Valor Review 06/05/2005

[Woch2331]

Carnival Valor – 06/05/05

 

Pictures – http://client.webshots.com/album/371456108qjQHHN

 

Embarkation – Overall not bad. They are trying to get 3500 people off the ship, prepare, clean and restock it, and then load 3500 people back onboard. We arrived at the terminal around 10:30, completed all the necessary paperwork and went through 2 staging areas and were on the ship by 12:30. I think this was more than could have been expected and we found no issues with it.

 

State Room – Our Room Steward was Daniel and he was always able to help us and kept the room clean and stocked. The major problem with the room itself was that the curtains did not work very well and did not close all the way. This was not acceptable because of the early morning light that filtered into the room. My wife enjoys sleeping in while on vacation and I had to solve this by using some tape to keep the curtain shut. In fact, Daniel would reuse the tape every evening and close the curtain every night for us.

 

Internet – I attempted to sign up for the wireless Internet service from my room after we arrived. I kept receiving an error message that my account was ‘inactive’. I tried several times and then walked to the Internet area to talk with the manager. He was able to get me started, but then I found out that my birth date was not correct in the system and that was preventing me from setting up my account. Once we had that figured out, I signed up for Time Plan 1. He told me to be careful logging out of the service, but… I missed that one afternoon and after talking with him he credited my account and I was very pleased with his service and cooperation.

 

Casino – I was very pleased with the dealers in the casino area. Christina, Xavier, and Eva, had great attitudes and I ‘almost’ enjoyed losing money to them! I did enter the 2nd blackjack tournament and after the second try, I ended up with the highest qualifying score and finished 1st in the finals for a $500 payout.

 

Purser’s Desk – The first time we attempted to use our Sign & Sail card we were notified that it was ‘inactive’. We stood in line at the Purser’s Desk and talked with an agent. She indicated that she had just transferred onto the ship, but very easily seemed to fix the problem and was very pleasant in dealing with our situation. The only problem was that later in the evening, again, our Sign & Sail card came up as ‘inactive’. We were told, ‘you will have to go to the Purser’s Desk to get this cleared up’. (I hate to be told that I have to do anything to fix a problem I didn’t create). So again we waited in line at the Purser’s Desk only to be told that there was a ‘computer glitch’ and that it would be resolved later. It finally was, and there were no other issues for the remainder of the cruise.

 

Dinner – We had dinner assignments in the Washington dining room (5:45 seating). Upon arrival we were seated at a booth for 4. We always enjoy sitting at a larger table to meet other people and talk about the cruise and other topics. We requested a change with the Maitre D, and he moved us to a table for 6 the following evening (8 would have been better). The table turned out to be very nice and we had enjoyable dinner partners for the rest of the cruise. The food was ok, nothing stood out, but the service after the first night, was very slow. I don’t like to be rushed through the meal, but each course had too much time lagging in between them. We were the last ones out of the dining room on several occasions. I am one that could easily miss the dancing and singing at dinner… enough ‘lounge acts’ throughout the ship.

 

Room Service – No problems when we used it (but, only on two different evenings). There was about a 45 minutes wait each time, but always order extra or just run down to the 24 hour pizza!

 

Spa – After arriving we went to the Spa to sign up for some services. We talked with Tess and my wife set up an Aroma-Spa Ocean Massage treatment and reserved the appointment with Tess. I talked with her also and set up a Stone Therapy treatment at the same time. Upon our arrival on Tuesday, my wife discovered that her treatment was switched and that Tess would not be doing it. We enjoyed talking with Tess and it was a factor when planning the time and treatment. My wife did enjoy the service but we feel that some sort of notification could have taken place so we might have had the option to reschedule if we wanted to. My appointment was changed to a Lime & Ginger Massage, but I’m not sure were the communication failed on this. I clearly remember talking with Tess at the appointment desk about the Hot Stone treatment, but the reservation card indicated the Lime & Ginger. They corrected this and I received a wonderful treatment.

 

Lido Deck – We noticed at several different times during the week that tables were not cleaned on a regular basis. Not sure if it was too busy or that there wasn’t enough staff to go around, but tables were messy and trash very noticeable on the floor.

 

Special Events – We arranged to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary by renewing our vows on the ship. We received written confirmation of this, but upon arrival there was a slight mix-up about the reservations. We discussed our plans with Jeanne Mari Malan and she handled the scheduling and arrangements very well. The event went off without any difficultly and it was a wonderful ceremony. Also, helping out were Natalie with the room coordination and Iulian as the photographer.

 

Art Auction – We went to the second session of the auction to see what was going on. The bidding was fast and some of the pieces seemed reasonably priced. We stayed to the end and won the raffle drawing for six free pieces of art ‘valued’ at $3000. Now all we have to do to sell them (keep an eye on eBay if you want them) or spend more money to get them framed.

 

Shows – Both ‘production’ shows were great, music and dancing. The singer, Yolanda Barber was wonderful. She played well with the audience and took several members on stage doing backup vocals for her. We went to both shows of Jim Brick, the comedian, and laughed tremendously each time. Great comic and a wonderful show.

 

Pools/Lido Deck – Overall the chairs never seemed full and there didn’t seem to be a problem with people saving chairs.

 

Ports

Nassau – We drove over to the Atlantis Resort and walked around the grounds and played in the casino. On the way over we talked with a family from the Disney ship and they were spending the day at the Comfort Suites next to the Atlantis (they weren’t due to leave port until 1:00am!!), but since the Valor had an early departure, I don’t think that would have worked for anyone from our ship.

 

St. Thomas – We scheduled a snuba dive at Coki Beach\Coral World (http://www.visnuba.com). This turned out great. We were delayed getting off the ship that morning, but called and rescheduled our time. When we arrived, Frank (the owner) greeted us and walked us through the dive. He was very patient and put my wife at ease. It was a wonderful dive and great day at the beach. I would strongly recommend this!! (http://www.visnuba.com/060805p/index.htm).

 

St Maarten – We walked around town and did some shopping. Plenty to do on the island, but we made a short day of it and relaxed back on the Lido deck.

 

Overall – It seems like I wrote a lot of negative items, but we really did enjoy ourselves. It was a great week and we are ready to go back again!

 

 

_

[mnsawyer]

Nice review and photos...what is the hotel that you stayed at in Miami? You didn't mention it in your review but assume that photo of the hotel was in downtown Miami? Glad you had a nice. Thinking about the Valor next winter - western itinerary.

 

Thanks!

[Woch2331]

Nice review and photos...what is the hotel that you stayed at in Miami? You didn't mention it in your review but assume that photo of the hotel was in downtown Miami? Glad you had a nice. Thinking about the Valor next winter - western itinerary.

We stayed at the Hyatt downtown. We took the monorail over to the Bayside Marketplace, walked around and had dinner at Bubba Gump's. ;)

 

 

 

-Mike

[jckvpa0]

Overall – It seems like I wrote a lot of negative items, but we really did enjoy ourselves.

 

Nice review, I didn't think you were negative. It sounded very even tempered & direct. Thank-You.

[JrMafia90]

Thanks for the review and I loved the pictures. Was the new sleep system installed on the ship? Did you notice any gold or platinum sail & sign cards?

 

Thanks.

[thejman]

I'm starting to think the trick to Embarkation is to go later, not early. I was on the same cruise and was on the ship in less than 25 minutes. I didn't arrive at the port until 12:30.

[pacerzfan]

Great Review and Pictures...and Congrads on 30th!!!!!!

[scottp]

Great review.

 

I'm leaving in 6 hours for the trip down to Miami. Going on the very same ship with same destinations on Sunday, June 19th!!!

 

I'm about as "jazzed" as you can be right before a cruise!!!!

 

Will let everyone know how it turned out.

[Woch2331]

Thanks for the review and I loved the pictures. Was the new sleep system installed on the ship? Did you notice any gold or platinum sail & sign cards?

Not sure if the sleep system is in place, but we both thought that we slept much better this time around. Great pillows and covers.

 

We had a gold card, seems like that is given out to previous Carnival cruisers.