Rebas64573

Have you heard anything about any cases of Covid on the ship? Just curious if there are any reported. Thanks!

I was on the Vista from August 28 to September 4 and it was amazing!!  Only about 2500 guests on board and empty deck chairs everywhere....no lines for sky ride, no lines at bars (actually had happy hour 3 days at Red Frog Pub), had entire sections on the Lido deck to eat by ourselves. Everyone wore masks indoors and the comedy shows were always packed, but everyone had to have masks on and they were reminded often. The food was the best I can recall on Carnival. We liked it so much that we are leaving again on October 2 on same ship, same itinerary....it was just the best cruise ever. I think it is the best kept secret right now because I felt far safer on the ship than I do in my Texas home town. If you can travel on a ship now, go for it. As soon as everyone figures out how great it is, there will be full ships again. Prior to Covid, my husband and I cruised from 2-5 times a year, but this was our first cruise since November 2019. We did this one because we could drive to dock and not have to fly. It truly was just so wonderful to get away and just be on the water again. I can highly recommend cruising....especially now. Go for it!

Thanks, Dave, for the details. My husband and I were on the Oosterdam in January 2015 out of Sydney and loved it and we will be taking the TA on her in a few weeks...the last trip before the renovation. Sorry to hear about the virus, but that happens frequently and no one handles it better than HAL. We have had it many times on TA crossings but have never been sick....one of my best tips is to punch elevator buttons with your elbow, not your fingers...good practice even when you are not on a ship. Again, thanks for all of the great info and have a safe trip home.

Reba in Texas

Nope...bathtubs are gone, not even in Vista Suites. Check it out.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlansFull.action?ship=ko&deck=b&deep=0

Being 4-star travelers, we like HAL ships for specific things found on HAL ships that are not found on other cruise lines in the same category. Other than the obvious, better food, better service, excellent staff, some of our favorite things are:

1. Very Wide walking deck - unlike the narrow walking deck on Princess that requires you to walk up and down a narrow flight of stairs causing congestion.

2. Other than Koningsdam, bathtubs in almost all cabins from ocean view up with only a few exceptions....this is not true on other cruise lines. I am very sad that they changed this on the Koningsdam which is now like every other cruise line...bath tubs only in top suites.

3. Cloth towels in public bathrooms

4. Orchids on tables on Lido deck and spectacular flower arrangements throughout the ship.

5. PG is the best steakhouse we have found on a ship.

6. Happy hour every day...buy one get second for $1. No one else offers that to my knowledge.

7. Neptune Suite with Neptune Lounge is outstanding experience. Staff can do anything from help you plan excursions, make dinner reservations, help you with internet issues, pretty much there to do whatever you need.