Carnival Valor

This report was contributed by one of our clients following a site inspection .

Date        :20 January 2005                                            

Attention  : Diana and Steve Bloss                                                         

Your ref.   : Carnival Valor                                                                                                               

VALOR  report.

Dear Diana and Steve,

As promised our comment on our site inspection of the Carnival Valor.

As I told you we felt absolutely uncertain when you stressed us to try Carnival after more than 10 years of sailing HAL and RCCL, but our experience about WW (Worldwide) and your professionalism persuaded us to follow your advise.

However we pushed to do this site inspection ( for the first time for a cruise) as still after signing we felt uncomfortable, especially with this client Electrolux who is very important to us with many incentives during the year .

Embarkation:  ---

The start was absolutely bad. The embarkation procedure is disastrous in comparison with the other cruise lines. People pushed together as cattle in a kind of “hangar”.  This is absolutely not acceptable for our guests as 90% of then are diamond/platinum members with RCCL.

I spoke about this with Hotel Director  Duncan Puttock and he told me to inform Mr. Brian Hovey about this and ask for  a check in  with The Skippers Club, which should not be an issue. 

Dear friends this is a MUST, otherwise we have big trouble with these upper class guests!

Cabin/luggage delivery: ***

The cabins are absolute better than HAL and RCCL. Lot of space , bigger and comfortable.

Luggage delivery was fast and efficient.

Staff: ***

An excellent crew, well-mannered, well trained, attentive and better than RCCL

Food/beverages: ***

Absolutely better than RCCL, great choice during lunch ( Oriental-deli-Thai corner-pizzeria and grill) an experience.  The Scarlett’s is a must.  We want one night for the group as we explained to you and we spoke with the Chef of the Scarlett’s to discuss a set menu (copy of which I gave you) but even then he said this was not necessary as we could order a la carte, but I insist to stick on our set menu suggestion to make it easier for the kitchen staff and help him to reach his high level.

The same with the drinks during dinner. I did get immediately the wine list and we shall provide you with our wine request per dinner (red and white wine) to make it easier for the waiters. They only have to put the opened bottles on the tables and when empty to replace them and put everything one the master bill. Easy and convenient for both sides.

Entertainment: ***

As you know, we Dutch are different. The pool area in front is too hectic for us, but there is enough space to find rest in the aft  and real front section of the ship if you want to lay down..

The music in the evening is varied and absolutely great. The shows are great.

Debarkation :  ***

Fast and efficient, absolutely better than in the past years.

Miscellaneous:

Beside our doubts of Belize City as port of call the site inspection was a success.  If we can get the Skippers Club embarkation our uncertainty will be gone.  This is absolutely a must. If we get this I’m sure the next cruise with this group also will be with Carnival. Moreover a reservation for private dinner in the Scarlett’s will be an advantage.

Last but not least I want to mention a few names.

These Staff members were of great help to us and absolutely top class

- Duncan Puttock, the hotel Director, a great help and full assist during our meeting.

- Charlene , the group coordinator.

- Lincoln Dining room deck 4 table 220 :

- Zoltan and Joy (this is her nickname she is from Thailand

- The assistant manager, if I well remember his name is Yogi

- Our cabins steward #2226 , I did forget his name but he is from Indonesia.

Besides these names : The whole crew, the best trained staff of all our cruises.  And did we mention the 2 of you already?

Warm regards,

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