First one onboard Founders Cruise of Vista

[slw207693]

The day has finally arrived and when they opened Vista for check in, an angel took my hand and escorted us to the line.  Our very efficient check in clerk worked her magic, and poof, we were the first paying passengers onboard!  Lots of welcome onboards and we stood with mouths agape in lobby.  No green orchids in vase at bottom of staircase but beautiful crystal chandelier that hangs down to light your ascent to 6th floor.    

 

She’s a beauty.   ( I will post pictures later).  And guess what - Starlink seems to be installed and rumors are each cabin gets a log in.   Oceania at Sea is now on front of ship, starboard side, behind the Artist Loft and before where Horizons is.   Spa deck is now on 15 and takes up the whole front of the ship.   fabulous changing rooms, even the quiet lounge furniture looks usable.  
 

We just left Riviera two days ago in Athens to make our way to Italy.  We wandered the entire ship and I will briefly give you the changes we observed.   The concierge and dining desks are now tucked into the nooks on the side of the ship in lobby.   
 

There is no back staircase on 5!   It  begins on 6 by the Grand Dining Room.  The  hallway where Jacques was and is now Embers Cafe and wraps around where the elevator is on Marina and Riviera.     Have not made it to RedGinger.   
 

LaReserve is no more and is now AquaMar kitchen, both inside and out.  Inside is a high stool sharing space.  You have to order off menu and they serve.   Terrace cafe food is all displayed on one level, no tiers.  Easier to see servers.   New uniforms - wine stewards have long sleeve white shirts, black vests, maroon bow ties, the bar staff are same except gold bow ties.   Looks like Oceania listened on females being able to wear trousers.   
 

Privee between Polo and Toscana seats 14.  They will serve either the Dom Perignon dinner or Odyssey menu in there now only.   Polo and Toscana now have a private dining area for 8 near the front of each restaurant.  Every restaurant  has a check in desk with seating before you go into the restaurant.
 

Horizons on 14 has what I would call separators.  They no longer serve coffee or pastries in morning, only a bar.   Individual seats surrounding dance floor.  We have a Cruise Critic gathering today at 3:30 with Frank Del Rio Sr. answering questions.  We will see how well it functions for a group as I understand over 100 are signed up to attend.  
 

we are in a PH2.  Lovely muted colors, kind of a gray taupe.  Mirrors have lights in them, nice touch.  The only flaw I see is the closet.  BIG mistake, big mistake as Julia Robert’s said.  It is not a walk in.  Lots of wasted space in front of it that is open to the room if they thought you would change there.  The left side has bar for hanging long things.  Has a tie/belt who knows what to hang here on the backside of the door.   The right side cupboards are divided into two, the left side has two rods for shorter things to hang, the right side has a rod above the inroom safe and 4 pull out small drawers, the first contains the hair dryer and shoe horn brush.  These cupboards are about 3 inches deep.  
 

couch in room can easily seat 2-3 comfortably.  There is a lovely small crystal floor lamp by window. Better drapage on small window.  There is a table and chair by balcony doors with shelf and drawers.   It’s been a good area to tuck the 54 bottles of wine we brought onboard today.  Not sure what will go in those drawers, table and chairs in the way.   
 

more to come.   As soon as I conform internet package details I will post pictures.  Just remember, different isn’t bad, just getting used to it.  
 

 

[YoPhilly]

Wonderful first-look.  Thanks for posting.

[cruisingxpert]

1 hour ago, slw207693 said:

Polo and Toscana now have a private dining area for 8 near the front of each restaurant.

Thanks for the great description.  Can the private dining area for 8 be booked before getting on ship - similar to the way Privee operated before? 

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, slw207693 said:

Polo and Toscana now have a private dining area for 8 near the front of each restaurant.

 

Is this  sectioned  off  or just  a table for 8 ?

[slw207693]

It’s a separate room.   I will enquire about how to book it.

[GeezerCouple]

2 hours ago, slw207693 said:

...

Privee between Polo and Toscana seats 14.  They will serve either the Dom Perignon dinner or Odyssey menu in there now only.   Polo and Toscana now have a private dining area for 8 near the front of each restaurant.  Every restaurant  has a check in desk with seating before you go into the restaurant.

...

Does this mean they no longer offer a choice from either Polo or Toscana at no additional cost, other than the Privee room charge?

 

GC

[Woofa]

Congratulations and have a great cruise.  Enjoy yourselves and enjoy that beautiful new ship.

When you get done I have no doubt that many of us are interested in the Embers and Aquamar dining experiences.  No rush to post while on your cruise.

Enjoy.

[cruisingxpert]

1 hour ago, GeezerCouple said:

Does this mean they no longer offer a choice from either Polo or Toscana at no additional cost, other than the Privee room charge?

 

GC

They are not renting the room for Privee dinners.  I and several others had Privee booked and got notice that they were cancelling it and refunding our payment back to our credit card

[slw207693]

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[slw207693]

I’m trying to figure out how to post picture with commentary.  Oceania @ Sea now called Lynx and he was giving group lessons on how to get connected to Starlink.  I will go visit him tomorrow and have more interior pictures.  
 

anything specific you’d like me to post?

[cruisingxpert]

3 minutes ago, slw207693 said:

anything specific you’d like me to post?

Where is that third pictuer with all the artifacts behind glass?  Also, can you get some pictures of closet in ph with doors open?  Really appreciate what you are doing. How was the Meet and Greet?

Edited May 13, 2023 by cruisingxpert

[ChadnKate]

3 minutes ago, slw207693 said:

I’m trying to figure out how to post picture with commentary.  Oceania @ Sea now called Lynx and he was giving group lessons on how to get connected to Starlink.  I will go visit him tomorrow and have more interior pictures.  
 

anything specific you’d like me to post?

Hope that the Lynx center will offer some how-to courses, like how to make a video with multiple takes, etc. 

[slw207693]

[Norseh2o]

Horizons pictures, please! Is coffee available @ the bar in Horizons? Pool pictures, outdoor golf and shuffleboard, staff pictures? 
The Terrace looks great! Thank you. 

[slw207693]

Order of pictures

 

terrace before deluge of guests

Privee (seating for 14)

Polo 

Waves grill

aquamar Cafe (extremely popular today, but it’s a sit and be served restaurant)

Embers

Toscana

Favorite Barristas

Lync digital Center (located on deck 14 forward behind Artist Loft) - formerly Oceania @sea internet area

Barristas bakery and seating area

[SeaWatch12]

slw207693, 

Thank you for taking the time to post the photos. 
Enjoy the sailing. 

 

[pinotlover]

Pictures of the outside portion of the Terrace Cafe. Is it really completely covered? What does it look like?

[LHT28]

5 hours ago, slw207693 said:

Terrace cafe food is all displayed on one level, no tiers.  Easier to see servers.

I am not sure I understand your statement 

I do not recall  more that one level of food  unless things had  changed  since 2019 ?

 

In the photo of the Terrace is is hard to tell if there is glass to keep  hands out of the food ?

 

 Thank you for taking the time to post photos  ettc

 

 

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

Does this mean they no longer offer a choice from either Polo or Toscana at no additional cost, other than the Privee room charge?

 

GC

Sounds like Privee will be the New version of La Reserve  

[Aloha 1]

That closet in the PH is a HUGE mistake. Reminiscent of something you'd find on a mass market line. What a shame.

[Nashna]

That closet doesn't seem adequate for a standard verandah stateroom.  

[jackdeb]

Thank you for all the information, looking forward to the next instalment.

[ChadnKate]

2 hours ago, Nashna said:

That closet doesn't seem adequate for a standard verandah stateroom.  

Must disagree. The walk-in closet on the Marina and Riviera are dark, and no larger in utility than the Vista’s 2 closets. With the mirror in between and the ceiling lighting they seem airy, with lots of room. Perhaps not as much floor space but certainly lots of long and medium hanger space. Look forward to using them on May 20th. 

[caribcruzr]

We would love to see pictures of the fitness center. Is there much of a change from Riviera?  Will be on the Panama Canal cruises. 

[Woofa]

From those pics it looks like Embers has table cloths.  Mock up pics we saw previously it looked like bare tables.  A little nicer in my opinion.

And I believe I recognize the guy from Barristas. On our Riviera cruise in January I think k he was in Baristas and we also had him as a bus boy (maybe) in Toscana.  Don't remember his name but if he is the same, really good guy.  Americano's in Barristas at least once a day, one of my favorite spots or enjoy it sitting in the library.

 

Edit, actually both guys were on our cruise, my wife just confirmed.

Edited May 13, 2023 by Woofa