Carnival Valor Cruise: 4 and 5 day Western Caribbean from Port of New Orleans

November - December 2021

You can find additional photos for these cruises in the Carnival Valor Facebook album. I am sharing only a few of them here.

Carnival Valor docked at Port of New Orleans

Pre-cruise

This was our first experience cruising since the pandemic, and the weeks leading up to the cruise were a tad stressful. Even though we are fully vaccinated, we had to have negative COVID tests less than 48 hours before the cruise. This is more difficult if you are flying. Many locations that offer no-charge tests, do not schedule appointments until a couple of days ahead of time, so it is difficult to pre-plan. If we had not booked this cruise a couple of years ago, before the pandemic, I doubt we would be going  on any cruises. If we could have had our tests done even one day earlier (3 days ahead, instead of 2), it would have lessoned the anxiety. Two days is not much time when you do not live near the cruise port, and you cannot make an advance appointment. Many people are paying for in-home tests ($69 for 2), or having the test done at the cruise port for $150 each; however, that is not an expense we had planned on when booking our cruise. The online health assessment that needs to be completed, was available to complete the day before we were allowed to have our COVID test. 😳  

This was also our first back-to-back (B2B) cruise; a 4-day and then a 5-day. Before the pandemic, we had been nearing our 25th cruise, which we wanted to take as a Panama Canal cruise. I am not sure where we are headed with those plans now. 

Arrival and check-in at Port of New Orleans

We checked in online, as usual. I had read many complaints about pre-boarding not being offered for elite guests; however, when we checked in, the process led me to believe that this would be happening. Check-in was available for platinum and diamond guests a couple of days before everyone else. The appointment times on the boarding passes also included zone numbers; ours was A01. Our son had the same check-in time as us, and as a gold member, his boarding pass said zone A04.

Carnival information says not to arrive at the port until your appointment time, because you will be turned away. That was not happening the day we departed. We arrived at 10:00 AM, which is the earliest appointment time scheduled, and the area was already packed! The check-in process was very quick, and then we found seats to wait for boarding. There was a VIP waiting area for guests with suites; however, there was not an area for platinum or diamond guests. Our A01 zone was the second to board, right after guests in suites. We were on the ship before 11:00 AM.

Sunrise from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor at New Orleans port

Balcony cabin 7220, category 8B

Our cabin keys were in the mailbox in an envelope when the cabin was ready. This was around noon for us (platinum), and 1:30 PM for other passengers. Our luggage was delivered very quickly--right after our room was ready.

Sunset from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor departing Progresso

This cabin is back just far enough from the front of the ship so that the bridge did not obstruct our view. The cabin is on a great side of the ship for the routes we were on. We were on the dock side at every port except when we were docked in New Orleans. And, in New Orleans we thought the river view was better. You can see more port photos showing the views from this cabin in the Facebook album (link above). 

Sunset from cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor 

This is a basic balcony cabin on Empress deck. It contained a sofa, chair, small table, vanity stool, small flatscreen TV, small fridge, safe, and hairdryer. The safe locked with a strip card, rather than by entering a code. The fridge worked very well. There were two chairs and a small table on the balcony.

Cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor

We had sufficient storage space in the four drawers and three closets for two people for nine days. One of the three closets contained shelves; the other two had hangers. 

Bathroom in cabin 7220 on Carnival Valor.

Amenities in the bathroom included bar soap, shampoo, and shower gel. Our shower drain was sluggish. We did not turn the water on all the way, because the shower would get close to overflowing when on full blast. Our son used our shower once, because there was one day when the water in his cabin was cold (interior cabin 6214).

It was quiet and comfortable in both our cabins. The only problem we encountered (other than the sluggish drain) was from people smoking on their balconies. Most times, it was difficult to tell where this was coming from, which makes it impossible to resolve.

Food & beverages

Guests were expected to check-in on the app for a table when going for breakfast or brunch (I assume this is the same for anytime dining, as well). You have the option to choose as many companions from your group as desired for check-in. There is also an option to check whether you want to be seated alone or with others; however, this did not always work. Sometimes, we were seated with others when we had not chosen that option, and sometimes we were seated alone.

Huevos Rancheros and cheese grits at Sea day brunch

Most food menus were available on the Carnival Hub app, or by scanning a QR code with your phone. The beverage and Sea Day Brunch menus were only available by QR code, and not on the app. You could also request a printed menu at any of the outlets.  

Breakfast Bowl above
Breakfast Board below

Breakfast and brunch

We love Carnival's breakfast and brunch menus better than any other menu, so we ate in the restaurant every morning. Check the Facebook album for more photos and info.

• Breakfast foods we tried: Breakfast Board, Breakfast Bowl, Avocado Toast, Corned Beef Hash and Egg, Eggs Benedict, Omelet, and French Toast. Everything was delicious, although all of the foods I had with avocado on this ship were not the best. I assume not enough guests were consuming the avocados, because they were mushier than expected.
• Sea day brunch foods we tried: Broken Egg Sandwich, Steak and Eggs, Huevos Rancheros, Breakfast Tower, Salmon Eggs Benedict, grits, and yogurt parfait. All of these items were amazing! I am still unsure what Carnival's expectation is for the Breakfast Tower. It was different both times I ordered it, but still delicious.

Ol' Fashioned BBQ

Lunch and dinner

• Ol' Fashioned BBQ is on deck 10. There are three meat choices, slaw, potato salad, mac-n-cheese, rolls, and several sauces. Everything was very good. I liked the chicken best, and my husband liked the pork. We both thought the beef was dry.
• Guys Burger. I do not understand what the rave is about the burgers. I had one, and did not think it was that great. My husband also said his was not as good as he remembered. Our son liked his!
• Blue Iguana. The fish tacos and shrimp burritos were both amazing! We ate here on a port day, and the line was not too bad.

• 

  Spicy Tuna roll

  
  
  Sushi is available for an extra charge. It is located on lido, directly opposite from the deli. You can order on the app, apparently, or they give you a buzzer when ordering in person. I was asked if I had ordered online when I placed the order in person. The portion size was incredible, and it looked good; however, I did not think the Spicy Tuna roll had much flavor. I am probably more of a sushi snob than some people.
• Pizzeria had decent pizza, like usual. They only had about four flavors; no Caesar salad or breakfast pizza. I am not sure if these items have been eliminated from all Carnival ships. Both times we visited, we had to wait for pizza.
• Room service. We ordered items with no extra charge for lunch: Reuben sandwich with potato salad, and a tossed salad. Service was quick, and the food was good.
• Deli. The line at the deli was always long. The turkey sandwich on pretzel bun is my favorite deli item; however, I did not like it on this ship. The roll did not look or taste like a pretzel bun, and the avocado was mushy. I thought about trying it again the second week, in case they had been out of buns; however, the unfresh avocado turned me off from that.
• Mongolian Wok. This line was always long. We went on a port day, and still waited in line about 15 minutes. My food was not worth the wait. My veggies were cooked way too long until almost mushy, and I had a huge amount of sauce in my bowl. I had put less noodles in my bowl than my two companions, and I suppose I ended up with more sauce because of that. I tried my husband's dish, and his tasted better than mine.
• Dining room. We had early assigned dining, and had excellent service both weeks. The food was good, although a couple of things were inconsistent. A salad I ordered both weeks, was different the second week, and the calamari was a larger portion the second week than it had been the first week. Lobster is not served in the dining room on cruises less than six days, unless you pay an extra $20 for it.

Blended Caribbean Rum Cream Cocktail at RedFrog Pub

Bar service/drinks

• RedFrog Pub was our favorite lounge. Best service, and my favorite blended cocktail -- Blended Caribbean Rum Cream Cocktail. They had daily specials, and Happy Hour on port days. The temperature was very cold in the pub, so be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket.
• I thought the best wine was available in the dining room and the lobby bar. I requested the same wine at other locations, and it never tasted the same.
• The Alchemy Bar was a disappointment on this ship. Our past experiences at Alchemy have been that the bartenders are like mixologists who are interested in learning patrons' likes. When I courteously expressed my desire for something in between two drinks I had had (one was a tad tart, and the other was too sweet), the bartender actually looked offended. At this bar, you are better off to just order a standard drink from the menu.
• BlueIguana by the pool made the best margaritas--on the rocks and not too sweet, when requested that way.
• Beverages and service at Dream Bar (casino bar) were both great. This bar was open when we boarded in New Orleans; however, it was not open on other port days when we walked by.
• I had the spiked Chocolate Lovers at Java Cafe twice, and the quality was inconsistent. The first time, it tasted overly chocolaty, and the second time (different day and time), it tasted like plain coffee with vodka. I had not mentioned anything about my first beverage, so the difference was not because of anything I requested. I did not drink the second beverage, and would have returned it, if it had not been included in our Cheers package. You can also get Java Cafe beverages on deck 9 at the back of the ship. There was often no wait at this location, whereas, there was always a line at the Java shop on deck 5.
• Although Winston's Bar was never listed under "drinks" with open times, it was usually open in the evening. It was even open when they were not having karaoke in the lounge. This bar is between the two dining rooms, so it is possible this is where drinks for the dining room come from.
• Beverages and service at serenity bar were both great. One of my favorite beverages on their menu was Serenity Sparkling Sangria.
• We did not visit SkyBox Sports Bar or Lindy Hop Piano Bar.

Check the Carnival Valor Facebook album for menu and beverage photos.

Serenity deck on Carnival Valor

Pool and outside areas

It was not difficult to get a seat on serenity deck, even on sea days. The temperature in the spa pools on serenity deck was good, although both pools were not always open. They were often closed when they were listed as open, and usually only one was open. I asked one day when it was after open time, and someone came up to open one of the spa tubs after that. It was usually quite busy around the main pool on deck 9. The aft spa pools on lido deck (9) are designated for 18 and over; however, we often saw young kids in the spa tubs.

Carnival Valor also has a water slide, mini-golf, sports deck, and jogging track. There is an inside fitness center on deck 11.

Entertainment and activities

Daytime activities included trivia in the lobby bar, bingo in the showroom, and outside games at the main pool. There was an ice carving both weeks, and a holiday duck hunt the second week. We did not get to watch any outside movies at Seaside Theater, as they always started during early assigned dining, and the later shows were too late for us.

Inside Eagles Lounge on Carnival Valor

We did not go to any comedy shows the first week, because Eagles Lounge was always packed. Since we were on a B2B cruise, we were overly cautious. In fact, we requested a dining room table by ourselves the first week, because after the first evening, we learned one of our table mates had not been vaccinated. We had to be tested and have another negative COVID test before the end of our first cruise, in order to stay on board. The second week, we attended two shows, and they were pretty good.

Holiday show in Ivanhoe Theater on Carnival Valor

We thought the holiday show in the showroom was great. We also enjoyed America Rocks, and another show, although I do not recall the names of the other shows. Most times, the showroom was not very full. We did not attend the marriage show the first week, however, because the showroom was packed that night. We missed it the second week, as well.

 

Diamond/platinum/gold perks

Most amenities were not automatically provided. There is a QR code in the cabin to scan for information about your perks. We picked up our complimentary bottles of water at one of the bars after leaving port. I heard that you will be charged tax, if you pick this up before leaving New Orleans. When we tried to use our VIP beverage at brunch, they did not both go through correctly. Fortunately, we were able to redeem this a different day. The platinum/diamond gift was a lanyard and/or luggage tag, which needed to be picked up at Pixels. We already had both of these items, so we did not end up receiving a platinum gift during either of these cruises. We also did not receive Carnival Valor ship pins. First, we were told they were awaiting a shipment. Then, we were told they are no longer being manufactured for 2021. I asked at guest services while we were on board, if we could have pins mailed to us, and I did not have any success with my request at that time. After we got home, I heard there is a stock at the main office, so I contacted them via email to see if we could have pins shipped to us. Although I did not receive a reply to my inquiry, we each received a pin in the mail about two weeks later--nice! The pins are not specific to Carnival Valor, although they are 2021 commemorative pins. We used our platinum laundry perk for one bag of laundry each week. We had to request a bag and form to send the second bag, because there was only one bag and paper in the cabin, which was not replaced after we used it. We received two items back with our laundry that were not ours. Hopefully, they were given to the correct guest after we returned them. We received the chocolate delight by requesting it from room service. I asked if we could get a cheese plate instead, and I was told no. I have heard of other people doing this; however, my request for this has been turned down twice now. We received two chocolate delights (two platinum in our cabin, although I did not request two). I would rather have had one cheese plate for both of us, than two chocolate plates. 

VIFP past guest party invitation on Carnival Valor

The VIFP past guest party was in Eagles Lounge the last sea day of our 5-day cruise. We received an invitation in our cabin; however, it was not needed. When we arrived at 5:00 PM, the showroom was already packed, and we had difficulty finding a seat. This was the first time our invitation said, "and guest." I am not sure if there were that many platinum and diamond guests on board, or if everyone had brought a guest. After this gathering, I saw a post in a Facebook group by someone who was asking if anyone wanted to join him/her as a guest. Seems like inviting a stranger, or anyone who is not your cruise companion, is an abuse of this perk. Another abuse of this perk we observed: guests tipping the server and then having 4 to 5 drinks in front of them while others could not even get one drink. In the end, I observed one of these people leave the room and return with a large personal drink cup, which she then poured her drinks into. This party was not as nice as past parties we have attended in the showroom. We used to each need an invitation to enter, and then there was a drawing for a prize from the invitations. Nice appetizers and drinks were served at previous gatherings, and the atmosphere seemed more tasteful. There were a couple of drawings at this gathering from displays and entries by guests. The past guest party was during the 5-day cruise, as this perk is not given on 4-day cruises.

B2B letter for required COVID testing

B2B cruise experience

We thought our COVID testing time was inconvenient. It was set for 9:00 AM, half an hour after the dining room opened for sea day brunch. We could not wait until after our test to eat, because we had instructions to go to our cabin afterward and wait for the call with our test results. 

B2B letter with transfer process instructions, and cards

Other than the testing time, and a bit of miscommunication about what to expect, and where to meet, our back-to back cruise experience was excellent. Our letter said to meet in Lincoln dining room at the end of our first cruise, although it did not say which floor. We initially went to deck 4, and we needed to be on deck 3. We had been told by more than one person that we would need to disembark to go through customs, and then re-board the ship. The letter we received stated this, as well. We took a folder with us to the meeting room with all of the items we thought we needed: our vaccination cards, passports, boarding passes, and papers and cards we had received on board. We did not need to disembark, and we did not need any of the items we had brought with us. It was an easy process of meeting with a couple of team members to confirm our information, and then we had to wait in the dining room until all other guests had disembarked. After that, we were each offered a mimosa, and we got a group photo taken. 

Back-to-back cruise perks

We received two copies of the group photo in our cabin later that week. We also received a complimentary bottle of Brut and a fruit plate delivered to the cabin--nice!   

Debarkation

We received zone 2 luggage tags delivered to our cabin with a debarkation letter at the end of both cruises. I think these were only delivered to platinum and diamond guests, and possibly guests in suites. All other guests had to pick up their luggage tags at the kiosk on promenade deck. The debarkation process was very quick, and we were in an Uber to the airport before 9:30 AM. The Uber pickup area is to the right after exiting the terminal.

Misc. and overall

The mandatory safety drill is super easy now. You just need to report to your muster station with your cabin key or boarding pass so you know where it is. It takes less than a minute or two to check-in, and then observe the correct way to put on a life jacket. The boat will not not leave until everyone has done this. If you are consuming beverages, you cannot have more than two before completing the safety drill. We watched one guest attempt to order a beverage who had not been to muster yet. After scanning her card, the bartender gave it back with no beverage. He told her she needed to complete muster first. 

Leaving New Orleans on Carnival Valor Thanksgiving Day at 3:30 PM above
Departing after 5:30 PM on November, 29, 2021 below

When we left New Orleans on the 4-day cruise, we departed just after 3:30 PM. When we left the second time, it was after 5:30 PM. Apparently, there was some kind of fight on board, and at least one guest had to be escorted off the ship. I do not know any details, other than security/police were on shore to assist just before we left. We were glad we left during daylight the first time, because the ride down the river was enjoyable.  

Although masks were required in elevators, and in other areas, this was not enforced. There were more people ignoring this rule our first week than the second week. All of the buffet dining was operating as usual with each guest serving themself. 

Carnival Valor is a Conquest class ship, and this was the last ship in this class for us to travel on. It is similar to the other ships in this class, although she is in need of some TLC. There were upkeep and repairs being made during our cruises; however, more is needed. We observed broken or damaged areas on the ship. The Women's bathroom by serenity deck apparently leaks down the wall when it rains. One bathroom stall had a good amount of standing water on the floor both days when I entered after it had rained overnight. I do not think our sluggish shower drain was specific to our cabin. Our bathroom floor also felt a bit weak/squishy in spots. There was some kind of hot water issue while we were on board. In addition to the cold water in our son's cabin one day, there were other areas of the ship where the sink water was so scalding hot, we could not wash our hands safely.

I will have some brief info about the ports of call from theses cruises in my next post. Let me know if you have any questions!