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Carnival Valor 2018 5-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 1   Part 2         June 30,  2018                        Galveston, Texas                                      
Scheduled Departure:  4:00pm              
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This is a continuation of Day 1's cruise review. If you would like to view Day 1 Part 1 please click here. 

When my review left off I was walking on Deck 10 towards the front of the ship. After walking across Deck 10 and going outside, I walked up one deck to Deck 11 (SPA). As I mentioned earlier, Deck 11 is split into two parts. The front part of Deck 11 has staterooms, the SPA faciltiies, and gym. 

Carnival Valor's SPA & Gym:
​The Carnival Valor's SPA and Gym facilities are located at the very front of the SPA Deck. SPA staff members were at the entrance advertising treatments, specials, and the services offered by the SPA. Furthermore, staff members were willing to give SPA tours to anyone that wanted one. Since I cruised on the Carnival Valor before I declined the tour and went straight to the Gym.  On the Carnival Valor, in order to get to the gym you have to walk through locker rooms. The locker rooms are gender specific, so men and women must walk on separate sides to get to the gym. Each gender's locker room has its own sauna and steam room. 
Carnival Valor Men's SPA Steam Room
SPA - Men's Steam Room
Carnival Valor Men's Sauna
SPA - Men's Sauna
Carnival Valor Gym
Carnival Valor's Gym
One thing I noticed while touring the gym was the Carnival Valor's treadmills had been replaced since last year. This type of treadmill was more user friendly, in my opinion. I used the gym on both port of call days, but other than those two times did not use the SPA or Gym area. 
Carnival Valor Treadmills
A Few Of The Treadmills
Carnival Valor Treadmill
Up Close View Of A Treadmill - They Have Changed Since Last Year
Carnival Valor Gym
Gym - Fitness Studio Room In The Middle
Carnival Valor Gym
More Gym Equipment
Carnival Valor Gym Clean Towels
Clean Towels
Gym Equipment
Gym Equipment
Touring Camp Ocean:
Several months after cruising the Carnival Valor last year, I realized I did not take any pictures of Camp Ocean during my previous cruise. Camp Ocean is the youth program facility for 2-11 year olds. Children in Camp Ocean are assigned to one of three age groups. 2-5 year old children are in the Penguins group, 6-8 year olds are in the Stringrays Group, and 9-11 year olds are in the Sharks group. Each of these three groups has a separate activity schedule and meeting place for the activities. After leaving the SPA/Gym on Deck 11, I walked up to Deck 12. Camp Ocean is located at the very front of Deck 12. The youth staff were friendly and welcomed me inside to take pictures. Unfortunately, I did not get copies of the activity schedules for any Camp Ocean groups. 
Carnival Valor Camp Ocean Entrance
Entrance to Camp Ocean
Carnival Valor Camp Ocean
Inside Camp Ocean
Carnival Valor Camp Ocean
Inside Camp Ocean
Carnival Valor Camp Ocean
Inside Camp Ocean
Carnival Valor Camp Ocean
Inside Camp Ocean
Carnival Valor Camp Ocean
Inside Camp Ocean
Serenity Adults Only Retreat:
After touring Camp Ocean, I walked up one deck from Deck 12 to Deck 14. Please note, there is no Deck 13 on the Carnival Valor. The Serenity Adults Only Retreat is a place for guests 21+ to relax without children being around. On the Carnival Valor, the Serenity Adults Only Retreat is located on two decks at the front. Deck 14 is home to the upper level of the Serenity and Deck 12's right side (starboard) is home to the lower level of the Serenity. I began touring this area on Deck 14. There were several different lounge chairs, hammocks, and at least two hottubs on this level. 
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity Adults Only Retreat - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Hammock In The Serenity Adults Only Retreat - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Hottub - At The Front Of The Deck 14 Level
After looking at the Deck 14 level of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat, I walked down a stairwell into the Deck 12 level. The Deck 12 level had more lounge chairs, some clamshell chairs, and contained the Serenity Adults Only Retreat's bar area. Both areas were very nice and had plenty of seating.
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Looking Down At The Deck 12 Part Of The Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Clam Shells At The Front Of The Serenity's Deck 12 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Deck 12 Of The Serenity Adults Only Retreat
In order to continue my tour of the Carnival Valor, I walked back up to Deck 14. Besides the upper level of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat, Deck 14 is where the waterslide's entrance is located. Last year on the Carnival Valor, I searched for the ship's coin and had no luck finding it. However, this year I found it on Deck 14 facing the waterslide entrance. 
Carnival Valor Ship's Coin
Ship's Coin - Located On Deck 14
Carnival Valor Deck 14
View Of The Pool From Deck 14
Carnival Valor Deck 14
Deck Chairs Stacked On Deck 14
                 After I finished looking at Deck 14, I walked downstairs to Deck 10. At the very front of Deck 10 is a door that will take you outside. This area gives a good view of the ship's bow as well as the side's of the ship. On Conquest Class vessels, this is one of my favorite places to look out at the front of the ship. Later in the cruise I used this space to watch our arrival in Progreso and Cozumel. The pier had a little bit of activity occurring, but it appeared the ship was almost done loading luggage and supplies. 
Carnival Valor Docked At Galveston's Cruise Terminal 2
Cruise Terminal & Ship's Side - View From Deck 10
Carnival Valor Deck 10 Front Area
Deck 10 Front Area
Carnival Valor Lifeboat
Lifeboat Being Raised Back Up
               As the afternoon continued I realized I only had about 30 minutes before the safety briefing to look around the ship. I went from Deck 10 to Deck 5. I didn't stay on Deck 5 too long and then went down to Deck 3. The boarding process was nearly completed, but the atrium lobby was crowded with people at the atrium bar, in line at guest services, and people using the tables & chairs in the atrium lobby. 
Carnival Valor Atrium
Deck 5 Atrium Area - Sail & Sign Kiosk
Carnival Valor Skybox Sports Bar
Area Outside The Skybox Sports Bar On Deck 5
Carnival Valor Cherry on Top
Cherry on Top Entrance
Carnival Valor Lincoln Dining Room
Lincoln Dining Room - View From Deck 4
Carnival Valor Lincoln Dining Room
Lincoln Dining Room - Deck 3 Level
Carnival Valor Deck 3
Deck 3 Exterior Walkway - Opposite Of Side We Entered
                 Deck 3 is home to the atrium lobby, lower levels of the Lincoln Dining Room and Washingon Dining Room, guest services, shore excursions desk, the ship's galley, and the lower level of the Ivanhoe Theater. The Ivanhoe Theater is a lounge on the Carnival Valor that is used for Playlist Production Shows, Hasbro the Game Show, Bingo, and other events that need a large venue. Since no activities or events were taking place in the lounge, I was able to get some pictures of the Ivanhoe Theater. 
Carnival Valor Ivanhoe Theater
Ivanhoe Theater - Deck 3 Level
Carnival Valor Ivanhoe Theater
Deck 3 Seats In The Ivanhoe Theater
Carnival Valor Ivahoe Theater
Looking Up At The Balcony Seats In The Ivanhoe
                After looking at Deck 3, I went back up to Deck 5. I walked from the front of the Promenade to the back. One of the first lounges I looked into was Paris Hot. Paris Hot was not used for much during the cruise, but the lounge contains a small stage, several seats, and a small bar area at the back. 
Carnival Valor Paris Hot
Small Stage Area In Paris Hot
Carnival Valor Paris Hot
Bar Area In Paris Hot
Carnival Valor Paris Hot
Close Up View Of The Seats & Bar In Paris Hot
                    Next, I walked into the Eagles Lounge. The Eagles Lounge is located at the very back of the Carnival Valor's Promenade Deck. This lounge is primarily used for comedy shows and karaoke. 
Carnival Valor Eagles Lounge
Eagles Lounge - View Of The Stage
Carnival Valor Eagles Lounge
Bar Area At The Back Of Eagles Lounge
Carnival Valor Eagles Lounge
Some of the seats in the Eagles Lounge
                    Before leaving the Promenade Deck, I walked into the ship's nightclub/disco. This area is known as the One Small Step Dance Club. At night, the nightclub is for guests 18+ and is guarded by security. I did not stay in this area too long because the muster station drill was quickly approaching. 
Carnival Valor Nightclub
Dance Floor In The One Small Step Dance Club
Carnival Valor Nightclub
Seats & Bar Area Surrounding The Dance Floor
Carnival Valor One Small Step Dance Club
One Small Dance Club
Carnival Valor
Lido Main Pool Area - Looking Towards Ship's Back
Muster Station Drill / Safety Briefing:
The Muster Station drill is always a required event for every passenger on the cruise ship. My muster station was "H" which was located on the port side of Deck 4. The drill was scheduled to begin at 3:30pm. 

           All muster stations are located on the ship's outside areas on Deck 4. Each muster station has 3 or 4 lines of cruisers packed facing the lifeboats. For this muster station drill, we were told to bring our Sail & Sign cards so the cards could be scanned. During the drill, crew members walked around with tablets to scan cards. At the conclusion of the drill, the person over the intercom read a list of all stateroom numbers that were not in attendance at the drill and gave instructions on how those people were now required to come to a secondary muster station drill in the Ivanhoe Theater. ​
Sail-A-Way From Galveston:
To watch our departure from Galveston, I wanted to be on Deck 10 at the back of the ship. The Carnival Valor was docked facing the direction we would be sailing, which meant a turnaround was not necessary. A few minutes after 4:00pm, the Carnival Valor's ropes were untied and we began moving. The Carnival Freedom left before us, which was a disappointment because I wanted the Carnival Valor to leave first. The weather was nice, but the dust was still causing some haze in the distance. I took many pictures during our departure from Galveston, but want to only share a few highlights with you:
Carnival Valor Ropes
Rope Untied - Being Pulled Back Onto The Ship
Galveston Cruise Terminal #2
Looking Down At Cruise Terminal 2's Pier
Galveston Cruise Terminal 2
Cruise Terminal 2's Gangways
Galveston Cruise Terminal 2 Pier Extension
Cruise Terminal 2 Pier Extension - Almost Done
Galveston Cruise Terminal 2
Looking Back At The Cruise Terminal
Galveston
Looking At Fisherman's Wharf & Galveston
Galveston
The Elyssa Docked In Galveston
Galveston Harborhouse Hotel
Looking Down At The Harborhouse Hotel
Galveston Offshore Drilling Rig Museum
Galveston Offshore Drilling Rig Museum
Galveston
Looking At Another Ship Docked In Galveston
Barge Docked In Galveston
Small Barge Docked In Galveston
Galveston
Galveston
Tractors in Galveston
Tractors & Other Vehicles On a Pier
Galveston
Looking Towards UTMB Galveston
Galveston Marina
Galveston Marina
Pelican Island
Pelican Island
Galveston
Galveston
Galveston Ferries
Galveston Ferries
Galveston Harbor
Looking Back
Galveston
Galveston
Pelican Island Seawolf Park
Seawolf Park on Pelican Island
Carnival Freedom Turning Around:
As the Carnival Valor got closer to being away from Galveston, I began to notice the Carnival Freedom was not moving anymore. Once I realized the Carnival Freedom was turning around I walked from the back to the front of Deck 10. I do not know an official reason as to why the ship turned around, but I heard it could have been a medical emergency. Here are a few pictures of the Carnival Freedom turning around to head back to Galveston:
Front of the Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom's Front
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom Heading Back To Galveston
Carnival Valor's Front
Carnival Valor's Front - View From Deck 10
Galveston
Passing A Tanker Ship
Galveston
Other Ships (Cargo or Tanker) In The Distance
Picture
Dinner #1 In The Lincoln Dining Room:
            I had Your-Time Dining which means I could dine in a specific dining room from 5:45pm until about 9:00pm. My assigned dining room was the Deck 3 level of the Lincoln Dining Room. The entrance for cruisers with Your-Time Dining was in the Carnival Valor's atrium on the Deck 3 level. Traditional early and late seating were available too, but I always prefer to have the flexibility of Your-Time Dining.
            The dining experience was great throughout the entire cruise! Our waitstaff did a great job, were friendly as well as very attentive. Besides the service being great, the food was very good too. The menu's were very similar to past cruises, but the dessert menu had some options I had never seen before on a Carnival Cruise. It was great having a few new choices to pick from!
Carnival Valor Dinner Bread Basket
Bread Basket
Carnival Valor Smoked Chicken Quesadilla Appetizer
Appetizer - Smoked Chicken Quesadila
Carnival Valor Jalapeno Poppers Appetizer
Appetizer - Jalapeno Poppers
Carnival Valor Shrimp Cocktail
Appetizer - Shrimp Cocktail (Double Order)
Carnival Valor Caesar Salad Appetizer
Appetizer - Caesar Salad
Carnival Valor Fried Shrimp
Main Course - Fried Shrimp
Carnival Valor Side Baked Potato
Side Baked Potato
Carnival Valor Caramelized Phyllo With Caramel Cream
Dessert - Caramelized Phyllo With Caramel Cream
Carnival Valor Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate
Dessert - Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate
Carnival Valor Carnival Melting Cake Dessert
Dessert - Carnival Melting Cake
Carnival Valor Banana Split Dessert
Dessert - Banana Split (From Kid's Menu)
Evening Walk Around The Carnival Valor's Jogging Track: 
               Typically each cruise after dinner, I will use the ship's jogging track in order to begin burning a few calories. I walked up to Deck 11 and begin walking around. Approximately 9 times around the jogging track equaled 1 mile. The haze caused by the dust was thick in the distance, but the view of the water right by the ship was nice. 
Carnival Valor Jogging Track
Deck 11 Jogging Track
Picture
Looking At The Volleyball/Tennis Court
Carnival Valor
Dusty Horizon
 After walking on the jogging track, I went back to my stateroom and found my stateroom steward had stopped by to service the room. He left a Fun-Time, which is the ship's daily activity newsletter. In addition, he left a towel animal on the bed. However, on the first day, our stateroom steward did not come by to introduce himself. On the first sea day, we met him in the morning. He was very friendly and did a great job throughout the cruise vacation. 
Carnival Valor Towel Animal
Towel Animal
Carnival Valor Saharan Dust
Sunset - Looked Hazy Due To Saharan Dust
Carnival Valor Deck 10
Waves At The Ship's Back - View From Deck 10
Picture
Ship's Funnel - View From Deck 10
Carnival Valor Welcome Aboard Show
Welcome Aboard Show Set
Welcome Aboard Show In The Ivanhoe Theater:
The Welcome Aboard Show began at 10:00pm. The show began with the dancers coming up to the front of the stage to lead a mini-dance class. This lasted a few minutes and then our cruise director, T.J., took the stage. He talked about the cruise and got some people from the audience up on the stage for a game. After T.J. was done with his portion of the Welcome Aboard Show, the Playlist Productions dancers performed a short show with modern music. The entire show lasted about 35-40 minutes and was enjoyable. 

               
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​Continue To Day 2's Full Sea Day Cruise Review!
​Day 2's review is in one part! Day 2 was a bit of an usual day because when I woke up the ship was turned around heading back towards Galveston due to a medical emergency. Day 2's full review will include an early morning around the ship, photos from all three meals, pictures of the ocean, and more!
Click Here To Continue To Day 2's Full Review

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