Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	431
Accommodation	200	165
Food	400	220
Service	400	268
Entertainment	100	85
Cruise	400	287

How this score is created

Carnival Valor is the 22nd new ship for this very successful cruise line. It shares the same generally well-balanced profile a sisters Carnival Conquest, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory. The ship is unable to transit the Panama Canal, due to its size. With extremely short bows, it has the distinctive, large, swept-back wing-tipped funnel that is the trademark of Carnival Cruise Lines, in the company colors of red, white and blue.

The ship’s interior decor is truly a fantasyland of colors; just about every hue of the rainbow (and a few more) is represented in the public rooms and hallways throughout this ship. The layout is logical, so finding your way around is easy. Most public rooms are located off a main boulevard, or main interior promenade (good for strolling and people watching, particularly from the Dream Bar or Java café – check out the “cup” lights above the bar). The interior design theme is that of famous names and heroes, with public rooms named and themed after them. Look for some of them. Examples include: the Lindy Hop Piano Bar (Charles Lindbergh); Paris Hot Jazz Club (Josephine Baker); Jeanne’s Wine Bar (there’s a sculpture of Joan of Arc behind the bar); One Small Step disco (Neil Armstrong). The ship was also the first Carnival ship to have bow-to-stern Wi-Fi internet access (including cabins)

There are three decks full of public rooms, 10 bars and lots of rooms to play in. There are two atriums: the larger (American Atrium), located in the forward third of the ship goes through nine decks (the decor here is stars and stripes), while a small aft atrium spans three decks.

Good hangouts and drinking places include Paris Hot (live music/karaoke lounge), the American Bar (main lobby), Bronx Bar (sports Bar), Jeanne’s (wine bar), and Heroe’s Club lounge. There are nightspots for just about every musical taste (except for opera, ballet and classical music lovers). For gamblers, the Shogun Club casino, with its Japanese motif and theme, is certainly large and action-packed; there are also more than 320 slot machines. Gaming includes blackjack, craps, roulette, three-card poker, Caribbean Stud poker, Face Up, Let it Ride, Bonus, and Wheel of Madness.

Youngsters are provided with good facilities, including their own two-level Children’s Club (with its own small outdoor pool), and are well cared for with “Camp Carnival”, the line’s extensive children’s program. Note that soft-drinks packages can be purchased for children (and adults).

Many pillars obstruct passengers flow. Those in the dining room, for example, make it difficult for the waiters to serve food properly. The public toilets are spartan and could do with some cheering up.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008