Carnival Vista Review
The Vista is great - Carnival will squeeze you for every dime!
Rating by category
Additional details
Overall the ship is fantastic, there is more than you can possibly do in a seven day cruise unless you stay on the ship during the day which defeats the object of a cruise. Red Frog pub, excellent, Dive-in movies really good and where possible topical to the port, shows not bad, comedians were, well lets say you had to be American as they loved the crass and banal humour. The water park was excellent as was the sky course. The skyride was good but not worth the 1.5 hours wait. We didn't go to the IMAX cinema and didn't fancy the games in the casino - they could really do with proper poker tables and an organised tournament - but they both seemed popular. Shuffleboard, mini-golf, etc., etc. Plenty for everyone. The musicians in the Atrium were excellent and different shows every evening. The parties were good with Matt Cruise Director getting the party started in fine style. If you sit close to the action be prepared to participate.
First and foremost is my issue as a British person. I like to tip for good service, I do not like to find 15% added to everything irrespective of the 25 minute wait for a drink, 30 minute wait for a meal and getting the wrong meal or wrongly cooked and then they want you to add a further $96 gratuities each including my children for the service you have already paid for in the cruise, that's $388 for me. However my main concern is that Carnival plan to hold you to ransom at a port unless you take their overpriced tour or their overpriced shuttle. So by Ports of Call;
- Messina, docked on a Sunday. Messina is closed on a Sunday. There is limited public transport on a Sunday. Carnival had an early departure time of 16:30 which meant you could not get to Mount Etna or have a maximum two hours in Taormina unless you took the Carnival tour. There are two ports in Sicily the other being Catania, if we had docked in Catania we could have done either visit ourselves - why did we not dock in Catania and why did we leave so early?
Cabin Review
Cloud 9 Spa Balcony
Good cabin with reasonable privacy for the balcony. Bathroom is very much in the caravan style but works. Bed was large and comfortable and we had enough storage space. Oddly for spa cabins we were told we didn't keep the robe and slippers. Being on the 14th floor is not good unless you can use the stairs as a lift can take quite a while to arrive.
Port Reviews
Barcelona
Barcelona is a beautiful city, Sagrada Familia is amazing if slightly disturbing as a cathedral
Taormina (Messina)
Arrived on a Sunday, most of Messina was shut, could not get anywhere by public transport so we will go back for a separate visit. There was a fantastic cafe with the best gelato in the main square on the opposite side to McDonalds. Not much else here on a Sunday.
Rome (Civitavecchia)
We love Rome, my son had not been before so we went to the Colloseum (highly recommend the underground and third ring tour), St Peter's Square (the Basillica is a must, Vatican Museum excellent, Sistene Chapel a little disappointing), Trevi fountain is amazing but for the third time we have visited in two years it wasn't working and the Spanish steps were closed for repairs also.
Florence (Livorno)
Florence is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful city I have been to though as we going back later this year we choose to go to Pisa on this visit. We pre-booked tickets to climb the leaning tower and it was an excellent decision, really worth the climb. TIP : If going by train everyone sends you Pisa Centralle and then suggests a walk or bus. There is a local train going to Pisa San Rossore station which is much closer to walk to the tower.
Marseille
Surprisingly good. Many years have passed since I was last in Marseille and they have done much to improve it. The fort area is a well though out eclectic mix of old and new, clear waters and an impressive flotilla in the harbour. You don't have to walk far off the main tourist walk to find the more unpleasant side that I remembered so stick to the planned path for a great visit.
Palma de Mallorca (Majorca)
We might not have given this much of chance as we didn't pay for an excursion but by the port side there is nothing. Pay for the excursion, or the taxi. We couldn't tell where the bus went so we got straight back on the ship.