Vista 10/23-10/30/21

[nlktx49]

We were very glad to get back to cruising since our last cruise was in January 2020! I had been very anxious about getting our COVID tests, so getting them done on Thursday 10/21 and having the negative results in print was a great relief. We had 11-11:30 check-in time, no waiting to get into terminal, went right through after presenting passports, vaccination records, and test results, and having our pictures taken. Being Platinum we were able to go to our cabin and drop off our carry-on luggage, do the much-improved very short muster drill, then on to lunch at the Pasta Bar - across the hall from it is Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, which at lunch is Mongolian Wok at no charge, and very good.  Nearly all passengers were wearing masks, those who weren't were asked to put one on.

 

We had Your Time Dining, but were surprised when we showed up at the Horizons MDR to be asked if we had registered and checked in for our table. What? Guess I didn't read the Carnival HUB closely enough - now you have to use it to list everyone in your dining party and send in a request for a table shortly before you want to eat. Your request is confirmed with an estimated wait time, then you are notified when your table is ready. You are assigned a table number which you show to hosts at the MDR who then seat you. After the first day we knew what to do! You also have to do this for seating in the MDR for Sea Day Brunch, not sure for regular breakfast as we didn't eat there. Port days we chose to eat on Deck 5 at the Ocean Plaza. Although it says Continental Breakfast, they have more than just pastries and coffee, and a small group of diners. Eggs, bacon, fruit, hash browns, French toast, pastries, oatmeal, grits, yogurt, milk - very convenient, in a small area so no having to search for what you want!

 

We spent a lot of time in the casino at the slots. It was very crowded and very smoky. We had heard from friends who sailed in August that the amount of smoke was greatly reduced. That wasn't the case now although supposedly an improved ventilation system had been installed.  Although you had to "sip and cover" if you had a drink, smokers were allowed to leave their masks off the whole time they were smoking, not just when taking a puff.  Very few slot machines were marked non-smoking. Slots were a little looser than usual and there were some new machines, and more machines to fill the space where the casino bar used to be.

 

We had a cove balcony room, 2375, which was nice - used the balcony a lot. Two nights there were lightning shows off at a distance that I enjoyed watching from the balcony. The only complaint we had was the noise from above us, must have been below the galley. All hours of the day and night, clanging and banging and sounds like heavy furniture being dragged across the floor. The Reflections dining room is on Deck 3, didn't show on the deck plan as being right above us but no label on the space next to it.

 

High wind and rough seas on Friday slowed the ship down, we were over 3 hours late getting into Galveston Saturday morning. Other than waiting a long time to get off, disembarking was easy. The Facial Recognition feature lets you breeze through Customs, just look into the screen and you're on your way.

 

Overall, we had a good cruise, enjoyed our time, enjoyed the food and the service. We're looking forward to our next cruise in January - then five more after that, thanks to the great offers from the Casino Players Club!

 

 

[TexasBrit]

56 minutes ago, nlktx49 said:

 Port days we chose to eat on Deck 5 at the Ocean Plaza. Although it says Continental Breakfast, they have more than just pastries and coffee, and a small group of diners. Eggs, bacon, fruit, hash browns, French toast, pastries, oatmeal, grits, yogurt, milk - very convenient, in a small area so no having to search for what you want!

SSHHHH! This is the hidden secret on those ships that have it. We love it too but don't want it to get to popular and crowded!

 

 

56 minutes ago, nlktx49 said:

We spent a lot of time in the casino at the slots. It was very crowded and very smoky. We had heard from friends who sailed in August that the amount of smoke was greatly reduced. That wasn't the case now although supposedly an improved ventilation system had been installed.  Although you had to "sip and cover" if you had a drink, smokers were allowed to leave their masks off the whole time they were smoking, not just when taking a puff.  Very few slot machines were marked non-smoking. Slots were a little looser than usual and there were some new machines, and more machines to fill the space where the casino bar used to be.

 

Was there not a smaller non-smoking casino annex on Vista? There was one on Breeze on deck 4 and we loved it. Also heard some other ships had them. We never used the casino previously because of the smoke, so Carnival gained two players. Maybe we will get some good offers from the Players Club finally!

 

 

 

 

[satxdiver]

Thanks nlktx49 for the report.  We board the Vista in a little less than 2 weeks for our second cruise this fall.  Earlier one last week was on another cruiseline.  The facial recognition when departing the ship was absolutely fantastic and a whole lot better than presenting our passports to the officer.  We were off the ship, claimed luggage, cleared immigration, boarded the bus to the parking lot and in our car in 45 minutes.  We are looking forward to the next cruise week after next.  

[satxdiver]

Question: Do you remember if the comedy club was operating.  It is in a smallish room on the stern and may not be too compatible with COVID restrictions.

[Cruise4Jesus]

3 hours ago, satxdiver said:

Question: Do you remember if the comedy club was operating.  It is in a smallish room on the stern and may not be too compatible with COVID restrictions.

We were on this same cruise and yes the comedy clubs were open for 4 shows daily in the Limelight Lounge. PG shows were 6:15 and 7:15 (repeat) and adult shows were 8:30 and 9:45 (repeat). There were also couple times it was dual comedians in the Liquid Lounge. Same 4 comedians throughout the cruise.

[jlynchtx]

2 hours ago, Cruise4Jesus said:

We were on this same cruise and yes the comedy clubs were open for 4 shows daily in the Limelight Lounge. PG shows were 6:15 and 7:15 (repeat) and adult shows were 8:30 and 9:45 (repeat). There were also couple times it was dual comedians in the Liquid Lounge. Same 4 comedians throughout the cruise.

Thank you for the comedy show times. We have a cruised booked on Vesta soon…Does anyone know what times the main shows are in the liquid lounge? Is there still two shows per evening? I’m just trying to figure out dinner times to plan for. Thanks!

[nlktx49]

16 hours ago, satxdiver said:

Question: Do you remember if the comedy club was operating.  It is in a smallish room on the stern and may not be too compatible with COVID restrictions.

Yes, it was operating. Saw a line of people who were just getting into it one night after we left the MDR.  

[nlktx49]

17 hours ago, satxdiver said:

Thanks nlktx49 for the report.  We board the Vista in a little less than 2 weeks for our second cruise this fall.  Earlier one last week was on another cruiseline.  The facial recognition when departing the ship was absolutely fantastic and a whole lot better than presenting our passports to the officer.  We were off the ship, claimed luggage, cleared immigration, boarded the bus to the parking lot and in our car in 45 minutes.  We are looking forward to the next cruise week after next.  

What parking lot do you use? Have used the same one for years, but was unhappy with how long we had to wait to be picked up on Saturday.