For some reason it will not let me rate the ports of call which were wonderful. The crew that organized getting off on ports need more organization. When we dock in Cozumel it took us 1 hour or longer to get off the ship because everything was so disorganized. They called people with shore excursions first. But people didn't listen got in line anyway. The crew did not direct them to another area. It was just other chaos. Progresso was a little better but still 30 minutes late getting off because of the disorganization. Which with the long tour I book caused issues.
I did love the lay out of the room. You could lay on the bed look look out. This was great since I hurt my foot. Did not get to enjoy the second sea day to good.
Faster to the fun is only worth it if you want to get on early and disemarkation fast. Otherwise it does not help you getting off on ports. At least that was my experience.
Over all it was okay cruise. This was my first Carnival cruise. I probably would try another cruise with Carnival but I would not sail on the Valor again to many things I did not like.
It was nice short get away that need to be longer.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
The port of Galveston was little confusing to me compared to other ports I have gone out of. I had faster to the fun so I was able to get on board sooner. However it took them 30 minutes to call faster to the fun guest. No, welcoming sign and music was playing as you walked on to the ship. Which was dispointing.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Let's take it from the top deck 9 buffet. It was more like a cafeteria in: 1. They severed you a lot of the items. 2. They had a select menu each night. 3. Because they severed people this made the lines long. Also they need more severs I several times thier be no person severing at the station so you couldn't get what you wanted or had to wait long time to be severed. The buffet also didn't flow well on sea days. Also the times it was open was not friendly to late dinners. Guys Burger joint was very good however it closed to early. I never got to try the Blue Iguana because ever time I checked it was closed. The Pizza place was great, eat more pizza than I did last 6 months. The main dining room I choice anytime dining so I had Lincoln dining room sever was good and the food was good as well. I did a sea day brunch at the Washington dining room it was great. I also try the Steak house it was amazing some of the best food on the ship. It is worth the up charge. Oh I left off the omelete station it was good but each time I would ask for both kinds of cheese he would only give me one. I am not a big drinker I only got 3-4 drinks the whole cruise. They were pretty good. My biggest dislike was the times places were open. If you didn't get to some of the places by x time you missed out. Next complete is the buffet didn't flow well. I noticed that people were allowed to come into the buffet in bathsuites and no one stop them, the signs posted did not mean anything people just ignored the signs. Hand washing station was a waste because hardly anyone was using them and no was standing at the station to make sure it was being use. It appeared that they were short staff in the buffet area. The food over all was just okay
Room Service
2 out of 5
Not much selection. Had set menu each night not what I call a buffet. That's what I call a cafeteria.
Scarlett's Steakhouse
5 out of 5
The food was excellent the Steak was cook just how I ask. The lobster tail was wonderful could had two.
Rosie's Restaurant
3 out of 5
Not much selection
Pizza Pirate
5 out of 5
The Pizza was great and you could get it anytime.
Lincoln Dining Room
4 out of 5
It was good the staff was friendly and the food was good. Do miss the table cloth.
Guy's Burger Joint
5 out of 5
The hamburgers were excellent and I am not much of a burger fan. They could give little more fries. I thank I had 3 of them the whole cruise which is lot of burgers for me.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
The pools were always full. The hair chest competition was fun. The music on Deck 3 was fun. The spa tour was good looked amazing but did not try it. I end up getting sick on day 3 after Progresso. Had to keep my foot up. So didn't get to enjoy to many activities. I will say that they should have the Dr. Seuss breakfast both sea days I saw a lot distpointed childeren and adults.
Entertainment
2 out of 5
Ivanhoe Theater
2 out of 5
It look like someone that was on acid design this theater. Can not see in some areas. All the red gutted my eyes. What's up with knights.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
My room steward was great. He made a towel animal very day we got to keep them set them in our window until the end of the cruise. He always made sure we had ice. When I hurt my leg and asked for extra pillows he found some right way. He was by far the best room steward I have had on any cruise. The waiter in the main dining room was good. The waitress in the Steak house was excellent my brother didn't like his starter she ask if she could bring something that was not on the menu. The photo people were great they started to know me. The people at buffet was friendly when you could fine them. Staff in other areas were friendly and went over and above.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
I know she is old ship but I have been on other old ship and I have not saw as much wear and tear as I did on this ship. Areas of rust at the back of the ship. In my state room chips of tile and the floor had some soft spots like fall in on the deck below. I did not like the lay out of the ship you had to walk through the Casino to get to the other side, or go down to 3 and back up. If you walked across the top deck you had to cross the smoking section. The buffet did not follow well at all. I saw where people just drop stuff like pizza and food just left it or would just set thier drink down anywhere. On the eagles, or floor wherever. This is not the crew members fault. This lazy people. This made the ship not be very clean in some areas. For me to many smoking areas
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Ship tip
Be prepared to wait in the buffet and manage your time around your meals.
I love Cozumel wonderfull. I did snorkel and lunch. The guide was not very patient rushed. Also didn't tell people the tour was leaving. I thank this is due to fact that it took so long to get off in Cozumel. It took over 1 hour to get off in port due to disorganization of the ship crew.
This was my first time in this port. I did the Mayan ruins Chichen Itza tour, the bus ride was long and the stop for bathroom break was like a sale pitch for Carlos friends that were sale items there. We wasted 25 minutes because people didn't listen get back on bus in time. Than when we got to Chitzen Itza it took 10 minutes to get everyone together before going in. The guide was very informative and knowledgble. However we were told we would have 1hour on own to look around but we only had 30 minutes, because we were late. Than it started to rain which can happen. Over all it was little dispointing because was hoping for the hour on my own to look at the ruins and take pictures. Just be prepared that your time can be shorten.
I gave Carnival a second try, glad I did because I know it's not the cruise line for me. You have to find what works for you and there's nothing wrong with that! 😊 I hope you have many more cruising experiences to come!
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