This was our third cruise but first with just my husband and I. This trip was the most amazing, exhilarating experience we have ever had! Everything we did was exciting and wonderful, including the tropical storm which hit us while in Progresso. We were on an excursion, at the Jaguar bus' private beach and they took incredible care of making sure we were all provided for. By the time the rain passed, we were soaked but laughing at our stories we now had to tell! The Valor's crew was incredible- everyone was friendly I came across.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We picked our boarding time and basically walked right onto the ship. There were only a few short lines and we were onboard!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
I had the opportunity to go to the Chef's Table which was an amazing experience! The food across the ship was all wonderful, including the Lido buffet which surprised me honestly. I did not have high hopes for the buffet just by the nature of the beast (buffets don't tend to be known as great food). Even if one or two items weren't to my liking, the overall quality and taste was terrific.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We had a blast at the two different evening "trivia parties" which were actually more small dance parties in the lobby. We attended a few trivia games which were fine (I'm not a huge fan admittedly). The cooking demo in the Steakhouse was incredible! The gym was small but had enough equipment to get a decent workout.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Almost everywhere I went, the staff smiled and was friendly. The excursion staff and guest services were incredible!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin was small (which we knew) but well laid out. I didn't use the shoe organizer I brought along. We never felt cramped, we were quite comfortable. Honestly, I haven't slept so good in a long time! I loved the beds. We also turned on the TV to the front of the ship channel and used that as window (and the music was great).
Ship tip
Come with a great attitude, and be mindful of others. Clean up after yourself: I found a plate in the elevator, EW, and slipped on a sandwich someone dropped on the floor then left. Remember, while it is your vacation, the staff work incredibly hard to care for a few thousand people.
Galveston was fine but to be fair, we only were there long enough to park so a rating from me isn't quite a fair assessment. The parking however was a breeze!
My husband and I went to Chankanaab where we swam with the manatees then snorkeled in the park. We went on our own (we have been to Cozumel before) so we got our own taxi which also was incredibly easy both directions. The time in Chankanaab was one of the most incredible experiences we've ever had! The time with the manatees was pure delight and the snorkeling was gorgeous. I'm not a strong swimmer and had never snorkeled before but now I'm hooked!
We did the Jaguar Safari Tour and had an absolute blast!!! Jose’, our amazing guide, was humorous and informative. We got caught in a tropical storm (it can happen, we were there in mid-October), but it actually added to the thrill. Jose and his staff made sure we were all safe, grilled delicious chicken fajitas, then we sang karaoke and told jokes on the bus. It was an experience of a lifetime and gave us awesome memories!
I had read many pieces of advice which all said "take your time, don't try to rush." I cannot agree more! We cleared out of our room (self-carrying our luggage), went to the Lido deck for a leisurely breakfast then hopped into a short line at the end of our deck's disembarkation time. We were off in minutes. Just listen to your cruise director and do NOT get on the stairs!
*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.
