Ykgorbie

Ship - Vista

Deck - 2

Stateroom # - 2361

Stateroom Category – Cove, Category 7C

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - Not a connecting cabin but we had balcony divider opened up between 2361 and 2357

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Balcony view was good - very close to the water which causes lots of sea spray onto the balcony. SOme obstruction above from the life boats

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Cove balconies are just a bit larger than reg balconies

Was wind a problem? - No, coves are very sheltered

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - No problems at all.

Any other comments? - Plenty of storage, just store your luggage under the bed, although I feel that the Vista cabins have less closet or drawer space for some reason....fine for two people though

Nicole, I always love reading your reviews. You are such a prolific storyteller and always has such wonderful adventures. I love the way you and Stephanie share in the planning and ordering of your activities.

 

Even though I have been on the Vista twice, the inaugural and the TA, I know this will be a great read and I will learn from your review.

 

Very curious though. Kinder eggs are banned in the USA? Why? Here in Canada, it is very easy to buy just like any other candies or chocolates.

I was just about to ask the same question ! What's the big deal with Kinder Eggs in the USA ? Is it just so customs doesn't have to open them all up to make sure someone isn't smuggling something in them or can you not even buy them in the USA ??

We will have our first cove balcony on the Vista in two weeks - hope we like it. I may miss the sun I think although being that close to the water excites me !

Also, there are some that they will not open - like if you have a connecting cabin - then those balconies cannot be opened up together. I have always gone to guest services to request it as soon as we board.

It looks beautiful. How did you book it? Was it using the cruise line? They usually don't go for long and I hate to pay their prices for such a short time there. If private, who did you go with?

We were on the Carnival Breeze and booked it through the shore excursions desk onboard. Though we aren't adverse to booking private excursions in some places, I will say that if you are in the least bit nervous about being late getting back to your ship, Catalina island was quite the long boat ride over (not to mention a bus ride to get to the boat).....I would be nervous if the boat broke down - you are a long way from the ship. There are just some islands I am more hesitant to book a private excursion on too - but that's just me.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We took an excursion over to Catalina Island - bit of a bus ride, then a 1/2 hr ride on a boat. The beach we went to was GORGEOUS, not great for snorkeling, although my husband saw a few fish. My only complaint was that we didnt get much more than 2 hrs at the beach. I literally could have spent all day there.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

My husband I stayed at this hotel for about 4 nights, but it was a few years ago. The rooms are not very large, bathroom was lovely but the highlight was having a split level balcony - it was HUGE and had it's own hot tub.

Pool area was nice with plenty of chairs - all in all, it was a nice place but a bit overpriced, especially due to the small rooms.

On the last cruise we were on, we received lovely backgammon boards. Lovely, but very heavy and also, why would we need two of them? Took them to guest services and traded them in for two hanging toiletry bags.

I'd stay put. If it were a switch to a balcony, then, depending on the price, I would for sure consider it. You can spend your $70 on something better - have fun !

Have no personal experience with a 2 year old on a cruise, but from the pictures I've seen, a Havana cabin on the Vista would be IDEAL as the "patio" is large and square should you want to bring a blow up pool for your child. I think you'd have a lot more room than trying to fit one on a regular oblongish shaped balcony...

I cruise on the Vista in less than 3 weeks and I can not get excited...I don't know if it's everything going on in my life ( dad in hospital, uncle in hospital, totaled my only car in a 4 car pileup on a bridge ( not mu fault, hit from behind several times), having panic attacks and been diagnosed with ptsd from the accident, husband losing job after 21 yrs on Dec 20th.) I need some pep talk from my cc friends to get me cheered up.....Gapearl, I know you will be there with me on cruise. This is my 14th cruise since Nov 2011 and its two new ports so I should be happy happy happy. Maybe when I actually get on the boat moving it will help. Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

 

 

Ugh, wow, I'm happy I clicked on your post and read all of the (some most excellent) responses. I had been employed at the same place for 12 years, then bought the company some 6 years ago only to have it burn to the ground this past Spring. We were not able to get back up and running again and unfortunately, had to close the doors for good. Tomorrow is actually the closure date. After the cruise, I am faced with pounding the pavement (snowbanks actually, lol) looking for a new job. On top of that, I have lost 2 of my 3 pets in the last 11 months (15 and 17 yrs old)....our basement is flooding (long story short, City problem with old pipes that they claim they cannot locate the breaks in), my Uncle passed away yesterday...I am SO SO done with 2016 ! I had thought I was handling everything well, but I don't think I am. We are booked on the Vista for Dec.31st and I could not be less excited. In fact, I think I am feeling guilt and anxiety because it is costing so much because of our crappy Cdn dollar. Sure hope that changes once I am onboard - and I do hope you relax and enjoy your cruise. Do what you want, when you want.....and de-stress your mind and soul !

I have not been to Amber Cove, but been to HMC and it is THE perfect beach. The tender is not long either (unlike Belize for example) - if you can afford it, rent a Cabana (watch, because they are limited and sell out quickly). Enjoy !!

Because the exhale looks more like smoke than a cigarette. Also, I don't care was someone inhaled into their lungs but, I do care what they exhale into the air I am inhaling.

Actually, you should be far more concerned about the chemicals emitted from the carpet and upholstery on the plane; the ones you breathe in for the entire flight....I know, I know, if you can't "see" it, there must be nothing there. Not.

I believe the public is not allowed in that area in front of the cabins until after 7pm (or is it 5pm?).....We are going on the Vista for the first time on Dec 31st, so I don't know personally. I have although, read glowing reviews of the Havana cabins !

I have had an $1800 slot win and hubby had $1300 a different time. Both times we were paid in cash, but then we are Canadian and don't pay any tax on it so not sure if that is why the cash...

We like to have the coffee from the Specialty Coffee place in the mornings and I think that the specialty coffee is now part of the Cheers package. My question is: Would our non-alcoholic coffees count toward the 15 drinks/day allowance? Or are is it only the alcoholic drinks that have a max of 15/day? (we're heavy coffee drinkers but don't want to get up to our daily drink max. with coffee !) Thanks in advance....

We have done a few back to backs, mainly because on a good day, airfare from where we live to Florida costs us $ 1800 for the TWO of us and we love the Caribbean. We've once done a B2B where we had to switch cabins and honestly, if you can get the same cabin for both cruises, it's SO much nicer. (otherwise you have to pack your stuff up and coordinate with a steward the moving of your luggage - not tough to do, just nice not to have to). If you're big on going to shows, you will likely see the same ones but there is so much to do on the ship, I doubt you will be bored. I think rather, you'll be all the much more rested after those extra days on the briny ! Enjoy!

I think last time we cruised out of FLL, we were in the airport well before 9am. I believe we did self assist.

I am loving your review - I think Kieron would be so proud of you for going ahead with your plans that he had a big part of. My husband and I are on the Vista on Dec 31st out of Miami and am looking forward to hearing all about your experience. Take care of you !

A friend of mine is currently on the Pride, about to disembark on Sunday am and instead of Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Grand Turk, they went to Halifax and St. John's Canada this past week. Two chilly ports and the rest Sea Days....she didn't seem too impressed.

Ordering the night before wasn't that bad - the special dietary needs lady would come over with the regular menu for the next night and I would pick things and she would let me know whether or not they could be made gf. She encouraged me to order more than one appetizer, entree, dessert....you will still gain weight LOL

Again, I was amazed at how helpful Carnival was with the special menus. The lady would even ask what I wanted to order for breakfast in the MDR the next morning "if" I decided to go. I find the worst part about going on a cruise is all of the travel through airports (we have to take a min of 3 flights to get from here to Florida) - I get sick of eating bananas and oranges and $16 salads, lol. Also, some of the ports can be a pain if I'm hungry. Hope you have a great cruise !

Thanks for the information - very helpful.

 

I don't even see myself ordering food the night before - that would be lots of planning LOL and I am on vacation. While I am on a low FODMAPS diet I can eat 'some' gluten just not a lot. I am also lactose intolerant which complicates things - so despite something being gluten free it would also have to be lactose free as well - which makes things a bit more challenging... Also supposed to stay away from lots of sugar/high fructose glucose corn syrup too - not fun!!!

 

Would love the option of a sf/gluten free/lactose free dessert - if that is even possible? And for meals I can certainly manage w/protein/starch (potatoes/rice) without having to pre-plan my dinners (and I am used to avoiding cheese/dairy (and did I forget to mention the mild nut/peanut allergy???)....

 

I also asked the special needs dept about availability of lactose free milk/cream (possibly soy milk I suppose) and sorbet or other lactose free desserts (I know they have the tropical fruit plate available every night however as per my low FODMAPS diet even some of that fruit would be off limits) :(.

 

The bright side? Might be the first cruise where I don't gain any weight! :D:D

Carnival were WONDERFUL with my gf needs. Just a word of warning - at the breakfast buffet, one day I had some "scrambled eggs" - they did a piece of work on me and I later found out they are from a cardboard container - not fresh eggs. (+ they taste horrible). After that, I had fresh eggs made for me every morning. You certainly should not go hungry. I guess the only downside to it was having to order your next day meal(s) the evening before - not always knowing what you'd feel like eating the next day.

We have used Travelguard several times.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks ! I ended up purchasing a "Gold Emergency Medical Plan" for us through Travelguard. For hubby and myself, $124.00. BUT just fyi, I was reading the small print and if you have an emergency medical situation and your blood alcohol level is over .08, DENIED. So, I guess that would mean, hope you don't have any emergency issues after consuming 2 beer. YIKES

I check insuremytrip.ca' date=' bcaa and RBC - this time BCAA had best rates and I went with them.[/quote']

 

Thanks. Unfortunately, BCAA requires at least one of the people live in BC; I checked RBC's fine print and it does NOT :eek: include medical evac coverage from a cruise ship (sadly, I have purchased it before believing it did); and it seems every time I try to get an online quote - possiblt because I am so far north in Canada (?) - it says there is no coverage for my area.

I've noticed that the casino is a lot smokier smelling since people were banned from smoking outside on their balconies. Go figure.