Carnival Valor Dec 24th, 2006 from Miami, FL- Western

We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teens ages 12 & 14). We have sailed many times on both RCL and CCL. This was our first Western port cruise and Christmas cruise, we usually sail in Feb. or the summer. We live in Fl so we don't fly and usually don't stay at hotels except if we leave from Miami-when we do, Hollywood Fl has a Marriott right on the boardwalk (they don't call it a boardwalk).

Had 2 cabins on the Riviera deck at back of ship  1 outside and 1 inside. Both were immaculate. The outside is very spacious with a small table, couch & chair, lots of large built in closets (3) and a small set of draws, a vanity area & mirror. There's also a small ref. but it was already filled with sodas, beer and small liquor bottles like you get on a plane so there isn't a lot of room to store your own items. The room also had a safe. The beds were pushed together & form a very plush comfortable king size bed with quality sheets and an awesome down comforter. The bathroom is very roomy, lots of small storage shelves was very clean. The inside room was standard two twins, storage and a small vanity area. They also have the nice bedding. If you can swing the slight difference for outside, it feels much bigger. They do not allow you to use an iron and one is not in the room. They do have self serve laundry areas (small fee) and in there- free use irons on each deck but irons can't be removed. There was a line waiting to use iron. You will hear the ship docking if you are on the Riviera in the back of the ship. You hear the ropes being let out and it is loud and vibrates things in the room so if you don't like waking early, don't pick the back. We didn't care because we wanted to go ashore anyway. During sailing it was quiet. Read more