Valor review - the good, the bad, and the meh

[Sailingsoonunderthemoon1]

Just returned yesterday from an 8 day cruise on the Valor. Am sharing my thoughts regarding our journey to help others who may be planning their trips.

 

We arrived at the pier about 1:45pm. There was zero wait at security or to get checked-in before entering the ship. Utilized the 40% off pier parking coupon received by staying at one of the associated hotels.

 

Our cabin was an extended aft room on the Verandah deck (8450). This was one of the two “special” cabins that have an extra wide balcony next to the Aft wraps on deck 8. While nice, the additional room wasn’t necessary though it did have two chaise lounges instead of just one on the regular aft-extended balconies. The ship was very rocky the first few nights. I’m not sure if this was the aft location, being on a higher deck than we normally travel, or just the weather pattern. Drawers in the cabin were actually opening and closing one of the evenings as the ship rocked back and forth. It was great having an empty fridge upon arrival to fill with the water bottles we’d ordered and the sodas we brought. We brought a battery operated fan but didn’t need it as the cabin was cool enough for sleeping. Neighbors on both sides of our balcony smoked continuously. At sail-away I noticed looking over the back of the ship that we may have been the only cabin without cigarettes in our hands. The “no smoking” rule on the balcony did not seem to apply to the aft-cabin clientele.

 

Your-time-dining was a new experience for us. It was nice having the option to eat at whatever time we wished, though the reality was that we found ourselves going every night at 5:45pm. At that time there wasn’t much of a wait (just the time it took to get people seated at tables). If we dined after 6:30, there was a wait of approximately 45 minutes to an hour. They do give you pagers so you can enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait.

 

Dining room service and food was different from what we’ve experienced on previous voyages. The servers were doing their best and were friendly and accommodating keeping us stocked with bread and water. They made an effort to use and remember our names. Food course delivery was incredibly slow. One evening we sat over an hour before our appetizers arrived. It was the norm to wait over 30 minutes to just place an order. The wait staff was very busy – it just didn’t seem to operate with the efficiency we’ve seen on previous cruises. Food itself was very different too. Food has always been a highlight of the cruise experience for me. I don’t expect five star dining, but expect Applebee’s/Olive Garden quality food. Looking back on 8 days of meals, I can’t think of a particular dish I’d recommend to others or wish to order again. The quality of the meat was poor, some of the dishes were tasteless, and by the end of the week we were joking that visiting our local Denny’s would be a nice change of pace. Fish selections seemed to be of better quality. Vegetable spring rolls as an appetizer were good. This was the first time I didn’t finish meals and left not completely satisfied. Wine bottles were priced $24 - $44 with a Barefoot Cabernet costing $25 in the dining room. It did surprise me that I was expected to pour my own wine rather than have the wait staff fill my glass. When I ordered lobster (for the additional $20 charge) it was delivered in the tail with no preparation rather than cut so I could easily remove it to eat. Dress on the ship was definitely casual. Shorts were then norm for gentleman in the dining room.

 

Overall buffets were lackluster. On sea days, there was no line for breakfast omelets if you arrived before 8am. Guys Burgers became the go-to lunch spot. Blue Iguana was good for both breakfast and lunch. Cleanliness at the buffet was questionable, though not by fault of Carnival. Twice I followed someone in the buffet line who dropped the serving utensil on the floor and put it back into the serving dish for someone else to use. A lady reached into the French toast to pick out her piece, moving several aside with her fingers. At the dessert station people routinely stuck their hands in the bowl of cookies to help themselves rather than using the tongs provided. The seating area in Rosie’s cafeteria area was always crowded. Heading upstairs to the 10th level by the fish & chips area was a nice respite.

 

Cabin service was twice per day and we were not asked to select a morning or evening option. The cabin steward did a good job remembering names and greeting us pleasantly in the hallway.

 

Room service had good free and pay options. PB&J, Grilled Cheese, Reuben’s, chocolate chip cookies/milk, and cheesecake were favorites on the free menu. Sweet potato fries ($2) were delicious and served in a basket big enough to share. We tipped the person who delivered the food $3 each time.

 

Daytime entertainment was primarily trivia and bingo. Evening entertainment was comedy shows (which were excellent), Carnival Legends, an Illusionist, a Juggler, and two song/dance shows. In-room entertainment was ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, TNT, TBS, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, and a daily kid movie and adult option (Taken 2, Crazy, Stupid Love, etc.)

 

There was nothing wrong with this cruise but there was nothing that stands out as being good or great. I did not enjoy this cruise as much as our previous Carnival cruises. I’ve always felt Carnival had a well-priced product that allowed me to cruise more frequently and have recommended this line to others. This time I felt disappointed and was left feeling that spending a little more money would have provided a better cruising experience.

[cincicruisers]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

[Roz]

Thanks for a balanced review.

 

Roz

[First and Ten]

Good review. Hopefully more cruisers take your advice and show up later on embarkation day

 

 

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Edited August 7, 2016 by First and Ten

[joeyancho]

Princess is a bit more money, however it is a quantum leap above Carnival. Food, service and entertainment are all a cut above. Our final Carnival cruise left us with the same meh feeling. Our vacation time is precious to us, so saving a few bucks by cruising Carnival is not a priority. Having a great experience is our priority.

[Luvtoeat]

Great review. Will be on the Valor the end of Sept. This will be our 8th or 9th Carnival cruise and 35th overall. A cruise is what you make it so really looking forward to the end of Sept. We will go with great expectations and hope for the best.

[illinoisfive]

We were on this cruise and had an entirely different experience.

1. The food in the dining room was probably the best we have ever experienced on a Carnival ship. The filet, lamb, steaks, etc. were excellent every evening. The eggs benedict during the Sea Day Brunch was perfectly prepared. The omelet stations were crowded during the times we at at the buffet, but that is to be expected.

2. We did have rocky seas on Sunday during the day and overnight, however, we did pass through two tropical depressions, one being Earl. The ship never rocked after that (unlike the Breeze which is quite rocky)

3. Agree with the comedians and shows, they were great.

4. We didn't experience any smokers on balconies near us, which was nice.

5. Our Anytime Dining wait staff was efficient and very friendly.

Overall, great ship, great service!

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[babyclaytonmom]

I was on this cruise too and agree with your dining room comments. Food was so-so at best. Slower and not as good quality as our past cruises (we are platinum).

Many balcony smokers on deck 7 too.

[siestakeys04]

Thank you all for your valor review. We sail in November and I always enjoy eating near fish and chips. We are taking new cruisers so hope they enjoy

 

 

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[linbobky]

A big thank you for your review!:) will be on her the end of the month. we will be celebrating our 50th.:) how time flies!!:)

[jocko4279]

I wish everyone would stop saying "meh" arrggghhh! :)

[Clarea]

Nicely written report.:)

[missygirl]

Glad for this review we will be sailing on her soon and haven't read much about the 8 night lately.

[GreytRacer]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review. I also appreciate the feedback from others who were on this same sailing.

 

What did you think of the ports of call?

 

 

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[Sailingsoonunderthemoon1]

In St. Martin we did a tour with Bernard's Tours. Very enjoyable and I recommend it highly. We did the version without the beach break and found we had a little too much time in town. Maho beach was great. In St. Kitts we toured with Grey Excursions. Doing structured tours two days in a row was too much for me so I didn't enjoy it as thoroughly. In San Juan we just walked up to the fort and enjoyed strolling the streets on the way back to the boat. Grand Turk was a beach day - just walked off the ship and enjoyed.

[indiaksue]

Princess is a bit more money, however it is a quantum leap above Carnival. Food, service and entertainment are all a cut above. Our final Carnival cruise left us with the same meh feeling. Our vacation time is precious to us, so saving a few bucks by cruising Carnival is not a priority. Having a great experience is our priority.

 

That's funny because we hated our cruise on the Regal Princess, for food, service and entertainment. It is each individual ship you have to look at. One Carnival ship may be better than another depending on management and crew.

At least that is what we have seen.

[Hobbsey]

Thanks to the OP for a balanced and unemotional view. We'll be on board next month so this is valuable info.

 

One question, did you take note or any kind of Cigars Under the Stars event during the 8 day cruise?

[rtap23]

Thanks for the review. We got off the Valor a few weeks before the op and had a very pleasant cruise. Our dining experience was great but we did have early seating with service never going over 1 hour

[taxwiz]

"This time I felt disappointed and was left feeling that spending a little more money would have provided a better cruising experience."

Good review. I've been on many cruises and share your sentiments. Give me the Camry with some bells and whistles and not the bare bones mid size car. I will happily pay the difference.