Frightfully Fall cruising on the Vista 10/5-12/19

cruzin Phillis · October 16, 2019

Greetings everyone,

I recently sailed back on the Vista for the second time. I sailed lasted year for my MIL birthday which was during Halloween. My oldest son have alot of days off from school so we decided to cruise during the fall break. Originally, we were supposed to go out of Florida but my MIL and her bbf decided to attach themselves to our trip and change the itnierary to the Vista again. This trip would include my 5 year old, 10 month old, DH, MIL, and MIL bff.

cruzin Phillis · October 16, 2019

We parked two cars at the Galveston Park N Cruise lot. It was 75 per car for the non covered spot. The parking area is right across from the cruise terminal.

Joe817 · October 16, 2019

It's a good start!

cruzin Phillis · October 16, 2019

I recommend dropping off passengers and luggage first then parking your vehicle.

Before I forget, I watch her come in to Galveston along with the Dream through the Galveston.com website. Here are some images:

Vista coming back into Galveston:

Dream behind her:

It pretty cool to see the ships come and go. Makes me happy and sad. 😂😂😂😥

Edited October 16, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 16, 2019

Checkin process was interesting. You meet with a rep that checks you boarding passes and travel documents. They group you by cabin. Then they take your picture. From there you went through the security line and then upstairs to either put money on your on board expense account or to board the ship. What was interesting was one rep would tell you to put your boarding pass away, you don't need it anymore and another would tell you to get it out for the next checkpoint. It became a game of boarding pass roulette.

embarkation photo:

luggage being loaded:

walking the plank to vacation:

a good sign of things to come:

Edited October 16, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 16, 2019

Once on the ship, we were quickly escorted to deck 10. You almost have to strong arm the staff to letting you stay on three or to handle other business as they were manning the elevators and only taking people to deck 10. We boarded the ship right at 12:30pm. We arrive to the port at 11:45am so it gives you some perspective of how long it takes to park and get on. Probably is a lot faster without two ships in port.

Rooms would not be ready till 1:30pm. The buffet area was slammed packed. It took our group 30 min to find a table. So the seven of us crammed into a table for four.

I had to change my little one and could not find a bathroom that had a changing table on deck 10. I became annoyed because it would be the game were would play the entire cruise: hide and seek with the changing tables. I asked the wait staff but no one knew where a changing table was. I had no choice but to change him on paper towels on the floor in the handicap restroom. I later found out that there was a changing table in the handicap restroom on deck three and mid lobby of deck 5. You could also go to the kids camp area on deck 11 but who wants to go on a safari to change a diaper??

Edited October 16, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 16, 2019

Finally, I was able to settle into my first drink and meal of the cruise....

Guys burger with a Miami Vice:

(side note: last cruise, I was pregnant with my little one so I couldn't indulge in an adult beverage. This cruise, I made up for it 😜😁😞

That straw you see in my drink is an edible straw. Those straws are presented with blended drinks, smoothies, and shakes. They come in three flavors: Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate. The straws are both delicious and annoying. They taste good but if you let it sit too long in the drink, it becomes too hard to sip through. I always requested a regular straw as well.

I purchased the cheers package and felt it was the best decision ever. However, due to Texas law, you can not consume cheers on embarkation day. So the hubby and I thought we planned for that day only to note that we spent 85.00 on drinks in one day so yeah, I was going to make it worth my while. I'll go into more detail about my thoughts on Cheers later.

Edited October 16, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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Jerseygirl1416 · October 16, 2019

Thanks for taking the time to post a review! Great start.

cruzin Phillis · October 16, 2019

We decided to let the crowd clear before heading to our room. The sail and sign cards were waiting in our mailboxes outside the rooms. By the time I was able to snap a pic, the Hubster grabbed the envelope. He smiled, opened the envelope, then frown. "How come you have a gold card?" he asked. That's becasue I'm gold!!!!!!! I was so excited to finally change colors. Then my smile turned upside down as I knew the path to platinum was 46 days away. This has become my vacation goal!!

I booked two OV rooms on deck 3 again. I love the 6M categories and feel they are worth more than balconies. I recommend that cabin type to families sailing because not many know it has two bathrooms. Yes, two bathrooms. I booked 3212 and 3210. These cabin types are located on the Vista, Magic, Dream, Breeze, and Horizon. I think the Panorama as well but I will double check.

Pics of the room:

Entrance:

Bathroom 1:

Bathroom 2:

safe that use a 4 digit pin:

Crib with my son in it:

TV;

Hair dryer was in the dresser above the mirror:

Mini Fridge that took 12 hours to cool a bottle of water:

Outlets:

We found that the closet was perfect storage for the carseat and we were able to fit the stroller, and 3 large suitcases under the bed.

Edited October 16, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Waiting on the bed was the customary Fun times. I had downloaded the HUB app and connected to the ship. Immediately we were prompted that the mandatory muster would commence shortly

Edited October 17, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Here are the Embarkation funtimes:

Edited October 17, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Our muster station area was A4 in the limelight lounge. AKA the auditorium. They only needed to scan 1 card per room. They sat you in single file seating as you arrived.

Everyone was on their best behavior as it did not take long to begin.

Here is my little one expressing what we all were feeling:

Everyone was filing in to the seats:

cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

After the drill was done, we filed out and headed to get a drink and then a spot for sail away.

Bar menu from the bar on deck 3. I strongly recommend trying the Tiramisu martini:

Mocha Chocolate Getaway

Us on the secret deck on deck 7. We went out the doors on deck 5 portside and walked forward the ship. Then took two flights of stairs to deck 7:

Us pulling away from the dock:

The Dream leading the way:

We are off into the open seas!!!

Edited October 17, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Our itinerary for the week would be:

2 days at sea

Jamaica

Cayman

Cozumel

day at sea

Galveston

Soon after sail away, our luggage was delivered around 5pm. We sorta unpacked and got ready for dinner. We would be dining in the main dining room utilizing your time dining. They have a new feature where you can request a table through the HUB app. This came in handy, especially on the cruise elegant evening.

The dinner menu for the week was the same as last year sailing. I decided to try different options this sailing:

Pork Chop grilled

Half Chicken meal

Shrimp fried rice

and for dessert:

Tiramisu with the warm chocolate melted cake and cream

lasvegascruising · October 17, 2019

Did you notice if they had a happy hour special either in the casino or Red Frog Pub on embark day? Since Cheers doesn't start until the second day, I thought maybe a few happy hour priced drinks would help the wallet out. I've heard Carnival has happy hour but didn't know if it is on the Vista out of Galveston.

cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

5 minutes ago, lasvegascruising said:

Did you notice if they had a happy hour special either in the casino or Red Frog Pub on embark day? Since Cheers doesn't start until the second day, I thought maybe a few happy hour priced drinks would help the wallet out. I've heard Carnival has happy hour but didn't know if it is on the Vista out of Galveston.

Yes they did. On embarkation day it was from 430pm to 630pm. Then it was during the port days from 1230-230 in the pub. In my review I will post a photo of the popular fish bowl. People were buying it up!!! There were a lot of people I encountered that had the Cheers package. Most agreed that it felt good to sign a receipt with 0 balance

Edited October 17, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Here are some public areas around the ship (please note that alot of the pics were taken either early morning or late at night. I try to respect people by not taking photos while people are inline):

The laundromat on deck 2 is free to wash and dry. There is also an iron to press:

On Deck 3, here is the sign for the shore excursions desk:

Deck 4 is the casino area:

Deck 5 is cherry on top, alchemy bar, pixels studio, red frog pub, java cafe, ocean plaza, guys pig and anchor, havana bar and private ship area, and a plethora of out side seating on both sides of the ship.

Pixels photo area. You van view you pics on the large screens:

Cherry on top and the outside seating area:

Outside the library bar and the hours of the library:

ALCHEMY BAR

Ocean Plaza:

Bonsai Sushi:

Havana Bar area:

Guy pig and anchor:

More to come....

Edited October 17, 2019 by cruzin Phillis
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Joe817 · October 17, 2019

Loving it! Thanks for the great pics!

cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

8 hours ago, Joe817 said:

Loving it! Thanks for the great pics!

Thank you for reading!!!!

MEUB1112 · October 17, 2019

Great Review!! Awesome Pictures.

cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Let continue shall we...

Also on Deck 5 is the steak house.

Moving to deck 6 is the IMAX and Thrill theater. Movies like the Joker and Ad Astra were playing in the IMAX for 12.95 per showing. Also in the IMAX were documentaries like Pandas and Our Planet that was 5.50 per showing.

In the Thrill Theater, 3 levels of scary movies were showing. Each level has 3 mini movies that places you in the movie so you get a 5D experience. The cost is 5.50 per level. The hubby went to see Joker and level 3. Across From the theaters is the Warehouse arcade. The arcade hosted a happy hour where games were half priced.

Moving to deck 10 is the Lido deck

Here is Guys burger, Iguana Cantina, sea side theater, Towel hut, red frog bar

Edited October 17, 2019 by cruzin Phillis

cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Heading through the buffet on Deck 10

Hand washing station in the buffet area. Just stick you hand it and the water jets washes you hands and add the right amount of soap. It takes 12 seconds:

Aft of deck 10 is seafood Shack, Tides pool area and Pizza del Capitano:

Edited October 17, 2019 by cruzin Phillis

cruzin Phillis · October 17, 2019

Deck 11 houses the sports area and Camp ocean. You will the wok/Ji Ji kitchen and Cucina del Capitano restaurant. The wok and Cucina are free during lunch hours.

Pics of sports area:

Play Golf like my son tried too: