Review Southern Caribbean Cruise from Puerto Rico Jan 18th -25th on the Valor

[Cruisegirl6]

A few people that were on the Valor in the past mention their staterooms being warm during the night has anybody had this problem on the Valor?

[Dirkgun]

Thank you so much for the information, I really appreciate it. I probably will have some questions in the future because I'd love to do this.

 

 

 

I sure can and I'll get those to you now. In case your email is set up with a "junk" or "spam" folder, ours is dgieh@comcast.net and I'll put "Pictures from pghsteelerfan" as the subject so you'll know.

 

I have to ask you - your night time pictures are always great and so sharp...how do you do that? I love the one of the fort walls lit up at night and also the one looking back at the fort from the ocean - just beautiful.

 

 

Thanks I got them.... they are cool. As far as night pics... they were with my DSLR and I just played with the ISO and other settings to try things out. I am far from an expert with the camera yet but hope to become better.

 

 

Thanks for the review and great pics! I'm on the same itinerary on the Liberty in April so this helps pass the time. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!~!

Susan

 

Thank for the comments and you will have a great time when you go.

[Dirkgun]

A few people that were on the Valor in the past mention their staterooms being warm during the night has anybody had this problem on the Valor?

 

 

Normally I am a hot person by nature...probably on account of the extra insulation...lol. This cruise I had to turn down the A/C because it got a little cold in the room. Usually I am fine with it all the way on.

[Stinger-pr]

Normally I am a hot person by nature...probably on account of the extra insulation...lol. This cruise I had to turn down the A/C because it got a little cold in the room. Usually I am fine with it all the way on.

Same here... even with an extended balcony (L-shaped 7434, "almost corner"), which means more window space and sunshine, less wall insulation, there was never one night where I didn't use all the the provided sheets to sleep. We even turned up the temp a few days.

[Dirkgun]

Mon Jan 19th St Thomas is such a pretty harbor with the scattered boats around and the houses on the hillsides around the bay, just what you think when you think Caribbean. Today we got up and went to the buffet to have breakfast. It was the normal breakfast buffet. Almost anything you can want if you take the time to find it. Once we finished we went and got our things and headed off. Today we were grabbing a taxi over to Red Hook ($10 p/p each way) to take the Ferry over to St John’s ($14 p/p round trip) then taxi to Cinnamon bay ($7 p/p each way) to snorkel and play in the water. We had never been there before so we were excited to try something new. It was a beautiful place, both St John’s and Cinnamon Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

The ferry from St Thomas to St Johns...

 

 

 

 

Taxis to and or from Cinnamon Bay...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dirkgun]

Snorkeling was not so great because the water was kind of churned up from storms and the waves were kind of big. It was still great water to play in… it is the Caribbean after all. Because of the waves here, getting out of the water was a little tricky because if you were not careful the waves could get you and tumble you. So there I am… coming in to reapply sun screen. I had weathered a few waves that tried to get me but I was in a lull in the wave activity and the water was maybe up to my lower calves. When all of a sudden I hear a wave noise, get picked up then slammed down into the sand and rolled around by the wave … I finally gather myself and stand up but realize my new set of swim goggles that were perched on my head are gone. I look around but can’t see them anywhere. Hopefully whoever finds them enjoys them. I can only imagine the people on the beach were laughing hysterically at me. Any kids on the beach were surely thinking that Santa clause just got killed on his vacation. I know I would have laughed at me… looking back it was funny. It was painful then, plus it packed sand into everything and everywhere lol. They do have great facilities there… nice bathrooms and showers out front. They also have private showers with doors which really helped out my sand situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is supposed to be good snorkeling over here by this little island... even a Nurse shark that hangs out there but... we could not see anything.

 

 

 

[Dirkgun]

I am sure it was because of the water conditions a little but we kind of wished we would have just gone to Coki Beach (over on St Thomas) to snorkel like we have done in the past. However there is no guarantee the water was any better there. When we were done we grabbed a taxi (they are just waiting) back to the ferry. On our way back we dropped a lady off at Hawks Nest Bay and it looked like it was protected enough to be better snorkeling?? She was staying on St John’s for a week and said that the water had been rough for the last week or so according to locals. Who knows? It was still a fun day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Facilities are great here... but you do have to watch the birds...Bombs away...lol

 

[Dirkgun]

We got back on board, relaxed and called room service. The room service is such a cool feature of cruising. We just snacked on some veggie trays, shared some sandwiches and watched people make their way back to the ship from our balcony. Then one of the best times on a cruise....Sail away. It is a site to see the ships maneuver out from their parallel parking job with other mammoth ships and then cruise out into open water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dirkgun]

More Sail Away and some sunset pics as well. Fun time of day on a ship in the Caribbean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a different sunset shot...

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight was our first night at our regular dining time. We always choose the late seating in order to relax after the time on Islands. We were seated at a 6 top table right by the Maitre D stand where you come in the front of the Washington Dining room. Our Wait staff was awesome. The Head Waiter (Robin), his assistant (Aristotle) or Batman, and then (Oswaldo) Penguin, Our bar server (Aswan) were all phenomenal. They are all so busy yet take the time to make each of us feel special. They were fun and very good at their jobs. They made our meal times something to look forward to even without the food. They would just drop off extra dinners (especially on lobster night) or appetizers when they had them… and they would tell us when ordering if something was not very good or just say to order a different one as well in case you don’t like it. We loved talking with them. After dinner we went to the Comedy club for the late show... especially since we could sleep in a little tomorrow since it is the Day at sea.

 

 

Our first Towel Animal of the cruise... the X rated seal

 

 

 

Then someone.... Our kids bought us a surprise and had it waiting in our room after the Comedy Club. It was very nice and they are good.

 

 

[jetfan0330]

This is a great review. We sail next week on the Valor. It is sticking in my head to not forget to take the time to watch the sail-a-ways. With all of the craziness and the kids sometimes we forget just to chill and relax....

Edited March 1, 2015 by jetfan0330

[funinthesun082611]

Cruising this itinerary in a month on the Liberty. Love hearing all about the ports. Fabulous review!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[iambumbo]

Maybe I'm the outlier but I was on Valor the week of Feb. 15 and I felt like the stateroom did not sufficiently cool at night. It was very comfortable during the day but room always seemed to warm up overnight, even at the coolest setting. Usually your body gets colder as you sleep so I don't think it was me, but who knows!

[Cocktail Queen]

We were on this same cruise with you. It was fantastic, the best so far. We didn't have as much time in Puerto Rico beforehand, but we did stay an extra night after the cruise and managed to get a room in the old town on Fortaleza Street which was a great location.

 

We arrived at 11:30pm the night before we sailed and stayed in Condado at the Le Consulat Hotel. It was basic, but clean and the staff were very helpful. When we got there, it was about 8:30pm Seattle time and we were starving, but we managed to find a great little restaurant just around the corner from the hotel and tried the Mofongo which was delicious (this was at 1:00am PR time!). The next morning we found another little place for breakfast which had the most delicious coffee (kind of like a cross between a latte and a cappucino) at $2 a cup!

 

The biggest problem we had was getting a cab to the ship because of the festival. In the end a cab driver said he would take us to the other side of the harbor (near the Bacardi factory) and said we could then catch the ferry across. When we got there (bearing in mind we had all our luggage in tow) there must have been at least 3,000 people waiting for the ferry. I spoke to a man in a fluorescent jacket at the front of the line and asked if it was the ferry line and said that we needed to get to the cruise ship. The next minute we were being whisked through a different line, paid our 50c, and were on the next boat out of there. They put our luggage in a little enclosure to stop it sliding around and off we went!! We couldn't believe our luck! The ferry pulled up about 200yds from the ship and we were on board by 1:00pm.

 

Thanks Dirkgun!

[deladane]

Random question: Did you happen to notice what cups they served the drink of the day in for embarkation day? Years ago, they served them in the souvenir cups that said "best day ever" or "I'm on vacation" or something like that. Then I noticed that some reviews were reporting that Carnival stopped using those cups on embarkation day. Did they have them on your cruise? Thanks! :)

[Dirkgun]

This is a great review. We sail next week on the Valor. It is sticking in my head to not forget to take the time to watch the sail-a-ways. With all of the craziness and the kids sometimes we forget just to chill and relax....

 

Thanks for reading. Definitely watch during sail away... even if it is just to remember the day. Have fun on your cruise. You will love it.

 

Cruising this itinerary in a month on the Liberty. Love hearing all about the ports. Fabulous review!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I would love to do this cruise on the liberty.... with the 2.0 upgrades it would be even sweeter... Jealous. Thanks for the comments

[Dirkgun]

We were on this same cruise with you. It was fantastic, the best so far. We didn't have as much time in Puerto Rico beforehand, but we did stay an extra night after the cruise and managed to get a room in the old town on Fortaleza Street which was a great location.

 

The biggest problem we had was getting a cab to the ship because of the festival. In the end a cab driver said he would take us to the other side of the harbor (near the Bacardi factory) and said we could then catch the ferry across. When we got there (bearing in mind we had all our luggage in tow) there must have been at least 3,000 people waiting for the ferry. I spoke to a man in a fluorescent jacket at the front of the line and asked if it was the ferry line and said that we needed to get to the cruise ship. The next minute we were being whisked through a different line, paid our 50c, and were on the next boat out of there. They put our luggage in a little enclosure to stop it sliding around and off we went!! We couldn't believe our luck! The ferry pulled up about 200yds from the ship and we were on board by 1:00pm.

 

Thanks Dirkgun!

 

 

That is so weird.... I think you must have gotten a taxi driver that had another agenda... or made a mistake and drove toward the Pan Am pier then realized he went to the wrong side. We have waited in that ferry line before on SanSe Sunday. In 2009 we went on Sunday over to see the Bacardi plant... it was closed because of SanSe, so we got off the ferry in order to wait in line 4 hours to get back on. Lol it was a fun way to interact with people. I sounds like it turned out ok though. Hope you had a good time on our cruise.

 

Random question: Did you happen to notice what cups they served the drink of the day in for embarkation day? Years ago, they served them in the souvenir cups that said "best day ever" or "I'm on vacation" or something like that. Then I noticed that some reviews were reporting that Carnival stopped using those cups on embarkation day. Did they have them on your cruise? Thanks! :)

 

We unfortunately did not buy them this cruise... but my Wife said she saw some of the fluted glasses that say "best day ever" so I think they still have them. I am sure they run out of things from time to time.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Dirkgun

[rocking-m-cruiser]

Great review and pics. We will be going on this itinerary in May. Really looking forward to it. Afterwards we will be staying a couple of days in PR. This will be our first time there. Where is the best place to snorkel in PR?

[kmarie10531]

One way from St Thomas to Cinnamon Bay what would you say the total time was ? Really debating on taking a Carnival excursion over to St John or just take the taxi/ferry combo

[Dirkgun]

Great review and pics. We will be going on this itinerary in May. Really looking forward to it. Afterwards we will be staying a couple of days in PR. This will be our first time there. Where is the best place to snorkel in PR?

 

Thanks, you will have a great time. Be sure to explore Old San Juan also. The forts are very cool. We have never snorkeled there. I am sure there are places but I am sure someone might chime in...

 

One way from St Thomas to Cinnamon Bay what would you say the total time was ? Really debating on taking a Carnival excursion over to St John or just take the taxi/ferry combo

 

It takes about 15 minutes to get to Red Hook then about 15-20 minutes on the ferry to St John's then in the taxi about 10 minutes so total time about 45 min each way...depending on the ferry schedule etc. We came back on the 2:00 pm ferry and I am pretty sure they run every half hour.

[SMSACE6]

Just catching up on your great cruise review:)

 

I must say that your photo of on board the ferry to St John, looks way nicer than my experience in 1999:eek: There were no seats like that, and that tub we rode in made us all feel like this:o But it was worth it. St John USVI, also one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands I have ever seen. Nice to know that when I get back to St Thomas, the ferries are nicer than back then:)

 

I am loving your review, and am subscribed.

[Dirkgun]

Just catching up on your great cruise review:)

 

I must say that your photo of on board the ferry to St John, looks way nicer than my experience in 1999:eek: There were no seats like that, and that tub we rode in made us all feel like this:o But it was worth it. St John USVI, also one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands I have ever seen. Nice to know that when I get back to St Thomas, the ferries are nicer than back then:)

 

I am loving your review, and am subscribed.

 

 

Yeah the ferries both ways were nice. It did look like there was about 3 different types of ferry... some newer than others but all looked decent. Thanks for the nice comments and for reading.

[trippingpara]

Yay, another Dirkgun review! We're going back out for this itinerary at the end of May can't wait and keep the awesome review and photos coming!

[gizmo911]

Really enjoying your review and getting some great ideas. I will be on Valor in March and one of the ports will be San Juan. I have always wanted to tour El Yunque Rain Forest. Are there tours offered at pier or transportation available that will take me to them and back to ship. On a budget and trying not to have to book any excisions with cruise line.

 

Thanks

[Dirkgun]

Yay, another Dirkgun review! We're going back out for this itinerary at the end of May can't wait and keep the awesome review and photos coming!

 

Thank you for the nice comments. You will love the Liberty I am sure, on top of this great itinerary.

 

Really enjoying your review and getting some great ideas. I will be on Valor in March and one of the ports will be San Juan. I have always wanted to tour El Yunque Rain Forest. Are there tours offered at pier or transportation available that will take me to them and back to ship. On a budget and trying not to have to book any excisions with cruise line.

 

Thanks

 

Thanks, and there are always taxis around. I know we found a great one after we got back in San Juan..... A guy named Jonnathan and he said he does do tours to El Yunque or almost anywhere you want to go. You can email him at jonnathanalvarado at Hotmail dot com. Tell him Dirk sent you. He has a big full size van.

[Dirkgun]

Tues jan 20th Fun Day at Sea Today we planned to sleep in a bit and then go down to the MDR for the sea day brunch. When I got up it was just after sunrise and I went out on the balcony and saw some flying fish. I came in to get my “Big Gun” (Canon DSLR) to try to shoot some pics. I also woke up my wife so she could see them. We tried to let the other parties in our group know as well without really being obnoxious about waking them up. Flying fish are a cool thing to see they just come out of a wave and glide for a while then splash back down. It is a challenge because you never know where they will be and they are not huge… from the Lido deck they look even smaller. You can kind of make them out it these pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we planned to go to the Sea Day Brunch that is served a little later. It was a good time to eat in the dining room. They have some good things on the brunch menu. I kind of wish we would have taken some food porn. I can tell you there was not one time we could not find something very good to eat. Was everything perfect?? Of course not but, as usual it exceeded our expectations. Today after breakfast we just kind of milled around and wandered the ship looking at things. Some went to the casino, some went to the shopping talks and the prerequisite naps were also included. There are always things to do on Sea days…trivia contests, bingo, hairy chest competition, Ice sculpture etc. We also knew that this was really our only relaxation day so we took advantage of the more relaxed pace.

 

 

Random pictures of the cabin....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 3, 2015 by Dirkgun