More mechanical issues for Carnival Vista

[BossyKat]

Does anyone know if there is a dry dock on the schedule for Vista?

 

thanks!

[ProgRockCruiser]

2 minutes ago, BossyKat said:

Does anyone know if there is a dry dock on the schedule for Vista?

 

thanks!

Yeah, this past January.  We were on the Vista last Dec, and I was mildly concerned whether the propulsion issues would crop up again prior to the dry dock.  They didn't, but it also looks like they didn't "fix" anything long term, per se.

 

So next planned dry dock in three years?

[chengkp75]

16 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

They didn't, but it also looks like they didn't "fix" anything long term, per se.

Again, unless you know what the previous problems were, and what the current problems are, you can't say whether or not the two problems are related to each other, other than saying "I've got car problems".

[DeniseTr]

I'm thinking the itinerary change is to limit distance travelled and/or keeping ship closer to ports that can help in case they have problems

[runner15km]

56 minutes ago, BossyKat said:

Does anyone know if there is a dry dock on the schedule for Vista?

 

thanks!

Carnival Vista 2024 Drydock Is Complete: Changes Made Onboard 2/11/2024

[ProgRockCruiser]

35 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Again, unless you know what the previous problems were, and what the current problems are, you can't say whether or not the two problems are related to each other, other than saying "I've got car problems".

I know.

 

But when my car keeps breaking down with "similar" symptoms, while my neighbor's car keeps working day after day, I come to the conclusion that either my car is uniquely gifted in finding new problems that "look similar", or it does have a consistent "bad thing" that never really gets fixed.  Either way, it's a lemon, and I don't want to drive it. 

 

I will now actively avoid Vista because I don't need yet one more "thing" to annoy me - instead I'll book on other ships (lines?) that (appear to have) higher overall reliability.

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I will now actively avoid Vista because I don't need yet one more "thing" to annoy me - instead I'll book on other ships (lines?) that (appear to have) higher overall reliability.

And yet, those ships have the exact same equipment.

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

But when my car keeps breaking down with "similar" symptoms,

The only thing "similar" that we know, is that the "car broke down".  The azipod could have (using car part analogies) "brakes" the last time, and "radiator hose" this time.  Not really similar.  An azipod is not one thing, it is an entire system, just like your car.

[ProgRockCruiser]

30 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

And yet, those ships have the exact same equipment.

They have same (or very close to same) implementations of the same equipment designs (Horizon, Panorama, assuming) or similar implementations of similar equipment (other Carnival and non-Carnival ships).  But there seems to be (perception) something particularly troublesome about the specific set of equipment that is the Vista "propulsion system".

 

26 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

The only thing "similar" that we know, is that the "car broke down".  The azipod could have (using car part analogies) "brakes" the last time, and "radiator hose" this time.  Not really similar.  An azipod is not one thing, it is an entire system, just like your car.

I understand.  But what matters to me, the customer, is not whether it is the same thing breaking over and over again, or a plethora of problems across multiple systems, but rather whether the ship is reliable or not.  That ship appears to be not as reliable as others of the same class, and other ship designs seem to have fewer problems still.  (I would like to have the time [and maybe access to appropriate data] to do some sort of statistical analysis of which ships have reported these types of problems, impacting ability to complete itineraries, across the Carnival and other lines fleets.)

 

And frankly, I'm not reassured either way:

 

"Well, Mr. Smith, it appears your timing belt broke again, for the third time."

 

vs

 

"Well, Mr. Smith, last time it was the timing belt, now it's your transmission, and the first time it was a cracked piston."

[chengkp75]

33 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

They have same (or very close to same) implementations of the same equipment designs (Horizon, Panorama, assuming) or similar implementations of similar equipment (other Carnival and non-Carnival ships).

I can tell you that the entire "azipod system" from the pod itself, to the azimuthing gear, to all the ancillary equipment (hydraulics, air), to the electrical supply system (variable frequency drive) all come from one of two manufacturers, ABB or Rolls Royce, and are installed as per the manufacturer's instructions, not the shipyard's procedures.  And, Carnival is no longer buying from Rolls Royce, so Vista has 2 ABB XO azipods (which are the latest design), and not the largest frame available, and are shared with Carnival Horizon, Panorama, Venezia, and Firenze just in Carnival's fleet.

[babygrljaz]

When the Vista was in Texas it always had issues, I think it was propulsion but not sure

[pogoism9]

On 8/11/2024 at 9:47 AM, topaz123 said:

We were on Vista Late July cruise. Had problems with air conditioning....elevator heat was huge. Saw lots of mechanical crew going in and out of rear area access....I think this issue was worsening....

Dear god we were on Vista in late May and it was oppressively hot all over the ship, but especially in the elevators...

[DeniseTr]

Note to self: when ship has reputation for mechanical issues, avoid!

[dlphn501]

What happens if you had Cheers and you decided to disembark and get a refund of 125% FCC?  Do you get refunded for Cheers?  And if you do, what if you already had 10 beers?  LOL

[splintz]

19 minutes ago, dlphn501 said:

What happens if you had Cheers and you decided to disembark and get a refund of 125% FCC?  Do you get refunded for Cheers?  And if you do, what if you already had 10 beers?  LOL

When they were making the announcements. They did state that every package (Wi-Fi, cheers etc) would be reimbursed if you wished to leave. I’m not sure about what happened if you already had several drinks from the cheers package. Especially since cruisers had until 7pm to disembark the cruise. I had to go to guest services today and while o was there I asked how many people disembarked the cruise. They said not that many around 125 cruisers. 

[topaz123]

On 8/11/2024 at 3:42 PM, pe4all said:

Seems pretty generous to me.

iF i pay for the cruise I should get my money back, not a token of another sailing with money applied.  And the 400 OBC is nothing...just guanatees, the money stays on the ship. Carnival needs to pony up....cash refund +next cruise at big discount.

[vwrestler171]

2 hours ago, topaz123 said:

iF i pay for the cruise I should get my money back, not a token of another sailing with money applied.  And the 400 OBC is nothing...just guanatees, the money stays on the ship. Carnival needs to pony up....cash refund +next cruise at big discount.

They offered a full refund if you left the ship OR 125% FCC.

[dolphinsfan246]

4 hours ago, topaz123 said:

iF i pay for the cruise I should get my money back, not a token of another sailing with money applied.  And the 400 OBC is nothing...just guanatees, the money stays on the ship. Carnival needs to pony up....cash refund +next cruise at big discount.

The $400 on board credit doesn’t HAVE to stay on the ship. Add it to your casino balance and then cash out at the desk. Take it home if you please. 

[171510Cook]

On 8/12/2024 at 11:39 AM, babygrljaz said:

When the Vista was in Texas it always had issues, I think it was propulsion but not sure

I sailed on the Vista out of Galveston 3 times, and I remember our time in port for Grand Cayman and Cozumel was painfully short. Crazier still is how we arrived in Cozumel over an hour after the Dream, left an hour before the Dream, and the Dream still beat us back to Galveston! Definitely been some long term propulsion issues on this ship. Onboard experience was great as always though. 

[splintz]

On 8/12/2024 at 6:07 PM, dlphn501 said:

What happens if you had Cheers and you decided to disembark and get a refund of 125% FCC?  Do you get refunded for Cheers?  And if you do, what if you already had 10 beers?  LOL

When they were making the announcements. They did state that every package (Wi-Fi, cheers etc) would be reimbursed if you wished to leave. I’m not sure about what happened if you already had several drinks from the cheers package. Especially since cruisers had until 7pm to disembark the cruise. I had to go to guest services today and while o was there I asked how many people disembarked the cruise. They said not that many around 125 cruisers. 

[babygrljaz]

47 minutes ago, 171510Cook said:

I sailed on the Vista out of Galveston 3 times, and I remember our time in port for Grand Cayman and Cozumel was painfully short. Crazier still is how we arrived in Cozumel over an hour after the Dream, left an hour before the Dream, and the Dream still beat us back to Galveston! Definitely been some long term propulsion issues on this ship. Onboard experience was great as always though. 

You're right. We were on another itinerary but do remember arriving to Cozumel after the Breeze & leaving before them. But they were already docked in Galveston by the time we got in as well. I LOVE the Vista. I hate that it's had so many mechanical issues. I lost count of how many times we were on her but those the most memorable cruise for us, including the crew

[MRVEGAS711]

The Vista class Azipod system is shite. Nothing you can do at this point but repair as you go. If you book Vista class, its always lurking.

 

[jsglow]

30 minutes ago, MRVEGAS711 said:

The Vista class Azipod system is shite. Nothing you can do at this point but repair as you go. If you book Vista class, its always lurking.

 

Yep. We were bumped off Panorama last Thanksgiving. Just not quite 'good enough' for the mission they are assigned to.

[jsglow]

And obviously it could be a hundred different things but don't be surprised one bit if cancellation notices go out in the next couple days as they look for a dry dock to complete the repair. With Panorama last fall, they got exactly one 'limp' cruise in before she was taken out of service for approximately 45 days.

Edited August 14 by jsglow

[787cruiser]

11 minutes ago, jsglow said:

And obviously it could be a hundred different things but don't be surprised one bit if cancellation notices go out in the next couple days as they look for a dry dock to complete the repair. With Panorama last fall, they got exactly one 'limp' cruise in before she was taken out of service for approximately 45 days.

Exactly this!

The fact that no further announcements have been made so far only adds further fuel to the speculation that a more serious repair is needed. Hopefully there is space in dry dock in Bahamas this time!