Carnival Valor

One of my favorite ways to travel is cruising. Everything is included in the package price- food, entertainment, transportation, lodging, portrait sittings, etc. You can't beat the price of a cruise, especially with Carnival. Now I know Carnival gets some crap but I love both of the ships I've been on. In both 2005 and 2006 my family cruised on the Carnival Valor out of Miami, Florida. This ship is the largest out of Miami and is decorated with an American theme. It has all the amenities you would find in a resort and then some. On board you’ll find shops, a casino, night clubs, a spa, a great gym, an “exclusive” restaurant known as Scarlett’s as well as basketball courts, a track, a gorgeous atrium, a library, etc. I could go on and on.

The ship’s capacity is almost 3,000 with about 1,200 of that being the crew. You would never guess that at all! The crew treats you as if you are the only person on board. On both cruises we had exceptionally friendly waiters and fantastic cabin stewards. The food was to die for. Might I suggest the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake, my staple desert every night. You won’t regret it.

Designed for the die hard sports fans, the Bronx Sports Bar is the perfect space for cruisers to catch up on their favorite teams. The bar is decorated with everything baseball and is one of the places on board where one can have a cigarette without going outdoors.

The Eagles Lounge is home to the Captain’s Cocktail Party and karokee. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful spaces on the entire ship. The walls are all done in a beautiful wood and there are eagle motifs and stuff eagles everywhere. There is also a large bar located in the lounge.

The Ivanhoe Theatre is dressed as an medieval castle complete with towers, stain glass and shimmery shields on the stage curtain. It is here that the Bingo games are held as well as at least one show every evening. Seating is best on the lower level because some of the seats on the upper deck have obstructed views. If you must sit upstairs, try not to sit in the first few rows as the safety barrier might block part of the show.

Java Café was one of my favorite parts on the ship. Why? Because they sold CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRRIES my ultimate favorite treat. Amy the barista was exceptionally friendly and would greet me by name every time I strolled by.

One Small Step Dance Club is open to teenagers until around 11 PM when it becomes an 18 and up party. Decorated with a space theme a la Neil Armstrong this is a great way to spend the evening. Next door is the Paris Hot Jazz Club where there is a live band. Another source of live entertainment can be found each night in the Lindy Hop Piano Bar, which is brilliantly decorated with an aviation theme and comes complete with a revolving piano.

Rosie’s Restaurant is the place to go if you want a quick and easy buffet style breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The Valor sets sail on seven day cruises every Sunday at about 4 PM. The ship offers two different itineraries both an Eastern Caribbean and a Western Caribbean. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary visits Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas, USVI and St. Martin, Netherlands Antilles. The Western Caribbean visits Belize City, Roatan Island, Honduras, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico.