TheValor cruise ship departs from the Port of Miami, FL. Throughout the year, she offers ocean cruises to the Eastern Caribbean andWestern Caribbean .
Check Dates & Prices for cruises to Eastern Caribbean. Western Caribbean.
Carnival Valor. Carnival's third Conquest-class ship, represents a continuing evolution for the cruise line.
For starters, this vessel definitely fits in with the city-at-sea concept. It has 22 bars and lounges, 7 whirlpools, a 13,300-square-ft. spa and fitness area, and a swanky alternative restaurant. But where Carnival Valor really stands out is not in the quality and quantity of its public rooms and facilities, but in its theme, heroes and heroism, both real and fictional.
We loved the clever design of the One Small Step Dance Club. Valor's disco celebrating Neil Armstrong. It truly transports cruisers far from Earth with twinkling lights adorning the ceiling. Dance-lesson-style footprints across the floor and bar tie the "first walk on the moon" theme to the room's true calling as a dance club. The Bronx Bar sports bar is themed entirely after baseball -- and more specifically, Yankee Stadium. Bar stool seats are soft white leather with red baseball stitching steadied on baseball bats, all atop a green "grass" carpet, and each table holds a piece of Lou Gehrig's famous "#4" uniform.
When we stepped onboard, the first word that came to mind was "patriotic." The nine-deck-high centrum through which passengers enter the ship features touches of Americana. Faces of past presidents and heroic icons like George Washington grace the perimeter, and the dome above features panels depicting 10 U. S. destinations, such as Miami Beach, San Francisco, New Orleans and the Grand Canyon.
After further exploration, the ship's hero and heroism theme began to transcend that of the United States -- theIvanhoe Show Lounge celebrates the classic tale by Scotland's Sir Walter Scott, and Winston's Cigar Bar is named after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Still, the emphasis on American heroes and history is pretty obvious. Carnival Valor is the largest Fun Ship to be based in Miami. It will sail alternating seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries year-round.
Cabins
Carnival Valor has the usual range of staterooms. Over 60 percent (910 to be exact) of the cabins onboard Carnival Valor have an ocean view; 555 of these have balconies. The inside of the cabins - though verandah-category cabins are average to above average in size (insides measure 185 sq ft.; verandah cabins begin at 220) are outfitted with shower-only bathrooms, twin-to-queen beds, decent closet space (two cabinets with hanging bars and one with wide shelves), a vanity, a TV with remote and a mini-fridge.
There are 42 suites and 10 penthouse suite s. Penthouse suites are 430 sq ft. (the verandah alone measures 85 sq ft.), and feature a dressing area with vanity sink, whirlpool tub, twin-to-king bed, VCR and wet bar.
Note: Showers have a wraparound curtain as opposed to tight-closing doors, and we'll tell you this: Be sure it's pulled closed all the way. I nearly flooded the whole bathroom during my pre-dinner shower my first night onboard.
Dining
The two main dining rooms, Lincoln and Washington. were probably the gaudiest areas on the ship, with Pepto-Bismol pink accents along the walls and ceilings. Even staff service stations were constructed with materials in this solid shade of blinding pink.
The ship's two main dining rooms both serve dinner on a set-time, set-tablemates basis with four different seating options. Lunch and breakfast are open seating. While meal options were varied and tasty, service was a bit of a low point.
I also ran into a snafu with room service: My breakfast was not delivered in the time frame I was quoted, and I ended up canceling the order entirely so as not to be late for a shore excursion. Room service is available 24 hours a day; the menu is limited. Full stateroom bar service is available 9am - 3am.
The lido buffet, Rosie's Restaurant. was a super standby option. Rosie's is a two-level eatery done up like a classic diner with fabulous, flashy colors and shiny metal. Buffet offerings include salads and pastas, cold cuts and breads, a variety of hot dishes and a carving station. Rosie's also features an Asian stir-fry station, and an on-deck grill serving burgers and fries and such. For late-night diners there are themed buffets -- one evening during our sailing we stumbled upon a Mexican fiesta complete with taco fixings, cool guacamole and crunchy chips. Hot and cold breakfast items are available in the morning, and during dinner-time, Rosie's is converted into the casual "Seaview Bistro ."
For round-the-clock snackers, there's a 24-hour ice-cream/frozen yogurt station and a 24-hour pizzeria.
The sushi bar (open from 5 - 8:30pm) always had a line, and the seats lining the windows were generally taken
If you prefer a more upscale dining experience, splurge on the $20-per-person cover charge at Scarlett's. the reservations-only supper club high atop the ship. This spot is perfect for couples and small groups. The menu is fabulous, and wait staff explain the meat and fish selections while presenting a tray of raw cuts of meat and fish. The surf and turf option, featuring lobster tail and filet mignon, was the best meal I ate onboard.
Entertainment
Carnival Valor offers an excellent variety of entertainment options, including a brand-new, high-energy 80's music medley called "Far From Over ," complete with big hair and legwarmers. Another mainstay is the expansive Camp Carnival program and facility with a computer center, video viewing area, games and toys and a kids-only water slide.
Carnival has stepped up the concept of dinnertime entertainment on its newest ship -- in addition to seeing your favorite waiter or waitress congaing around the restaurant or line dancing with passengers, you may see a bit of magic! There are five magicians onboard who float from table to table each night in the dining rooms and restaurants -- a particularly nice touch at tables with young children.
Fitness & Recreation
Stay in shape while at sea with the help of Spa Carnival. The state-of-the-art exercise equipment, jogging track and aerobics classes are complimented by a staff of knowledgeable fitness experts.
Carnival Valor is the first cruise ship to offer 100 percent bow-to-stern wireless Internet access. a welcome innovation for tech-savvy travelers.
Public Areas
Kids will love the spiral waterslide and Camp Carnival's supervised games and activities, while teens hang out in a club designed just for them. After a day in port, relax in one of 22 lounges, catch a Vegas-style show, or try your luck in one of the largest casinos at sea.
Expert Valor reviews are edited by Michelle, and provided by Ian and Cruise Critic. com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation.
Check Dates & Prices for cruises to Eastern Caribbean. Western Caribbean.