Our First Cruise: Carnival Valor. I've got some questions...

[elle330033]

Hi everyone

Hubby and I are going on our first cruise next month. We've decided on the Valor. I've got a couple of questions and I apologize in advance if the questions are silly.
1. When the ship is docked or at a port, are we able to get on and off the ship?
2. What are the dining options on the Valor? Hubby and I are more into casual dining. Are there other dinner options besides the arranged dinner?
3. Hubby and I are arranging our own airfare to Miami. Should we fly into Miami a day earlier or take a chance and take an early flight the day of departure?
4. If hubby and I do fly into Miami a day earlier, do you recommend reserving a hotel by the Port or by the airport?
5. Are there hotels around the Port that will provide a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport?
6. Hubby and I are citizens and have our passports, is that sufficient travel documentation?

TIA

Ellie

 

[Cruizer]

Re: Our First Cruise: Carnival Valor. I've got some questions...

1) Yes. You will need your Sail & Sign card (aka your room key) and a government issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, wanted poster ...).

2) Yes. There is the main dining room (there are two on the ship - you will be assigned to one of the two at either early or late seating), an optional extra cost Supper Club ($30 per person) and the buffet (which, like the main dining room is free). The buffet is very casual. The buffet is on the Lido Deck (which is also the pool deck).

3) I always recommend flying in a day early. I have cruised out of Miami twice and have always arrived one day early.

4) Which are you more interested in seeing? Airplanes or ships?

5) None that I know of. The taxi fare is about $25.

6) Yes. The passport can also do double duty as your photo government issued photo ID in case you do not drive and are not wanted by the FBI.

 

[Dan40]

Re: Our First Cruise: Carnival Valor. I've got some questions...

You may get off and on the ships as many times as you like. BUT, ships are about 3 football fields long. You get on and off near the middle, then you often have a walk of 100 to 200 yards from the front of the ship to the port security gate. Then another 100 yards to any shops or a taxi ride into town. [ports are working areas, not just for cruise ships] So there is usually not much opportunity to get on and off very many times.

Dining options:


FREE
The assigned main dining room,

OR,

Name: Rosie's Restaurants
Location: Lido Deck 9 - midship and aft / Panorama Deck 10 - aft
Seating: 1396
Hours: open for breakfast-lunch-dinner
Pizzeria open 24 hours
hot/cold beverages open 24 hours
Function: Self-Service Casual Restaurant
Late Night Bistro - dinner


Buffet / Specialty Stations: salad bar; pasta; carving station
The Grill: hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, steak sandwiches and fries
Taste of Nations: food from different regions each day
Asian: Variety of Asian food, including Sushi
Mongolian Barbeque: Mongolian wok where guests select vegetables, seafood, meat and spices and have it prepared right before their eyes.
Fish N' Chips: Fish and seafood
New York Deli: Deli Sandwiches piled-high and favorite sides
Desserts: including soft-serve ice cream
Pizzeria: pizza, calzone and ceasar salad



$30.pp

Name: Scarlett's
Location: Panorama Deck 10 - midship
Seating: 108
Hours: 6:00pm-9:30pm
Function: Supper Club and Bar
Reservations-only; reservations fee; sit down waiter service; display cooking area stage and dance floor for nightly entertainment

Plus there is a burger grill out by the pool. [free]
Also there is room service 24/7, free, but a limited menu, mostly sandwiches.
Around 5PM they serve Sushi by the casino, free
And there is a themed party [Mexican?] by the pool one night at 11:30PM and the buffet area has one or 2 serving lines open each evening at 11:30, free
And the is a specialty coffee, dessert bar on the promenade, xtra charges.

 

[LUVMYBIRD]

Re: Our First Cruise: Carnival Valor. I've got some questions...

Hi, My husband and I cruised on the Valor.( one of my favorite ships) The ship is beautiful. You will have a wonderful time. I just booked the Carnival Freedom. The Valor is a fun ship and the decor is awesome. I live right near the port. Your smart for booking your own air fare. There are plenty of hotels near and yes, they do provide a shuttle. We are very casual people. We usually eat at the buffet for our meals. My only suggestion to you is to make sure you pack plenty of medicine cabinet things. The ship and off shore is very expensive. I've learned from my past 20 cruises. They have formal night and we usually pack dressup clothes and shoes. This time around i am not going to do that, I am going to relax and enjoy myself. Make sure you pack your bathing suit. Have fun and enjoy. This will not be your last cruise. You will be addicted to cruising after this,,,lol.