We went with four families for our daughter's (and friends) senior trip. It was perfect. There was plenty for teens to do and more than enough for the adults. The weather was fantastic!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The logistics of getting that many people onto the ship is challenging. The Carnival Valor crew did an excellent job. Their are many check points along the way to ensure the safety of people boarding the ship. You definitely have to be patient but the process is effective. There is no need to get into a rush; you're about to go on a cruise!!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The main dining room was great. The food was good. The specialty restaurants were pretty good and lines moved quickly. The buffet food was ok, but I get it. There are a lot of people to feed. I don't know if I would purchase the unlimited drink package again. You really have to drink quite a bit to get your money's worth.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
There is always something going on to take part in. If not, go to the pool! We chose to stay at the pool most of the time. The casino was fun too.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We chose to stay up late and listen to the musician (I wish I knew his name) and enjoy cocktails. He had a great range of music and was really talented. We didn't do too many shows.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The wait staff was fantastic. I like how we had the same waiter (Benedict) in the dining room each night. We got to know him and he was really personable. The room steward (Richard) was sooo nice. He called us by name and was willing to help any time he could.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Everything was great!
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The room was great. It's small, but we were never there except to shower and sleep. Perfect for what we needed. We went with a group of four families. They were in suites. I'm sure they were great, but the interior rooms are all you need
We did the Passion Island excursion. It was good for us. The 45 minute boat ride each way was a bit long. Once we go there we chose to rent the cabana for $130. It was a great choice. Our waiter was very responsive. The food was pretty good too.
I was a little skeptical about Progreso. I had never heard of it but it was probably my favorite part of the trip. You get to experience "real" Mexico. We had a massage on the beach for $16 (30 minutes)! We ate at a restaurant on the beach (don't remember the name) that was really good and the price was great. Progreso was a nice change from the touristy stuff.
Again, getting that many people off of the ship in an orderly manner is a challenge. Be patient. The staff does a really good job and they keep a smile on their faces.
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