Carnival Vista Review
Awesome cruise on Vista. Western Caribbean from Miami. April 30, 2017
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The entire experience was better than expected, and we expected an awesome vacation. Parking at the Port of Miami was a breeze. (watch out for those toll lanes on I-95). If you are not travelling with children, the Havana area is the way to go. We stayed in a Havana Cabana. The pool, Jacuzzi and outdoor bar areas are closed to guests without the Havana wrist band until 7pm each night. You wouldn't believe what a difference that made. So quiet, never crowded, nobody "saving" lounge chairs, no wait at the bar to order. Breakfast was set up just outside the Havana area on deck 5 each morning and it was never crowded. If you get the drink package, specialty coffees and delicious milk shakes are included, also found on deck 5 just outside the Havana area.
Steakhouse was very good. Ji-Jis forgot to peel some of the shrimp in my dish.... yuck. The sushi area was very nice and the sushi was good. We got "my time dining" and we ate with different people each night. Quite a few partiers in the other sections of the ship, loud and at times profane, but these days not everyone knows how to behave. Not Carnival's fault at all. Very smoky in the casino, but that was to be expected. We were in there to do a "slot pull" with 20 other guests. A fun 10 minutes, but my wife and I walked out $20 lighter than when we walked in. Smoke was virtually undetectable outside the casino area.
Went to Mr. Sanchos all inclusive resort at Cozumel. I'd recommend it if "all you can drink and eat" appeals to you. Otherwise not many people were in the water, and the water attractions (floats and climbing areas) came at an additional price. I read reviews that said you had to use the expensive biodegradable sun screen. Nobody checked us. Of course that stuff doesn't rub in so you look like a snowman with it on. It's obvious who uses it and who doesn't. The food was really good. you could select from the menu or take a trip down the buffet. I recommend the coconut shrimp on the buffet. the citrus dipping sauce for the shrimp was top notch. Cozumel itself around the cruise ship area is very expensive. Hard Rock Café and Harley Davidson souvenirs seem to be 30% to 50% higher than the other ports.
Cabin Review
Havana Cabana (Balcony)
The cabin size was typical of most balcony cabins. The outside area was about twice or more the size of a regular balcony. A swinging chair, a lounge chair and a half-lounge made up the furnishings on the "porch". There is a walkway between the end of the porch (a gate separates you from it) and the side of the ship. The walkway goes all the way around to the other side of the Havana area. Foot traffic on that walkway was very minimal, even after 7pm when the area was opened to the rest of the ship. There is a large wooden louvered or slatted door that is locked during the day to keep people out and then unlocked at 7pm to let people in. When the door was unlocked it wasn't propped open, so people rarely came through it. They just didn't know it was unlocked. shhhhh ... don't tell anyone. Oh so nice. Travelling with Children? The Havana area is boring. The kids will hate it and there is a sea monster that haunts Deck 5 at night. Take your kids and stay in the family harbor area where Dr. Seuss is. My opinion of course. Very pleased with this cabin.
Port Reviews
Cozumel
All you can eat...all you can drink....and a ride back to the ship.... priceless. (actually $49 per person plus taxi fare)
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Rode the tender, went to a nice restaurant. Rode the tender back. (Not our first trip to Grand Cayman)
Ocho Rios
We left the ship, fought our way through all of the tour and taxi operators to the Harley shop. Bought a shirt and went back to the ship. (We have been to Jamaica before)
Miami
Hard Rock café is very close to the cruise ship terminal, so we went there.