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Carnival Valor 2018 5-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
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.
Carnival Valor Atrium
Deck 3 Level Of The American Atrium
Carnival Valor Flag In The Atrium
Flag Hanging In The Atrium For 4th of July
Carnival Valor Atrium
Atrium Lobby Stage & Glass Elevators In Background
       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:
Carnival Valor Shore Excursions Desk
Shore Excursions Desk - Located On Deck 3
Carnival Valor Illiad Library
Illiad Library - Located On Deck 4
Carnival Valor Illiad Library
Some Of The Seats In The Illiad Library
Carnival Valor Circle C
Entrance To Circle C Youth Program
Carnival Valor Lincoln Dining Room
Lincoln Dining Room - Deck 4 Level
Carnival Valor Deck 4
Deck 4 Walkway - Near Club 02
            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:
Carnival Valor Red Frog Pub
Red Frog Pub Entrance
Carnival Valor Red Frog Pub
Bar Counter & Side Tables In The Pub
Carnival Valor Red Frog Pub
Additional Tables & Seats In The Pub
Carnival Valor Red Frog Pub
Some Games In The Back Of the Pub
Carnival Valor Red Frog Pub
Stage In The Red Frog Pub
Carnival Valor Red Frog Pub
Back Of The Bar Counter
After exiting the Red Frog Pub, I continued walking from the back to the front of Deck 5. 
Carnival Valor Java Coffee Bar
Java Coffee Bar (Costs Extra)
Carnival Valor Kings Boulevard Promenade
Kings Boulevard Promenade
Carnival Valor Future Cruise Desk
Future Cruise & Loyalty Desk - Deck 5 Midship
Carnival Valor
Promenade Casino Bar & Seats
Carnival Valor Promenade Stage
Promenade Stage & Window Seats
Carnival Valor Fun Finds Shopping Desk
Fun Finds Shopping Desk
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. 
Carnival Valor Skybox Sports Bar
Skybox Sports Bar - Counter
Carnival Valor Skybox Sports Bar
Skybox Sports Bar - Small Table & Chairs
Carnival Valor Skybox Sports Bar
Skybox Sports Bar - Counter
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. 
Carnival Valor Lido Main Pool
Lido Main Pool
Carnival Valor Red Frog Rum Bar
Red Frog Rum Bar
Carnival Valor Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
Carnival Valor Towel Station
Lido Deck Towel Station
Carnival Valor Guy's Burger Joint
Guy's Burger Joint
Carnival Valor Blue Iguana Cantina
Blue Iguana Cantina
US Coast Guard Helicopter
US Coast Guard Helicopter
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!
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Cereal
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Cereal
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet Line
Main Breakfast Buffet Line
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. 
Carnival Valor Lido Deck AFT Pool
Lido Deck AFT Pool Area
Carnival Valor Lido Deck AFT
AFT Pool Area - Doors Lead To AFT Elevator Area
Carnival Valor AFT Pool Bar
AFT Pool Bar
Gulf of Mexico
View From The Back - Waves Of Where We've Been
Carnival Valor
Looking Down At The AFT Pool From Deck 11
Carnival Valor
Deck 10 - Outside Seating Area
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.
Carnival Valor
Deck 10 Chairs - Some Being Reserved
Carnival Valor
Deck 11 View Of The Lido Main Pool Area
Carnival Valor
View Of The Atrium Skylight & Waterslide
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. 
Carnival Valor Waterslide Entrance
Waterslide Entrance - Not Open Yet For The Day
Carnival Valor Deck 14
Deck 14
Carnival Valor Deck 12
Deck 12 - Game Tables Outside
Carnival Valor Ping Pong Table
Ping Pong Table
Carnival Valor Large Chess Pieces
Large Chess Pieces
Carnival Valor
Children's Outside Playground Equipment On Deck 12
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. 
Picture
Winston's Bar - Located On Deck 4
Carnival Valor Winston's Bar
Seats Located On The Side Of The Lounge
Carnival Valor Winston's Bar
Seats Located Throughout The Lounge
Carnival Valor Winston's Bar
Dance Floor In The Middle of Winston's
Carnival Valor Winston's Bar
Bar At The Back Of Winston's Bar
Carnival Valor Winston's Bar
Winston's Bar
Picture
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. 
Carnival Valor Towel Animal Elephant
Towel Animal Elephant
Carnival Valor
Towel Animal Elephant & Made Up Bed
Carnival Valor Strawberries
VIFP Platimum Chocolate Delight
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:
  • 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
    ​
Here are some photos of our plates from the second lunch onboard: 
Blue Iguana Cantina
Tacos From The Blue Iguana Cantina
Carnival Valor Caesar Salad From The Pizzeria
Caesar Salad From The Pizzeria
Carnival Valor Cheese Pizza
Quatro Formaggi (Cheese) Pizza
Carnival Valor Blue Iguana Cantina Tacos
Tacos From The Blue Iguana Cantina
Carnival Valor Salad Bar
Salad Toppings From The Salad Bar
Carnival Valor Pastrami on Rye Sandwich
Pastrami on Rye Sandwich From The Deli
Carnival Valor Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie & Cookie
Carnival Valor Desserts
Variety of Desserts
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! 
Carnival Valor
View Of The Ship's Side From Deck 10
Carnival Valor Front
Carnival Valor's Front
Carnival Valor
Looking Down At The Water
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 Valor Gift Shop
Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Carnival Logo Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Items In The Gift Shop
Carnival Valor Gift Shop
Items In The Gift Shop
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: 
Carnival Valor Tea Time
Table Setting For Tea Time
Carnival Valor Tea Time Lemon Dry Cake
Tea Time - Lemon Dry Cake
Carnival Valor Chocolate Crisp Tart
Tea Time - Chocolate Crisp Tart
Carnival Valor Tea Time Double Chocolate Cake
Tea Time - Double Chocolate Cake
Carnival Valor Tea Time Scones
Tea Time - Scones
Carnival Valor Peach Crumble
Tea Time - Peach Crumble
Carnival Valor Tea Time Strawberries
Tea Time - Strawberries (Cream Available For Topping)
Picture
Tea Time - Coffee Macaroon
Carnival Valor Tea Time
My Plate
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. 
Carnival Valor
View Of The Calm Blue Water From Deck 3
Carnival Valor
Life Preserver Ring & Blue Water In Background
Carnival Valor
Another View Of The Blue Water
Carnival Valor American Feast Dinner
Table Setting For The American Feast Dinner
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:
Carnival Valor Dinner Bread Basket
Bread Basket
Carnival Valor Dinner Crab Cake
Appetizer - Crab Cake
Carnival Valor Shrimp Cocktail Dinner Appetizer
Appetizer - Shrimp Cocktail
Carnival Valor Strawberry Bisque Dinner Appetizer
Appetizer - Strawberry Bisque
Carnival Valor Clam Chowder
Appetizer - New England Clam Chowder
Carnival Valor Caesar Salad
Appetizer - Romaine Caesar Salad
Carnival Valor Striped Bass Filet
Main Course - Striped Bass Filet
Carnival Valor Prime Rib
Main Course - Prime Rib
Carnival Valor Flat Iron Steak
Main Course - Flat Iron Steak
Carnival Valor Banana Split
Dessert - Banana Split (From Kid's Menu)
Carnival Valor Vanilla Cream Brulee
Dessert - Vanilla Cream Brulee
Carnival Valor Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Dessert - Butter Pecan Ice Cream
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. 
Carnival Valor Sunset
Sunset
Carnival Valor
Life Preserver & Sunset In Background
Carnival Valor Sunset
Sunset
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!
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​Continue To Day 3 (Progreso) Part 1's Review!
​Day 3's review will include pictures of Progreso, some morning walk photos, and breakfast food pictures. 
Click Here To Continue To Day 3 Part 1 

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