Questions about a member's review of Carnival Valor

[sailingwithfriends]

I just read a member's review of Carnival Valor. It doesn't sound like they enjoyed their cruise too much and she felt the cruise line was going downhill. I hate to hear that. We all build up so much anticipation of how wonderful our cruise will be. My question is the member said she enjoyed the Guy's burgers. I was under the impression that Valor didn't have a Guy's. If you have been on the Valor recently, was there a Guys or was the reviewer mistaken?

[valentinebaby1]

There is no Guys Burgers on the Valor.

[sailingwithfriends]

Interesting. What else wasn't on the ship or didn't happen?

[cruiser fanatic]

I just did a B2B on the Valor. There is no Guy's Burger on the Valor. The Valor needs some serious upgrades. The ship was showing her age in some areas. The Valor will get upgrades in March.

[Tapi]

The Valor will get upgrades in March.

 

 

I asked my PVP about this and he said that contrary to what's been reported, the Valor is not due for any upgrades in March. I looked online and sure enough you can book sailings during the entire month of March.

[Canada_Cruiser2012]

I was on Valor in April and did the "Behind the Fun" tour and the captain said Valor will be going into dry dock in 2016. He did not say what month.

[evandbob]

I was recently on the Valor for the 7th time, awarded a free casino cruise. Not only is the Valor showing its age, the service was atrocious. 45 minutes in between courses in the late MDR, some dinners finishing @ 1030PM, a broken TV that had to be replaced in my cabin, a shower that wouldn't drain, room service arriving 40 minutes after the window specified.

[firespud]

We were on the Valor in April and had no complaints. I'm sure if I sat around and looked for problems on the ship I could find some, but I chose to spend my time enjoying the cruise rather than looking for problems.

 

We booked 4 guarantee cabins and linked our reservations together. When cabins were assigned we were all together on deck 7. Our dinner seating was also at the same table - no problem here. We had early seating at dinner and never experienced any slow service. We felt the food was very good and all of our favorites were still served.

 

Our cruise had almost 3 whole days at sea before our first port, Aruba. We did talk with some of the staff and they said it was really hard on them with so many sea days. We saw one of our assistants from the MDR in the Lido at breakfast and lunch and then again at dinner at 6. This meant he was working basically all day. However, he was always pleasant and smiling.

 

We never encountered any of the staff that was not smiling and they always seemed happy to see us. Our room steward and his assistant always called us by name and did a great job with our room.

 

We did not attend any of the shows in the theater (other than the Motown performer). We had seen all the shows before. We did attend the comedy shows and some comedians were better than the others, but that's always subjective. Spent some time in the casino and the slots were good to me for once:D My husband plays blackjack and is not a high roller, but this time the casino boss comp'd him a drink every night. This has never happened before.

 

This was our 3rd cruise on the Valor and we would not hesitate to book her again, with or without the dry dock.

[Lerin]

Either the reviewer got her ships mixed up or she confused the grill with Guys.

Regardless, add this to reasons to take reviews with a grain of sand.

[love my grandkids]

Either the reviewer got her ships mixed up or she confused the grill with Guys.

Regardless, add this to reasons to take reviews with a grain of sand.

 

Guys or no guys is rather a big deal and she loses a lot of credibility there.

 

Besides when someone totally pans a cruise tend not to believe them very much.

[cruizinisthebest]

My brother and his girlfriend were on the Valor repo back in March and loved it! She's on our radar for next year. Upgrades will be nice only because my son loves Guys. But I've been on plenty of ships without 2.0 and had a great time!

 

There are some reviews and reviewers I personally value more than others. Someone that can't accurately describe the ship or its eating spots isn't one of them.

[amyh13]

We had a great time on the Valor in April. I think the ship looked great. A few hiccups with the service but nothing crazy. And no, there is no Guy's.

 

We are also looking at sailing on the Valor again next April. When they did some of the "Dancing of the Ships" announcements it said (and I went back and read it twice!) that the Valor was going to dry dock in March 2016 but as another posted stated, all of the March sailing are available on the website so I guess it's unlikely it will happen.

 

I was hoping for the upgrades but would sail the Valor again without them.

[Green Boy]

Have been on the Valor 4 times and I love the ship... yes it could use some TLC here and there but overall it's a great ship....

 

would cruise on her anytime.... the last room steward was awesome, still facebook friends and the wait staff remembered us from our last cruise, he even remembered where we had sat in the MDR the year before...

Edited May 7, 2015 by Green Boy

[Working 2 cruise again]

We are cruising the valor this month, and are looking forward to it. We are really laid back when it comes to cruising so we will look for the good in everything. I am sure the ship needs so updates, and a little love, but I am okay with it. For a week I don't have to cook, dust, wash dishes, etc, etc. As long as there is plenty of food and some sun. I will be content.

 

Oh and as long as the bar doesn't run out! :D:D

[pghsteelerfan]

We were on Valor in May 2013 and really enjoyed her and have no complaints. We've always had great Carnival staff but our staff on Valor were the best we've experienced yet. As others have said, take the complaints with a grain of salt.

[SkyMaster]

I too, just returned from an 8 day, B2B, and I too had a FANTASTIC time aboard. Service at my table in the aft dining room was EXCELLENT, and service on the entire cruise, and at every point was outstanding as well. Only complaint I had was that the music performed in the atrium was WAY TOO LOUD. Shows were FANTASTIC, and I'd recommend "Valor" to anyone wishing to have a great cruise.

 

"SKY"

[tiggerlover]

I too, just returned from an 8 day, B2B, and I too had a FANTASTIC time aboard. Service at my table in the aft dining room was EXCELLENT, and service on the entire cruise, and at every point was outstanding as well. Only complaint I had was that the music performed in the atrium was WAY TOO LOUD. Shows were FANTASTIC, and I'd recommend "Valor" to anyone wishing to have a great cruise.

 

"SKY"

 

that's wonderful news! we're booked on her in October 2016. thanks! :)

[daisychain11]

Green Boy - if they remember you that well - I wanna cruise with you!! Lol. Obviously, you are nice to the staff and are enjoyable to be around.

 

Can't wait to be on Valor in less than a month!!

 

I'm actually excited that there is no Guy's so I can get cheesy fries! :D

 

Working 2 Cruise Again - I agree with all you posted!

 

fyree39 - yay - now I know your review will be a good one for Valor!

[Sixtytwo]

This from Daisy..."Green Boy - if they remember you that well - I wanna cruise with you!! Lol. Obviously, you are nice to the staff and are enjoyable to be around"...just might explain a lot of the criticisms seen on CC about one ship or another! The staff on these ships are worked very hard and most do it with a smile on their face and a readiness to accommodate our every request. If we all tried just a little harder to recognize them and their efforts by taking the time to speak to them and show that you are appreciative of their service, I bet we would see a lot fewer complaints about food service, or room stewards, or others who try to make our cruises enjoyable!

[May1cruiser]

just came back from her. GREAT staff. most knew our name after our first meeting. a very clean ship. We are not picky, and maybe some of the carpet could use TLC. We did the chef's table. What a great meal and behind the scenes tour and commentary. I have a new respect for how hard the staff works to make our vacation enjoyable. Golden rule. You can never please everyone all of the time! This was a great cruise (southern )

[cmptrwiz]

Great ship. NO guys.

[icunrse]

Glad to hear Valor isn't a washed up ole gal. I had to change our planned cruise on Splendor March 2016, but she's going into dry dock. I would love to be on a ship with the 2.0 upgrades, but this is a trip planned through work, so it's what it is. :)

[TamNMike]

We debarked from the Valor on May 8th and all I can say is -- I sure wish I was back on that beautiful, wonderful ship! I didn't miss the 2.0 upgrades and the staff, food and drinks were ALL fantastic. Honestly I think there are just some people out there that are LOOKING for faults to find. The ONLY people we encountered on our trip with bad attitudes or complaints were other passengers. Which is just too bad. :(

I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did!

Tam