We had a blast and are still talking about our trip. Many memories were made. My husband and I booked our anniversary cruise for June 2018. We can't wait!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We were in a grand suite so we were automatically considered priority which allowed all the perks of faster to the fun. Everyone was helpful and friendly. The whole experience was very easy.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Guy's Burgers was our favorite by far! We also splurged and ate at the steakhouse. The service was outstanding and the food was also exceptional. The chef sent out a complementary appetizer and a bottle of wine. As soon as we sat down we were asked about our son's nut allergy. I was very impressed with the MDR hostess who also addressed the allergy the first time we went. We did have a slight scare after we ordered dessert at the steakhouse. We let our guard down and my son ordered and began eating an apple pie that had a nut topping. Luckily one of the waitresses immediately addressed the mistake. Another dessert was brought out along with another bottle of wine brought out by the manager. There were many apologies by the staff. They even asked if we needed a medic for our son. We were very forgiving and felt like that mistake wouldn't happen again anytime soon.
My husband loved the burritos. My boys loved the soft serve ice cream and the shakes at the Java coffee bar. We bought the cheers drink package. I felt like I didn't drink near enough to cover the cost especially on the days we were on excursions. So I'm not sure if that is worth the cost. We bought the bubbles package for our kids and I don't think they drank much soda. It was very awkward for them to go up to the bar to get a soda. I wish Carnival had a better option.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
I went to the spa and had a full body massage which I enjoyed. I felt pressured to buy the products and other services though. I enjoyed walking the track in the early morning while admiring the beautiful sunrise over the water. My husband and I enjoyed playing BINGO even though we didn't win. We had a few good laughs. The pools and waterslide were so packed on sea days that my boys never wanted to swim. They just walked around most of the day and ate ice cream. They weren't interested in the teen activities like the dance club. They did hit up the arcade and racked up some hefty charges on our sail and sign. My husband and I went to the adults only pool which was still very crowded. We enjoyed watching a movie together. The last night we enjoyed the 80's show.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
We only went to one show on the last night. It was okay. We also went to a comedian show with our boys. It was a PG show that lasted about 30 minutes. I think our boys enjoyed it more than we did.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
I couldn't believe how so many of the staff knew our names. Our room stewards were fabulous. Our waiter in the MDR was also great. We loved both ladies at the Java Coffee bar. I wish I could remember their names because they were awesome! One of them was so friendly and loved making our boys their favorite Neapolitan shakes. She was definitely the highlight of our mornings.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Considering that the Valor is one of the older ships we thought it was up to par. Of course we've never been on a cruise so we have nothing to compare to. We noticed the cleaning staff was constantly wiping down railings and all around the common areas. The only time I saw trash and dirty dishes was during the movie, but I assumed the staff didn't want to get in the way of everyone watching the movie. The next morning it was immaculate and very clean once again.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Our cabin was perfect! We are a tall family so this gave us plenty of space to move around. The bathroom had plenty of room and the dressing area with the large mirror was perfect for me to get ready. We were on the balcony every morning and evening. The bed was comfortable for my husband and I. The pull out bed was just fine for our 13 and 16 year old sons. There were 3 huge closets and plenty of plugs to use. Our room was always very clean. The stewards even straightened up all of our shoes! That was impressive!
Ship tip
We chose anytime dining and always went early. We never had to wait in line. We also got up early to eat breakfast on the port days so we could be one of the first to get off. Don't stress about the crowds around the pool because there is nothing you can do to change that. Find something else to do. We saved our swimming on the days we got off the ship.
The excursion we went on was the VIP Luxury Champagne Catamaran Sail and Snorkel. It was awesome! The staff made us feel very safe,but kept us entertained. There were snacks and a light lunch with drinks. For $30 extra we had our underwater pictures emailed to us. We had a great time.
The All Inclusive Beach Resort Getaway was excellent. We were nervous about Progreso because of all the bad reviews that we've read. We never felt uneasy about the bus ride or being at the resort. It was clean and the food was wonderful. There was a waiter always asking if we needed a drink. The beach was clean and there were beautiful shells to find. The pools were clean and there was plenty of room for everyone. Fluffy, our guide, was hilarious and also informative of the culture and history of the area. We loved this excursion and would do it again.
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
