Vista Inaugural 5/1/16 13-nights Trieste-Barcelona Review

[les37b]

Of course, as soon as I say that, someone will try to bring on a case of beer, be stopped, and it will be my fault for saying it was OK. ;)

 

I blame you for not posting this before I paid up for Cheers last week! :p

 

Did they search your stuff in Trieste? I'm actually not that bothered in the other ports (since I have bought cheers).... but certainly would like to bring on more than the 1 bottle each we are actually allowed to (for real) at Embarkation in Barcelona.

 

What actually was the process? Did you have to show them what you have and they saw and just waved you through?

[NCTribeFan]

I did not have a bottle in my carry-on at embarkation but the others did and I don't recall that they had to show anyone anything. They also had some things in their checked bags and there was no issue getting that on the ship, either. Now, that may not be the case with the checked bags always, but the carry-on stuff didn't really get any inspection at all.

 

I wasn't paying all that much attention by the time we got to the security scanners. That was after the first couple of chair rooms and before the third. I think. Between the jet lag (which I didn't really notice but realize now that it was present), I just don't remember all that much.

 

I recommend trying it in the first port and see if it works!

[les37b]

I did not have a bottle in my carry-on at embarkation but the others did and I don't recall that they had to show anyone anything. They also had some things in their checked bags and there was no issue getting that on the ship, either. Now, that may not be the case with the checked bags always, but the carry-on stuff didn't really get any inspection at all.

 

I wasn't paying all that much attention by the time we got to the security scanners. That was after the first couple of chair rooms and before the third. I think. Between the jet lag (which I didn't really notice but realize now that it was present), I just don't remember all that much.

 

I recommend trying it in the first port and see if it works!

 

Ok thank you.... though I think the first port is the only port that can have your stash of wine confiscated and not given back. (Other ports they usually put in store for you dont they?)

 

Shall have a go with 4 bottles.... and make up some excuse if they challenge. I wont be too upset if they say no and keep if for the crew to party! :p

[crzndeb]

Ok thank you.... though I think the first port is the only port that can have your stash of wine confiscated and not given back. (Other ports they usually put in store for you dont they?)

 

Shall have a go with 4 bottles.... and make up some excuse if they challenge. I wont be too upset if they say no and keep if for the crew to party! :p

 

A friend who was on the inaugural said there were no tables set up at ports to take alcohol. Also people were bringing bottles of water on from the ports with no issue. She said all rules about liquor and bottles went out the window for Euorpe cruises.

 

I was going to buy a bottle of alcohol from Bon Voyage, but I think I will just wait for the first port.

[Shake-n-Bake]

Sounds wonderful! Have you been to Bermuda? I've been twice, last time last fall. We had almost 3 full days that time and it still wasn't long enough. It's beautiful. Very different from the Caribbean, though.

 

I just booked the 1/2/17 Pride Journeys. That may be it for me and Carnival. We'll see.

First time for Bermuda and first time for Domican Republic. Going to see as much as I can this time. This is also a Journeys cruise, going to leave for Miami tomorrow but will be keeping up with your review.

[NCTribeFan]

A friend who was on the inaugural said there were no tables set up at ports to take alcohol. Also people were bringing bottles of water on from the ports with no issue. She said all rules about liquor and bottles went out the window for Euorpe cruises.

 

I was going to buy a bottle of alcohol from Bon Voyage, but I think I will just wait for the first port.

 

This is true. I'm not a mixed-drink drinker (except for the occasional blue margarita or Dark-and-stormy), but I think I'd also just buy a bottle in the first port and go for it!

 

First time for Bermuda and first time for Domican Republic. Going to see as much as I can this time. This is also a Journeys cruise, going to leave for Miami tomorrow but will be keeping up with your review.

 

Ed, be sure to try a Dark-and-Stormy. Or several! Yum. I even bought some Gosling's Black Seal Rum and found Gosling's Ginger Beer in a local store and am making them at home.

 

Of course, I did write a Bermuda cruise review but if you didn't read it then, you probably won't have time before you sail. Did the Sunshine Journeys last year with Angela and Lester and crowd, who are also booked on the Pride, as well as a bunch of people who were just on Vista. The "Journeys" part of it wasn't a big deal, but the cruise itself was a good one.

[Froufie]

In my experience doing Europe/transatlantics there is rarely any checking or bottle 'removal' as on Caribbean cruises - was able to bring wine on in most ports with no major issues.....

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Still following & enjoying!

[sweethart9510]

Following

[NCTribeFan]

I'll try to get back to it tomorrow. Still have lots of days to cover!

[mississauga]

Ok thank you.... though I think the first port is the only port that can have your stash of wine confiscated and not given back. (Other ports they usually put in store for you dont they?)

 

Shall have a go with 4 bottles.... and make up some excuse if they challenge. I wont be too upset if they say no and keep if for the crew to party! :p

 

Are you getting on in Athens or Barcelona? Both ports have duty free shops after you go through security.

[mississauga]

A friend who was on the inaugural said there were no tables set up at ports to take alcohol. Also people were bringing bottles of water on from the ports with no issue. She said all rules about liquor and bottles went out the window for Euorpe cruises.

 

I was going to buy a bottle of alcohol from Bon Voyage, but I think I will just wait for the first port.

 

 

Debbie,

 

I don't remember how well stocked the duty free shop was at the Barcelona duty free. It has been a few years since we cruised out of Barcelona. We were only looking for beer for S and they only had 1 brand. Not sure about the liquor. Athens duty free is well stocked

[NCTribeFan]

I forgot about the Duty Free shop in Athens. I bought a scarf and had a look around for cold meds but it was mostly booze and souvenirs. I didn't look at the alcohol offerings so can't say what they had in stock, but the area was fairly large.

[les37b]

I forgot about the Duty Free shop in Athens. I bought a scarf and had a look around for cold meds but it was mostly booze and souvenirs. I didn't look at the alcohol offerings so can't say what they had in stock, but the area was fairly large.

 

You would have been OK on your trip as the ship was scheduled to call in Turkey. But anyone whose cruise does't leave the EU, I suspect it will be the same as EU airports where you will be unable to purchase duty free goods. And that's independent of your nationality.

 

Mine starts and ends in Barca and no none EU ports. We might be allowed to buy tax free - which is different. UK airports will have two different prices on bottles of Spirit, depending if your flight is EU internal or External. Given the Spanish are the ones kicking up a stink with cruise ships, I suspect you will only be offered the dearer flight. You cant buy cigarettes in the duty free shop in a UK airport unless you are flying to outside the EU.

 

Something for people to consider...

[mirp]

Enjoying your review.

[NCTribeFan]

Finally starting to feel better but have had to put in some longer days at work thanks to multiple doctor appointments and car issues. And I had to watch the Cavs last night instead of writing more review!

 

The good news is I now have every-other Friday off starting tomorrow, so I'll have a nice, long weekend to (hopefully) get this wrapped up. And maybe even get my clothes and suitcase put away! ;)

 

Warning: remaining days are truly a blur. I realized at the time that I needed to be taking at least some minimal notes, but I didn't. Just didn't have the energy. So, apologies in advance. At least I have photos, but am terribly disappointed in the quality of the ones taken with my point-and-shoot; I knew my phone took great photos but didn't realize how much better until I saw them side-by-side.

[gh1088]

Hi There!

Loving your review. Did you take any photos of the deluxe ocean view? We are staying in one in October.

 

Thanks

[NCTribeFan]

I did not. Sorry. Layout was just like shown on the deck plans, though. You've probably seen the renderings of the cabins, too, with the unique color scheme.

 

Entering, our closets were on the left: 1 long with no shelves, 1 with a rod and shelf underneath, 1 with shelves, the safe, then 3 drawers underneath. It's been mentioned elsewhere, but there are no drawers at the vanity table (other than the central drawer witch had the hair dryer) but there are some small shelves up above against the exterior of the closet.

 

To the right is the regular bathroom with the small one immediately following.

 

Past the closets on the left is the vanity desk; past the 2nd bathroom on the right is the couch (which stayed made up as a bed the entire time) and the drop-down bunk above it (which also stayed made up the entire time).

 

We ended up pushing the two twins together (although requested they NOT be made up as a king; gave us a little separation while sleeping) and put the end tables on either side. Turned out mine (next to the window) wouldn't quite fit into the space left but it wasn't a problem.

 

I did use the window sill as additional storage space to pile a lot of my stuff. The life jackets are under the bed, so we pushed them all the way up under the headboard and were able to slide all four big cases under the beds.

[gh1088]

Thanks for the great description. I have seen the renderings too. I think we'll like the extra bathroom!

[NCTribeFan]

5/10/16 Palermo, Sicily

 

This is where it starts to get really vague. I just spent about 45 minutes searching our Roll Call and spreadsheets and various websites to try to refresh my memory on just where we went and what we saw.

 

I believe this is the morning that we had two different groups arranged and were all out on the dock. For some reason, fearless leader took Group 1 off to find their driver. While she was gone, a woman in our group decided to go back on the ship to use the toilet. While she was gone our leader returned and sent the rest of us down to our driver. Why we didn’t all go together in the first place is a mystery to me since we were all there! Anyway, the husband decided to go back on the ship and find her. OMG. Seriously? So, she returned while he was off hunting for her. People, don’t do this. Please. Stay at the meeting place. Anyway, late again, we finally set off.

 

The non-stop comments about the way people were driving started to annoy me (and I was already annoyed at the late start). Yes, it was chaotic. To me, it made perfect sense. People drive tiny, maneuverable vehicles; others let them merge constantly, and everyone gets where they need to go.

 

We first went to Monreale Cathedral. Some had to take a taxi up to the hilltop; some of us walked. The Cathedral had some beautiful mosaics.

 

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We headed back down to the van and out to Segesta to see the Greek Theatre and Doric Temple. And to listen to more complaining about how “everything is on a hill.” How dare those silly Greeks build temples on hills? What were they thinking? Didn’t they know out-of-shape, immobile Americans would want flat, paved roads to see these things thousands of years later? Can you tell that by now, the late starts and gripes about having to walk were starting to wear on me? I mean, I'd been sick for a week by this point and I was still walking and climbing hills and stairs and I'm not exactly young any more.

 

 

 

 

After visiting the Temple, we had time to grab a bit to eat. I again got some sort of savory pastry thing and a Moretti to wash it down.

 

Back to Palermo. There were people getting worried about the time (well, maybe they should’ve made sure we’d start on time that morning!!) and they virtually leapt off the van and headed to the ship. Seemed mobile enough then! Pretty sure they stiffed the tour guide in their haste to depart. There was nothing to worry about since Carnival had an excursion that went to the Valley of the Temples, which was much further away than we’d traveled. Sure enough, we sailed quite late thanks to having to wait for the big Carnival buses.

 

This evening, I had sushi for dinner. My cabinmates were having dinner in the steak house with some other Roll Call folks. While I enjoy the steak house, I just didn’t see the need to spend the extra funds and overeat. After all, I’d done the Chef’s Table this time. I really enjoyed the meal and thought it was well worth the $13 (including tip) it cost!

 

 

More wasted time and money in the casino that night I imagine.

[NCTribeFan]

And I've already started remembering things I'd meant to include. I always do this!

 

On our last sea day, Sunday 5/8, we had to go retrieve our passports. Originally, we'd been told we'd get them back the day we were in Athens, but we received no notification that this was going to happen. I think we got a notice in the cabin on Saturday that we had to pick them up in the Reflections (midship) dining room the next day.

 

While we were at brunch that morning, I volunteered to pick them up. Only one person per cabin needed to go but I think a lot of people didn't pay attention to that part.

 

Anyway, I knew we had our RC get-together to attend, so I headed to the lobby so I could get in and out quickly. There was a private luncheon going on the dining room and people were still in there eating.

 

So I had no choice but to stand and watch Matt dancing on the bar for the Groove For St Jude. The sacrifices I make! :p

 

I saw someone with a cart of bins head into the dining room so went ahead and got in line. Since they weren't going to let the hordes in while people were still eating, a young woman came out and started taking names and cabin numbers and going back in and retrieving the passports. I had to sign for each one before I could leave. When I turned around, the line already wrapped around the lobby back to the service desk!

 

Good thing I got there when I did! But, like I said, I think a lot of those people didn't actually need to be in the line.

[Cruzayear]

Do you know what the obstruction is for the OV harbor family staterooms? Is it really bad?

[NCTribeFan]

No idea, really. Ours wasn't an obstructed view. Only thing I can think of is the big "duck tail" that may prevent you from looking out the window fairly straight down.

 

 

May have to wait for a few more sailings to see if anyone reports back from one of those cabins.

[cruisng4fun]

I am not sure if this has been asked already but does casino take Euros or US money? I couldn't seem to find a answer.

Thank You

[riclop]

I am not sure if this has been asked already but does casino take Euros or US money? I couldn't seem to find a answer.

Thank You

 

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