Carnival Valor 2018 5-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 1 Part 1 June 30, 2018 Galveston, Texas
Scheduled Departure: 4:00pm
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Day 1 Part 1 June 30, 2018 Galveston, Texas
Scheduled Departure: 4:00pm
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
View Of The Carnival Valor From Harborside Drive
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Arriving Early In Galveston & Parking:
After several months of anticipation and counting down the days until the cruise began, the day of the cruise finally arrived! My alarm went off around 5:15am and I immediately got up to finish packing and load the car. Due to traffic being light, we arrived in Galveston before 9:00am, but stopped at McDonald's first to get a drink and use the bathroom. Last year when we cruised on the Carnival Freedom, we parked at EZ Cruise Parking and had a great experience. We parked at EZ Cruise Parking again for this cruise and once again had a very good experience with the parking lot. Prior to the day of our cruise, I reserved a parking space on EZ Cruise Parking's website and picked their "Park & Walk Special". Selecting this special meant we received a discount for not using the parking lot's shuttle. Upon arriving at the lot, we showed our online receipt and were instantly directed to a parking spot. The staff were very friendly and helpful. After securing our vehicle, we walked about 5-6 minutes to the cruise terminal. Crossing Harborside Drive was the hardest part of this walk because of traffic. Since the Carnival Freedom was docked in Galveston at Cruise Terminal #1, the Carnival Valor was docked at Cruise Terminal #2. |
Carnival Freedom Docked At Terminal 1
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Carnival Valor Docked At Terminal 2
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Terminal #2 Entrance Signage
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Arriving At The Cruise Terminal & Check-In:
Once arriving at the cruise terminal, our suitcases were taken by a porter. Since we were early, the doors to the cruise terminal were not yet open. The cruise terminal's driveway and pedestrian walkways were crowded with cruisers disembarking the Carnival Valor's previous cruise. We walked to the terminal's entrance, but since we were early staff members were not yet lining cruisers up. Around 9:20am, a staff member came outside to begin helping people form lines. One line was for priority & Faster to the Fun guests and another line was for cruisers based on their check-in time window. The arrival appointments line was divided into on-time and early/late appointments.
The doors to the cruise terminal did not open until after 10:00am. First, the line with priority & Faster to the Fun guests were allowed in the cruise terminal. Next, the cruisers in the general arrival appointments line were allowed inside. Each person had his or her boarding pass checked prior to entering the cruise terminal to make sure the cruiser was in the right line. After entering the cruise terminal building, we had our passports and boarding passes checked again. This process should have been quick, but one of the people in my stateroom's boarding pass had a barcode problem. The staff member had to print another boarding pass to replace the defective barcode on the original boarding pass. This part of the check-in process took about 10 minutes, but would have been much shorter if the boarding pass barcode issue would not have occurred. TIP: Make sure you check the barcode on your boarding pass after printing to ensure it fully printed. The lady working the counter at the cruise terminal told us this issue is fairly common.
Following this part of the check-in process we went through security. After going through security, we were directed up an escalator to the cruise terminal's second floor. Since my stateroom was priority we were directed a roped off area. This area had some juice, coffee, water, and cookies. One major change since last year was Sail & Sign cards are no longer given during check-in. After having our passports scanned we did not go to any other check-in area. This was very different from the past, but made the entire embarkation experience much faster and enjoyable. Sail & Sign cards were available in stateroom mailboxes around the time staterooms were scheduled to open.
Once arriving at the cruise terminal, our suitcases were taken by a porter. Since we were early, the doors to the cruise terminal were not yet open. The cruise terminal's driveway and pedestrian walkways were crowded with cruisers disembarking the Carnival Valor's previous cruise. We walked to the terminal's entrance, but since we were early staff members were not yet lining cruisers up. Around 9:20am, a staff member came outside to begin helping people form lines. One line was for priority & Faster to the Fun guests and another line was for cruisers based on their check-in time window. The arrival appointments line was divided into on-time and early/late appointments.
The doors to the cruise terminal did not open until after 10:00am. First, the line with priority & Faster to the Fun guests were allowed in the cruise terminal. Next, the cruisers in the general arrival appointments line were allowed inside. Each person had his or her boarding pass checked prior to entering the cruise terminal to make sure the cruiser was in the right line. After entering the cruise terminal building, we had our passports and boarding passes checked again. This process should have been quick, but one of the people in my stateroom's boarding pass had a barcode problem. The staff member had to print another boarding pass to replace the defective barcode on the original boarding pass. This part of the check-in process took about 10 minutes, but would have been much shorter if the boarding pass barcode issue would not have occurred. TIP: Make sure you check the barcode on your boarding pass after printing to ensure it fully printed. The lady working the counter at the cruise terminal told us this issue is fairly common.
Following this part of the check-in process we went through security. After going through security, we were directed up an escalator to the cruise terminal's second floor. Since my stateroom was priority we were directed a roped off area. This area had some juice, coffee, water, and cookies. One major change since last year was Sail & Sign cards are no longer given during check-in. After having our passports scanned we did not go to any other check-in area. This was very different from the past, but made the entire embarkation experience much faster and enjoyable. Sail & Sign cards were available in stateroom mailboxes around the time staterooms were scheduled to open.
Platinum & Diamond Waiting Area Beverages
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More Beverages & Cookies Available In Waiting Area
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Tea Packets Available In The Waiting Area
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Boarding The Carnival Valor:
Around 11:00am, terminal staff started making announcements that boarding would begin soon. The announcements included information about how the boarding process would work as well as what to expect once on the Carnival Valor. First, wedding guests were allowed to board the ship. Next, the VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests were allowed to board. After Diamond & Platinum guests boarded, Faster to the Fun guests were allowed to board. Cruisers with Faster to the Fun paid extra for priority boarding as well as a few other perks. There were several Faster to the Fun guests sailing on this cruise. Once Faster to the Fun guests boarded, the boarding process continued by zones. This cruise I was sailing with a Platinum guest and was able to board with the priority guests. Around 11:15am, the wedding party was able to board and by 11:20am I was officially on the Carnival Valor. Our boarding passes were scanned in the cruise terminal before being allowed onto the gangway. The walk to the gangway was short and we bypassed the ship's photographers to get on the ship faster. |
View Of The Carnival Valor From The Cruise Terminal
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View Of The Gangway Connected To The Ship
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View Of The Ship's Back Section
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Crossing The Gangway Onto The Ship
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Officially On The Carnival Valor:
After an easy check-in and embarkation experience, I was officially on the Carnival Valor. We entered the ship on Deck 3's exterior walkway and were directed into the ship's atrium. Crew members were around directing people and answering questions. Our first stop on the ship was lunch in Rosie's Lido Buffet on Deck 9 (Lido Deck). Several of the ship's front elevators were labeled "Lunch Express" and were operated by a crew member to take cruisers up to the Lido Deck. This helped cruisers needing an elevator get up to the Lido Deck quickly.
After an easy check-in and embarkation experience, I was officially on the Carnival Valor. We entered the ship on Deck 3's exterior walkway and were directed into the ship's atrium. Crew members were around directing people and answering questions. Our first stop on the ship was lunch in Rosie's Lido Buffet on Deck 9 (Lido Deck). Several of the ship's front elevators were labeled "Lunch Express" and were operated by a crew member to take cruisers up to the Lido Deck. This helped cruisers needing an elevator get up to the Lido Deck quickly.
On Deck 3 - Looking At The Other Gangway
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This Gangway Was Not Being Used For Guests
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After taking an elevator from Deck 3 (Lobby) to Deck 9 (Lido), we walked from the front to the back by walking through the Lido main pool area.
Lido Deck (9) Main Pool Area
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Deck Chairs On The Lido & Red Frog Rum Bar
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Lido Towel Station
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Main Lido Deck Pool - Closed For Some Reason
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Outside Staircase That Leads To Deck 10
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Lido Pool Area - Looking Towards Ship's Front
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First Lunch On The Carnival Valor:
The Carnival Valor's Lido Deck buffet is known as Rosie's. Cruisers had many different lunch choices including the Blue Iguana Cantina, Guy's Burger Joint, Ol' Fashioned BBQ, Pizzeria, Deli, and the Chef's Choice (Italian) buffet lines. I started the cruise by going to the Blue Iguana Cantina for some chicken tacos. The taco was very tasty and afterwards I visited the Ol' Fashioned BBQ. The potato salad was not very good, but the beef and baked beans tasted very good.
The Blue Iguana Cantina is located very close to the main Lido Deck pool area. After getting my taco I stopped at the salsa bar, which is self-service. Here are some pictures of the salsa bar:
The Carnival Valor's Lido Deck buffet is known as Rosie's. Cruisers had many different lunch choices including the Blue Iguana Cantina, Guy's Burger Joint, Ol' Fashioned BBQ, Pizzeria, Deli, and the Chef's Choice (Italian) buffet lines. I started the cruise by going to the Blue Iguana Cantina for some chicken tacos. The taco was very tasty and afterwards I visited the Ol' Fashioned BBQ. The potato salad was not very good, but the beef and baked beans tasted very good.
The Blue Iguana Cantina is located very close to the main Lido Deck pool area. After getting my taco I stopped at the salsa bar, which is self-service. Here are some pictures of the salsa bar:
Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
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Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
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Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
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Each cruise I enjoy taking food photographs and this cruise was no different. Next, you will see a few pictures taken of the Chef's Choice Italian buffet line:
Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Chef's Choice (Italian) Buffet Line
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Lido Dessert Station
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Here are some pictures of the dessert station:
Lido Dessert Station
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Lido Dessert Station
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Lido Dessert Station
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Lido Dessert Station
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Lido Dessert Station
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Lido Dessert Station
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My camera malfunctioned for a little while so I missed out on taking some photos of our plates of food. While eating I was frantically using my phone to search the internet for camera troubleshooting tips. The issue turned out to be user error, but I was glad to get my camera working again! However, I still managed to take a few pictures of our plates. Here are the pictures of our plates:
Two Chicken Tacos (With Guacamole) From The Blue Iguana Cantina
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Mongolian Wok Stir Fry
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Two Cookies & Cheesecake
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The Ol' Fashioned BBQ line was located on the second deck level (Deck 10) of Rosie's. When I visited this buffet line there was no wait because most cruisers do not know this place exists. The menu consists of items such as pork butt, chicken, smoked beef, mac & cheese, potato salad, scratch made slaw, baked beans, and soft bread buns.
Ol' Fashioned BBQ - Potato Salad
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Ol' Fashioned BBQ - Bread Buns
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Ol' Fashioned BBQ - Scratch Made Slaw
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Ol' Fashioned BBQ - Mac N' Cheese
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Ol' Fashioned BBQ - Baked Beans
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My Plate Of Food From Ol' Fashioned BBQ
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Afternoon Walk Around The Carnival Valor:
One of my favorite things to do on the cruise's first day is take a walk around the ship. This cruise I began at the back of Deck 9 (Lido) by the ship's aft pool. The aft pool has a retractable roof that can be closed during rain. Directly by the aft pool is a bar, ice cream machine, the ship's pizzeria, and the Seafood Shack (costs extra). After touring the aft pool area I walked up a staircase to Deck 10 (Panorama Deck).
One of my favorite things to do on the cruise's first day is take a walk around the ship. This cruise I began at the back of Deck 9 (Lido) by the ship's aft pool. The aft pool has a retractable roof that can be closed during rain. Directly by the aft pool is a bar, ice cream machine, the ship's pizzeria, and the Seafood Shack (costs extra). After touring the aft pool area I walked up a staircase to Deck 10 (Panorama Deck).
Rosie's Lido Buffet - Looking At Deli
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Rosie's Lido Buffet
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Lido Deck (9) - Aft Pool Area
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Once on Deck 10 (Panorama Deck), I looked at the view from the back of the ship as well as looked down on the aft pool. The retractable roof was open since the weather was nice. Unfortunately, Saharan Dust had come ashore after traveling from Africa and this made some of my Galveston pictures look cloudy in the distance. Visibility in the distance was a little limited due to this dust. However, the weather was still nice despite the dust.
On Deck 10 - Looking At Ship's Funnel
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Looking Down At The AFT Pool From Deck 10
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On Deck 10
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Looking At Galveston & Dust In The Distance
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Smoking Was Not Allowed Due To Bunkering
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Galveston & Cruise Terminal #2 Below
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I walked from the back of Deck 10 to the middle of the deck. In this area, more deck chairs were setup and I was able to look down on the Lido main pool. For some reason, the Lido pool was closed. The pool was filled with water, but had a giant net covering it to keep cruisers from getting in. This made the ship's other public areas more crowded because typically some people go to the pool as soon as they board the ship.
Deck 10 - Above Lido Main Pool
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View Of The Funnel From Deck 10
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Many Deck Chairs Outside Near The Pools
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Although the Lido Deck main pool was closed, Deck 10's pool was open. The ship's waterslide was also open. Although the waterslide lands on Deck 10, the entrance to the waterslide is on Deck 14 (Sky Deck). Since it was very hot and sunny outside, I did not want to stay outside too long. I went inside and went down to Deck 5 (Promenade Deck).
Main Pool, Funnel, & Seaside Theater
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Deck 10 Pool & Waterslide Landing
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Deck 10 Hottub
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The Promenade Deck (5) is home to many of the ship's lounges and bars. From Deck 5, I was able to get a good view of the atrium and look down on Deck 3 (Lobby Deck). A giant flag was in the atrium since we were cruising during the 4th of July. I will share more details on the 4th of July onboard during Day 5's cruise review. I started my walk of the Promenade Deck at the front and worked by way towards the back.
Flag Flying In The Atrium - View From Deck 5
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Looking At Cherry On Top Through Glass Windows
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Cherry On Top
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King's Boulevard Promenade Stage Area
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Two Of The Internet Cafe's Computers
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Java Coffee Bar - Sold Drinks For A Charge
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Many Tables & Chairs Along The Promenade Walkway
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Staircase That Goes To Deck 4
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Entrance To The Arcade (Right By The Nightclub)
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Lindy Hop Piano Bar - View From The Entrance
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Seats In The Lindy Hop Piano Bar
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Closer View Of The Piano Area
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Entering The Balcony Stateroom
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My Stateroom:
My stateroom was a Balcony room located close to the back of Deck 6 (Upper Deck). It took less than a minute to walk from my stateroom to the aft elevator/stairwell area. Most of the staterooms on Deck 6 were balcony or interior staterooms. Upon arriving to our stateroom we received our Sail & Sign cards in the stateroom mailbox. Sail & Sign cards are used as room keys and are also needed to make onboard purchases. The stateroom contained two twin beds, couch bed, a flat screen TV, small vanity area, trash can, three closed closet spaces, and a fridge. The room was a good size and had plenty of floor space. Here are a few photos of our stateroom, balcony, and bathroom: |
Couch Bed & Bedside Table
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Twin Beds & Luggage Mat On One Of The Beds
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One Of The Mirrors In The Stateroom
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Stateroom TV
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Stateroom Vanity Area - Water Available For Purchase
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Balcony Door - Lock Was Higher Than Doorknob
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Balcony - Two Chairs & A Table
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Balcony - View From The Ship Of Pelican Island
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Stateroom Bathroom - View From Door
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Stateroom Bathroom - Towels & Shower
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Stateroom Bathroom - Sink
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Stateroom Bathroom - Shelf Space
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Continuing Walking The Carnival Valor:
After visiting my stateroom on Deck 6 (Upper Deck) I walked back up to Deck 10 (Panorama Deck). I wanted to see more of the ship's exterior decks as well as look at Pelican Island. While outside I walked up from Deck 10 (Panorama Deck) to Deck 11 (Spa Deck). Deck 11 is split into a front and back part. The jogging track was on the back part of Deck 11, which is the area I visited first. Also, the back part of Deck 11 is where the entrance to the basketball court, volleyball court, and mini golf course are located.
After visiting my stateroom on Deck 6 (Upper Deck) I walked back up to Deck 10 (Panorama Deck). I wanted to see more of the ship's exterior decks as well as look at Pelican Island. While outside I walked up from Deck 10 (Panorama Deck) to Deck 11 (Spa Deck). Deck 11 is split into a front and back part. The jogging track was on the back part of Deck 11, which is the area I visited first. Also, the back part of Deck 11 is where the entrance to the basketball court, volleyball court, and mini golf course are located.
View From Deck 10 Of Pelican Island
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Deck 11 - Jogging Track & View From The Ship
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Deck 11 - Jogging Track
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Deck 11 - Jogging Track
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View Of The Lido Pool & Deck 10 From Deck 11
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Looking At Galveston From Deck 10
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Looking At Galveston
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Looking At Galveston
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Scarlett's Steakhouse On Deck 10 - Venue Costs Extra
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After walking down from Deck 11 to Deck 10, I continued to walk towards the front of the ship. My next destination on the walk around the ship was the Spa & Gym.
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NEXT PART: Continue To Day 1 Part 2's Review!
Day 1 Part 2 includes pictures of the SPA/Gym, Serenity Adults Only Retreat, Lincoln Dining Room, muster station drill, Galveston Sail-A-Way, dinner food photos, evening photos around the ship, and a review of the welcome aboard show. Click Here To Go To Day 1 Part 2's Cruise Review Click Here To Return To The Review's Main Page |