Beagleluv's Valor Review w/Pics 4-7-13

[Beagleluv6107]

Hello CC gang,

This is my 1st review and I’m very excited to write it. I enjoyed reading everyone’s reviews and seeing lots of pictures so I’m going to give this a try.

We sailed on the Valor from 4-7-13 to 4-14-13. A little back ground… I took my 1st cruise on the Destiny in 2008 and had almost the identical itinerary. I was married on St. Thomas and it was organized through Carnival and a dream come true. This year DH and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary aboard the Valor. This trip we had two good friends (the boys) come with us. One friend had been with us when we were married and the other was a newbie to cruising. The Valor is an awesome ship and we all had an absolute blast.

 

 

 

Here is my first sighting of a Whale Tail. I really hope the picture comes up big. I uploaded this to Photobucket so here goes...

[Beagleluv6107]

OK, now I think I have it figured out. Let's try again. I spy a Whale Tail!!

[michiganredrose]

Looking forward to your review! Booking this cruise for February with some great friends of ours. Super excited and soaking up all the information I can to pass the time.

[Beagleluv6107]

We booked the cruise about 8 months in advance and I was able to get a few early saver price drops. Airfare to San Juan was a pricey $500 so the OBC was a big help.

 

Our flight to San Juan was 3 hours and 40 minutes and we arrived a little early. Our luggage was the very last to come out so that took awhile. Our cab ride to the port was only 18 minutes. I brought a tiny stapler to apply our luggage tags but when we approached the entrance a nice lady came over and applied our tags for us. We got in line to board at 2:50pm. By 3:45pm we had signed up for the Cheers Program and I was having my first DOD at the lobby bar. Ahhh, I was in heaven.

 

[Beagleluv6107]

We went to our rooms to drop off our carry-on bags and saw they did hang up my anniversary decorations. I was pleased. I knew DH could care less. It was my intention to milk this anniversary for the entire week and yes it worked!

You can see me taking the picture in the background like a goof.

 

 

 

Hello San Juan - Here was the view from our balcony.

 

[Beagleluv6107]

Prior to cruising, I looked at the food porn on the reviews like an addict. I could not wait to get to that chocolate melting cake. We went to dinner and I had a salad and tilapia. As I intended… I had the melting cake with two ice creams. I need to make a mental note for next time… Don’t try and eat everything all at once. You need to ease into all that eating on a cruise. I over stuffed and suffered for the entire muster drill. I told myself not to do this to again during the week. (yeah right!!!!)

 

 

DH's shrimp he said was really good.

 

 

 

CMC

[CRU1Z1N]

YAY!! Another Valor review!! Anxiously awaiting for the rest!

[Beagleluv6107]

We went to the muster drill as soon as it started around 9:15 and it lasted until 9:56. Then everyone went to the Lido to party. By 11pm at least 200 people were out there line dancing and having a blast, it was fun to watch but by then I had put the camera away.

 

I called it an evening and said good night first. A few minutes later DH comes walking in with two hot dogs and a plate of fries. I should have taken a picture. I was still too full!

 

I had a late start today but I will try and finish up tomorrow night.

[divinmule]

Thanks for doin a review ofthe valor...we cruise her in August!! Can't wait!!!!!

[FreezingInMichigan]

Subscribed! The Valor was our very first cruise. I hold her responsible for our addiction. We're heading to San Juan in November to try out your itinerary. Thanks for posting a review. :)

 

~ Sheryl

[vetteracer55]

cruising her in August. looking forward to your review

[hockeyluver]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. :-). I am so happy you figured out how to make the pictures bigger, I have a hard time seeing the smaller ones.

[sooner33]

Love the valor reviews doing this itinerary for the second time but first on valor

[cruisinJenF]

Subscribing!!! I will be on the Valor in July!

[Chitownlou]

Looking forward to the rest of the review. I will be on the Valor on July 7th.

[girlscruise2011]

We went to the muster drill as soon as it started around 9:15 and it lasted until 9:56. Then everyone went to the Lido to party. By 11pm at least 200 people were out there line dancing and having a blast, it was fun to watch but by then I had put the camera away.

 

I called it an evening and said good night first. A few minutes later DH comes walking in with two hot dogs and a plate of fries. I should have taken a picture. I was still too full!

 

I had a late start today but I will try and finish up tomorrow night.

 

I am on the Valor in January 2014 so I am looking forward to your review.

 

One question, a 45 minute muster drill :eek::confused:. That seems like a long time to stand there. All the musters I've been too have been no more then 20-30 minutes.

[Beagleluv6107]

I am on the Valor in January 2014 so I am looking forward to your review.

 

One question, a 45 minute muster drill :eek::confused:. That seems like a long time to stand there. All the musters I've been too have been no more then 20-30 minutes.

 

 

Oh yes, we were the very first to arrive. I guess we just wanted to get it over with. I looked at my watch so I would remember. Then they make a few rows and push you back. We were up against the wall so I was staring at my watch. Then you'd see a few late folks finally get there. One group of about 4 finally got in line right as we were told it was ok to go. It almost seemed like we were the last called to leave. My suggestion... dont be first. ;)

[soccersharon]

Oh yes, we were the very first to arrive. I guess we just wanted to get it over with. I looked at my watch so I would remember. Then they make a few rows and push you back. We were up against the wall so I was staring at my watch. Then you'd see a few late folks finally get there. One group of about 4 finally got in line right as we were told it was ok to go. It almost seemed like we were the last called to leave. My suggestion... dont be first. ;)

 

 

Great start! We never arrive first for muster - for that very reason.

 

Looking forward to the rest of your review!

[Beagleluv6107]

Day Two – St. Thomas

I peeked outside at 6:30am and we were pulling in to port. It’s always so exciting. We ordered room service for coffee/juice every day and it was always on time.

The view from our balcony.

 

 

We met the boys at the Aft Bar for Bloody Mary’s. They were terrific.

 

[Beagleluv6107]

We had planned to catch the 11am ferry to St. John but we were slow to get off the boat and get our taxi so we ended up with the noon ferry.

 

 

 

 

 

I love St. John. It's so beautiful.

 

 

 

 

We had a feisty female older driver that cracked us up. She promised to be waiting for us at 4:20 when we returned on the ferry. Our newbie said that 4pm is too late but DH said no problem. Well there was a problem. They were working on the roads in St. Thomas and we were blocked in. When we finally reached the ship someone from Carnival said can I please have your name and room number? It was 4:48 and we had almost missed our boat. I never thought that would happen to us. Whew!

[Beagleluv6107]

That night for dinner they had shark rolls that were actually bite size pieces and were excellent. I asked for mac and cheese and the salmon and both were awesome. After dinner we attended the family comedy and got an introduction to both of the comedians. Even though it was family comedy it was still very funny. We ended up staying for the 9:15 comedy and loved it. After that we strolled around the ship and I was able to make room for some ice cream right before bed.

 

 

I just realized this was my only food porn of the night. Darn!

 

 

 

 

I'll have more tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

[etwright]

Looking forward to the rest of review. We are sailing the Valor in August! Great start!!!

[Jimmy Geegitz]

Nice start.. Great Pics!!

[bunchesofun]

We had planned to catch the 11am ferry to St. John but we were slow to get off the boat and get our taxi so we ended up with the noon ferry.

 

 

 

We had a feisty female older driver that cracked us up. She promised to be waiting for us at 4:20 when we returned on the ferry. Our newbie said that 4pm is too late but DH said no problem. Well there was a problem. They were working on the roads in St. Thomas and we were blocked in. When we finally reached the ship someone from Carnival said can I please have your name and room number? It was 4:48 and we had almost missed our boat. I never thought that would happen to us. Whew!

 

The reason we only take ship sponsored tours!

[4hunters]

Enjoying your review. Thanks for posting! :)