Cruznut's Place :: View topic - Carnival Valor Oct 4

nlb1050 · Gold

First of all parking, we parked at the Wyndham Airport, the price for the week was great but they do not have a shuttle to and from the port so had to take a taxi each way so the cost was more than we have paid in the past though still lower than parking at the port.

We arrived at the port at 10:00 and were checked in by 10:15. We had to wait for them to start calling numbers but still were on board by 11:30. Carnival does not allow anyone to the cabins until 1:30 so we just went to Rosie’s buffet for lunch. Once we were done it was still too early so we waited in an area on deck 3. Once we were able to go to our cabin we went. We had cabin 2202, it is considered an inside but was actually an outside but without a window of any kind. This cabin has two twin beds and one is just inside the door and the other is to the left. It is not a straight in but rather in a z configuration. The TV only faces one bed but it works. The only time we really heard any noise was when they would lower the anchor and on the last night when they were moving luggage.

nlb1050 · Gold

We had early seating and had table 524 in the upper Washington dining room. This table was excellent. It is right at the back next to windows. Our waiter was Winston, from St. Vincent’s but now lives in Miami and the assist was Opec, can’t remember where he was from. They were great to have; in fact this is the first time I have ever given extra tips on a cruise. Our tablemates were Vanessa and Roy from just outside Atlanta and JM and Bonnie from Enterprise, AL. There was on other couple from San Francisco but they only came on the first formal night. On the first formal night Bruce noticed that there was a Blu Chees platter on the dessert menu and he asked if it was possible to get this at the beginning of the meal and Winston was able to from the next night on, so this made Bruce very happy.

Our first stop was Grand Cayman, since we have been there before we decided to just go on our own. WE took our snorkel gear and headed for the Paradise Restaurant just to the right of the dock. They have an entrance into the water and there are many different fishes and some coral to see. There were 5 decent sized Tarpon hanging around the stairs and they would check you out for food but would not really come at you. After snorkeling for a while we got out and put our gear in the locker then went shopping. Only bought Max a couple of shirts.

nlb1050 · Gold

Next port was Roatan. Here we did the Tabanaya Beach break. It was a nice ride to the beach. And the beach was beautiful. They state there is a reef right at the beach and they are correct. It was fantastic. Since we had early dinner we took one of the first buses back to the port and looked around but did not find anything we had to have. The water around the port was so pretty.

Next stop Belize. We chose a ships tour to Xunantunich Ruins. They are across the country almost into Guatemala. The bus ride is almost 2 hours though it is only about 80 miles because the highway is two lanes and has pedestrian bumps every few miles. At Xunantunich you are allowed to climb two of the building, I only climbed the first which showed the court yard of the palace. The other building was used for some of the most important ceremonies but the steps up the front were so far apart that I knew I could not do it, but Bruce did. He said that they ended up being the easy steps, but the sights from the top were great.
To get to the sight from the highway you have to cross a narrow river and this is done on a hand cranked ferry. When we got back in the bus after the site we went to a restaurant for lunch. This was Belize style bbq chicken, rice and beans, coleslaw and fried plantain plus a bottles drink (either a soda or water). On the tables are a number of hot sauces, very good, Bruce bought a few for $1 a bottle, he should have bought more. We ended up getting back to the pier for the next to the last tender. With having a table at the back windows it was nice being able to see how the ship has to zigzag leaving Belize. We all enjoyed seeing the different small islands, some of which had houses.

nlb1050 · Gold

Our final port was Cozumel. We have been there before but each time went on an excursion to the mainland so this time we stayed. We had planned to do some snorkeling but I was having a problem with one foot so we just took a taxi into town. We walked along the main street and ended up at the Cozumel museum. We must have been the first people that morning so they pointed the way to go and turned on lights in each room as we got there. There is not a lot there but it was nice. Then we walked back towards the ship and checked out the shops. We ended up buying a very nice bottle of Tequila; it is round with the center open and a cut glass blue agave flower. Also bought more hot sauce and a couple of shirts for Michael. Then got a taxi back to the ship. Back on board there was a special at the salon for 3 message items for $59; this included a foot and ankle message so I did that. While Bruce took a nap.

We only went to two shows in the evening. We instead would watch whatever movie was on the screen at the pool. Only once did we go in the casino to play some slots, with no luck. WE would eat lunch at the buffet and once I did get lunch from the seafood place, it was excellent, should have done a couple more times. Two mornings we did eat breakfast in the main dining room and should have done that more, Bruce was able to eat less.

We did have a very enjoyable time and would definitely go on the Valor again.

Cruznut · Administrator

Thanks Nancy. I really enjoyed that.

Laura

KimJack · Gold Plus

Thanks for the review, Nancy. It looks like you and Bruce had a good time. That photo from the ruins in Belize(with the guy standing on top) was most impressive, although I don't think I'd want to climb up there myself. Rolling Eyes

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You didn't mention your cabin attendants. How were they? And did Carnival actually enforce that rule about not entering your cabin until 1:30? Not even to drop off your carry-ons?

I take it that your cabin ("inside actually an outside without a window of any kind") was one of those that's way up forward. Interesting! We've stayed in RCI "promenade" cabins, which are the inside ones with a window and window seat that face out onto the Promenade deck. But I didn't know that Carnival had inside/outside/windowless cabins like the one you guys had. Wink

Anyway, I enjoy your review. Thanks for taking the time to do it. Which reminds me, one of these days I should be getting around to doing one for our mid-Sept. cruise on the Norwegian Dawn. Lazy, lazy me! Evil or Very Mad

Jack

nlb1050 · Gold

Jack our cabin attendent did introduce herself the first afternoon and even though we could not say her name she always said hello with our names and would ask how we wer doing whenever we saw her. I must say that for all of our cruises Carnival is right up ther with Princess and MSC for having great cabin stewards.

At least on the Valor and from what Trip said over on CM also on the Liberty they did enforce no one to the cabins before 1:30. They kept the doors closed and there was someone around to make sure you could not get thru. Had to keep carry ons with you.

That is one thing very nice about MSC, they do not allow any new passengers on until they are ready to escort you to your cabin. Yet it is early enough for you to be able to eat lunch in the buffet.

Jact that guy in the photo is not even at the very top. That is a photo Bruce took on the way to the top.