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I posted pictures of the spa deck under the First on board Vista posting.

Today started out very rainy, as has every day of this trip has. Afternoons it clears up but it isn’t overly warm - maybe mid 60’s, maybe 17 C. (I know someone will correctly convert it) Had a massage today with Iilynn (pronounced eye-lynn) and for those on future Vista cruises, I would go to the Spa and get her booked before even dining reservations. she is THAT good. She is assigned to a couples double room, so one of you is going to be very relaxed and happy, but she does individual ones in that room as well. The spa deck is interesting. The therapy pool is up a staircase ( envision it as deck 15-1/2) while the hot tub are on deck 15 towards the front of the bow. The only area covered is the therapy pool and it’s a very open lattice work. All the loungers are in the sun. All the double loungers in any pool area are round. Maybe when you nap, you get into fetal position?? The locker rooms are very nice, very large showers, lockers have combinations, robes, towels all very fluffy. I wasn’t offered slippers so don’t know if they have them. Relaxation room in center of spa. The heated stone loungers are now out on the spa deck. I was in area yesterday having mani/pedi and we kept hearing alarm going off. In the ship design, the steam rooms have clear glass and are in the hallway on way to spa deck. Every time the door opens and lets steam out, it sets off the alarm. 😳 tonight is the first of the two repeaters party.

Tomorrow I will show spa pictures and our PH cabin (after stewards do their tidying up). After dinner in Grand dining room tonight (there is a Jacques selection for those who are missing it due to it being replaced by Ember) and watching one of the new shows performed in the Vista lounge with the entertainment team, we have waddled back to our room exhausted.

Nope, this is the only outdoor space to smoke. Same location but now smaller and enclosed. Only indoor space to smoke is new enclosed room on starboard side in front of Horizons on Deck 14. Spa is now entire front section forward of elevators on Deck 15 a very successful addition is the Aquamar Kitchen (where LaReserve is on Marina and Riviera). They have a table that seats 10 inside but have turned the outdoor area into seating with heaters in ceiling. (It’s been a cooler sailing in the Med). It is a sit down and order off menu set up. Right now very popular at breakfast (avocado toast, fancy pancakes, eggs made to order, smoothies like Waves); lunch - soups, poke bowls (excellent) tuna tacos, salads, etc. apparently Mr Del Rio said at the Cruise Critic meet and greet that they may contemplate using it for dinners in the future. in talking with Miami management, they are saying that this is a new Allura class that will be slightly different than Marina and Riviera. It doesn’t mean those ships will become what this ship is. It’s about being able to chose what you want when you sail. If you love Jacques and LaReserve, sail Marina and Riviera. If you want quicker dining option, Embers or Aquamar Kitchen on Vista. Staff has been top notch and friendly. Maximo has coffee started in Barristas the moment he sets eyes on you - he has the memory we all wish we had! Sr Executive Chef Frederic should be congratulated for all his team is doing to be on top of all the different foods. Last night was Italian Market dinner - Grazie Mille, it was outstanding

So sought out the outdoor smoking room, which is now enclosed and much smaller than the open area under the stairs on the other ships. I ventured in, one guest sitting in chair and he commented on the bar style stools covered in green velvet 😳 facing the sea they swivel, not all the way round, only partially and are high, very high and a real wobble to get in them. Few others wandered in and no one attempted them but leaned in between them. As you can see from the picture, someone has already burned a hole in the fabric as a non smoker, I didn’t stay too long in the blue room

First timers party was initiated last fall, but have been discontinued due to lack of guests attending.

The smoking room has two sets of doors, no smoke so far escaping into hallway. It is not a part of Horizons lounge. Also have not seen any officers in there on a break. had lovely dinner in RG tonight. Chef Frederick and all the culinary staff have done a magnificent job with the food. There is a little separate room we used in RG this evening. A certain cruise director referred to it as the “garage”, but I’m pretty sure that is not the official name for it. 😂

We at at Embers last night - I had lobster roll as starter, spouse had crab cake (different than Polo one), we had the lemon confit and burrata salad, then we both had the fish and chips. It was the Sea Bass (thickness was similar to RG miso glazed sea bass), they give 3 pieces (2 would have been plenty). Spouse had the triple chocolate brownie (brownie, I think chocolate ice cream then Carmel and chocolate sauce drizzled, topped with walnuts), I had 1 fried beignets (usually 3 come in a portion with 2 other sauces). with the bourbon Carmel sauce (only dish that was meh) Starter and salad were small, they all came out together. Once finished with those, very quickly came the fish and chips. We had to ask them to give us a few minutes before dessert was ordered. this is intended to be a quicker service restaurant (75 - 90 minutes). staff all worked together to make it flow smoothly and efficiently (not just a server and helper assigned to your table). Kitchen Galley is open at back so you can watch all the preparation or go and say hi and see the galley working in harmony

On each side of bed is 1 US socket, 1 USB (old style) slot and 1 USB lightining (newer electronics) slot on shelf near dining table there is 1 US plug, 1 European plug and the two different USB slots under makeup mirror across from the foot of the bed is a US plug and 2 sets of the different USB slots Further down on counter next to phone is a European plug and American plug pictures in order from descriptions above

Pool deck from Deck 14. Not a lot of loungers under shade - only one row, but lots of nook areas with round loungers. Weather cool outside Sorrento today not sure what I did to get words beside the pictures as I typed all the words then said add pictures and this is how it turned out 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

LYNC computer room

I stand corrected on internet connection - it is 1 log in per cabin except the Vista, Oceania and Owners suites who get 2 log-ins. This is the LYNC room (aka computer center). apparently they also loan out iPads

Extra wide hallway leading to Horizons

Those chairs in the first picture above surround the stage/dance floor. the first three pictures are the entrance to Smoking lounge. There are double doors and it has a very speak easy vibe to it. At the moment, I am not sure where the outdoor smoking area is.

Pictures of Horizons - no coffee or pastries in morning. They are in the expanded Barristas with the bakery. Lots of big windows in Horizons but you see the segmentation with the lights above. Tonight is Captains Welcome party and stage is more to the starboard side with the expanded bar on the port side as you immediately walk in. There is only one entrance. As you get off elevator, on starboard side is Artist Loft, the the new LYNC internet area, then a large training room of sorts next to that then the smoking lounge (I will post those pictures next) then walk into Horizons.

ChadnKate: When Riviera went in for her update last fall, one of the things that improved in the PH’s walk in closet was the bar holding the clothes that lights up when you touch a hanger, making it easier to view your clothing. For me, the walk in closet on Riviera and Marina is where I would change early morning while spouse slept and I didn’t disturb him. It was also convenient as a phone booth (we both still work) and we had a Zoom call.

Order of pictures terrace before deluge of guests Privee (seating for 14) Polo Waves grill aquamar Cafe (extremely popular today, but it’s a sit and be served restaurant) Embers Toscana Favorite Barristas Lync digital Center (located on deck 14 forward behind Artist Loft) - formerly Oceania @sea internet area Barristas bakery and seating area

Just got on Vista today in Civitavecchia and while we are still docked, internet seems lightening fast compared to Riviera which we were on three days ago. Seems that each cabin person gets a log in, on the basic plan I seem able to stream tic tok. I will try to do speed test and report numbers shortly

I’m trying to figure out how to post picture with commentary. Oceania @ Sea now called Lynx and he was giving group lessons on how to get connected to Starlink. I will go visit him tomorrow and have more interior pictures. anything specific you’d like me to post?

It’s a separate room. I will enquire about how to book it.

The day has finally arrived and when they opened Vista for check in, an angel took my hand and escorted us to the line. Our very efficient check in clerk worked her magic, and poof, we were the first paying passengers onboard! Lots of welcome onboards and we stood with mouths agape in lobby. No green orchids in vase at bottom of staircase but beautiful crystal chandelier that hangs down to light your ascent to 6th floor. She’s a beauty. ( I will post pictures later). And guess what - Starlink seems to be installed and rumors are each cabin gets a log in. Oceania at Sea is now on front of ship, starboard side, behind the Artist Loft and before where Horizons is. Spa deck is now on 15 and takes up the whole front of the ship. fabulous changing rooms, even the quiet lounge furniture looks usable. We just left Riviera two days ago in Athens to make our way to Italy. We wandered the entire ship and I will briefly give you the changes we observed. The concierge and dining desks are now tucked into the nooks on the side of the ship in lobby. There is no back staircase on 5! It begins on 6 by the Grand Dining Room. The hallway where Jacques was and is now Embers Cafe and wraps around where the elevator is on Marina and Riviera. Have not made it to RedGinger. LaReserve is no more and is now AquaMar kitchen, both inside and out. Inside is a high stool sharing space. You have to order off menu and they serve. Terrace cafe food is all displayed on one level, no tiers. Easier to see servers. New uniforms - wine stewards have long sleeve white shirts, black vests, maroon bow ties, the bar staff are same except gold bow ties. Looks like Oceania listened on females being able to wear trousers. Privee between Polo and Toscana seats 14. They will serve either the Dom Perignon dinner or Odyssey menu in there now only. Polo and Toscana now have a private dining area for 8 near the front of each restaurant. Every restaurant has a check in desk with seating before you go into the restaurant. Horizons on 14 has what I would call separators. They no longer serve coffee or pastries in morning, only a bar. Individual seats surrounding dance floor. We have a Cruise Critic gathering today at 3:30 with Frank Del Rio Sr. answering questions. We will see how well it functions for a group as I understand over 100 are signed up to attend. we are in a PH2. Lovely muted colors, kind of a gray taupe. Mirrors have lights in them, nice touch. The only flaw I see is the closet. BIG mistake, big mistake as Julia Robert’s said. It is not a walk in. Lots of wasted space in front of it that is open to the room if they thought you would change there. The left side has bar for hanging long things. Has a tie/belt who knows what to hang here on the backside of the door. The right side cupboards are divided into two, the left side has two rods for shorter things to hang, the right side has a rod above the inroom safe and 4 pull out small drawers, the first contains the hair dryer and shoe horn brush. These cupboards are about 3 inches deep. couch in room can easily seat 2-3 comfortably. There is a lovely small crystal floor lamp by window. Better drapage on small window. There is a table and chair by balcony doors with shelf and drawers. It’s been a good area to tuck the 54 bottles of wine we brought onboard today. Not sure what will go in those drawers, table and chairs in the way. more to come. As soon as I conform internet package details I will post pictures. Just remember, different isn’t bad, just getting used to it.

Just got off Riviera and someone was going around putting googlie eyes on the artwork 😳😵‍💫

We disembarked in Athens this morning and what a difference from November 2021 when we embarked in Athens. getting off the ship today was a breeze, no lines snaking down hallways, blocking elevators or a packed lobby. All orderly and smooth. From the time we disembarked to getting into our pre ordered taxi, was 5 minutes! I am shocked at how quick and orderly it went. we pre ordered a taxi from Welcome pick-ups (they sent Vangelis +30 698 04 17 291) who was outstanding. He had large sign with our names right at exit, held doors open, had candies, tissues, water, in front of each seat. He then drove us by many sights pointing out history, Olympic venues, stadium where first Olympics were held. Was an excellent driver navigating motorcycles, trucks, pedestrians and other drivers. I was really surprised by how clean Athens is. Lots of graffiti but no trash on streets. No cigarette butts thrown on sidewalks. No panhandlers. Feels like the city has cleaned itself up a lot. we are off to join Vista for her Founders journey. Thank you to Destination Services who is responsible for embarking and disembarking passengers. You did a GREAT job today! Barristas upon our return.