java Cafe

The Caboose

Togo Sushi

One Small Step

Jeanne's

Paris Hot

Lindy Hop

Eagles Lounge

-----------------

Upper 6

All Rooms

Empress 7

All Rooms

Verandah 8

All Rooms

Lido 9

Rooms

Pool / Stage

Hot Tubs

Argonaut Bar

Grand Buffet

Deli

Oriental

Rosie's Restaurant

Pizzeria

Grille

Prometheus Lido

Pool / Hot Tubs

--------------------

Panorama 10

Rooms

Dolphin Pool

Hot Tub

Scarlett's

Fish and Chips

Spa Frwd. 11

Gym / Spa

Sauna / Steam

Massage

Beauty Salon

Rooms

Spa Aft 11

Sports Deck

Jogging Track

Basketball

Sun 12

Camp Carnival

Children's Pool

Sky 14

Pool Slide Entrance

 

To all going on the Valor in the future...I hope this information helps. If you get the chance try the dining experience at Scarlett's. It is well worth the extra money. It is a 2 1/2 hour dining experience with an 11 course meal. Have fun the Valor is an awesome ship.:D

[cabn cruser]

Ok, I think the thing my husband is looking forward to the most is the chocolate buffet. :D Haven't been on a ship that had it before. When is it held and for my info do they have anything sugar free or no sugar added at this buffet ? I know they always have something like that at dinner each night but its never chocolate. And at the Grand midnight buffets with all the wonderful desserts there is never anything sugar free. I'm guessing the answer is no but just thought I would ask. Thanks.

THEY HELD THE BUFFET ON THE AFTERNOON OF ONE OF THE LAST SEA DAYS. WE WERE JUST ON THE VALOR ON FEB 26 CRUISE AND I BELIEVE IT WAS ON SATURDAY THEY HAD THE BUFFET. SORRY TO SAY NO SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE THAT I KNEW OF. AS OTHER POSTERS HAVE SAID IT IS A LITTLE OVER THE TOP. TONS OF CHOCOLATE. THE BEST WAS THE CHOCOLATE COVERED PINEAPPLE.. MAN I MISS THAT HAHA

[dromMOM]

THEY HELD THE BUFFET ON THE AFTERNOON OF ONE OF THE LAST SEA DAYS. WE WERE JUST ON THE VALOR ON FEB 26 CRUISE AND I BELIEVE IT WAS ON SATURDAY THEY HAD THE BUFFET. SORRY TO SAY NO SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE THAT I KNEW OF. AS OTHER POSTERS HAVE SAID IT IS A LITTLE OVER THE TOP. TONS OF CHOCOLATE. THE BEST WAS THE CHOCOLATE COVERED PINEAPPLE.. MAN I MISS THAT HAHA

 

 

gosh the chocolate covered fruit was my favorite too.. it was the best..

 

I just used the pocket deck plan that we received from the cruise staff as we boarded..

But your list looks helpful..

 

Another tidbit of advice..On the main deck.. I guess it might be riviera deck. Go to the doors that lead outside. You will find an area of Chaise lounges with cushy cushions. it is primarily in the shade usually very empty. my husband used to read and sleep and 905 of the time there were never more than one or two others here because it is not in the sun.. But I just layed the opposite way and at certain times of the day was able to get my face in the sun.. You will love this spot.. you forget that there are 3000 people walking around elsewhere on the ship.

[Ex Aussie Guy]

G'day,

 

My DW, DSD and I are sailing on the Valor on May 14th. This is our 1st cruise and we have learned so much from you guys on Cruise Critic. I can't tell you how useful this board is as a resource for 1st timers...

 

I will be lucky indeed to be travelling with 2 beautiful women...

 

Hope to meet you on the cruise.

[Gregg20]

G'day,

 

My DW, DSD and I are sailing on the Valor on May 14th. This is our 1st cruise and we have learned so much from you guys on Cruise Critic. I can't tell you how useful this board is as a resource for 1st timers...

 

I will be lucky indeed to be travelling with 2 beautiful women...

 

Hope to meet you on the cruise.

 

Hey save me some beer mate! We're on the following week.

[Ex Aussie Guy]

Gregg20,

 

I might leave you a beer or 2 but if they have cheesecake they may be hard pressed to keep up with my needs.... I'm not usually allowed to have cheesecake but on this cruise I'm gonna lash into it like a lizard drinkin'...

 

No worries mate... *LOL*

[Gregg20]

Gregg20,

 

I might leave you a beer or 2 but if they have cheesecake they may be hard pressed to keep up with my needs.... I'm not usually allowed to have cheesecake but on this cruise I'm gonna lash into it like a lizard drinkin'...

 

No worries mate... *LOL*

 

LOL....GO for it!! For sweets, my weakness...those damn little, fancy pastries!

[silentbob007]

I went to Scarlett's the night after an early lunch that included the chocolate buffet ... it was all I could do to *choke* down that chocolate trio dessert (that I ordered without thinking about the chocolate I had already eaten that day). ;)

[Samdel]

we're booked on Valor 10 1 06. First cruise in 2 years....can't wait. We haven't cruised carnival in a few years, and not one of the newer ships. all help will be appreciated.

 

Kim & Les from SC

[Rotnkid49]

My husband and I and another couple are going 7/2 and cant wait. Last cruise for us was the Destiny 3 years ago. I am way overdue, lol. First cruise for our friends. That chocolate buffet sounds good to me, but then again it all sounds great. In my opinion, the best vacation anyone can take is a cruise. Just go, put on a smile, laugh, eat, drink, have a ball and dont look to pick on every little thing. I hate reading about people complaining of nonsense things about a cruise. Life isnt perfect. Its what you make it. Just have fun. 114 days and counting.

[kelz66]

Every day is another day closer!!!!!!!

[kelz66]

Every day is another day closer!!!!!!!

 

and closer.....:p

[Jacque]

Hello everyone. My sister and our husbands will be on the Valor 9-24. I just found this thread. I can't wait to read all the messages. This is our first time on Carnival, so I'm sure I'll have lots of questions between now and then. We've sailed RCI 16 times.

[emdia43]

I am booked on Valor for 7/30/06 and after I read some really negative reviews I started second-guessing myself as to whether I had made a good choice...... then I found this thread and feel reassured.

My question is: Does Carnival read these boards,and if they do why don't they speed up embarkation? I was on Mariner of the Seas (3000 passengers) last year and checkin took no more than 5 minutes- straight to the desk and then to the ship. The only line I have encountered was with HAL and it just seemed like such a disorganised way to start a vacation. They know 3000 people are arriving- can't they provide enough staff to cater to that number? :confused: To me, 1 1/2 hours is too long to take to be processed,specially now that so many people have all their documentation done online prior to arrival.

[mQQsehead]

I was on the Valor last week and embarkation and debarkation went very well. Arrived at the ship at @12:30, and we were up on the Lido by 1 o'clock! It was just as quick getting off.

[kelz66]

I was on the Valor last week and embarkation and debarkation went very well. Arrived at the ship at @12:30, and we were up on the Lido by 1 o'clock! It was just as quick getting off.

 

Thats my problem...I'm so impatient, I'll probably be at the port by 10:30..LOL

 

Heck if Carnival was smart, once you have your sign and sail card, they should serve you drinks while you wait for the ship to be ready to board....LOL:rolleyes:

[ToniH]

Hey Guys,

ToniH here and I have 34 more days til I sail. Actually, I have 32 more days before I leave for Miami. We are planning a few days in Miami before we leave.

Keep those tips, reviews and help hints coming.

Thanks

ToniH

[Crusintogether]

Hello! We are a group of 10 looking forward to boarding the Valor on 4/23!!

-Amanda