Valor Review March 7, 2010

[apdchief]

Ok here we go! This may take a few days to complete, so please be patient and excuse the spelling.

 

Brief background, there were 5 in our group my wife, daughter (4 1/2), myself and another couple who have been friends of ours for many years. We consider ourselves as the average working middle class americans. Started planning the trip last summer and received some great info from this site. We booked two balcony rooms 7360 & 7362 last August, wow what a long wait. We are from Massachusetts and between the age of 45 and 50.

 

We decided to leave the day before and flew out of Providence RI into FLL, much better air prices and choices. Our flight was direct, highly recommended and arrived in FLL about 1pm.

 

 

This was my daughters 1st flight and she was so excited. Funny story as we were landing in FLL she seen the flaps on the wings come up and she yelled out "the wings are coming apart" could of heard a pin drop.

 

We used SAS transportation to take us from FLL to the Embassy Suites in Miami. Highly recommended $15pp for adults and $10 for kids. About a 30 to 40 minute ride, not bad.

 

I've stayed at alot of Embassy and this one was just ok, it was clean and served it's purpose. I had enough points on my Hilton Honors card for two free rooms, so the price was right. Had a nice dinner and a few free drinks and we all crashed early. In the morning we had breakfast and headed to the POM at 10am.

 

Day 1

 

Took a cab from the Embassy with a brief stop to pickup some water and a couple bottles of wine. The cab ride was $25 and tok about 15 minutes. We arrived at the POM and was immediately met by a baggage handler who took care of our luggage, a little nervious about leaving our luggage on the street but everything showed up later.

Checking in was a piece of cake, we used the selfserve kiosk and got our cards and had a seat. Nice play area for the kids.

 

 

 

We didn't have to wait too long before they called our number and we were on board by 11:30am. I would recommend getting to the POM around 10am, because shortly after we arrived and while we were boarding the lines grew.

 

Once on board we were directed to the lido deck (9) and we had some lunch and a couple of drinks. After hearing so much about the fish and chips I went for that while the others ate the buffet. The fish and chips were very good, but I am from New England and the fish is much better here. We did eat at the buffet for most of our breakfast, lunch and 2 dinners and we all thought the food was very good and they had a great selection. We began to tour the ship a little and snuck down to check on our rooms. We met our cabin steward (Abdul), he was very nice and allowed us to leave our carryons there and said our rooms would be ready in about 10 minutes, before 1pm. Abdul was wonderful throughout our cruise. He did a great job as did all the staff that we met.

 

 

 

As they say once you have a balcony room there is no going back and for us that is sooo true. We just loved sitting out there having a drink or especially in the morning for coffee and pasties (room service).

 

We just explored the ship for the rest of the day and enjoyed the views of Miami before we left port.

 

 

 

 

 

Our luggage arrive around 5pm and we had the early seating (6PM) and went to the MDR (washington upper). We met our server Sumi from Nepal. She was so great throughout the cruise and took a liking to my daughter. She is such a hard worker and her service was outstanding as was the other diningroom staff. The food was great! I had the ribs, my wife had a shrimp dinner and our friends had prime rib and flat iron steak. And for dessert some had creme broilet (sp) and YES the chocolate melting cake. Which my daughter loved as you can see from the picture and had every night. The CMC is available everynight so I would suggest trying different things or get two things.

 

 

We had an orientation at 7pm for Camp Carnival. I will talk more later about the camp, but for all you worried parents out there, don't be. It was absolutley wonderful and my daughter loved it. My wife is an RN and I am a police officer and we had many concerns about leaving our daughter, but the staff is wonderful and the area is very safe and secure.

 

The rest of the night we just walked around and got used to the ship a little and we retired early, which was most nights. I'm not sure if it was the sun, fun filled days or a combination but I never seen midnight!

 

I will try and get another day or two completed tomorrow.

[tayzia00]

I am very anxious to hear more about your trip. I am booked to go on the Valor April 25, 2010. I am really nervous as this is my first cruise. Your insight will be most helpful in calming my nerves a bit lol. Glad you enjoyed your day 1!!!!

[ciera123]

We're booked on the Valor for May 30 and are looking forward to your review. Great start!!!

[cruisingbajan]

Finally a valor review. I was going through valor review withdrawl:D:p

 

Nice review so far anxiously awaiting the rest.

[Froufie]

Poor Keith - glad you could get another 'fix'! :D

 

Can't wait to hear more about your trip as I am still in cruise withdrawal after my recent Valor cruise!!!

[Le Cruiser]

Great review so far!!! I'm a fellow Massachusetts resident and we sailed the Valor last year and loved it. Looking forward to your next installment.

[songbird1329]

great start!

[cruisingbajan]

Poor Keith - glad you could get another 'fix'! :D

 

 

Just in the nick of time.:D:p

[bumbles]

Your daughter is such a cutie!

 

We're also staying at the Embassy Suites near MIA. It appears to have so-so reviews...but it was free with the Hilton points and we're not renting a car...so... Thanks for the tips on when to arrive and how much cab fare was etc from the ES.

 

Keep up the great work!!

[apdchief]

Day 2 - Day At Sea

 

I was up early as everyone was still sleeping and according to the ships GPS we were about 1/4 of the way around Cuba. It was still dark and I headed up top to get a coffee and take some pictures of the sunrise.

 

 

We had ordered room service, coffee, fruit and pastries for 7:30 and enjoyed those on the balcony. Around 9 we went to the Lido buffett for breakfast. We found many choices including the omlet station. There could have been a little more variety of fruit but overall we were pleased.

 

After breakfast we did a little more exploring of the ship, with the exception of the artwork high in the atrium I did not find the decor as bad as some. I thought the shopping area was small with only a couple of stores, but again overall we really liked the Valor.

 

we went to the pool on the Lido deck and swam and caught some rays. The pool wasn't too cool and the hot tubs were pretty warm but not hot.

 

 

There was a good mix of people age wise on the ship from college kids on spring break right up through seniors and not too many children. After lunch on the lido my daughter was begging to go to camp so off we went.

 

Camp Carnival

 

As I said earlier in the review we did a lot of research on camp carnival and we were very comfortable with the whole thing. At orientation you have to fill out a form as to who is allowed to check in and out your child. If your child is under 5 you are given a phone so the staff can get you if needed. You must show your S&S card to sign your child in and out. My daughter spent about 3 or 4 hours their a day and loved every minute of it. They played games, face painting, read stories and may other things.

 

 

Frendship Freddy did make an appearance on Saturday, the only time we seen him on the whole cruise. The kids really liked him and carnival should make him more available.

 

Freddy and Brianna

While my daughter was in camp we decided to donate some money at the casino, no real winners all week that I know of but many donors. The casino area is the only area that I noticed cigarette odor, not real bad but noticable.

 

Monday night was elegant dining in the MDR so we picked up my daughter and went back to the cabin to relax and get ready. We didn't go overboard dressing up, but we did wear shirt and tie and the women wore nice dresses. This seem to be the most popular attire for elegant night, but some were a little more dressed up and some a lttle less.

 

Our Friend Jon

 

After dinner my daughter went back to camp, the women went to play bingo and Jon and I went to donate more money. But not before a few stops for pictures, they are everywhere and expensive, but my DW didn't care and we came home with quite the gallary.

 

We picked my daughter up from camp at 10pm and just outside the casino ther was some entertainment. Well my daughter got up in front of everyone and sang her ABC's, she is not shy at all for a 4 year old.

 

Brianna singing the ABC'S

 

We retired shortly after this for the evening. I know this has been kind of boring so far, "married with child". I will try to get things a little more interesting as we get into the ports next.

[Tiffany1203]

Great review so far!! Looking forward to the rest of it!

[KoryD]

Great review so far will be on the Valor next March

[dancemom3]

Also have a cruise booked on the Valor this summer and very much appreciate you taking the time to do a review. Thank you. Looking forward to the next installment. Have 3 girls of our own, so am enjoying the pictures and stories of your little girl. Isn't four a great age? I remember it fondly. Great picture of her anticipation of her WCMC!:)

[gypsyrose]

How can a review of a week away from work...on a cruise ship....in the carribbean be boring:eek: Never...Keep going. Loving your review.

[stefyo]

I too love your review - I will be on the Valor April 25th...Cant wait!

[Fyly]

it's really fun to compare notes !

[apdchief]

Yes it is. It is impossible to do and see everything on this ship in one week, so it is good to give different perspectives. From reading your review so far it appears you had a great time as well. Couldn't have picked better weather and smoother seas!

 

it's really fun to compare notes !

[apdchief]

Day 3 - Grand Cayman

 

I again was up early and watch from our balcony as we pulled into Grand Cayman. There were 3 other ships pulling in about the same time the Carnival Legend, RCCL and a Costa ship. This is a tender port and you anchor just off shore. After everyone was up we had breakfast and a beach day planned at Reef Grill Beach. We went to get on a tender about 9am and got right on and was on the island in about 10 minutes. You walk through the shopping area to the main road and we took a taxi to the Reef Grill. The cab cost $4pp and we were there in about 10 minutes. We were some of the first to arrive and rented 4 beach chairs $7 each and an umbrella $10. You cannot move the chairs so if you get there earlier as we did you have your pick.

 

Ok I just learned how to make my photo's bigger!!

 

The aea was very nice and clean. There is a bar, food, restrooms, outside showers and a beach store. Very nice place. The water is calm and warm great for the kids.

 

 

 

This shot is from the beach and in about 5 feet of water.

 

 

We stayed at the beach until early afternoon and then went back to the port area to do some shopping. You get coupons for a free piece of jewelry on the ship from Diamond International so that was our 1st stop. After shopping for a while we headed back on the ship before the lines got too big for the tenders.

 

 

Plenty of places to spend your money!!!

 

Grand Caymans was very nice, clean and warm with a nice breeze.

 

We were getting hungry so once on the ship we went to Rosie's for a late lunch, which we decided to skip the MDR that night because we were not hungry and ate around 8pm. DD went off to CC and we just relaxed around the adult pool and had a few drinks.

[Theresa522]

Great review so far, keep it coming! :D We will be on the Valor in July!

[apdchief]

Some More Pics

 

 

 

 

 

[luvz2cruze22]

Loving your review! I'll be on the Valor April 25th and I love finding reviews to read....it's an addiction! Can't wait to read the rest!

[apdchief]

Loving your review! I'll be on the Valor April 25th and I love finding reviews to read....it's an addiction! Can't wait to read the rest!

 

I know the feeling, I was always looking for them in the weeks and months before our cruise. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer.

[cruisingbajan]

More review please.:D

[Tenga1899]

Loving your review! I'll be on the Valor April 25th and I love finding reviews to read....it's an addiction! Can't wait to read the rest!

 

Hey! Have you joined our Roll Call yet? I don't know if we've been introduced! Come check us out, we have a good group of Cruise Critics hitting up this cruise now :D

[Echo Queen]

Considering the Valor. Great review.