Carnival Valor 2018 5-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 2 July 1, 2018 Sea Day
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Day 2 July 1, 2018 Sea Day
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Early Morning Walk Around The Ship:
On my past few cruises, I have always tried to get up early to walk around the ship and take some pictures of the empty public areas. This cruise I wanted to do the same. My alarm rang at 5:45am and by 6:10am I was beginning to tour the ship. My walk on this morning of the cruise started on the Deck 3 (Lobby) level of the Carnival Valor's atrium. The Guest Services desk was open, but there were no cruisers in line at this time of the morning. Some of the atrium's lights were turned off, but there was enough light to clearly see where I was walking.
On my past few cruises, I have always tried to get up early to walk around the ship and take some pictures of the empty public areas. This cruise I wanted to do the same. My alarm rang at 5:45am and by 6:10am I was beginning to tour the ship. My walk on this morning of the cruise started on the Deck 3 (Lobby) level of the Carnival Valor's atrium. The Guest Services desk was open, but there were no cruisers in line at this time of the morning. Some of the atrium's lights were turned off, but there was enough light to clearly see where I was walking.
Deck 3 Level Of The American Atrium
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Flag Hanging In The Atrium For 4th of July
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Atrium Lobby Stage & Glass Elevators In Background
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The Shore Excursions desk is located on the opposite side of the atrium from Guest Services. Shore Excursions can be ordered at Guest Services when the desk is closed. Furthermore, shore excursions can be purchased via the Carnival Hub App, via stateroom interactive TV, or pre-purchased on Carnival's website prior to the cruise. Carnival's Behind The Fun Tour is an exception and can only be purchased onboard. I will discuss this tour on Day 5's review.
After looking at the Deck 3 level of the Carnival Valor's atrium I headed upstairs to Deck 4. Deck 4's portion of the atrium is home to the ship's photo gallery, Iliad Library, the entrance to Circle C, and the upper level entrance to the Lincoln Dining Room. Here are some pictures I took on Deck 4:
After looking at the Deck 3 level of the Carnival Valor's atrium I headed upstairs to Deck 4. Deck 4's portion of the atrium is home to the ship's photo gallery, Iliad Library, the entrance to Circle C, and the upper level entrance to the Lincoln Dining Room. Here are some pictures I took on Deck 4:
Shore Excursions Desk - Located On Deck 3
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Illiad Library - Located On Deck 4
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Some Of The Seats In The Illiad Library
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Entrance To Circle C Youth Program
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Lincoln Dining Room - Deck 4 Level
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Deck 4 Walkway - Near Club 02
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Following my walk from the front to the back of Deck 4, I went up to Deck 5. One of my first stops on the Promenade Deck was the Red Frog Pub. Although it was closed at this time of the morning, I still went inside to take some pictures. I was unable to get good pictures on the first day of the cruise due to a large crowd of people enjoying the bar. Here are some pictures of the Red Frog Pub:
Red Frog Pub Entrance
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Bar Counter & Side Tables In The Pub
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Additional Tables & Seats In The Pub
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Some Games In The Back Of the Pub
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Stage In The Red Frog Pub
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Back Of The Bar Counter
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After exiting the Red Frog Pub, I continued walking from the back to the front of Deck 5.
Java Coffee Bar (Costs Extra)
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Kings Boulevard Promenade
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Future Cruise & Loyalty Desk - Deck 5 Midship
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Promenade Casino Bar & Seats
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Promenade Stage & Window Seats
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Fun Finds Shopping Desk
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When I got near the front of Deck 5, I went inside the Skybox Sports Bar. The Skybox Sports Bar is a place on the Carnival Valor where a variety of different sports games are shown. The bar has a very large screen for watching sports and long counter for seating. Some non-bar counter seats are available in the venue as well. The games shown in the Skybox Sports Bar depend on what is on TV and what Carnival picks to show.
Skybox Sports Bar - Counter
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Skybox Sports Bar - Small Table & Chairs
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Skybox Sports Bar - Counter
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The Morning Walk Becomes The Strangest One Ever - Got Screamed At By Security:
After walking around Deck 5, I went up to Deck 9 (Lido). Throughout my history of cruises, my morning walks have been relatively uneventful. I usually see as much of the ship as possible, look at the sunrise, and then wait for breakfast to begin. However, this morning walk was very different. When I got to the Lido Deck I walked through the pool area and into Rosie's Lido Buffet. My plan was to go to the aft pool and take some pictures of it. However, the fire doors to the aft pool were completely closed. My initial thoughts were cleaning was occurring and the crew didn't want any guests entering this area. This was no big deal to me because parts of the ship are routinely (and temporarily) closed for cleaning. I then decided I wanted to go up to Deck 10's back portion of the ship to look outside at the sunrise. Since I was already in the buffet, I decided to walk up the buffet's stairs to the Deck 10 level of the buffet. I was halfway up the stairs when a security guard appeared and screamed at me for attempting to go up a closed stairwell (the stairwell had no indication it was closed at this time). I complied with the rude security guard's orders and went back down to the Deck 9 level of the buffet.
I went back outside and walked by the ship's main pool. I took a few pictures of this area and headed up to the mid-ship outside area of Deck 10. Once I got up on Deck 10 I saw the entire back portion of Deck 10 was being closed and security was all over the deck. As I was staring at the sunrise and taking pictures I realized something was wrong. The sunrise was on the exact same side of the ship as last night's sunset. This should not have been the case. I ran down to Deck 5 to look at the large tracker screen that is located in the middle of the Carnival Valor's Promenade. The tracker showed us turned around and headed back towards Galveston. I gasped and wondered what in the world was going on. Why was security being so aggresive? Why was the ship turned around? Both of these were two questions I kept asking myself. I would have the answer to both of these questions in about 15 minutes after realizing we were turned around.
After walking around Deck 5, I went up to Deck 9 (Lido). Throughout my history of cruises, my morning walks have been relatively uneventful. I usually see as much of the ship as possible, look at the sunrise, and then wait for breakfast to begin. However, this morning walk was very different. When I got to the Lido Deck I walked through the pool area and into Rosie's Lido Buffet. My plan was to go to the aft pool and take some pictures of it. However, the fire doors to the aft pool were completely closed. My initial thoughts were cleaning was occurring and the crew didn't want any guests entering this area. This was no big deal to me because parts of the ship are routinely (and temporarily) closed for cleaning. I then decided I wanted to go up to Deck 10's back portion of the ship to look outside at the sunrise. Since I was already in the buffet, I decided to walk up the buffet's stairs to the Deck 10 level of the buffet. I was halfway up the stairs when a security guard appeared and screamed at me for attempting to go up a closed stairwell (the stairwell had no indication it was closed at this time). I complied with the rude security guard's orders and went back down to the Deck 9 level of the buffet.
I went back outside and walked by the ship's main pool. I took a few pictures of this area and headed up to the mid-ship outside area of Deck 10. Once I got up on Deck 10 I saw the entire back portion of Deck 10 was being closed and security was all over the deck. As I was staring at the sunrise and taking pictures I realized something was wrong. The sunrise was on the exact same side of the ship as last night's sunset. This should not have been the case. I ran down to Deck 5 to look at the large tracker screen that is located in the middle of the Carnival Valor's Promenade. The tracker showed us turned around and headed back towards Galveston. I gasped and wondered what in the world was going on. Why was security being so aggresive? Why was the ship turned around? Both of these were two questions I kept asking myself. I would have the answer to both of these questions in about 15 minutes after realizing we were turned around.
Lido Main Pool
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Red Frog Rum Bar
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Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
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Lido Deck Towel Station
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Guy's Burger Joint
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Blue Iguana Cantina
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US Coast Guard Helicopter
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Coast Guard Helicopter Performs Medical Evacuation:
Around 6:40am, the ship's PA went off. Typically announcements are not made this early in the day, which made me realize something important was about to be announced. Our cruise director, T.J., told us the ship had turned around at about 4:30am and was heading back north towards Galveston because a guest needed a medical evacuation. A coast guard helicopter was on its way to meet us. T.J. said guests needed to stay off the outside decks and an announcement about our itinerary would be made as soon as the full impact is known. Around 7:00am, a coast guard helicopter was hovering over the back of the ship. The guest was evacuated. I will not discuss this matter in any further detail as I do not have any information. I hope and pray the guest makes a full & speedy recovery! |
First Breakfast Onboard The Carnival Valor:
After watching the helicopter fly above the ship, I remembered the breakfast buffet lines were open. The Carnival Valor offers cruisers multiple breakfast options to choose from. For cruisers that wanted to eat at Rosie's Lido Buffet , breakfast was scheduled to begin at 7:00am and end at 10:30am. The Blue Iguana Cantina did not open for breakfast until 7:30am, but it closed at 10:30am. Continental breakfast (pastries, juices, and fruits) opened at 6:00am. Late Risers Breakfast was scheduled for 9:30am - 12:00pm in Rosie's Lido Buffet. For cruisers that did not want to eat breakfast in Lido buffet, Sea Day Brunch was available in the Washington Dining Room (aft main dining room) from 8:30am - 1:00pm.
My first stop for breakfast was the omelet station. Each day of the cruise I visited the omelet station near the front of the buffet where the Mongolian Wok is located at lunch. The crew working this station made great omelets and were friendly!
After watching the helicopter fly above the ship, I remembered the breakfast buffet lines were open. The Carnival Valor offers cruisers multiple breakfast options to choose from. For cruisers that wanted to eat at Rosie's Lido Buffet , breakfast was scheduled to begin at 7:00am and end at 10:30am. The Blue Iguana Cantina did not open for breakfast until 7:30am, but it closed at 10:30am. Continental breakfast (pastries, juices, and fruits) opened at 6:00am. Late Risers Breakfast was scheduled for 9:30am - 12:00pm in Rosie's Lido Buffet. For cruisers that did not want to eat breakfast in Lido buffet, Sea Day Brunch was available in the Washington Dining Room (aft main dining room) from 8:30am - 1:00pm.
My first stop for breakfast was the omelet station. Each day of the cruise I visited the omelet station near the front of the buffet where the Mongolian Wok is located at lunch. The crew working this station made great omelets and were friendly!
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Pastries
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Continental Breakfast - Cereal
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Continental Breakfast - Cereal
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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After Breakfast Walk The Around The Ship:
Following a large breakfast, I realized I needed to take a walk around the ship. Since I didn't get to tour the aft pool or Deck 10's aft earlier, I decided to head outside and look at this area. The water outside was blue, but it would get even bluer as the day continued. By this time, the Carnival Valor had already turned around and was now heading back south.
Following a large breakfast, I realized I needed to take a walk around the ship. Since I didn't get to tour the aft pool or Deck 10's aft earlier, I decided to head outside and look at this area. The water outside was blue, but it would get even bluer as the day continued. By this time, the Carnival Valor had already turned around and was now heading back south.
Lido Deck AFT Pool Area
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AFT Pool Area - Doors Lead To AFT Elevator Area
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AFT Pool Bar
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View From The Back - Waves Of Where We've Been
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Looking Down At The AFT Pool From Deck 11
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Deck 10 - Outside Seating Area
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I walked from the back of Deck 10 to the front area. One of the things I noticed as I was walking was some people were already reserving deck chairs. Personal items, towels, and objects were left in deck chairs to save them. I do not know if the Carnival Valor's crew actually enforced the deck chair policies Carnival has set.
Deck 10 Chairs - Some Being Reserved
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Deck 11 View Of The Lido Main Pool Area
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View Of The Atrium Skylight & Waterslide
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Since I was already near the front of the ship, I decided to walk up to Deck 14. The waterslide was not yet open for the day, but it would be open in just a few hours. I then decided to head down to Deck 12. The ping-pong tables and large chess pieces were not being played with yet, but later in the day would be more popular.
Waterslide Entrance - Not Open Yet For The Day
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Deck 14
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Deck 12 - Game Tables Outside
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Ping Pong Table
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Large Chess Pieces
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Children's Outside Playground Equipment On Deck 12
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After looking outside I went inside and headed down to Deck 4. Near the back of Deck 4 is a lounge called Winston's that is rarely used for anything. The doors to the lounge were open and I went inside to have a look.
Winston's Bar - Located On Deck 4
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Seats Located On The Side Of The Lounge
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Seats Located Throughout The Lounge
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Dance Floor In The Middle of Winston's
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Bar At The Back Of Winston's Bar
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Winston's Bar
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T.J.'s Morning Show:
At 9:30am was our cruise director's morning show in the Ivanhoe Theater. This show is broadcasted on one of the ship's TV stations and is intended to give an overview of the day. This morning's show started with an announcement regarding the Carnival Valor's itinerary. Due to lost sailing time, the ship was going to be traveling to Progreso first and then Cozumel. Essentially, the order of the ports of call were flipped. However, we were initially told we would dock at Punta Langosta (downtown Cozumel) instead of Puerta Maya (Carnival Corporation's pier). Please note, our dock assignment later changed and we ended up at Puerta Maya. The remainder of the morning show was dedicated to advertising the Fun Finds Shopping Show and some of the day's activities. I enjoyed the show and it lasted about 30 minutes. |
Back To The Stateroom Due To A Headache:
During the morning show I got a very bad headache and was feeling miserable. I went back to my stateroom to lay down. When I got back to the room I saw our stateroom steward had left a towel animal elephant as well as strawberries for the platinum guest in the stateroom. I stayed in the stateroom for about 2 hours, but managed to leave for lunch because I was feeling a little better and the medicine I took was beginning to work. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to go very many activities or take pictures during the morning because of my headache.
During the morning show I got a very bad headache and was feeling miserable. I went back to my stateroom to lay down. When I got back to the room I saw our stateroom steward had left a towel animal elephant as well as strawberries for the platinum guest in the stateroom. I stayed in the stateroom for about 2 hours, but managed to leave for lunch because I was feeling a little better and the medicine I took was beginning to work. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to go very many activities or take pictures during the morning because of my headache.
Towel Animal Elephant
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Towel Animal Elephant & Made Up Bed
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VIFP Platimum Chocolate Delight
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Second Lunch On The Carnival Valor:
Today our our second lunch on the Carnival Valor. Since I was still not feeling too good from my headache, I went to the pizzeria for a caesar salad.
Today's Lunch Options Were:
Today our our second lunch on the Carnival Valor. Since I was still not feeling too good from my headache, I went to the pizzeria for a caesar salad.
Today's Lunch Options Were:
- Blue Iguana Cantina 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Chef's Choice - Was Serving American Food 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Mongolian Wok 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Ol' Fashioned BBQ 12:00pm - 2:30pm
- Seafood Shack (Costs Extra) 12:00pm - 5:00pm
- Sushi At Sea (Costs Extra) 12:00pm - 5:00pm
- Guy's Burger Joint 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Tacos From The Blue Iguana Cantina
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Caesar Salad From The Pizzeria
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Quatro Formaggi (Cheese) Pizza
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Tacos From The Blue Iguana Cantina
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Salad Toppings From The Salad Bar
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Pastrami on Rye Sandwich From The Deli
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Key Lime Pie & Cookie
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Variety of Desserts
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TIP: The Blue Iguana Cantina is one large counter, but it has two different lines. One line is for tacos and the other is for burritos. Do not get in the wrong line because you may have to wait longer than you otherwise would have needed to. Typically, the line for tacos is much shorter than the line for burritos.
View Of The Blue Water From Deck 10:
After lunch I wanted to walk around the ship. I began on Deck 10 at the very front. The water was very blue!
View Of The Blue Water From Deck 10:
After lunch I wanted to walk around the ship. I began on Deck 10 at the very front. The water was very blue!
View Of The Ship's Side From Deck 10
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Carnival Valor's Front
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Looking Down At The Water
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Carnival Valor's Gift Shop:
The Carnival Valor's gift shops are located on Deck 5 in the atrium area. One side is where jewerly & perfume products can be purchased, but the other side of the ship is where Carnival logo items can be purchased. Here are a few pictures of some of the Carnival logo items for sale in the Carnival Valor's gift shop:
The Carnival Valor's gift shops are located on Deck 5 in the atrium area. One side is where jewerly & perfume products can be purchased, but the other side of the ship is where Carnival logo items can be purchased. Here are a few pictures of some of the Carnival logo items for sale in the Carnival Valor's gift shop:
Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
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Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
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Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
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Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
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Items In The Gift Shop
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Items In The Gift Shop
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Items In The Gift Shop
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Items In The Gift Shop
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Items In The Gift Shop
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Tea Time:
I went with one of my family members to tea time. Last year on the Carnival Freedom, I tried tea time and found I really like scones. For that reason, I wanted to make sure to attend tea time during my cruise on the Carnival Valor. The tea time for the day was being held in the Washington Dining Room from 3:00pm until 4:00pm on the Deck 4 level of the dining room. Around 3:00pm, the doors to the dining room opened and we were seated. Regular, decaf, and green tea packets are available free of charge. However, flavored tea packets are available for a charge per packet. The waitstaff were slow to bring the hot water and desserts, but it was still a good experience. I had three scones because I thought they tasted great! Here are some pictures of the desserts:
I went with one of my family members to tea time. Last year on the Carnival Freedom, I tried tea time and found I really like scones. For that reason, I wanted to make sure to attend tea time during my cruise on the Carnival Valor. The tea time for the day was being held in the Washington Dining Room from 3:00pm until 4:00pm on the Deck 4 level of the dining room. Around 3:00pm, the doors to the dining room opened and we were seated. Regular, decaf, and green tea packets are available free of charge. However, flavored tea packets are available for a charge per packet. The waitstaff were slow to bring the hot water and desserts, but it was still a good experience. I had three scones because I thought they tasted great! Here are some pictures of the desserts:
Table Setting For Tea Time
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Tea Time - Lemon Dry Cake
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Tea Time - Chocolate Crisp Tart
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Tea Time - Double Chocolate Cake
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Tea Time - Scones
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Tea Time - Peach Crumble
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Tea Time - Strawberries (Cream Available For Topping)
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Tea Time - Coffee Macaroon
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My Plate
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Before having to change for dinner, I wanted to take a quick look outside at the blue water from Deck 3. This is the kind of blue calm water I always want to see on a cruise. We were extremely lucky to have nice weather, calm seas, and no Saharan Dust in the distance.
View Of The Calm Blue Water From Deck 3
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Life Preserver Ring & Blue Water In Background
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Another View Of The Blue Water
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Table Setting For The American Feast Dinner
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Formal Night Dinner In The Lincoln Dining Room:
Tonight was our cruise's formal night, which means cruisers are supposed to dress up for dinner. The dress code was very loosely enforced by the hostesses. This did not bother me one bit, but I have seen people get turned away on other Carnival Cruises in the past. The dining room opened a few minutes early for formal night. Unlike other cruises, the dining room did not fill up quickly. There were still plenty of empty tables for Your-Time Dining at 6:15pm. We requested our same table & waitstaff as the first night. They did a great job once again and remembered our drink preferences from the night before. The food also very good! Here are some pictures from dinner: |
Bread Basket
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Appetizer - Crab Cake
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Appetizer - Shrimp Cocktail
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Appetizer - Strawberry Bisque
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Appetizer - New England Clam Chowder
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Appetizer - Romaine Caesar Salad
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Main Course - Striped Bass Filet
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Main Course - Prime Rib
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Main Course - Flat Iron Steak
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Dessert - Banana Split (From Kid's Menu)
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Dessert - Vanilla Cream Brulee
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Dessert - Butter Pecan Ice Cream
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Viewing The Sunset:
After dinner I went outside to take a look at the sunset. Since the sky was clear and the ocean was calm, the sunset pictures turned out well. In order to view the sunset, I went outside on Deck 3.
After dinner I went outside to take a look at the sunset. Since the sky was clear and the ocean was calm, the sunset pictures turned out well. In order to view the sunset, I went outside on Deck 3.
Sunset
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Life Preserver & Sunset In Background
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Sunset
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Playlist Productions Show: Studio VIP
Tonight's was the first of three Playlist Productions Shows on the Carnival Valor. Studio VIP was a show that contained many 70's songs. There were two showings of Studio VIP in the Ivanhoe Theater. For the first show, the doors to the Ivanhoe Theater did not open until 7:45pm and for the later show doors did not open until 9:45pm. I attended the first show and greatly enjoyed the show! The Carnival Valor's Playlist cast did a great job!
Tonight's was the first of three Playlist Productions Shows on the Carnival Valor. Studio VIP was a show that contained many 70's songs. There were two showings of Studio VIP in the Ivanhoe Theater. For the first show, the doors to the Ivanhoe Theater did not open until 7:45pm and for the later show doors did not open until 9:45pm. I attended the first show and greatly enjoyed the show! The Carnival Valor's Playlist cast did a great job!
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Continue To Day 3 (Progreso) Part 1's Review!
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