Carnival Vista Review
4.5 / 5.0
NJNCGrandma
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s
Rating by category
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Additional details
Sail Date: Feb 2017
Cabin: Ocean View
After reading all the negative comments about Vista, I have to admit we were hesitant to board it. However, from the start, the trip was smooth sailing. We checked in at the airport and took the bus to the port. We had to wait less than an hour to get onto the ship. We were on board by noon, where the pool was open and food and drinks were available. Our keys to our rooms were placed in the room mailbox and we were in before our luggage arrived. No problem because we had packed our swim suits. Dress was very casual that night including in the main dining room. We found no reason to eat in the specialty restaurants for an extra fee because there was always a wide variety of food to choose from. I did find that on non-elegant nights, people were wearing baseball caps and shorts to the main dining room and were not sent out.
The features for kids on this cruise were fantastic. The Family Harbor area was great if you had kids. I did the ropes course and loved it once I got my nerve up and realized I could do it. You are attached and if you fall like one lady did, the crowd below you was very supportive and cheered you on while the rope guy assisted you across the course. There was no wait for this and probably took 20 minutes. Loved the skyride and went on that twice. Had to wait 15 minutes the first time and 25 the second time. If you go as a single you get on much quicker. We did not have time to see any IMAX movie although I would have loved to see Logan which just came out that day. The production players put on great shows with fantastic costumes and we liked 2 of the 3 comedians we saw. Matt the cruise director was wonderful but it was also his last tour, the same as the show crew and piano player.
Our first day was a sea day and true to their word, if you left your items unattended for 40 minutes or longer, the staff removed your items to make room for someone else. We had gone on a cabin crawl which took over an hour so no surprise that our stuff was placed nicely in a corner. It was worth it though because we got to see the Havana cabins and several others that are not pictured.
Cabin Review
Ocean View
Cabin 6A
Our cabin had two sinks, two showers/tub and one toilet. We really didn't need all that since it was just the 2 of us. "K", our stewart, was very nice and attentive.
Port Reviews
Grand Turk
When you get off the ship the free blue clam shells and chairs to the right are for Carnival cruisers. Beware the beach is rocky there. Margaritaville has a pool and surfing area for teens and no charge to rent chairs. Jack's Shack is about 10-15 minute walk down beach where beers were $4 compared to $7 at MV. Beach was less rocky the further we walked down.
San Juan
We walked to El Morro which is a national park and free to seniors 62 and older with park pass. Also had pina coladas at Barrachina Restaurant, home of the original pina coloda. Trolleys there are free to hop on and off at will but we walked everywhere.
St. Maarten
Took a tour with Bernard's Tour, which was OK. We did go to Maho Beach and sat at Sunset Bar watching the planes fly over the swimmers in the ocean. We spent about an hour at Marigot and had great French pastries at Sarafino's bakery. We then went to La Playa at Orient Beach. There did not appear to be much nudity here as it is a clothing optional beach. After the tour you have time to see the Star Wars Museum, home of the original yoda designer. Great for kids.
St. Kitts (Port Zante)
Our last visit here we walked to Palm Courts which is an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and the ship. The ship's crew told us about it. Nominal fee and they had facilities. This time we took a taxi to Carambola Beach. Our taxi driver was Smokey. We reserved beach chairs and umbrella on line which they will hold for you for an hour. Nice beach, facilities and restaurant, although we did not eat there.
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