Jump to content

VISTA - 8 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise


C & L
 Share

Recommended Posts

Our Thoughts and Opinions:

 

Vista - 8 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise - June 3 - June 11th

Grand Turk, La Romana -Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curacao

4 Adults, 2 Teens

Adjoining Balcony cabins - Lido Deck - Starboard side

Rooms - 10267 & 10269

Transportation: Personal Vehicles

 

 

We arrived at Port of Miami around 10:45 and the only parking available to us in the parking garage was the top deck! All covered parking was taken.

Dropped off luggage and was able to enter building as our Staggered Check-In Time was 11:00.

Everything went very smoothly until we hit the boarding area. It was hard to hear the number that was being called out to board the ship. (Give the Carnival staff a megaphone or install more speakers through out the boarding area). The electronic Number Sign for boarding was way behind the verbal call-out, too. Once our section number was called out; there was a line for the escalator and then a short line for picture taking. While waiting for the escalator there was a couple who told staff they had Faster to the Fun Pass and what should they do. Unfortunately, for them, the staff was unable to get them ahead of the rest of us.

 

Cabin - Can't wait till Carnival upgrades to swivel televisions. The doors that links the adjoining cabins- when opened- block access to the balcony (on another ship the doors were hinged to fold back against the wall). The mirror in 1 room was hung so low (and crooked) we were unable to plug in our battery charger. The bathroom design has still not changed. Still locked into the 50's motel look and still utilizing a shower curtain. Other than those 'piddily things' the cabin was alright. Would recommend the Port side for this trip instead of the Starboard side of the ship. The cabin attendant, who was terrific, asked us to choose either having our rooms made-up in the morning or the afternoon.

 

Muster Station - the Muster Station, B-4, was in the Casino!. It was stinky and smoked filled. People were smoking DURING the Muster presentation. Shame on Carnival for having the muster station in the Casino. If you can't tolerate smoke or have children with you- would recommend you Check in and then leave/ask to attend the Presentation in another area.

 

Ship Design - could Never understand why anyone would prefer an Older ship to a spanking, brand new ship and Now, we understand why. This brand new ship is dark, and tunnel like. The Liquid Lounge was very poorly designed. If you did not get seated up close to the action it was hard to see the show. The 2nd tier (balcony) of the Lounge had beveled - glass strips that did not give a clear view of the show and many times caught the lights and reflected into your eye.

 

Entertainment - Carnival needs to plow their record profits into improving the Entertainment. The shows in the Liquid Lounge were high school-like productions with extremely poor stagecraft. RCI has excellent entertainment in their theatre.

 

Food - Only ate in the complimentary venues. Carnival excels when it comes to food.. Their food is very tasty compared to RCI. We ate lunch once in JiJi Asian Kitchen- plenty of noodles little meat and vegetables. Did not try the Pasta Bar for lunch. In the Lido Marketplace the best spot seemed to be in the rear near the Carvery. In the morning, before the food stations were scheduled to be open, the area across from the Carvery had pastries and fruit available. Uniformed staff also seemed to like this area, too. Carnival should consider an electronic posting of foods (menu) that will be available so that cruisers are not continually plucking aside the 'food curtain' to see what's on the menu. Yes, I do know that they do post a printed out menu pasted flat against the wall where one can hardly see what's on the menu in the Marketplace.

 

Ports:

Grand Turk - on our own. When the ship docks at Grand Turk one can see an old cargo ship, Mega One Triton, wrecked/beached/aground. We walked from the port, down the beach to Jack's Shack, then cut up to the main road and walked another block and a half to Governor's Beach where the shipwreck was. For us that was about a 15 minute trek. Besides, a gentleman raking the beach and we were the only people there. It was Wonderful quiet area. There was shade, some old picnic tables, buildings,an outdoor shower, but no food or beverages. It was fun to see the 'shipwreck' and explore the outside of the wreck.. (Yes, there are people who have climbed into the ship and jumped off it, but it was too "icky" for us. It was a nice juxtaposition to snap the old wreck with the new Vista in the background. In addition, there is a terrific Bio Rock Reef that was teeming with thousands of tiny schools of fish, some beautiful blue colored fish and a small barracuda. It was just perfect. An excursion of horse riders also stopped nearby and took the horses into the water. On our walk back to the ship, a small herd of 6 horses clopped alongside the roadway all on their own. Later on, we took our picture by the "Grand Turk" sign down on the beach.

 

La Romana, Dominican Republic - Carnival Excursion. First, let me say that I waited too long to purchase the very popular Dune Buggy Ride in La Romana. It was Sold Out online. I called Carnival and asked if any tickets would be available on the ship for this excursion, but was told "No". However, there could be some cancellations (I would have needed 6 cancellations!) Well, once on ship, I hit up the Shore Excursion Desk and casually asked if there were any cancellations for the Dune Buggy Excursion figuring that a few of us Might get lucky with a cancellation. Yes I was told there was another Dune Buggy Ride Excursion scheduled and promptly bought the all 6 tickets. Carnival needs to have clear responses to telephone inquiries regarding Sold Out Excursions. The Dune Buggy excursion was fun, but as everyone says, Very Dirty.

Use the shower on Lido Deck, do not wash off in your room! They sell bandanas and glasses for the ride and ask you Not to give money to the children who tend to run up to the buggies as you pass through small towns.

 

 

Aruba - Carnival Excursion. Bought 6 tickets for the North Coast Jeep Safari online. It was a fun rocking and rolling, bumpy ride. The drivers were terrific. We stopped at a Donkey Sanctuary (can buy food to feed the donkeys), an old gold mill on the beach, a chapel, and a lighthouse; then a quick swim on the beach. Later took a 10 minute walk from the ship to the "I heart Aruba" sign for pictures.

 

Curacao - on our own. What a beautiful Unesco World Heritage site. This is an island I would definitely like to come back and explore more. Did our own walking tour (maps are available at tourist center). Crossed the water on Queen Emma Pontoon bridge, spotted the trees with carvings in the knot holes; also took our picture by the mammoth 'Curacao' sign near Wilhelmina Park, saw the Floating Market, an 'art alley' (wow, what a urine smell) and then crossed back over the water to go to the Kura Hulanda Museum ($10). The museum is somewhat disjointed but was able to see the very interesting slavery exhibit and step down into the bowels of a slave ship.

 

We chose to Self Disembark and were on our way home by 7:25.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We've done this itinerary on the Conquest and loved it. The Aruba off road excursion was one of the best I have ever been on. Hate to hear the Vista fell short. We are back on the Conquest on Saturday for a 5 day July 4th cruise. Love this older ship and the ports available. Price is very good vs. what I have seen for the Vista.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't realize you could walk to Governors Beach at Grand Turk. I had an excursion that went there many moons ago and really preferred it to the "free beach" but thought it was closed off to the public.

 

 

 

We were also on this cruise. We also went to Governors. We took a taxi there and walked back cutting through Jacks. Not a bad walk at all. We also agree the north coast keep safari was great.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really? Shower curtains still on Carnivals newest ship? I booked Vista end of May for 6 nights after seeing a Harmony to Vista comparison on cc, thought time to try C again but I'm not sure I could go back to shower curtains.

 

Oddly after booked found Allure 7 night cheaper so booked that and waiting to see if C prices come down enough to justify. Food and new ship are primarily the reasons looking at Vista.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...