Vista Review... Not Impressed...

[Fla Senior]

IMHO, your cruise level of enjoyment was skewed by the 900 TA's. All the special events for them must have made a huge difference.

 

Also IMHO, I was impressed with the traffic flow for such a large ship. Lines were minimal everywhere we went. Now we avoided the shows because we had experience the show lounge problem on Sunshine and knew it would be same way. We were there for day events like a Q&A with JH and his marriage show. They've got a big problem with that room.

 

The comedy club was fine for us. We would get in line 30 minutes before show and had perfect seats. A comedy club must be a smaller venue in order for comic to interact with audience.

 

Lido, Main Dining Room & other ship areas were no more crowded than any other ship that we've sailed. We would sail her again in a heartbeat, but still prefer Breeze & Dream. I did miss the big Atrium area.

[jewliana]

Thank you so much for your review! We will be sailing the Vista in March and are hungry for details :-) I look forward to your photos and any other comments you may have.

My husband and I are avid cruisers and booked The Vista soley for the Havana area. We love serenity and think we will find it during the day at least in that pool area. We plan to do specialty dining quite a few nights. I "think" we are going to have a great time! :-)

[cccer]

I really had a good time on the Vista but I don't go to the shows or comedy club. I spend most of my nights at the casino and I thought that was a good size and not crowded. I did hear a lot of people felt the show venues were to small. We did have the past guest party in the liquid lounge and that place is a joke. Someone has to rethink those chairs.

 

A large group like that would also be pretty horrible especially with people that Carnival is trying to cater to.

[bury me at sea]

I "think" we are going to have a great time! :-)

 

I hope you do. I love cruising and am glad there are options for different tastes.

 

Happy sailing and Merry Christmas.

[riclop]

Thanks for your honest thoughts.

[Bunkie103]

I asked one of the entertainment staff why they would allow THAT song to be played, and was told "The song was around before the movie, And its sad that Americans associate it with the Titanic". Whole thing was just odd.

 

It wasn't just us, when they plated the song, it seemed like everyone in the atrium was talking about how odd it was.

 

I worked at a hospital and part of the "canned" music played there was the Theme from M.A.S.H.......Suicide is Painless....go figure.

[crzndeb]

I don't do the comedy shows either, but it does seem to be on of the biggest complaints, along with the theater set up.

 

It's to bad about the theater, because the movable chairs on the floor allowed for more interaction with the stage productions, but the sight lines were horrible.

 

I did like all of the outdoor space, and it was easy to find a quiet spot to read. I also liked all the outdoor activities.

 

I don't gamble, so it was nice to have a promenade on deck 5 that went forward to aft without having to walk through the casino.

 

I also liked the bar stools and tables overlooking the Atrium. It was a nice place for a drink and chatting.

 

I would sail the Vista again, and will be sailing the Horizon if the itineraries are what I'm looking for.

 

I think some of the negatives are fair. Some of us just have different likes and dislikes.

[Love2Cruz2015]

Oh no...I'm going to try to keep an open mind. I have two cruises already booked on the Vista with one that starts in 2 days!:D

 

While I like the shows, it's not a deal breaker for me....the Carnival shows suck compared to MSC...so I'll be on the Lido deck watching the movies under the stars, or eating somewhere...:cool:

 

I think I'll do a Trip Report too, Live, in this forum.

[crzndeb]

Oh no...I'm going to try to keep an open mind. I have two cruises already booked on the Vista with one that starts in 2 days!:D

 

While I like the shows, it's not a deal breaker for me....the Carnival shows suck compared to MSC...so I'll be on the Lido deck watching the movies under the stars, or eating somewhere...:cool:

 

I think I'll do a Trip Report too, Live, in this forum.

 

There are some excellent shows on the Vista..Amor Cubano, America Rocks and Flick (if you like production shows)

 

Hint: try to get in line early and go for the seats at the small bar in the back (right in front of big bar) Best seats in the theater, IMO

Edited December 16, 2016 by crzndeb

[jewliana]

There are some excellent shows on the Vista..Amor Cubano, America Rocks and Flick (if you like production shows)

 

Hint: try to get in line early and go for the seats at the small bar in the back (right in front of big bar) Best seats in the theater, IMO

 

Wow, thanks for the great seating tip! How early do you think its wise to go to get in line?

[jewliana]

Oh no...I'm going to try to keep an open mind. I have two cruises already booked on the Vista with one that starts in 2 days!:D

 

While I like the shows, it's not a deal breaker for me....the Carnival shows suck compared to MSC...so I'll be on the Lido deck watching the movies under the stars, or eating somewhere...:cool:

 

I think I'll do a Trip Report too, Live, in this forum.

 

Yeah!! 2 days!!! Have a wonderful trip and please come back and leave your thoughts! Merry Christmas and Bon Voyage!!!!

[Love2Cruz2015]

There are some excellent shows on the Vista..Amor Cubano, America Rocks and Flick (if you like production shows)

 

Hint: try to get in line early and go for the seats at the small bar in the back (right in front of big bar) Best seats in the theater, IMO

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.

 

BTW, does anyone know what movies they are showing on Lido at night? Any Christmas movies for kids?

[jh2360]

Would the song from the Poseidon Adventure be okay? :p

Maybe. Everyone knows it is the music that keeps the ship afloat.

 

Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app

[crusinpsychRN]

I was on Inspiration once and there was a large group of little girls doing pageant work. They took up many venues every day including the Candlelight lounge where you can get to the Serenity deck. I finally decided to just go through the venue during their programs as it's easier to get to Serenity than going down the stairs.

 

I've also been on a ship with a big group of gospel singers who took over different areas. They were glad to allow you in to listen. 2 of them were in the Legends show and brought the house down.

[Micahs Grandad]

Living in a small town a lot of the reason we cruise is for the entertainment both main lounge an comedy club.

 

Thinking vista class is not for us and will stick with Spirit, Conquest and Dream class when cruising with CCL.

[crewsweeper]

T A convention long delays as well. I wonder why Carnival started catering to TA's again? A few years back they were trying to distance themselves from TA's.

 

Might have something to do with the customer service moves to India. But I would assume Carnival would want a lot of TA to know about the Vista and see it in a "good" light. Unfortunately, looks like it came at the expensive of paying guests.:(

 

As far as comedy club space, Carnival's idea is to make the space more like an intimate small comedy club on shore. But since the comedians are often more entertaining than the shows, and small clubs on shore have lots a competition for crowds, that's a space management blunder on the part of Carnival.

[Micahs Grandad]

 

As far as comedy club space, Carnival's idea is to make the space more like an intimate small comedy club on shore. But since the comedians are often more entertaining than the shows, and small clubs on shore have lots a competition for crowds, that's a space management blunder on the part of Carnival.

 

Hopefully they will fix this on future Vista class ships but if they dont they will not see much of me on this ship.

[First and Ten]

Take the other Carnival ships, make the room only 2/3 the size... and then an additional 1000 passengers on board...

 

There are people that stood in line from the first show... never got out of line, and STILL didn't get in for the last show of the night, after hours of waiting.

That absolutely blows my mind (not doubting you, but there is a "herd" mentality out there) that people would stand in line for hours at a time to see a comedy show when you are on a ship that has about 1000 things going on. We aint talking a Richard Pryor performance....These people would essentially waste an entire night waiting online for a B rate comedy show....unbelievable :confused:

Edited December 16, 2016 by First and Ten

[Love2Cruz2015]

That absolutely blows my mind (not doubting you, but there is a "herd" mentality out there) that people would stand in line for hours at a time to see a comedy show when you are on a ship that has about 1000 things going on. We aint talking a Richard Pryor performance....These people would essentially waste an entire night waiting online for a B rate comedy show....unbelievable :confused:

 

Yeh, I wouldn't spend precious vacation time waiting on lines...I would do something else and try to sneak in later...lol

[FloridaMommyof3]

I have missed the comedy shows due to showing up 10 minutes prior and there are no seats left. I wish they would do the shows in a bigger area - at least the R rated ones anyway.

[SooNet]

I don't do the comedy shows either, but it does seem to be on of the biggest complaints, along with the theater set up.

 

It's to bad about the theater, because the movable chairs on the floor allowed for more interaction with the stage productions, but the sight lines were horrible.

 

I did like all of the outdoor space, and it was easy to find a quiet spot to read. I also liked all the outdoor activities.

 

I don't gamble, so it was nice to have a promenade on deck 5 that went forward to aft without having to walk through the casino.

 

I also liked the bar stools and tables overlooking the Atrium. It was a nice place for a drink and chatting.

 

I would sail the Vista again, and will be sailing the Horizon if the itineraries are what I'm looking for.

 

I think some of the negatives are fair. Some of us just have different likes and dislikes.

 

I believe you summed up my view on the Vista quite nicely. It is understandable that some of the most diehard Carnival Cruisers may not like this ship as it is quite a change from the style of all of the other ships. I myself absolutely loved this ship with the exception of the two main show venues (Liquid Lounge and Limelight). I did feel there were a few spaces that could be revamped a bit as they did seem to be underutilized (the Library was never full). The taste bar just seemed odd and out of place but I did enjoy that it was never busy there and I never had to wait for either a quick bite at breakfast or the taste bar in the evening. I really liked all of the outdoor spaces and agree with the flow of traffic to get around the ship. I also liked that there were many places just to get away from the crowds - we had two sea days of rain and it never seemed crowded any where that I went. I would most definitely travel again on the Vista - I loved it and I know what to expect as for the lounges.

 

I think it is a great that people have a choice on the style of ship they want to take considering some of the itineraries are the same. If you are the type that really truly enjoys the comedy shows and evening productions then understand this may not be the ship for you. I on the other hand enjoy the other amenities more so I am not that disappointed in the little bit that doesn't work.

[Micahs Grandad]

That absolutely blows my mind (not doubting you, but there is a "herd" mentality out there) that people would stand in line for hours at a time to see a comedy show when you are on a ship that has about 1000 things going on. We aint talking a Richard Pryor performance....These people would essentially waste an entire night waiting online for a B rate comedy show....unbelievable :confused:

 

1000 things? Those two are our favorites and when we cannot get into seeing them it is disappointing, and a reason to go on a different ship cruise line

[sprint180]

Thanks for you quick review. I have been wondering if I would like to go on a large ship. I can't decide. I think I like the "romance" of the older ships with the big atrium that goes all the way up and - well maybe not the carnival décor. Anyway, can't wait to read the other review

[stargate fan]

On my first Royal Caribbean cruise, I checked into my cabin and turned on the tv and Titanic was playing right at the point where the ship was breaking in half. What a way to start a cruise!

 

Would the song from the Poseidon Adventure be okay? :p

 

I know that many people have things they do while waiting for their cruise date to arrive. Mine is to watch the original Poseidon Adventure and Titanic before each cruse. :eek::D

[eaflorida]

Was on the Vista for the NY to Miami 11 night cruise, back in November. Being diamond and having cruised on Carnival a lot, I had to categorize the Vista as the Worst Carnival Cruise me and my wife have ever taken. Service in the dining room was SLOW! Many nights, it would take 30 minutes or more to get our appetizers. There were some nights where our main course took over an hour to arrive. The staff is simply stretched to thin. Even our room steward was overwhelmed. Many days, our room was not cleaned in the morning until 11:30 or 11:45am. We have never experienced that before. Simply put, we will not be sailing the Vista EVER AGAIN. Carnival can not properly handle that many people. We cruised on the RCL Allure of the Seas a couple years ago. Holds up to 6,400 people. Was an amazing ship and amazing cruise with GREAT service in the dining room and by our room steward. They can handle the big ships and Carnival can not, at least not on the Vista. Don't waste your time paying more to cruise the Vista as its simply not worth the premium for a brand new ship with LOUSY service. Again, we are diamond and do not normally complain, but this ship just did not cut it for us. You may decide differently.

Edited December 16, 2016 by eaflorida