Valor Dissapointment

[Kurbanfan]

double post

[Jenna1983]

I leave for the Valor in four days (CANNOT wait!!!). I definitely do not expect someone to give me drinks at a buffet LOL I could totally get into the "lazy" scenario, but I won't. I figure, I'm 23 years old and if I cannot get a drink myself, then maybe I shouldn't get one at all.

[silentbob007]

I just got off of a RCCL ship, and what bothered me was that there were no trays in the buffet and that I always had to make a second trip to go and get drinks. I did see an occasional drink cart in the Windjammer, but its purpose seemed mostly to sell wine and soda.

[Cruising89143]

I just got off of a RCCL ship, and what bothered me was that there were no trays in the buffet and that I always had to make a second trip to go and get drinks. I did see an occasional drink cart in the Windjammer, but its purpose seemed mostly to sell wine and soda.

 

Unless Carnival has added them back when I was on the Destiny, Triumph, Victory and Glory we did not have trays in the lido dining room. The Fantasy and Spirit class ships had the trays.

[Kurbanfan]

Unless Carnival has added them back when I was on the Destiny, Triumph, Victory and Glory we did not have trays in the lido dining room. The Fantasy and Spirit class ships had the trays.

 

The Valor had trays.....

[silentbob007]

Interesting ... I don't remember being on a Carnival ship that didn't have trays.

[redskin80]

I have never sailed RCL, so I cannot compare. I have sailed 5 times with Carnival, on 4 different ships.

 

The buffet is self serve, and that includes the drinks. I did notice on this last Liberty sailing, someone did come around with a cart to refill the drinks. I never expect anyone to serve me at the buffet. Just me I guess. If I want to be served then I go to the dining room.

 

As far as dirty dishes sometimes this is seen out in the areas around the pool but not once you go past the doors. I have even had a server come remove the dishes as I have finished with them.

 

AS far as flies, I can say that the only time I find any types of bugs is when we are in port, not at sea.

 

I would also suggest that you do more research for the excursions, that is what these boards are for.

 

Good luck on your next cruise.

[RvrCrzr]

I hate ALL BUFFETS equally. (land and sea) I don't like all the contact the food has with others. I don't like all the people scrambling to grab stuff. I don't like trying to find a table by wondering around with a tray. I just avoid buffets...and I don't have a problem. If I want breakfast...I head to the dining room. Much better food and service (usually).

 

RCI ships are REALLY NICE! I'm hoping Carnivals are nice too. Open mind. Princess ships are nice, but toned way down. No real WOW factor.

 

Disembarkation is a nightmare...no matter what cruiseline you take. It was a nightmare on them all. They ALL SUCK at it.

Cruise lines need to put forth a better system altogether. Getting on seems easier than getting off, however.

 

I've been offered drinks (occasionally) and offered refills quite often on Princess and RCI. Your automatic gratuities cover these people...and you pay them for it. If waiters in the buffet are getting a share of the tips...they should be out earning them by helping the guests. (do I really need the waiter? No. But if I'm paying for the service, and it ain't there...:mad: )

[hdawson]

RCI has no auto tipping. You can request that tips be put on your Sail and Sign though if you would like. (waitstaff and cabin steward) It takes a trip to the Purser's office unless you are booked from the UK. Your dining room waitstaff also does double duty in the buffet area at lunch and breakfast. They also do triple duty with the gormet bites served in the lounges around midnight and other food venues. They really earn their tips, like on all cruiselines. As I recall from my four RCI cruises, they give you pretty large platters instead of trays or normal sized plates. They hold alot of food but I prefer the linen lined trays on Celebrity where when you're finished with the line, a steward steps forward and carrys your tray for you. Now, that's service to the inth degree.

 

As for disembarkation, so much depends on when the ship is cleared by the feds, Customs and Immigration sending enough agents and just how long the dogs take to puruse the baggage. Probably nobody is more interested in a speedy clearing of the ship than the cruiseline, so they can turn the ship around for the new passengers who start boarding at 11:30.

[Kurbanfan]

Disembarkation is a nightmare...no matter what cruiseline you take. It was a nightmare on them all. They ALL SUCK at it.

 

I don't find this true. From our experience cruising (dozens) we found that Miami port was the only port we had a problem with. All others we cruised from were no problem. Finding San Diego as one of the best in my opinion.

[crusinpsychRN]

Try the Miracle. Staff was always picking up dishes as soon as you put your fork down. Lots of carts roaming with drinks. No flies, except a rare one out by the pool on sea day. (How does a fly get all the way out there?!) Ship was extremely clean.

[Skimby]

Just to clarify a few things:

 

Hubby and I did have a good time - there were just a few things I pointed out in terms of the "class" of the ship...Any, yes, I guess, being a New York City resident, with access to Broadway shows and a variety of restaurants to choose from, I have high expectations when I'm on vacation.

 

My point was not that I was too lazy to pick up my own drinks, or expected to be waited on hand and foot at a buffet - my point was - Where was the wait staff, and why weren't they picking up dirty dishes, or helping cruisers who had already sat down with their meals?

 

As for the excursions - Yes, finding something more private woud have been nice, but I still think it's the ships responcibility not to over book an excursion and to provide some sence of security for one's belongings..In most cases, we're paying them twice the price for the same excursion - I don't think that's too much to ask for...

 

I hope everyone does enjoy their next cruise, on the Valor, or wherever...! I'm saving for Disney...

[Irish_Jewel5]

Incredible how people can be on the same cruise and see things so differently. Myself and 3 family members cruised the same valor Eastern Dec 17- Dec 24. All four of us, are astonished, with the service we received, the orderly fashion in which the crew were able to please ( or i assume most anyway) thousands of people at a time. The ship was clean, staff were outstanding, and there is nothing more we could have asked for. This was our third cruise.

 

Our waitstaff were exceptional, the buffets including the chocolate were outstanding. Im sorry but we happened to see more than a chocolate fountain and our fruit and doughnuts were far from stale. The staff at Rosies were astonishing, often times we hardly had our last bite of food off our plate and there was someone there asking if we were done.. tables cleaned quickly and effeciently, as well as can be expected, considering there were 4000 ppl on board. Sure we saw a few tables not cleaned.. for a minute or so.. but cmon.

 

Carnival decorated our rooms with bon voyage decorations and we did the back to back, ( also on the Valor the week prior Dec 10-17 Western caribbean.) We received fruit baskets and chocolate covered strawberries. No we are not platinum, as i mentioned, this is only our third cruise. On the third day of our first week, I had contacted the pursers desk asking were upgrades available for the second week, ( this was our first time in an inside cabin and would rather ocean view or balcony). We made it clear we would pay the upgrade difference. On Wednesday of our first week, we were advised we were being moved to Ocean View staterooms, two staterooms side by side, our originals were on same floor but not close. When i asked the difference in price, we were advised the upgrades were compliments of Carnival. Wonderful.

 

We got to know the maitre D in our dining room, our head waiter and assistant, the dining staff for other tables, the dining room hostess, our stewards.. and we were always, always greeted with smiles laughter and fun. Of course, if a little thing wasnt absolutely perfect here or there, it didnt keep us from smiling either, and maybe thats why we got so many smiles in return.

 

We were two couples ages 45 & 51, and 62 and 63. We all feel the same, we had an incredible cruise with service that would be hard to be matched. In fact, upon leaving, we completed our comment cards stating exactly that, and the second week our waiter advised us our cards had been photocopied and distributed in their staff meeting.. as an example of how guests can be pleased and satisfied and appreciate the small things.

 

I have over 600 pictures, I will eventually get a review up with photos, but I was astonished when i read some of the comments re dirty tables, flies, etc etc etc. Its hard to believe we were all on the same ship. Im sorry you didnt have a pleasant experience, but i cant help but wonder if its due to unreasonably high expectations.. because.. there was nothing more we could have asked for, no better service, no friendlier staff, than what we experienced on that cruise. The food was outstanding, and let me add we have travelled to many caribbean islands, europe, rome, italy, france, several states, every province in canada, puerto rico, ireland, Budapest, im sure i can list many other places, and I will say that the service we received in the dining room on the valor, and elsewhere, was every bit as good, if not better, than what we received in the other places ive listed. When in Budapest, we stayed in a room three doors down from the prince of Jordan, im suggesting obviously it wasnt a 2 star fly bitten hole... and our experience with the Valor equates to anywhere else we've been, as i stated.

 

Better luck with subsequent vacations, all I ask is that my future cruises be half what I experienced on the Valor, and I will smile and be satisfied.

[fozziscooter]

:D We loved the Valor, even the buffet! We had trays.....do some boats not? I've only been on two cruises, the Valor and the Conquest and was never ever offered any beverages at the buffet lunch or dinner. On other lines do they?

I'd recommend a cruise on the Valor anyday, and would return to sail:D

[themnms]

Well all i can say is WOW.We were on the valor last week and it met all of our expectations and exceeded them.. Love the ship,loved the food,loved the service, loved it all..

[Jenna1983]

Also, I don't know where they were the week you were on, but I saw people last week in Rosie's pouring drinks in the morning/lunch/late nite buffet. Heck, they even served danishes in the morning if you wanted them. I of course said no since I had already gotten it!

[caribbean dreams]

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.

 

I wouldn't worry about it, you will have a great time, some people are just not Carnival people, some people just have not found their happy place yet:)

 

The Valor is a beautiful ship and it is spotless, the staff, which i knew most of from other cruise ships (I must cruise to much) were very nice.

[clgcrusier]

My Valor experience was wonderful. If I saw a couple dirty dishes on the table-I just moved them to another with dishes-the staff was working their butts off-it takes about 5 seconds to move a couple of dishes! I guess that sort of thing doesn't bother me. And I never saw a bug on the ship-that MAY have bothered me, had it been a tarantula or cockroach or something nasty like that!:eek:

 

I though the ship was beautiful, the shows were good. As for the shore excursions, I may agree with you on that-for as much as they charge, they could do better on them. My favorite ones so far have been privately booked ones. Just have to be careful about times.

 

Probably my only gripe, if you can call it that, is I wish the shops and casino were a little bigger. A rather disappointing variety of items in the shops, and not enough slots, or variety of slots, in the casino. Hard to get on a machine, and always crowded. Cut down on the lobby space-no one's there anyway!:D

[kamac56]

We sail on the Valor shortly, we have never been on carnival but have been on RCCL. I guess I was wondering if anyone tips the wait staff in the buffet? I never have so I guess I wouldn't expect individual service at the buffet. The meaning of buffet is- A buffet (buh-FAY or /bə.ˈfei/) is a meal-serving system where patrons serve themselves. It is a popular method of feeding large numbers of people with minimal staff.

 

 

Kamac

[CBXRAY]

I sailed on the Valor last april and it was the best cruise I have taken, which is 4.

 

The ship was great, the staff were friendly, the food was outstanding, ate at scarletts one night, and met a group of people from CC, and have remained good friends.

 

Sorry to hear you had a few complaints

 

Take care

[Criscomia]

Thanks for your semi-review... sorry you didn't enjoy yourselves.

 

To those considering the Valor, I would think this was the "exception", as most Valor reviews are pretty good. I can tell you that the chocolate buffet when we were on the Valor, was the largest I have seen, spanning 2 buffet lines... although it wouldn't have made or broke my cruise if it wasn't even there, I don't remember hearing anyone say the doughnuts were stale... as for the buffet, I have not had drink service on RCL or Carnival in the buffet, but have not eaten the buffet much... on RCL, they did have ALCOHOL service in the buffet, where they came by every 2 minutes wanting us to buy drinks... but other than that, nothing... nor did I expect it... I've never gone to the shows, but if that is your cup of tea, I don't know that I would expect Broadway quality shows...

 

Just saying, before you get too down about the Valor, check out all the other reviews... the Valor is a great ship IMHO. For the price, you really can't beat it. I know there can always be an off week... but I think it is more rare on this ship... I personally, really enjoyed this ship... do research on your excursions, that's always a good idea.

 

OP, again, sorry you didn't enjoy the Valor... but hope you enjoy your future cruises, whatever they may be!! :)

 

First off thank you for all your post.........you have really helped me out with the things you have answered for other cruisers and myself as well. You are definately a world of information.

 

I totally agree with your post about research. We will be cruising in 108 days (not that I'm counting:D ) and I have researched and researched about the excursions. Had it not been for these threads I would never have found out about Sunny Liston Tours in St. Thomas. I am now booked with him for our group and looking forward to it. All the post about Sunny Liston have been nothing but Raves. Most all the posts I've read and reviews I've read about the Valor (which we will be on) speak very highly of this ship.

 

Again just wanted to thank you and others who give the straight poop to the newbies and to us who haven't cruised as many times as you have.

[cmalibu1]

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.

quote]

 

I' sorry, but this is an unnacceptable answer from you - It doens't matter what the payment of a cruise or theater ticket is to assure a quality show - many broadway dancers get their start from dancing on cruise ships - it's a 6-8 month gig, just like any other dancing job...I blame the choreography, not so much the performers - and for that, it shouldn't matter what I paid for the trip...

 

What!? You mean to say that price has nothing to do with it. Sure it does. It has everything to do with it. A cruise line that you pay $50 a day WILL NOT HIRE the same quality of entertainers simply because they are more to employ. And whether or not the performers go to broadway after they cruise is just a random assumption. Havent you ever heard the saying, You get what you pay for? Which by no means am I complaining simply because I dont expect to be WAITED on all the time. And I dont expect broadway performances. I have never even been to one. But the option to go to a show is nice, if its bad, it just gives my boyfriend and I something to laugh about later. You shouldnt blame anyone for the quality of the performance. Its not like the choreographers sit back and plan their routines thinking, "You know, I am sick of doing a GREAT just, lets just give them a mediocre performance." I mean come on. They do what they can, and if its not enough for you, go watch the Karaoke.

[DqALEX]

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...

I felt the same way when I was on the Triumph. Sometimes you just get and off week. I feel Carnival is still the best value out there.

[Jenna1983]

To the person who asked about tipping buffet servers. If I'm not mistaken from what I've been told by both of the head waiters/waitresses/asstistants that I've had is that most of them are your assistant servers at dinner time. I ran into my assistant to the head waitress in the buffet a lot this last time on the Valor. So I guess in a way you are already tipping them via dining room staff, but also the "buffet servers" tip that goes in our tipping charges. However, if they do a great job in the dining room, you're welcome to tip more (I always have).

[mountainbeers]

Well all i can say is WOW.We were on the valor last week and it met all of our expectations and exceeded them.. Love the ship,loved the food,loved the service, loved it all..

 

 

 

 

Glad to hear you loved it all. My family and I will be on the Valor for the 06/17/2007 sailing to the Eastern Caribbean. Can't wait.