I booked a 4-night cruise on Carnival Valor from New Orleans for one main reason: it was cheap! At just $877 for two people, it was one of the cheapest cruises I’d taken in a while, but it also made me wonder: is Carnival Valor actually a good cruise ship?
Since New Orleans is only about a four-hour drive for me, the convenience of skipping a flight made the deal even better. Between the price and the easy access to the port, it felt like a no-brainer for a quick getaway with my best friend, Hayley!
Because the cruise fare was so low, Hayley and I decided to splurge and purchase Carnival’s CHEERS! drink package. For $660.32, it included up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day per person, along with unlimited specialty coffee, soda, and other non-alcoholic beverages. We definitely didn’t even come close to that limit, but it was nice not having to think twice about ordering a drink.
At the time of booking, we were expecting a quick trip to Mexico filled with sunshine, drinks, and a laid-back vibe. The ship itself wasn’t really the priority, but it was the only option from New Orleans that fit our schedule.
In fact, Carnival Valor is one of Carnival’s older ships. As part of the Conquest Class, it launched more than 20 years ago. It certainly wouldn’t have been my first choice for a ship, as I prefer Carnival’s newest Excel class ships. But, the price was too good to pass up, and I do like Carnival’s fun-focused energy.
Carnival Cruise Line is known for its fun, casual atmosphere, and it has built a strong following thanks to its wide range of U.S. homeports. Many cruisers, especially those within driving distance, choose Carnival for short, easy getaways where the focus is more on having a good time than the ship itself.
Unfortunately, our sailing didn’t go quite as planned. An untimely hurricane delayed our departure by one day and ultimately forced the cancellation of our stop in Cozumel. Instead of visiting Mexico, we ended up on a cruise to nowhere before returning to New Orleans on schedule. Even after more than 55 cruises, this was a first for me!
Regardless, Hayley and I made the most of it. And in a way, spending the entire trip onboard gave me an even better sense of what Carnival Valor is really like. Here’s an honest review of this Conquest Class vessel, and whether I think Carnival Valor is a good cruise ship.
How old and big is Carnival Valor?
Carnival Valor is part of Carnival’s Conquest Class and first debuted in 2004, making the ship more than 20 years old. While that might sound dated, it’s fairly typical for many ships still actively sailing in the fleet, especially those focused on shorter, more affordable itineraries.
In terms of size, Carnival Valor comes in at around 110,000 gross tons and can accommodate roughly 3,000 passengers at full capacity. By today’s standards, that puts the ship in the mid-sized category. It’s noticeably smaller than Carnival’s newer Excel-class ships, which are closer to 180,000 gross tons and carry well over 5,000 guests.
Because of this, the overall experience feels much more traditional. You won’t find roller coasters, waterparks, or the kind of high-tech features that newer ships are known for. Instead, Carnival Valor has all of the basics, including multiple pools, hot tubs, a 214-foot-long Twister waterslide, mini golf, a spa, fitness center, and a wide range of bars and lounges.
There’s enough to keep you busy throughout the day without feeling like you’re missing out on anything essential.
Normally, midsize ships feel more manageable and easy to navigate. However, Hayley and I found ourselves getting lost more often than we care to admit. We were always running into dead ends and climbing up or down the stairs to figure out where we wanted to go.
Luckily, even with our itinerary turning into multiple sea days, the ship never felt overwhelmingly crowded.
When was Carnival Valor last refurbished?
Carnival Valor has received a few updates over the years, most recently in 2021, with an earlier round of refurbishments completed in 2016.
Even though the ship is more than two decades old, those updates are noticeable in certain areas. During my sailing, the ship felt clean and generally well-kept, especially in the public spaces. Nothing felt run-down, which can sometimes be a concern with older ships.
At the same time, the refurbishments haven’t fully changed the overall feel of the ship. It still very much comes across as an older vessel, particularly in the design and layout. The bold “heroes and heroics” theme is still front and center, and some of the finishes and design choices feel dated compared to newer ships.
In my experience, the updates seem focused more on maintenance and refreshes rather than a full modernization. The ship was in good condition, but still had quirks, especially when it came to navigating certain areas.
If you go in expecting a well-maintained older ship instead of a fully updated one, Carnival Valor feels exactly like what you’d expect.
Carnival Valor’s dining was surprisingly good dining for an older ship
Dining was easily one of the best parts of our experience on Carnival Valor, which isn’t surprising. Carnival tends to do a great job offering a wide range of complimentary food, even on its older ships, and this sailing was no exception.
Complimentary Dining on Carnival Valor
- Washington Dining Room (Main Dining Room)
- Lincoln Dining Room (Main Dining Room)
- Rosie’s Restaurant (Lido Marketplace Buffet)
- Carnival Deli
- Old Fashioned BBQ
- Mongolian Wok
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- BlueIguana Cantina
- Pizzeria del Capitano
Between casual spots, sit-down meals, and a few specialty options, there was more than enough variety onboard. In fact, with our shortened itinerary, we didn’t even come close to trying everything.
We ended up eating in the main dining rooms each evening, and we enjoyed our experience overall.
Dinner was served as a multi-course experience with rotating menus that feature a mix of international dishes and Carnival staples. Some favorites, like the chocolate melting cake, are always available. Service was quick and attentive, and the crew added a fun touch with nightly entertainment.
For more casual meals, Rosie’s Restaurant on the Lido deck serves as the main buffet. It’s open throughout the day with a wide selection of entrees, snacks, and desserts. I typically find Carnival’s buffets to be a bit underwhelming, so my expectations were low for Carnival Valor. As I expected, I wasn’t impressed with the buffet. Additionally, it was consistently packed with people and hard to find a table, meaning it wasn’t very relaxing.
Within the buffet area, there are a few smaller stations worth mentioning, and I enjoyed these the most. The Carnival Deli was one of my favorite spots for a quick snack, especially in the afternoon. I loved ordering made-to-order sandwiches like turkey and provolone or a hot meatball sub!
Old Fashioned BBQ, which was located upstairs on the second level of the buffet, was less impressive. Sadly, the meat was dry and the mac and cheese was cold.
Mongolian Wok also looked delicious with customizable stir-fry, but the lines were so long every time we walked by, so we never ended up trying it.
Some of Carnival’s signature casual venues were also highlights. Guy’s Burger Joint lived up to the hype with juicy burgers, seasoned fries, and a large toppings bar to customize your order. This was Hayley’s first time trying Guy’s Burger Joint, and she said she was impressed!
BlueIguana Cantina was another go-to, serving fresh tacos and burritos throughout the day. We even grabbed breakfast burritos on the last morning, which were packed with eggs, meat, and cheese. This always holds me over during the journey home after disembarkation.
Not to mention, Pizzeria del Capitano was also a great option at any time of day. The menu is simple, but the pizza hits the spot! I tried the prosciutto arugula and thought it was flavorful without being too heavy.
Specialty dining on Carnival Valor (extra cost)
- Scarlett’s Steakhouse
- Seafood Shack
- Sushi at Sea
- Chef’s Table
- Java Cafe
We also took advantage of onboard credit to try Scarlett’s Steakhouse, which ended up being one of the best meals of the entire cruise. The multi-course experience with steak and seafood felt like a huge step up from the rest of the dining onboard. The splurge was well worth it, especially for the more intimate ambiance.
Other specialty options included Seafood Shack, which offers items like lobster rolls and crab cakes for an additional cost, and Sushi at Sea, a convenient and reasonably priced option for freshly made sushi and sashimi located near the buffet.
Overall, we were impressed with both the quality and selection of food on Carnival Valor. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, service was consistently quick, and the amount of included dining made the value of the cruise even better.
What it’s like staying in the cheapest cabin on Carnival Valor
For this cruise, we booked the cheapest option, which was a standard interior cabin.
While the design wasn’t particularly modern or stylish, I was pleasantly surprised by how functional the room felt. There was plenty of storage, along with a desk, ottoman, and a wall-mounted TV. Small details, like USB ports built into the bedside lamps, were also appreciated for a ship of Carnival Valor’s age.
The cabin itself was clean and comfortable, which ultimately matters most.
The bathroom was the worst part of the room. While it was relatively spacious, the shower setup caused water to flood the floor frequently, which became frustrating over time.
We also experienced some noise from neighboring cabins, which is fairly common on shorter Carnival sailings. Between late-night activity and thin walls, we relied on earplugs and white noise to sleep comfortably.
One memorable (and slightly amusing) detail was how the ship’s “heroes and heroics” theme extended into the cabin. There’s nothing like having a Betsy Ross portrait hanging right above the toilet!
Carnival Valor entertainment: Fun, interactive, and busy
With no ports of call, we ended up experiencing more of the onboard entertainment than usual. We found that Carnival’s activities staff did a good job keeping things lively.
The main production show, Studio VIP, featured high-energy performances with singing, dancing, and flashy costumes. It was well done and one of the highlights of Carnival Valor’s entertainment.
The theater also hosted popular game shows like Love and Marriage and Deal or No Deal, both of which were packed and very interactive. Carnival cruisers tend to really get into these events, which adds to the overall experience.
The Punchliner Comedy Club is another Carnival staple for entertainment. We attended two shows, each about 30 minutes long. Both shows were fun, relaxed, and well attended, although nothing very memorable.
There were always activities happening onboard, from trivia (including Harry Potter-themed trivia) to pool deck competitions and even a stein-holding contest. Because we were at sea the entire time, we participated more than usual and appreciated how engaged everyone was.
Carnival Valor’s bold (and confusing) design is hard to ignore
Carnival Valor’s design is bold, unique, and impossible to ignore.
As mentioned, the ship follows a “heroes and heroics” theme, with decor that includes American flag patterns, gold bald eagle statues, and large presidential murals throughout the ship.
It’s a very distinct style, and it’s definitely not subtle. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it before!
Every space feels intentionally designed to make a statement, whether that’s through oversized artwork, dramatic lighting, or layered textures. At times, it almost feels like sensory overload compared to the clean, minimalist look you’ll find on newer cruise ships.
The layout adds another layer to the experience, but not always in a good way. Compared to newer ships with more intuitive, open designs, Carnival Valor feels more segmented.
There are areas where you can’t walk straight through from one end to the other, which led to a lot of backtracking, staircases, and figuring out which deck actually connects where.
We had trouble finding certain venues early on, especially the dining rooms, and ended up hitting more dead ends than expected. I guess we ended up getting in some extra steps by exploring the ship, which isn’t a bad thing! But for a mid-sized ship, it didn’t feel as easy to navigate as we expected.
Carnival Valor’s atmosphere is fun and upbeat
Carnival Valor has a lively, energetic atmosphere that aligns closely with Carnival’s brand.
Short sailings like this tend to attract cruisers who are looking to have fun, and that was definitely the case here. The vibe was social, upbeat, and at times a bit rowdy, especially in the evenings.
The bars and lounges were consistently busy, although service was generally quick. We spent time at several venues, including the RedFrog Rum Bar on the pool deck, where we enjoyed classic Carnival drinks in the sun. We also visited the RedFrog Pub, which had live music and a great laid-back vibe.
On the other hand, the Alchemy Bar was a bit of a disappointment. It was one of the smallest I’ve seen on a Carnival ship and seemed understaffed. At one point, we waited nearly 30 minutes for a single drink, so we didn’t return for another drink. Usually, this is one of my favorite bars, so I was bummed.
Where does Carnival Valor sail from?
One of the biggest advantages of sailing on Carnival Valor is its homeport in New Orleans.
For those within driving distance, it’s an incredibly convenient option. Being able to skip flights and still take a cruise makes a big difference, especially for shorter itineraries.
Carnival Valor sails year-round from New Orleans, primarily offering short cruises to Mexico, which makes it an accessible option for quick getaways.
New Orleans is also a destination in itself! Whether you’re interested in the food, live music, or overall culture, it’s worth spending time in the city before or after your cruise. There’s plenty to do in “The Big Easy” even before you step onboard!
Is Carnival Valor a good cruise ship?
I went into this cruise with pretty low expectations, mainly because of the price. And honestly, Carnival Valor ended up exceeding them in some ways.
There’s no getting around the fact that this is an older ship. Carnival Valor won’t blow you away with modern design or cutting-edge features. It’s an older vessel with a bold aesthetic and a few quirks.
If you’re someone who cares a lot about contemporary design or the latest features, Carnival Valor probably isn’t the right fit.
But at the same time, Carnival Valor has a lot to offer, especially if the price is right. We really enjoyed most of the food and the entertainment was both engaging and impressive. Overall, we had a fun, laid-back experience from New Orleans and enjoyed trying a new-to-us Carnival ship.
I also think the New Orleans departure plays a big role. Being able to drive to the port and hop on a ship for a quick getaway makes this kind of cruise a lot more appealing, especially for shorter itineraries.
So, is Carnival Valor a good cruise ship? I’d say yes, but with the right expectations.
For budget-conscious travelers, families, couples, and anyone looking for a quick, laid-back getaway, Carnival Valor is a good cruise ship.
If you’re booking it for a cheap, easy, and fun getaway, Carnival Valor is a great cruise ship. If you’re expecting something newer or more upscale, you’ll probably want to splurge on something else.
