dogsled Posted January 2, 2017 #1 Share Posted January 2, 2017 My husband & I with four adult kids (ages 21-24), just completed Christmas cruise out of Miami. I have only cruised 8 times so not an expert (RC, carnival & Disney). Just want to comment on the two things I was stressed about which turned out to be no stress at all. Checking in & getting on the Vista; piece of cake. We were unable to purchase "faster to the fun" since booked late. No longer sure why that would be worth it after this cruise. Actually wanted FTTF just to avoid that line. Had a suite on Glory in March & actually got on ship faster this time with just simple balcony room! Check in was 11:30 & got in line at 11:15. Stood in line for literally 10 minutes; got our "onboard number". Walked back to boarding area they called our # to board & we were eating & having first drink on ship before noon! Other item; your time dining. Stood in line at most for 10 minutes to get a "buzzer". The only nite we waited awhile to get table was first formal nite so we ate later. Other than that it was painless. We didn't miss having same servers as we thought we would. Buffet lines; after 9 am expect a little wait but really not bad. 8 am I didn't experience much of a line. Also never had to wait longer then 5 minutes to order drink at any bar. I understand it was a full ship on 24th. It was a great cruise. No major complaints Just wanted to speak mainly of boarding process & your time dining experience. Getting off at ports also nothing too major. Had 2 excursions & only one of those through cruise line so first off in that case. I am not a very patient person so was a little worried about lines but overall great experience. immediately. immediat Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted January 2, 2017 #2 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Thanks for your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted January 2, 2017 #3 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Your pre-cruise stress was probably due to negative reviews. Glad you went onboard with an open mind and enjoyed your cruise. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalofirsttimer4 Posted January 2, 2017 #4 Share Posted January 2, 2017 thanks for sharing your thoughts, we head out 1/8 and we are really looking forward to it! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewliana Posted January 2, 2017 #5 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Thank you for the info about how easy it was to embark! Hoping you will give us some more of your thoughts about the cruise, service, food...anything at all. Cruising her soon :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerman2 Posted January 2, 2017 #6 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Thank You! Exactly why everyone's experience is different and you should take reviews with a grain of salt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsfuzzmo Posted January 2, 2017 #7 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Thanks for the info! We leave on Jan. 28th and have been looking forward to this cruise for two full years! Question for you, since you've cruised on the Glory. We (full family of 15) will be cruising Glory in June. I understand we will be going from the newest ship (Vista) to a bit older ship, but hope the Glory will be fun for the kids (ages 9-16). Similar experiences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniceB Posted January 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzkitty Posted January 2, 2017 #9 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Thanks for posting this info!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickandJonsmom Posted January 2, 2017 #10 Share Posted January 2, 2017 I just got off the Glory. This was my 9th carnival cruise and so far my favorite ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chong67 Posted January 2, 2017 #11 Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) I sail during the christmas week too. Had lobster tail at fine dinning on Christmas day. No surcharge. No chinese and indian food on the buffet. The food at the fine dinning is better. The burrito food is good. Getting off the ship is fast. We left before 7 am. Edited January 2, 2017 by chong67 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsfuzzmo Posted January 3, 2017 #12 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I just got off the Glory. This was my 9th carnival cruise and so far my favorite ship. Awesome thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etwright Posted January 3, 2017 #13 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Thanks for you review. Glad you had fun. We also enjoyed the Vista back in August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpayroll Posted January 5, 2017 #14 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Thanks for the info. We will be getting on Vista on Jan. 22nd :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite5280 Posted January 5, 2017 #15 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Happy to read this. We are booked for Vista in May and FTTF is sold out, with 3 kids waiting in long lines is painful. thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janespup Posted January 5, 2017 #16 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Going on Vista this Sunday. Do you have any idea of what movies are playing in IMAX? Did you do the Thrill Theater? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsled Posted January 6, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted January 6, 2017 In reply to those inquiring about food, really no complaints there either with Vista. We do enjoy fine dining so certainly didn't expect over the top with buffet! Enjoyed the lobster shack, guys, and did try out both specialty restaurants. Buffet was like any other. No one in our group had complaints. We did not do IMAX. Wish I did. So much to do even for a week. Did sky ride & yes there was a wait; only open between 12& 5:30 other then sea days if I remember correctly. Waiting in line for that was worth it as it was fun to watch other activities going on in same area. Kids will really enjoy this ship as well. I cannot complain about service; our room was immaculate every day. Dining service was fine & again just don't recall having to wait long for service. On another note, this was one of the quietest ships I have been on. Heard no neighbors next to us, above or below. Room 7293 balcony room. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happytogetherj&j Posted January 6, 2017 #18 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Loved, loved the Vista back in August. Service was great, people so nice and the ship is beautiful. Enjoy. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cr2zCr8zy Posted January 6, 2017 #19 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Thanks for your review! Just about the same experience that we had on her. The easier embarkation may be due today getting the S&S card on board and not during check in. Sent from my SM-G900T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke4444 Posted January 6, 2017 #20 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Thanks so much. On the Vista Sunday Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted January 6, 2017 #21 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Happy to read this. We are booked for Vista in May and FTTF is sold out, with 3 kids waiting in long lines is painful. thanks for sharing. Vista has staggered check in now. The lines should NOT be long. Getting your sign and sail card at the cabin instead of the check in desk helps that line too I think when it gets closer to the sailing they may open up 15 more depending on how many platinum and diamond people are onboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Pedro Posted January 6, 2017 #22 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Vista has staggered check in now. The lines should NOT be long. Getting your sign and sail card at the cabin instead of the check in desk helps that line tooI think when it gets closer to the sailing they may open up 15 more depending on how many platinum and diamond people are onboard check in was a breeze, if you do all your stuff ahead of time..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cayman1 Posted January 9, 2017 #23 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Good info to know. We quit purchasing the FTTF because it didn't seem to hold much value anymore, at least in our opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthomaniac Posted January 10, 2017 #24 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Happy to read this. We are booked for Vista in May and FTTF is sold out, with 3 kids waiting in long lines is painful. thanks for sharing. keep checking, more FTTF might open up. It did for our last cruise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nednrom Posted January 10, 2017 #25 Share Posted January 10, 2017 My husband & I with four adult kids (ages 21-24), just completed Christmas cruise out of Miami. I have only cruised 8 times so not an expert (RC, carnival & Disney). Just want to comment on the two things I was stressed about which turned out to be no stress at all. Checking in & getting on the Vista; piece of cake. We were unable to purchase "faster to the fun" since booked late. No longer sure why that would be worth it after this cruise. Actually wanted FTTF just to avoid that line. Had a suite on Glory in March & actually got on ship faster this time with just simple balcony room! Check in was 11:30 & got in line at 11:15. Stood in line for literally 10 minutes; got our "onboard number". Walked back to boarding area they called our # to board & we were eating & having first drink on ship before noon! Other item; your time dining. Stood in line at most for 10 minutes to get a "buzzer". The only nite we waited awhile to get table was first formal nite so we ate later. Other than that it was painless. We didn't miss having same servers as we thought we would. Buffet lines; after 9 am expect a little wait but really not bad. 8 am I didn't experience much of a line. Also never had to wait longer then 5 minutes to order drink at any bar. I understand it was a full ship on 24th. It was a great cruise. No major complaints Just wanted to speak mainly of boarding process & your time dining experience. Getting off at ports also nothing too major. Had 2 excursions & only one of those through cruise line so first off in that case. I am not a very patient person so was a little worried about lines but overall great experience. Sent from my iPad using Forums For those of us that didn't have excursions, the DR disembarkation could not have been more chaotic - we were directed and lined up down the hallway of cabins almost to the other end on deck one -- I felt really bad for those people who had Snoozin' signs on their doors. Then we merged with those on the stairs which created further congestion. We had an excursion in Bonaire so we were led down separately through a crew stairwell so I'm not sure how that disembarkation went. We didn't have trouble at all in Aruba. I didn't get out at GT, so can't say anything about that one. Seems they're still working out the kinks on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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