coondog99

On 5/9/2024 at 7:32 PM, Jamman54 said:

We’ll get back to Patti in just a second, but I’m heading over to the Pool Cabanas with JT. He knows us from previous visits and is happy that he doesn’t have to go through his whole spiel with us. He just tells us that if we need anything at all to just call him. We requested the Pool Cabana closest to the bathroom. This is the only Pool Cabana that we haven’t been in. I took a few quick shots with the water camera from our deck..….

 

 

This picture shows the VIP area where you can get cushioned loungers, umbrella, pool floats, zip line and water slide passes, and a dedicated server for around $100. This is where we would go if we didn’t have a Pool Cabana…..

 

 

Looking over towards the Restrooms…….

 

 

This is the alcove on the lazy river that I like to hang out in…..

 

 

Let’s see what Patti is up to. This is the Dufry Tax & Duty Free Shop. You have to walk through here to get in and out of Amber Cove…..

 

 

Here are a few views from the Plaza…..

 

 

 

 

Patti heads over to check out the amber exhibit….

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

Any insight on the VIP area? $125 per person or for a group?

Any one know what the earliest arrival window is for non priority cruisers?  

Keep checking on the excursions you like. Carnival may add tickets or open up spots if people cancel. 

Yes. If another person within the same booking# logs on, it auto logs the other off. 

17 minutes ago, bjkTX said:

Sorry - I didn't realize that!

No worries. I joined AARP but the rewards portion wasn't available so I cancelled it. 

Even with Newegg, I have to use a US billing/ shipping address but it works. 

10 hours ago, bjkTX said:

I don't know about Newegg but AARP has the $500 and $100 cards available all the time for 10% off.

Yes but unfortunately non-residents of the US cannot purchase them.

How often do these go on sale? I picked up one of these and a $300 one a few weeks ago. 

We sailed on the Mardi Gras in Dec '22 coming back on the Christmas Eve day. It was a busy ship but my favourite so far. Zero complaints about it.

Embarkation day--Funships, wine at dinner, beer

Mornings--coffee

Midday--craft beer, mixed drinks

Dinner--wine

Evening--change it up

8 minutes ago, DukeASUGirl said:

Are they digital or physical cards?

Digital sent by email.

I live in Canada and just bought one using a US address that I knew of. My Canadian credit card was authorized even with the US address. Card was delivered by email about 5 minutes after. I used it to reduce our balance without any issue.

Thanks to the OP for the info!

Still good and still very popular while on board.

52 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

How did you book>|? Thru a TA, PVP or Carnival direct?

PVP

On 2/19/2024 at 3:12 PM, jimbo5544 said:

When we normally lead groups, prior to the cruise, we work with the groups department on seating (number of tables, size of tables), things like that.  On this cruise, we had a bunch that were doing ATD and (16 of us, mostly our family, and some friends) that wanted late seating (not my favorite, but cruising with family, so what the heck).  
 

We had asked foe two tables of 8, and when we got on we found we had not gotten that.   We went sown to the Palm restaurant and met with one of the asst maitre’d and they told us they would take care of it. They did. 

How is the groups department contacted? We have a group of 20 sailing in December and want to arrange MDR seating. 

19 minutes ago, jxtgreek said:

Just off the Vista, beautiful ship, great entertainment, so many bands especially the Havana Bar.  My one issue is that our room, 6207 was so loud from the wind I wish I had ear plugs (yes that loud).  Be careful with this room.  Anyone else ever have issues with wind noise in their room?

Did you pick it or did Carnival assign it?

1 hour ago, Frank12 said:

Sitting in her Atrium right now enjoying a Funship

Great photo!!

Can you tell the ship has been freshened up? I'm 301 days away from it.

Awareness---the AARP rewards system is not available to residents outside the US.

OP here---Thanks for your tips everyone.
Background.......8 day Carnival cruise in a group of 20 friends/ family with teens/ young adults with Cheers pkg.

Despite the obvious of not drinking alcohol, does anyone have any experience or opinions about supplements to prevent or lessen the impacts of hangovers while cruising? eg Liquid IV, Bytox, etc.

Has anyone ever snorkelled here before? If so, opinion?

Upgraded Carnival Cruise Ship Returning to Florida (cruisehive.com)

Try this site Carnival Vista decks, cabins, diagrams and pics. (cruisedeckplans.com)

It lists the square footage for both the balcony and cabin type

I've sailed the Vista and Breeze twice (sister ship) before. We love the Breeze but it always comes to itinerary for us personally. We are sailing on the Vista for the 2nd time this coming December.
Tough choice for you if ports aren't an issue.  

Here's a review of the Vista from October: 
Better late than never photo dump, Vista Thanksgiving '21 - Carnival Cruise Lines - Cruise Critic Community

My cousin sailed on the Vista over New Years and said that the MDR food and service wasn't great and they were running out of food and drinks but it was the last cruise before dry dock so that might have impacted everything.
 

The Vista is in dry dock right now and this is the unofficial info on it:

Update As Of 1/28/2024:  The Carnival Vista's 2024 dry-dock is now taking place in Cadiz, Spain. The time out of service is scheduled to end 2/14/2024. It is expected the Carnival Vista's Skybox Sports Bar is being converted to the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge as Carnival put the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge as coming soon to the Carnival Vista online. Carnival has not confirmed the red, white, & blue hull livery is being added to the Carnival Vista, but based on recent exterior pictures I have seen it does appear the hull livery is being added. The full of scope of work has not been released by Carnival. 

Some things to compare between the Vista and Magic:
-Vista has Skyride and the Imax although there are rumours the latter is being removed
-Magic has a far better theatre

-Vista has more specialty restaurants

Regardless of what you choose, the beverages will be cold! 

Keep in mind too that the wifi can be shared in a cabin but not at the same time. It requires a login which auto logs the other person off.

7 hours ago, Phanlee91 said:

Can I do this through the carnivalhub app once aboard?

Yes, on the app and you can also cancel the reservation that way as well if needed. You reserve an arrival window but be prepared to wait a bit as well if later in the day. The line will queue up on the platform.

It's a great ride! If you're adventurous, keep the throttle down all the way and hit the boost button on the hills. Have fun.