Back from Vista Nov 16 sailing

[evandbob]

This was my 29th Carnival cruise. If I was blindfolded and placed on the ship, I would not have been able to recognize it as a Carnival ship by the interior decor, which was pleasing and tasteful. But when I saw the plastic trees on Lido, I could guess Carnival correctly.

 

I liked the dual atria, with its conical, changing vortex of color. The older Carnival atrium are much taller or higher than those on the Vista, which extend just one or two decks each.

 

The Vista is much larger than any other Carnival ship and it sailed very smoothly, despite emails from Carnival about "propulsion issues". We usually cruised between 19 and 20 knots on the long hauls and 16 or 17 between ports.

 

Several delays:

 

1) sailaway by 1 and 1/2 hours, ostensibly to load additional supplies and luggage for the 11 day journey

 

2) 1 and 1/2 hour docking in Grand Turk due to "tidal currents and winds. On board time was extended an hour to get back to the ship.

 

3) 1/2 hour delay docking in Bonaire again due to "currents". Back on board time was extended by the same 30 minutes.

 

MDR: We were originally seated at a 20 person table, the largest in the entire fleet. Since I almost needed binoculars to see the other diners on the opposite side, and forget being able to have a conversation over that distance I asked for a smaller sized table and was accommodated.

 

Food: The best meal I had was at the Diamond Acknowledgement Luncheon with the Captain. There were 140 Diamonds attending, and we were served Wagyu Beef - what a treat! If JH hadn't blathered for 10 minutes it would have been a 5 star dining experience.

 

We ate lunch at the sea day BBQ twice, and thought it was an improvement on the old menu. Sausage, pulled pork, chicken and steak slices were the available meats.

 

Never saw Bitter n Blanc on any dessert menu in the MDR! We asked our server about it and he brought us 2 the next meal. Otherwise, meals in the MDR were the usual Carnival choices.

 

The Mongolian Wok was taken off Lido deck and placed upstairs in JiJi's for lunch. Try to eat here at least once. The JiJi dinner menu was spectacular, especially the duck.

 

The Steakhouse on Vista was even better than the steakhouses on other Carnival ships. My Filet Mignon was especially tasty and the service was excellent.

 

We tried the Cucina for lunch and actually cancelled our dinner reservation after that horrid experience. We also had a bad meal at the Magic's Cucina, so it may be a fleet wide issue. I'm a Bronx born Italian and have high standards for homemade southern Italian dishes, so I may be extra harsh. But if you've never eaten in Little Italy or on Arthur Avenue or had my Mom's cooking, you may not notice that the Cucina is worse than the Olive Garden.

 

We enjoyed the Blue Iguana's lunch twice, never tried Guy's, since we had those before and I've cooked better burgers on my own grill.

 

With 6 sea days, we had lots of time to enjoy breakfast or sea day brunch in the MDR. When we said we were ok with a combined table, Vista kept seating us with folks in their 80's and early 90's. I'm 66 and Evelyn is younger, so after 3 of these matches, we just asked for a table for 2, no problem.

 

There are so many attractions and things to do on board this ship that it is hard to be bored. We were on a casino fare, and had lots of drawings and fun stuff to do there. The casino is extremely smoky, and my throat will take a few more days of NY air to clear out, sarcasm intended.

 

I generally have a very low opinion of Carnival's CD's. but Matt was very low key and didn't make extra lengthy announcements.

 

We had an 11AM flight out of Miami back home to NY when we returned, and got to the airport prior to 8AM. It was EMPTY at that time, nary a soul on the security lines. I checked the security line at 10AM and it was maybe half full, yet all the news were reports about this Sunday being one of the busiest travel loads. We even landed a few minutes early at LGA.

 

These are just my first impressions, and if you were on the same cruise, you may have had entirely different experiences. For the most part, the crew was friendly and courteous, and willing to help. One or two hiccups here and there, but nothing to yell about.

 

I've left out many items, like the Lido pool and lounges, the P&D party, the water slides and water park area, the bowling alleys and mini golf, the 80's party and the Midnight buffet. Didn't go to any, wasn't interested. Enjoyed the cabin balcony instead. Evelyn used the gym on sea days and said the equipment up there was excellent and generally there were enough machines available to find a vacant one.

 

Anyone who has an opportunity to sail on this wonderful ship should book it without hesitation.

Edited November 28, 2016 by evandbob

[mrpayroll]

Thanks for your review. Looking forward to January when we will try it ourselves.

[funinthesun1964]

Thank you, going in February! :)

[dacsmom]

Thank you for your review.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review, we love the Cucina del Capitano.

[Clarea]

Nicely written report, thanks!

[Fourkids4us]

We were also on this sailing. I was a bit surprised how the smoke travelled from the casino. Then need some of those smoke cleaner fans. I was also surprised how you had to chase down a drink waiter. They used to come inside Lido buffet area and the dining room was a bit sparse also. I just walked to get them but I miss the availability. This may be fleet wide though by now. Haven't sailed since last October so I may have missed a change.

 

My kids loved the yellow slide(said red was too slow), sports deck and courses, they bowled(it's $3). Midnight buffet was super crowded. We went at 11am to take pics. Line was too long after to get food. I wasn't hungry anyway.

 

80s party was not that well attended. They should really work it in to 80s day. I think ppl didn't want to dress twice.

[easyboy]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for the feedback.

[eric813]

Can either of you post scans of the Fun Times for your cruise?

 

Thanks,

Eric813

 

Future Cruises – 1

16. Carnival Vista (CCL) – December 24-31, 2016 (Western Caribbean. Miami, FL)

 

Past Cruises – 15

15. Carnival Victory (CCL) – December 23-28, 2013 (Bahamas. Miami, FL)

14. Westerdam (HAL) – August 3-10, 2013 (Alaska, Seattle, WA)

13. Voyager of the Seas (RCI) – March 31 – April 7, 2012 (Western Caribbean, New Orleans, LA)

12. Disney Wonder (Disney) – February 6-13, 2011 (Mexican Rivera, Los Angeles, CA)

11. Pride of America (NCL) - November 7-14, 2009 (Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu, HI)

10. Carnival Pride (CCL) - June 6-13, 2009 (Bahamas / Caribbean, Baltimore, MD)

9. Holiday (CCL) - March 3-8, 2007 (Western Caribbean, Mobile, AL)

8. Jewel (NCL) - July 2-9, 2006 (Western Mediterranean, Barcelona, ESP)

7. Explorer of the Seas (RCI) - November 6-13, 2005 (Western Caribbean, Miami, FL)

6. Imagination (CCL) - June 12-17, 2000 (Western Caribbean, Miami, FL)

5. Inspiration (CCL) - July 14-21, 1996 (Southern Caribbean, San Juan, PR)

Scandanvian ???? – December 27, 1989 (Bahamas, Fort Lauderdale, FL ??)

4. Britanis (Chandris) - December 1985 (Western Caribbean, Montego Bay, JAM)

3. Rhapsody (Paquet) - December 1983 (Western Caribbean, Miami, FL)

2. Festival (CCL) - December 18-25, 1982 (Eastern Caribbean, Miami, FL)

1. Norway (NCL) - December 1980 (Eastern Caribbean, Miami, FL)

[JoCruiser]

We are scheduled to sail December 3rd. I am trying to find out what entertainment is available. Are there any stage shows, comedy clubs, musicals, etc.?

[crzndeb]

Can either of you post scans of the Fun Times for your cruise?

 

Thanks,

Eric813

)

 

I see a lot of posts regarding wanting to see the Fun Times. I have always been curious as to why. I know some have said they don't want to book pay restaurants on Elegant night, but just wondering what other reasons might be.

 

I was just on the Vista's last 2 Meds and TA, and many times, the Fun Times were not correct, or things were changed around. I used to bring them home, but now I just take a photo first thing in the morning, and it's also a quick way to know where my pics are from on a certain day.

 

Evandbob,

 

Did you make it to Alchemy? I sure miss Annamaria and Theodora. Annamaria made some great drinks. Never thought I would like Jagermeister, but she made a great martini with it. And although I'm usually a Dirty Gin martini girl, loved the Caribbean Manhattan.

 

Thanks for the review. It's always fun to read somebody else's thought, right after I was on the ship.

[jimbo5544]

Nice review, thanks for posting it.

 

 

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[FloridaMommyof3]

Thank you for your review. I've got Magic coming up in June and was going to be done with cruising for a while, but I'm really curious about the Vista, and now even more so.

[evandbob]

Can either of you post scans of the Fun Times for your cruise?

 

Thanks,

Eric813

)

 

I see a lot of posts regarding wanting to see the Fun Times. I have always been curious as to why. I know some have said they don't want to book pay restaurants on Elegant night, but just wondering what other reasons might be.

 

I was just on the Vista's last 2 Meds and TA, and many times, the Fun Times were not correct, or things were changed around. I used to bring them home, but now I just take a photo first thing in the morning, and it's also a quick way to know where my pics are from on a certain day.

 

Evandbob,

 

Did you make it to Alchemy? I sure miss Annamaria and Theodora. Annamaria made some great drinks. Never thought I would like Jagermeister, but she made a great martini with it. And although I'm usually a Dirty Gin martini girl, loved the Caribbean Manhattan.

 

Thanks for the review. It's always fun to read somebody else's thought, right after I was on the ship.

 

 

Crzndeb: I've read lots of your comments about the Vista prior to my sailing, thanks!

 

No, I didn't save the Fun Times, and no, I didn't make it to Alchemy because I'm not a drinker - the casino, yes, I'm not vice free!

[firemanbobswife]

Did you happen to get to see any Havana aft extended balcony cabins in person? If so, what did you think of them?

[Micahs Grandad]

wow a table seating 20 people, wonder why someone thought it would be a good idea?

 

Thanks for the review.

[Port of Tampa]

Thanks for the review. I look forward to cruising on her sometime soon.

 

Cheers and happy cruising.

[crewsweeper]

Evandbob,

 

Glad to hear you had a nice cruise. Other friends were on this one too and they seemed to have had a blast. But then that's the norm for them.

 

I hear what you are saying about the Cucina cuisine. Always hard to compete with "Mom" or real Italian cooking for that matter. But recall that in the "flyover states" the Olive Garden ranks in the top 5 in most small cities and towns. Our meal, with a group, on the Breeze was very good. But I wouldn't compare it to a meal at Molinos.

 

Looking forward to our journey in January. Avid gym user in the early AM and this 66 yo is looking forward to the air bikes, ropes and other outside activities.

[Micahs Grandad]

Evandbob,

 

Glad to hear you had a nice cruise. Other friends were on this one too and they seemed to have had a blast. But then that's the norm for them.

 

I hear what you are saying about the Cucina cuisine. Always hard to compete with "Mom" or real Italian cooking for that matter. But recall that in the "flyover states" the Olive Garden ranks in the top 5 in most small cities and towns. Our meal, with a group, on the Breeze was very good. But I wouldn't compare it to a meal at Molinos.

 

Looking forward to our journey in January. Avid gym user in the early AM and this 66 yo is looking forward to the air bikes, ropes and other outside activities.

 

We enjoyed our meal there on Magic recently for lunch but if you want good Italian food do not expect it from non Italian's.

[evandbob]

wow a table seating 20 people' date=' wonder why someone thought it would be a good idea?

 

Thanks for the review.[/quote']

 

JH made sure to stop by the 1st night and ask how we were enjoying it - I was at the Maitre'D's desk getting the table changed when he came by.

 

They did have tablecloth(s) on it for elegant night though!

[cv322]

Thanks for your thoughts. I was on the 11/5, 11-day round-trip NY, right before you...and we were more than 2 hours late leaving on embarkation day...but not late otherwise. They said it was because of luggage.

 

Funny...I liked the Cucina ;)! We did dinner there one night & then went back for a lunch one day. Then again I'm not Italian, nor have I ever been to Olive Garden in my life!

 

I didn't like the layout of the ship...not surprised, because I don't like the Splendor either :cool:. I think they needed a bar on deck 5 forward ...the outdoor promenade area. And it was a long trek to the Java cafe (aft on 5) every morning...I am quite used to Java being a straight drop down on the forward elevators.

 

I loved the decor...very sleek & appealing...loved the atrium & casino vortices. And Matt was easy on the ears (and eyes lol)!

 

Thanks again!

[evandbob]

Did you happen to get to see any Havana aft extended balcony cabins in person? If so, what did you think of them?

 

Firemansbobswife: Sorry, did not see the aft extended balconies. The roll call did have a cabin crawl, maybe someone from there could respond if they're reading this.

 

From our 6th floor balcony we overlooked the BBQ to our left forward and the gate enclosed Havana deck 5 to our right aft.

 

I heard the Havana area opened up after 7PM, but I was usually getting ready for late dinner then.

[Juanita56]

Thank you for the review. So glad to hear you enjoyed yourself. Leaving for the Vista on Dec. 10th. Woo Hoo. That table of 20 sounds wonderful for my group of 54. Perhaps some of us can dine together.

[cv322]

Me too...I've never understood the wish to see the Fun Times...or for that matter, the menus :rolleyes::o.

Edited November 30, 2016 by cv322

[firemanbobswife]

Firemansbobswife: Sorry, did not see the aft extended balconies. The roll call did have a cabin crawl, maybe someone from there could respond if they're reading this.

 

 

 

From our 6th floor balcony we overlooked the BBQ to our left forward and the gate enclosed Havana deck 5 to our right aft.

 

 

 

I heard the Havana area opened up after 7PM, but I was usually getting ready for late dinner then.

 

 

 

Thanks anyway. I see some pics online but of course they're never enough. We have one of those in our group for our March Vista sailing.