Amazing first time

Carnival Valor Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 39

Overall rating:

4.8 out of 5
Carnival Valor

5 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 07, 2019

Ship: Carnival Valor

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

It was wonderful. Normally vacations don’t seem too relaxing. This cruise was so very relaxing. We’re already planning our next one

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

BlueIguana Cantina

5 out of 5

My one regret was that I had the breakfast burritos our last morning. Make the buffet your last resort. If you want a really delicious meal, get a burrito!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Honestly I did not use these. My issue was during our stop in Progreso, I stayed on the ship with my grandma. They offered a movie to watch in one of the lounges so we went to that. It was just a dvd projected into a screen which was no big deal but no one knew how to work it. The music they had blaring before the movie played throughout the entire previews. We could tell they were trying to figure it out because the music would get very loud then softer. They finally got it and no problems after that. Also, knowing the movie was in a lounge we expected some kind of refreshments there but was nothing.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
The only entertainment I showed up for were the dive in movies. It was absolutely freezing on the deck but they were very generous giving out blankets first come first serve style. Plus the choice of movies were great!

Children's Programs

I did not have a child

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Everyone greeted you wherever you went so it was nice. Staff members (especially dining room staff) seemed to go out of their way to make things very enjoyable, comfortable, and welcoming.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Everywhere I went was very clean and well maintained.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
We had one extra person kind of last minute so we had to use the top bunk bed. I did not get on it but the two who did said it was a uncomfortable. Other than that, it was a comfortably sized cabin. It was my first cruise so I read up on all the cruise hacks about extra space to keep our stuff. We did not need any extra shoe organizer storage. There were 4 drawers plus 3 closets. Also, the luggage fit under the bed. The bathroom had 6 shelves on the mirror. We didn’t even use 2 of those. Our steward Asmail, kept our room very nice.

Ship tip

Study up on the ship map. There were times when we were completely lost so already knowing your way would help. Also, there are times you couldn’t go completely through on some decks because they closed off the dining rooms you normally would be able to get through. Knowing alternate routes would help out a lot.

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas Did not visit port

We left out of Galveston. I stayed in Houston the night before, only saw the ship's dock in Galveston.

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
We went to Nachi Cocum. It was a very relaxing beach. Not busy/crowded at all. They offered activities-snorkeling, parasailing, massages. My nephew went snorkeling and loved it. The only negative comment was the food wasn’t all that great.

Progreso (Merida), Mexico Did not visit port

I chose to stay on the ship

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
It was a little hectic. They announced we got into port a little early so instead of following the schedule they had given us the night before, we had to listen to announcements as to when our turn was. We weren’t sure what time that would be so we just had to sit and wait. Once we were through the exit doors of the ship it was easy peasy.
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