Carnival Vista - Not great reviews?

[lgdick54]

Term used to be " when my ship comes in" now it's called Surge Pricing...

They want $396 the night before my Vista cruise. I never saw Galveston hotels so high.

 

Beachcomber?? looks like a 2 story walk up, what am I missing is asking $399 nov 10th, the night Im going.

 

Im staying at what I consider a lesser hotel than Id ordinarily book, ... for over $100 a night.

 

The only hotel under $100 for my night was The Pearl which I also never heard of, and reviews are pretty terrible, two reports of bugs and bug bites. lol.

 

When did hotels get so expensive?? I went last year in December and I guess its off season vs November? Holiday Inn last Dec was only $100 a night.

 

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[HarryKane]

'surge pricing'

They should just say the night/s before a cruise departs we will charge treble the usual rate!

LOL

[HarryKane]

Awesome! Good location. Landry's (seafood) IHOP (breakfast) are close by. Check out a place call The Brick House Tavern which may be close in concept to that other venue you mentioned. Also a place called "The Spot". You're close to the convention center and San Luis Resort. So most places will be walkable. Enjoy Galveston, can be a fun city.

 

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Yeah! Brick house tavern and the spot look right up my street - thanks for that! :cool:

[JinxyB]

I wrote a review of my Vista cruise (sailed in August). This was my third time on the ship and it was terrible. So bad, in fact, that I will never set foot on another Carnival cruise. It is pretty sad what Carnival is doing to their brand. Plus, sailing from Galveston on Carnival, you only get 3 ports on a 7-day cruise (I prefer 4 ports). Buyer beware!

[tobishea]

Was the 5th voyage on the Vista when it sailed out of Barcelona Spain. LOVED the ship and the crew. I probably will not sail on it for a while though NOT because of the ship - my parents came for a month long stay when we lived overseas and we sailed the Vista. It was my Dad's last cruise - he passed away 6 months later. A lot of great memories on that ship but my heart isn't ready to re-live them quite yet. Beautiful ship, you will love it!!!

[ricew001]

Was the 5th voyage on the Vista when it sailed out of Barcelona Spain. LOVED the ship and the crew. I probably will not sail on it for a while though NOT because of the ship - my parents came for a month long stay when we lived overseas and we sailed the Vista. It was my Dad's last cruise - he passed away 6 months later. A lot of great memories on that ship but my heart isn't ready to re-live them quite yet. Beautiful ship, you will love it!!!

 

So sorry about your Dad's passing. Yes the memories will be intense for a while. I lost my Mom five years ago Friday. At first I thought I'd never be happy again. But as time went on I realized she lived a life full of joy and brought joy to others and she'd want me to do the same. Take your time healing your heart. <3

[ProgRockCruiser]

I wrote a review of my Vista cruise (sailed in August). This was my third time on the ship and it was terrible. So bad, in fact, that I will never set foot on another Carnival cruise. It is pretty sad what Carnival is doing to their brand. Plus, sailing from Galveston on Carnival, you only get 3 ports on a 7-day cruise (I prefer 4 ports). Buyer beware!

I just read your review. Indeed, you had some lousy circumstances/situations.

 

The Vista is only two years old - gotta wonder how it got into such bad shape that fast.

 

I wonder whether the behavior you noted of other passengers was due to the time of year and departure port? i.e. Miami is known to be a party-atmosphere city, and it looks like you took the last cruise before college started up - maybe you got that last blast of "annoying college kids". (Get off my lawn!)

 

As for your last comment, that is very much YMMV - there are plenty of folks here that would gladly have another day at sea instead of a port day.

[v3cruiser]

You cannot see outside for most of decks 4 and 5. They are just hallways now. You can walk completely around deck 5 (ocean plaza deck) but you have to either exit from ocean plaza or cut through the red frog pub. There may be other venues to walk through to get to the promenade but I always felt like I was searching to see the ocean. You can no longer see the water at all from the casino and aren't allowed to exit any outside doors from decks 3 or 4.

 

The older ship designs just feel more connected to the outside views.

 

That's quite a profound observation there. I'll have to check out deck mm plans but always enjoyed walking the promenade and having views of the sea or port.

[tobishea]

So sorry about your Dad's passing. Yes the memories will be intense for a while. I lost my Mom five years ago Friday. At first I thought I'd never be happy again. But as time went on I realized she lived a life full of joy and brought joy to others and she'd want me to do the same. Take your time healing your heart. <3

Thank you for the sweet response.<3 My parents cruised at least 2 cruises a year, that was their passion! I think he passed that on to me :). When I am stronger, I will take another trip on Vista. It was a beautiful ship!

[Flytko]

Hi Jenny,

 

Thanks for the information!

 

So you are 30-mins from Galveston and I’m a 10 hour flight away 🤪

 

So stay near the seawall? And taxi to the strand? Got it!

 

Is there millers ale house type places?

 

We’re going in April, will the weather be warm enough to swim and sunbathe?

 

 

I see you are also cruising the Vista in April. Are you taking the 8 day Western Caribbean route that leaves on the 13th (Saturday)??

My family and I will be on that cruise and the first time on Vista. My wife and I sailed the Magic twice and loved it.

[HarryKane]

I see you are also cruising the Vista in April. Are you taking the 8 day Western Caribbean route that leaves on the 13th (Saturday)??

My family and I will be on that cruise and the first time on Vista. My wife and I sailed the Magic twice and loved it.

 

Hey flytko,

 

Yes that's the one we are sailing on too! Cant wait!

:D

[five.]

I wrote a review of my Vista cruise (sailed in August). This was my third time on the ship and it was terrible. So bad, in fact, that I will never set foot on another Carnival cruise. It is pretty sad what Carnival is doing to their brand. Plus, sailing from Galveston on Carnival, you only get 3 ports on a 7-day cruise (I prefer 4 ports). Buyer beware!

In case, anyone else wanted to read that review, here is a link to it.

[jimbo5544]

That is quite a review, seems more damning of the Clientele and mother nature then Carnival but then again I have already been rebuked by the poster so......

 

For what it is worth the seaweed at GT may have been storm driven.

 

 

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[Matlily]

We liked the ship and loved the Havana area, we didn't like the people that got on in Miami lots of rude people, were from Texas and friendly, come on you'll have a great time! so many choices of restaurants food, entertainment was awesome, deck activities loads.

 

I would say book a Havana room if you can, even an interior just for use of that awesome pool during the day. unless you have kids under 12 then you cant book it anyways....

 

The vista is more modern look than any of the other ships and I have been on magic, breeze, conquest, valor, legend. We liked it, I liked the sleek lines and bright areas and colors. we did miss the elevators just because we use them a lot its like a focal point i guess but we managed fine without them.

 

Matt Mitcham is from UK and was excellent! top notch Cruise director first one we have ever interacted with, he is from Birmingham i think somewhere like that.

Edited September 20, 2018 by Matlily

[Matlily]

Depending on the time of year Galveston and Houston area are extremely hot, I am from UK but have lived here 20 years now. Pick a decent hotel that has a swimming pool and rent a car so you can get to restaurants etc. Space center is the nearest museum type place and moody gardens is a good for kids, there is a water park called schlitterbaum that is fun if you have kids too. Then there is just good old fashioned Beach they look a little like southend! brown sand and brown/green water but lots go and hangout. South Texas is very friendly but no public transportation so car needed everywhere, you might want to see if you can pick it up at the airport and drop it off in Galveston before the cruise departs.

[HarryKane]

We liked the ship and loved the Havana area, we didn't like the people that got on in Miami lots of rude people, were from Texas and friendly, come on you'll have a great time! so many choices of restaurants food, entertainment was awesome, deck activities loads.

 

I would say book a Havana room if you can, even an interior just for use of that awesome pool during the day. unless you have kids under 12 then you cant book it anyways....

 

The vista is more modern look than any of the other ships and I have been on magic, breeze, conquest, valor, legend. We liked it, I liked the sleek lines and bright areas and colors. we did miss the elevators just because we use them a lot its like a focal point i guess but we managed fine without them.

 

Matt Mitcham is from UK and was excellent! top notch Cruise director first one we have ever interacted with, he is from Birmingham i think somewhere like that.

 

Nice one, thanks for the tips!

 

Yes really looking forward to it, especially our first visit to Texas!!

 

Hoping Matt Mitcham is as good as DR E, coming all the way from uk and the bloody cruise director is English! :eek:

 

Hopefully he’s as good as everybody says though and keeps the party going!

 

We’re staying at holiday inn on the beach, Galveston. Cant wait now!

[trvlgirlmq]

Nice one, thanks for the tips!

 

Yes really looking forward to it, especially our first visit to Texas!!

 

Hoping Matt Mitcham is as good as DR E, coming all the way from uk and the bloody cruise director is English! :eek:

 

Hopefully he’s as good as everybody says though and keeps the party going!

 

We’re staying at holiday inn on the beach, Galveston. Cant wait now!

 

I hated Dr E. He was so annoying. Matt is awesome though. He keeps the energy up and it's a great time.

[HarryKane]

I hated Dr E. He was so annoying. Matt is awesome though. He keeps the energy up and it's a great time.

 

Good stuff! 👍

[Thebosn1]

Howdy guys,

 

I was about to pull the trigger on a vista cruise out of galveston texas earlier but when I checked the reviews on here they don't seem to be very good for the vista. People complaining saying ship is simply too big and feels overcrowded etc etc.

 

Ive only ever been on the magic before and that was amazing, I'm keen to try another ship but dont want to feel like ive downgraded - especially as it's a 10-hour flight from the uk to Houston Texas before we board the ship!

 

Sell it to me guys, is the vista as good as the magic?

 

I thought Vista was wonderful. When I sailed on her she was completely booked, and I NEVER felt crowded. Of course the pools were always packed, and the serenity area is not as good as on ships like Legend, but overall I was very pleased with the ship and crew.

 

I see the negative reviews also, but they seem like nit-picky things most of the time. I thought she was great.

[Thebosn1]

That is quite a review, seems more damning of the Clientele and mother nature then Carnival but then again I have already been rebuked by the poster so......

 

For what it is worth the seaweed at GT may have been storm driven.

 

 

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Has anyone else experienced what he said in the review about the Bluetooth speakers and the blaring personal music at the main pools and from balconies? I have to say, that would be the last straw for me too. I understand the review is not answering the OP question about the SHIP, but unless he went in the middle of spring break, that type of crap would make me leave too. I'm already at the end of my rope with them over the uncontrolled kids, the loud personal music would snap it for me.

[jimbo5544]

Has anyone else experienced what he said in the review about the Bluetooth speakers and the blaring personal music at the main pools and from balconies? I have to say, that would be the last straw for me too. I understand the review is not answering the OP question about the SHIP, but unless he went in the middle of spring break, that type of crap would make me leave too. I'm already at the end of my rope with them over the uncontrolled kids, the loud personal music would snap it for me.

 

 

 

35 Carnival cruises and never seen (or heard) anything like it.

 

 

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[declansdad]

The ship is not too big.

It's too small for the number of passengers.

 

I won't sell this ship to my friends.

 

 

Are you a TA? Shouldn't you let your friends decide what ship they sail?

[AmBear]

If you cruise in the summer, you will get more kids! If you cruise on a holiday, you will get more kids!

We never cruise on holidays or during the summer anymore, even if its for free!

As far as the Vista Class goes, its different, some will like, some won't, Carnival likely will take the good, throw out the bad, and put it into their next generation of ships! Have a Happy Day!

We cruise in 4 weeks for a month, live from the Glory for 2 weeks, then a journey cruise on the Breeze for 2 weeks, hope you'll join us!-))

[dave_k58]

Thanks guys,

You know what - I’m going to book it!

I’ve never been to Texas neither and looking at the size of the place it's huge! We’re flying to Houston IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport and from there we will have a three night stay before we board the cruise. Any ideas of nice affordable family places to stay, near the beach or with a good pool? Is it best to stay in the Galveston area?

 

I hope you have as good a time in Texas as we did in the UK. We Texans are very friendly and love visitors to our state. There are lots of good, family oriented hotels in the Galveston area - and virtually every hotel in Texas has a pool. Are you going to rent a car, or are you planning to stay in downtown Galveston? Hope you and the family have a wonderful time here.

[JinxyB]

Has anyone else experienced what he said in the review about the Bluetooth speakers and the blaring personal music at the main pools and from balconies? I have to say, that would be the last straw for me too. I understand the review is not answering the OP question about the SHIP, but unless he went in the middle of spring break, that type of crap would make me leave too. I'm already at the end of my rope with them over the uncontrolled kids, the loud personal music would snap it for me.

 

I am the person who wrote the review linked above. You can think I was exaggerating, but that was my experience, and it was so bad that I am totally turned off to ever cruising Carnival again. If you read other recent reviews of Vista, you will see other people complaining about the speaker use on decks and balconies (amongst other things). In fact, this issue is not isolated to Carnival. There is a current thread on the Royal boards complaining about the same thing. I’m a frequent cruiser, and I’ve experienced the speaker use on balconies before . This past cruise on Vista was the worst for rampant use of Bluetooth speakers on deck blasting inappropriate music, while security did nothing. I feel this is due to the selfish and disrespectful attitude of the cruisers who are all about themselves and think the world revolves around them. I have no idea why Carnival won’t enforce their own rules about speaker use, but they clearly are lax on rule enforcement- just look at the public health hazard they do nothing about with allowing babies in diapers in pools and hot tubs.

 

And for jimbo5544, I NEVER complained about the weather in my review. I made a statement that there was more seaweed/grass at Grand Turk than last year. It was a simple observation.