Carnival Valor Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This boat was recommended by a friend and dining food and service was very good. Friendly staff and great service. The staff work their tails off and hope they get paid well. We gave extra tips at the end of the cruise. The only concern I had was the Purel Antibacterial Gel Stations were often empty, especially noticed this on the level 9 Ledo Deck. I work in a hospital and am particularly aware of this sort of thing. In light of possible Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, it is extremely important that these are checked on a regular basis.
Excursions were pretty good, except there could be less vegetation in the water in the immediate beach areas in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk. I would have spent more time in the Casino, but the cigarette smoke was very annoying. People should not be allowed to smoke in there and if they want to gamble enough, they will not smoke. If they don't want to gamble because they can't smoke, that will allow those of us who want to gamble more of a chance to do so and a better environment to do so.
The lifeboat drill was particularly hard on the elderly folks. People were fainting.
Cabin Review
Interior Upper/Lower
very comfortable and quite adequate for our needs.
Port Reviews
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Immediately outside the Amber Cove on our way to the beach was pretty rough. The beach could use a little cleanup of vegetation. It makes the water less clear. The food and drink was good at the beach retreat.
St. Thomas
Went to Trunk Bay beach on St. John via ferry. The ferry was a little old and a little slow. It kind of took out of our time at the beach. The beach was beautiful. My idea of the ultimate beach experience.
San Juan
We just went shopping and to the fort there. The town in the vicinity of the dock was not as well kept up as I thought it would be. A little run down there.