01/01/2025
MY CARNIVAL VISTA REVIEW! FRESH OFF THIS FUN SHIP!
December 22nd - December 28th
Background: My name is Jim Burns, Owner of Caribbean Breeze Travel and certified professional travel agent. This was my 24th cruise, previously cruising Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Virgin Voyages, Margaritaville at Sea, and more!
EMBARKATION/MUSTER DRILL: 10/10
Embarkation day was seamless! This was my first cruise as a Platinum member, so I enjoyed priority boarding, but the regular line moved quickly too. From security to stepping onboard, the whole process took just 20 minutes.
Once onboard, we completed our muster drill in just a few minutes by heading to the station listed on our Sail & Sign paperwork.
SHIP: 8/10
The Carnival Vista underwent drydock about a year ago, and it shows—many areas look fresh and updated! I love the ship's layout and its breezy Caribbean vibe throughout. My favorite spot onboard is the RedFrog Pub, which captures that relaxing island atmosphere perfectly, along with the ever-popular Lido Deck.
Even though this was a Christmas cruise, it felt less crowded than my Christmas sailing on the Carnival Celebration last year!
Cruise Tip: To reach certain locations on Deck 3, you'll need to walk through Deck 4 to get there.
ROOMS: 9/10
We stayed in balcony stateroom 8425, and everything looked fresh and new! It was a standard balcony size, providing the usual comfort and space. The room featured a curtain instead of a door, which might be a hit or miss depending on personal preference.
Tip: On Vista-class ships, I prefer choosing a balcony stateroom on a higher deck so you're not directly above the promenade. It offers a bit more privacy and a better view!
BUFFET/FOOD: 8/10
When cruising on the Vista, you can always count on a wide array of complimentary dining options, and this cruise was no exception! My favorites were Guy's Burger Joint (though I personally preferred the burgers at Margaritaville) and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.
The buffet was the standard size but offered plenty of variety, including a late-night Deli option, which was a nice touch. Breakfast in the Main Dining Room was excellent, but dinner ranged from just okay to good.
Tip: Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse is only open on Sea Days and Embarkation Day, so be sure to get there early before the secret gets out!
ACTIVITIES: 9/10
Carnival truly excels at packing their cruises with activities, and this sailing was no exception! From Legend of the Lido to pickleball, dodgeball, waterslides, the ropes course, mini-golf, pools, shuffleboard, foosball, deck parties, and so much more, this ship has it all! Be sure to plan your day carefully—you won’t want to miss a thing.
Cruise Tip: Don’t skip the Sailaway Party—it’s the perfect way to kick off your cruise vacation and a highlight of the trip!
ENTERTAINMENT: 6/10
Unfortunately, I wasn’t a big fan of the shows in the Liquid Lounge. While they were decent, they didn’t quite match the quality of those on other cruise lines. That said, comedy was a big hit, and popular events like Guess That Groove, the Love and Marriage Show, and What’s Age Got to Do With It were crowd favorites!
The Liquid Lounge has an unusual setup, lacking the stadium-style seating found on many mainstream cruise ships, which might not be ideal for everyone. However, live entertainment around the ship was fantastic and more than made up for it!
Tip: Arrive early for shows in the Liquid Lounge, as it tends to fill up quickly.
APP/RESERVATIONS: 10/10
The app and internet worked smoothly for most of the cruise, making it easy to stay connected and plan activities. Reservations were not required for shows.
Tip: You can purchase the Chat feature on the app for just $5 per device to stay in touch with others onboard—it’s super convenient!
POOLS/HOT TUBS: 8/10
The Carnival Vista features several pools and hot tubs, but they got fairly busy on this popular sailing. Lounge chairs were also in high demand, making it tricky to find a seat at times. That said, the water temperature in both the hot tubs and pools was perfect, and I absolutely loved the vibe at the Lido pool!
Tip: The Havana rooms on this ship are amazing and come with their own exclusive pool and hot tubs—highly recommend booking one for a more private experience!
PORTS: 9/10
We partially chose this sailing because of the ports, and they didn’t disappoint! Each stop was simple and low-key, perfect for a relaxing day.
In Half Moon Cay, we tendered to the island, found a lounge chair, and relaxed while enjoying the complimentary lunch. The water was a little chilly, but the beautiful day and smooth sand made up for it!
In Grand Turk, we stepped off the ship, found a lounge chair, and went snorkeling. We saw plenty of fish right before the ropes, then checked out the free pool, shopped, and headed back to the ship.
At Amber Cove, we enjoyed the complimentary pool and did some shopping. We had planned to do the zip-line, which was affordable with unlimited rides, but after three consecutive port days, we were pretty tired.
Tip: Once you get off the ship in Grand Turk, head right after the pier. There are plenty of available lounge chairs and a more peaceful, relaxing experience. You can always walk over to the more crowded areas if you want!
DEBARKATION: 8/10
For the most part, debarkation went smoothly! We opted for the self-assist program and carried our bags off the ship. However, once we were off, we had quite a difficult time securing an Uber or shuttle. The port was very crowded, which caused some interference with the cell towers. After a bit of waiting, we eventually managed to get an Uber back to the port.
VALUE: 8/10
Carnival continues to offer great value, and the Carnival Vista is no exception! There was so much fun to be had, and the vibrant atmosphere is a natural part of the Carnival experience. While there’s room for improvement in the shows and the quality of some food items, it’s still an excellent bang for your buck with a clean, well-maintained ship. I can’t wait to get back onboard for my next Carnival cruise! Also, a special shout out to MarQ Anthony - Cruise Director, my new favorite current cruise director!
All in all, it was another great cruise, and I will not hesitate to cruise Carnival Vista again! "Like this post if you enjoyed this review"! I hope I can help with your next memorable cruise vacation. I guarantee to beat the cruise line’s deal, even if you already booked your cruise! Until then, HAPPY CRUISING!
- Jim Burns -
Cruises by Jim - Caribbean Breeze Travel
