disappointing

Carnival Vista Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

dre714

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

8 Night Southern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 06, 2017

Ship: Carnival Vista

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 7350

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

I had read negative reviews about the Vista and unfortunately they were correct.

The food was terrible. Meats served on the buffet and in the dining room were awful quality. We paid for the restaurant dining the evenings we could get in and they were all well worth the money.

The BBQ and seafood was good but the lines were always long. Lines were also long for mexican food, pizza, and burgers. Not worth the wait. I think that is what

Carnival wants- they tout that there is pizza 24 hrs a day but they make 3 at a time and people can get as many as they want so you wait and wait. I think Carnival wants people to give up on the wait and leave.

The Liquid Lounge is a joke! Chairs pushed around- could hardly get through to get a place to sit for BINGO when we did there was soda spilled all over the floor so we had to find another place to sit. Who ever thought that kind of set up was a good idea has no clue about laying out a room. The lines were long to get in here too- we never did go to a show because of the venue and long lines we knew we would encounter.

I have never cruised and had to wait in line to see the comedian. The lines were horrible to get in to the comedian. We went one time- not worth the wait. As if cruising isn't enough of a cattle call getting on and disembarking you make your guests go through the same lines and hassle to get into something that is supposed to be relaxing and part of the experience.

Before we left I looked and looked to see how many formal nights there would be and if there were any special nights for attire- white night etc..I could not find anything. We even called Carnival and asked- they didn't know. Get on the ship and guess what- there is white night!! who knew!! what a joke! Which pretty much sums up Carnival- a joke!

Carnival is losing ground when it comes to pleasing the customer or care whether the passengers have a good time.

Many staff seemed miserable. Matt droned on and on the last day at sea and it was blasted into the pool area- not sure what that was all about but it sucked the fun right out of the short time I had on deck to enjoy the sunshine and music.

I am pretty sure my cruising days are over. Too much money to spend half my vacation in line for food that is hardly human grade and to wait for entertainment that is supposed to be fun. Carnival has managed to take all the fun out of cruising.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

surprised at the wear and tear that the Vista is already showing for being a relatively new ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Our cabin was as expected. Our cabin steward was good.

Ship tip

save your money- don't go

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5

La Romana, Dominican Republic

1 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5

Willemstad, Curacao

5 out of 5

21 Comments

Leslieg13 7 years ago

Went on Vista in March & loved it!!! I'm now addicted to cruising. Yes, there were crowds & lines, but that is where I enjoyed meeting new people. Embarking & debarment was a breeze & very organized. Only thing that I experienced on the negative side was the sofa bed was hard as a rock. But, I didn't really care, didn't pay to sleep the whole cruise. Going on Ecstasy in 45 days & then once Horizon gets back to the states, I'm going on that one. â¤ï¸ð¢

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

tbear9970 7 years ago

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cece1951 7 years ago

The Carnival newsletter still gets put out every night right??? I always found out what I needed to know from them and they were the traveler's bible while on board.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

chloe5susan 7 years ago

Ok we are ON the Vista right now. Day 3 of 8 days. We knew with a large ship there would be lines and we prepared for them. We eat early in dining room cause we like it then. So lines are shorter.(lucky us) we then hit the comedy club. 0ne night watched 3. Left Limelight lounge and got back in line for next show(all 3 were different)Met some of the nicest people while we were in line. We have cruised many times with Carnival,Royal Caribbean,Holland, Princess and Celebrity. We have never felt we had a BAD cruise on any of them. When I mentioned the WHITE night you mentioned my husband asked "What is That one". Ha. We just go with the flow and won't be wearing probably all white, no biggy. Try a river cruise, only 200 on board and no lines.

Thumbs Up 4

Flag

batch123 7 years ago

We had a great time on Vista last December. Booked it again for next April. I do agree that the liquid lounge is a fail though. That said, we never had a problem finding a place to sit and watch. The entertainment was great. Same with comedy, no problems getting in and finding a spot. The crowds or line don't bother us. It's never a long wait anyway. Grab a drink and chillax.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

RBQuero 7 years ago

Really surprised at the awful experience you encountered. We have cruised with Carnival in 32 occasions. We cruised on the inaugural sailing May 1st, 2016 and in three additional sailing on the Vista. Also set to sail this Sunsay, May 28th again. We just make sure to go to attend events, dinning, etc. before peak hours or after. Have never had a disappointing cruise. The amount of formal nights are based on the length of the cruise. This is industry standard. Also, White Evening deck party is a standard. I always book directly with the guidelines vacation planner. They are able to provide all the information you require. of the six cruise line we have traveled with; Carnival is the most fun. If you concentrate on the negative that is all you will see and experience. I bet there must have been some positives. Good luck in future vacations...

Thumbs Up 4

Flag

venusofwisconsin 7 years ago

Carnival cruises are wayyyy cheaper than any other vacations I have looked into especially since you have to pay extra for food and entertainment

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

barry723 7 years ago

I just came off the vista last week. My wife and i had a wonderful time and mat is an awsome cruise director. He was right about the long line to the comedy show. It was very good though.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Punkis 7 years ago

Love the Vista and Carnival been on ship twice had a great time . Life is what you make it too much negativity will not bring you happiness.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

migrose 7 years ago

not every vacation turns out as you wanted. i have spent days in bed with "gastro" and fever but determined to enjoy what I could. vacation time is so precious & waiting in line on a cruise ship sounds like 1st world problem. You should have done more research before ur cruise and go with the flow. Or maybe get drink package.

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

tenaj 7 years ago

We loved the Vista ~ it is what you make it! Plan your day ~ all will be well! ð

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

shady2jz 7 years ago

Come on folks. None of you can say the OP opinion is not valid, it was their experience and it wasn't all pleasant. I was on the Vista for 23 nights in the last med and TA and much of what they said is true. Did we enjoy ourselves? Sure, but There were many areas that did take away from our experience as well. Even John Heald doesn't care for the Liquid Lounge and wish carnival would go back to the original theater style but this current setup allows more cabin which means more revenue but also more crowding which was more noticeable on the Vista than any other Carnival shop we'd been on. Times are changing as well as the cruise world. I guess it's a tougher transition for some but you don't get to deny someone's review. Happy Cruising.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

ashiyanelson75 7 years ago

@bluesky65rs â I'd be one of the someones that are "enjoying their cruises" COMPLETELY!!!ðð

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

ashiyanelson75 7 years ago

I'm just curious as to WHERE you "looked and looked", because information such as how many elegant nights are for a specific amount of days cruise, are STILL on the Carnival site!...ð A lot of times as far as events go, that aren't "Carnival planned", they will make rooms available for Cruisers who want to have meet and greets, and parties if those rooms aren't going to be in service at those specific times...because Carnival is extremely accommodating. Those events have absolutely nothing to do with the cruise, but are made available for all cruisers. Also you can generally find your cruise group on "The book" shipmate won' won't us say "face", and sign up for anything that they may have going on, including the "white party". I know that for my October 29th cruise on the Vista, there are SOOOO many group planned events, that I had to choose only a few, so that I wouldn't miss out what the cruise line has planned. Actual research can prove to be rewarding.ð

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

sadair85 7 years ago

cruising is just not for you.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

atkins4sc 7 years ago

We were on Carnival Vista in April and loved it. There is no such thing as perfect, just what you choose to make of it. We are going on Magic in November and Sunshine in April and we can't wait.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Blondy 7 years ago

Sorry!!! You really enjoy writing I see.ð¤ð¤ð¤ð¤ð¤ð¤

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

Oceans65 7 years ago

Its amazing how they comment about how bad CCL is but my stocks are up so someone is enjoying their cruises.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

Aft4life 7 years ago

I don't like the negative feedback because they are always way too long. But I do enjoy reading all the comments about the person that posted it. pretty predictable. there are definitely 2 types of people. I get to choose which one I want to be. Cant wait for our cruise in 81 days.

Thumbs Up 9

Flag

allthat815 7 years ago

My friend was just on the Vista and thought it was awesome, and he's definitely not easy to p!ease. I can't wait to go in February

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

cbcruisin 7 years ago

We were on the Vista in January and had an amazing vacation! By the tone of your review I'm not sure anything can make you happy

Thumbs Up 11

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Not a family atmosphere

Cruise to South Carrib.

FUN