Valor Review - Western Itinerary - March 16-23

Just back from the 3-16, 7-night, Western on Valor.

Preface: I cruised with the wife, daughter(16), and her friend(16). It was 8th cruise overall for me and the wife, 2nd on Carnival, and followed 2 RCCL cruises. Inside staterooms 7311 and 7319. First let me say that the cruise was great, as most are, so I will use the review to basically talk about the intangibles, some tips, and all the other little things most come to the boards for. Please keep in mind this is just based on my opinions and cruise goals, which, as I get older, are basically to relax(sleep) and not party to the wee hours, ha. ;o) Here we go….

Day before: Flew Southwest to FLL since we got a great deal with just 2 months to spare, and stayed at the Sofitel-Miami the night before. I had 2 complimentary rooms at the Sofitel, hence, the reason for staying there. We used GOShuttle service and had reserved a private sedan ahead of time (although probably not necessary really). Somehow, they managed to squeeze (ie. tie down) 6 bags in the trunk, ha. With tip, it was $80, which we had driver put on Visa (no Discover with them). It was all worth it considering how much we had saved flying into FLL (besides, MIA is the pits really).

Travel to port: Originally, the plan was to get free shuttle to MIA and pay the flat fee of $24 to port. However, the friendly hotel concierge indicated we would need 2 taxis with all of the luggage (duh!). Anyway, they provided a shuttle for cruise passengers themselves, at $10/person. Sold! Don't know the details, but there were also a bunch of cruise folks taking a bus from the Sofitel too. Not sure if it was cruise line particular or at what cost.

Embarkation: Okay. What in the hell did I fill out the SeaPass thingy for? I had read there was a separate line, etc. Well, we got put in a line just like everyone else, and guess what? Yep, we got to spend about 45 minutes in line, and we were there before noon. But once you get to the counter, the SeaPass speeds things up, so guess what? Yep, you save the people behind you all of that time you thought you would save. Ha!

Food/Dining:

Even though we were supposed to be at the 6:15 seating, we got 5:45. Tried to change but 6:15 is smaller and apparently our TA had put 1 room at one time, and the other room at the wrong time. So, we had a booth in Washington. I was afraid I would not like the booth and it turned out to be true for the most part. Not a big deal, but you know how your back hurts when the booth table is away from your seat? I just had bad posture all week. ;o)

Overall, we thought the food quality was hit and miss in the dining room, as well as the menu itself. Definitely thought RCCL had the better of the food. We did think the buffet food was pretty darn good, especially those chicken tenders pool side, as well as the pizza and fish & chips. We did try the Supper Club and it was well worth it. I did make the mistake of ordering the porterhouse instead of the ny strip, which I have found to be the case (for me) at other restaurants too. Wife had the ny strip and that was better. Lobster bisque was good, but not great like Morton's. Oh, the lobster bisque we had at normal dinner was below that of Supper Club.

Service: Service was very, very good, but not great, and I say this having high expectations after being on Disney cruises so bear with me. We did love our dining team, Anthony and Joseph, as they did not ever miss a beat, and warmed up more and more each night. We usually ordered multiple starters, etc and they were always happy to oblige. Room steward did his job as expected, but no time for chit chat I guess. No biggie really.

Ship: I really liked this ship but did find myself missing the Voyager class layout, which I thought was so odd for me to do during the cruise itself. Anyway, no reason to go into details on this unless you have specific questions. Oh, I will say for my daughter that the teen club needs some improving. Too often there were much younger, and much older, kids going in there.

Entertainment: Typical cruise entertainment, but my wife and I both noticed the dancers/shows did not seem up to par with RCCL at all. I won't say anything more on that to be nice. Of course, neither does shows anywhere near Disney, but you're not paying double the price either, ha. The variety performers on Valor were excellent however, especially both comedians and the ventriloquist. Chris Jefferson is a very good CD, and we probably missed most of his best stuff. Still put Becky Thompson as the top CD though.

Grand Cayman:

5 ships in port this day! Take a taxi over to 7 mile beach, getting dropped off at Calico Jack's stop(http://groups.msn.com/ThePizzulloHomePage/cruise2008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1158). We paid $20 total for the 4 of us in a 'shuttle' type taxi. Paid $32 for 4 chairs. It's usually $10, but they will do 2 for $16. The beach got Jersey-like with all these ships, and the fact that alot of the excursions got cancelled for some reason. Still one of our favorite beaches. Tip if you are getting food....don't try and be nice and wait in line, up the steps, like a good little soldier. Walk up to the bar area, especially on the right for food orders. My God was that frustrating as you can imagine. Nuff said. Oh, you tender here. I hate tendering. :o)

Roatan:

No tender here. What a difference! Gameplan here was to grab taxi for $40 roundtrip and head to Mayan Princess Resort. Get off boat, where there's lot of construction going on(http://groups.msn.com/ThePizzulloHomePage/cruise2008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1163), and head to total taxi chaos and stress, ha. Guy in blue shirt, that says Dispatcher, tells me it will be $80. I say no and walk another 10-20 feet to the left until another guy, in similar shirt, says same price. I tell him it should be around $40 and keep walking. Anyway, we walk another 20 feet and a guy in a non-blue shirt tells me $60. So, given the situation we take it. This guy, Carlos, turns out to be one of the nicest guys you would ever meet, stopping at certain lookout points, etc.. So, he agrees to pick up at a designated time and we pay him the whole amount at that time, plus tip. That's right, no pay until they come get you.

So, we went to Mayan Princess Resort, where you pay $10/person to use their chairs, restrooms, restaurant, and river pool. Well worth it cause this place and beach is just stunning. You can also get $1 cup beers and the prices overall are very reasonable. Here's a pic of the beach from the water (http://groups.msn.com/ThePizzulloHomePage/cruise2008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1159). Oh, and here's one from the pool> http://groups.msn.com/ThePizzulloHomePage/cruise2008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1161

The only problem we had with Roatan was that it was the winner in how many people are trying to earn your dollar on the beach. Nobody pushy but just high volume. Security is up and down the beach as well.

Belize:

It's rainy and cold this day but we're cave tubing with Major Tom so who needs sun! 3 ships in port and it seems everyone is cave tubing! Oh, you tender from 5 miles away!!! If doing a private tour, like Major Tom, make sure you meet in the theater with the other Carnival excursions. You'll go right after the others have gone but still be ahead of everyone else on ship. Okay, so our guides Manuel and Samuel are just incredible. We got to talk long with Manuel, which was such a huge bonus on this tour. Anyway, we do a 40 minute hike (due to crowds) and head into the caves. Just a really neat experience that all should do. This gives you a slight idea> http://groups.msn.com/ThePizzulloHomePage/cruise2008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1169

Cozumel:

6 friggin' ships in port this day...oh well...atleast there's no tender here for us, just a brief walk to the taxi area. Grab one and head to Paradise Beach. Cost is $15+tip each way. We are very early this day (2nd ones there), but by the end, every chair is gone. They have all the activities here and is easily the most affordable, compared to Cayman. Oh, at Paradise, you get free use of chairs, umbrellas, tables, etc. They just want you to order food. The beach itself seems like it would be perfect on most days, but it appears the water was churned up the night before so its very cloudy. It also tends to be somewhat rocky here too. 3 of the party do parasailing for $150 total, for 10-12 mins of air time, and also did 30 minutes of waverunner for $55. Here's one view of Paradise> http://groups.msn.com/ThePizzulloHomePage/cruise2008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1173

Debark:

Ee-gads. We're tag 7 and are in dining room eating, around 8am, when they call our number, wow. So, we have to finish eating and leave when they just call 8, 9, and 10 also. It's painless getting off of ship and finding our bags but then we hit the customs line. Oh my. I had gotten so used to leaving a ship and getting past customs in 5 minutes (once they had called our tag), I couldn't figure what was going on. Needless to say, we finally got thru about 30-40 minutes later. Because we had a 5:45pm flight out of FLL, we had to taxi over to Miami Beach to get our Thrifty minivan (I had waited too long to get closer reservations). After waiting 30+ minutes, we were on our way. This was a good deal cause I got a rate of just $65, which was about same cost as a ride to FLL, and now we could go anywhere we wanted. We ended up at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for lunch. Lots to do here so if you need to kill time, this ain't so bad. Of course, 2 hour flight delay and its a long day!

Well, hate to end abruptly (ha) but I'm tired now. For other pics, just click on the link in my signature for this cruise.

Lots of questions have already been answered from other reviews, but if you have anything else specific, I’ll be happy to help.

Chet

Thank you for sharing your review and pics! :)

Thanks for the review! I can't wait for my turn in 19 days:)

How much was the taxi to Miami Beach? I did Priceline for our hotel, and that's where we were put for $130. Also, what did you do with your luggage while at Hard Rock? We have a 5:15 flight, so we also have time to kill. I hope we get a late debark number. Last time on the Valor I had debark #25...we were the second cruise out of the new terminal. It was a bit stressful wondering if we were going to make our 1:00 flights (we made it in plenty of time; I'm just anal and like to be at the airport way ahead of time).

Chet, Thanks for your review. Just a feeling (I think you are kind and polite) but Carnival didn't seem to cut it for you. Am I right?

How much was the taxi to Miami Beach? I did Priceline for our hotel, and that's where we were put for $130. Also, what did you do with your luggage while at Hard Rock? We have a 5:15 flight, so we also have time to kill.

Sorry I didn't put that down in my review. It was $20+tip, which was higher than I had expected. Your hotel may offer free shuttle service but you should check with them directly. While at Hard Rock, we just left our luggage in the minivan. You park in a free garage attached to the complex. We did drive up the Miami Beach coastline first to get a view of the big houses and yachts first though.

Enjoy!

To everyone else: fyi...there's was a related q&a thread here> http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=741487

Chet, Thanks for your review. Just a feeling (I think you are kind and polite) but Carnival didn't seem to cut it for you. Am I right?

Hey Cath (same name as wife)! Yes, you're right, sort of. :o) I will still maintain that Carnival is the best value in cruising. But, if you can afford a bit more, or get a great deal, I would probably pick RCCL at this point. However, I will admit that I was pleased with how many 'activities' Carnival seemed to have (on sea days especially), even though we were not in the mood to do those on this trip. And of course, if you can afford, Disney still does it better than anyone, but its probably not geared for the non-children party crowd.

Btw, we're originally from outside Philly (Levittown area). Sure do miss the food back home. ;o)

Sorry I didn't put that down in my review. It was $20+tip, which was higher than I had expected. Your hotel may offer free shuttle service but you should check with them directly. While at Hard Rock, we just left our luggage in the minivan. You park in a free garage attached to the complex. We did drive up the Miami Beach coastline first to get a view of the big houses and yachts first though.

 

Enjoy!

 

To everyone else: fyi...there's was a related q&a thread here> http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=741487

Actually, I don't think that's too bad. Thanks for the info.

Actually, I don't think that's too bad. Thanks for the info.

I forgot to mention to you about the debark number. Given our late flight of 5:45pm, I couldn't understand how we got tag 7. I was thinking we would get a late one as well. We were on deck 7 so does that have anything to do with it? Or, because we were a past guest, were they doing us a favor but moving us up? Just thought that was odd, cause I was thinking we had plenty of time for breakfast!

Thanks Chet! Loved reading your review!

Our party of 8 will be on Valor SOON!!!! :p

I forgot to mention to you about the debark number. Given our late flight of 5:45pm, I couldn't understand how we got tag 7. I was thinking we would get a late one as well. We were on deck 7 so does that have anything to do with it? Or, because we were a past guest, were they doing us a favor but moving us up? Just thought that was odd, cause I was thinking we had plenty of time for breakfast!

It goes by deck. In October (I did the Eastern) I was on Lido, my parents and sister were on Main. I had 20; they had 25. I went to the purser's desk and asked to switch to 25. No problem. My steward was a bit confused when he saw the 25, but understood when I explained the situation. We had a 1:30 flight, and I was nervous about making it because going through customs was a huge PITA (the line, not once I actually got there; we were the second cruise in the new terminal). We were fine though. My friend and I have 5:15 flight this time. If we get an early number (we're on Riviera), I'll just ask for a higher number at the purser's desk so we don't have to rush off the ship.

One more question...did they board by zones? In October it was a free for all, but I've read some threads where they've boarded by zones. We'll be at the port by 10:30 I'm sure.

One more question...did they board by zones? In October it was a free for all, but I've read some threads where they've boarded by zones. We'll be at the port by 10:30 I'm sure.

At times, they did board by zones (I assume when line got long on ship), but when we got checked-in, we were able to walk straight up and in. As a reminder, we were there around 11:40am, and waited in line 30+ minutes since there was NO seperate SeaPass line!! Can you tell I wasn't happy about that? ;o)

Never thought about changing my tag to a higher number. Good idea for later flights really, unless you had big plans at home port.

Thanks for the review. Did you do ziplining with Major Tom as well?

At times, they did board by zones (I assume when line got long on ship), but when we got checked-in, we were able to walk straight up and in. As a reminder, we were there around 11:40am, and waited in line 30+ minutes since there was NO seperate SeaPass line!! Can you tell I wasn't happy about that? ;o)

 

Never thought about changing my tag to a higher number. Good idea for later flights really, unless you had big plans at home port.

Nope, didn't notice that :) I wonder how many people don't do the Fun Pass ahead of time. I always have, and I've always gotten to the port around 10:30 so I never had to wait in line...just had to wait to get on the ship!

Thanks for the review. Did you do ziplining with Major Tom as well?

No, but the group that did the combo was on the same bus getting there. We were then supposed to meet up with them at the 2nd cave entrance, but they were running a little behind. They caught up with us (since we got behind the main group) inside the cave.

The guides we had for Major Tom were simply awesome. You will love them. As an fyi, about halfway to the caves, they will stop at a grocery store (atleast for us they did) where you can get a snack, water, or go to restroom. They also have restrooms at the cave tubing reservation also.

Nope, didn't notice that :) I wonder how many people don't do the Fun Pass ahead of time.

Oh geez...........I'm sitting here writing SeaPass like a dork. See, I still haven't recovered from returning!!

did y'all have passports or did you use birth certificates?

did y'all have passports or did you use birth certificates?

We did have our passports but the only time we really pulled them out was for customs on return. We had gotten them just in case of the need to leave directly from an island. It's so much easier to pull out a license, or some other photo id. We kept our passports in the safe, but brought along a copy of the photo page when we hit this islands. Hope that helps.

IF you want to wait long all you have to do is wait on the ship... WE had a 5:00 flight and we just waited till all of the numbers were called and then they would say EVERYONE must get off the ship now! and we had no lines on the boat and smaller lines in customs... You dont have to go when your numebr is called you just cant go earlier... Also I used my birth certificate and id and had no issue but I believe that is changing soon...

HAVE FUN!!!

IF you want to wait long all you have to do is wait on the ship... WE had a 5:00 flight and we just waited till all of the numbers were called and then they would say EVERYONE must get off the ship now! and we had no lines on the boat and smaller lines in customs... You dont have to go when your numebr is called you just cant go earlier... Also I used my birth certificate and id and had no issue but I believe that is changing soon...

 

HAVE FUN!!!

Now you tell me! ;o) It actually worked out fairly well since we did some driving around, etc.

Btw, assuming you went ahead with the eloping..Congrats!!

Well i didnt have a choice since i was stuck on the ship with her... (: JK YES WE DID and we had a great time... THANKS!!!

No, but the group that did the combo was on the same bus getting there. We were then supposed to meet up with them at the 2nd cave entrance, but they were running a little behind. They caught up with us (since we got behind the main group) inside the cave.

 

The guides we had for Major Tom were simply awesome. You will love them. As an fyi, about halfway to the caves, they will stop at a grocery store (atleast for us they did) where you can get a snack, water, or go to restroom. They also have restrooms at the cave tubing reservation also.

Cpizzull: Good job with the review and the pics! My buddy and I were actually on the same Major Tom cave tubing excursion, but we did the zipline combo. To be honest, I'm not sure I could've spent anymore time in the water, I was freezing by the end with the rain pelting us all day! Unfortunately I screwed up loading the film in my underwater camera and couldn't get any pictures from the excursion, but yours came out good, although thats a bummer it ran out of batteries. Thanks again for sharing, and I definitely echo your comments about Major Tom and crew, they were great!

Cpizzull: Good job with the review and the pics! My buddy and I were actually on the same Major Tom cave tubing excursion, but we did the zipline combo. To be honest, I'm not sure I could've spent anymore time in the water, I was freezing by the end with the rain pelting us all day! Unfortunately I screwed up loading the film in my underwater camera and couldn't get any pictures from the excursion, but yours came out good, although thats a bummer it ran out of batteries. Thanks again for sharing, and I definitely echo your comments about Major Tom and crew, they were great!

Was that you at the end of the tube chain, and teeth chattering like crazy? ;o) Actually, I think about half of that chain had chattering teeth, ha.

Definitely was colder outside of the caves where the breeze would hit any exposed skin.

how much was the combo zipline w/tubing and which did you do first?

Was that you at the end of the tube chain, and teeth chattering like crazy? ;o) Actually, I think about half of that chain had chattering teeth, ha.

 

Definitely was colder outside of the caves where the breeze would hit any exposed skin.

Haha, you are correct! That was me, leading the way with teeth chattering and sunburns turned purple. I still found it enjoyable though, caves were really neat.

PeopleMover: I paid $110 for the combination. I think I also pre-paid an extra $5 for lunch and never got the money back. If you're going to prepay, don't buy the lunch, we didn't have time! And, the zip-lining was first, which lasted about 45 minutes or so, zipping across to different platforms. We did more waiting on the platforms than actual zipping, but for the experience it was worth it.

Chet: Thanks so much for the review! It has given me some great ideas for what to do in Roatan! You have some great photos as well.