Valor Embarkation & Internet Update

[gullgeorge]

Arrived at Port Canaveral Terminal 10 at 9:50 am on 9/19 for the Valor. Baggage drop-off for early arrivals is at the far end of the terminal. Very east drive up to porter, drop off bags and then backtrack to parking garage. Less traffic than terminal 6 where we had left from the prior two years.

 

Parking garage is a little further than at terminal 6 and the lower level was about 60% full when we arrived. The only entrance into the terminal that was available for check-in at that time is at the far end of the terminal since the passengers arriving have to go through the same area as arrivals (more entrances and security lines are open after the arriving passengers have left). There are two lines for security, one for priority and the other one for the rest of us. When we arrived there were more priority passengers, so we were checked-in faster than the priority passengers.

 

A Carnival representative check our identification which was different than last year when a Border & Customs person scanned our passports. There are two security screening stations and since you do not have to remove anything from your bags, the line goes quicker than the standard airport line. You then go upstairs to check-in with Carnival.

When you get upstairs the priority passengers go left and the other passengers go straight and then right. It took around 5 minutes in lines since there were only about 6 check-in personnel available (this increased to over 20 at about 10:30). From dropping off luggage to sitting down in the waiting area was about 30 minutes. There are bathrooms and water available in the waiting area. The previous two years we arrived about 20 minutes later and had the same experience but this may not be the case with terminal 10 because of the limited security lines available at that time.

 

The announcement that the ship had been cleared was at 10:53 which was quick since there were people still leaving the ship at 10:30. Wedding parties were called at 11:00, then diamond, platinum, suite, FTTF and then zones. We were zone 3 and were called at 11:15. It is easy to avoid the picture area and head into the ship where they check you in using your Sign & Sail card. They verify your picture (which was taken at when you checked into with the Carnival representative) and for the first time asked your name. We were eating lunch from the Mongolian Wok at 11:25. Went to the room at 1:20 and luggage arrived at 5:45.

 

The new internet program is available on the Valor and the cost for the cruise is $25 for social, $60 for value and $99 for premium. So far the connection has been good during the day at sea and will let you know how it works for the rest of the cruise. Will post more info later this week.

 

Was confirmed for late sitting (waited too long to book hoping fare would go down, it didn’t) and was able to change it for your time. Worth the 20 minute wait in line for dining room inquires that was at 1:00. Had to use late sitting the first night but have been confirmed for your time the rest of the cruise.

 

Will post more info later this week. If you have any questions, let me know.

[13cheermom]

Thanks for the update about check-in at Port Canaveral! Has been about 4 years since we've sailed from there. Will be leaving from there in 2 weeks on the Sunshine. Sounds like the new port areas have been a great improvement and made check-in much easier. Good to hear! Hope you have a great cruise this week :D

[lizardhowson]

Thanks for sharing this !

[kellijo2121]

We are on Valor in January. Thanks for the info I look forward to additional info and reviews.

[SHayesShip]

I board Valor next month for Western itinerary. Hope to hear how your cruise goes.

[Blondie40]

:) On Valor in January. Happy to hear about the internet package. Going with my sis, so hope to stay in touch with hubby on FB.

[BETSY DOLL]

Family cruise Christmas week for us on Valor! Who is the CD? Post more info as you sail! And have a great time!!

[tandemcruzr]

Thanks for the info. We are sailing a B2B on her in November. Looking forward to your updates. :)

[Qchell]

Thank you for the update on the internet package!! We have two couples cruising with us next Spring on the Valor and both couples have children at home that they are going to be needing to stay in touch with.

 

Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the cruise goes!

[gullgeorge]

The bathroom sample basket had nothing in it this cruise. There was no soufflé at the first formal dinner. Lobsters were bigger than last year. Serenity area is at the front of the ship with two large hot tubs on the top deck with a good view. We did back into the dock at Cozumel so the starboard side of the ship is facing the dock and the Sensation.

At around 3:00 pm on Sunday, we passed Havana (port side of the ship) and was close enough that you could see the city and if you have a pair of binoculars you can distinctly see the individual buildings.

Used the internet to attend a Skype for Business call (I know I am on vacation, but only one call for the week) and the sound was just like I was in the room and the video had just a little latency (this is using the Value plan). The call was just after we docked at Cozumel. Have been switching the internet between three devices and if you use the carnival web site for the internet to log-in or try to go into another web site, the log-in screen will display and you can put in your Folio number and birthdate (month and day). It will then ask if you want to disconnect the other device that is connected. It does have a hard time finding the internet sign-on page sometimes but I have had the same problem sometimes at hotels.

[DDFla]

Thank for the updates, I'm on 10/3