49th Anniversary - no Valor for 50th!

Item: Carnival Valor
Rating: 2
Author: vodurr

Carnival Valor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

vodurr

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 56

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 29, 2016

Ship: Carnival Valor

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 2472

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Cruising is something that if you do it once you will always want more, but not in this case. We arrived on our actual anniversary and had to remind staff at the Scarlett about the occasion. Service was great there and on the ship as a whole. Best thing about the cruise actually. The Valor is in need of some updating. The Ocean View we had was in the corner on the main deck at the end of the ship. We got our exercise and were rocked to sleep each night. Thank God for motion sickness meds. Chose this itinerary to see eastern Caribbean ports. Looked forward to dress up nights but it was basically come as you are. Pools small and overcrowded, enjoyed Serenity Deck for adults only. The food was O.K. not what I expected on a cruise line. Guy's Burger Joint and the Pizza was the best thing on the Lido Deck. Ports were pretty good, but would be concerned about venturing out alone without a tour guide for safety sake. Second cruise on Carnival ready to try another cruise line or newer ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Not terrible, but could be much better. Served warm, menu needs updating. Food is highlight of cruise, this was a little disappointing in buffet and main dining.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Need more activities for people who don't go to casino and smoke is overwhelming for venues close to casino.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Could improve - comedy venues overcrowded, main theatre shows were not the best. Need more variety.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Best thing about cruise. Excellent service with a smile. These people work long days yet maintain our comfort with the best service. Thank you IPUTU and team in dining and LUIGI in housekeeping. Great Job!

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

I think the Valor is ready to come home and stay docked. Was told that it had been updated even though older ship. Still needs lots more updating in all areas.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Corner room - too small - end of ship - felt lot of motion - first two nights pretty rough - needs updating - paint peeling on ocean view window - night stands veneer coming apart.

Ship tip

Serenity Deck (adults only) nice touch. Pools small - go early - hot tubs not hot!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

3 out of 5

allow 45 min or more for shuttle service from Orlando airport. We used Cortran - great service and reasonably priced ($80 rd trip for two).

Thumbs Up 6

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

1 out of 5

Dutch side not too great. Been on French side a little better.

Thumbs Up 2

Basseterre, St. Kitts

5 out of 5

Booked excursion on island. Had a great tour guide. Once away from port, very poor surroundings. Would not feel safe without a guide or group.

Thumbs Up 1

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Tour great - but would not do alone.

Thumbs Up 2

Grand Turk Island

3 out of 5

Great beach, shops, pools, food at port owned by Carnival. Toured into city - nothing else going on.

Thumbs Up 5

46 Comments

tmylar 8 years ago

We went Aug 14 and it was great!! we didn't have any rocking. only the bed loI !!! it was a smooth ride .everyone was really nice.red the bar server was great always remember my husben name and What he was drinking.we all had a great time there was 14 of us from 04_ 62. also we had are son 21st birthday did cake@ dinner had the room done.☺

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stephanie45 8 years ago

My maiden name is Coley

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stephanie45 8 years ago

Went on Valor July 29th for 8 days. My first cruise and it was amazing. I didn't tell anyone that I had a birthday on the 20th but my room steward left me three gift cards. He was amazing. Thank you Oswald. Do your research and have a great time. If you don't want any rocking stay on land. I read all these negative comments. Why do you go then?

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ToddTheCruiser 8 years ago

I loved the Valor in my Ocean Suite as depicted in my photo.

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beverlyrock 8 years ago

We are going on the valor on Oct 13, and can't wait!!

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firedogee 8 years ago

We stayed aft balcony on the same class and couldn't feel the rocking at all...But the props were gently swaying our room. The worse problem is if one of the clubs or showrooms is above or below your cabin.

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shawnsgal 8 years ago

seaforrhea be prepared for some rocking!

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justonce 8 years ago

What room. Im going out Aug 27 with my room in the aft area on deck 1 Rivera. So Im concerned about the rocking?

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george727 8 years ago

Valor is an amazing ship

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seaforrhea 8 years ago

was on the valor in July 13 of us. had a great time! going on the sunshine Feb 3rd to aruba just hubby and me this time can't wait

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ailyn 8 years ago

So looking forward to my cruise in October it will be my 6th one with Carnival hope to enjoy it as much as the passed ones they been awesome and so very much worth the price

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nakedgrandpa 8 years ago

Do they insert a stick up your butt for anniversaries? If so, I think they forgot to take yours out before getting off the ship. Nakedgrandpa OUT! *mic drop*

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NancyS 8 years ago

Sometimes your room steward will leave you a gift card to be applied to pictures for your anniversary. Go and have a great time. There's nothing like cruising!

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terry115 8 years ago

They know how to make money

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Khall6436 8 years ago

I don't remember exactly what the cost of the spa was but with coupon was going to be over $200. I said no way.

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terry115 8 years ago

We got cheated on the spa. It nice to have them decorate your room and yes you have to pay for that.

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Khall6436 8 years ago

They gave us a $25 coupon on wine and a $50 coupon for the spa but even with the coupons it was expensive.

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terry115 8 years ago

The wine was

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leslieshifflett91 8 years ago

We are celebrating our anniversary too!

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shawnsgal 8 years ago

keep in mind there's a price for decorating or wine, etc, it isn't included

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leslieshifflett91 8 years ago

I go out April 23 2017

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terry115 8 years ago

Welcome to Cruising

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christina1755 8 years ago

Thanks guys, first time cruiser here. Head out on the Valor April 6,2017

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terry115 8 years ago

You can have them decorate your room. They gave us a certificate for a bottle of wine.

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Khall6436 8 years ago

They sang to us during our evening meal and gave us a piece of cake. Same for my husbands birthday . We just had our anniversary and birthday on the Victory.

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christina1755 8 years ago

I booked through cruisesonly.com they asked if we will be celebrating which we will be, she never explained anything about that but I did see it on our invoice of payment. What exactly do they do if you're celebrating your anniversary?

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leslieshifflett91 8 years ago

Thanks

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Khall6436 8 years ago

Leslieshifflett91 you could eat all day for free. Take a water bottle . Free unsweetened tea and lemonade and water all day but the glass is small. Lido deck 9 is all free. It even had ice cream cones. Just got off the victory.

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Macu 8 years ago

Disney and RC are way to overpriced and really not that big of a deal

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johnpwilson92 8 years ago

You pay for the name....Carnival. or 7th cruise. Always the best looking forward to the valor for 8 days. Bones air Aruba. Grand turk

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johnpwilson92 8 years ago

Disney is so overpriced

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barbnyy 8 years ago

Yes they are definitely more pricy.

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firedogee 8 years ago

We have friends that took their first cruise on Disney despite us suggesting Carnival. Their words "not worth the price and we had to wait in line so long for all the special events that our kids list interest." Yes, Disney is a well known brand but is it worth double the price? My wife and I think not and that is why we keep sailing Carnival. Our third and fourth cruises are this fall. One of those will be worn her parents, their first ever cruise. Can't wait. Can't go wrong with Carnival. Great value, service and food from our experiences.

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barbnyy 8 years ago

We went on the Valor last year. We had fun but it wasn't the best thing ever. We think rc is typically nicer with better food. If you really want an amazing experience do a Disney cruise. They will take care of you. Top quality shows, gourmet food.

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shawnsgal 8 years ago

I agree Nanalynn

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nanalynn 8 years ago

Totally disagree! Great ship! Do your homework and research each ship! However, remember you will always find things you dislike on any cruise, or vacation for that matter! You will never find it perfect.

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shawnsgal 8 years ago

some foods in the bars have a price

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terry115 8 years ago

Your welcome

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leslieshifflett91 8 years ago

Thanks

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terry115 8 years ago

FREE

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leslieshifflett91 8 years ago

When you eat at the food bars or the pizza places do you pay or is all food free? #firsttimecruiser

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shawnsgal 8 years ago

in the corner on the main deck you will feel the rocking. Don't want that need to be in center of the ship both in the middle and deck level needs to be middle. Carnival and any other shipline you choose will rock if you don't stay in the center.

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gena14 8 years ago

I am looking forward to sailing on the valor 8-27.

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tmylar 8 years ago

I am lookin forward to the valor this weekend😘

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terry115 8 years ago

Cruising is not for everyone. A lot of people celebrating things on ship.

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425olds 8 years ago

Valor was just in dry dock a few month's ago and has some of the latest updates, we sail again on her in Sept. If you looking for the newest ship try Vista or check the ship before you book your next cruise. Carnival does a great job thats why there number 1 in the business. Good luck.

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