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Vista July 14 cruise review.

Carol Jones

By Carol Jones,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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gotscrapz

gotscrapz

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If you are going to buy pictures you want printed I’d strongly suggest you do this early in the cruise. There are a ton of people over there right now. Definitely don’t wait till the last day.

 

 

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oh yes I'll get digital lol

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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What a great review! Looking forward to the Vista in April. BTW those were the “Havana cabana” rooms you saw. There are also balconies in Havana, we are in an aft Havana balcony in April.

 

 

 

I’m heading that way after seven for the hot tub. I’ll have to try to check those out. It’s a lovely area!

 

 

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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After breakfast we went down to guest services. My DH was going to put some cash on our account while I looked around in the shops. There seemed to be quite a few people at the guest service line. We were applying gambling cash money I brought toward my account balance because I spent a little more in the casino yesterday than I had planned on doing. I broke my own rule of not playing much on slot machines toward the end of the cruise. I swear those machines get tighter as the cruise progresses. They pay out a good bit at the beginning to get you hooked. I don’t ever count on winning much on slot machines ( I have a couple of times) and I never spend more than the cash I bring for this. I know there is money to be won in the casino but I think (for the most part)that’s more with the table games. My brother cruises a good bit and has won a lot at Black Jack. He’s lost a lot too, but he will never tell you about those times. I had heard that the Vista casino was very smoky. I have not really found that to be the case until last tonight. Actually last tonight was the first night it seemed to be even somewhat crowded and very smokey.

 

My DH, what a great guy, mentioned to the lady at guest services about it being my birthday and being surprised that I didn’t get anything considering every other time we’ve cruised on an occasion we did. He would’ve never done that if it was something for him. But for any of the rest of us he would. He looks out for us. He’s that kind of guy. Anyway, the lady at guest services says there seems to be no rhyme or reason for this- sometimes they do it, sometimes they don’t. She indicated that it creates a bit of an issue for them because sometimes They’ll have people come up and say “look we have cruised 20 times for someone’s birthday or anniversary and got this 19 times, but not this one time.” Anyway, she was kind enough to give us two coupons for free drinks. Wow!! even better, I wasn’t expecting that!!

 

 

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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We spent some time lounging at the Serenity area. No problem at all finding one of those clam shell loungers and then later lounges to lay in the sun. We ordered some margaritas and I had a small salad from the Fresh Creations area of serenity.

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We went to play the afternoon bingo. Didn’t win but had fun. Then, back to the room to get ready for the Platinum and diamond party.

 

 

 

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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Dinner tonight. We got to the main dinning room early again(before 6) and there seems To be more people eating early tonight then any other night. I suppose it’s because we all need to pack tonight! I decided to let my DS order of the steakhouse menu. He got the surf and turf. Tonight’s menu:

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We had Meatballs And the spring rolls for our appetizers. I also ordered the baked ziti as an appetizer. It was on the entrée menu.

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helene109

helene109

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We went to our cabin and changed out of our formal clothes. I put on the shirt I bought at the fun shop earlier in the cruise. Here’s for you, Helene109.

[ATTACH]425448[/ATTACH]

We went to the show “America Rocks” in the Liquid Lounge”. They had a preshow that started about 30 minutes early and by the look of the crowd with the best seats, they apparently gave out headbands with American flags on them and glow sticks. If you have younger children and you’re going to the show, I’d get there in time for this. CD Adam has very high energy and really got everyone very excited about the show.It really was a great show. Carnival has definitely improved in this area. After seeing the show I am starting to maybe understand what they were thinking when they designed the liquid lounge with chairs that could be moved. For this show there were four smaller stages set up off the stage, so obviously several chairs had to be moved out. I hope you can see this in the photo below. The guitarist, who by the way was awesome is standing on one of the smaller stages.

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The last thing we did for the evening was go to the comedy show. Tonight we saw Al Romero. He’s pretty funny! We’ve seen him on another Carnival ship. The other new comedian is Sheila Kay. We’ve also seen her on another ship and she did the same comedy show they have listed for her on this ship so I don’t think we will go see her.

 

We went and got a pizza to take back to the room to eat. I’m a messy eater and I needed a napkin to take with me, but I don’t really like those polyester blend cloth napkins that they have. They really don’t seem to absorb anything and the pizza is greasy. Earlier in the cruise I found a great solution for this. In quite a few places in the Lido marketplace (buffet area) they have these really cool machines that you put your hands into and the machine washes them. Above the machine there is a dispenser that has cloth napkins. I took a stack back to the room. I had a stack earlier in the cruise but I’ve used them all. I will definitely do this on any cruise that has the hand washing machines with paper napkins.

 

 

 

Shirt looks cute! We board tomorrow!

 

 

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gotscrapz

gotscrapz

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Enjoy your cruise!!

 

 

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Carol - I bought FTTF and wondering if it looked worth it you based on the lines you saw?

I had it 2 years ago at $60 but fought myself in paying $100 this time... and it was sold out but it opened up and I saw those lines you posted.... tryin to decided to just arrive later and save $100 ... seems they have removed some of the previous advantages....

 

I realize your platinum and that our opinions on the value of this service will vary. But it would help to know if you noticed if the regular lines were moving along... how crowded guest services was at both lines...

Luggage delivery?

There aren’t any tenders so....

 

Any input is appreciated since I board Saturday!

 

Thank you!

 

 

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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Carol - I bought FTTF and wondering if it looked worth it you based on the lines you saw?

I had it 2 years ago at $60 but fought myself in paying $100 this time... and it was sold out but it opened up and I saw those lines you posted.... tryin to decided to just arrive later and save $100 ... seems they have removed some of the previous advantages....

 

I realize your platinum and that our opinions on the value of this service will vary. But it would help to know if you noticed if the regular lines were moving along... how crowded guest services was at both lines...

Luggage delivery?

There aren’t any tenders so....

 

Any input is appreciated since I board Saturday!

 

Thank you!

 

 

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Hmmmm... we (before we were platinum) purchased Faster to the Fun some of the time, but not all of the time. Definitely if it was a cruise with a tender port we did or if my elderly mom was cruising with us. The travel to the ship was exhausting for her so we’d take her directly to our room to rest (drop of luggage) until her room was ready. The prices have gone up so that definitely is a factor to consider. I talked to a few people ( not diamond/ platinum or FTF) and they got their luggage when we did. The regular guest service line wasn’t bad except on the last day/night and then it was really bad!! The platinum/FTF line was walk right up except for one night. One night we walked up but no one was at that part of the counter. Meanwhile the regular line serviced many people. We were just about to go to the regular line when someone walked up from the room behind the counter. Also, I was more likely to purchase FTF on a shorter cruise because for those we always got there as early as we could to have the first day be a full day. For a longer cruise I don’t think that would be so crucial for me. I might just come later (12:30-1)to be able to walk right on and get to my room. Also, on a longer cruise and bigger ship with more options I always end up spending more money on other things so it might be nice to have the cash for that. There is a lot to consider to decide what is right for you but I hope this helps.

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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We ended up doing self assist for debarkation. The night before we were struggling with what to do -(7:15am) Self assist and carry all of our luggage off on our own OR (8:30 # 1 slot) check our luggage that night and wait in the morning for our # to be called. We really didn’t want to get up at 6:30 am but in the end wiener dog withdrawals won out. Now that the cruise was coming to an end we wanted to see our miniature dachshund ASAP. Fellow dog lovers can empathize.

 

Debarkation was incredibly smooth. At around 7 AM Adam announced that we would be able to the debark earlier than expected. We were probably walking off of the ship at 10 minutes after seven. Got our car from the garage. We parked right there ($176 for our 8 day cruise). I know it is a little more expensive, but when we’re ready to get home, we like to do so as quickly as possible. ... remember wiener dog withdrawals. We are just a couple of hours from home now. The turnpike was so crowded. So happy to have the Sunpass and bypass the long line at the toll areas. Sun pass also works for Peach Pass when we are in Atlanta. We have had the Sunpass for years. Even if we’re making one trip to Florida it pays for itself in time and frustration saved. You can buy them at any of the gas stations on the turnpike and it’s easy to set up. I think they’re only five dollars to purchase and then you have to set it up with a credit card.

 

Later this evening or tomorrow I’ll try to post some final thoughts on this cruise. I hope it has been helpful and to any of you cruising soon- “safe travels”!

 

 

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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Hmmmm... we (before we were platinum) purchased Faster to the Fun some of the time, but not all of the time. Definitely if it was a cruise with a tender port we did or if my elderly mom was cruising with us. The travel to the ship was exhausting for her so we’d take her directly to our room to rest (drop of luggage) until her room was ready. The prices have gone up so that definitely is a factor to consider. I talked to a few people ( not diamond/ platinum or FTF) and they got their luggage when we did. The regular guest service line wasn’t bad except on the last day/night and then it was really bad!! The platinum/FTF line was walk right up except for one night. One night we walked up but no one was at that part of the counter. Meanwhile the regular line serviced many people. We were just about to go to the regular line when someone walked up from the room behind the counter. Also, I was more likely to purchase FTTF on a shorter cruise because for those we always got there as early as we could to have the first day be a full day. For a longer cruise I don’t think that would be so crucial for me. I might just come later (12:30-1)to be able to walk right on and get to my room. Also, on a longer cruise and bigger ship with more options I always end up spending more money on other things so it might be nice to have the cash for that. There is a lot to consider to decide what is right for you but I hope this helps.

 

 

sorry, I meant FTTF

 

 

 

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Chief93

Chief93

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wiener dog withdrawals

 

I KNEW you were cool. Once, the fella that is my avatar, upon arrival at my parents who were going to dog sit him, proceeded to urinate a puddle of blood. On a Saturday night. Before I left for a cruise the next morning. So, trip to the emergency vet just to be told they (dachshunds) can do that if they are stressed. Some antibiotics, a shot of bendaryl and the sudden disappearance $175, and he was better.

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Carol Jones

Carol Jones

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I KNEW you were cool. Once, the fella that is my avatar, upon arrival at my parents who were going to dog sit him, proceeded to urinate a puddle of blood. On a Saturday night. Before I left for a cruise the next morning. So, trip to the emergency vet just to be told they (dachshunds) can do that if they are stressed. Some antibiotics, a shot of bendaryl and the sudden disappearance $175, and he was better.

 

 

 

Aren’t they the best ever!? we used to have one just like your picture. He died last year at 13 years old. Now we have a shorthair brown and tan. They both have extreme separation anxiety. So glad my brother could come stay with him while we cruised And I know you’re glad to have your parents help out with yours.

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cruisegrandma3

cruisegrandma3

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Carol, thank you for a wonderful review of the Vista. It seems you covered every aspect of the cruise and I appreciate that you did so with such care of the staff and fellow cruisers. Some reviews seem to 'bash' the staff, the food, fellow cruisers, but we saw none of that from you. Thanks again for the valuable information.

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