VALOR Anyone??? 04/10/11 Western Caribbean Review

[MrsBlair]

 

 

[MrsBlair]

APRIL 17, 2011 – DEBARKATION

I can’t remember what time we woke up today, but it was pretty early. I met Steve and Sheri in the MDR for breakfast. I had french toast, eggs over easy and hash browns. Yum. We don’t leave our bags out the night before – we keep them with us. It’s easier and it makes it easier to pack and everything. We also don’t go off our debarkation numbers. We leave when they kick us off. You guys should try it sometime. It works out well for us. Haha. So, once we were done with breakfast we headed up to the lido, found a table and settled in. The people watching is great. We finally headed off the ship at about 10:00. Customs was a breeze, there was no line and by that time the agents are over it so they just send you on your way. Edgar was due to pick us up at 10:30 (and had called to confirm at 9:00 – I guess to make sure we didn’t miss the boat in Cozumel. Haha). We found a bench outside and set up shop waiting for our shuttle. It’s always funny to see the people arriving who are getting ready to start on the same journey you just ended.

 

 

 

Ice cream for breakfast? Last ditch effort to still feel like he's on a cruise I guess.

[MrsBlair]

Steve and Sheri stay a night in FLL before they go home, which works out well because our flight usually isn’t until about 7:00 p.m. So, we’re able to store our bags and stuff in their hotel room and then use the hotel shuttle to go to the airport when it’s time. Today, we decided that we wanted to try to the water taxi in FLL to kill some time and see parts of the city that we probably never would normally. Edgar took us to the Hyatt Place North, we stored our bags (rooms weren’t ready yet, people were still checking out) and walked over to Publix. We knew that the Sun Trolley picked up in front of Publix and had a few of the same stops as the water taxi. We hopped on and the driver asked where we were going. We told her we just wanted to get on the water taxi. She said she had a good spot for us. We went up and down the street right next to the beach and got to see all of that which we hadn’t before. Oh, and we also got stopped at the drawbridge which was kind of cool. After a while though, we realize that we had been on the trolley for a while. Our driver said “Oh, shoot. I forgot to drop you guys.” Oh well. We had been on there for an hour and were only expecting five minutes so we were starting to get a little worried about our schedule. She dropped us and we were able to jump on a water taxi that was just getting ready to pull away.

 

 

 

 

 

[MrsBlair]

 

 

[MrsBlair]

So, the water taxi was cool. We got to see some outrageous houses and hear some outrageous stories and see parts of Ft. Lauderdale that we otherwise wouldn’t. However, it may have been a bit too ambitious of a choice though for debarkation day. Aside from the obvious depression of getting off the ship, you’re usually a bit worn out or tired. We had a good time, but I think doing something like this would be better pre-cruise rather than post-cruise. So, after the water taxi we got back on the trolley

and went to Duffy’s to watch a few games and eat before it was time for me and Paul to leave.

 

 

 

 

 

[MrsBlair]

 

 

 

 

 

[MrsBlair]

 

[MrsBlair]

So, once we were done at Duffy’s we walked over to the hotel so Steve and Sheri could check in. When we got there, there were a couple cop cars and a truck. We started getting all CSI like trying to figure out what was going on and asking the staff. Everyone kept responding “I don’t know” with soft giggles. We saw a cop walk by with gloves. A group of hotel guests were getting ready to leave for dinner and they were like, “Is this place safe?!?!” We explained to them that it was definitely safe and in one of the best neighborhoods in town. Something can always go wrong anywhere. J Also, when we got to Duffy’s, it was sunny and warm. When we walked to the hotel it started getting cloudy. When Paul and I left for the airport? Downpour!!! I got kind of scared in the shuttle because we couldn’t even see the rain was falling so hard. By the time our flight left? Sunny. Florida cracks me up. Later, Sheri and Steve figured out that someone had $200 stolen from their room and that’s what all the hubbub was about. Leaving is always hard. I sure hate having to say goodbye to Sheri. We get teary eyed each time and Paul and Steve just laugh at us. Haha.

 

 

[MrsBlair]

Steve and Sheri went back to Duffy's for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

[MrsBlair]

The flight home was smooth. Paul watched a baseball game and I actually purchased “Conviction” to watch. It was soooo good!!! Highly recommended. When the movie was over I’m sure I fell asleep. We arrived at LAX at about 10:00 – got our bags, hopped on the shuttle, picked up the car and headed home. So, until October 22nd when we board the Freedom to Panama, I guess the pool will just have to do.

Thanks for reading.

[All4fun&fun4all]

Your review was mahvelous! We dont have a cruise booked and probably wont until next year some time but I enjoyed your previous review so much and today was a slow day at work so I got to read it with NO interruptions! GREAT JOB!

[magic&buddy]

Thanks for reading.

 

THANK YOU for writing this amazing review! I am so excited about boarding the Valor in October :)........I am sure I will revisit this review many times and glance longingly at the pictures :p.

[David7621]

Wow what a great review!! I thought I took alot of pics but you really got alot of great pics. Thanks for doing this and it was great seeing our cruise again. We were at Royal Palms with you just a few chairs down and had a ball with our 2 year old swimming and just loving the weather. Expensive to stay there for a family of 5...ugh!! We were there with a stroller.

I saw the Allure also but I was awake when it was dark and you should see it with the lights on..impressive. I have a pic of the Conquest and the the Allure together and what a size difference. I will try to do a review also, although not as elaborate as you have, you are truly great at this!!

[Noreno]

What type of camera did you use I notice two I think one of them is the Iphone or Ipod. But what was the brand of the other camera! So crisp clear

[MrsBlair]

FINAL REMARKS:

Food – The food was good. It always is. The soups were better this time than they were in October. Desserts are always delicious. Steakhouse – phenomenal as always. Breakfast in the dining room was good each time as well. The few times I went to lido for a snack or lunch it did seem like there weren’t as many options as there usually is. I ordered from room service once, for the flan, and it took about 45 minutes. It was good though.

Ship – While the Miracle is my favorite ship so far, I do also love the Valor. I like the layout and I love the tiered decks on lido. We do miss the aft area of the Spirit class ships when we’re on Conquest class but the tiered decks make up for it. Valor had just had a dry dock in February I believe so we did notice a few updates. Also, as I mentioned, we learned that the Valor is a pilot ship for Carnival to test out new things (pool tables, pitchers of beer, etc.) so that was an interesting tid bit.

Weather – The best weather we’ve had on a cruise so far. Not too hot, no rain, it was just perfect.

Service – I stated in the review that our MDR team was the best I’ve had so far. They really were. I miss them so much and wish they could be our dining team on each cruise! Bogden and Ratha, you two are amazing!!! We saw our room steward whenever we were in the halls and he was always nice. The room was always clean. The bartenders and bar waiters we met were all really nice as well. The bar waiter in the sports bar was really nice and always pleasant. The staff on lido was always working so hard. The buffet line staff, the staff who clean up after guests, etc. I think the guys who are responsible for lining up the loungers each night and during the day and picking up everyone’s cups and what not are some of the unsung heroes on the cruise. They deserve some recognition.

Ports – Western Caribbean, what can you say? It’s definitely not as exciting as some of the eastern itineraries but always a great time nonetheless. Grand Cayman is always a nice relaxing stop, Roatan is a great day, Belize – eh, I could do without and Cozumel is always a nice day too.

Random Thoughts – There were 600 kids on this cruise. The most we’ve ever had. We thought we planned around spring break well but it appears that this year’s spring break spread across two months depending on where you live. Oh well. For the most part, it didn’t affect us but there were some nights that we would go up to lido to try and watch the movie but the kids were running around yelling and you couldn’t even hear the movie. Big distraction. There was one night we saw security talk to a group of kids too. Oh well, it’s their vacation as well. I’m not sure if the pool tables are going to be a success. They were empty 90% of the cruise. A few notes on that – they’re in a weird location (you wouldn’t see them unless you’re in that section of the casino by the sports bar) and it didn’t really seem that they advertised them. We’ll see. There were a lot of late diners on this cruise. I mean, we would see people walk in for dinner at 8:45. My thought is, if you want to go to dinner when you’re ready, do anytime dining.

Interesting Notes – One night after dinner Bogden stopped and talked to us for about 45 minutes. We learned all about how he grew up, how he got involved with Carnival, his wife, his wedding, what his life plan was, crew living, etc. He mentioned that Carnival has the best employee rights and that it treats employees the best based on what he knows of the other lines. He also talked about sharks in Antigua and Freeport. He talked about how much the wait staff used to make before Carnival started auto-tips and how much they make now. It was quite a difference. Remember to tip a little extra if you feel your wait staff excelled! The Maitre ‘D stopped and talked to us one night as well and he was telling us about the people who miss the ship in Cozumel and that the Conquest will take them on. He said that’s true for any port and any line – if there’s a Carnival ship still there when you’ve missed yours, they’ll take you on. We asked how that would work if a cruise was sold out and he said there was always a cabin somewhere… That was good to know.

 

So, that about sums it up. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Again, thanks for reading.

[MrsBlair]

Your review was mahvelous! We dont have a cruise booked and probably wont until next year some time but I enjoyed your previous review so much and today was a slow day at work so I got to read it with NO interruptions! GREAT JOB!

 

Don't you love days like that??? Thanks. :)

[MrsBlair]

THANK YOU for writing this amazing review! I am so excited about boarding the Valor in October :)........I am sure I will revisit this review many times and glance longingly at the pictures :p.

 

Glad I could help. Haha.

[MrsBlair]

Wow what a great review!! I thought I took alot of pics but you really got alot of great pics. Thanks for doing this and it was great seeing our cruise again. We were at Royal Palms with you just a few chairs down and had a ball with our 2 year old swimming and just loving the weather. Expensive to stay there for a family of 5...ugh!! We were there with a stroller.

I saw the Allure also but I was awake when it was dark and you should see it with the lights on..impressive. I have a pic of the Conquest and the the Allure together and what a size difference. I will try to do a review also, although not as elaborate as you have, you are truly great at this!!

 

I think I remember you guys!! How funny! I wish I could have seen it with the lights... I'm sure it was a sight!

[MrsBlair]

What type of camera did you use I notice two I think one of them is the Iphone or Ipod. But what was the brand of the other camera! So crisp clear

 

Yes, my pictures were taken with my iPhone 4 (still regretting not using a force-flash on the dinner pics) and Sheri uses a Lumix. She'll read this and post the exact model I'm sure. I'm so grateful I'm able to use both of our pictures in the review - we always catch things the other didn't!

[luv cruising 007]

I absolutely LOVED your review, pics & FOOD PORN! BUT I got hungry half way through with all those mouth watering pics & had to munch on food not nearly as good as in the pics:eek::p:D! & again awesome review & thanx for taking the time to do this review of the VALOR!!!!!

[MrsBlair]

I absolutely LOVED your review, pics & FOOD PORN! BUT I got hungry half way through with all those mouth watering pics & had to munch on food not nearly as good as in the pics:eek::p:D! & again awesome review & thanx for taking the time to do this review of the VALOR!!!!!

 

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[ckmomof4]

I have so enjoyed reading your post for the Valor. Our family of six will be going again (2nd time) in June; the first time we did the same itinerary as you, but this time will be the Eastern Caribbean. Question for you: the Serenity Deck....is that new? I don't remember those really cool looking "palapa" round (can fit several people) chairs. Are those new? Also, do you happen to know if there is a steam room that is complimentary? Or do we have to book a spa treatment? I read something about a thalassotherapy (sp?) pool and there was a cost for that....just wondered if you knew about a steam room. Thanks again for your time (what a talent you have for details!). ;)

[workn2cruise]

Jessica, fantastic review! I told Steve you were finished and he can't wait to see it this afternoon.

 

I'm the Sheri from Jessica's review, my camera is a Panasonic Lumix TZ5, I love it, we always get great pics unless I do something dumb.

 

One other thing I remember Bogdan told us, he said the upper half of the Lincoln dining room is going to be for Your Time Dining. I don't know when that's going to happen but I'd think soon. Maybe that will help alleviate some of the late arrivals, if they can block off the staircases and close the doors on deck 3 after dinner has started.

 

the kids that were running around and yelling? they seemed to be racing around the entire lido deck, mid to back, we saw one of them wipe out on aft Lido, fortunately he wasn't hurt. I know kids need to work off built up energy but there's got to be another way. Their parents were right there on deck chairs watching them do it. :rolleyes: the kids just seemed bored and looking for something to do.

[Noreno]

Jessica, fantastic review! I told Steve you were finished and he can't wait to see it this afternoon.

 

I'm the Sheri from Jessica's review, my camera is a Panasonic Lumix TZ5, I love it, we always get great pics unless I do something dumb.

 

One other thing I remember Bogdan told us, he said the upper half of the Lincoln dining room is going to be for Your Time Dining. I don't know when that's going to happen but I'd think soon. Maybe that will help alleviate some of the late arrivals, if they can block off the staircases and close the doors on deck 3 after dinner has started.

 

the kids that were running around and yelling? they seemed to be racing around the entire lido deck, mid to back, we saw one of them wipe out on aft Lido, fortunately he wasn't hurt. I know kids need to work off built up energy but there's got to be another way. Their parents were right there on deck chairs watching them do it. :rolleyes: the kids just seemed bored and looking for something to do.

 

 

Thanks hon =)

[workn2cruise]

another thing I thought of, Bogdan told us the day we were debarking the US Health department was coming on board for a full ship inspection (they do this every 6 months) I was wondering if embarkation on 4/17 was delayed at all.