Amazing cruise even though the world was ending at the time

Carnival Vista Cruise Review

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Reviews: 6
Helpful Votes: 102

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5
Carnival Vista

7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 07, 2020

Ship: Carnival Vista

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 3221

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Great cruise even though world was ending.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
It took us a total of 23 minutes from getting to the terminal, dropping our bags off, customs, checking in, and getting on the ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
We ate the main dining room every night and had no problem with the selection or food whatsoever. The complementary restaurants were also great.

The Chef's Table

5 out of 5

We originally had my time dining, but the wait staff liked us so much they asked if they could reserve the table for us for the remainder of the cruise, and we agreed. The food was great and so was the selection. Didn’t have any issue whatsoever.

Vista Lobby and Bar

5 out of 5

Went here immediately after boarding and a few other times during the sailing. Great drinks

Alchemy Bar

5 out of 5

Absolutely loved the Alchemy Bar during this sailing. The Alchemists were wonderful

Redfrog Pub and Brewery

5 out of 5

You went here a good amount as a group and played games and talked. The in-house brewed beer was great and so were the mixed drinks. Try the Jamaican Sunrise if you get a chance.

JiJi Asian Kitchen

5 out of 5

We went during lunch for the Mongolian wok, was great and didn’t wait long for the food to come out.

Plaza Bar

5 out of 5

We went to the Havana Bar after getting back on the ship from a bad experience while still in Ocho Rios, had a couple of margaritas and daiquiris and they were awesome

Pizzeria Del Capitano

5 out of 5

Amazing and free. If you go late at night or during lunch, expect there to be a decent sized line. The Quattro is the best and you’re wrong if you disagree haha

BlueIguana Cantina

5 out of 5

I had Blue Iguana Cantina during breakfast a couple times during the sailing and not at lunch, but I can say that the breakfast burritos are amazing. You go up to the counter and tell them what you want on it and they’ll make it for you. Absolutely amazing and the burritos aren’t small at all

Guy's Burger Joint

5 out of 5

It’s fast. It’s free. It’s amazing. It’s Guy’s Burgers.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
The staff and crew on this sailing were great, especially as we got towards the end of the sailing and the reality of what was going on in the world outside of the ship was setting in. The crew kept pushing on with a smile and doing their best to keep things great even though they knew that was going to be the last sailing for a while.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
It’s an ocean view cabin with a slight obstruction due to the bottom of a lifeboat, but you still have a really nice view for the most part. It’s a connecting cabin with 3225, which we used because another part of our group was in the next cabin. Spacious cabin.

Ship tip

Layout is a bit different from prior classes of Carnival ships, so learn the map.

Ports of call

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
Went to Nachi Cocum and had an amazing time at the beach

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5
We didn’t do any excursions in this port, but we didn’t walk around the port area and shops. Went to one of the public beach areas and jumped in the water. Had a great time. Absolutely love Grand Cayman.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

1 out of 5
We didn’t do any excursions in this port, and my friend was adamant that she get off the ship to go to a shop. So we accompanied her and it was a nightmare. We were getting swarmed left and right by shop owners, taxi drivers, and beggars in general. We weren’t off the ship more than an hour in total because we just rushed back. It’s a beautiful area, but don’t get off the ship unless you have an excursion booked through carnival.

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
Debarkation for this sailing wasn’t bad at all. It was just stressful because everything going on as the pandemic started to set in. I remember the ship was absolutely quiet and anytime the tone for the ship’s PA system came on, everyone would hold their breath because they were afraid we were going to be quarantined on the ship for a month. Nonetheless, none of that happened and we were able to easily get off the ship

Traveler Photos

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10 Comments

leog    2 years ago

Wow kinda surreal you were on that trip. Thanks. Hope it continues to get better now.

izrgreen    2 years ago

javawoody    2 years ago

Appreciate the review

jallaway    2 years ago

Ha! I had to read this several times before I realized it was from March of 2020

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise

Curt34    2 years ago

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for the review.

AuntPinkie    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise just before the shutdown. Your title made me smile.

PiratesWorld    2 years ago

Thanks for the info

hollysmomtravel    2 years ago

I 💙 Grand Cayman! Thanks for the review

cruising2004    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your 2020 cruising experience.