The Carnival Valor, one of the line's three Conquest-class ships, has a large, active casino that was crowded at midnight and going strong until well after 3 am.

While the Shogun Club casino is similar in size to the casinos of its sisters -- Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory -- its decor has a distinctive Japanese warrior theme that gives it a quite different look than the casinos on the other vessels.

Valor's casino, like those of the other Conquest-class ships, provides one of the largest gaming areas at sea with 18 tables (11 multi-deck blackjack tables, two three-card poker, one Caribbean stud poker, one Let It Ride, two roulette and one craps table).

More than 200 slots surround the tables offering a variety of opportunities, including a shot at winning the Ocean Players Club progressive Megacash jackpot

Most of the table games have a $5 minimum and $200 maximum (a few were $10-$300), and these lower limit tables were generally packed.

Valor also had a single blackjack table with a $25 minimum and $500 maximum -- a workable range for all but the highest rollers.

The dealers on the whole are competent and extremely friendly, and casino hosts comped drinks for Ocean Players Club members playing for higher stakes.

Overall, the Valor seems a strong addition to the lineup of Carnival ships that provide a fun, active casino in which to gamble.

--The Savvy Cruiser