Cruise Decision: Horizon vs Vista

[ChuckF]

Vista vs Dream Class -- IMHO not a lot of difference in layout, just seemed that people density was increased. That being said, we are fans of the MDR atmosphere for dinner, so specialty dining is not that big of an attraction for us. 

 

[mondello]

5 hours ago, JP350 said:

Does anyone know that if staying on deck 1 has any advantages. I know that it is right above propulsion systems, and to not choose a cabin in the bow, but is it worth it to pay $10 to upgrade to deck 2, and $20 to upgrade to any higher decks. (9, 6, 7 etc)

All real estate comes down to location, location, location. They say lower deck mid-ship is the best for those prone to motion sickness. That said, I rarely have a problem with rough seas on a Carribbean cruise. You should always check deck plans before booking so you are not surprised with noise that interferes with your sleep. Pretty easy when you have cabins above/below you and noting elevator locations. I'm looking forward to our Lido interior for 10 days on Valor this summer and being able to walk right out to Party Central. However, I enjoy almost any cabin location. MDR is usually Deck 3/4, casino and Promenade on deck 4/5 and Lido on 9/10; I'm all over the ship anyway. I'm so used to Lido on deck 9 and hit 9 my first time in the elevator on Vista.

[cruisinqt]

12 hours ago, JP350 said:

I completely agree about the dining RCI's specialty dining prices are outrageous $55 for 150 central park, chops, or Giovanni's. I'm excited about trying some cheaper specialty dining. I've been on Quantum out of Seattle twice and I promise you're going to have an awesome time. When you get onboard make show, and dining reservations first thing. On embarkation day in Seattle if you want to use the outdoor pools day 1 will be the only comfortable day to use the outdoor pool, and solarium bistro is a better quieter alternative 

Our favorite specialty dining was the steakhouse followed closely by JiJi’s Asian. In fact, JiJi’s braised pork belly in caramel sauce and clay pot stewed pork may have been better. No wait, I take that back, it was definitely the duck that was the best, and I don’t normally eat duck when it’s on the menu but I was told it was not to be missed. In the steakhouse you can order as much as you want. In JiJi’s you can’t order unlimited dishes. But our family of 4 was told to order 3 dishes to share in the appetizer and 3 to share in the entree selections. It was a massive amount of food. They brought out several extra dishes not on the menu too. I’m glad it was served family style because I got to try several dishes I would never have chosen to eat, like the duck. The Italian would be our third favorite in the specialty dining. It was really good, way above average, but it paled in comparison to the steakhouse and JiJi’s. 

This is our first trip to Alaska. We’ve done all of the Caribbean cruises that are offered and are getting a bit burned out and wanted something different. I’ll definitely make show and dining reservations right away as soon as I board. I’m researching a lot on Alaskan cruises right now since it’s all new to me. It’s pretty exciting doing something new again. I feel like a newby cruiser. 

[mondello]

5 hours ago, cruisinqt said:

This is our first trip to Alaska..

I’ll definitely make show and dining reservations right away as soon as I board.  I feel like a newby cruiser. 

Carnival does not have show reservations.

[Brkintx]

A couple people have mentioned that Galveston is a bit of a drive (45-60 minutes) from Houston. I wouldn't categorize this as a negative (not much different than flying into Orlando and getting to Port Canaveral for the Mardi Gras, etc.). 

The cost per person - round trip - from HOU is under $75. If you fly in a day early you'll find a hotel for any price range you want.

Miami is much closer to the port, and therefore the RT shuttle is cheaper, but good luck finding anything stay-able for under $200/night. 

I think the ships being the same class boils down the ship based differences to preference.

So the extra night for essentially the same cost... seems like a better choice to me.

 

[cruisinqt]

12 hours ago, mondello said:

Carnival does not have show reservations.

I was referring to my comment I made above that one about doing a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska on the Quantam of the Seas. Royal Caribbean does have show reservations. 

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

I’m just trying to figure out which port has a prettier sail away:

 

 

OR….

 

[mondello]

10 hours ago, cruisinqt said:

I was referring to my comment I made above that one about doing a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska on the Quantam of the Seas. Royal Caribbean does have show reservations. 

I was watching Short Attention Span Theater while skimming the boards, must have missed  the connection to the other post. Have a great cruise.

 

BTW: does Royal have any excursions listed for the White Pass Railroad? Last I saw they were not going into the Yukon this year. Curious if they're running up the Pass and turnaround at the loop?

[cruisinqt]

On 4/26/2022 at 5:02 AM, mondello said:

I was watching Short Attention Span Theater while skimming the boards, must have missed  the connection to the other post. Have a great cruise.

 

BTW: does Royal have any excursions listed for the White Pass Railroad? Last I saw they were not going into the Yukon this year. Curious if they're running up the Pass and turnaround at the loop?

My cruise is May of 2023 and the excursions haven’t been released yet so I’m not sure what’s going to be offered. I would love to do that if it’s available. 

[JP350]

On 4/26/2022 at 6:02 AM, mondello said:

I was watching Short Attention Span Theater while skimming the boards, must have missed  the connection to the other post. Have a great cruise.

 

BTW: does Royal have any excursions listed for the White Pass Railroad? Last I saw they were not going into the Yukon this year. Curious if they're running up the Pass and turnaround at the loop?

I’m almost sure that they did back in 2019 where they went into the Yukon and one where they stop short and turned around at the loop. Don’t quote me on this though. That was 2019 for reference I’m sure excursions will be more limited this year

[dandeck]

On 4/17/2022 at 5:18 PM, MCH2340 said:

sounds like USA

Then book ya a nice place in Haiti.  Enjoy!!

[dan4182]

Which port is closer, more convenient and cheaper to get to from your home?

 

The ships are almost identical and the itineraries are a matter of personal preference.

 

To me, the one extra day is always good.

 

As a side note, the Vista is having propulsion issues right now which MAY reqire a dry dock to repair.

[Altamira]

If you’re a diver/snorkeler, the Vista itinerary gives you one more port on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. 
 

On the down side, we just got back from a back2back on the Vista on Sat, May 7, and besides testing Covid positive that day, our ears were thankful to get away from all the yelling into the mikes by the entertainment staff. It was a bruising. 😱Recommend ear plugs for that one.

[JP350]

7 hours ago, dan4182 said:

Which port is closer, more convenient and cheaper to get to from your home?

 

The ships are almost identical and the itineraries are a matter of personal preference.

 

To me, the one extra day is always good.

 

As a side note, the Vista is having propulsion issues right now which MAY reqire a dry dock to repair.

Really that’s like the 3rd time vista has had propulsion issues. That whole class has propulsion problems. Vista and Horizon have both had to go into unscheduled dry docks, and panorama was rumored to have propulsion issues as well. 

[Lane Hog]

Does Vista really have propulsion issues right now, or is this just a guess based on other people's comments (also assuming) that's the reason for not being able to hold its schedule lately?...