Just off The Vista

[DreadPirateRobert]

We just returned from a fun week on the Vista. It was our first cruise since before the pandemic and our first Carnival cruise in 7 years. We’d drifted away from Carnival because we just didn’t like the direction it was going. No enforcement of policies on chair hogs, dress codes etc. Anyway, we decided last minute to give Carnival another try. We’d loved them for years , 14 cruises worth. Despite being last minute we were able to snag a Havana Experience cabin so ( if rules were enforced) it would be a more private, relaxed experience. 
Let me begin these observations by saying the crew are amazing. Very friendly, even more so than I remembered. There were people everywhere keeping the ship as clean as possible. Even people hard at work cleaning would smile and say “Hello”

Prior to sailing I’d read that food quality had declined. Food “quality” is such a subjective topic I almost hate to comment. I certainly didn’t expect Michelin star quality foods at Carnival prices but I’d have to say I agree. To me, the food isn’t as good as it once was. One exception was the filet mignon served on first “elegant” night. It  was one of the best pieces of meat I’ve ever tasted. 
Other than that, food was “meh” For heavens sake they couldn’t even get the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake right. It was cooked to the consistency of a brownie. Note the word “ Melting”. It should be gooey in the center. It’s supposed to be the signature desert, one would think they could get it right. For years my wife could order one and it would be exactly what she expected. This time 5of 6 were fails. The one exception being our last night. Jimmy, our excellent waiter, was trying so hard for it to be right must have gone back to the kitchen and pulled one out early to be sure. 
For us, The Havana Experience was worth every cent extra. People looking for the non-stop party should be able to find that. We aren’t those people so it was great to have a separate pool and lounging  area and a bar that isn’t wall to wall people. Despite my earlier concerns the area was very well regulated. Even with signs saying Access by Havana Wristband Only, anyone who walked out there without one was politely but immediately turned around. 
I wouldn’t say we’ll never sail Carnival again. The price point, even with the Havana cabins is still attractive and Galveston is close (byTexas standards😉) Overall it still just isn’t the atmosphere we enjoy on vacation. This is by no means a comment or a criticism of people who want to dress ultra casually all the time. We all work hard for our vacations and should spend them where we wish. 
Overall we had fun and had wonderful service on a very nice ship. 

 

 

[Mr.Stumpy]

Thanks for the info. My family will be cruising on the Vista in early June. We have a Family Harbor cabin since we now have young children. Normally I like balcony cabins and especially the Cloud 9 Spa cabins.

 

How was the Havana area after 7pm? I understand it's open to all after that time. I would have loved to try one of those cabins, but both kiddos are under 12. I'm still looking forward to checking it out in the evening though.

 

What is your preferred cruise line now? I've been eyeballing Royal Caribbean quite a bit. But I would say that ships with a spa that has relaxation rooms has become one of my biggest selling points. I haven't sailed on any Carnival ship that doesn't have a Cloud 9 Spa.

 

Texas standards, i.e. less than an 8 hour drive lol

[1025cruise]

23 minutes ago, Mr.Stumpy said:

How was the Havana area after 7pm? I understand it's open to all after that time. I would have loved to try one of those cabins, but both kiddos are under 12. I'm still looking forward to checking it out in the evening though.

This was changed pre-pandemic. The Havana area is only open to Havana cabins 24x7. 

[stobe1]

9 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

This was changed pre-pandemic. The Havana area is only open to Havana cabins 24x7. 

If I recall correctly, they began this policy even before the shutdown.

 

We were in a Havana cabin on Horizon Dec 2019 and am 99.999% sure and would bet the farm that Havana was only for Havana guests even after 7pm.

Edited March 5, 2023 by stobe1

[Mr.Stumpy]

2 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

This was changed pre-pandemic. The Havana area is only open to Havana cabins 24x7. 

 

2 hours ago, stobe1 said:

If I recall correctly, they began this policy even before the shutdown.

 

We were in a Havana cabin on Horizon Dec 2019 and am 99.999% sure and would bet the farm that Havana was only for Havana guests even after 7pm.

 

You both appear to be correct. Based on what I can dig up now on the Carnival website, everything says the Havana pool is exclusive to those rooms and the grand suites. I guess it's just the Havana bar that is open to others. A little disappointing, but the bar area sounds quite nice too.

[stobe1]

18 minutes ago, Mr.Stumpy said:

 

 

You both appear to be correct. Based on what I can dig up now on the Carnival website, everything says the Havana pool is exclusive to those rooms and the grand suites. I guess it's just the Havana bar that is open to others. A little disappointing, but the bar area sounds quite nice too.

Thats just the inside bar. The exterior bar by the pool is for Havana guests only as well.

[hillbillycruisers]

I have to agree about the quality of the food....it has absolutely went downhill from pre covid standards...at least on the ships we've sailed on. It's still  a cruise...still a good time..and still decent food for the most part...just not as good as before. I'm definitely a foodie person, and if Carnival ever reaches the point where I don't like the food, it'll be syanara...but it's nowhere near that point yet. 

[firefly333]

2 hours ago, Mr.Stumpy said:

 

 

You both appear to be correct. Based on what I can dig up now on the Carnival website, everything says the Havana pool is exclusive to those rooms and the grand suites. I guess it's just the Havana bar that is open to others. A little disappointing, but the bar area sounds quite nice too.

Dont pin your hopes on the outside part of the Havana bar. I tried twice and a long wait to try a shot of cuban coffee. The bar tenders ignore the outside folks on my cruise. 

[FTLCruiseGal]

7 hours ago, Mr.Stumpy said:

 

What is your preferred cruise line now? I've been eyeballing Royal Caribbean quite a bit. But I would say that ships with a spa that has relaxation rooms has become one of my biggest selling points. I haven't sailed on any Carnival ship that doesn't have a Cloud 9 Spa.

 

 

Carnival is the clear winner in the spa relaxation area.  I wanted to be excited for Royal’s, but I was very underwhelmed when I did the tour.

[DreadPirateRobert]

21 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Dont pin your hopes on the outside part of the Havana bar. I tried twice and a long wait to try a shot of cuban coffee. The bar tenders ignore the outside folks on my cruise. 

Sorry to hear that. Our experience was the complete opposite. There were a few times when karaoke was going on in the Havana lounge that it took a minute or two to get service but overall it was very prompt. 

[DreadPirateRobert]

On 3/5/2023 at 9:26 AM, Mr.Stumpy said:

Thanks for the info. My family will be cruising on the Vista in early June. We have a Family Harbor cabin since we now have young children. Normally I like balcony cabins and especially the Cloud 9 Spa cabins.

 

How was the Havana area after 7pm? I understand it's open to all after that time. I would have loved to try one of those cabins, but both kiddos are under 12. I'm still looking forward to checking it out in the evening though.

 

What is your preferred cruise line now? I've been eyeballing Royal Caribbean quite a bit. But I would say that ships with a spa that has relaxation rooms has become one of my biggest selling points. I haven't sailed on any Carnival ship that doesn't have a Cloud 9 Spa.

 

Texas standards, i.e. less than an 8 hour drive lol

As you’ve read, Havana is not open to other guests after 7 pm. I can see people wanting to at least have a look at Havana but as someone who paid a healthy up charge I’d hate to have it overrun. Several nights I went out there for a night cap and some quiet. 
Celebrity has become our favorite. Still affordable but a bit more elegant without being stuffy. We’ve booked an Azamara for June. Never done them. Guess we’ll see. 

[Caps_Shield]

Going on the Vista in July and staying in the Havana area.  I cannot wait.  it should be fun.  Glad you had a good time!

 

@DreadPirateRobert Did you miss any ports due to the Vista's possible issues?  We are going to Grand Cayman and have seen people get moved to other ports.  Not sure if you even were supposed to go there.

 

 

[Sundsgn]

@DreadPirateRobert did you go to the Alchemy at all? Curious if it was super busy and who the bartenders are right now.

[crazy4themouse]

On 3/5/2023 at 9:07 AM, DreadPirateRobert said:

Prior to sailing I’d read that food quality had declined. Food “quality” is such a subjective topic I almost hate to comment. I certainly didn’t expect Michelin star quality foods at Carnival prices but I’d have to say I agree. To me, the food isn’t as good as it once was. One exception was the filet mignon served on first “elegant” night. It  was one of the best pieces of meat I’ve ever tasted. 

 

We just got off that cruise as well, also in Havana, and agree with pretty much everything you said. That filet mignon was amazing! I was very surprised, and very impressed. We were happily surprised with nearly all the food, actually, compared to our other post-restart Carnival sailings on Vista and Breeze. Most recent was Breeze in October, and this was a night-and-day difference for us between then and now. We are faaarrrrrrr from being foodies by any stretch of the definition, but the offerings had gotten to the inedible level on several occasions. Everything was much improved this time, especially in the MDR and at the Marketplace buffet. 

 

And we love the Havana area... It's the only way to go on a Vista-class ship!! So peaceful and quiet, with great bartenders. Never had a wait at the outside bar. We realized as were disembarking that this will probably be the last time we'll get to enjoy Vista or the Havana area before she leaves, barring some incredible casino deal, and that makes me sad. Really enjoy that ship.

 

 

 

[atxlady]

The Havana area is so worth the extra money. By the of the cruise you will know others in the area. At night the bar was used for Karaoke but it was so much fun. If you can book a room in that area do it. Have fun!!!