A good value for what we got. Not sure if the crowds and style of entertainment is for us, though.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We arrived just after our appt time and from first entrance into line, until we were entering the lobby of the Valor was less than 40 mins. It was super efficient experience and the abundance of happy, helpful staff made it even better.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We never tried the Lido buffet, mostly because that area of the boat was so crowded. Daily Brunch in the lovely Washington room was above expectations, both in menu variety, expediency and really deliciously prepared food.
Dinner in the Lincoln room has equally impressive food and menu selections. I think the wait staff could have a better familiarity with the menu items, as in nearly every case our waiter had never tried, nor knew the preparation/ingredient details of any dish. That being said, we never had a bad meal.
For casual dining, Guy's Burgers and Blue Iguana Taqueria were consistently excellent.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
This is where the Valor falls short for us : entertainment choices were lacking at best and just plain bad at worst. The limited live music on board was mostly typical, bland guy-and-a-guitar stuff, with the exception of a pretty good band in the Red Frog Pub one night. Daily games are cheesy and unappealing. The main Lido deck pool jacuzzis were a human soup from day til evening, with children running free from one hot tub to the next and literally pulsing, blaring music from the DJ all day. Not. Relaxing.
Evening entertainment was low grade, drunken karaoke, slightly vulgar comedy show or mediocre piano bar. Luckily, we love to drink, gamble and make our own fun -- otherwise, we'd have been stuck with board games and bridge all day at sea.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
Mediocre, predictable, cheesy and uninspired.
Children's Programs
no kids with us
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Our travel agent built up our expectations for over the top service, stewards who would become our friends and waiters who would anticipate our every request after the first night. Didn't happen, and that's okay. The turn down service was adequate, with fresh towels every day and a nice towel animal. Dinner service was satisfactory, if slow and sometimes negligent, like cold bread (every evening) and continued reminders to see the wine list through the meal, (although they kept taking them back).
In my defense -- they asked for my opinion. Criticism and praise are both represented. Just because i don't gush over every point doesn't make me a criminal. I live with myself just fine, by the way. Enjoy the human soup jacuzzi, lady. I said from the start, i don't think this style of entertainment is for me.
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2 Comments
JusMe 6 years ago
txsjewels 6 years ago