I figured out what I didn't like about Vista....

We'd booked the Vista before she was built. Watched every video, followed along as she sailed her maiden voyage, etc. We sailed in late January in a Havana Cabana, and loved that category of cabin. We enjoyed our cruise, loved the ports and had an awesome time introducing two virgin cruisers to the fabulous lifestyle of a cruiser(they loved it).

In reading through the hundreds and hundreds of post travel reviews (and adding my two cent's worth when necessary) I've finally just figured out what I didn't really like about the ship. I'd mentioned in some posts that it was too "sterile" looking, not enough color, very shopping-mall-ish feeling. I know now what it was missing. All the comfy, cozy, copious amounts seating along the indoor promenade. We LOVE to people watch in the evenings. On the other ships I've been on, the promenade area was a favorite. Grab a cocktail and watch the people walk past in the fantastic dresses, or sunburned shoulders, watch the gal whose got the wobbles from too much champagne and the the bachelor parties in their aloha shirts. It is people watching at it's finest.

The promenade deck on the vista - while very nice and abundant outside...completely lacked on the inside. Many of the stools in the lounges were like giant q-tips and were hard to sit on, much less be comfortable enough to spend any time there. Just not nearly enough places to "hang out and enjoy the scenery" at night. (I'm talking inside). I think that's what I didn't like.

The ship was very nice, the staff were great, our room was phenomenal. That darn boring promenade deck did me in. I was looking at some old photos of previous cruises and it finally dawned on my what it was that I didn't like about the Vista. Boom. There it was. Long stretches of couches, over-stuffed leather chairs, cocktail tables lining the promenade. Yep, that is what was missing.

I like people watching in the atrium. I like a good view of the dance floor and guest services, and people all dressed up lining up for photographs.

Cutbacks!

Vista has that modern resort feel to it. But i went to see a havana suite and it had cuba prints that brought back memories of the older walls...it has a great vibe. I miss that touch of naughty that was in the old decors.

I sat down a few times waiting for my wife when she was getting a drink from Java Blue. There is barely enough room to sit and you either have a photo kiosk/display thingy on a swing arm in your way or if you try to lean back, you hit the mini blinds.

I second you that the seating there is very uncomfortable.

But sitting outside on a warm night with a slight breeze was awesome.

I sat down a few times waiting for my wife when she was getting a drink from Java Blue. There is barely enough room to sit and you either have a photo kiosk/display thingy on a swing arm in your way or if you try to lean back, you hit the mini blinds.

 

I second you that the seating there is very uncomfortable.

 

But sitting outside on a warm night with a slight breeze was awesome.

Agreed, but it's not great for people watching.

Vista has that modern resort feel to it. But i went to see a havana suite and it had cuba prints that brought back memories of the older walls...it has a great vibe. I miss that touch of naughty that was in the old decors.

I've got to say that the Havana Area....Room, Hallways and Bar were awesome. The seating in the Havana Bar was great!!

Wow...you nailed it on the head!! I thought something was off on the promenade deck as well but could not place it, and when I look at photos of past cruises you're right! On sea days we would find seats on the promenade and read or people watch, and on Vista we could not really do that, we ended up in the Havana area (which was awesome).

Sent from my XT1585 using Forums mobile app

Thanks for your thoughts.

Also, did not like promenade deck 5 on Vista. Boring walk between atrium in front & ocean plaza towards back. Only pass the specialty restaurants, coffee shop , photo area. Casino is now on deck 4, so there is no bar & nearby band & dance floor on deck 5.

No hot tubs outside on deck 5, like they have on Magic & Breeze.

Very small theatre (liquid lounge), and views on balcony arent good. No tier seating & big posts in way.

I think the whole point of the "Vista" right down to her name ... is that she is supposed to have wonderful views ... OF THE OCEAN :) so they designed it so you would be "ocean watching" outside ... as opposed to "people watching" on the inside.

I agree that I also didn't like the Vista when I sailed in February. The first time I ever said, "well that was fun but I doubt I'll sail on her again." ONLY way I would book Vista again would be for a Havana Cabana ... but if I were going to spend that much money I would rather sail in a Royal Class Suite on RCCL Oasis Class.

What did't I like? Well for starters ... the lack of impressive atrium. Just felt cramped in there. Like others have said ... like a "mall" - Also didn't like the casino ... felt small, and I lost money the whole cruise ... that usually never happens ... I usually break even or at least not lose TOO much but there were NO good machines on that ship.

MDR service was suppar too. Lido was cramped, comedy club was smaller than usual and the WORST was the way they have the theater with removable chairs to turn it into a dance club. Don't like that at all (Sunshine is the same way).

Cutbacks!

How is a new ship design a cutback?

Very insightful. It's always nice to figure out what you prefer or dislike about a particular ship. It's this kind of detail that helps, particularly experienced cruisers who know their "cruising style" decide whether or not a particular ship may be the best fit.

Thanks again!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Very insightful. It's always nice to figure out what you prefer or dislike about a particular ship. It's this kind of detail that helps, particularly experienced cruisers who know their "cruising style" decide whether or not a particular ship may be the best fit.

 

Thanks again!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks! We really did have a great cruise, but it took me this long to finally figure out what was missing. I'm not a ship basher by any means, I appreciate all that have commented and understand my view. Just an opinion, but it may help future cruisers with their decisions on which ship to sail!!

As one who doesn't like the crowded 5th deck avenue, esp. during elegant photo nights, I found out I could avoid the entire people to people crush by using the aft 4th deck walk through on Conquest class ships. Got me to the casino or forward theater from the aft MDR no problem, no elbowing, no stopping.

I learned to avoid the Vista walk through just before and after the comedy shows, as that hallway was indeed too narrow for that volume of traffic.

We cruised the Vista in January and one of my first comments to my husband was that there was not an interior Promenade. We also missed it. It is one place we often sat just prior to dinner. Or we even found a comfortable seat along the Promenade to read during the day. Anyway on the Vista where we typically ended up prior to dinner was the Atrium which was lovely. But I did miss the Promenade!

Thank you for the feedback!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I'm thinking maybe we should have taken another ship. We love to sit and people watch too. We hate hen they want to clear the chairs, etc. from the show rooms. It's not so much that they have to switch or change out rooms as it is knowing that the whole area is not really a theater for the arts, but more of a conversion room.

That's the exact reason we don't like the Princess ships we've been on.

Probably a revenue thing. You're not going to spend money if you're not in/near a lounge.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you for your review.

We might sail the Vista when she moves to Galveston (late 2018,) and this is good to know.

I'm a Promenade 'people-watcher,' too. It's my favorite relaxing activity. Interesting too, because when Carnival debuted the "Dream," I realize I didn't like it as well as the Conquest ships. The Promenade seemed 'darker."

My favorite ships on Carnival are Liberty, Freedom and Glory. I also like the Triumph. Plenty of brightly-lit Promenade seating.

We'll be on the Freedom again in a few weeks. We can't wait!

How is a new ship design a cutback?

Because they removed some of the most popular areas that made the Dream class ships such a huge success.

They changed the design of the main theater to only 2 decks with a flat floor on deck 4 with moveable chairs and no place to put a drink down. The bar waiters can't even come down the isles to take or deliver your drink, it has to be passed down to you by other guests.

They restricted access to the Havana aft area for most people until after 7pm, so it reduced the number of available pools and hot tubs. Now there are only 2 pools and 2 hottubs on the Lido, plus 2 hottubs on Serenity. The restricted Havana area prevent me from taking my morning walks around the circumference of the ship.

No couches or sitting areas on the Promenade.

No glass elevators or soaring atrium.

They took away 4 hottubs that were on the exterior promenade and made most of it specialty restaurant outdoor dining.

Thank you for your review.

 

We might sail the Vista when she moves to Galveston (late 2018,) and this is good to know.

 

I'm a Promenade 'people-watcher,' too. It's my favorite relaxing activity. Interesting too, because when Carnival debuted the "Dream," I realize I didn't like it as well as the Conquest ships. The Promenade seemed 'darker."

 

My favorite ships on Carnival are Liberty, Freedom and Glory. I also like the Triumph. Plenty of brightly-lit Promenade seating.

 

We'll be on the Freedom again in a few weeks. We can't wait!

YAY! We sail the Glory in 24 days. Soooo looking forward to comparing it and shooting off a review. We've sailed the Liberty but the weather was so bad on that cruise, it kind of dampened (pun intended) the whole thing.

We are on Vista in November and I really enjoy reading all the good and bad reviews. We also LOVE the Conquest ship layout. It is our favorite Ship (besides Miracle, which holds a special place in our heart since it was our first cruise 10+ yrs ago). We have been on Dream and Breeze and liked them. We tried the cove and loved it so booked again for Vista.

I'm sure we will have a great cruise but I do like all the comments!

Wow...you nailed it on the head!! I thought something was off on the promenade deck as well but could not place it, and when I look at photos of past cruises you're right! On sea days we would find seats on the promenade and read or people watch, and on Vista we could not really do that, we ended up in the Havana area (which was awesome).

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Forums mobile app

Trade Offs: Haven't sailed her yet. Just booked on her; September 9 8 night Eastern Caribbean out of Miami. From what I've read and understand, the outer decks are roomier, there's an IMAX theater. So, sadly something has to give. It will be a change. Went on the Breeze 2 years ago and the designs are more Crown Plaza than the traditional red, orange, and pink digs one gets used to on Carnival ships. Elevators were super plain generic. But, I'm not cruising for the elevators/lifts. Be advised that cabins have one less closet section. No problem for me. Actually from what I understand the HVAC works are where that third closet was. Better for me regarding cabin air conditioning. 97 days and counting before I know it it's time to cruise.