First timers

Carnival Valor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

elcglg

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 22

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 29, 2018

Ship: Carnival Valor

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Blatant merchandising the entire trip. Fun shops offered tiny discounts on liquor that get raise when paying TABC duties, plus having to lug around bottles. Too many ship activities were centered on getting you to spend more money. Dining room was over the engine room and was slightly sickening. Not all bad of course. Getting away with a loved one was worth. Not unpacking numerous times to visit different places was good. Cruise director was perfect for the job. It would nice to have a guided tour for first timers, rather than stumble around for a few days.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Four shrimp on a main entree? Pulleeze!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Pools and spas crowded. Spas weak and lukewarm. Older ship did not have some of the popular attractions you see Shaq advertising.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Energy ok, though lead soprano was mostly off key. Comedy was good though Breaking Bad star was obviously stifled doing a PG show. Reduced to asking people’s names and jobs with no follow up. Ugh.

Children's Programs

No kids

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Room steward made towel animals every day, room made up well. Waiters did yeomans service in serving many in a short time.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Very confusing for first timers. Started to get a feel for it on the LAST day. Some age showing of various facilities - next time try a newer ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Balcony was ok, don’t see how people function in smaller ones. There was mold in the shower body wash.

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Progreso (Merida), Mexico

3 out of 5

Excursion was on New Years Day - everything except the tourist traps near the ship was closed. Wonderful guide from Lawsons Tours made the best of it with a tour of Merida.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

5 Comments

Other reviews of this sailing

Very good cruise. Good energetic cruise director.