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Carnival Valor 2017 4-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 4           June 25,  2017                        Sea Day                                      
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Early Morning Walk Around The Ship:
                Once again, I wanted to start my day early with a walk around the ship. After my alarm clock rang at 6am, I got dressed and went up to the Lobby Deck (3) to start my walk. There were very few people out at this early time of the morning. Most of the people out were crew members. Several of the crew members were working hard to clean the public areas of the ship before crowds of passengers woke up for the day. The Carnival Valor's atrium was darker than normal in the early morning because some of the lighting was cut off. I am glad Carnival cut lights off to conserve energy, but it would have been easier to take pictures with some of the extra lights turned on. 
Carnival Valor Atrium Lobby
American Atrium Lobby - Deck 3
Carnival Valor Atrium Lobby
Sitting Area Located By The Shore Excursions Desk
Carnival Valor Atrium Bar
Atrium Bar
                  The Ivanhoe Theater was open at the time, so I stepped in to have a quick look. The lounge was empty and completely clean. 
Carnival Valor Theater
Ivanhoe Theater - Deck 3 Level
Carnival Valor Theater
Ivanhoe Theater - Deck 3 Level
Carnival Valor Theater
Seats Near The Back Of The Lounge
                  After walking around the Lobby Deck (3), I walked up to the Promenade Deck (5). Once again, there were hardly any people on this deck.
Carnival Valor Atrium
Carnival Valor's Atrium - View From Deck 5
Carnival Valor Atrium Stage
Looking Down At The Atrium Stage
Carnival Valor Atrium Elevators
Atrium Glass Elevators
Carnival Valor Promenade
Promenade Walkway
Carnival Valor Internet Cafe
Internet Cafe - Deck 5 Midship
Carnival Valor Promenade
Coffee Bar Located On The Promenade
Carnival Valor Promenade
Booths, Tables, and Chairs
Carnival Valor
Looking Towards The Front Of The Ship On The Promenade Walkway
Carnival Valor Alchemy Bar
Alchemy Bar Located Near The Back Of The Promenade
                  The Carnival Valor's arcade is located near the back of the Promenade Deck (5). The arcade costs extra and has several different machines/games for cruisers to play. On sea days, the arcade became crowded with kids wanting to play games. 
Carnival Valor Arcade
Arcade
Carnival Valor Arcade
Arcade
Carnival Valor Arcade
Arcade
                  After walking around the Promenade Deck (5), I took an elevator to the Lido Deck (9). Rosie's was already serving Continental Breakfast, but the main breakfast buffet lines were not open because it was too early. The buffet was virtually empty. 
Carnival Valor Lido Buffet
Rosie's Lido Buffet - Continental Breakfast Was Open, But Main Buffet Lines Were Stilled Closed
Carnival Valor Breakfast Buffet
Breakfast Grill Line Waiting To Open
Carnival Valor
Rosie's Lido Buffet
Blue Iguana Cantina on the Carnival Valor
Blue Iguana Salsa Bar - Not Yet Opened
Carnival Valor Blue Iguana Cantina
Blue Iguana Cantina
Early Morning Surprise From The Housekeeping Department:
           The Carnival Valor's Lido Deck pool area was lined with towel animals in the morning. Immediately after walking outside of the atrium, guests were greeted towel animals lining the pool area. Before I could take pictures of the towel animals, I had to wait for my camera lenses to defog. By the time I got outside to look at the towel animals, there were a few other people outside taking pictures of the towel animals too. 
Carnival Valor Towel Animals By The Pool
Lido Main Pool Area - Decorated With Towel Animals
Carnival Valor Towel Animals
Towel Animals Lined The Entire Main Pool Area
Carnival Valor Towel Animals
Towel Animals
Carnival Valor Towel Animal
Towel Animal - Hippo
Carnival Valor Towel Animal
Towel Animal
Carnival Valor Towel Animal
Towel Animal - Frog
Carnival Valor Towel Animal
Towel Animal
Carnival Valor Towel Animal Monkey
Towel Animal - Monkey
Carnival Valor Towel Animals
Towel Station - Decorated With Animals Too
Carnival Valor Tequila Bar
Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
Carnival Valor Lido Pool Area
Lido Main Pool Area - Looking Towards Waterslide
Carnival Valor Staircase
Spiral Staircase To Deck 10 - The staircase I slipped on
Breakfast: 
             Today's breakfast times were a little different compared to our first sea day on the Carnival Valor. Today, the continental breakfast buffet opened at 6:00am and stayed open until 8:00am. The Blue Iguana Cantina and Main Breakfast Buffet lines opened at 7:30am and stayed open until 10:30am. The Late Riser Buffet lines were open from 10:30am - 12:00pm. Here are some pictures of breakfast buffet foods:
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Milk & Yogurt
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Cereal (Assorted Varieties)
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Fruits
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Fruits
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Fruits
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast - Assorted Meats & Cheeses
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet
Main Breakfast Buffet
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet
Main Breakfast Buffet
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet
Main Breakfast Buffet
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet
Main Breakfast Buffet
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet
Main Breakfast Buffet
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet
Main Breakfast Buffet
Carnival Valor Main Breakfast Buffet
Main Breakfast Buffet - Bacon & Ham Served From Behind The Counter
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Continental Breakfast - Pastries
Picture
Continental Breakfast - Fruits
                  Breakfast was extremely good! I had an omelet once again. For cruisers that did not want to eat in the buffet, the Dr. Suess Breakfast was taking place in the Lincoln Dining Room at 8:30am. The Dr. Suess Breakfast costs extra. Also, the Sea Day Brunch was taking place in the Washington Dining Room from 8:30am until 1:00pm.  
                  After eating breakfast, I walked up to Deck 10 from the Lido Deck. 
Carnival Valor
View Of The Waves From Deck 10's Back
Carnival Valor
Walking Along Deck 10 Looking At The Ocean
Carnival Valor Deck 10
Deck 10 - Tons Of Deck Chairs
Picture
Serenity Entrance - Deck 14 Level
Serenity Adults Only Retreat 
               The Serenity Adults Only Retreat is located on Decks 12 and 14 around the ship's front. While the Serenity's name implies adults only, it is actually for adults that are 21 and older only. On the Carnival Valor, this area was constantly monitored by crew members as well as security for kids and young adults that were underage. There are a variety of tables, chairs, hammocks, and places to relax on the Carnival Valor's Serenity Adults Only Retreat. While it was only about 8:30am, there were already some people claiming chairs at the Serenity. Here are a few pictures of Deck 12 and Deck 14 of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat on the Carnival Valor:
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 12 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 12 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 12 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 12 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 12 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
On The Stairs From Deck 12 to Deck 14
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity - Deck 14 Level
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity Entrance on Deck 12
Carnival Valor Serenity Adults Only Retreat
Serenity Entrance On Deck 12
Carnival Valor
Looking Towards The Ship's Back From Deck 11
Carnival Valor Atrium Skylight
Waterslide & Atrium Skylight
Carnival Valor
Seaside Theater & Ship's Funnel
Carnival Valor
Promenade Stage Area By The Casino Bar
Morning Trivia:
           At 9am a morning trivia game was being held at the Dream Bar. The Dream Bar is the Carnival Valor's casino bar located on the Promenade Deck (5) around the middle of the deck. This trivia game was about a variety of general knowledge topics. We played this trivia, but lost by one question. It was still fun!

Live Morning Show With Orlando:
              At 9:30am in the Ivanhoe Theater, Orlando (our cruise director) was hosting his morning show. The morning show is broadcasted on a designated onboard TV channel. We went to sit in the Ivanhoe Theater to be a part of the audience. This was a fun and informational show!  Towards the end Orlando asked some random trivia questions and the winner received a medal. 
Towel Folding Class:
              At 11:15am in the Ivanhoe Theater a free towel animal creation class was being held.  I stopped in to see what was going on. After watching kids (and adults too) grab towels to learn how to make towel animals, I decided I would give it a try. However, I did not try because the housekeeping department ran out of towels to give out.  I stayed to learn how to make a towel animal dog, but I was unable to practice too, so I think I already forgot how to make the towel animal.
Carnival Valor
Ivanhoe Theater
Carnival Valor Towel Animal Swans
Towel Animal Swans
Carnival Valor Towel Animals
Towel Animals
            When our stateroom steward came by to do his morning stateroom cleaning, he left us another towel animal as well as a little generic thank you for cruising note. Throughout this cruise he did a great job! 
Carnival Valor Towel Animals
Towel Animal Left In Our Stateroom
Carnival Valor Thank You Note From Steward
Thank You Note From Our Stateroom Steward
Carnival Valor Beds
Beds
Lunch In Rosie's Lido Buffet:
               Today was our last lunch onboard the Carnival Valor. In 24 hours, a different group of cruisers would be onboard eating at Rosie's, enjoying their first day's lunch. Here were the last sea day's lunch choices:
  • Chef's Choice (American themed)       12:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Chocolate Extravaganza                     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​
                   Since today was our last lunch onboard the buffet was serving a special dessert selection known as the "Chocolate Extravaganza". This includes a variety of chocolate desserts and sweets related to chocolate. On this cruise, the "Chocolate Extravaganza" took up more buffet lines and had a great selection than my Carnival Triumph cruise in 2016.  
                 I started my lunch by getting in line at the Blue Iguana Cantina. The Carnival Valor's Blue Iguana Cantina serves taco salad bowls. I did not know this until seeing someone else eat one during this cruise. When I got in line, I asked for a bowl and I was able to choose all of the fillings. I asked for extra guacamole too because I love avocado. The bowl is something I will now eat at least once on every Carnival cruise ship that has the Blue Iguana Cantina. 
Blue Iguana Cantina Carnival Valor
Fillings For Burritos & Bowls At The Blue Iguana Cantina
Blue Iguana Cantina Menu
Burritos Menu Posted On The Wall
Carnival Valor Burritos
Fillings For Burritos
Blue Iguana Cantina Bowl
Blue Iguana Cantina Bowl
Blue Iguana Cantina Bowl
Blue Iguana Cantina Bowl
Turkey Wrap From The Deli
Turkey Wrap From The Deli
Carnival Valor Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza From The Pizzeria
Caesar Salad
Caesar Salad From The Pizzeria
Mongolian Wok Stir Fry Bowl
Mongolian Wok Stir Fry Bowl
                Out of all of the buffet lines and choices for this day's lunch, the Chocolate Extravaganza line was the longest. In order to get pictures, I had to take them while waiting in line. Otherwise, I would not have been able to take any pictures of the chocolate desserts because the line stayed long throughout the afternoon until the buffet line closed. Here are some Chocolate Extravaganza pictures:
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Cake & Ice Cream Swan
Carnival Valor Ice Cream Swan
Ice Cream Swan With Vanilla Ice Cream
Carnival Valor
Chocolate Covered Cantaloupe & Donut
Carnival Freedom Passing Us In The Gulf of Mexico: 
                    When I was almost finished eating my ice cream swan, I saw another Carnival ship sailing by. I finished my ice cream swan to make it outside to have a look. At first I thought it was the Carnival Triumph, but then I quickly realized it was the Carnival Freedom. The Carnival Freedom was sailing the opposite direction from where we were headed. This was the first time I remember ever passing another cruise ship in the middle of the day while sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. For those that don't know, the Carnival Freedom sails 7 night cruises from Galveston that depart on Saturdays. On this particular day, the Carnival Freedom was sailing south to Cozumel and those cruisers were enjoying their first sea day as we enjoyed our last sea day. 
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom's Front
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom - Sailing Opposite Direction From Us
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Freedom
  Afternoon Activities:
                The afternoon passed by so quickly I did not have much of a chance to get pictures. Some of the afternoon's activities included reverse charades, ice carving demo, art auction, military appreciation gathering, country line dancing, and bean bag toss. Out of these activities, I went to the bean bag toss game. The bean bag toss game was disappointing because only 8 teams could play and nearly 50 people showed up. The Fun Squad member distributed numbered tickets and did a raffle to choose who could play. My ticket did not win. 
Carnival Valor
Carnival Valor's Front
Carnival Valor Deck 10 Front Area
Deck 10 Front Area
Carnival Valor
Looking Down The Side Of The Ship
Carnival Valor Dining
Dinner Table
American Table Dining Experience - Last Night's Dinner:
               Tonight was our last dinner on the Carnival Valor. At 5:45pm, the Lincoln Dining Room opened and we were seated quickly. The dining room was just as busy on this night of the cruise as the formal night dinner. Once again, the food was extremely good!
                 We were finished eating dinner too quickly to see the after dinner dancing by the waitstaff. I would have liked to been in the dining room to see this, but it is not too big of a deal.

Here are some pictures from the night's dinner:
Picture
Bread Basket
Carnival Valor Food
Appetizer - Marinated Chicken Tenders
Carnival Valor Food
Appetizer - Shrimp Cocktail
Carnival Valor Caesar Salad
Appetizer - Caesar Salad
Carnival Valor Dining
Main Course - Chicken Breast
Carnival Valor Dining
Main Course - Flat Iron Steak w/ Extra Side of Broccoli
Carnival Valor Cheesecake
Dessert - Cheesecake
Carnival Valor Dining
Dessert - Chocolate Panna Cotta
Carnival Valor Chocolate Panna Cotta
Dessert - Chocolate Panna Cotta w/Sauce
Evening Walk Around The Outside Decks Of The Carnival Valor: 
                    After becoming stuffed from dinner, it was time to head up to the jogging track on Deck 11 for an evening walk. As I walked around, the sun began to set and some oil rigs could be seen in the distance. Seeing the oil rigs was exciting. We were still a long way from land, but I knew as we sailed forward we were getting closer to Galveston.
Carnival Valor Funnel
Ship's Funnel
Carnival Valor Jogging Track
Deck 11 Jogging Track
Carnival Valor Jogging Track
Volleyball Court - View From The Jogging Track
Carnival Valor
View Of the Ocean From The Jogging Track
Carnival Valor
Deck Railing Under Repair
Carnival Valor Pool Area
Looking Below At The Lido Pool Area
Sunset From The Carnival Valor
Sunset
Carnival Valor Sunset
Sunset
Carnival Valor Volleyball Court
Volleyball Court - Peeking Inside From The Gate
                 On many of the decks near the mid-ship elevators, empty luggage racks were sitting. This was so crew members could collect suitcases that were put outside people's stateroom doors. 
Carnival Valor Luggage Carts
Luggage Carts Waiting In The Elevator Areas
Carnival Valor Caesar Salad
Caesar Salad From The Pizzeria
Pizza
Carnival Valor Pizzeria
Night's Entertainment:  Viva Variety 
                  Since one of the Carnival Valor's shows was removed already due to the installation of Playlist Productions, we had a filler show called Viva Variety. Two entertainers, Max Winfrey and John Cassidy, were onboard to give us a show. Both of them did such a great job! The show was very enjoyable, high energy, and filled with laughter!

Looking At The Food In Rosie's Lido Buffet:
                     After watching the show and laughing so much, I went up to the lido buffet to see what was up there to eat. I ended up going by the pizzeria to get some pizza and Caesar Salad. Here are a few pictures of the food options that were on the buffet line:
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
Carnival Valor Dinner Buffet Line
Dinner Buffet Line
                  After a quick visit to the buffet, it was time to go to bed. My alarm was set for 4:30am and I had a few more things to pack before I could fall asleep. Stay tuned for the last day's cruise review!
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