bluenose1966

Just did 8 nights staying in HC and totally agree with your review. Thought HC area was brilliant.

Loved the lanai, very private. Most people didn't seem to use them at all which I was surprised at.

We were lucky to have the HC pool private until 7pm. Most time pool and hot tub was empty. Though there was quite a large party of women who hogged hot tub for hours one afternoon.

The large beds by the HC pool were fantastic.

My only minor complaint is there are no umbrellas to protect you from the sun for the sunbeds. I don't like sunbathing and prefer to be in the shade.

Apart from first night ATD was great. We ate about 8pm, the waiting staff were brilliant despite being mad busy.

Loads of great areas to sunbathe on Deck 5 even if not in HC.

Wouldn't have wanted to sunbathe on Lido deck. Too busy and loud for us.

Totally loved our holiday.

Thanks for sharing this.

I'm curious about the liquor how did you walk in with 2 bottles?

We also took on bottle og gin and whiskey bought in Barcelona port. There was no screening of baggage after security, we just all walked on.

On port days you had to put bags through machine so not sure if it would be allowed then.

Yikes, just hope no-one was hurt.

Was on the Vista last week and loved it.

Just had fantastic holiday staying in outside HC 5228. Couldn't hear the music at all from the Havana Bar, though know some guests on deck 6 could.

Most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.

Loads of sunbeds, however unless you could get one of the 6 big double beds which were partially shaded there was no shade. I would have liked a couple of umbrellas. Fabulous views from pool areas.

The chairs (which are very comfortable) in the HC outdoor bar area are well shaded and so is the covered sitting area in the pool.

Sea salt pool. Water cold but refreshing.

The HC bar inside is beautifully decorated but empty mostly of a day.

Never really saw anyone sitting on their own lanai. Possibly because it was do port intensive.

Other pools on ship were mad busy, whereas most times we were only ones in our pool.

Brilliant experience.

=cynd7us;50878650]Hey everyone!

Me & my family are about to travel with the carnival vista from 13 Sep from Athens, I have some questions about the Embarkation day as I'm getting excited :)

1. Does Vista belong to any gate under Athens port? What are the best options to arrive from Athens airport to Vista ship?

DONT KNOW AS BOARDED IN BARCELONA

2. After the check-in process, is there an option to travel around Athens and arrive late ? (maybe leave the baggage under the ship and go to some traveling around Athens)

WHEN WE GOT OUT THE TAXI AT BARCELONA PORT THE PORTERS TOOK OUR SUITCASES OUT OF TAXI AND WE DIDNT SEE THEM AGAIN UNTIL THEY ARRIVED AT OUR ROOM.

3. After the check-in process, is there any option to explore the ship & get some food? Is there any restaurant open during this time?

THE LIDO ON DECK 10 WAS OPEN AND I THINKK GUYS BURGER AND 24 HOUR PIZZA PLACE.

4. On Carnival vista website our boarding time set to 12:00 - 16:00 pm - can we arrive at any time between this time range? I heard somewhere that we can set our own check-in time, is that still apply to vista's administration?

WE HAD TO CHOOSE AN ARRIVAL TIME FROM 10am ONWARDS. THEY SENT US AN EMAIL TO CHOOSE ARRIVAL TIME.

We loved our time on the Vista. Didn't do many port excursions as wanted to enjoy the ship.

Hey js...Did you ever get an answer on the rowing machines?

 

There appears to be 2 in the background on one of the 360 pictures here.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/carnival-vista-982/fitness-center-298774/

 

Can't tell the model/type though. Not a Concept 2 D,E, or Dyno. Fly wheel is low and chain appears to go under then up and back. Monitor arm is higher and looks like there's some orange parts.

Ah Ha...might be a First Degree Fluid Rower! Gonna have to google that because my work won't let me access the site. No idea on what these are like. Looking for reviews. Hopefully someone can post better pictures and give more detail.

Just off Carnival Vista. There were definitely rowing machines, but can't remember how many. About 20 treadmills and maybe 10 X trainers and bikes. Plenty of free weights, also a stretching area in front of treadmills I didn't notice until last day. Never saw a water machine in there so worth taking a bottle of water. Towels are provided as you go in.

The outdoor running track wasn't really used much from what I could see.

Wow! Way to start out! Have a fabulous time!! Remember, it's your cruise. We love cruising but don't participate in hardly any ship activities and covet our time on the balcony. So, I can't wait for the cabana! I also think cruising is a great way to see Europe!

 

 

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Been in Naples port today, we stayed on board. Ship was really empty. There were only about 4 people at anyone time in the Havana Cabana pool area.

Definitely now 7pm for others to come in, but not many seem to as probably getting ready for evening meal.

Great area. My only complaint would be that there is no umbrellas for shade over any of the sun lounges.

There are 6 double beds which offer some shade depending on where the sun is.

The strange thing is not many people seem to ever sit on their own lanai.

On board now staying in Havana Cabana rooms. There are loads of sun beds and most of the time no-one in the pool. The rooms and lanai are lovely. Bed really comfortable and plenty of storage.

Arrived at Port on boarding day at 10:30 and onboard an hour later. Room ready at 12:30.

Lots of nice seating areas on deck 5 Promenade, hardly anyone ever there. Most people seem to stay up by deck 10 and 11 which was mad busy on our only sea day.

On a port day everywhere a lot quieter, especially Havana Cabana area. There was only us sat out there from 11am for an hour.

We think the food is great and plenty of choice.

The staff are always cleaning the outside areas, really clean ship.

My husband a bit disappointed as he was hoping for more organised sports for him and our son to play together. They normally like to play soccer together etc.

My 13 year old not impressed with the kids club. We went to the Welcome Meeting and loads of awkward teens stood around. After 30 minutes of nothing happening he decided he didn't want to join. A shame as there were loads of consoles, which he would have enjoyed.

I think the ship is fantastic and the staff are great.

Good to know. We board in 2 hours and have Havana Cabana booked.

Just doing some last minute research as our first ever cruise.!!

Really enjoyed reading your blog and looking at the photos.

Looks like you had a great time.

Bringing a bottle of wine on board at the start of the cruise is solid, we did just that on the July 9 sailing.

 

I saw at least one bottle of spirits being confiscated at security when boarding the ship in Crete. I wouldn't bank on being able to bring a bottle of Gin on board at the beginning of the cruise. Although as others have stated, enforcement of this policy seems less consistent at European ports.

Thanks! maybe I should not risk it. I was hoping that as we would have already been through security at Barcelona before buying in the shop we wouldn't get scanned again.

Many thanks. I will definitely get a bottle of gin to take on board and save some money.

Hi all,

Never been on a cruise before and understand that we can take one bottle of wine each on board. My husband is a red wine drinker so is delighted. Whereas I am a gin and tonic person (so not quite as delighted.)

However read that at Barcelona there is a shop after security that you can buy wine and spirits. If so I would buy a bottle of gin.

Anyone any experience of this? What does the shop sell?

We are not great drinkers. I may have 2 gin and tonics an evening on board and like the thought of having one on my Havana Cabana balcony of an evening.

Any more than 2-3 Gin and Tonics each evening and I fear I would be leaning over the Promenade deck feeling rather ill.

Will get my 13 year old the bubbles package so he can have his fizzy drinks.

Any advice much appreciated.

There is no charge for the breakfast food that they put out. It was little known so no line of people waiting and it was much more appealing then the cold scrambled eggs on the buffet.

Thanks, like the sound of no line of people and no cold scrambled egg!!!

Did you try the breakfast at Taste on deck 5? Just wondering if that is a decent breakfast destination?

No fee for breakfast and lunch, that's at least according to the bartender. On our cruise, breakfast was also set up as a buffet (albeit very small).

 

Also, now I realize that you have to order the cuban coffee from the bartender and I'm sure there's a fee. They do have free coffee available too.

 

There is a fee for dinner items.

Many thanks, that is great to know. My oh and kids laugh at all my research but it pays off with tips like this.

Good choice. We stayed there pre cruise in April. About a 10 minute walk to Las Ramblas, 12 mins to the port entrance at the WTC (though not entrance for the larger ships).... And a metro stop right outside

Breakfast was reasonable too.

 

Slumming it in August (2 rooms needed and for 4 nights) at the Travelodge Poblenou.... Which is the other side of the city to Barcelona to the airport and about 12 mins taxi back to the port.

Thanks, that's good to know. I wouldn't have minded slumming it but never been before so just went with the reviews.

Thanks OP. Brilliant review. We are staying in that exact cabin in August this year.

We are only intending to do one, possibly two excursions as want to make full use of boat. Plus we have visited some of these areas before.

We ate breakfast there most mornings.

This is our first cruise and we are staying in a Havana cabana.

Just curious as to why you woukd pay for food in Havana bar rather than the free food supplied. I don't mind paying but have read somewhere on here that the Taste Restaurant on deck 5 does good breakfasts and isn't too busy.

Thanks in advance.

We have booked Barcelona Universal hotel as has great reviews and close to Port. Rooftop pool and bar, looks really nice.

We are staying 4 nights before cruise so will be doing a lot of sightseeing.

Thanks for a great review, this is our first ever cruise, so great to get some useful information.

Quick question -do you only get one key card to your room. My husband, son and I will sometimes be doing different things and I was hoping we would all get a key card.