We just returned from our first Carnival cruise aboard the Valor. We had 5 in our party, and this was our 15th cruise (17th for one of our party). We have sailed on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Princess. Ages 77, 50, 49, 19, 17.

Ports included Belize, Roatan, and Grand Cayman with 3 sea days.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn, Port of Miami. We stayed there once before and in both cases were not disappointed. An excellent hotel, just across the street from the cruise port. Although close, you can't walk to the port from the hotel, but there is a shuttle for $5 per person that you arrange through the concierge that will drop you off at the ship. The hotel is just across the street from a huge mall with shopping and many restaurants. We walked across and had a late dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Read more