What a vacation!!!! Carnival Valor Review

[FloridaLaura]

 

We got home Sunday night from a wonderful cruise on the Carnival Valor sailing from San Juan PR. A little about us. My hubby and I (early 50's) along with 3 other couples decided to cruise together. 6 of us live in the Tampa area, one couple from Savannah Georgia, they drove to Florida on Friday for a few days of pre cruise fun. We booked the cruise 210 days out, so we had plenty of time to plan and research. We all flew together the day of the cruise, direct flight from Tampa to San Juan. Our flight was 8:50am Arriving in San Juan at 1150am

 

THe flight went well and was beautiful to look down and see the Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos. We even saw a rainbow, so I guess you can say we were somewhere over the rainbow.

 

We saw San Juan approaching from the plane. Once we landed and got all of our luggage we headed outside and grabbed 2 vans for the quick 15-20 minute or so trip to the port . They charged us 21.00 per van plus $1.00 for each suitcase. We were thrilled to see the ship from the van window!

Edited May 20, 2014 by FloridaLaura

[jrmende63]

more Please!!! We are doing this cruise in October! We are so excited to cruise these islands!

[FloridaLaura]

We got to the port around 12:30pm and were directed to the terminal to get our sail and sign cards and check in. It went very quickly and we were onboard by 1pm. The cabins were ready so we dropped off our carry ons and headed to the lido for lunch. We were all on deck 7 (empress deck) cabins 7336, 7338, 7360 and 7366 all port side. The cabins were all great, all in between other floors of cabins so no lido deck noise or club noise etc. Our steward was wonderful and kept everything perfect.

Edited May 20, 2014 by FloridaLaura

[FloridaLaura]

We took a few photos before eating lunch. Still working on getting larger files!

[FloridaLaura]

 

After lunch and a walk around the ship we ventured back into San Juan and did a quick walking tour. We went through the center of town where there were a lot of vendors set up and we bought a few things and tried some empanadas (sp) and tried some plantain chips. We walked quite a bit around the waters edge and the fort and in the town

 

 

Edited May 20, 2014 by FloridaLaura

[FloridaLaura]

 

We stopped and had a few drinks in a little bar and enjoyed the break. The architecture and colors are so cool in old San Juan

 

 

We saw our ship from across town

 

We headed back to the ship and stopped at CVS before reboarding.. It was quite crowded but not too long to wait to check out. We bought n 8pk of coke, and 8 pack of ginger ale and a 8 pk of water for the cabin. I also flew with two bottles of local wine in my checked luggage in "jet bags" bought specifically for this trip. I bought them on ebay, the hold 750ml bottles with an absorbency insert in case the bottle were to break mid flight. I did move the wine over to my carry on prior to arriving at the port. Security never opened the jet bags I could have had any type of liquor in there. My hubby and I did also bring 4 rum runner flask in our checked luggage nestled in with our toiletries with no issue at all :)

[FloridaLaura]

Once back on the ship we unpacked our suitcase and relaxed a bit. We sat on our balcony and enjoyed the views. Our neighbor in the next cabin ( not one of the couples travelling with us ) had a small child I am guessing 1 year or less. That poor baby cried all the time. I would hear him every time I sat on the balcony. Felt bad for him, but also it kind of took away from the relaxation time for us too on the balcony. We could not hear him from the cabin for the most part.

 

We met our friends at the dining room for our first dinner on board. It is open dining the first night so we were given a random waiter and a table for all of us 8. Thankfully he was not our permanent waiter because he was not personable or fun!

 

Dinner was delicious however! I did not take any food pics. I am gluten free and was concerned a little about my meals, the first night I told the hostess I was gluten free and she came over to my table and I pre ordered the next nights meal with her recommendations of which dishes and sides and desserts they can prepare gluten free. For the first night she suggested a flat iron steak, baked potato and some veggie. For dessert I had creme brulee. Everything was very tasty,

[FloridaLaura]

After dinner we headed to the Lido deck for the 10pm sail away party. We didnt last too long, as we were exhausted from traveling that day and sight seeing in Old San Juan

 

The next day we were in St. Thomas so we wanted to get to bed at a decent hour. We slept like babies and woke up in time to see the pilot boat arriving to street us in the harbor.

 

Edited May 20, 2014 by FloridaLaura

[FloridaLaura]

After a lot of research we decided to go to Sapphire Beach. My husband and I were there 2 times before on previous cruises, but no one else was. We knew the dive shop, chair rentals and bathrooms were all closed now, but we still wanted to go knowing how beautiful it is. We also wanted to go to mountain top and to a restaurant we have eaten at before "Gladys" in town

 

We got off of the ship around 8am after meeting on the lido deck for a quick breakfast. It was a little hectic up there but we managed to get our plates and a place to sit.

 

We approached a taxi driver and asked him how much for 8 to Sapphire beach, it was 10.00 pp each way, we then asked how much would it be to hire him for the day and it was only 35.00 pp so we agreed this would be the way to go. We hopped in his comfy van and headed to Sapphire Beach with a quick stop at a supermarket for 2 twelve packs of corona and a Styrofoam cooler and a bag of ice. (we also had two small collapsible coolers) The 12pk were around 18.00 each.

 

We arrived at Sapphire Beach around 9am and asked our driver to return at 1pm

It was beautiful at the beach and we had the place to ourselves just about. I think maybe there were 3 other couples spread over the entire beach. We saw a stack of loungers and grabbed them. A security guard came over about 30 minutes later and said we would have to pay 5.00 each so for 8 he wanted 40.00 we countered with 20.00 for all and he agreed. Made the stay a little more comfy having loungers

 

 

 

http://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/s603/raysfan0713/IMG_6216_zpsd0e32254.jpg

 

[FloridaLaura]

It was the perfect day. The water was gorgeous, the lack of crowds made it so pleasant, We were the only ship in port, actually through out the entire cruise at every port we were the only ones!

 

The condos are still open, a lady from a near by restaurant and bar came over and asked if we wanted any drinks a few of us got $8.00 pina colados that were yummy!

 

 

At 1pm we packed it up and headed off to mountain top. Our driver was waiting in the parking lot with the van running so it was nice and cool!

[FloridaLaura]

On our way to mountain top our driver stopped at an overlook. We can see the ship in the harbor, it was very pretty up there! There were vendors also, so we all bought a little something :)

 

 

From here we headed up to mountain top to enjoy our 14.95 banana daiquiris and the view!!

 

 

They now have a HUGE gift shop which I dont recall a few years ago.

 

After about 30 minutes of mountain top fun, we headed into town and were dropped off near Gladys restaurant.

 

The prices seemed way higher than a few years ago. We did end up staying and enjoyed our lunch the service was extremely slow however. We had a variety of dishes, curried goat, oxtail stew, bbq chicken platter, fish sandwiches and stewed chicken platter all very tasty. Lunches ranges from 13.95-19.95

 

 

[FloridaLaura]

Well that's it for now....I will work on the next few days and post tomorrow. If any oe has any questions I will be happy to answer if I know the answers ;)

 

Here is our boarding photo. I am the girl in blue sitting down :D

[jrmende63]

Love the anchor shirt! Oops ...I see the chain now..it is a necklace! Still pretty though!

Edited May 20, 2014 by jrmende63

[FloridaLaura]

Love the anchor shirt! Oops ...I see the chain now..it is a necklace! Still pretty though!

 

 

Thank you! Yes its a necklace :)

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[Katmarha]

After a lot of research we decided to go to Sapphire Beach.

 

We arrived at Sapphire Beach around 9am and asked our driver to return at 1pm

It was beautiful at the beach and we had the place to ourselves just about. I think maybe there were 3 other couples spread over the entire beach. We saw a stack of loungers and grabbed them. A security guard came over about 30 minutes later and said we would have to pay 5.00 each so for 8 he wanted 40.00 we countered with 20.00 for all and he agreed. Made the stay a little more comfy having loungers

 

 

 

Beautiful beach and picture!!!

[bearwholovestotravel]

Beautiful....I was thinking about going on this cruise on Jan 25, 2015...will. Be nice to see more reviews of the places you went.

Clara

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[nybumpkin]

 

The next day we were in St. Thomas so we wanted to get to bed at a decent hour. We slept like babies and woke up in time to see the pilot boat arriving to street us in the harbor.

 

LOL - When we first visited St. Thomas (Carnival Legend, 2006 - our third cruise), I went out early morning on our deck 5 balcony in my nightgown to see the view - and found myself right next to the pilot boat.:o Definitely a lesson learned.

 

Your photos are great - thanks for sharing your review.

[jjdshoe]

Great pictures. Can't wait to see more!

[Cjh1975]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. I'm doing this cruise in Sept and can't wait

[larsch]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. I'm doing this cruise in Sept and can't wait

Loving your photos and review. I'll be sailing on Oct 19th. Can't wait to hear more of your trip.

Larry

[FloridaLaura]

After our perfect day in St. Thomas we headed back to the ship around 4pm We headed to the lido deck for a snack and a swim. We were pretty worn out so we napped for an hour before going to dinner.

 

We had 8:15pm dining in the Washington dining room. Table 320 for our party of eight. I thought the dining room was beautiful. Not over the top like some of the ships we sailed, however table 320 is not in view of the main area, so I feel we missed some of the showtime. Our waiter was Alberto from Peru He was by FAR the BEST waiter we have ever had on any ship He was so personable and his assistants Askov and Florentino were excellent ! Alberto did magic tricks for us every evening. They were as good as any magic show we have seen on the ships at the shows!

 

One night he even had the ships magician who was performing one evening in the lounge come to our table and do some more tricks! It was so fun. We were the table of envy !!!

 

We hit the casino for a few hours after dinner The Spin the Reel $1.00 machine treated me fairly good through out the week, and roulette was pretty good to me the first and last night.....

after the casino we turned in for the night and slept like babies the bed and bedding were so comfortable!

[FloridaLaura]

Tuesday was our first and only sea day. We all met at the Washington Dining room and had the seaday brunch around 10AM. It was very good. I had the steak and eggs and it was delish!

Most of us received coupons for a free drink in the dining room so we took advantage of it that day. I think it was for repeat cruisers.

 

We changed for the pool and head up to the adult pool and were able to snag a few loungers. We enjoyed the pool and the drink of the day for most of the day.

 

Tonight was the first formal night. We headed to our rooms and napped and got ready for dinner.

 

We all met at the casino bar and enjoyed a pre dinner cocktail. The band and female singer that was usually performing there was very good!

 

Also before dinner we posed for a few portraits! We tried to do a group shot but we were not happy with any of those. We all did buy the single couple shots however.

 

We took our camera to the dining room and did a few pics there as well.

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner we went to the staircase and did our own group shot...its not the best but it was fun taking them!

 

[FloridaLaura]

I believe it was Tuesday night we saw our first set of comedians which were both very good. We enjoyed relaxing and laughing. We hit a few dance clubs but not much was happening. By midnight we were in bed! We had an early excursion in Barbados so we wanted to rest up!

 

Next up Calabazza Catamaran Sailing in Barbados

[gracie65]

I believe it was Tuesday night we saw our first set of comedians which were both very good. We enjoyed relaxing and laughing. We hit a few dance clubs but not much was happening. By midnight we were in bed! We had an early excursion in Barbados so we wanted to rest up!

 

 

 

Next up Calabazza Catamaran Sailing in Barbados

 

 

Can't wait to hear about Barbados we have them booked too in November!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk