Second Time Cruisers-Had Lots of Fun!

Item: Carnival Vista
Rating: 4.6
Author: eml30

Carnival Vista Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

eml30

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 116

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 25, 2018

Ship: Carnival Vista

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8380

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

First, the cruise was great, staff was excellent, met a lot of nice fellow cruisers too. But, we had a problem with the Cheers package-no one said that it could not be used on Sunday due to some "Texas law" that nobody could explain. We went to Guest Services and after some discussion, we received a one day pass for all the drinks we wanted. We paid over $700 for 7 days, in reality, we received drinks only for 6 days. Bring this to the attention of Carnival please. That was the only glitch in what was a great cruise, our second one on the Vista.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Enough with the picture taking...geeez...every ten feet someone wanted to take our picture

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Glad we had the drink package "Cheers"...but because we were in Texas, we could not use it on the first day and had to pay cash...grrrr. Food was very good in the extra cost restaurants, average in the others.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Pools were small but nice...got a little "cozy" at times.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Excellent shows and comedians...music was great...like the Liquid Lounge best.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Service was excellent, waiters, etc. were respectful and looked like they really enjoyed their jobs.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

This is a BIG ship...elevators were usually packed so waiting times were long...common areas clean and well maintained.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Small but comfortable...clean...just wish we were closer to the middle of the ship...

Ship tip

Check out Guy's BBQ place on the 4th level...a little off the beaten path but ask fro directions and you'll find it. Bring your sneakers as this is a big and long ship and you'll do a lot of walking.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

4 out of 5

On boarding was OK but disembarking was a 2 hour nightmare...

Thumbs Up 4

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

5 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

Very poor...left cabin as instructed at 8:30 AM and finally got through customs at 1:30 PM...it took us this long becasue we followed the rules and left the ship only when our level was called...others left earlier.

9 Comments

aharbison66 5 years ago

When did you cruise? You don't show any.

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aharbison66 5 years ago

We paid for our drinks the first day out of Galveston, because we read the fine print and knew we paid for 6 days. Maybe we should have thrown a fit like you did. We brought on our allowed bottles of wine and had reservations in the steakhouse that first night so that we would get a free bottle of wine. We didn't drink all of our wines and did buy a few drinks.

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IWannaBeOnaBoat 5 years ago

They would have only charged you 6 days for cheers out of Galveston. Don't see them "giving" you anything. If it happened, well done but it's well known you can't use cheers out of Galveston on the first day.

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smiddlet 5 years ago

It’s the same situation when you sail out of New York, but you are not charged for the day you can’t use it. It’s in the disclaimer when you purchase the package.

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DFromATX 5 years ago

Sorry, it’s common knowledge that you can’t use it on the first day.

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LonestarBeer 5 years ago

Literally says that cheers isn’t available on the first day, and they only charge you for 6. Sounds like carnival went above and beyond to make you happy.

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mason2x 5 years ago

It's clearly stated on their website about laws for the Cheers program for Texas. Apparently you didn't read your cruise contract or the rules of the Cheers program. Texas has TABC laws they enforce while at port. That's why only a limited choice of alchohol is offered. Plus tax is added until you reach international waters.

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cchand 5 years ago

Granted I don’t think you should be charged for this day and should be priced like a 6 day cruise

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cchand 5 years ago

Not to defend Carnival I find it silly but when you buy cheers online this is in the fine print about this port and another port is listed as well

Thumbs Up 2

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Other reviews of this sailing

Vista 2018

Wonderful fun filled time

It was great. I loved the Vista and the crew was awesome. Matt the cruise director was fabulous!!