Valor - 6/29/08 Fun Trip

[BettyPC]

Just got back from a great sailing on the Valor. My brother, my DH & I decided to take Mom on a cruise for her 80th birthday. DB has a wife and 2 kids - 11 & 16. His in-laws also came. So there were 9 of us. We came from Raleigh - the flights were great - even though we had to change planes in Atlanta (where I had my first drink on vacation - a great Frozen margarita)!

 

DM, DH & I flew into Miami a day early, we had LeBlanc Limo's pick us up in FLL. We thought getting to the boat on Sunday was just too nerve wracking for us. LeBlanc Limo's were great - had cold water for us - nice Surburban - plenty of room for the 3 of us. Serge took us to the liquor store first and then to the Holiday Inn - Port of Miami. We had layover in Atlanta - and were all pretty pooped - so we ordered Room Service & just

hung (after a quick visit to Bayside of course). DH & I split a Cuban Sandwich w/fried Yucca - and chocolate cake. It all was great. Had a view of the parking lot though - we were too late to get a room with a view of the PORT.

 

Had breakfast the next morning at the restaurant there - nice buffet and then we went by Taxi to the ship. That cruise terminal is something - we got there early enough to see the last stragglers off the boat - no one looked happy. Saw families w/small children & then some folks who were probably crew members getting off.

[rebeljohn]

Welcome back to Raleigh...............

 

And how were things on the ship?

How were your port days spent?

[BettyPC]

We got through security pretty easily and then had the line for actually getting your funpass. LOTS of folks did not do their's online - so the wait was pretty long. They boarded the special VIP's at 11:45 a.m. (approx) and we had Zone 2 - so we were on the boat with DOD in hand by 12:15. It was a "funship" it was delicious. We sat in the shade and waited for my brother's family to make it on board.

 

The 6 of them flew in Sunday morning from LGA and had no problems! While waiting we got some snacks from the "grille" - onion rings, cheese

dip w/tortilla's and chicken nuggets. DM being 80 has more sense - she

went to Rosie's and got a great salad, Fish baked w/a Tomato salsa,

stuffed eggplant & key lime pie. She liked it all! I am more of a cone girl - so I had my first of many - low fat chocolate - could use one about now! Went to our Room - Empress Deck - 7338 - right in the middle - great room - met our room stewards - NiMade (female) & Imade (male)- not related - they did a great job for us all week - always had towels, ice and the greatest towel animal! They couldn't have been any nicer or efficient.

 

Muster drill was no fun - hot & too many people - but got through it & put

our life jackets back in cabin & off to Meet & greet. A couple of folks made it - it was great to meet them! More DOD's!!!

[BettyPC]

Dinner was in the Washington dining room - upstairs - our dinner assignment was just what we wanted. Had great waiter - Igede and great assistant waiter - Samuel. After night 1 they knew everything

that the picky people (kids) wanted!

 

Our luggage arrived just as we were heading to dinner - so we were a

bit informal. I had a Pasta dish with sausage, pepper, onions etc. It

was good & a bit spicy. Shrimp cocktail was good as was the Beef &

Barley soup. The others at the table enjoyed Tilapia & Flat Iron steak.

Guess what I had for dessert - - you guessed it - - warm choc. melting

cake!

 

We went to the show - the comedian was pretty funny. Went to bed

pretty early - as we were tired!

[BettyPC]

Ok - here we are - watched us dock - as we were up bright & early!

Room service was right on time. Coffee was good & hot. We went up

to the Lido deck for breakfast - was pretty good - the scrambled eggs

were a bit strange - but everything else was tasty.

 

DH & I had planned our 1/2 day in Nassau - we walked over to the

British Colonial Hilton & bought a $20. day pass. We hung out on their

lovely beach & then at the pool. We saw about 5 other people the entire morning. Nice & quiet. The Hilton is a beautiful hotel w/nicely manicured

grounds. The front desk attendant told us they were about to be

renovated - guests like Flat Screen TV's - so I guess that was what they

were going to be doing. The Hilton was about 10 minutes away on foot

& you can see it from the ship - yellowish building w/Terra cotta roof.

We did not eat or drink anything there - as we were full from the buffet.

 

I did not feel pressured by anyone there. A couple of people asked if we needed a taxi - a polite - no thank you ended the conversation. I

was suprised though by the ladies that asked if I wanted my hair

braided. My hair is not long & as I am approx 53 - -I thought I would

not be a good subject...

 

We shopped a bit in Nassau - got a couple T-shirts and that was it. I

am not on vacation to shop. When we got back to the ship - we went

up to the 10th floor & visited the Fish & Chips kiosk. That man was GLAD

to see us - no one had found him - Thanks Cruise Critic!!!:D Had the

calamari zucchini Fritter - we both loved it. DH & I napped for a while

after that. We had to get ready for the Capt's party & elegant night!

[BettyPC]

Lots of good snacks at the Capt's party & I had red wine. It was good

and everybody looked pretty nice. The meatballs were good - as was the ravioli's.

 

Dinner was next - we all looked spiffy (if I do say so myself). We had a great maitre de upstairs in Washington - her name is Alida & she came

over & told us jokes and stories each night. She enhanced our enjoyment

and I am glad we met her. We saw her turn away a lady in a white T-shirt and Red shorts. The woman wasn't happy. We noticed about 10 minutes later - the same lady sneaking in & going to her table. Alida was busy elsewhere. The lobster was well received by our dinner mates. I had the duck and loved it. i was too full for dessert -most of the table had the cherries Jubilee - the kids had the WCMC - as they did all week.

 

After dinner we hoofed around the ship looking for the perfect place to have our formal picture taken. My blisters had blisters before we found the place that my DB's mother-in-law decided was perfect. Could hardly smile by that point - but managed it! We made it to the show - FAR FROM OVER - the Carnival dancers were great - I enjoyed the singing also - I thought everyone tried very hard & were successful. We then went to Karioke in the Eagles Lounge (got out of heels first) some folks were fabulous & some were brave. Towel animal tonite was PIG - on our first night it was a STINGRAY! Once again - bed around 10:30 - 11:00

[BettyPC]

Ok - up early again - coffee & danish to the room. Went to Washington Dining room & met the group for breakfast. I had pancake and it was pretty good. DH had Eggs Benedict & since we can't cook it - he was

happy to have it.

 

Dropped $5. in the casino and then off to Port Talk in the Ivanho theatre.

After that we had lunch at the buffet - our favorite - Indian food was the feature nation. I thought they did a good job on this buffet line. Had Chicken Tikka & multigawny (sp) soup, lentil cakes & so on... Next stop was Winston's Cigar bar (gasp) for Super Trivia. Go team Robert! This trivia was 3 parts (for the 3 sea days) - after part 1 we were losing pretty good.

 

Our next stop was Scarlett's where we joined in on a wine tasting. It was nicely done - though I was not crazy about any of the wines. (they give you a BIG glass of wine) Also had a slight headache after that.

 

Our next stop was the Lobby bar for Adult Bean Bag toss -it was fun watching that & chatting at the bar with a DOD! We were then off to the Past Guest Party where we got our Valor pin (with the invite in the cabin). Reminded me a lot of the Capt's cocktail party - but free wine is always good!

 

Dinner was next - I had the Short ribs - enjoyed them, DH had Jerked pork and mom had Salmon. DH & i shared the Diet lemon cake - didn't love it.

 

My brother arranged for the waiters to sing happy B'day to Mom & they put a candle in her cheesecake! She was thrilled.

 

Time for the Show- there was a Juggler who really did a good job - and a comedian - Happy Cole. OMG - he was sooo funny. I really enjoyed him & would go see him in a comedy club. I really wished i could have made it for the late show - but no - - I went to bed & had a Dinosauer (sp) for towel animal.

[BettyPC]

Welcome back to Raleigh...............

 

And how were things on the ship?

How were your port days spent?

 

 

I thought the ship looked pretty good. A bit of carpet staining here and there - but people were very busy cleaning all the time. Everyone i met in the halls or walking around deck were nice. Asked us how we were enjoying our vacation. I am going day by day on the review and I will get to our Port days next! Glad to be back in Raleigh - I didn't think we were getting back.... More on that later.

[BettyPC]

Coffee came on time once again! We arrived in St. thomas about 9:00 and the Freedom of the Seas was there before us. We backed in - I can't back my car up - and here this ship is backing up & not destroying everything! Good work Captain!.

 

DH & i finally decided to book the St. John Champagne Catarmaran tour. We met at 1:00 and were driven over to the marina. The ride reminded me of going through the NC mountains - but while driving on the wrong side of the road:o Nice boat - I sat in the shade -I was a bit apprehensive as i am known to get 'seasick" - but I had my patch - I thought I would be ok - - but NO - I felt horrible and was feeling worse & worse..... I was afraid the worse would happen - when I remembered that I had brought Ginger Gum with me.

 

It was a miracle - I chewed it - about 20 times & the nausea went away.

We got to a secluded place for snorkeling & I got on the dinghy & went to the beach & Laid there -wished I could have taken a bus back to St. Thomas - but we had to get back on catamaran & go back by water. The capt & his helpers had champagne, painkillers, beer, soda, snacks. I watched while everyone enjoyed themselves.

 

I know now - never to go on a small boat again. We made it back around 6:20 - so we went up to the Lido deck and had dinner. I went to the 'oriental" window & had chicken lettuce wraps & a wonton thingey in a plastic cup and in the cup there was a chinese slaw & it was also wonderful. WCMC was a dessert - so I topped it with some vanilla soft serve! Guess where I went next -yup bed. I had had enough for one day!

[BettyPC]

Still not 100% I told my DH to go with the group - but he hung out with me. Spent some time on Lido deck in the hot tub & then in the shade. Freedom of Seas is next to us. I laughed this morning when i saw a man at 10:30 a.m. walk by with 2 cones. Looks like both were his! Lunch today was Carribean food - Hot pepper soup, jerk chicken, beef & pepper stew. The fried plantains looked a bit elderly - so I left them where they were. By this time - i came to realize that my favorite dessert on the ship was the CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!!! So I had some & took some back to the cabin for later. Also liked the Peach tart at Rosies, did not care for the Black Forest cake - seemed like pudding to me - not mousse (sp).

 

We went inside to do Trivia in the Lobby bar area - there were 3 of us. Bill & I tied for first place & got medallions! then there was Adult Bean Bag toss - we entered - this had better turnout - there were 4 couples.

DH & I won - got Ship on a STICK!!! Didn't think I would get to see one - much less take home one. It was fun. Laughed alot.

 

Went back to room & had a rum & diet 7 up - we had Rum runners (thanks Cruise Critic) and were able to have our own drink on the balcony. Had lots of rum left over to take home w/us. Dinner tonite - Rack of Lamb - DM had beef stroganoff & DH had Seafood Newburg - as did my brothers family - they loved itl After dinner went to the casino - won about $50. Towel animal was a BUNNY!!

 

Will continue the cruise tomorrow. Fingers are cramping & eyes are closing!

[Luanne21]

Loving the review. Glad you had a good time.

 

Could you tell us more about the hotel, and the shopping area.

[BettyPC]

Luanne, thanks - we really enjoyed ourselves

 

The Holiday Inn was nice and quiet. We had room 600. bad view - but roomy and clean.

 

Bayside is a giant place - has hundreds of shops & is directly across the street from Holiday Inn. We saw a Bubba Gump's restaurant and several other restaurants that were unfamiliar to us. i saw a shop that sold Croc's and other shoes. there were bars where you could drink & look at the water. I wish we had gotten in earlier - so I could have seen more.

[spor13]

I was on the same sailing! :) Great review, and Happy Cole WAS amazing. I thought his PG rated set was funnier than his R rated set but whatever. And the other comedian who would follow a couple days later was horrible. I think his name was Eddy Capone, and I don't think I've ever been so confused in a performance and I didn't bother to go to his R rated show.

 

The only thing I wish they did on this trip (it's my first cruise, so I don't know if any other ships do this) was include a bottle opener/corkscrew in your cabin. I ordered a bucket of beers and when it arrived 15 mins later, none of the bottles were open and I foolishly forgot to ask them to open the bottles and I waited another 30 mins before the beers would be opened. But everything else was great!

[drdaddy]

Great detailed review so far. I think most of us like these details. Why else would we be on a forum like this?

 

You said you had cabin 7338? We have 7358 booked for October, about 6 cabins aft. Question: Did you hear any noise from that large clear middle area aft of you? Any chatter from shipmates about that at all? Someone had posted on another thread that on Conquest, that area was very noisy. They were on the starboard side but I am a tad worried about it.

 

I know you have only gotten to Wed. so far but I assume :o that the menus will be the same for Eastern and Western. And thinking they won't be changing them for the rest of this season, what night would YOU choose to go to Scarlett's? Tuesday sounds like a winner, so far.

 

Someone posted a Western capers from a couple of trips ago. Any chance you have copy of menus to post? Please, Please.

 

Thanks. Keep it coming as best as you can.

[debster818]

Going on the Valor in October, Eastern. Waiting to hear more so I can tell DH.

[BettyPC]

Dr Daddy - I didn't hear any noise - because I wear ear plugs. My husband though- sleeps natural & he didn't complain of any noise at all. I was concerned about the "white space" but I believe it was a closet & the room stewards are the ones that use that. They don't start VERY VERY early so I think you will be OK. I believe the biggest noise threat is neighbors partying. I heard a couple complaints about that - the balcony doors can be loud if not closed carefully.

 

I didn't get any menu's i'm afraid. We thought about going to Scarlett's but we enjoyed the food & the family & just didn't get the urge to go. Perhaps if we hadn't have had everyone along.

 

More review to come after breakfast :D Wish I didn't have to make it myself!

[phinfan63]

I felt horrible and was feeling worse & worse..... I was afraid the worse would happen - when I remembered that I had brought Ginger Gum with me.

 

We have a friend going with us in March that is prone to motion sickness too ~ can you tell me where you can buy ginger gum?

 

Thanks!

[BettyPC]

I forgot to mention that on Thursday night (St. Martin) the dessert was Bitter & Blanc. I liked it - but not as much as the WCMC.

 

Went to dining room again for breakfast - over easy eggs, omelet for husband, salmon & bagel for DM.

 

We went to some of the games around the ship on Friday - Trivia - lost - Millionaire Game, Sea Feud - all fun. Drink of the day today is Yellow Bird. Not a fan of Galliano - so I didn't try it. Got the MIAMI VICE instead - YUM - Strawberry daquiri & pina colada in the same glass. Was at the casino when the mood struck!

 

Lunch today was on Lido - American food day - fried chicken - it was a bit "brown" - I liked it - but the folks sititng near us thought it was very overdone. I tried a stuffed corn muffin & liked that. Bill had a hot dog. Choc. chip cookies for dessert.

 

We then went to the Marriage game - Let me interrupt... The CD was Chris Jefferson - I liked him a lot. He was british (of course) and had a good singing voice & I thought he was pretty funny. Our cruise was his last for 10 weeks - he is on vacation now. - The 60 year married couple won the game. Barbara & Ronald. We had talked to them the first day when we were browsing shops - they gave us some good advice.

 

We played Bingo several times & lost BIG TIME. OK - our last Elegant night. I wore the same dress as the first night - but comfy shoes this time. I had Corn Soup, Cesar salad & Chateaubriand. I enjoyed it all. The other folks had the Shrimp dish - which also looked good.

 

We went to the show after dinner - The singers & dancers were great. Hung out after that in the casino. Lost a bit of the $50 I had won previously. Then off to bed at about 11:00.

[BettyPC]

Ok - our last day - not very happy thinking about it - - but today stuff is 1/2 price in the shops! Got a couple T-shirts, playing cards & postcards. I wouldn't try & carry booze on the plane - read too many horror stories of mango rum on the clothes at the end of the plane ride:D

 

Dining room again - french toast (YUM) and Bill had fried eggs & grits (being a Texas boy). We went to the embarkation talk & Bingo!! Lost again... Sat on deck 10 in the shade reading books and thinking of how

quickly the time went. We can see the Freedom of the Seas (we think) over to the left of us as we are sailing back to Miami.

 

Being directionally challenged - I have had a tough time the entire ship gettting to where I needed to be.... Not going to lie - still don't have the hang of it & its almost time to leave - oh well....

 

We did our Final Super Trivia & our team officially lost - not by much - but

we did have a great time all 3 days. Robert was a good team captain & we enjoyed ourselves.

 

OK - up to lunch at Rosie's - - today is the Chocolate Buffet up there - I stopped first at the Oriental window & got some Bar-B-Q beef wrapped up in a lettuce leaf. I thought it was one of the best things i had eaten on this cruise. Now - the chocolate was not as wonderful as I had hoped. I found a couple things I REALLY liked (donuts dipped in chocolate from fountain) and also the pineapple dipped in Choc. I found the cakes - almond chocolate, too dark & dry.

 

I had planned to go to Winston's for 'tea time' and also the Galley tour -- but Bill wasn't feeling well - he has a bout of divertriclitis (sp) every once in a while - and he thinks this was the problem. So I hung with him in the room & packed a bit. Luckily Bill was feeling better by dinner!

 

I had the Navy Bean Soup, Cesar salad & B-B-Q Ribs. Bill had the vegetarian option - eggplant/zuchini parmesean dish - it was his favorite dinner of the entire cruise. He had Grand Marnier souffle for dessert & I had the Cappucino pie. After dinner - hung out at casino for a while - but I was tired & went to bed early. Bill went to the Legends SHow with our group & said several people (passengers do this show) were very good & others were brave.

[BettyPC]

Ok - we knew this was it - went up to Lido deck for breakfast - one last time. We were almost in Miami. During the night it rained & thundered (I didn't hear it of course). We - DM, DH & i were in group 2 for disembarking. We were called about 7:30 and were out of the terminal building with luggage by 8:00. Very easy - no problems at all.

 

No one was rude or pushing. Everything was orderly. We had the limo

coming to get us at 10:00 (who knew this would go so smoothly). We

called & they were able to get us a bit earlier. Got to FLL and onto our plane at 12:40 to Atlanta - unfortunately the Atlanta airport had storms -

we circled a while & then landed in Savannah for fuel.

 

Hung in Savannah airport about an hour & then back to Atlanta. We missed our connecting flight to Raleigh by 5 minutes.... We then had to run around the ATL airport trying to get on another plane. Finally did get on the 7:45 flight to Raleigh (we were wait-listed) but all of us got on - there were about 20 people on the waiting list. Other poor people missed THIS flight - so we got on.

 

Happy to be home - once we got there!

 

A few observations - we cruised once before in 1995 on Carnival - almost like first timers.

 

-- Less smoke than I thought there would be. Our neighbors on the balcony did not smoke - I was lucky to smell NOTHING but ocean. No smokers where they should not be - I didn't find the casino as smokey as I thought it would be. There was 1 place I couldn't walk into (the smoke was so thick) the Bronx Bar. Not a big "bar" person anyway. I thought it was worse than Winstons Cigar Bar.

 

-- Nice people - everyone was nice - I didn't see anybody behaving badly (except perhaps for the lady sneaking in on elegant nite - but who did she hurt- no one).

 

-- No surly workers. Every request was greeted politely. The workers we encountered were smiling & seemed happy.

 

-- Kids - there were kids on this cruise - but I didn't see ANY running around like wild people. They seemed to be sitting in large groups having fun talking etc... (we did not go to the "kids" pool area - stayed at adult pool)

 

-- Food was good. I enjoyed everything I ate. Nothing was "bad". It wasn't gourmet - but it was good & it looked good on the plate.

 

We want to go again. We are thinking of going in a couple years to the Baltimore port. We would not have to fly!!

 

Please let me know if there are any questions. I will be away for a couple days now - Pampered Chef Conference in Chicago - but will answer questions when I return!

[rebeljohn]

VERY nice and thorough review.......Thanks for taking the time to post it...............

[BettyPC]

We have a friend going with us in March that is prone to motion sickness too ~ can you tell me where you can buy ginger gum?

 

Thanks!

 

 

I bought the Ginger gum in Rite Aid (drug store) here in Raleigh. I also had Bonine - which I took when I flew- I feel Bonine works very well also when cruising - I took it the saturday before returning since I ran out of the "patch" that the Dr. prescribes (sp). I also bought an accumpressure type bracelet (wanted all my ducks in a row:D ) I did not feel that it did me any good.

[rebeljohn]

I bought the Ginger gum in Rite Aid (drug store) here in Raleigh.

 

Thanks for the tip about ginger gum............I use Bonine and take ginger tablets...........I'll get some of the gum too................

[BettyPC]

You are very welcome Rebel. We live close to W.F. - 2 miles south of Wakefield H.S.

 

Like I mentioned - the Ginger gum was a miracle cure for me! Enjoy.

 

Betty

[cjkumbaya]

Betty,

 

What a great review - you did a wonderful job. I love all the details. Glad that you had a nice cruise and thanks for sharing it with us.:)