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On 2/12/2019 at 8:30 AM, ABQrobin said:

If you get the excursion listed as "cave tubing with lunch included" then you get a full hot meal of baked chicken, rice and beans, salad.  That is what we got and it was delicious.  There is also a food stand right there by all the picnic tables where everyone eats with food for sale as well as drinks and adult beverages for sale.  There is no reason to eat cereal boxes from ship.  

 

 

Not for us!  The food stand shut down after we ordered 2 hot dogs for 4 adults to share.  The people in line behind us were told there was no more food.  Given how hangry our group got, I can only recommend you BYO just in case.  Also we were delivered back to port in time to catch the last scheduled tender which was docked & loading so also didn't have time to find food in port.  It was not a good situation to eat at 7:30 am & not again til 4:30pm.  We had a diabetic in our group that  brought one high protein bar (from home), but had to split that with another member of the group that started feeling faint at 12:30pm when we were river side, no where near food.  There was no provision or time offered for food.  So, BYO or book a lunch inclusive excursion.

On 2/10/2019 at 11:55 AM, JDK01269 said:

My Mom and I have cruised to Belize before but weren't able to tube because of flooding rain.  We are headed back in mid Oct 2019.  She will be 65 with 2 replaced knees (3 or 4 years ago).  My not active enough 9 year old will be with us too.  Is the walk really 40 minutes? Is it a hard walk - climbing, awkward surfaces?

We ended up choosing the cave kayaking (not tubing) excursion from a private supplier (Dec 2018).  Same location as all the tubing companies, different experience.  Yes, it is 30-40 min of walking, mostly flat, rocky surface, like walking on a rural dirt road that's been recently rocked.  But, there are 2 river crossings (on foot) that get about mid-thigh deep depending on level and there's a few steep dop offs where our guide held hands and assisted.  There is a potential for foot slippage and you need to be sure footed in the river, but I wouldn't hesitate to ask a guide for a hand if your having trouble.  I don't want anyone to give you the impression it's easier than it is.  Indeed you walk out to the starting point and ride back on the water, when finished you're about a 5 min walk back to base camp.  My biggest concern was lack of food on this port day, I recommend you BYO.  I saw people eating dry cereal from boxes they brought from the ship and others had Pringles cans.

On 1/21/2019 at 7:15 AM, JennPVMX said:

Great info!! We’re these half price hours shown in the Funtimes? Thank you!

Yes, they were, but more importantly on the Hub App, which I highly recommend, even if you don't pay extra for the chat function.  But, if your kids are old enough to have a phone and they're old enough to go the arcade alone, then I highly recommend the chat function so you can stay in touch with them.  I saw where I was able to set spending limits for my kids while setting up our accounts online but I could not see a "daily" limit, just overall limit, and I did not see where I could specify just the arcade spending.  Also, on the app, I could see everyone who was linked to me and my credit card on the app.  I could see what they spent, who, and where and at what time of day.  May want to warn the kids you'll have this power, uh-I mean ability. 

We just got back from 7 day cruise with 2 teens & 2 adults, our cruise offered 2 advertised 'half price' hours in the arcade during the week, we also got half price on embarkation evening.  Multi-person costs more & so does higher tech.  I would say we spent the bulk of our time in these types of games.  We only visited during the 'sale' & we spent $35 between the 4 of us.  So, would have been $70 during regular hours & we certainly didn't go every day (too much to do on this ship).  Hopefully, this info helps you plan, the price is indicated before you swipe payment, if you want to set a per game limit with the kids.  As I look at our bill I see games billed for as little as $.60 & as much as $10.45 (think this was a 4 person game).  The average looks to be $2 on sale, $4 normal price.

We just got back from Vista Christmas cruise.  My fav tip is to eat on deck 5 aft Ocean Plaza for breakfast.  It was like it was a secret.  We never had a line and on the busiest day looked like less than 100 people showed up to eat here and had lots of indoor and outdoor seating options.   Not sure I would have bothered if staying on a higher floor or far forward on the ship but we were on deck 6 and one flight down to breakfast waiting for us. 

We had 2 using the bubbles package and had no problems getting soda (a lot) all the bars offer soda, you don't need a restaurant.  There is a bar at the main pool just outside Lido Marketplace and there is a bar on the far aft exit of Lido, all served us soda all week.  There is a bar at Ocean Plaza on deck 5 aft to serve soda when eating at the BBQ or enjoying a show.  All the shows had roving staff taking drink orders and soda was delivered to us all the time.

Agree, use the app to make dinner ressies, easy peasy and each member on the ressie gets an app notification when table is ready, so they can be split up all over the ship and descend on the restaurant for dinner, show the greeter your app and you'll get delivered to the table. 

If the band Hasta La Vista is on your cruise, go listen to them.  They were playing some of the smaller venues on the ship but they were the BEST entertainment on the entire ship.  Them coupled with The Horn Brothers were an awesome show.  They do different genres so pick one you like and plan to go. 

Just be careful how you are seated in the dining room.  If you have an odd number, they tended to stick a chair at the end of the lower even number and try and call that good. So, 5 was seated at a table for 4 and we had seven seated at a table for 6.  The worst we had was a party of ten seated at a table set for 8, they brought 2 chairs and stuck them on the ends and proceeded to squeeze in table settings.  I would have insisted another table but the rest of our party wouldn't have it (they didn't want to rock the boat, so to speak).  I thought it was uncalled for.  Only one time were we seated in the reverse, we had a party of ten seated at a table for 12. 

Others have complained about music noise, which was never an issue for me.  I could step out on the balcony and hear every word of a song and then step into the cabin and shut the door and hear nothing.  The problem is all the door slamming.  Seems like everyone swings the door open and lets it swing 3 ft to a slamming finish.  Our walls shook from the slamming and once it sounded like someone stood at their door and opened and slammed in rapid succession (think slam...slam...slam...slam...), what?!?  who does this??  I wish a short lesson during the safety drill on how to courteously hold a door and shut it with control would occur, its not difficult.

There are a few half price hours on the schedule for the arcade.  It's chaotic and busy but a lot of fun and much more affordable, if you have kids, or even if you don't.

There is a week long schedule for the main shows in your state room on the first night.  I didn't see it until later.  I knew we missed the Clue show the first night, but I didn't know then it was only one night during the week, so we missed it entirely. 

Our first walk off stop was at Roatan.  The announced exit was deck 0 forward.  After all of the stairwells and halls were clogged with everyone trying to exit, they announced there was a second exit deck 0 mid  (too late for us, you'll know ahead of time).

Second stop was tender port Belize.  Six of us booked excursions thru Carnival, 4 of us booked thru private vendor.  All Carnival excursions meet in large lounge and was reported as a chaotic mess.  Lots of winding line waiting, with short tempers, line cutters, and a reported delay of 90 minutes to get off the ship. (This may or may not happen on your cruise).  My group of 4 was instructed to the smaller lounge.  It was quiet and serene.  We waited about 20 minutes on cushy seats until our number was called.  We walked in a single file line and got on the tender no problem. I had no idea the issues the others encountered until that evening.

Last stop was walk off Cozumel.  We booked a private vendor and walked out of the shopping area to a clean and waiting taxi.  This was the only port where our bags were searched getting off the boat.

If you are interested in on board photos, I suggest waiting until late in the week, the lines are MUCH shorter. 

The burger joint is good and the best fries on the ship.  Even when we got sandwiches from Lido, we still secured fries from Guys.  It was only open late one night during the week.

There is an AWESOME cake bar at lunch in the Lido.  Most are picture worthy.  Don't know if its also there on port days but is certainly worth a visit on sea days.

On the Vista, there was NO electrical outlet in our bathroom (except for a shaver...I didn't know there was such a thing...a different plug for a shaver...).  I brought battery operated lights for nightlight in the bathroom.

We brought a power strip and external portable chargers so we could charge our phones on the go, out and about for the day.

The bikes and ropes course require closed toed shoes.  We saw many people being turned away for arriving in sandals and flip flops.  

If you like to use a lanyard for the sign and sail card, I recommend a "pretty" one for women to go with dressier wear.  

Just back from Vista.  First time to use Hub App.

We had a party of 10 in 5 cabins.

The app itself is free to download and use and I would recommend using, even it you don't pay for chat function (which we wanted and needed for this many to locate each other on such a large ship).  $5 per device to chat, gets billed to your on board account.  

I had 4 of the 10 tied to me and my credit card.  I could see each member and EXACTLY what each purchased, where and when on a separate tab and I could monitor spending.

I loved being able to make dinner ressies in the app for up to 8.  If all 10 were going, one of us went down with all room #'s to check in.  Either method resulted in a notification being sent to phone when table ready and we could be scattered all over the ship and in shows waiting for our table.

I loved being able to use app to see what was happening and make events my "favorites" and see what others in my group picked for their day.  I was notified 15 min. before each event I had picked.

I loved using ship maps to find things, I could see open hours for all locations, and quickly see what food options were available at any given time.

What needs fixed:

1)  The group chat function doesn't work. You can set up the group chat but not everyone gets it.  It has no forward function so I did a lot of cutting and pasting to say the same thing to many people.

2)  The app needs a "check-in" function.  Where each person could choose to check-in (or not if down time is needed).  Then others could find me if they want without texting "where are you?"

3)  The app is not consistent.  We proved over and over that what one person can see and do is not the same as what another person in our group can see and do with the app.  Even when using the same platforms such as apple or android.

4) We tested and the app would not hold messages until next logged in.  So, if you shut off your phone overnight and someone sends a text overnight expecting you'll get it when you wake up, it will not be there waiting for you.

Just back from the Vista.  On embarkation day, there were many roving employees letting everyone know what was open for lunch.  There were only 3 locations.  We were told what floor each was on.  Our group chose bbq and went to the elevator where we found an employee riding in each elevator.  There was an "express" board placed over the buttons for the elevator and only the 3 buttons for the 3 floors offering a lunch option could be pressed.  This really helped expedite the finding of lunch immediately upon arrival.   Also, at any time, you can find out exactly what is open for lunch by opening the hub app (free to download and use while on board).  It will tell you the restaurant name, what deck and location, and the hours lunch will be offered, by clicking on "where to eat now."

If I put cruise cash on my room, can I then download an image from one of the other room #'s, so I'm paying for the download, even though I may not be in the photo?

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1153/~/pixels-photo-gallery-and-dreams-studio#digital

Looks like most of the info is here.  

Looks like $15-20 per image downloaded to a device and $18-24 per image to download to a memory stick.  

Also looks like for $22 I could have a few prints of the image and the download to a device to make more prints, different sizes, or canvas later. 
 

So, doesn't look like we need to use the same room # and looks like we will have to pick and choose images and won't just get them all. 

Still looking for input on your experience using this.

Specifically, digital packages.

We are a party of 5 cabins.  I'm planning to have everyone use the same cabin # for the duration of the trip to get all photos linked to one room, no matter who is in the photo.  We want to then purchase the digital photos and bring them home to get them printed.

1)  How much is the package?

2) Does it include every photo taken?

3) Do we need to bring media (thumb drive) to put it on?

Tell me your experiences, successes and failures

On 11/8/2018 at 8:31 PM, ScubaDuck said:

One of my favorite is taking a box of waffle cones with us on the boat. We've done it twice now, and both times got lots of asks "Where do you get those?" I just tell them "Walmart", and keep going (LOL). Heck, I even had our favorite CD Malcolm stop us while we walked through the Lido deck to ask. Of course both times we had a few left over on the last night and so we find a group of kids hanging out near the ice cream machines and share the fun 🙂

I will be doing this! and maybe my own toppings

Just follow the rules. If under 18 or 21 are asked to leave at a certain time, do so.

This! is what I've told my 15 year old and only minor on a family of 10 trip! I reviewed the age rules for all the activities on the Carnival website with him. I know he will be with at least one "major" at all times for various activities. I told him I look for the cruise ship to probably be lax even on their own set rules, but if he is asked to leave or back away from a bar, then respectfully do so. Aside from alcohol and gambling age rules (laws), most are probably set up for the ship to point to if your causing a problem. If he's not causing a problem, I don't anticipate he'll get hassled.

I want to use Carnival gift cards for all (most) on board spending. But, I also don't want to end up with any left over $$ on a gift card. So, if I have this right. I want to use my gift card to buy cruise cash before we sail thru FunShops, right?

This will be automatically loaded to our sign & sail account (that we've already set up with a credit card), right?

Then the cruise cash will come off our S&S account first, then any remainder will be billed to our cc on file, right?

So, if we've prepaid for all excursions and gratuities, don't plan for extra paid dining, have 4 of us sailing for 7 nights, we're not heavy drinkers maybe 6 total for the cruise, and just needing a slush fund for incidentals and ask-identals. How much should we buy in cruise cash, $50, $100, more? I'd rather run out and have it go to credit card than have too much and have to concern with that. What do you think?

I just booked V.iV. for our Dec. cruise. I have more experience booking non-cruise excursions than cruise offerings. I'm not at all worried about timing. They know who you're cruising with, they know the port times, this is their livelihood and a lot is at risk to have bad reviews. I'm sure there are many areas in the tour that can be adjusted if time is running short.

Still trying to confirm use of the Hub App won't require a purchase of a Wi-Fi plan?

My understanding is we turn on Airplane Mode on the phone (shutting off cellular service), then we log into the ships wi-fi (just like at a stateside hotel). Then we open the Hub App and can send texts to other users of the App.

I understand this is not for web browsing of any kind (websites, checking email, etc). Only for texting others via the Hub App.

Have I got this correct?

If this is correct, will any other wi-fi enabled app be available for us to use without paying for a wi-fi plan?

I'm thinking about games and especially DUO which we've used to communicate across phone platforms while in airplane mode and logged into hotel wi-fi.

(I wish we could practice with Hub before we sail...but (sigh) we cannot).

I also want to confirm the texting portion of this app will be charged to us at $5 per device for the length of the sailing and not $5/day per device. We have 10 devices and want to confirm we'll be charged $50 and not $350 to stay in contact via text.

Thanks for letting me jump in.

We are sailing Vista for first time in Dec. Keep in mind that some (I think 2) restaurants are "complimentary" at lunch and extra "$$$" for dinner (albeit possible different offerings), so watch for that. The carnival website makes it pretty clear. You can filter to see the included and extra pay locations too.

Same for activities. Just filter for the ship, then filter if "included" or "extra pay". You'll get a nice list.

What time do charges apply? When is it over? We will be on Vista

Ah, I found answers to my own question. Free room service on Vista is 6am-10pm. After 10 pm has fees.

What time do charges apply? When is it over? We will be on Vista

I noticed this excursion is booked with pricing "for 2". My question is, do 2 of us have to be together, i.e. is there only 1 ticket for 2 of us. We have 10 on the cruise, I'm anticipating most will trickle off the ship when they wake up with the first 2 off the ship heading out and claiming a clam shell that we will rotate in and out of all day. I'm trying to figure out if we have to move back and forth two by two or not.

Has anyone successfully used apps like Duo or Skype while on board?

We have 10 passengers on Vista, I like Duo because it can be used across apple and android.

I recently simulated a ship scenario while in a hotel and set my phone to airplane mode, was logged on to hotel wi-fi, and Duo worked great calling states away.

If I understand correctly, we won't be charged to log into ships wi-fi, then we could use Duo? Anyone done this?

We have 5 cabins booked on Vista for a 50th anniversary. I'm trying to shop now for cabin decorations for the happy couple. When I added it to my cart, it didn't ask for their room # or name. I don't want it for my room, but I want to purchase and pay for it. When I bought the drink plan for my son in another cabin I had no problem entering his booking # and picking his name from the drop down menu so I was surprised the online shopping didn't confirm which room I wanted decor for (seems like this would be a commonly purchased for someone else). I was hoping they would put up the decor so it would be there when they walk in their room. If it gets delivered to my room, then I have to make time to go to their room and decorate and it ruins the surprise of it. Please help with how I can accomplish this, its sitting in my cart but I've not yet paid for it.

I should add that we are cruising Christmas week. Will this change anything? Will they plan more formal surroundings for Christmas Eve/Christmas Night?

1. Bring more hangers

2. Create more outlets

3. Plastic bins to use in bathroom

4. Sanitizing wipes to clean room before your cruise begins

5. If you have a balcony room, a way to clean the balcony and sliding glass door, after splashes and rain (I use microfiber on a handle for car glass cleaning).

6. The trifecta of a good nights sleep (ear plugs, eye mask, & sleeping pills) for good measure add a fan or white noise app (we think neighboring ship doors slam terrifically loud and wonder why we are the only ones that hold them until they shut softly.)

I just read a review that MDR on Vista does not have linen table cloths. We have a 10 person cruise coming up to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary and the matriarch is specifically wanting linens for a one-night dress up family meal and she was shocked that an MDR would not have linens. So, can anyone confirm if they do or do not have linens? I'm not certain anyone is interested in adding $400 to the cruise budget to add a special dining experience night.

Twelve years ago we cruised on Conquest and I was disappointed that the safes worked by swiping a magnetic strip (like a credit card) to open and close the safe. So, we had to have a credit card out and about with us to use to reopen the safe when we returned. And, sure enough, the credit card fell out of my pocket and on to the deck. It was returned to me safely thru the ship. But, I didn't know this condition existed and had no option than an active CC on board. So, I'm trying to find out if this is how current Vista safes work. If so, I plan to bring an expired CC to use with the safe and will leave that hidden somewhere in my room. Can you advise me how current safes work?