Carnival Vista Review 1st Oct 2016. -Oh No I`ve lost my anchor!!!

[trogmd]

Perfect sentiment...I agree

 

Thanks LisaH, welcome to the review.

[AXiDMonica]

Hi Mark,

 

I'm following along! We sailed the Vista out of Barcelona this summer so I'm enjoying seeing all the pictures. :) I am so sorry for your loss. Big hugs to you.

[xitappers2bx]

I'm so sad to hear about Kieran, I honestly cannot imagine having the strength to do what you did, and I'm glad that you decided to go. Your review is bringing back some memories from this summer in Paris, where I found a little coffee shop and enjoyed my delicious 1.50 euro cup of coffee forgoing the much more pricey 5 or 6 euro cup nonsense. Next summer Barcelona is on the list of places to visit, and your photos have left me ready and waiting for more.

[Jamman54]

Mark, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that he was there with you every step of the way, and was glad that you chose to go!

 

Loving your review so far, and can't wait to read the rest. You are doing a wonderful job.

[trogmd]

Hi Mark,

 

I'm following along! We sailed the Vista out of Barcelona this summer so I'm enjoying seeing all the pictures. :) I am so sorry for your loss. Big hugs to you.

 

Thanks for following, and thanks for the hug. :)

[trogmd]

I'm so sad to hear about Kieran, I honestly cannot imagine having the strength to do what you did, and I'm glad that you decided to go. Your review is bringing back some memories from this summer in Paris, where I found a little coffee shop and enjoyed my delicious 1.50 euro cup of coffee forgoing the much more pricey 5 or 6 euro cup nonsense. Next summer Barcelona is on the list of places to visit, and your photos have left me ready and waiting for more.

 

Thanks for your kind words and I am glad my review is bringing back some good memories for you. :)

[trogmd]

Mark, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that he was there with you every step of the way, and was glad that you chose to go!

 

Loving your review so far, and can't wait to read the rest. You are doing a wonderful job.

 

Thank you Jeff that means a lot coming from you, The Master of cruise reviews. :)

[scoutfinch72]

I am so very sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you decided to go on your cruise without your partner, because I am sure he'd have wanted you to. I can't wait to read the rest of your review, which is wonderful so far. You have no need to apologize for your reviewing skills!

[trogmd]

I am so very sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you decided to go on your cruise without your partner, because I am sure he'd have wanted you to. I can't wait to read the rest of your review, which is wonderful so far. You have no need to apologize for your reviewing skills!

 

 

Thanks for those kind words scoutfinch72. More on the way tonight. :)

[trogmd]

So finally cruise day arrived. I went down to breakfast and they had a new blackcurrant cheesecake in the selection so I had to try it as I have a sweet tooth.

 

 

There is also fresh fruit on offer for those healthy people out there.

 

 

There was also a big basket of fruit for people to help themselves to. I did have a pic of it but it would not upload to PB.

 

Here are a few pics of the hotel reception and lobby and a nice sitting area....

 

 

 

 

[trogmd]

Another nice touch was that they had a vending machine and on each floor they had a fridge set up with FREE bottled water for all the guests.

 

 

 

So I got my things and went downstairs to meet my private transfer to the ship.

 

 

The journey took less than 10mins. I checked in at the upper level of the cruise terminal and then made my way to the ship.

 

This was my first sight of Vista...

 

 

I then went across the gangway ...

 

 

And entered the atrium....

 

[trogmd]

The reflections restaurant is on the same level opposite the atrium bar.

 

 

I boarded at 11.07am and had my first Cocktail by 11.12am, which is always a Miami Vice....

 

 

It was a sad moment though as I raised a glass to Kieron wishing he was there with me.

 

I was served by this lovely barperson from Croatia. I really am sorry as I don`t remember her name as I have a bad memory for names.

 

 

I sat and drank my Miami Vice while waiting for my brother to arrive who was flying from the UK to the ship that morning.

 

I don`t know who keeps putting these selfies in my review. :D

 

 

[trogmd]

The lifts are across from the bar ...

 

 

At last my brother arrived after I had had 3 cocktails in an hour.

 

 

As you can see I was quite merry by then :D

 

My only complaint with the atrium is that the decor on the walls is non existent and in my view quite boring compared to other Carnival Atriums.

 

After 1pm the rooms became available so I went to seek out cabin 9339 on deck 9 just below the buffet on deck 10.

 

 

My Luggage got there before me....

 

 

And this is my room....

 

 

Well I did say I was tipsy by then....

[trogmd]

So lets try that again, ... This is my room ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trogmd]

 

 

 

 

The wardrobe had 2 robes in it...

 

 

It was a shame that this is the only drawer space for 2 people.

 

 

 

 

[trogmd]

Overall I loved my cabin.

I think that Carnivals cabins are the biggest I have stayed in all of my previous cruises. The balconies are smaller though than RCI.

 

I had a brilliant cabin steward called Michael. He did a great job looking after my cabin. I chose to have my cabin serviced in the evenings only, as I like to have the cabin to myself in the morning. Michael did ask me on numerous occasions when I saw him in the corridor if I wanted my cabin done in the morning, but I said I was happy with the once a day service.

 

Anyway at about 2pm I wanted to go get something to eat for the first time on the ship.

 

Guess what I went for?.....

 

 

Yes you guessed right. I had to see what everyone was raving about. I was very impressed and tried most of the different burgers they had on offer throughout the 10 days on Vista.

 

This was the pig patty....

 

 

I had a drink of the free lemonade with my food. I really enjoyed Carnivals free coffee as well.

My only complaint about the free soft drink choice is that there is no choice, very sweet lemonade or nothing. I would have liked to see a sugar free drink on offer as well. Before anyone says water, I do not like the taste of water on its own, flavored water is ok though. This is just my opinion and I did buy lots of other drinks as well, which is obviously what Carnival want people to do.

 

Anyway, it was now time at about 4.30pm for the Muster drill. Mine was in the casino. We did not have to take or wear life jackets. We also did not go and stand on deck next to our lifeboat.

 

At about 5.30pm it was time for the sail away party. This was quite impressive....

 

 

My brother enjoyed it as well...

 

 

 

On no not him again. I was wearing my sail away shirt that I have worn on every sail away on every cruise I have done lol.

 

[trogmd]

I am afraid this is the only pic I got of us leaving Barcelona.

 

 

I went back to the room to get ready for dinner and found this little guy waiting for me....

 

 

 

We then went to the bar at the back of the ship for a pre dinner drink....

 

 

 

Please let me apologize one last time for forgetting on numerous occasions to get pics of some food items and also the menus.

So we sat at the table for dinner for the first time...

 

[trogmd]

I had a glass of Moscato, which is my wine of choice to eat my meals with.

Again this is my opinion, I DO NOT LIKE THE TABLE WITHOUT A TABLECLOTH. :eek:

 

I do not think it is right for a main dining room on a cruise ship. Also I do not like the way the meals are served on this new style of dining. For Example, serving someone their dessert while the other table mates are still on mains. I may be old fashioned or its because I am British, but I do not think that is how it should be done. Sorry but that is what I think and it is my review after all. :D

 

I did however like the look of the dining room...

 

 

 

After dinner we walked past ocean plaza, where Band Of Shipsies played most evenings....

 

 

And we found ourselves in the piano bar, where Diva Natalie played most of the time.....

 

[trogmd]

Next up ... Marseilles

 

I am working tomorrow so will post the next bit on Thurs eve. Hope you are all enjoying it so far. :)

[jbhcw]

Your pictures are wonderful:):):)

[foxcent]

nice

Edited October 18, 2016 by foxcent

[krismas_tina]

Great start! Looking forward to the rest. We will be on the Vista next summer so I can't wait to see more of the ship!

 

 

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[kapcruiser]

Great pictures, great review!

[vipteam]

Great review so far! Thanks for taking the time to share.

[rjrice1]

First so sorry for your loss of your soul mate...

But he was traveling with you and looking down saying "Mark be happy" do this for us...

Want to tell ya a little story.. I lost my best friend.. and always promise him I take him on a cruise with me.. (my maltese..) when he went to the rainbow bridge.. I put some of him in a teddy bear. Now when we go on vacation he goes too.

Second thank you very much for taking the time to let us join you on your vacation... please continue.... and yes you have a real angel watching over you all the time

Cathy