zippyjet

Just came off the Horizon. 8 nights Southern Caribbean. I learn something new every cruise. This was number 9 all with Carnival. Stay tuned for my review. A fun time and overall good. I learned this by accident/happenstance. My roommate had an issue with a smell that was shall we say a pain in the butt. To cut to the chase, I decided I better watch what they were doing to make sure the situation got rectified. Ever notice those wall panels between each cabin? They have a key receptacle . Usually they are decorated. Those panels are the key to your comfort. Behind those locked panels/doors are plumbing wires and pipes and, the air handler/HVAC unit. They look like a compact version of your home furnace/AC system. (Newer builds). But first, let me digress please. I like my cabins cold. If you've read other threads and replies by yours truly cabin temperature is important. I'm not there much but when I'm there to clean up, and sleep, I want to be comfy and not dripping sweat. I want to sweat, I get that working out and hitting the spa steam, sauna, Thalassa whirlpool. So, I have experience with too hot cabins. Here's is what's going to go down if you call about temperature issues.

1. You call guest services, or your steward can do this for you. I recommend you taking the anchor and reporting the issue to Guest Services.

2. Usually within 30 minutes someone will knock on your door and want to enter the cabin. They will have a thermometer and take a temperature reading. They take it right underneath the ceiling vent. CCL has a general temperature range of 68 to 75 degrees F. So, if it's within that range they are going to give you that song and dance. OK, your temperature is 75. Then, you in a firm but kind manner request that they get the temperature at the lower end of that range. 95% of guests can find a comfortable sweet spot within this range.

3. They then will report it to an actual maintenance person. Again, be firm but very friendly and insist that the maintenance engineer arrives in a timely manner. You can vacate the cabin but, you stand the chance of returning to the same hot cabin and finding a little note saying everything is within the set range or, the problem is rectified.

4. Call or, make a personal appearance to Guest Services. I can't stress being persistent but, FRIENDLY. The rusted anchor gets the Rustoleum.

5. Get maintenance back up to your cabin and explain the problem again.

6.  Ask for them to check the cabin handler behind the hallway access panel next to your cabin door. It seems, a simple fix and this did it for me on my Horizon Cruise... Like a home radiator or commercial HVAC system water has to be bled off. Especially in the humid confines of a cruise ship and the Bahamas, Caribbean etc. They will hold a bucket to catch the water. Double check to make sure the air coming out the vent is cold. It should be. Of course, make sure your thermostat control is all the way at it's coldest (the blue). Problem solved. Cabin was nice and cold the way I like it the rest of the cruise even in port when there is less power to the A/C units. Earlier, the first night, the temperature would go up and down. I called several times and heard maintenance make a repair. I wasn't watching them it was 0300 hours. No residual problems with that issue.

Of course, if this applies to A/C the same thing could be for heat (Alaskan Cruises). Like anything there could be other issues but this seems like a very good place to start with what I feel should be a high resolution rate.

I'm not sure if this is just for Vista Class Ships and just with Carnival but, I'd go this route even on other ships/other cruise lines. I had hot cabin issues on the Fascination, the bizarre but kitschy Conquest and especially the Victory. Boy, I wish I knew about this on those cruises. DISCLAIMER, I'M NOT A TRAINED HVAC MECHANIC/ENGINEER. If you feel shy asking crew to do this or not sure just say, I was on the Horizon recently and experienced this issue. The maintenance engineer bled the excess water and no more problems. If you are not proactive, you will be hot and uncomfortable. You paid for this vacation and you should enjoy it.

56 minutes ago, laumicmah said:

My Horizon cabin 6470 was hot (woke up sweating every night). Our friends suites in Family Harbor deck 2 were cold.

Sorry to hear your cabin was too hot. You got me off my duff and I'm going to start a thread regarding CCL cabin A/C. BOLO for it.

On 10/25/2018 at 11:36 AM, Chief93 said:

 

Cabin:          10

MDR:              7

Lido buffet:   10  (excellent food, loved the new layout)

Venues:         9   (restaurants, bars, pixels, etc)

Ship:              6  (public spaces, elevators)

Ship décor:     8

 

Overall I'd say an 8, and I'm omitting the nightmare that was debarkation and tendering.

 

I would not hesitate to cruise on the Vista again.  However, if the price and itinerary were identical I'd choose a Conquest or Dream class.

 

An excellent review. I'm getting the feeling you like me enjoy a chilly/meat locker cabin. The Vista class ships seem to have the better cabin AC. The Conquest has had feedback akout hot cabins. I sailed her several years ago and my OV cabin tended to be stuffy. If you want laughable tacky then its the Conquest. The MDRs are into that French artist thing. The MDRs on them reminded me of the villian hangouts from the 1960's campy Batman. Loud red colors with inverted horseshoe thingies that add to the funhouse of the seas vibe. Sailed Vista last year liked her and just came off the Horizon Sep. 30. New Lido deck food layout cool. And on the Horizo  they had Gelato at lunch ! IMHO, calling the Carnival Deli is a misnomer. Im used to Jewish and Italian deli fare. The offerings at the CD reminded me of what you'd get at an I-95 rest stop or old fare at your local 7/11 a must avoid. Also, did you experience a lot of kids and babies? Though it was late September it felt like schools out forever. Unsupervised kids and noisy cranky babies galore not CCL's fault. Just a sign of the new morality. Keep up the great reviews!

On 10/21/2018 at 1:37 PM, The7Harrisons said:

I don't care how crowded it gets, if you

If you guys are sharing a "clamshell" why would anyone care how crowded it is? Go have fun and don't listen to the grumps!

You seem pretty cool and I bet you passed this onto your girls. You all should be fine. You all deserve fun and relaxing. Lately my past 2 cruises have featured an infant invasion. Baby nation on Ledo. A little off topic but, some young parents plopped their infant on a dining table (Ledo). And nothing under it's butt. I was thinking "young family overboard!" Though ship pools are small and crowded its a bit more chill at the aft pool. Now, if you score a Havana cabin you get another pool and more areas to chillax. Though extra cost, Cloud 9 spa rocks and is worth the extra coin. Ignore the to break or not break the rules. Those who are having kittens will get over it.

One of the first things once on board  my Guy's burger fix. (If you get a hamburger no cheese, have them throw a fresh patty pn the grill. Otherwise they bring one out from a warming cabinet in the back)

Next, the spa tour. Sure, they are advertising for your patronage but, they give little massage samples. I stick around for the spa services raffle. I won one of the higher credits for the spa (Carnival Breeze) Sept. 2015. And my third must do/see/experience is THE QUEST! Kids free thank God as most of them don't go to school anymore! 🙂

3 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

6 hours ago, NavarreCruiser said:

 

 

I am sure there are many people who are chronic complainers and rarely satisfied.  But the Carnival cutbacks are real and do affect many people's cruise choices.  Here is the effect it has had on my cruise choices.  Carnival cruises I have taken:  2012-10, 2013-12, 2014-14, 2015-11, 2016-7, 2017-5, 2018-3, 2019 and beyond-none currently booked.  

Just came off the Horizon. 8 day S. Carribbean. Haven't done my review but, overall a solid 3 star rating. God willing if the stars align themselces next September, I'd like to sail the exact same cruise! Regarding cutbacks, yes there were plenty. As a matter of fact my friend s d I laughed our asses off at some of them. But, overall no deap breaker. I will say not having the big three networks was a shocker. Mind you, I'm not on a cruise to watch TV but, did feel a little loss of control. I don't want to be totally cut off from the real world; especially in today's society. And for the week's NFL games if you wanted a score it was off to the smokey bars. But, I met fellow Raven's fans so, not a loss. This could be a stand alone thread. Butnas there were plenty of 99 cent store changes, Carnival has actually made some improvements and additions to their product. I told my friend who is now a cruise addict like myself that the life jackets under each bed were now bagel sized life preservers for saving money. She laughed. Crews were still friendly and helpful as usual. Regarding waiting in line etc. It all comes down to time management which, I can always stand room for improcement so, I was my own worst enemy. A side note: Not Carnival's fault but, for a late September sailing there were tons ok kids, many unsupervised. It was like "School's Out Forever!" Part of the bew morality. If you want no kids there  are other cruise alternatives like Viking. Of course a larger $$$ outlay. And at times it was like Baby Nation! I know next cruise to chow down in the MDR for meals other than dinner.

Sometimes it's your attitude that can give off vibes. Negative or Positive. I've been very lucky with fellow cruisers. If anything, I hope I wasn't pointed out for churlish behavior. I sometimes get a little jiggy in my Speedo's complete with the outside shower splashing off my bod!

In a perfect world, I'd start packing a week before I start my vacation. I usually visit my friends for a few days in the Tampa/St. Pete area then one to two nights in Miami Beach prior to my cruise. But, I'm the king of the last minute packers. It's that ADHD in me and packing is a drudge though the outcome is for a fantastic reason.:D

Am now booked for my 9th. cruise. :cool:I'll be sailing on the new Horizon September 22 to 30 out of Miami to the Southern Caribbean. I'll post the ports of call. Interested in massage availability. I'm especially interested in trying Ashiatsu (Barefoot Massage) see posted image. Ashiatsu is not yet available as an on ship spa treatment. :cool:

DAYPORT OF CALLARRIVEDEPART SatMiami, FL4:00 PM SunFun Day At Sea MonGrand Turk7:00 AM2:00 PM TueLa Romana, Dominican Republic9:30 AM4:30 PM WedCuracao1:30 PM10:30 PM ThuAruba8:00 AM4:00 PM FriFun Day At Sea SatFun Day At Sea SunMiami, FL8:00 AM:cool:

Awesome! I'm planning to book the 8 night Southern Caribbean SEptember 22 out of Miami. If she's anything like the Vista it should be outstanding. The Vista expanded and improved upon the Breeze and expect the Horizon to be as good if not better than the Vista.

The Conquest at least the dining rooms look like bad French culture meets 70's porn/scary clown pictures. Weird inverted horseshoe arches sort of confining otherwise a fun cruise.

The advantages of using the gym showers are: If you are sharing cabin, less waiting, usually larger space and better water pressure. If your cabin is A/C challenged, less heat and humidity from the bathroom. When I can I'll scan my phone and try to find some pictures. Believe it or not, the older ships have larger slightly nicer locker rooms. Ships such as the Fascination/Imagination locker areas are actually bright modern and luxurious. For my 8 Carnival cruises cleanliness has NEVER been an issue and, there are plenty of hand and full sized bath towels. I actually take a change of clean clothes or at least shorts and a tee. If you are showering after swimming/workout, spa service, steam and sauna you don't have to schlepp back to your cabin wet/cold. You can emerge clean and dry. On newer ships like Magic, Breeze, Vista, locker room is much smaller but still clean with plenty of clean towels.

All my cruises have been Carnival (8). Soon I'll be booking my 9th. on the new Horizon. True the newer Carnival ships are not the so called OMG stacked cakes of RCL but, the food has not disappointed me. I love to eat and it shows. One improvement that I applaud Carnival? Guys Burgers. The old hamburgers looked and smelled K-Mart ghetto cafeteria. Wouldn't touch those with a 10 ft. pole. Entertainment has been fine (punch liner Adult) comedy shows. However if the comics misconnect due to travel issues it's dreck Karaoke. But that can happen on line. One thing at least on the newer ships, Vista, Breeze. It's a two tier health spa system. If you want Jacuzzis, steam infrared saunas you have to pony up for Cloud 9 which is worth the upsell. I have noticed the locker rooms have exponentially shrunken and are not as opulent as the older ships. But, thankfully cleanliness hasn't gone down (IMHO). Last year on my truncated cruise on the Vista (a great ship) during the first hours on board including the Muster drill I felt like I got anchored in Baby Nation (yuck) However once we set sail and the muster drill was history any feelings of stinky noisy infant hell evaporated and I had mu usual outstanding time. As you can gather you'd have to make me an offer I couldn't refuse to even come within 100 feet of a Disney Cruise!

On your cruise, you can get steamed, poked/prodded (acupuncture) and rolled with bamboo. There's a new massage modality out there: Ashiatsu or Barefoot massage. Do you think this would float as a spa service? The rest of my posts are on the Carnival thread as that is how I roll/cruise. I wanted to put this out there for everyone at CC.

My sister does stand up comedy as an avocation. I'm a natural comedian. I remember talk when I was on my Carnival Glory Western Caribbean Cruise September, 2017 that Carnival was going to experiment with open mike shows on it's ships. Anything ever come of this? Karaoke is so 1980's. I feel open mike night on a cruise would be fun and quite interesting. They could have a G rated PC/family session and of course the racier Adult venue.:evilsmile:

The infra-red sauna is inside the extra cost Cloud Nine. However in the locker room there's a regular sauna. If Inever get the chance to do my review and share pics, you'll see why I feel the Vista blows away the breeze!

9 days! Single digit dance! Leaving October 1 on the Vista!

Thank you so much for your reply. That is so helpful and why I absolutely love cruise critic! Thanks again for taking the time to answer!

Thank you for asking and bharing. Thanks to Irma I like other cruise addicts have to get our cruise fix. I can't get to my truncated Vista Cruise since flights won' resume till 1300 hours Tuesday day of sailing. Any sugestions for authentic cheap to moderate eats in the French Quarter Port of NOLO? Should I do 1 night or 2 nights in the big easy pre- cruise?

My fingers are crossed that they will just cancel the Vista cruise, now set to depart on Tuesday the 12th... I really don't want a future cruise credit with Carnival. I have looked into upcoming sailings on the Vista, and even a year out they're running close to $2,000 or more for an inside cabin. I'm a solo, so paying for 2 while only cruising as one. And, yes, the space phone 9169 is pretty awesome. It's superior to the iPhone 25 which won't even be invented for decades...

Cool Cruiser: I too have been in that position as a solo traveler. And as mentioned if we didn't have Jihad Nature's slap in the face with Irma you and I would now be off the coast of Florida cruising towards Grand Turk. I would hope rates on the Vista come down a bit as the new Horizon will be sailing out of Miami this time next year. And I hope Carnival gets the memo and has some mini solo cabins available so solo cruisers won't get screwed. I can understand Carnival and the other line's main reason is to make money. It's not Bernie Sanders land. But the single traveler has been as second class citizen way too long. Other cruise companies are adjusting their business model. In the future if, I find myself in the position of cruising solo contact me maybe we can share resources. If you can put up with my desire to have the cabin meat locker cold and me being a night owl we just may be able to save some serious coin while adding to the profits of the cruise and tourist industries. I always cruise this time of year because this is when I take my vacation weeks. My birthday is in mid-August and that is still high season meaning kids, families, crowds and big money. I travel non-revenue as an airline employee and lose out to the "summer people" who fill our planes. If our Vista Cruise gets docked I'm seriously considering taking a three-night quickie next weekend to at least satiate my cruising addiction till next year. As I mentioned I'll never take a cruise during Halloween or the Holidays. Too much money, too crowded and I can't be bothered with Haloween hype.

Carnival Fascination 2007

Carnival Fascination 2008

Carnival Imagination 2010

Carnival Victory 2013

Carnival Conquest 2014

Carnival Breeze 2015

Carnival Glory 2016

Carnival Vista Vista 2017 ???

That's interesting, thank you! We went to St. Maarten after a hurricane had hit there in 2015, and at Maho beach, the water was gone, just sand. I took a picture and posted it on my review and people were so mean to me saying things like they didn't believe me and it wasn't Maho beach. You could see in my picture the airport and the bar that's there, they just wouldn't believe me. Here are a couple of the pics from 2015

 

I can vouch for Terre. I too was on that beach two years ago almost to the day. I was on the Carnival Breeze. There was no sand/beach just the rocks. One of the cab drivers a local said the size/length of the beach varies depending on the weather and currents. I was expecting a return visit to the Vista which should have set sail 7 hours ago with me and my close friend as vacationing passengers.

I am presently on the glory, perusing the Caribbean Sea as we are unable to arrive back in Miami until the port re-opens.

Though this unplanned extended Cruise does create an odd set of issues for those of us who cannot get home to our families and jobs, my heart goes out to all of you who are so greatly affected with the cancellations and adjustments to itinerary.

we are being treated exceptionally well here on the Glory however, I think Carnival has made some very very bad decisions regarding cancellations, itinerary changes, etc. And a ship debarked today in Miami?? Can't be true!

Wow, what a difference a year makes! Last year at this time I was on my 7th. cruise all Carnival and it was by far my best. She's not the newest gee whiz ship in the Carnival family but, everything seemed to come together for a fantastic time. Also, after three solo cruises, I got to introduce one of my dearest friends to the world of cruising. I got her hooked. Who would ever think that I'd be back home with my cat worrying about my friends in Florida? If this was a normal vacation, I'd be getting up to take my morning pills at the Crystal Suites Hotel and Spa in Miami Beach before rising in a couple hours to get in an aquatic workout and last ocean dip before showering and heading to the port of Miami to the Vista. I've been cranky, cussing but, in the long run, feel blessed I have great friends and the opportunity to take cruises. My beloved parents never got to take a modern cruise. They took a one-way cruise when on their honeymoon from Miami to Havana on the SS Florida which to me looks like the Titanic's little sister. They told me it was so bad they flew back to Miami. This was 1955. Their cabins had bunk beds with one ladder for many state rooms. My dad had a bad back so mom got elected to sleep on the upper bunk! Somewhere in dusty photo albums are photos in beautiful black and white which I'll have to scan and share. Sorry for going off on a tangent. Could Carnival have done better with being proactive? Probably but take into consideration most of the Carnival employees live and work at Hurricane Irma Ground Zero. So if they are not at the top of their game I can give them a pass this go round. I know because I work for one of the largest domestic airlines and much of the time sh*t happens and sometimes we have to follow policies that don't make sense, and we are not at the top of our game. I can't blame any of us the cruise passengers nor the folks at Carnival for not being the best. This is a weather disaster of epic proportions and hopes none of us ever have to experience anything like this again. It's now 0500 EDT and I'm not sure if I'm going on my Vista Cruise, switching to the Pride out of my home town port or hanging around my messy digs with my cat eating junk food and watching TV. Irma has shifted West but Miami is still in its crosshairs with most of Florida. If this hits as they say the port, the cruise ships and headquarters could be things of the past and any sense of normalcy will be a long time coming. I don't wish this on anyone except Kim Jung Oon. For my money, he can float like a chubby dead limpet face down in the ocean after a storm surge.

Out of curiosity what's happening with the current six night Vista Cruise that should under normal circumstances be docking into the port of Miami early tomorrow morning. Where can I track her? I'm supposed to be on this sailing along with many of you replying to this thread. Not being a cheerleader of Carnival; earlier today (mid morning) I called them. Was on hold approx. 25 minutes. Kept my phone on speaker. I'm on vacation so fortunately not at work just at home with my cat. Should have been with my close friend enjoying Miami Beach but... The agent was super friendly and I believe offered refunds or using the travel funds for a future cruise. I/we have up until lunch time on Tuesday to cancel. Unless Irma misses Miami I have the feeling this cruise is going to to get canceled. I agree with you the sooner the better would have been nice. Enjoy your Haloween cruise. I'm a bonafide cruise addict and may even try to snare a quick 3 nighter to satiate my habit. Otherwise, upon return to work, I'd make Hurricane Irma seem like a nasty little rain storm. BTW, though a cruise addict you'd have to pay me to travel on a holiday cruise. I make my own holidays and detest Haloween and Christmas. Haloween is an overrated holiday like Christmas and New Years. Hope everything works out for all of us. My previous 7 cruises all Carnival all in Mid August or September went off without a hitch. Gorgeous weather. Well, my second cruise was on the Fascination and was supposed to be Miami, Key West, and Cozumel but tropical storm Fran was loitering in the area like opportunistic lawyers at a disaster. Instead, I got my first visit to Grand Turk which I loved. Weather, as I said, was fantastic. Still not a bad record.

Ok, Carnival it's 1 pm....what's the update...WHERE is the update. UGH.

Hey fellow Vista Cruiser: Still waiting for update via the web site and or text. I'm wondering if due to evacuations the Carnival staff is doing what they should be doing: Get them and their families including 4 legged members out of Dodge. It would have been nice if they just postponed or better yet cancelled out 8 Day Vista Cruise out of Miami this Saturday. Things are going government slow. :ship:

My thoughts are with everyone this weekend. Hopefully Irma surprises us all and heads North out to sea.

 

I don't think it is a waste to book during hurricane season. We have had 4 successfully October cruises and hopefully a 5th one this year. The weather has been beautiful! Afterall, hurricane season is 6 months long. That would be a large chunk of the year to block off. 50%.

 

Happy sailing!

This is/was supposed to be cruise 8 for me. All Carnival all August and September. I work in the airline industry and especially the last 7 years or so the weather has gotten worse. Climate change? Probably but who knows? Sadly the weather sucks year round. Figuratively I'd just stay home with my cat. Thank God for Insure My Trip. See my above reply regarding taxes. I wish we could send Irma to that little Hitler dictator in North Korea!

I would have been a fellow cruiser. see my comments on Hurricane Irma ugh thread. It's number 301. If you go to Miami please be careful. The airlines will be cancelling flights in our travelling time frame. In Tampa now, hope to get the "F" out of Dodge. I'm stressed out and I know my BP is higher than cruising altitude (airplane). Winds are 175 MPH!