Vista vs Mardi Gras

[Megan_Strick]

For those of you that have been on both what are your pros, cons, and which ship would you choose? I know the Mardi Gras is newer and bigger. The age of the ship doesn't matter to me. Also, the itinerary is almost the same so that isn't an issue.

Edited February 17, 2023 by Megan_Strick

[ObstructedView2]

43 minutes ago, Megan_Strick said:

 

Also, the itinerary is almost the same so that isn't an issue.

 

 

Hi 🙂

 

Can you list the itineraries & dates anyway. More informed information equals better, more informed replies.

 

 

🍹

[Caps_Shield]

If you are staying in the Havana area, I would say Vista because the area on that ship is superior.  For everything thing else I loved the Mardi Gras.    The have better restaurants and bars.  

[Megan_Strick]

22 minutes ago, ObstructedView2 said:

 

Hi 🙂

 

Can you list the itineraries & dates anyway. More informed information equals better, more informed replies.

 

 

🍹

Both Sept '24. Grand Turk, Amber Cove, HMC I think. My questions was more for the ships than the itinerary since I have been to all of the ports in the past.

[ObstructedView2]

7 minutes ago, Megan_Strick said:

Both Sept '24. Grand Turk, Amber Cove, HMC I think. My questions was more for the ships than the itinerary since I have been to all of the ports in the past.

 

Hi 🙂

 

I realize that.

 

However, the itineraries of Vista & Mardi Gras for September 2024 couldn't be more different from one another.

 

The difference in itineraries are night & day.

 

Sept 7th, 2024 the Vista has a terrific 8-day itinerary. Aruba, Curacao & Grand Turk.

 

And September 21st, 2024 Vista 8-day; Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten & Amber Cove.

 

Mardi Gras in September 2024 has 6 & 7-day itineraries going to Nassau, Amber Cove, Cozumel etc, etc, etc..

 

 

 

 

[Megan_Strick]

16 minutes ago, ObstructedView2 said:

 

Hi 🙂

 

I realize that.

 

However, the itineraries of Vista & Mardi Gras for September 2024 couldn't be more different from one another.

 

The difference in itineraries are night & day.

 

Sept 7th, 2024 the Vista has a terrific 8-day itinerary. Aruba, Curacao & Grand Turk.

 

And September 21st, 2024 Vista 8-day; Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten & Amber Cove.

 

Mardi Gras in September 2024 has 6 & 7-day itineraries going to Nassau, Amber Cove, Cozumel etc, etc, etc..

 

 

 

 

Again, I want to know about the ships. Not itineraries. 

[lazydayz]

12 minutes ago, Megan_Strick said:

Again, I want to know about the ships. Not itineraries. 

 

 About the only reasons to pick Vista it would be if you plan to have a Havana cabin and utilize that area, or if you prefer smaller or older ships.  The cabins and bathrooms may be slightly larger.  

 

You might pick the MG because of its multiple dining options (many are new and included in your fare), the new specialty restaurants (both Emeril's and Rudi's are worth a visit on every sailing), the new design and updated decor, the Grand Atrium, the variety of entertainment (up to six comedy shows most days; different shows and entertainers in the Grand Atrium and the theaters), various new bars (many have live music in the late afternoon or evenings), the Loft 19 area (if in an Excel suite or purchase a cabana), the great layout of the casino where the main area with the casino host stand and cage are non-smoking), the expansive Serenity area, the roller coaster or just to try something new. 

 

To me, it is not even a close call.  MG all the way.  

[Mic101680]

You're talking about two different classes of ships.

 

What kinds of activities do you like to do? Where are you likely to spend most of your time? How important is the variety of dining options to you? Assuming the itineraries are very similar, what's the difference in price (if that's important to you)?

 

Just a few things to think about and then compare the ships that way to choose 🙂

 

[Lee Cruiser]

We were on both last year and would pick Mardi Gras without a question.  Included food options are so much better than Vista.  Loved Shaq's Big Chicken.  We ate there twice and would have went back again.  The entertainment on the Mardi Gras is also so much better.  Mardi Gras' center stage shows were perhaps the best shows we've ever seen in over 20 cruises.  There were over 50 comedy shows during a seven day cruise in two different venues (one for family friendly and others in the punchliner), including more family friendly shows than on any other ship.  We also loved the extended balcony we had on the Mardi Gras.  It had loungers and we spent most of our day on the balcony relaxing.

 

Can't think of anything that was better on the Vista than the Mardi Gras, not that we had a bad cruise on Vista, we thoroughly enjoyed it.  But, when comparing the two, we would pick Mardi Gras any day.

[Pellaz]

14 hours ago, Caps_Shield said:

If you are staying in the Havana area, I would say Vista because the area on that ship is superior.  For everything thing else I loved the Mardi Gras.    The have better restaurants and bars.  

 

THIS.  

The Excel class is a game-changer for Carnival.  With the exception of their "afterthought" Havana areas, they are significantly better than the Vista class in every other way I can think of, ESPECIALLY for "free"/included dining options.   

 

[Joebucks]

I haven't sailed either, but close enough with Panorama and Celebration. The Excel class is an improvement in nearly every way.

[Guest BasicSailor]

17 hours ago, Megan_Strick said:

Again, I want to know about the ships. Not itineraries. 

I can't comment on MG as I haven't cruised on it. I think there are three of four newer ships that I haven't cruised on yet. I like the fact that Jimbo and others on this board will ware out the new first 😉 From experience Vista is a nice ship with less people aboard than MG. But I prefer Dream class overall.

Edited February 18, 2023 by BasicSailor

[tree.critter]

Haven’t been on Vista but have been on Panorama, Horizon and Mardi Gras.  I agree with most of what’s been said but as a Cloud 9 Spa fan I hated the Thalassa pool on Mardi Gras, much nicer on the Vista class (Dream class still best). Loved the food options on Mardi Gras, Shaq’s Chicken is great, never ate a Guy’s burger on Mardi Gras. So unless a Havana or Cloud 9 person I’d probably go with Mardi Gras again.

[evandbob]

Mardi Gras hands down.  In addition to the food venues already mentioned, it has a cleaner, more modern, non glitzy decor.

 

And the smokeless side of the casino is a pleasure!

[13cheermom]

So we also contemplated our next cruise between these two ships.  We just sailed on the Mardi Gras in January and had a great time booked in a cove balcony for the first time as well.  Haven't sailed on the Vista class ships yet, so since they will be in PC (our favorite port) next year, considered the cove balconies on the Vista.  However after sailing on Mardi Gras, we decided to re-book on the Mardi Gras for next year (different itinerary) to enjoy it again.  There was so much to see and do on the Madi Gras we actually didn't get to do everything on a 7-day cruise.  Have to agree with all the above that said MG would be the choice of the 2.  My husband and I thought we would be comparing everything to MG, and not be happy with the Vista.  If you like the private Havana area, then it might be a game changer, but we prefer to be out and about on the ship where the action is.  Good Luck deciding!

[Palmetto Pilot]

out of about 50 cruises the Mardi Gras was probably the absolute worst ship and most disappointing cruise I've ever taken. Too many people, not enough crew. If you like waiting for everything then I'd say the MG is for you. 

[pirate4me2]

On 2/17/2023 at 2:56 PM, Caps_Shield said:

If you are staying in the Havana area, I would say Vista because the area on that ship is superior.  For everything thing else I loved the Mardi Gras.    The have better restaurants and bars.  

I second this 100%. 

[Pellaz]

10 hours ago, 13cheermom said:

.... If you like the private Havana area, then it might be a game changer, but we prefer to be out and about on the ship where the action is.  Good Luck deciding!

 

Interestingly, this was one of the reasons why my friends opted not to get us a Havana cabana room again on the Horizon (we had one back in October), settling instead for a regular balcony just off Lido.   While we loved every aspect of the Havana area (except the soot), my friends mentioned that they liked to see other parts of the ship, and not be so tied to the back and the Havana area.  

For me, I'd prefer a Havana room again, especially seeing how crowded the Serenity hot-tubs were, but I'll go with the majority.  Besides, there are no 3-person Havana rooms available for our sailing.  

[jimbo5544]

On 2/17/2023 at 2:56 PM, Caps_Shield said:

If you are staying in the Havana area, I would say Vista because the area on that ship is superior.  For everything thing else I loved the Mardi Gras.    The have better restaurants and bars.  

Bingo

 

[ChuckF]

Not sure when the Vista is going into dry-dock, but I would not get on Vista until they fix their propulsion issues. 

[JimmyTheSaint]

MG v Vista is a no contest in my view, Mardi Gras its an easy choice. MG has the best variety of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues in the Carnival fleet. The entertainment venues include 2 comedy clubs and 2 theatres used nightly. The Vista class ships have the worst theatre I've ever sat in. The entertainment on MG, throughout the whole ship, is on a much higher level than anything I've experienced on any previous Carnival cruise.