[#14] Carnival Vista (1/2019)

Highlights:

⚓ We had a Cove balcony (#2274) which was directly under the Shore Excursion desk and it was wonderful. Absolutely no noise from above. We know we’d love the Cove from a different ship we had it and couldn’t wait to be on one again. Loved sitting out there close to the water, watching the waves hit/splash, harbor pilot, and even the perfect spot watching a few pier runners in Cozumel. 😂 Oh, and THANK YOU for whoever was on the previous sailing (1/13-1/19) in this cabin since you guys left us like about 20 sealed water bottles! 

⚓ We met some staff/crew we had on previous cruises and it’s always nice to see them again and give them hugs! #CarnivalFamily . This includes DJ Xtreme (Jeff Karoly), and also a waiter we had on 2 prior ships! We actually didn’t know he (waiter) was on this ship, but he saw my wall post that we were going on the Vista (we are FB friends) and one night in the MDR we had the BEST surprise when we saw him came to visit our table to say Hello! I think I caught my wife’s jaw drop when she saw him! 😂 He remembered all our names including our kids and how they’ve grown (esp our young one how talkative he is now lol). Came to visit us every night afterwards. 😊 That was an awesome surprise.  

⚓ Hard to talk about the Vista and not mention Matt Mitcham (CD)! Not our first time cruising with him either, and he is ofcourse fantastic! From the deck/Atrium parties, to hosting shows, the Quest 🙈, to everything/everywhere else, he is a star.

⚓ Love & Marriage Show was off the chain…. By far our favorite one from over a dozen different L&M shows I’ve seen. Not only bc of Matt hosting, but because of this elderly man named Noland…. OMG he had us in tears of laughter and we gave him multiple standing ovations with some of the things he said (anyone reading this who was on this sailing back me up on this! Lol). Even Matt couldn’t control himself 🤣. After that show, Noland was like a superstar Legend around the ship, lol.

⚓ Comedians (3 out of 4) were great, especially Cowboy Bill and Spike Davis. My 3rd fav was Merl Hobbs. Even though on the FunTimes they listed the comedian will be repeating their comedy show during the same night (2 different times), at least a couple of the comedians (including Cowboy Bill) mentioned they will not repeat their show, on any night. I think overall I went to at least a dozen different comedy shows! Lol.

⚓ Since there’s a Red Frog Pub on this ship, we decided on embarkation day to see our luck by heading straight there as soon we boarded (first ones get free beer and their pic taken!). We made it, whoop whoop!

⚓ Skyride was up and running. We went there on a port day afternoon as soon as back onboard. Wait time wasn’t too bad (about 15 mins).

-We had 3 Sea days, and the strawberry icecream was offered on all 3 days!

⚓ We had the new American Brunch Seaday menu. Tried a few new dishes (fried chicken, aft deck brisket sandwich, salmon super food salad), along with some favorites (steak and egg etc) and enjoyed them all. Pics included.

⚓ Had Beef Wellington on one of the MDR dinners! Haven’t had it in a long time! Delicious! 

⚓ Besides lido, room service and MDR, we ate at Cucina del Capitano for dinner one night ($15/p adults, $5/child) and it was well worth it! Same for Bonsai… my wife and I had the Sushi Boat for 2 ($22 if I remember correctly) and it was good.

⚓ On one of the last nights, it was pretty windy (almost 50kts) and hitting the ship [bow] directly. I listed this as a ‘Highlight’ because I was out on the Cove balcony watching the waves hit the hull with water splashing up high as deck 3 with the wind’s help (no exaggeration)! It was a sight to see and experience. Didn’t get seasick or anything.

⚓ We went to the IMAX to watch a documentary (at $5.50/p and only 40 min, why not). Documentary was ‘Pandas’. Loved it!

⚓ Played the volleyball tournament and our team won (and a SoAS for each player in our team).

⚓ My daughter didn’t win the youngest Platinum on this cruise but did win the closest to the ‘Guess the Candy Count’ during the VIFP party. Pic taken with Matt on stage, which was sent to our cabin free of charge. (Thanks Carnival!).

⚓ Belize….. we did an awesome private island excursion. A definite highlight. See details below in Port section.

⚓ Shows attended: Welcome Aboard Show, Gender Showdown, Flick, Hasbro GameShow, Lip Sync Battle, Love&Marriage, Variety Act, Adult Game Night (different than Quest), Quest, many Comedy Shows.

⚓ Ocean Plaza activities participated (with my daughter): Yahtzee, Hasbro Sorry, Harry Potter Trivia, Towel Folding Fun. And ‘Guess that 90’s Song’ for us, lol 

⚓ Dance Parties: Sailaway, Rock that Promenade, Mega Deck Party, Electric White Party, 80’s Rock-N-Glow Party.

Lowlights:

⚓ Really don’t have much complaints to make a whole ‘Lowlight’ section with multiple items… Was everything perfect? Ofcourse not, but didn’t let it bother us. Only thing I’ll mention (which is already well known) is the weird layout seating especially in the Liquid Lounge (theater) and the Limelight lounge (comedy club) with also huge poles (blocking stage view on some seats). But again not a biggie, just head there a bit early to grab a good seat. 

Ports (what we did in each):

⚓ COSTA MAYA: We went back to Tropicante, which is basically a beachfront restaurant in the middle of downtown Mahahual, less than a mile away from the ship. We reserved some lounge chairs in advance thru their website before our sailing. After getting off the ship and walking through the port area, we took a taxi to Tropicante, for $8 total (for the 4 of us). We were greeted by staff there, gave our name (they checked their list) and took us to our lounge chairs. Beach was nice, not overly crowded. Vendors/locals there walking on the beach often selling stuff (expected), but thankfully they were not pushy. Ordered drinks and some appetizers. Then when ready, paid our tab, tipped, and they called a taxi for us (same rate of $8 for the 4 of us) back to the ship. 

⚓ MAHOGANY BAY, ROATAN: Like other 3 ports since we’ve been to this island several times before and did island tour (west and east side), West Bay beach, Sloth monkey sanctuary, etc, we decided to hang out by the ship in the port area (Mahogany Bay beach) this time. At first it was ok, but then it got pretty crowded (as expected). It was good low-expense day (no taxi or entrance fee, just walk to the free beach) but we kinda missed West Bay beach and decided next time we would not stay by the ship area. Just our opinion.

⚓ COZUMEL: We went back to Nachi Cocom again. With 7 ships that day, we knew it would get a bit crowded, and Nachi limits to 130 people/day. Unfortunately it was a bit chilly, cloudy, and then rained on us for at least an hour lol, but we were under a Palapa most of the time (including the rain) and enjoyed our all inclusive food and drinks. $17 taxi each way (for all 4 of us), and the entrance fee to Nachi ofcourse.

⚓ BELIZE: We decided this time to try something we haven’t done here in Belize, and go hit a private secluded island. This secluded island was amazing. Booked through ShoreExcursioneer. Boat ride, food, 2 alcohol drinks, kayaks….. all included. Absolutely GORGEOUS beach (see pics). There was only 16 of us on this island, plus a few (non-cruise) vacationers staying there for a few days, and a few staff members (chef, bartender, coordinator, etc). It was absolutely worth it for us, especially with the group rate.