Valor Dissapointment

Skimby · January 2, 2007

We returned last week from the Dec 17-24 Easter Carib Valor trip, and I must say, both hubby and I were dissapointed - We made the best of it, and had a very nice trip, but the quality was just terrible...

We booked an excursion for St. Thomas - beach and snorkel - little did we know that the excursion existed of outdoor buses taking us to an overcowded beach - there were no private lockers, so Hubby and I had to take turns in the water so the other person could watch our stuff...

this was one vacation where over eating was not an option! Rosie's reminded us of a dirty cafeteria - plates were not cleaned up in an oderly fashion, and flies were everywhere - there was no staff available to help us with drinks (Not that we're too lazy to get our own drinks, but usually, when you sit down from a buffet line, there's a waiter to help you with drinks) I was also surpsied that the "special buffets" were so poorly organized - a chocolate buffet during the day consisted of one chocolate fountain (for the whole ship!), stail donughts, and aging fruit...I think you get the picture...

However, the Steward and wait staff at dinner were great! they were really helpful and friendly.

In addition, the entertainment acts were ok - we enjoyed the comedians, but the dancers shows were average at best - Broaday quality they were not...

So, We did have a nice time, but were just dissapointed in a few things...in comparison to our Royal Caribbean Cruise last year, we probably wouldn't book another Carnival Cruise again...

hdawson · January 2, 2007

If you want Broadway quality shows, I suggest Broadway at $100.00 per person per show. Not $100.00 per day for all that a cruise provides. Even your five course dinner show in NYC would possibly be another $100.00 per person. I've enjoyed all the shows at on a sometimes rocky ship; even the Platters. Not sure what you expect.

And if you want the best of your port calls, research them and arrange your own fun. It's also cheaper. Why didn't you go to St John instead of St Thomas? Pristine!

hstrybuf · January 2, 2007

I'm sorry you found some things disappointing. However, I would encourage you not to let this sway you from trying Carnival again. It could have happened on any sailing, any ship.

Did you by any chance research your St. Thomas excursion before you booked it? Did anyone give anything other than good reviews of it?

We've never had a waiter at the buffet help us with our drinks. There was someone coming around to see if we needed refills though. We had the same chocolate buffet setup on the Miracle. Just a small one, but we enjoyed it very much. Stale and aging food is not good nor is allowing dirty plates to stack up on tables.

Hopefully, you won't let these small things deter you when you book your next cruise.

CRUZFOOLS · January 2, 2007

SKIMBY: We cruised Valor and were also dissappointed. Conquest was wonderful and we were expecting the same but it did not happen. We also thought the food and shows were below par. Since then we went on RCCL and had a wonderful time with great food even though it was an old ship. We are trying Carnival again in several weeks and hope that this cruise is better than Valor.

yogimax · January 2, 2007

Surprised you enjoyed the comedians - in general, I have found 90% to be third rate

salty dingo · January 2, 2007

We were on Valor aobut nine months ago, and had no complaints. I have seen waiters in the buffet areas on Carnival cruises, but they are pretty rare.

Really, it is so easy to get up and refill at the self-service fountains... why would anyone want to wait on someone to come by and fill the glass? It's like dining in a fast food restaurant... which is OK by me.

The wait staff at dinner is pretty good about keeping the glasses filled. But do people need that level of service three meals a day? I don't.

I really liked the Fish and Chips, above Rosie's. There was a good variety of food, and while it was not the world's best, it was certainly good enough for a cruise which was $75 a day for room, board, and transportation. I really don't know what more people expect for that price.

kujobie · January 2, 2007

We were on Valor aobut nine months ago, and had no complaints. I have seen waiters in the buffet areas on Carnival cruises, but they are pretty rare.

Really, it is so easy to get up and refill at the self-service fountains... why would anyone want to wait on someone to come by and fill the glass? It's like dining in a fast food restaurant... which is OK by me.

The wait staff at dinner is pretty good about keeping the glasses filled. But do people need that level of service three meals a day? I don't.

I really liked the Fish and Chips, above Rosie's. There was a good variety of food, and while it was not the world's best, it was certainly good enough for a cruise which was $75 a day for room, board, and transportation. I really don't know what more people expect for that price.

You forgot entertainment. $75 a day for food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment. Our upcoming Imagination cruise in january I got for $50 a day. It costs more money than that to stay at home. I agree that some people expect too much. You get what you pay for. I'm willing to accept some minor disappointments for $50 a day.

hdawson · January 2, 2007

Hi Neighbor. Actually I just returned from a Carnival cruise at $50.00 per day sailing solo. I just don't know how they can provide so much for so little. I basically sail 3 lines. Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Total 19 cruises. I know to expect each line (and ea sailing) to be different. I can usually find great prices on Carnival; most beautiful ships on Royal Caribbean, especially the Radiance class and Celebrity for the finest cuisine and refined service. Some people are very hard to please.

themnms · January 2, 2007

hmnn well we sail her next week. I am sure we will have a great time...:) :)

January 2, 2007

Wow, I'm surprised by your posting. I've read everything posted about the Valor that I can get my hands on. I think yours is the first negative one - with nothing positive. We'll be on the Valor in Feb. and we can't wait. I know we'll have a good time - we always do. First of all, we would never ever assume that our drinks should be refilled at a buffet, so that won't be a problem for us. Also, I guess when we've been in St. Thomas, or any other island with a beach, we expect it to be "overcrowded." Often times there are 5-6 ships at port - which could easily mean 10,000-15,000 people. Obviously a lot of them will head to the beaches. If you booked your shore excursion through the ship it should have stated that you'd be on an open bus, personally I'd much rather have an open bus than a hot enclosed one - but that's me, and if it said that the beach would have lockers and it didn't, then I would have complained when I got back on the ship. We are always very clear about the details of an excursion that we book through the ship, and never assume anything. Sorry the "quality was just terrible" on your cruise. Good luck next time. Hopefully another line will give you what you expect.

Las Vegas Non Rev · January 2, 2007

You forgot entertainment. $75 a day for food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment. Our upcoming Imagination cruise in january I got for $50 a day. It costs more money than that to stay at home. I agree that some people expect too much. You get what you pay for. I'm willing to accept some minor disappointments for $50 a day.

Our last cruise on the Imagination was a huge let down. We had engine problems and went to Nassau and freeport:mad: . Needless to say no one was pleased and the staff was overwhelmed with upset people.

It was the second time we sailed her last year. We will sail her again in a heart beat.

Its like that box of chocolate thing. Life and cruises are to short to sweat the small stuff.

beachlady58 · January 2, 2007

I agree with the poster - when I travel - cruise or hotel - I expect to be waited on and that includes the bufet restaurants. When I am on RCCl they offer to get drinks and they are prompt to remove the dishes. I would consider the arrangement on the Valor to be unaccpetable. Try the RCCl Radiance class ship - you won't be disappointed. Last cruise I was on the Radiance and there were a few issues. Management moved me from a balcony abin to the Royal Family Suite - that shows commitment to service! Cruises are't cheap!

Buster27 · January 2, 2007

I have sailed several Royal Carribean ships and I have NEVER had waiter service at the buffet. The set up was exactly the same as Carnival.

If you want wait service at breakfast or lunch, go to the dining room.