This is a lovely cabin, but I should note that because of an overhang from the Lido deck, the extended balcony is not good for sunning or sunbathing. Thankfully, there was no problem with noise from Lido and the pool just above us.  Movement of the ship was not noticeable, in general.  The fridge was not very cold. We love the aft cabins and the sound of the props reminds us of a waterfall.  But for those desiring short travel distances, this is NOT the place to be as you are as far from the bow as possible.

We left Gumba Limba Park, said goodbye to Christopher and took the bus to Tabyana Beach. Had a drink then got into the beautiful azure water up to my neck - incredible beach!!! Had a Monkey LaLa (frozen Vodka, Baileys and coconut rum drink with chocolate swirl) while Shawn dipped his feet in the waters. Headed back to the boat for lunch since it was not included.

Great excursion!!  Love Gumba Limba and Tabyana Beach is LOVELY! found mtg spot for Tabyana Beach and Gumbalimba Park but the tour directions folks weren&rsquo;t very clear and a bunch of us headed off with the wrong group. Finally our guide, St. Christopher, gathered us and led to the bus. VERY cramped bus - larger folk barely fit down the aisle. 35 minute ride to GumbaLimba Park. Beautiful day! Saw 2  woodpeckers near the huge fig tree. Saw iguanas and island rabbits (capybaras) before going thru the insectarium and Coxen&rsquo;s cave. Climbed lots of stairs then crossed the  bamboo bridge (Puente Bambusa) to see the birds. Scarlet and green/Military macaws as well as green parrots, turkey vultures, toucan and peafowl. Onward to see the monkeys although one visited us at the birds. I was winded when we got to the monkey area so the trainer told me to sit on the swing. Macheco, the white-faced capuchin monkey almost immediately came to sit on me!! The monkeys were fun and friendly except for some infighting with a male harassing a momma and her baby. Mango the monkey also sat on my head. We hiked back, said goodbye to Christopher and took the bus to Tabyana Beach.

After our river safari and lunch, we caught a bus for 35-minute ride to Belize Zoo. This is a wonderful place - all the animals are rescues or born here, not stolen from the wild. Anne, our tour guide, led us thru the maze-like enclosures and open spaces (the capuchin monkeys are from to come and go!). Saw: King Vultures, black vulture, spectacled owl,cougar, margay, ocelot, howler and spider monkeys, jaguarundi, harpy eagle, tayra (bush dog), wild turkeys, jabiru storks, keel-billed toucan, tapir, ornate hawks, alligators and crocodiles, whitetail deer, tarantula, and boas. There's a framed and autographed photo of Steve Irwin from when his show, The Crocodile Hunter filmed there in 2003. Back on the bus for about a 50 minute ride back to Belize city.

After tendering to the dock, we were greeted and led by our guide, Anne, to a restroom and then our boat for the river tour. The boat was partially covered and had hard seats. We went to the manatee area at the mouth of the river then up river. We saw: 5 Bats, several Manatee, iguanas in trees, several Howler monkeys, 2 Morelet crocodiles, parrots, egrets, herons and two rare Jabiru storks w/nest. Stopped at The Iguana Spot for lunch: rice, beans, stewed chicken and a local Belikin beer for Shawn.

Vista Cruise special notes:

- pay for “faster to the fun” or get priority boarding if you hate lines

- Try the Pig and Anchor BBQ or Taste Bar on 5 Midship for no-wait lunch after boarding, since they don’t appear on most deck maps

- Don’t try to get in the aft Havana pool or hot tubs unless you have a Havana cabin (or it’s after 7 pm)

- Gift cards from the spa are restricted - can’t use for thermal suite

- Get tickets for Imax at a kiosk on deck 6 forward (there’s a senior discount for 55+!Back to the cabin to change shoes (the ride requires closed-toe shoes) and a little digestion time then we put on swimsuits and headed to the spa.

Carnival Vista Review

Expectations met on a great cruise!

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Aft-View Extended Balcony

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