Carnival Vista (October 2021)
I just disembarked from the Vista (10/9/21) and thought to write a review while it’s still fresh in my mind (as I’ve done in the past pre-shutdown with several other ships), for anyone who is interested in reading it.
Since this was our 16th different ship (3rd time on the Vista), I will try to point out differences as well as vs pre-shutdown, where I see them.
Also, this cruise I sailed with a friend, since my family (wife and kids) couldn’t join me on this sailing.
EMBARKATION:
– No longer got asked during check-in in terminal to verify creditcard/if want to add $ (cash account). I had set up mine as cash account before the cruise and was easy as always to add cash in the self-service kiosk; there is one right next to GS desk.
– I knew coming to the terminal there is no Priority (Platinum/Diamond) line, waiting area or boarding. But no complaints from me. It literally took just a minute or two after Suites and no big deal at all.
– Muster drill—has been said before, such a breeze and so convenient. Just go to your muster station (printed on our S&S card), meet up with a crew member there. They’ll show you how to put on a life jacket, they’ll mark you as attended; few mins later you’re on your way.
CABIN:
– When first got onboard around 11am or so, just went to the cabin to drop off my backpack stuff, met my cabin steward, then went straight to lido to get my first Guy’s Burger. Cabin only ready after ~1:30pm, and you’ll know that’s the case when your S&S card is outside your cabin door.
-As for the cabin itself, had a Cove balcony (cabin #2286). 3rd or 4th time in a Cove, just love them. I did hear some noise from above us in middle of night several times, but didn’t last very long. Honestly no complains here for the cruise rate we got and short-notice booking/few cabin choices had.
DINING:
– Included (free) options: Lido Marketplace, Guy’s Burgers, Blue Iguana, Guy’s Pig & Anchor BBQ, Pizzaeria, Deli, MDR.
– Speciality ($) options: Steakhouse, Cucina del Capitano, Jiji’s Asian Kitchen, Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack, Red Frog Pub & Brewery
– MDR: Assigned (Early/Late) is at Reflection, and YTD is at Horizon’s.
– Formal nights on our sailing was 1st Sea Day (Sun) and Belize day (Wed).
– We ate at all the free dining options, as well as Steakhouse ($38/p), Cucina ($15/p) and Jiji’s ($15/p) for dinners on 3 different nights. Steakhouse I got the Australian Wagyu which was amazing and cooked to perfection. But overall, my favorite was Cucina— the excellent and abundance of food, the wonderful service. Well well worth the $15 and honestly surprised it’s still at that price for this long for the amount of great food and excellent service always get there.
– Something interesting this cruise (never had that happen to me before): when I met with the Maitre’D on embarkation early afternoon to check on our table, he checked with us if we wanted to change our 6pm assigned Early dining (Reflection) to 5:30-5:45pm (Horizon), as essentially it would put us a ‘YTD’ but under a specific 15 min timeframe to start dinner, to allow us to dine in Horizon’s and have our own (same) table every night with same wait staff and everything. That was cool as was able to cherry-pick the table we wanted, which I picked an aft table overlooking the wake (see one of the pics I posted).
ONBOARD STUFF/CAPACITY:
-Ship ofcourse is part of the Vista class (Vista, Horizon, Panorama). Bigger than all other Carnival class ships except ofcourse the Excel class (Mardi Gras, and soon Celebration next year).
– Got word from crew and security onboard this sailing we had 2236 guests (and previous sailing right before us was 2251 guests). That is about 57% for double occupancy, and 45% for max occupancy.
– Because of the reduced capacity, it was really nice with really hardly any lines for buffet, Guy’s, Skyride…etc. I ended up doing the Skyride 6 times, Skycourse twice, and down the slides 6 times as well.
– Piano Bar entertainer was Russell Villarin — he is great!
– Vista Rock Band (they played most nights in Ocean Plaza) – they have 2 singers (Crystal, Lucas), guitar, piano and drummer. Oh my goodness, they are Fantastic!! I was splitting my time after the comedy shows between Piano Bar and Vista Rock Band. Great times!
– Our comedians were Kirk Smith, Carl Strong and Thea Vidale. Carl was my favorite (absolutely hilarious) followed by Thea. Fair warning—don’t use your cell phone or try to be a smart-ass (shouting something) in the middle of Thea’s comedy… wasn’t me, it was a couple of other people in the Punchliner lounge, and man oh man once she starts on someone, hold on for the ride haha
– Even at reduced capacity, I highlight recommend going to the shows (whether stage show in Liquid Lounge or comedy in Limelight lounge) EARLY to grab a good seat… because seating layout is not the best and to not to have your view blocked by the people infront of you or those huge supporting poles (blocking stage view on some seats).
– VIFP Platinum/Diamond party was held in Liquid Lounge. No appetizers but drinks were flowing. Youngest Platinum/longest Diamond still there, but no guessing games.
OTHER RANDOM STUFF ON OUR SAILING:
– Strawberry icecream was served twice in our sailing— on 1st Sea Day (Sun) and one of the port days.
– Don’t miss out on the free Gelato up on lido (buffet area). Not self-service, a crew member will scoop for you, then you add your own toppings. This is separate from the self-service ice-cream machines ofcourse.
– It IS doable to win the Cash Crane $ in the casino. I won the $100 stack (on my 8th $1 try). Posted a pic a few days ago.
– One night, I saw from my Cove balcony a some strong beam of light flash from up above (bridge) to the Ocean, like they were searching for something. Lasted for about 10 seconds.
– Someone was taken off the ship in an ambulance in Cozumel (morning), and brought back (also in ambulance) right before ship sailed out of Cozumel.
PORTS:
– Normally I go with local tour guides or do my own thing (taxi etc), but this time decided to go with Carnival’s, because I had submitted my Passport for renewal back in mid June and thought I wouldn’t have it back for the cruise and would have to sail with my Birth Certificate, so was playing it safe (but ended up getting my passport back a few days before the sailing).
* ROATAN: Did the “Beginner’s Scuba”
* BELIZE: Did the “ATV, Ziplining and Cave Tubing”
* COZUMEL: Did the “Surf & Turf, 4×4 Terracross and Speed Boat”
Had a great time on all 3 excursions! Added some pictures here.
DEBARKATION:
We opt’d for Self Assist (carryout). Met in Liquid Lounge at 8am with other P/D members. We were off the ship by 8:20-8:30am, and the new facial recognition in the terminal is great! Literally just lower your mask infront of the screen (right infront of where you normally show your passport to the CBP officer), it scans your face, gives a green check-mark/all-clear, and you walk right on through. Passport was in my pocket, didn’t need to take it out or speak to CBP officer or anything.
