May 19-June, 2 Weeks on 'VISTA', daily review

I set the alarm for 4:00 am this morning, and of course I didn't set it right, it never went off, but luckily my internal alarm clock went off, and we were up at 4:30 am, and we're out the door by 5:30 am. ;)

We live in the Tampa Bay Area, so it's a 6 hour drive for us with coffee, gas, and bathroom breaks.

A half hour into our trip, my wife asks me, where are you parking, cause I don't have anything printed out for parking. :eek:

I always pre pay for parking, so this looks like its going to be one of those days, no alarm, no paperwork for the garage.

I had the email showing our paid reservation at the Premiere parking garage, so we stop at a McDonalds off the highway, their free Wi-Fi, a coffee, and a bathroom break! I put the email on my tablet, closed it, and it was there to show the parking attendant when we arrived, great,,,, looks like things are getting better until,,,

We get to 95 south headed towards Miami, and the skies open up with rain like Noah's Ark 2! And it rained like that all the way to the parking garage. I thought for sure an accident would happen, and the heavy traffic would stop, but unbelievably no accidents happened.

No problem too big to overcome, yet. We get the last space under cover in the garage, we are the last 2 on the first shuttle to the port, and upon arriving at the port, we walk right to the diamond/platinum line which is already boarding the ship, no wait! I'm on a roll, where's the casino!-));p

Next we unpack, OK, my wife unpacks our 2 carry on, and we head off to check out the buffet. When we enter the buffet, there's 'no one' in line at the rear buffet stations, I really need that casino to open! -))

We eat, the lunch is very good, we had some catfish, some Chinese beef, some salad, and some very tasty cake, then head to our cabin so I can begin writing our 2 week journey here, and then we'll take a nap, that 4:30 am wake up, and 6 hour drive got me tired.

Tonight we'll check out the dining room, and the show theater, then get back to you about our first thoughts.

Any questions, ask away the next 2 weeks, and I'll try to answer them for you.

Our 2 week itinerary,,,,,

The first week is a southern Caribbean cruise, Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao, and Aruba.

The second week is a western Caribbean cruise, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.

Following.

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Thanks for posting! I will definitely be enjoying your review for TWO weeks-Lucky You! We are on the Vista next year. I'm with you-Where's that Casino?? :)

Subscribing! Have a great time!

If you get a chance, can you ask if they are selling Moscoto by the glass? I've heard they only sell by the bottle now and wondered if this is a fact.

Thanks!

Thanks for the review in advance. We are doing your first leg cruise to the southern Caribbean on June 16 on the Vista so very interested.

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Thanks for the review in advance. We are doing your first leg cruise to the southern Caribbean on June 16 on the Vista so very interested.

 

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We are on the same sailing with you! So ready! This daily review will help build up even more excitement ;)

Following. Have a great 2weeks!

Subscribing! Have a great time!

 

If you get a chance, can you ask if they are selling Moscoto by the glass? I've heard they only sell by the bottle now and wondered if this is a fact.

 

Thanks!

asked at the casino bar, they said yes, glass or bottle.

Following. I'll be joining you for the second leg next Sunday. My first trip on the Vista and I'm looking forward to it.

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Thanks for the review.

Tonight's entertainment,,,,in the liquid lounge showroom,,,,

Clue, the murder mystery 7:30 pm

$500. diamond bingo in the liquid 9:15

Welcome Aboard Show 9:45

Piano bar with Tony 9:00 pm til late in the Piano Bar

Rock the Promenade 10:30 pm

Dine in movies

Daddy's Home 7:30 pm

Pitch Perfect 10:00 pm

IMAX theatre

National Parks Adventure 3D 7:00pm

Rampage 8:00pm

Dead pool 2 10:15

Thrill theater

Destination Adventure 6:30/7:30

Cartoon Classics 8:30/9:00

Dare to be scared 9:30/10:30

Red Frog Pub has guitar with Larry 8:15-12:15

Havana Bar-Latin Sounds and after party 9:00 pm-12:30am

asked at the casino bar, they said yes, glass or bottle.

Thanks so much!!!!

We took a short nap before muster, then walked down the stairs to our muster station in the rear dining room. It took awhile, seems like a lot of people didn't want to do it, or thought they didn't have to,,,,,,?

After muster we returned to our cabin to unpack our large checked in luggage that finally arrived.

Then we headed to the showroom, they call it the Liquid Lounge, for our Casino club get together.

We arrived about 25 minutes late, and it was already over, the place was almost empty, the food was gone, but I got a couple quick 'free' drinks so all was not lost! -))

Since we didn't get anything to eat, my wife decided it was time to eat, so we headed to dinner. We have anytime dining, but it's totally different on the Vista.

First you go to a spot next to the Java cafe on deck 5 to 'request' the table you want, they assign a table for you on their computer, hand you a slip of paper to take to the MDR.

Anytime dining on the Vista is in the rear dining room, not the usual center ship dining room. A much better view!

The line to get you table assignment was long, but it moved quickly, took us less then 10 minutes from beginning to end.

I won't comment yet on this new any time dining system, want to try it a few more times first.

I won't comment yet on the decor, layout of the ship, I also want to give it more time, but let me say this, This Ship is Unlike Any Other Carnival Ship!! Some is good, some not,,,maybe, we'll see!-))

After dinner, which was really good, we try out the casino for about an hour, but we're tired, and decide to call it a day, and go back to our cabin.

A little bit about the cabin, it's different like everything else on the Vista, the TV has to be 40" minimum, and there's no movie channel, it's been replaced with a 'on demand' option that offers you about 15-18 movies, but 5 of the older ones listed(2 are cartoon movies) are free. The other newer ones were about $5.00. I think.

Tonight I watched a little of Dunkirk, which was free, and not that old. We'll talk more about the differences in the Vista's cabins during the next 2 weeks.

Time for me to give my wife the internet, happy cruising all!

Following. I'll be joining you for the second leg next Sunday. My first trip on the Vista and I'm looking forward to it.

 

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All I can say so far on our first day, it's 'different', I think you'll enjoy seeing how different! :DAll the food which I'll go into more detail as this week goes on has been really good.

Awesome start. Thanks for the review :D

Looking forward to your review. We did the southern itinerary last March and loved it and the Vista.

We wake up this morning after an evening of the ship slightly rocking, which could have upset some who are sea sick prone.

I order room service, coffee for 2, cereal for me with a banana I'll share with my wife, and an apple pastry for her. She thought the apple pastry was very good, fresh.

Today is a busy morning, we got our Cruise Critic get together notice, it's '9:00am'(!!!) in the piano bar.

Today's Premier casino club drawings are 10:30 snowball raffle, 12-3pm fireball raffle, 4:00pm Matilda the Cow, 11pm luck of the card drawing.

We won't make most of them, I'll definitely want to attend the Matilda drawing as I won one last month on the Glory! -))

Of course later this morning, we just have to visit sea day brunch, but JiJi's at lunch, which is called Pasta Bar is calling me, those who've read my other journeys know this bear loves his pasta! -)) Tonight instead of elegant night, we have reservations at the Italian restaurant Cucina Del Capitano, so I might hold off on the pasta bar for lunch for a little while longer. Maybe something lighter so I'll really be hungry for tonight! -))

We met our room attendant Elmer yesterday, told him what extras we like in our cabin, what we wanted in service, morning only, and my impression so far is, he will do an excellent job, as he's already done things for us that we asked right away.

Some other things going on around the ship that may interest you,,,

Lip sync auditions 12:45 lido

$3000. Jackpot bingo Liquid Lounge 2:15pm

Liquid Lounge showroom tonight is Studio VIP, (NYC nightlife in the 70's)

7:30/9:30

IMAX theatre

Pandas 3D 10:15am

A Beautiful Planet 3D 11:15am

Dead pool 2 12:30/3:00/9:30

Rampage 2:45/7:15

Thrill theater

Just the rides 12:00/1:00/2:00

Cartoon classics 3:15/3:45/4:15

Destination adventure 5:30/6:30/7:30

Thrilogy:Dare to be scared 8:00/8:30/9:00/10:00

Casino $100,000 slot tournament 12:30-2:45pm

Havana Bar Latin party with Latin Sound 9:00pm-12:30am

Comedy Limelight Lounge 6:45/8:00/9:15/11:30

Sales today,,, $10. Accessories buy 4 get 1 free

Free inch of gold bracelet

Live champagne art auction

Diamond and tanzanite blowout sale

Dine in movies

Murder on the Orient Express 7:30pm

The Greatest Showman 10:00pm

Thanks for the review in advance. We are doing your first leg cruise to the southern Caribbean on June 16 on the Vista so very interested.

 

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We are on that cruise with you as well! Can't wait! Thanks for the review

We went to the Cruise Critic get together, about 20-25 people showed up, there was coffee, tea, some pasties, we talked with a nice couple from Dallas, then Julie from Missouri, who's friend organized this get together came by for a few minutes. We finished our coffee/tea, and headed to the atrium where they were handing out free numbered tickets to a drawing to win 5 free items off the tables with $10. each, or buy 4, get 1 free, and of course 'my wife won'!

She seemed pleased with herself after picking out her 5 free items, so we headed off to the Sea Day brunch with her little bag of goodies.

At brunch, I order steak and eggs, which was so good, my wife didn't finish her breakfast of salmon, with a side of mac and cheese, to order just the steak! -))

So far, the MDR food is really, really good!

As we're leaving the MDR, I hear a 'I know you' with a laugh, it's our waiter from our January b2b Conquest cruise, 'Orlin', who by the way is a great waiter! It was his 'first day' back after vacation, and he was assigned to the Vista.

I told Orlin we'd see him tomorrow night in his section, we had the Italian restaurant reserved tonight!-)) Looks like we'll be eating most of our meals in the MDR now, the foods been really good, and we got one of our favorite waiters. Happy days!

Like I stated earlier, the day before our cruise, things started badly.

I got a nail in one of my tires. I have road warranty to cover this, but Michelin has 'no tires my size anywhere'! They're currently making them in the factory!

Luckily I have an excellent spare to use until the factory gets the tires out to the warehouses!

Then we got up late to drive to the port, then the bad weather on the drive to the port. It just seemed things were going badly for this cruise.

But ever since then, we're on a lucky streak, gotta hit the casino tonight!!! -))

Wishing you and your wife lots of fun and luck on your cruises! Love the southern route and what a bonus to have another cruise when you finish that one.....so jealous!

Thanks for taking the time to write up your review during your cruise. I'm enjoying it a lot!

quick comments before I forget,,,

1) those 6 inch high cakes you see in fancy restaurants, or bakeries, they serve a selection of those in the Vista buffet! -))

I asked one of the chefs there if they are available every day, and he said YES!-) Dieters beware!!!

2) the pool today in the back of the ship on deck 10 lido, was 'people soup', the area was packed!

3) the sandwich station, I didn't see the press, but 'they are' making them to order 'your way'!!! -)

We will be on the Vista’s July 14 sailing. I am enjoying your review. If you could possibly post main dinning room menus I would be so thankful.

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Tonight we went to the early show in the Liquid Lounge showroom, and without spoiling it, let's just say it's different, VERY DIFFERENT!

That seems to be Vista, it's different then any Carnival ship, other then Horizon I guess, as we haven't been on her,,,, yet! -)

The singing tonight was really good, as was the dancing.

One difference right away, there are 8 singers with 4 additional dancers, 12 performers in total on the Vista, instead of the usual 8 the other ships have.

The songs tonight ranged from ABBA to the Village People, and as crazy as it sounds, it all fit together in a show about studio 54, and the 70's.

I'll add a little more detail as the week goes on about how the shows work, which is very different then other ships.

Tonight show setup had a large dance floor area in front of the main stage. Between the dance floor and the seats were 2 small stages.

Most of tonight's singing and dancing was on this dance floor, and on these 2 small stages right next to the audience.

That intimate feeling with the entertainment so close to the audience, spured a lot of audience participation! The final song and dance had the 12 performers and at least 25 members of the audience all dancing together in front of the stage! -)) At least 75% of the audience were on their feet doing the YMCA, during that song! -))

It really feels more like a night club with live entertainment than showroom, and everyone from grey hairs like me to children seemed to enjoy the show.

My wife enjoyed the show so much, she told me as we were leaving, she'd like to see it again next week!

After the show, we made our way to the Cucina del Capitano for dinner.

I saw a menu online that had a steak on it, but the menu they gave us in the restaurant had no steak. It did have the short rib, which I had before, and liked, so that was my choice.

My wife ordered Lamb cutlet which she thought it was OK, not great.

Our impression was The meal was good, but we'll cancel next week's reservation to eat Lobster in the MDR with our waiter Orlin.

So the bottom line is, no steak in the Cucina del Capitano, but they still have a decent boneless beef short rib.

I'm glad to hear that the show was good. I've missed that the last few years with Carnival. What was the name of the show you saw tonight?

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I’ll board Vista on June 2 with wife and two nephews.