Carnival Valor 8 day June 4th review

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

My husband and I flew down 2 days prior to the cruise and enjoyed our time around Port Canaveral. I have reviews on TA of the hotel and activities. On Sat. morning we checked out at 11 and headed to the port. We dropped the car off at Alamo about 1130 and we were on our way to the port within 10 minutes. Once over at the port, we were in the traffic line for several minutes. When he pulled in to drop us, the luggage porter was right there and we gave him all our luggage.

Embarkation-This was probably the fastest and easiest we have every had. (this was number 7 cruise) After dropping our bags, we walked up the stairs, left was fast to fun, right was regular boarding. We went right. Got in line, stood maybe 1 min., went to the desk and had our sign and sail and was off for our picture in less than 5 minutes. Then we was on the boat and on lido at Guys by 1215. Enjoyed the afternoon walking around, got our room organized, attended the safety drill and then went up on deck for send off. We were suppose to leave at 4 but didn't get out till almost 530. Two others left before us. We chose YTD and ate in the dining room every night. After dinner, we watched Daddy's Home on deck.

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

Sea Day 1-I was usually up by 8 and I would head up to the track and walk at least a mile. It is so nice to walk with the breeze in your face and look at the nice blue ocean. We had the buffet for breakfast. We watched the activities on deck and I also was picked to participated in the mixology contest. It was fun, didn't win, got 3rd. The hairy chest contest was next and it was also fun to watch. That evening we went to the comedy club. The first comedian was John Mulrooney and he was good . The next show was Jason Andors and he was just ok.

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

Sea day 2-We enjoyed the ship again today. Attended the morning show and the art auction. dinner, we watched the Gender Showdown.

 

1st port-Aruba We didn't arrive until 1 pm, so we had the breakfast buffet and also watched the waves off the boat. We did have an issue with our excursion, but it did get fixed. We had booked an off rode excursion thru Carnival that went to the Natural pool and the natural bridge. When our tickets didn't arrive, we went to the excursion desk. They said that it had been canceled and we should of received an email. We let 2 days prior to the cruise and I wasn't on my email. (wasn't there when we got back) We were able to get on another one that was similar and we had a great time. DePalm Tours and Reggie was our driver. It was off road and if there was a hole in the road, we hit it. Both the natural pool and bridge was pretty. We would do this tour again.

After supper on this night, we headed back to our room, and there was a fight on our floor. 8th. They were cussing, screaming, fighting, and a guy even had one of the glasses from the room broken over his head. Our room steward was there when it happened and he said it was very bad. He also said the individuals were kicked off the boat there in Aruba. He also said Carnival doesn't put up with that behavior and off you go.

We did go to the comedian/juggler that night. He was called Edge. He was good.

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

Bonaire-We booked an outside excursion for Bonaire. We booked the Woodwind and it was very good. I have written a review on TA in greater detail. You can not go wrong on this excursion. If we are every back, we will book this again. Briefly, this is a snorkling tour off of Klein Bonaire.

After our excursion, we walked around before getting back on the boat. We did buy some Bonaire salt and cactus liqueur. After dinner, we went to the love and marriage show, which is always funny.

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

We didn't do too much today. Morning show, future cruise talk , Guys for lunch, and a nap today. The best part of this day was the Chef's table.

 

We have never done the Chef's table and it was excellent !! The whole experience is something everyone should do at least one time. The food was so good and he explained everything about it. The tour / walk thru of the galley in full swing was something else. Mid way thru our courses, a magician came in and he was very good. Still wondering how he got the ladies ring in his pocket, on a key ring, in a pouch.

 

After the Chef's table, we watched The Martian out on the deck.

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

This was our 3rd trip to Grand Turk, so this time we rented a golf cart and drove all over the island. It was a fun day and we went at our own pace. We came and had loaded nachos and a 5 o'clock somewhere. Both was very good. We shopped a little and then back on the boat. While we were in line, they handed out water and a cold wash clothes. Very nice of Carnival. It was very hot that day.

After dinner, we went to the show. It was another comedian named Rich Purpero. He was also pretty good.

 

Last sea day-We missed the first sea day brunch, but we made it to this one. I had steak and eggs and it was very good. We hung out on Lido deck off and on all day. I did attend the towel folding and the towel animal theater. Both were very fun. The ice carving was interesting as always. We spent a little time in the casino. After dinner we did go to the Carnival legends show. I must say, it was one of the better ones we have seen in 7 cruises.

[wendynat]

Thanks for the review - we're going on a similar itinerary on the Valor in August - swapping Bonair for Curacao. Sounds like you had a great time!

[bubba777]

Thanks for the review. Dad and I are sailing on the Valor January 2017. Does the main dining room still have the old menu? Or did it switch to the American Table? This will be our second cruise, so we are hoping for the old menu.

 

How about the shows? Are they the new Playlist Productions? Or the old shows? Thanks!

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

The day we had to leave. We had breakfast on Lido deck then came back down and grab our luggage. We carried off all our stuff. We left our room about 0830 and we were at Budget rental by 0910. Everything was easy.

 

This was another great cruise. CD was Chris and he was pretty good. Our room steward was Bennie. He was busy a lot and we didn't get to talk to him a whole lot. We tried to keep our room picked up so he wouldn't have too much to do. The dinner room service was lacking some. They really don't have time to talk with you because they have to cover so many tables.

The same with the room steward. He said he had 25 rooms. I do think he an assistant. My husband wasn't happy with the popcorn. They were very picky about passing it out. The last couple nights they didn't even fire it up.

 

I am ready for another cruise!

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

Thanks for the review. Dad and I are sailing on the Valor January 2017. Does the main dining room still have the old menu? Or did it switch to the American Table? This will be our second cruise, so we are hoping for the old menu.

 

How about the shows? Are they the new Playlist Productions? Or the old shows? Thanks!

 

Your welcome. Unless they change by then, it is still the old menu. My husband wasn't too keen on the flat iron steak. He did order a filet from the streak house one night and said it was good.

 

I think it was the old shows, but we didn't go to very many.

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

Thanks for the review - we're going on a similar itinerary on the Valor in August - swapping Bonair for Curacao. Sounds like you had a great time!

Your welcome. It was a great cruise. You will have a good time. The Valor is a nice boat. The new updates are great, Guys hamburgers are really good!

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[CruzinScotty]

Thanks for the review.

 

I'm going on the Valor in September, so always looking for useful information.

 

I heard a while back that they are supposed to change to the American Table in September; but I don't know if that's still the case. I like both menus, so either is fine by me.

[hoss23]

According to John Heald the Valor will not be getting the American Table in the near future. New tabletops are need to incorporate the new menu as the only time table cloths are used is on elegant nights. In its recent dry dock I dont believe the Valor had these installed. So it might be quite a while. I will be on the Valor 9/9/16 and having experienced both menus, I am glad they have the old one.

[CeleBrat]

This was our 3rd trip to Grand Turk, so this time we rented a golf cart and drove all over the island. It was a fun day and we went at our own pace.

 

Did you rent your golf cart in advance? And if so, from which company? Or did you get it day-of?

 

CeleBrat

[knowfere]

Hi,

Thanks for your review. I am having a hard time discovering how many pools are onboard Valor. Deck maps show 3, but one of them is not mentioned in the descriptions of the deck plans, only shown on the images. Do you know? Also, do you know if the aft pool is considered 'adult only'? Thank you in advance if you can answer!

 

Cheers

[cruising maniac]

Thank you for the review. Good information. We sail the exact same itinerary in October. Have already booked the Steakhouse and Chef's Table. It will be our first time for the Chef's Table. Have Windwood Snorkeling booked, too. Sounds like we think alike!! You have spurred me to go ahead and get the golf cart. How was the food and how smokey was the casino?

[Clarea]

Interesting review, thanks.:)

[ohiokate]

Thank you for the review. We leave on the Valor next week.

 

Random question: did your cabin have a mini fridge?

[oldmedic]

Sea Day 1-I was usually up by 8 and I would head up to the track and walk at least a mile. It is so nice to walk with the breeze in your face and look at the nice blue ocean. We had the buffet for breakfast. We watched the activities on deck and I also was picked to participated in the mixology contest. It was fun, didn't win, got 3rd. The hairy chest contest was next and it was also fun to watch. That evening we went to the comedy club. The first comedian was John Mulrooney and he was good . The next show was Jason Andors and he was just ok.

 

 

how are the contestants in the mixology contest chosen?

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

how are the contestants in the mixology contest chosen?

It was announced on Lido deck by the pool, and you filled out a paper. It listed the items you could use for your drink. You also included your name and room number and your age, . and of course, the name of your drink. Think about it before hand, have a good drink name. The head bartender went thru all the papers and picked out 4. Two with a rum base, 2 with a tequila base. It was a lot of fun.

[luv2cruiseeverywhere]

Did you rent your golf cart in advance? And if so, from which company? Or did you get it day-of?

 

CeleBrat

I am so sorry I never seen this question before you left. I hope you had a good time in Grand Turk and we rented ours before we left.