TEXSUN46

We had cruise on Vista less than a month ago. Our check in time was 12 noon we got there a few minutes early and never stopped. We were hustled through never once waiting in a line and we were stepping onto the ship about 10 minutes later. I really don't know what else you could want or how you could want it to be more organized than that. It was by far the easiest and fastest embarkation I have ever experienced. 

I was on Vista last week and sat at the Red Frog Pub bar during happy hour and watched them mix some fish bowls and unless the alcohol is watered down in the bottle they were being very generous with how much they were putting in the drinks. They were not using shots but measuring cups to pour the liquor in. 

I am the opposite, I am extremely early riser. I often go wandering around about 5am and the Casino slots are open and that is when I usually play so I assume they are open all night. I also walk the track early mornings, around the ship I mostly just see crew cleaning at that time. 

We board Vista next Saturday the 12th, I hope it is working and I will give it a try, but if not I will still have fun... I will give ropes course a try too. 

Single digits!!!! 9 days to Vista. Technically vacation starts in 7 days 🙂 

Seems to be a lot of discontent about the Vista. We will be trying the Vista out for first time Oct 12th so I guess we will see. I have friends that have been on her and from what they said there was nothing that discouraged us from booking this cruise. I don't care about theatre size or layout since we rarely go to shows. All ships are crowded somewhat but our time frame always seems to be contrary to the crowd so never an issue. Hard to tell about the lobby until I get there but interested in seeing the difference and if I will miss the glass elevators and over the top decor. My guess is I will probably like it since so many others don't I tend to be a contrarian LOL. 

At the end of last week got reservations for Steak house for our Oct 12th cruise on Vista. It did not require me to pre-pay. I got email back that time I wanted was not available and I did go back in later to see if I could pick a different time and it did look like it had to be prepaid. So I responded to the email they sent and worked out a new reservation time and did not prepay. I also reserved Cucina del Capitano and did not pre pay but if I go look now it does look like you would have to. 

I keep up with oil prices daily as we get royalties on mineral rights we hold and I have not been seeing crude prices going up at all, and actually are down significantly from what they were a year ago. There are times refined fuel will go up for various reason but usually only temporarily if it is not from rise in crude prices. 

Down to 21 days... getting here in a hurry. 

I eat Gluten free and Rice is gluten free and the meat is not breaded so it will be gluten free as well. I heard they have corn tortillas if you ask but I always just did a bowl. 

Really It seems that every cruise I have been on ( always from Galveston) there has always been some country music here and there. Usually some trivia with C/W theme, and the different venues where there is live music there it is usually a variety that includes some country music mixed in. Same with karaoke, there is always a broad spectrum of music represented there. Country music is not really highlighted but isn't totally ignored either. I enjoy some of all genres and always find plenty of musical entertainment to my liking. 

If they play current country then I doubt the non country fans would even notice....there is really no difference in country and Pop these days...pretty much same beat and tune every song with snap and clap tracks, fiddle and steel guitar are rarely heard. I prefer classic rock and traditional country music over any new stuff, I guess I am getting old. 

We asked for table for two next to rail on Magic and wasn't available so we took what they offered and it was a table for two separated by about six inches from another table for two...so in reality we got stuck with another couple at a table for four.

I can't think of a ship I wouldn't sail on again, but I also can't think of any vacation I would not do again all things considered. There may be some ships I won't sail on again but that has more to do with I like trying different ones than anything against another. I just don't notice or am bothered by a lot of things that have been mentioned. 

Last year in middle of October we arrive in Galveston Friday and it was upper 80s and steamy we were in tee shirts and shorts. Cold front come through that night and when we boarded the ship on Saturday we were wearing jeans and hoodies and it was mid 50s with strong north wind. November it could be the same... could be hot or could be chilly or both in same day. 

We used a PVP on our first cruise about 10 years ago, since then I have done it myself online. We never need anything special like adjoining rooms or certain room type or anything that makes it difficult to do. 

We have been having the same problem at home with brown water and get run around from the city about what causes it and they say the same thing it is safe. From sounds of it probably will be an issue till it goes to dry dock since probably some rust somewhere and they will have to find source and flush the system. 

On 8/27/2019 at 9:04 AM, Joe817 said:

Well, RCCL does have their own full time staff meteorologist, James van Fleet and to my understanding, the only cruise line in the industry to have one. So their info may be more current. I wish Carnival would follow suit.  

All of the forecasters use computer models and information gathered by the C130 Hurricane Hunters to make their predictions and the models usually have a large variation of path so having your own meteorologist does not mean you have any more insight.  All shipping companies including CCL have access to all of the latest information coming from all the different sources and they will make their decisions based on that information. Unless RCCL has their own satellite, data buoys, and hurricane hunter aircraft, van Fleet is not getting any information not available to the weather channel guys or any other meteorologist. 

We were on Freedom last October and loved it. It was one of the least crowded feeling cruises we have been on. The lobby area could get crowded when something was going but otherwise it was not bad. There was always areas you could go and seem to have it all to yourself. Some of that I think is the layout which isolates areas which can be frustrating sometimes trying to go from one area to another. 

If you have excess books you might also check to see if you have a local "Little Free Library". This is a small free book exchange that can be setup at a residence and I have seen them at business's, church's and schools. We have had one in front of our house for about 3 years and it is visited frequently and has a lot of turnover. My wife posts on local facebook page when we get low on books and always get lot of donations. Books I know are so old fashioned but I really enjoy seeing that people are still interested in them, especially kids. 

Well the lanyard looked OK to me as far as lanyards go. I just mere gold and I appreciate the free bottle of water so I guess I am easy to please. I have never heard of a platinum or diamond gift that was good enough to entice me to keep cruising with a particular line to reach that status for the gift. If I find value in that company's product to patronize them to the extent I reach that level then whatever they want to leave laying as a gift is just a bonus. 

We got the same offer for our October sailing on Vista. Actually we got it for $109 increase from a cove balcony. It all depends on where you plan to spend alot of time. We had already planned to get spa package, and I also use the gym daily and we spend alot of time on serenity too so that makes it convenient. Also we thought about the time spent on lido versus the lower decks. We felt it was a bargain for us, but may not be for you. 

I would like to book farther out but we seem to always decide to cruise more spontaneously so we end up booking usually 4-6 months out. Probably costs a little more doing so close but not that much when I compare comparable cruise a year or more out. Our next cruise is in October on Vista, we booked it in June and first part of July we were offered a good deal on upgrade so we ended making out very well. 

For my upcoming October cruise on Vista we got upgrade offer from a cove balcony to a spa balcony for $100 pp. We jumped on it since we intended to get spa pass anyway. I didn't do a mock booking to validate my decision since I thought it was good enough deal. 

17 hours ago, sandinmyshoes said:

The idea to youtube it was excellent & gave me the perfect sense of what the Thermal Suites offers.  I never would have thought of that.  

So Vista doesn’t have a real Thelosotherapy pool but does have some type of large hot tub in the room with the warmed tile loungers that has minerals & salt in the water that is suppose to be soothing.  (According to the clever youtube video).  

Now my only issue is whether I can hear the water with my balcony door cracked  open at night if I’m way up on the 14th deck.  I’m thinking I likely won’t be able to & that is my favorite part.  (Don’t worry, I don’t run the ac when the balcony door is open for anyone who might be worried about the energy waste.)  Decisions decisions.

I was wondering the same thing, but since it is at front of ship might be able to hear it cutting through the waves. We originally were booked in cove balcony so definitely would have heard the water from second deck but for the price and proximity to areas we spend a lot of time I couldn't pass it up.