Carnival once had poorly organized cruises with mediocre food and good entertainment. Things sure have changed. Our experience on the Valor was exceptional.
We used Carnival's airport "shuttle" from Ft. Lauderdale to the Port of Miami. The trip was quick and trouble-free. Embarkation was really smooth as well.
The ship is beautiful. The decor is a history motif. There are statues and pictures of presidents, scientists, war heroes and sports personalities throughout. It is a huge ship but easy to "navigate," and all the public areas were always spotless. The crew do a fabulous job of cleaning 24/7 and they are really friendly to boot.
Our outside cabin was roomy and comfortable. Our cabin steward could not have been better. Not only did he provide excellent service, but he was creative way beyond the norm. Of course, he kept the room spotless, every day he provided towel animals, but he also, involved a stuffed toy (Scooby Doo) we had with us in various cute and funny "scenes" he created on a daily basis, and he always took the time to show a genuine interest in how our day was going regardless of how busy he was.