Caribbean Cruise September 4-12, 2010: (125 Photos)

 

125.   This year Sandra and I embarked on our first international & proper vacation and booked a 7-day Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Valor!

 

 

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122.   We chose Carnival Cruise Lines because they were recommended as a great cruise line for first time cruisers, and I have to admit we were not disappointed.

 

 

121.   The cruise was out of Miami and keeping to a fist time vacation budget we flew in the day before we were set to sail, which would give us a buffer for flight delays and a little time to hit the outlet malls.

 

 

120.   The first day of the Cruise was Sunday, we used the complimentary hotel shuttle to the Miami Cruise Terminal and boarded around noon.

 

 

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114.   Booze on a cruise isn't free, but its very reasonably priced and excellent value with name brand spirits hand poured not skimping on the portions!

 

 

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112.   Set sail get out of the way!

 

 

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108. Towel Creature Day 1.

 

 

107.   Hard to believe but Sandra managed to track down a game of bingo even at sea!

 

 

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105.   First supper in the Main Dining Room, fancy dress night.

 

 

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103.   After supper we strolled around the ship checking out the night time entertainment which was abundant including the piano bar,

 

 

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101.   Comedy Club,

 

 

100.   Sports Bar,

 

 

99.   And a whole lot more. As it got later people called it a night so I managed to get a few people free photos of the ships amenities.

 

 

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86.   Day two of the cruise was a Sea Day as we sailed to our first port scheduled for the following morning.

 

 

85.   There is always lots to do even at sea its completely relaxing as you can choose to partake in activities or do very little, and no cell phones ringing or sending your attention to the internet! Its a great feeling being completely disconnected.

 

 

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83.   Did I need a Coconut head Glass? No. Did I buy a Coconut head Glass? Yes!

 

 

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81.   Towel Creature Day 2.

 

 

80.   Day 3 was our first Port of Call, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

 

 

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76.   There is no Pier at this port so we were shuttled ashore on tender boats.

 

 

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74.   We didn't book many excursions on this trip just taking time to explore Gran Cayman on our own.

 

 

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64.   Towel Creature Day 3

 

 

63.   The following morning we arrived at our second port, Mahogany Bay on the Isla Roatan.

 

 

62.   We booked a beach day package with Carnival which was reasonably priced including a pass for the chair lift ride, a beach cabana, and floats for in the water.

 

 

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43.   Towel Creature Day 4.

 

 

42.   Our third port of call was Belize. In hindsight we probably would have booked an excursion here as there wasn't much to see in the Cruise Terminal's shops, security was very tight here so it didn't make for a comfortable feeling to explore outside the cruise terminal.

 

 

41.   Belize is also a tender boat port.

 

 

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35.   Towel Creature Day 5.

 

 

34.  Day 6 found us at our last port of call Puerto Maya (Cozumel) Mexico.

 

 

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30.   There are a lot of options in Cozumel for excursions including a day trip to the Mayan Temples.

 

 

29.   We chose to explore on our own visiting shops and enjoying the day.

 

 

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27.   Cozumel was probably the prettiest port we visited on our trip.

 

 

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23.   It's a stretch to get the whole ship in frame!

 

 

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18.   Three Amigos in Cozumel is a fun place to grab a snack.

 

 

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16.   As expected its super warm, but at Three Amigos you can have your lunch in a bathtub full of water!

 

 

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10.   That night the ship had its deck party which apparently is a regular thing, and a great time!

 

 

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6.   Towel Creature Day 6.

 

 

5.   Our last full day on the ship was a Sea Day as we sailed around the back of Cuba back to Miami.

 

 

4.   That night was the Carnival Legends show which seen guests who auditioned throughout the week perform a full show of celebrity impressions, and were joined by Carnival Staff like our cruise director dressed as Dolly Parton.

 

 

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2.   Towel Creature Day 7.

 

1.  Headed Home. This vacation was my first vacation where I would easily stay another week instead of going home. It was a great time, the nightly shows onboard in the Ivanhoe Theatre (which your not allowed to film) were outstanding and there was always something to do and eat at all hours. I cant wait for our next one!

 

Cheers, MIKE

 

 

Copyright © 2011 Michael Smith