You’re over 21. You’re setting sail on a dream cruise from New Orleans to the Caribbean. Your home for the voyage is the incredible Carnival Valor™. Time for a drink?
The glorious sun, vacation vibe and anticipation of all the amazing destinations you’re going to explore should certainly be celebrated with a cool drink, whether it’s a tropical cocktail, frosty beer or a glass or two of your favorite wine.
Fortunately, Carnival Valor has plenty of bars that fit every occasion. Each venue has its own distinct atmosphere and range of signature drinks along with a full bar. Whether you want to hit up a different bar every evening or pick your favorite and become a “regular,” the ship has a drinking establishment to suit every desire. The following are some of our favorites.
1. RedFrog Pub
Taking its inspiration from the bars of the Caribbean (now that’s a place that knows how to have fun in the sun!) is RedFrog Pub. With a laid-back vibe, live music and a lengthy menu of beers, cocktails and more, this is one of the most popular hot spots on Carnival Valor.
It’s an especially great drinking destination for beer lovers, with Red’s Flagship Brew available by the pint, pitcher and even 101-ounce tube! Rum is another specialty of RedFrog Pub, with an extensive collection of white, dark and flavored rums to choose from.
2. RedFrog Rum Bar
If your first move upon embarking on Carnival Valor was to put on your swimsuit and head to the pool, you’re sure to notice RedFrog Rum Bar just steps from the water’s edge. It’s an ideal location—who wouldn’t want to sip on an ice-cold, Caribbean-inspired cocktail or draft beer in between dips in the pool?
If you’re having trouble deciding whether a beer or cocktail is the perfect poolside refreshment, consider the signature Red’s Beer Cocktail. It’s ThirstyFrog™ Red (our exclusive custom brew) spiked with spiced rum. Another great option is spiked lemonade—freshly made lemonade with vodka—available by the pitcher.
3. Alchemy Bar
Alchemy Bar is styled as a speakeasy-era cocktail “pharmacy” with a refined yet fun vibe. The bar has two distinct specialties. One is vintage-inspired elixirs incorporating unexpected elements like spices and infused syrups, along with fresh juices and choice spirits.
We suggest the Alchemist’s Sidecar, a take on the classic martini made with cognac, orange-infused tequila and fresh lime juice, all sweetened with a touch of simple syrup.
Speaking of martinis, Alchemy Bar also hosts a unique martini tasting experience—four sample-size servings of creative martinis followed by a full glass of your favorite. As for the second specialty of Alchemy Bar… you can have one of its master mixologists concoct a custom cocktail (or mocktail) to suit your own desires.
4. BlueIguana Tequila Bar
BlueIguana Tequila Bar naturally embraces the most beloved drink of Mexico—tequila! Or is it the margarita? Cerveza? Perhaps it’s the Carnival Paloma with zesty grapefruit juice, zingy fresh lime, tequila and a splash of soda. That’s just one of more than a dozen Mexico-inspired cocktails featured on BlueIguana’s menu.
Other tempting tipples include a Spicy Margarita, a frozen Guava Margarita and Red’s Caribbean Colada. They’re all available with a souvenir-glass upgrade.
5. Piano Bar
Sing your favorite songs with the piano man, or just sit back and enjoy the tunes while sipping a delicious drink at the Piano Bar. This is one of the liveliest, most musical spots on Carnival Valor, open from the early evening until late at night.
Grab a bar stool, a plush seat or claim a few keys at the keyboard-style bar that wraps around the grand piano centerpiece. The bar’s signature cocktails are inspired by music too.
There’s the Ragtime, a complex blend of spiced rum, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and grenadine, and the spicy B Sharp with vodka, chipotle pineapple syrup and pineapple juice. A range of beers, shooters and zero-proof cocktails are available too.
Drinking Packages and Activities
If your cruise vacation plans include enjoying a few or more drinks at Carnival Valor’s amazing bars, we highly recommend the money-saving Cheers! package. It’s a pre-paid bar deal for one flat price. Pay upon arrival onboard and you’ll never see a bar bill!
We have a few other fun features designed for the over-21 crowd too. If you think you could give our bartenders a run for their money when it comes to hand-crafting cocktails, why not enter the Mixologist Competition? Create the winning drink and it will be served at Carnival Valor’s bars throughout your cruise to the Caribbean.
You probably already have a favorite drink or two, but a cruise vacation is an ideal opportunity to widen your horizons and discover new things. You might find some new favorite drinks with our Master the Martini tasting experience and Cruise the Vineyards wine tasting packages. Three versions are available, featuring wines from California, Australia, France and other regions, all for a discounted price.
Ready to Raise a Glass to Carnival Valor?
It’s not hard to think of a reason to celebrate when you’re cruising on Carnival Valor! Raise a glass to the beautiful islands of the Caribbean, savor the sunshine with a delicious sip and toast to an unforgettable vacation with family or friends.