Carnival Valor - suitable for older, first time cruisers

[MrsT3030]

Hi there. Me and my husband, along with our toddler, are taking the Carnival Valor Southern Caribbean sailing in May. We are experienced cruisers but this is our first Carnival cruise.

 

We are thinking of asking my in-laws along. They are first time cruisers, totally new to the concept and also, hardly travel at all (we are from the UK). They have never been to the Caribbean or anywhere similar.

 

What are your thoughts on this as a first cruise? I'd have been inclined to choose a cruise line we were familiar with for their first time but now there is potential for us to ask them to join us on the Valor.

 

Would be great to get people's thoughts.

 

They are in their late 60s, kind of reluctant travelers, and as I say, totally new to cruising - they know nothing about it at all.

 

DH and I are hoping to get them hooked on cruising so that they have the confidence to go out and explore the world that way :)

[Cruisegirl6]

We are going on the Valor in May also which sailing date is yours? We normally take dad also, he is a widow of many years and doesn't drive so we get him away with us. He has gone on most of our cruises with us since 06, he loves his balcony cabin and take your in laws why not!

 

You mention that this is your first time on Carnival, honestly its going to be lets say different than cruising on RC, Princess and such but we never have a bad cruise. just expect things to be different.

 

I think you need to take the step and get them to go. Sometimes we have to be "pushed" into doing things then realize how wonderful it is.

[MrsT3030]

We are going on the Valor in May also which sailing date is yours? We normally take dad also, he is a widow of many years and doesn't drive so we get him away with us. He has gone on most of our cruises with us since 06, he loves his balcony cabin and take your in laws why not!

 

You mention that this is your first time on Carnival, honestly its going to be lets say different than cruising on RC, Princess and such but we never have a bad cruise. just expect things to be different.

 

I think you need to take the step and get them to go. Sometimes we have to be "pushed" into doing things then realize how wonderful it is.

 

 

Thank you for your lovely response! We are on the May 8th sailing, are you?

 

What would you say are the difference between Carnival and say, RC? It's be interesting to know what to expect. We have done a couple of RC sailings, the Norweigan Dawn and most recently the Disney Dream.

[Homosassa]

Depending on what lines you have cruised before and what you expect as a cruising experience, Carnival may be a big disappointment for you and a cruising turn off for your first time relatives. The following is strictly the shared opinion of myself, my husband, and my daughter (now 31).

 

Remember, the saying that one gets what one pays for. This is definitely true of Carnival prices. Low budget prices means a low budget cruise experience.

 

Expect very loud raucous music everywhere on the ship (the pool deck is especially bad, the music is deafening).

 

There will be no quiet spots on the ship to sit and read or stare at the ocean.

 

The food in the Lido (buffet) is pretty bad. The much talked about Guy's Burgers are gray, greasy and tasteless. They need a lot of condiments and toppings to be edible. Food in the dining room is passable but you will be subjected to a period of loud, bad entertainment by the wait staff when all table service will be stopped. Food quality will appear to taste better the more you impair your taste buds with alcohol.

 

Drinking alcohol is pushed and many people on the line include heavy drinking as part of their cruise experience. You can see this reflected here on cruise critic by the higher number of threads on smuggling and the drinks package compared to the other forums.

 

Entertainment (production shows) are also loud and of fairly low quality. Other activities will be on the level of belly flop and hairy chest contests on the pool deck (at least the deafening music will be stopped so the over amped cruise staff can yell) or trivia games that are heavy on USA sport's questions.

 

As first time Carnival cruisers, you will be treated like second class citizens. For example, the high number of Platinum and higher return cruisers will insure that you will wait on a long line at the front desk while the staff ignores you to take care of the return passengers that are allowed to just bypass the line.

 

This is, of course, just our opinion of our one Carnival cruise (my daughter had two) and I will be heavily flamed for stating it. However, depending on your past experience and expectations, you might find it useful.

[Cruisegirl6]

Yes, we are on the same sailing. Definitely take your inlaws. I was originally booked on the Oasis of the Seas because we loved the Allure of the Seas tremendously but recently went to the Carnival website and noticed the Valor doing a 8 night southern caribbean cruise we changed immediately. lol

 

I will give you my honest opinion about the difference between Carnival and RC since you are asking but remember all cruises are wonderful. My other half and myself are 52 (I turn 52 on May 8th lol) and the Valor be my 54th cruise.

 

RC- You will find much better selection/quality/variety of food in the lunch buffets, the service overall is excellent, the ultimate premium beverage package is wonderful no limitations and offer you specialty coffees and FRESH squeeze orange juice in the mornings. The pools are larger and fresh water, there is an assortment of foods to eat past 11pm, you will get shower doors in the bathroom, much larger balconies, depending upon the ship you have a variety of specialty restaurants to choose from, shows are much better quality, they offer a wonderful ice skating show and the ships in general are more classy. You will also find a live band playing out near the pool in the afternoons.

 

Carnival- Personally we feel the lunch buffets are fair but we never starve although my last two carnival cruises I lost weight lol. For me, as I don't eat fast food, its more geared for those who do, but they offer other items also. There really isn't anything to eat past 11pm besides pizza unless you order room service which can take forever. Cocktail/beverage service in the MDR is near nonexistent, if you like to have a cocktail during dinner or glass of wine, you probably be best walking in the MDR with the drink in your hand. I never could understand this as its a way they can make more money. The cheers program has a maximum of 15 drinks (just mentioning), the pools are smaller and are an older type and are salt water. You will get a shower curtain in the shower and balconies are very small. Shows are well you be the judge, but I like their comedy shows very much. Carnivals casino treats those who play (even slot machines) very well, you get the drinks on us program if you get to 1500 points and we get goodies to our cabin each night including a bottle of wine for dinners. They also send you casino offers if you qualify. Carnival remains to offer a live band that plays music during the evenings. The ships decor are lets say wild, colorful, this ship has a lot of american flags all over and on the promenade deck floors, I guess one may call it gaudy, glitzy.

 

Bedding, breakfast in MDR and buffet, spa treatments, adults only serenity/solarium areas on both cruise lines are all similar.

 

MDR food on both Carnival and RC is just like having food in a banquet hall, serving thousands of people at a time, I rate it 2-3 stars. I find the food on RC better mainly because they offer you better quality beef and you won't find fried chicken, burgers, meatloaf and such on a RC menu as you very well could on Carnival. I am unsure what the menu is on this ship but I do know the Valor was rated in 2014 for one of the top 14 cruise ships overall and for the service.

 

My issue is that she has not been in dry dock like she was suppose to go last year but I heard she is maintained well. I love the ports and I love love sea days so this cruise is giving us the best of both worlds.

 

I have to say that I much prefer Carnival over NCL. The old saying is true you get what you pay for. I wouldn't go on the Valor if I thought I wouldn't have a good time, think of it that way and the fact we get to go to southern caribbean and have sea days too!

Edited March 3, 2015 by lyndamr

[riffatsea]

Hi,

As in restaurants and hotels on land ,everyone has different opinions! We are in our 60s and have cruised on RCCL , NCL and Carnival. We have enjoyed RCCL very much but then we also enjoy Carnival and have been cruising on those ships(not Valor yet) for the last few years!

We find the buffet on Carnival perfectly fine for breakfast and lunch!

The choices are varied enough for us and if you prefer you can get sitdown service in the MDR.

We like the MDR food for dinner but would agree that at night the buffet on RCCL is nicer than the one on Carnival!!

We prefer the Carnival ships that have the adult only Serenity Area but on those ships that don't have it there are places where you can find seating with windows to look out to sea and relax to read or do quiet activities.

We also like the informal dress on Carnival so that you don't have to pack formal clothing or even suit jackets if you don't feel like it. The only requirement for "elegant night" (for men) is a shirt with a collar and slacks. My husband wore a suit and tie every day to work and now in retirement prefers not to bother with all that!

We are well educated and have enough disposable income so that we could cruise on other lines but Carnival has become our "home" at sea for the last few years!

[Cruisegirl6]

I am going to comment but in a friendly way Homosassa:

 

Your correct you get what you pay for but I never have a bad carnival cruise just "hits and misses" when it comes to the food and service.

 

I never found the music to be very loud to a point where it bothered me but there are many other places to go on the ship to be outside and not hear the music...such as the serenity deck or go over to where the other pool is.

 

We find many quiet places, for instance, in the daytime you can go to the Eages Aft Lounge its always quiet in there with the exception of perhaps a show or comedy, but in the daytime its always quiet. There is the library which is always quiet as well as the cigar bar (if one is interested in that) and the fish and chips area you always find a quiet table.

 

Your correct about the food being fair/passable in the MDR and the Valor does not have that horrible guys greasy fattening burgers. yey a plus! But honestly, do we really starve we always find something to eat.

I also find that Carnival is wonderful in dealing with people with dietary issues.

 

Drinking alcohol is NOT pushed in fact I have to go to the bar if I want a drink and if you sit down in a public place where there is drink service they are just asking you if you want something a simple no thank you is all you have to say and you never bothered.

 

Yes, my opinion the shows are nothing good but everybody is different, obviously people do attend them so perhaps our taste in shows is too much higher quality and others are happy with what they get.

 

MrsT3030 trust me, I been on so many cruises, yes RC, Princess and perhaps Celebrity is "above" Carnival, but would I really waste my time and money on Carnival if I didn't have a good Carnival cruise NOT! Remember, I gave up the Oasis of the Seas for this cruise and I would not do that if I knew I would have a bad cruise on the Valor. It will be wonderful, but I do go knowing I won't eat as well as I would on RC (we mainly do specialty dining) and I realize the service can be a hit or miss, but if I have any problem its just a matter of speaking up and correcting it, for instance, you want another glass of iced tea but the waiter hasn't asked you or brought it to you himself, just get his attention and ask.

[dapaddo]

Thank you for your lovely response! We are on the May 8th sailing, are you?

 

What would you say are the difference between Carnival and say, RC? It's be interesting to know what to expect. We have done a couple of RC sailings, the Norweigan Dawn and most recently the Disney Dream.

 

In case you are interested there is a roll call for this sailing. Several have been on the Valor before so they might be able to answer your questions. This is our first time on this ship also sailing with you but we have never had a bad cruise on CCL. Some are better then others but always good.

[tea4ular]

I would encourage you to invite your folks - that said I would splurge on a balcony cabin for them so they have plenty of personal space should that become important - it's a wonderful bonding experience for grand parents and grand kids! We've done many multi generational trips and loved each one! Bring some of their favorite games (cards, dominoes, Scrabble, crossword puzzles) and encourage them to relax! Enjoy!

[peteukmcr]

Thank you for your lovely response! We are on the May 8th sailing, are you?

 

What would you say are the difference between Carnival and say, RC? It's be interesting to know what to expect. We have done a couple of RC sailings, the Norweigan Dawn and most recently the Disney Dream.

Welcome to the May 8th sailing, so are we Ns we're from Manchester, UK and this is also our first cruise on Carnival having sailed exclusively for 11 years on RCI. I'm avidly gathering info on Carnival to understand the differences between RCI too.

[TerReuv]

Depending on what lines you have cruised before and what you expect as a cruising experience, Carnival may be a big disappointment for you and a cruising turn off for your first time relatives. The following is strictly the shared opinion of myself, my husband, and my daughter (now 31).

 

Remember, the saying that one gets what one pays for. This is definitely true of Carnival prices. Low budget prices means a low budget cruise experience.

 

Expect very loud raucous music everywhere on the ship (the pool deck is especially bad, the music is deafening).

 

There will be no quiet spots on the ship to sit and read or stare at the ocean. Not so, there are serenity areas and from our experience there is not always deafening music on the lido. Yes, it is loud, but not deafening. My parents (mid-late 70's) enjoyed it and they do not like the loud music like I do. There are always quiet places on the ship.

 

The food in the Lido (buffet) is pretty bad. The much talked about Guy's Burgers are gray, greasy and tasteless. They need a lot of condiments and toppings to be edible. Food in the dining room is passable but you will be subjected to a period of loud, bad entertainment by the wait staff when all table service will be stopped. Food quality will appear to taste better the more you impair your taste buds with alcohol. We enjoyed the food and loved Guy's burgers. Is it 5 star? Of course not, but it is very good.

 

Drinking alcohol is pushed and many people on the line include heavy drinking as part of their cruise experience. You can see this reflected here on cruise critic by the higher number of threads on smuggling and the drinks package compared to the other forums. If you don't want a drink don't get one. No pressure or pushing at all. They offer, you say no. Heavy drinking is not always what smuggling is about, sometimes it is about brand. Also, people smuggle on other lines too.

 

Entertainment (production shows) are also loud and of fairly low quality. Other activities will be on the level of belly flop and hairy chest contests on the pool deck (at least the deafening music will be stopped so the over amped cruise staff can yell) or trivia games that are heavy on USA sport's questions. I enjoy trivia and while the shows are not broadway shows, I don't cruise for the shows.

 

As first time Carnival cruisers, you will be treated like second class citizens. For example, the high number of Platinum and higher return cruisers will insure that you will wait on a long line at the front desk while the staff ignores you to take care of the return passengers that are allowed to just bypass the line. Again, not our experience.

 

This is, of course, just our opinion of our one Carnival cruise (my daughter had two) and I will be heavily flamed for stating it. However, depending on your past experience and expectations, you might find it useful.

 

These above are all very subjective. This year will only be our third Carnival cruise and we have enjoyed the ones we took enough to take another one. My parents enjoy it too and they are definately not loud, partying drunks that don't care what they eat. They could afford to go on a more expensive cruise, but they enjoy Carnival.

 

Not flaming, just saying that several things are subjective. Also, going with an open mind and not already having decided on how things will be will be a great help. Read a lot of reviews and differing opinions. Then go and make up your own mind. Just an FYI - there are all ages and types on board and not just young partying heathens.

[Delta Dear]

I agree with TerReuv completely, the cruise experience will be new and exciting I'm sure for your parents. We went on our first cruise six years ago when we were 66 and 70. When we agreed to go on the cruise with friends, we had no idea what to expect at all. Shortly before we were to cruise, I discovered Cruise Critic and learned so much about what cruising would be like. If your parents are at all tech savvy, suggest they read a few reviews about the Valor. Suggest they read posts from First Time Cruisers.

*** I just reread my Valor review. You will see why I call myself, Calamity Jane. As long as all of you keep a sense of humor, don't expect everything to be perfect, go with the flow and have fun.

 

We have now been on six cruises, including one on the Valor several years ago. The Valor did have plenty of places to enjoy noise, and places to enjoy some quiet, even without going to the Serenity area.

 

Our cruise experiences have been exciting, enlightening and enjoyable. We have some mobility issues that we deal with so we are somewhat limited in the things that we can do, but that doesn't stop us. We are not heavy drinkers, we have probably spent less than $100 in casinos in the total of six cruises. We've stayed on the ship in some ports and enjoyed excursions in others. We've cruised with groups we've met here on CC and we've cruised on ships where we've not know a soul (the Valor was one of those where we met some people on our roll call once aboard.)

 

As long as your folks are a little adventuresome, flexible and open to new things, they will have a great time. Give them support, but give them their own space and time to discover things they want to try, in other words, don't over program them.

 

Enjoy the special memories you will make as a family. Please come back and do a review or at least tell us how it went. They will be just fine and so will you.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Delta Dear

[Cruisegirl6]

I have the most important thing to say here MrsT3030:

 

Let me just mention back in 2006 I asked my father in law to come on a cruise with us and he was quite reluctant. Every day for that week I would call him to convince him to go and finally he agreed. He LOVED the cruise and had a wonderful time and his first cruise was on a Carnival ship. I mentioned to him that there are other cruise lines, each one different offering better and the next year I asked him again to join us and he gladly agreed and asked if we can go on a RC cruise which we did. He enjoyed seeing the differences between the cruise lines and cruise ships and today, he has his favorites and he NEVER says no when we ask him to come on any cruise.

 

Four years ago we asked family, his other son (my brother and sister in law who remain to live up in NY, by the way dad and I live in Florida) to join it was a WONDERFUL family cruise and dad was able to be with both his sons the same time and thoroughly enjoyed it so much that we all try to do a cruise together each year.

 

THE IMPORTANT THING.......life is too short, one never knows what tomorrow brings, if you can all be together DO IT MAKE IT HAPPEN because you never know what happens and its a wonderful thing creating memory trips all together.

 

;)

Edited March 4, 2015 by lyndamr

[edpeeks]

It seems that cruising has succumbed to the 21st century ubiquity of fearing the worst based upon someone else's opinion and experience. I am a faithful (and grateful) CC reader. The closer we get to a cruise the more I am on it (and we try to cruise every 90 days).

 

Since everyone has an opinion (and they should have) and, I guess, anyone can contribute to CC (my goodness, they let me!) so anyone who is reading a negative review needs to gauge not just what the person is complaining about but if that issue is important (to the one who is reading).

 

I certainly read CC for cruise research and vetting but I go (or don't go) based upon my 45+ cruises. Now...new cruisers do not have that experience to rely on so they read. But my advice to them is read enough! Don't take one opinion and run; read over several days and get a well-rounded overview of the ship or cruise line you are considering.

 

Here are two examples. First, the Royal Princess is the lowest rated ship in the fleet (in the 60%'s) for satisfaction. It is one of our favorite ships! We are aft-balcony cruisers. The lack of a middle stair case does not affect us and the turmoil around the pools with 'chair hogs' is unimportant to us since we veg-out on our balcony. But the buffet is wonderful! I hope Princess will do the same for other of their ships. (My wife eats to live and I eat to eat, so there is a balance). Secondly, we are platinum on several lines and last May with their original BOGO sale I booked 5 RCL cruises for cheap! We had one booked previous to that; didn't like the food, shows and some other aspects on that particular boat. We took another and we felt that it was just not the particular ship but was a reflection of where RCL was going. So I got home and have replaced those wonderfully priced cruises on RCL with other lines.

 

The point is this, we experienced it ourselves! We made up our own minds. Have ANY of our 45+ cruises been "bad"? Absolutely not. But we have realized that future cruises are just like all of our other tomorrows...they are unknown!

 

So do the research. Find a cruise based upon when and where you want to go and how much money you want to spend. And go... knowing that being on a cruise ship is an adventure (new or old) and there MAY BE some things that won't be perfect or sublime. In my life, at least, there is nothing that is perfect and sublime (and my name is on the front of my practice building!!). Leave yourself some wiggle room. Do the things that make sense to YOU. Don't do the things that don't interest you, just to be doing them. (They probably won't work out and then you'll be writing a negative review on CC, and well, you see where it could go.)

 

I guess it could be said that my empty-nest wife and I had tasted the cruising Kool-Aid and liked it and will continue to slurp it up as long as we can. For our tastes, priorities, likes, and expectations cruising is our favorite form of vacation. (Now if I can just get my wife to see the wisdom of going every other month!!)

 

Be yourself (that's my car's license plate!) Enjoy yourself. And fear not.

[lizardhowson]

Depending on what lines you have cruised before and what you expect as a cruising experience, Carnival may be a big disappointment for you and a cruising turn off for your first time relatives. The following is strictly the shared opinion of myself, my husband, and my daughter (now 31).

 

Remember, the saying that one gets what one pays for. This is definitely true of Carnival prices. Low budget prices means a low budget cruise experience.

 

Expect very loud raucous music everywhere on the ship (the pool deck is especially bad, the music is deafening).

 

There will be no quiet spots on the ship to sit and read or stare at the ocean.

 

The food in the Lido (buffet) is pretty bad. The much talked about Guy's Burgers are gray, greasy and tasteless. They need a lot of condiments and toppings to be edible. Food in the dining room is passable but you will be subjected to a period of loud, bad entertainment by the wait staff when all table service will be stopped. Food quality will appear to taste better the more you impair your taste buds with alcohol.

 

Drinking alcohol is pushed and many people on the line include heavy drinking as part of their cruise experience. You can see this reflected here on cruise critic by the higher number of threads on smuggling and the drinks package compared to the other forums.

 

Entertainment (production shows) are also loud and of fairly low quality. Other activities will be on the level of belly flop and hairy chest contests on the pool deck (at least the deafening music will be stopped so the over amped cruise staff can yell) or trivia games that are heavy on USA sport's questions.

 

As first time Carnival cruisers, you will be treated like second class citizens. For example, the high number of Platinum and higher return cruisers will insure that you will wait on a long line at the front desk while the staff ignores you to take care of the return passengers that are allowed to just bypass the line.

 

This is, of course, just our opinion of our one Carnival cruise (my daughter had two) and I will be heavily flamed for stating it. However, depending on your past experience and expectations, you might find it useful.

 

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion, however I strongly recommend you do yourselves a favor and never set foot on another Carnival ship again ! :cool: