Valor July 14-21 plus Vieques; Port and photo intensive review

[emortiz24]

[quote name='cra-z-2cruise'][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=5]Sorry Aplmac, I guess I didn't explain why I included the pic in my post.

I deemed breadfruit as my favorite new food from our trip [I](from our day with Calabaza in Barbados), [/I]so I was thrilled to find a fresh one. :D

Unfortunately, I don't think I'm gonna be able to find any locally. :(
[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Cra-z-2cruise - you can actually find breadfruit in different groceries stores in the Houston area (Food Town, Fiesta, and other ethnic grocery stores). I know as my husband works at one and brings it home all the time. Mind you we are from Puerto Rico so we grew up eating breadfruit.

[COLOR="black"][COLOR="Red"]**Make sure to ask an employee in the produce section for it as it sells pretty quickly. That way they can save some for you or place a special order for you, I know my husband has done that before for customers (and you are not obligated to buy the whole box). You can send me a private message and I can give you more information if you like :-) ***[/COLOR][/COLOR] Edited August 11, 2013 by emortiz24
To add one more suggestion

[cra-z-2cruise]

[quote name='emortiz24']Cra-z-2cruise - you can actually find breadfruit in different groceries stores in the Houston area (Food Town, Fiesta, and other ethnic grocery stores). I know as my husband works at one and brings it home all the time. Mind you we are from Puerto Rico so we grew up eating breadfruit.

[COLOR=black][COLOR=Red]**Make sure to ask an employee in the produce section for it as it sells pretty quickly. That way they can save some for you or place a special order for you, I know my husband has done that before for customers (and you are not obligated to buy the whole box). You can send me a private message and I can give you more information if you like :-) ***[/COLOR][/COLOR][/quote]


[SIZE=4][FONT=Fixedsys]Wow!
Thanks, I thought Houston was going to be my best bet and now I know. :)
We live about 100 miles from there, but I do need to drive over there soon to get my car serviced.
It would be great if I could also plan ahead and possibly "reserve" some breadfruit.
I will look into it.
Thanks! :D

[/FONT][/SIZE]

[cra-z-2cruise]

[quote name='sjn911']Crazy 2 cruise, Aplmac, everyone..this is the Caribbean cruise I look forward to the most and has simply been a complete joy and relaxation to go on with you..thanks for all the terrific input from a local, great travelers ideas agendas and methods of enjoying, and happy cruisers..thanks for all the effort..what a wonderful armchair excursion today..looking forward to phase 2 and thanks sooo much..sarah[/quote]


[I][FONT=Fixedsys][SIZE=4][COLOR=Navy]Thanks Sarah! :)
Nice to know you enjoyed the review so far!
I am working on editing pics now for part 2![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I]

[Aplmac]

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][COLOR=White].[/COLOR]
[SIZE=2][COLOR=Black][B]You saw this at the beginning of your Valor cruise..

[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE] [IMG]http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/518/SJPRterminal-856.jpg[/IMG]
[I]Sailaway from San Juan terminal at 10 p.m. Sun.nite...[/I]



[SIZE=2][COLOR=Black]- and you returned a week later, early Sun.morning
to scenes like this[I] -if you're up and around at 0600 hrs.[/I][/COLOR][/SIZE][IMG]http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/518/SanJuanPR-124.jpg[/IMG]



[IMG]http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/518/SanJuanPR-126.jpg[/IMG]

[COLOR=White].[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[valentinebaby1]

Reading reviews like this help me pass the time until our Valor cruise in Oct...7.5 weeks to go! We found a website in PR call Gustazos that is similar to Groupon, and found a helicopter tour that was within our budget. I've never been a helicopter before so our first ride is going to be a view of OSJ and we have it planned for Sunday morning the day our cruise leaves, so we'll be able to see the ship in port from above! Thank you again for your review, I know this trip is going to be fabulous!

[2 Dinks]

[quote name='Atlgator'][FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]T]So 2 quick questions (for now, will probably have more later), did you ever go to the sports bar on ths ship, and if so how was it? Also, do you know of any good sports bars in San Juan around the hotel? Travelling in Oct. is right in the middle of college football season, and down South, that is like a religion to us. :D But we will be in San Juan one Sat. and at sea heading in on the 2nd Sat. Just currious.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][COLOR=#0000ff][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][COLOR=#0000ff]Again, thanks for your pics and review and I continue to watch for more.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][COLOR=#0000ff][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

Hi Atigator- you will love Cosol and Royston-both were awesome when we did this intinerary last December on the Victory. We are booked on the Valor this December and will be doing the Capt Bob excursion in St Maarten- looks awesome! As far as sports bars go... we are diehard Cheeseheads (Packer fans) so we made sure to scope out a spot to watch the game... there is a bar in OSJ a few blocks up the street from the Sheraton called the Brickhaus- they were super accomodating and the food and drink was good and reasonable. We watched the second half of the game in the Sports Bar on the ship... and there was a fair number of people there so it was fun. On the Valor the sports bar is the Bronx Sports Bar on the Promenade deck- we watched some football there when we sailed on the Valor a few years ago and it was really nice. Have a great trip!

[2 Dinks]

This is an AWESOME review- thank you for taking the time to post it... makes the time between now and our 12/1 departure date a little easier to handle!

[alectoria]

I am leaving for this same Cruise on Sunday and your posts helped a lot. I was so excited I emailed the link to my boyfriend so he could see what to expect. I have cruised before. He is new to it.

Question: Was eating in the main dinning hall an option the first night? We have 8pm dinning and the muster drill is about that time. Will it conflict?

Thanks

[Aplmac]

[quote name='alectoria']Question:
Was eating in the main dining hall an option the first night?[COLOR=Indigo] ===> I've done it in the past, [B]yes![/B][/COLOR]

We have 8pm dining and the [B]muster drill is about that time[/B].
Will it conflict? [COLOR=Indigo] ===> [B]No[/B].[/COLOR][/quote][SIZE=2][COLOR=Black]Muster Drill is called at around 9:30 sharp
with prep.warning announcements starting at around 9:20

It's timed like that so it gets done just before sailaway at 10 p.m.
(Our sailaway in late June wasn't until [I]10:25 p.m. actual pull away from the San Juan dock[/I])

...so unless you guys are really slow eaters, you should be OK.


[img]http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/data/518/Muster-929.jpg[/img]
[I][B]NO life-jackets required[/B] these days -this was a M.drill on Victory [B]back in 2008[/B][/I]

[COLOR="White"].[/COLOR]
[/COLOR][/SIZE] Edited August 12, 2013 by Aplmac

[alectoria]

Thanks for info.

Did you find that you needed a lot of cash for excursions and activites on land? We wanted to make sure we had enough left to tip every extra at the end. We booked 2 excursions through the ship, and are hoping to find others on land once we get there. I am hoping they take charge cards.

[Dirkgun]

[quote name='alectoria']Thanks for info.

Did you find that you needed a lot of cash for excursions and activites on land? We wanted to make sure we had enough left to tip every extra at the end. We booked 2 excursions through the ship, and are hoping to find others on land once we get there. I am hoping they take charge cards.[/quote]


Most of the tour operators will take credit cards, especially if you book in advance. As far as tips... you can always prepay the tips to get them out of the way for the ships staff. Then it minimizes the $$ you need to carry around. You can also adjust your tips up if you need to. The other thing that helps is to kind budget some cash for each day... for tips and snacks, drinks, souvenirs etc. Have a great cruise.

[cra-z-2cruise]

[quote name='alectoria']Thanks for info.

Did you find that you needed a lot of cash for excursions and activites on land? We wanted to make sure we had enough left to tip every extra at the end. We booked 2 excursions through the ship, and are hoping to find others on land once we get there. I am hoping they take charge cards.[/quote]


Prepaid the Calabaza in Barbados and the Segway in St Lucia, so just brought money for tips.

St Thomas and St Maarten, I knew in advance what the taxi/ferry costs would be + a little spending cash.

St Kitts was the only port we didn't have a plan. I think we brought $200 off the boat with us. The total for the ATV was $150+tip.
(I did not ask this time, but in 2011 Spectrum did not take credit cards)

We brought a credit card with us for emergencies or if we found something we just had to have. (Never used it) :D

Also, there is an ATM on board if you run low.
I did not like the idea of traveling with the full amount we would need with me to San Juan from home, so I just replenished cash halfway through the trip.

Have a great trip! :)

[cra-z-2cruise]

[quote name='alectoria']I am leaving for this same Cruise on Sunday and your posts helped a lot. I was so excited I emailed the link to my boyfriend so he could see what to expect. I have cruised before. He is new to it.

Question: Was eating in the main dinning hall an option the first night? We have 8pm dinning and the muster drill is about that time. Will it conflict?

Thanks[/quote]

[FONT=Fixedsys][SIZE=5][COLOR=Navy]Thanks! :)
Glad you liked the review.
As someone else answered, yes you may eat in the main dining room the first night.
However, it is open seating, so you wont be at your regular table.
Have a great trip![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] :)

[girlscruise2011]

Great Review. I can't wait until January 2014 to experience it for myself :) Edited August 13, 2013 by girlscruise2011

[cra-z-2cruise]

[SIZE=5][COLOR=Navy]If anyone can manage a few days pre or post cruise, I highly recommend a visit to Vieques!

I had not even heard of this small island of the coast off Puerto Rico until a few months ago.
I accidentally stumbled upon it while looking for things to do post cruise.
A biobay tour topped the list.
Where is the best one? -Vieques
Where's that?
Google search revealed a small, laid back island with loads of beautiful beaches.
[URL="http://wikitravel.org/en/Vieques"]http://wikitravel.org/en/Vieques[/URL]

After a busy, action packed, port intensive, week long cruise around the Caribbean, I figured laid back was precisely what we needed.
We're in! :D


We had a 1:13 flight on Seaborn Airlines, so we headed to the airport.
We wondered around a bit, bought a couple bottles of rum at the duty free shop, then went to lunch at Air Margaritaville.

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-6bJhbvm/0/L/Vieques%20Ka%207-21-13%20527-L.jpg[/IMG]


Finally, it was time for our 20 minute flight to Vieques.
The flight was $79/pp each way.
The other option was to take a $2/pp ferry from Fajardo, but I was a little apprehensive about that since I had never been there before.
We had never been on a small plane before, but we really liked it.

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-W5nvhM7/0/L/Vieques%20Ka%207-21-13%20531-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-g4MV85D/0/L/Vieques%20Ka%207-21-13%20534-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-xPkqtGb/0/L/Vieques%20J%207-21-13%20049-L.jpg[/IMG]


[/COLOR][/SIZE] Edited August 14, 2013 by cra-z-2cruise

[cra-z-2cruise]

[COLOR=Navy][SIZE=5]We took a publicos van from the airport to our hotel.
As we drove through the small town of Isabel II, the traffic got a little hairy as we approached the ferry landing.
The elderly driver started to turn onto what we thought [I]must[/I] be the wrong way on a one way street!
Nope, it was two way traffic.
But there was [I]no way[/I] the large van we were in, the oncoming cars, and the cars parked on one side of the street were going to fit! :eek:
Much to our surprise, he drove over the curb and proceeded partially on the sidewalk!
The cars behind us did the same thing, so that's just how it worked!

At this point I get the look from DH, the one that says "There is no way I'm driving here!"

There is a W retreat on the island, but it is a bit pricey and we didn't want a resort atmosphere anyway.
Instead, we opted to stay at Bravo Beach Hotel.

I had read great reviews online, but still didn't know exactly what to expect.
Upon arrival, Carl greeted us and gave us the option of a complimentary upgrade to a poolside room! :D

Yes please!
Then he gave us the tour of the grounds, explained how things worked, and pointed out and explained different beaches and eateries on a map.
[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-2013-Bravo-Beach/i-f6LRQvh/0/L/Vieques%20Kb%207-21-13%20556-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-2013-Bravo-Beach/i-G7VNJgw/0/L/P7212297-L.jpg[/IMG]

Our room was big and bright with a beautiful view right outside our patio door!
It had a nice size fridge, an ipod dock, comfy bed, and a flat screen TV with dish network.
The [SIZE=6][I][FONT=Fixedsys]only[/FONT][/I][/SIZE] downside, was the bathroom was a little small and the room could have used a desk or small table.

The property has two pools, complimentary breakfast, beautiful gardens, an honor bar, and free beach equipment to borrow.

The honor bar is essentially a large closet with a fridge full of soft drinks, juices, water, and other mixers. The shelves above house large liquor bottles, plastic cups, and a bunch of can/bottle openers.
You just mark what you take on a clipboard- $1 each.

The beach equipment includes things like nice beach chairs, cooler bags (and free ice), umbrellas, boogie boards, etc.


[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-2013-Bravo-Beach/i-2hCkh43/0/L/P7212308-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-2013-Bravo-Beach/i-8Txhj5T/0/L/P7224092-L.jpg[/IMG]


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[LadyDAC]

We were on the Valor 7/21 and did the Biobay tour post cruise as well. However, we rented a car and drove to Fajardo. We stayed at the Fajardo Inn and did the Biobay tour that night with East Island Excursions. They pick you up in Fajardo, take you to Vieques via a power catamaran, feed you dinner, take you to the Biobay for an electric boat tour, then take you back to Fajardo that night. It was awesome! Loving your Valor review and can't wait to see what you have to say about Vieques!

[cra-z-2cruise]

[SIZE=5][COLOR=Navy]Bravo Beach was just beautiful and Jenna, Carl and the entire staff were wonderful!

They say one picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll just be mainly showing you pics of the ground for a while.

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-vPSMWKW/0/L/Vieques%20J%207-22-13%20164-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-rJbPW8W/0/L/Vieques%20J%207-22-13%20165-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-4Nz4jS5/0/L/Vieques%20K%207-22-13%20105-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-jwNMhXk/0/L/Vieques%20J%207-22-13%20146-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-w9qtNgW/0/L/P7224127-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-jJmLnBB/0/L/Vieques%20J%207-21-13%20058-L.jpg[/IMG]
[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[cra-z-2cruise]

[SIZE=5][COLOR=Navy]More from the garden...[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-GfMPrs5/0/L/Vieques%20K%207-23-13%20195-L.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-jRTHvrF/0/L/Vieques%20J%207-22-13%20152-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-kv2Z2QL/0/L/Vieques%20J%207-22-13%20145-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-CxtX6wV/0/L/Vieques%20K%207-23-13%20190-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-ZQ44nBT/0/L/Vieques%20K%207-22-13%20116-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/Vieques-721/i-vvWkP55/0/L/Vieques%20K%207-22-13%20114-L.jpg[/IMG]

[alectoria]

Did you need bug spray on the trip? I have needed it on past trips when we docked at night. Didn't know if I would need it again.

[kjlermer]

[quote name='cra-z-2cruise'][SIZE=5][COLOR=Navy]We swam all the way out on the right side of the bay until we could see another beach around the rocks. Then was saw deer standing on the beach! What? I never even thought of deer at the beach!

On the way back I could tell DH was trying to show me something.

Where?

What?

Oh...sweet!

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/St-Thomas-St-John-2013/i-mtKGBhH/0/L/St%20Thomas%202013%20PS%20-42-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/St-Thomas-St-John-2013/i-SJdgzV5/0/L/St%20Thomas%202013%20PS%20-04-L.jpg[/IMG]

Back to the beach for a little rest and a look around. These flowers were blooming on the trees everywhere and were all over the ground, so I borrowed a few for a photo opp.

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/St-Thomas-St-John-2013/i-8GKpQvF/0/L/St%20Thomas%202013%20PS%20-10-L.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/St-Thomas-St-John-2013/i-h5g8FrB/0/L/St%20Thomas%202013%20PS%20-05-L.jpg[/IMG]

As the day went on, the other end became a little more crowded, but our little corner was nice and quiet!

[IMG]http://www.nprintonline.com/Family/2013/St-Thomas-St-John-2013/i-2jXkB2m/0/L/St%20Thomas%202013%20PS%20-48-L.jpg[/IMG]

I think it was around 1:00 that we decided to head back to the ferry landing.
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE]

Just starting your review and love it so far! I especially love your water pics. We are wanting to get a underwater camera and I love the clarity your pics have. Would you mind sharing which camera you are using?

[cra-z-2cruise]

[quote name='kjlermer']Just starting your review and love it so far! I especially love your water pics. We are wanting to get a underwater camera and I love the clarity your pics have. Would you mind sharing which camera you are using?[/quote]

Olympus underwater 6020u and 6000. :)

[cra-z-2cruise]

[quote name='alectoria']Did you need bug spray on the trip? I have needed it on past trips when we docked at night. Didn't know if I would need it again.[/quote]


I did bring a small, travel-size bottle and some wipes that we could toss in our daypack, but we never used it.

The only time we even could have used it was while we were waiting for the biobay tour.
However, they request that you do not use any lotions, sprays, or repellents on the tour because it is harmful to the bay.
The bugs were not really bad anyway. Nothing like we have here at home.

[Island Hopper58]

Thank you for your review
Very helpful, we plan on doing this very cruise in 2014.
Loved all the Photos, can't wait to live it myself
We are spending a couple days before hand in PR
Sadly it looks as though those days will be full or almost full moon
so I guess I wont be spending the evening in the glowing waters.
Just wondering, did you get to swim in them or just boat thru?
Again, very well thought and put together review.

I am thinking of doing your Barbados sailing/snorkeling tour
can you tell me how much it was per person?
Also looking at the Silver Moon. they have one that can take 24.
We may be that big of a party.
Thanks

[valentinebaby1]

[quote name='Island Hopper58']Thank you for your review
Very helpful, we plan on doing this very cruise in 2014.
Loved all the Photos, can't wait to live it myself
We are spending a couple days before hand in PR
Sadly it looks as though those days will be full or almost full moon
so I guess I wont be spending the evening in the glowing waters.
Just wondering, did you get to swim in them or just boat thru?
Again, very well thought and put together review.

I am thinking of doing your Barbados sailing/snorkeling tour
can you tell me how much it was per person?
Also looking at the Silver Moon. they have one that can take 24.
We may be that big of a party.
Thanks[/quote]

Based on my research of the bio bays, swimming is not permitted, in order to preserve them. We are going to see one of the bio bays before our Valor cruise in October. We have 3 days planned before the cruise in San Juan, but kind of wishing we had booked the 3 days for after the cruise, since it will be so port intensive I think we'll be exhausted by the time our vacation is over! Do you have an option to switch yours to after the cruise, where the moon phase would be better?