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Carnival Valor 2018 5-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 5          July 4, 2018                        Day At Sea                                      
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Early Morning Walk Around The Ship:
Today was our last sea day and last full day of the cruise. Once again, I woke up around 5:45am to get ready for a walk around the ship. After getting dressed I began my walk on the Lido Deck. At this time of the morning, Rosie's Lido Buffet was empty. The breakfast buffet lines were not yet open. 
Carnival Valor Rosie's Lido Buffet
Tables In Rosie's Lido Buffet
Carnival Valor Rosie's Lido Buffet
One Of The Buffet's Drink Stations
Carnival Valor Rosie's Lido Buffet
One Of The Buffet Lines In Rosie's
Carnival Valor Rosie's Lido Buffet
Rosie's Lido Buffet
Carnival Valor Rosie's Lido Buffet
Another Drink Station In Rosie's Lido Buffet
Carnival Valor Rosie's Lido Buffet
Main Buffet Line & Seating To The Right
After walking in the buffet's interior, I went outside to the Lido aft pool. The Carnival Valor's pizzeria and Seafood Shack are located outside in this area. The pizzeria is open 24 hours a day and is a complimentary eating venue. The Seafood Shack costs extra and is only open for the lunch and dinner meal times. As I walked by this area, I noticed the ship's retractable roof was still closed for the night. By mid-morning the retractable roof would be open and the pool would be open for use by cruisers. 
Carnival Valor Seafood Shack
Seafood Shack Menu With Prices
Carnival Valor Aft Pool
Tables & Chairs Around The AFT Pool
Carnival Valor Seafood Shack Counter
Seafood Shack Counter
I walked down from Deck 9 to Deck 5. The Promenade Deck was empty because most places were still closed. I saw on the ship's tracker we were heading northwest towards Galveston. Here are some pictures I took as I walked around the Promenade Deck:
Carnival Valor Promenade
Promenade Area Right Red Frog Pub & Java Coffee Bar
Carnival Valor Promenade
Promenade
Carnival Valor Ship's Tracker
Ship's Tracker
Carnival Valor
Empty Taste Bar - Now An Unused Space
Carnival Valor Alchemy Bar
Alchemy Bar
Carnival Valor Promenade
Promenade Walkway by the Alchemy Bar
Carnival Valor Lindy Hop Piano Bar
Lindy Hop Piano Bar
Carnival Valor Lindy Hop Piano Bar
Some Seats In The Lindy Hop Piano Bar
Carnival Valor Paris Hot Lounge
Paris Hot Lounge
After walking around Deck 5, I went down to Deck 3 to catch a glimpse of the sunrise. The sunrise was beginning to appear, but due to my camera lenses I had to wait to start taking pictures. I like my camera, but its lense fog up way to easily. 
Carnival Valor Sunrise
Sunrise
Carnival Valor Sunrise
Sunrise
Carnival Valor Sunrise
Sunrise
When I went back inside I decided to walk into the Ivanhoe Theater. The lower level of the Ivanhoe Theater is on Deck 3. However, the theater also has seating on Decks 4 & 5. 
Carnival Valor Ivanhoe Theater
Ivanhoe Theater - Deck 3 Level
Carnival Valor Ivanhoe Theater Deck 3 Level
Ivanhoe Theater - Deck 3 Level
Carnival Valor Ivanhoe Theater Deck 3 Level
Ivanhoe Theater - Deck 3 Level
After looking around the Ivanhoe Theater I went up to Deck 4. I walked into the atrium and continued walking past the photo gallery into the Lincoln Dining Room. From the upper level of the Lincoln Dining Room I was able to see the tables on Deck 3 setup for the Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast. The Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast is a Dr. Suess themed breakfast that costs extra. 
Carnival Valor Lincoln Dining Room
Lincoln Dining Room - View From Deck 4
Carnival Valor
Table Decorated For Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast
Carnival Valor
Tables Decorated For The Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast
I continued my walk back up towards the ship's top decks. I stopped on Deck 6 for a quick look outside at the front. Decks 6, 7, and 10 all have deck spaces at the front of the ship for cruisers to look out. To get outside to one of these decks go to the front of the ship and in the stateroom hallway you will see an exterior door. Deck 4 & Deck 5 have front areas, but these are crew only spaces.  After looking out at at the front I got to Deck 10. 
Carnival Valor
Carnival Valor's Front
Carnival Valor Sunrise
Sunrise
Carnival Valor
Deck 10
Carnival Valor Hottub
Hottub on Deck 10
Carnival Valor Pool On Deck 10
Pool on Deck 10
Carnival Valor Deck 10
View Of Deck 9 From Deck 10
Carnival Valor
Looking Down At A Lido Hottub
Carnival Valor Deck 11
View From Deck 11
Carnival Valor Ping Pong Table
Ping Pong Table On Deck 12
One of the last places to stop on my morning walk was Deck 14. I looked at the upper level of the Serenity Adults Only Retreat as well as stopped to see the ship's coin. 
Carnival Valor Deck 14
Deck 14
Carnival Valor Deck 14
Deck 14
Carnival Valor Ship's Coin
Ship's Coin
Since it was almost time for breakfast I headed down from Deck 14 to the Lido Deck (9). On my way to the buffet I passed by the ship's towel station, Blue Iguana Tequila Bar, Red Frog Rum Bar, and the ship's main pool. All of these venues were still closed for the day.
Carnival Cruise Towel Station
Towel Station
Carnival Valor Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
Blue Iguana Tequila Bar
Carnival Valor Lido Deck
Lido Deck (9)
Carnival Valor Lido Deck
Lido Deck
Carnival Valor Lido Main Pool
Lido Main Pool
Carnival Valor Lido Deck
Lido Deck
Carnival Valor Red Frog Rum Bar
Red Frog Rum Bar
Carnival Valor Stairwell To Deck 10
Stairwell To Deck 10
Guy's Burger Joint
Guy's Burger Joint
Breakfast in Rosie's Lido Buffet:
Rosie's served continental breakfast from 6:30am - 10:00am and the general breakfast buffet lines were open from 7:00am through 10:30am. The Blue Iguana Cantina served breakfast tacos and burritos from 7:00am - 10:30am too. For cruisers that wanted to eat in the dining room, the Washington Dining Room was having SeaDay Brunch from 8:30am until 1:00pm. For late risers, Rosie's was serving a late risers breakfast buffet from 10:30am - 12:00pm. The Dr. Suess Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast was taking place in the Lincoln Dining Room (deck 3 level) at 8:30am and 9:45am. This Dr. Suess breakfast was an extra charge. 
NOTE: ​The times listed in the Fun-Times did not accurately reflect the times the buffet actually opened.
Here are some breakfast pictures:
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast Pastries
Continental Breakfast Buffet Line - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast Pastries
Continental Breakfast Buffet Line - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast Pastries
Continental Breakfast Buffet Line - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast Pastries
Continental Breakfast Buffet Line - Pastries
Carnival Valor Continental Breakfast Pastries
Continental Breakfast Buffet Line - Pastries
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 Omelet
My Omelet
After breakfast I took a quick walk around the ship's outside upper decks. I started on Deck 10, went up to Deck 11, and then went back to down to Deck 10's front. I had about 30 minutes until the Behind the Fun Tour began, which meant I didn't have to much time to walk around the ship. 
Carnival Valor
Waves At The Back Of The Ship
Carnival Valor
Deck 10's Back Area
Carnival Valor Deck 10
Deck 10
Picture
Looking Down At The Aft Pool From Deck 10
Carnival Valor Jogging Track
Deck 11 Jogging Track
Carnival Valor Deck 11
View From Deck 11
Carnival Valor
Deck Area Closed For Work
Carnival Valor
View From Deck 10
Carnival Valor Front
Carnival Valor's Front
Carnival Valor Behind the Fun TourBehind the Fun Tour Strawberry Plate
Behind The Fun Tour:
The Behind the Fun Tour is a tour that takes cruisers into crew only areas such as the engine room, navigational bridge, galley, backstage, and more. This tour cost $95.00 per person and had a limited number of tickets sold at the Shore Excursions desk. 
For my Behind the Fun Tour experience, we were instructed to meet at the Illiad Library at 8:45am. The tour was scheduled to depart at 9:00am. When we arrived in the library we were greeted by the ship's HR staff member and she checked our tickets. Juice, coffee, and pastries were available in the library as we waited to go. Once all the guests were present we were given information about the tour and a security guard used a wand to make sure none of us had electronic devices. There were no cameras or phones allowed on this tour.
The tour began on the ship's bow on Deck 4. We took a group picture with the ships bell and then went inside to tour the Ivanhoe Theater's backstage area. While backstage we saw the storage area for the show's props and the costume/dressing rooms for the dancers. After leaving this area we walked down a crew only stairwell. During this time we passed by the ship's brig and morgue. We also saw the crew gym. The tour visited the laundry room on Deck B (below the waterline). It was impressive seeing how busy the laundry room was! We also saw some of the locations of crew staterooms throughout the lower decks, but due to all of the rooms being used we were not able to see a crew room. Unfortunately, I do not remember each deck that had crew staterooms, but I think Deck A and Deck 0 had many crew staterooms. When we walked back up to Deck 0 we saw one of the crew dining rooms, the crew bar, and the human resources office. The tour took a short break in the human resources office. While on Deck 0 we saw the meat locker and beverage storage area. Furthermore, we went into the Engine Control Room. Since this was considered a secure area, the security guard was watching everyone very closely. After leaving Deck 0 we headed up to the ship's main galley on Deck 3. In the galley we were given a strawberry and a cookie to sample. The chef told us a little bit about the galley. Following our visit to the galley we went to Deck 8 and go to go into the navigational bridge. Since this area was also considered secure we were closely watched by security and the ship's officers. The captain came and answered a few quick questions, but before we left we took a group picture with the captain. The Behind the Fun Tour concluded in the ship's steakhouse on Deck 10. I greatly enjoyed this tour and felt it was well worth the money spent. I hope to do this tour again in the future on another ship!
             While we gone on the tour, the chef has sent us a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. The plate was delivered to our stateroom. These tasted very good! For going on the tour, we got a Behind the Fun Tour hat, lanyard, and a basic ship facts sheet. 
TIP:  If you are considering the Behind the Fun Tour make sure you book it early in the cruise! Also, the tour is walking intensive and elevators are not available for many portions of the tour.  

Last Lunch Onboard & Chocolate Extravaganza: 
Today's lunch options were:
  • Blue Iguana Cantina     12:00pm - 2:30pm
  • Chef's Choice (American)       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 the 4th of July, the Chef's Choice buffet line was serving American food. However, since it was the last sea day the Carnival Valor was serving the Chocolate Extravaganza. Some of the items on the Chocolate Extravaganza buffet line were served specially because it was the 4th of July. Here are some pictures from lunch:
Carnival Valor Blue Iguana Cantina Tacos
Two Tacos From The Blue Iguana Cantina
Carnival Valor Fried Shrimp
Fried Shrimp
Picture
Red Velvet Cake
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
The ice cream swans are one of my favorite parts of the chocolate extravaganza. Cruisers can get a vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ice cream swan. Very tasty!
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza
Chocolate Extravaganza Desserts
Carnival Valor Chocolate Extravaganza Ice Cream Swan Station
Chocolate Extravaganza - Ice Cream Swan Station
Carnival Valor Ice Cream Swan
Ice Cream Swan
After lunch I decided to take another walk around the ship's exterior decks. Here are some pictures:
Carnival Valor Jogging Track
Deck 11 - Jogging Track
Carnival Valor Deck 11
Deck 11 - Some Chairs Setup
Carnival Valor Gulf of Mexico
View Of The Blue Water
Carnival Valor Funnel
Ship's Funnel
Carnival Valor
View From Deck 12 Of The Ship's Main Pool Area
Carnival Valor
Seaside Theater Displaying 4th of July Messages
Carnival Valor
View Of The Ship's Side From Deck 10
Picture
Ship's Front - View From Deck 10
Carnival Valor Ship's Front
Ship's Front
Carnival Valor Balcony
View From Our Balcony
Carnival Valor Deck 3
Deck 3
Carnival Valor Towel Animal Monkey
Towel Animal Monkey
Some Rain & Getting My VIFP Appreciation Drink:
Around the late afternoon (5:00ish) the weather was very cloudy and it rained some. However, we sailed through the rain and were out of it within 15-20 minutes. I am a Gold Level VIFP club member with Carnival and one of the freebies that comes this level is an appreciation drink coupon. This coupon is placed in the room on the first day of the cruise, but it is not valid until the last evening after 5:00pm. The appreciation drink coupon is good for 1 drink (there is a value limit). We visited the casino bar and I got a strawberry smoothie. It was very good! 
Carnival Cruise
Bad Weather In The Distance
Carnival Valor Balcony Chairs
Chairs & Mini Table On The Balcony
Carnival Valor Smoothie
Free VIFP Appreciation Drink - Smoothie
Last Dinner In The Lincoln Dining Room:
Tonight was our very last dinner in the Lincoln Dining Room.  The doors to the dining room opened a few minutes early and the dining room was more crowded than some of the other nights of the cruise. We had the same dining room waitstaff and they did a great job. Once again, I greatly enjoyed the food. Since tonight was the last night the waitstaff did a baked alaska parade that included music and fire on the baked alaska cakes. Also, since tonight was the 4th of July the waitstaff sang God Bless America, but this song replaced the Leaving on a Fun Ship song that is normally sang on the last night (the Leaving on a Fun Ship song is still sang on other cruises).
Carnival Valor Dinner Bread Basket
Bread Basket
Carnival Valor Heart of Iceberg Lettuce
Appetizer - Heart of Iceberg Lettuce
Carnival Valor Braised Ox Tongue
Appetizer - Braised Ox Tongue
Carnival Valor Shrimp Cocktail
Appetizer - Shrimp Cocktail
Carnival Valor Caesar Salad
Appetizer - Caesar Salad
Carnival Valor Grilled Beef Skewers
Appetizer - Grilled Beef Skewers
Carnival Valor Southern Fried Chicken
Main Course - Southern Fried Chicken
Carnival Valor Grilled Beef Tenderloin
Main Course - Grilled Beef Tenderloin
Carnival Valor
Main Course - Grilled Beef Tenderloin (Side Of Macaroni)
Carnival Valor Side Baked Potato
Side Baked Potato
Carnival Valor Baked Alaska
Dessert - Baked Alaska
After dinner I made a quick trip back to the stateroom to change. Our stateroom had come by to leave us a towel heart. Before heading to the Ivanhoe Theater for the show, we went up to Deck 11 and walked some on the jogging track. 
Carnival Valor Staterom
Stateroom
Carnival Valor Towel Heart
Towel Heart
Carnival Valor Sunset
Sunset - View From Deck 11 Jogging Track Area
Carnival Valor Ship's Funnel
Ship's Funnel
Carnival Valor Deck 11
Deck 11
Carnival Valor Deck 11
Deck 11
Playlist Productions Show - "America Rocks"
Tonight's production show was America Rocks. This was ​not a 4th of July special because this show is performed each cruise. The show consisted of 80's rock music and was enjoyable. The showtimes for tonight's production show were at 8:15pm and 10:15pm. The pre-show entertainment started in the Ivanhoe Theater at 7:45pm and 9:45pm. 

4th of July Balloon Drop:
At 9:45pm, a balloon drop was held in the Carnival Valor's atrium. The balloons were dropped from Deck 9 onto Deck 3. I was up on Deck 9 when the balloon drop took place and it was fun seeing the entertainment department's team undo the net to launch the balloons. Happy Fourth of July!
Carnival Valor 4th of July Balloons
4th of July Balloons
Carnival Valor 4th of July Balloons
4th of July Balloons
Carnival Valor Balloon Drop
Balloon Drop - Net Was Just Released
Carnival Valor Balloon Drop
Balloon Drop
Carnival Valor Balloon Drop
Balloon Drop
Carnival Valor Balloon Drop
Balloon Drop
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RyG's Cruise Guide is not affiliated with any cruise line or travel organization. Any information is subject to change at any time given that the cruise industry is always changing. Due to the Covid pandemic, crew staffing shortages, and supply chain issues information could change without updates being made here. I always recommend checking with your cruise line for the latest information related to onboard amenities and Covid protocols. 

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